AI’s Expanding Role in Healthcare Foodservice
Carle Foundation Hospital (CFH), Carle Health’s 509 bed location in central Illinois, is focused on providing the best care possible for patients. One area that demonstrates this commitment is the patient dining experience, which directly influences comfort, satisfaction, and recovery. By leveraging technology, CFH has transformed meal delivery, setting a new standard for efficiency and quality.
The Shift to Real-Time Data Tracking
Before adopting Computrition’s tray tracking and data management tools, CFH staff estimated meal delivery times at “about an hour.” Without real-time monitoring, they couldn’t provide proper quotes, verify accuracy, or identify delays. Implementing software tools allowed CFH to capture and analyze delivery data, enabling more precise monitoring and goal setting.
Food Services Director Kevin Steffes then established a stretch goal of 30-minute delivery times to motivate teams and improve service. In Q1 2020, CFH delivered nearly 76,000 trays with an average time of 50 minutes. By Q1 2023, that number rose to 86,000 trays, and the average delivery time dropped to 39 minutes. These changes to the patient dining experience stemmed from tracking each critical stage of tray delivery:
Ordered
Assembled
Left kitchen
Delivered
The software gathers performance data that CFH’s operators can then share with frontline staff and leadership.
Impact and Continued Progress
Real-time metrics empowered teams to identify bottlenecks and make targeted improvements. They analyzed delivery stats by employee, day, and time of day to uncover trends and root causes. April 2023 marked a milestone, with every day showing delivery times under 40 minutes and three days achieving the 30-minute stretch goal. In August 2025, CFH passed almost 32,000 trays with an average delivery time of 32 minutes. Eleven out of thirty-one (11/31) days in August met or exceeded the 30-minute stretch goal.
Carle Foundation Hospital’s success highlights the power of data in healthcare operations. By embracing technology and fostering a culture of accountability, the hospital continues to enhance the patient dining experience and set benchmarks for excellence.
Partnership
Computrition is grateful to collaborate with systems like Carle Health to enhance the patient dining experience for guests and staff. We were honored to present CFH with the 2023 Data Champion category of our Prodigy Award recognition program.
In May 2025, our team visited CFH’s Food and Nutrition department to celebrate 13 years of successful partnership. Seeing our solutions in action helps guide future innovation and deepens our understanding of operational needs. CFH’s achievements are truly impressive, including the renovation of their reFresh Eatery space.
Last but certainly not least, congratulations to Kevin Steffes on receiving AHF’s 2025 Presidential Service Award! Kevin’s insight, generosity, and dedication to education and peer support—through webinars, committee service, and active engagement in AHF’s Online Discussion Community—has strengthened AHF’s mission and inspired the healthcare foodservice community.
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