Plate versus bulk trolley food service in a hospital: comparison of patients’ satisfaction

Objective The aim of this research was to compare plate with bulk trolley food service in hospitals in terms of patient satisfaction. Key factors distinguishing satisfaction with each system would also be identified. Methods A consumer opinion card (n = 180), concentrating on the quality indicators of core foods, was used to measure patient satisfaction and compare two systems of delivery, plate and trolley. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to build a model that would predict food service style on the basis of the food attributes measured. Further investigation used multinomial logistic regression to predict opinion for the assessment of each food attribute within food service style. Results Results showed that the bulk trolley method of food distribution enables all foods to have a more acceptable texture, and for some foods (potato, P = 0.007; poached fish, P = 0.001; and minced beef, P ≤ 0.0005) temperature, and for other foods (broccoli, P ≤ 0.0005; carrots, P ≤ 0.0005; and poached fish, P = 0.001) flavor, than the plate system of delivery, where flavor is associated with bad opinion or dissatisfaction. A model was built indicating patient satisfaction with the two service systems. Conclusion This research confirms that patient satisfaction is enhanced by choice at the point of consumption (trolley system); however, portion size was not the controlling dimension. Temperature and texture were the most important attributes that measure patient satisfaction with food, thus defining the focus for hospital food service managers. To date, a model predicting patient satisfaction with the quality of food as served has not been proposed, and as such this work adds to the body of knowledge in this field. This report brings new information about the service style of dishes for improving the quality of food and thus enhancing patient satisfaction

Assessing the Permeability of the Piglet Small Intestine at Birth

Because newborn piglets are born without maternal antibodies and lack mature serum proteins, it is critical that they ingest colostrum within several hours after birth or they will not survive. The small intestine of the piglet has evolved to be permeable immediately after birth to facilitate the uptake of colostrum-derived immunoglobulins, cytokines, antimicrobial peptides, and maternal cells. The precise timing of gut closure is not known and defining this timing major focus of our research and we will eventually discern whether oral vaccination can capitalize on the transient permeability before gut closure to trigger immune protection. My research project seeks to investigate whether the newborn piglet small intestine is permeable to Cy5-Ovalbumin as our representative antigen. Using immunohistochemistry, I will seek to define region-specific differences in the localization of known surface proteins such as Villin and pIgR and tight junction proteins such as Claudin-4 and Claudin-3 pre and post-suckling that may contribute to differences in the timing of gut-closure at birth. Endosome markers are also used to clarify antigen localization across different regions of the small intestine over time. Advancements in the understanding of the mucosal immune system across anatomical sites will ultimately lead to improvements in mucosal vaccine development

Stories From Women Who Served

[44] pages : color illustrations. Limited edition of 251 copies. Text pages: handset metal type printed letterpress on 100% PCW paper. Illustrations: screen printed and hand detailed on paper made from military uniforms. Covers: letterpress and silkscreen on paper made from military uniforms. Binding: solid brass Chicago screws. Paper Dolls: stories from women who served, is a fully functioning paper doll book. Each letterpress printed story is followed by a screen printed illustration onto paper made from the uniform referenced in the story. The stories span more than 40 years of service and include all branches of the military. Together, they represent a collective experience of women in the armed forces. -- Shotwell Paper Mill. Library has copy no. 4.https://digitalcommons.risd.edu/specialcollections_artistsbooks/1342/thumbnail.jp

The acute hospital foodservice patient satisfaction questionnaire: The development of a valid and rliable tool to measure patient satisfaction with acute care hospital foodservices.

The objective of this study was to design a valid and reliable questionnaire to measure patient satisfaction with acute care hospital foodservices. The Acute Care Hospital Foodservice Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire was administered to a convenience sample of 2347 acute care hospital inpatients and postdischarge patients from two public hospitals (total 1050 beds) and one 360-bed private hospital in Queensland, Australia. A factor analysis and evaluation of Cronbach's alpha revealed that the final questionnaire contained 16 statements relating to four factors describing food quality (α = 0.89), meal service quality (α = 0.72), staff/service issues (α = 0.65) and the physical environment (α = 0.61). Questions requesting demographic data were included. Results indicated that the survey is an accurate, reliable measure of patient foodservice satisfaction. It differentiates the foodservice into four factors and collects detailed information about foodservice attributes within these factors. This allows the application of systematic measures to improve foodservice quality and provides a tool for the continuous assessment of foodservice quality and measurement of changes in patient foodservice satisfaction over time in a variety of acute care setting

Preliminary results of patient satisfaction with nutrition handouts versus dietetic consultation in oncology outpatients receiving chemotherapy

Aim: To determine patient satisfaction with nutrition interventions in outpatients receiving chemotherapy identified as at nutritional risk.----- Methods: An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted at an Australian public hospital in 61 oncology outpatients receiving chemotherapy. A simple malnutrition screening tool was used to identify nutritional risk. Patients identified as moderate risk were triaged to receive nutrition handouts on increasing energy and protein intake. Those at high risk received nutrition counselling and support by a dietitian. Patient satisfaction was assessed using a modification of a valid and reliable satisfaction with nutrition services questionnaire.----- Results: Sixty-one patients entered the study and one-third (20/61) were at nutritional risk. Seven patients were at high risk, and received dietetic review while 13 patients were at moderate risk and received nutrition handouts. Patients identified as at nutritional risk (n = 20) were approached to complete the satisfaction with nutrition services questionnaire. Eighteen patients completed the questionnaire (n = 7: dietetic review; and n = 11: nutrition handout). Nutrition information/advice was rated as helpful (n = 15), met patient expectations (n = 16) and overall patient satisfaction was rated highly. Patients who had received a dietitian review recorded a clinically but not statistically higher overall satisfaction with nutrition services than those patients receiving the nutrition handout.----- Conclusion: The high patient satisfaction helps support nutrition intervention at the chemotherapy unit. A prospective trial is required to determine the benefits of this triage and nutrition intervention on nutrition-related outcomes