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Phone: 800-222-4488
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www.computrition.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News Release
[For Immediate Release]
May I Take Your Order?
Scottsdale Healthcare to Launch Room Service for Patients
SCOTTSDALE, AZ—MARCH 31, 2005—Creating a synergy with Chatsworth, CA-based Computrition, Inc. and San Diego-based Skylight Systems, Inc., Scottsdale Healthcare is piloting an interactive, on-demand room service system in the majority of patient rooms beginning in summer 2005. Patients will be able to order food when desired with the touch of a button, assuring patients at Scottsdale Healthcare will feel like guests!
“TouchPoint Dining” will use Computrition’s Hospitality Suite software as the food service and nutrition intelligence while using Skylight Systems’ GetWellTV interactive bedside communication system for in-room display and paperless room service ordering.
“Scottsdale Healthcare has a history of innovation, and we want that to continue,” said Betty Ann Stephenson, Scottsdale Healthcare’s director of Hospitality Services. “By switching to a room service model where patients select their meals using the GetWellTV system, we expect to improve patient satisfaction by providing high-quality service.”
The system significantly reduces lag time between when orders are taken and when food trays are prepared, assuring patients prompt delivery of their selected meal. Food waste is expected to diminish as patients are given more control and choices in meal selection. When fully integrated, the TouchPoint Dining service will include patient-specific menus with allergies and restricted food items removed. This safeguard ensures patients receive only menu items appropriate to their specific diet, while still taking personal preferences into account. This interactive application for both patient and guest meal ordering offers on-screen nutritional analysis and automated kitchen ticket generation. The system will also allow guest meal trays to be sent to patient rooms.
“We’re excited to partner with Skylight and Scottsdale Healthcare, extending the reach of our Hospitality Suite software to the patients’ point of care,” said Computrition President & Catalyst, Scott Saklad. “This application of technology will benefit everyone in the hospital—the food & nutrition team, the guests and especially patients,” Saklad continued.
Industry figures estimate that hospital paper menus are handled an average of 12 times per patient meal order, presenting an increased risk of error along with more opportunities for workflow inefficiencies. Revamping this method with automated meal ordering will enhance operation efficiency and patient satisfaction. Additionally, staff will be able to spend less time taking menu orders and more time taking care of patients.
Skylight’s GetWellTV has transformed Scottsdale Healthcare’s hospital televisions into multi-media centers for each patient, providing innovative services such as custom hospital information, health content videos, patient feedback surveys, Internet access, on-demand movies and more. This new functionality is a natural extension of Scottsdale Healthcare’s interactive bedside connectivity. Adding the Hospitality Suite product by Computrition, the world's leading software provider for foodservice, patient management, and nutritional analysis, guarantees this partnership will bring insight and intelligence at the point of care in ways never before available.
This service will significantly reduce the number of patients needing a staff visit to order meals. Since some patients are simply not “room service appropriate” due to their dietary restrictions or condition, Scottsdale Healthcare’s goal is to have one-third of patients order meals unattended using TouchPoint Dining. For patients unable or reluctant to interact with the system unassisted, the service provides staff an on-demand tool to review meal choices with patients and allow them to communicate meal orders directly to the foodservice department without the burden and cost of paper menus.
“The partnership reaffirms Scottsdale Healthcare’s commitment to innovation, and supports their ongoing dedication to high patient satisfaction. This solution will once again call attention to Scottsdale Healthcare’s pioneering mindset as an early adopter of technology,” comments David Schofield, CEO of Skylight Systems. “We are honored that GetWellTV is continuing to help Scottsdale Healthcare set the standard for excellence in personalized healthcare.”
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About Scottsdale Healthcare
Scottsdale Healthcare is an independent, not-for-profit health system serving the northeast metropolitan Phoenix area since 1962. It is Scottsdale’s largest employer with approximately 4500 employees and a medical staff of some 2000 physicians in more than 50 specialties. Scottsdale Healthcare is known for its high quality oncology, cardiovascular, neurosciences, orthopedics and women’s services. The company includes two hospitals, 305-bed Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn and 343-bed Scottsdale Healthcare Shea, the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center, two freestanding surgery centers and home health services. www.shc.org
About Skylight Systems’ GetWellTV
San Diego-based Skylight Systems is an interactive communication and entertainment system providing enhanced productivity and workflow, advanced communications and patient empowerment to healthcare institutions. The company focuses on products and services that create operational efficiencies and improve patient satisfaction and productivity. Skylight Systems’ flagship product, GetWellTV offers administrative hospital services including on-demand health education videos, patient survey technology, customized hospital content, interactive communication services and dietary menu applications at the bedside. State-of-the-art digital entertainment services include feature film rentals, premium cable TV, music, high-speed Internet, e-mail access and interactive games. www.skylight.com
About Computrition
Computrition, Inc. is the leading provider of fully integrated foodservice and nutrition management software systems in the hospitality and healthcare industries. With customers throughout the USA, Canada, and worldwide, Computrition provides an all-encompassing software system designed to increase efficiency and productivity in the healthcare, hospitality, university, school foodservice, military and corrections industries. Staffed by dietitians, foodservice directors, chefs, business & service professionals and certified technical specialists, Computrition possesses the expertise necessary to deliver the highest quality products and services with a focus on customer satisfaction, employee fulfillment, and profitability. www.computrition.com
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Contact:
Stephanie Luros
Marketing Manager
Computrition, Inc.
800-224-4488