Technology continues to play a key role in Kettering Health (KH) meeting the needs of its patients. One example of that approach is mobile meal ordering, an option available to inpatients across the system.
Mobile meal ordering is accessible through MyChart on inpatients’ personal phones or tablets, allowing patients to order meals independently during their hospital stay.
“The whole point of MyChart is giving people access to their health information, and now, ordering your meal is part of that one‑stop shop,” said Bradley Morgan, the system director of Culinary and Nutrition Care at KH.
The digital process enhances the experience for inpatients and their families, offering added convenience through flexible scheduling, improved dietary safety to reflect medical restrictions, and reduced wait times. It also gives family members a more active role during a loved one’s hospital stay.
“A family member can order meals ahead of time, which gives peace of mind, especially for some patients who might need that support,” Morgan said.
In addition to improving the inpatient experience, mobile meal ordering provides meaningful benefits for nurses and clinical teams. By eliminating a routine, non‑clinical task, the process reduces workflow interruptions and limits time spent on the phone relaying food orders to campus kitchens. Fewer phone orders also ease demand on nutrition services and centralized call centers.
“You don’t have to be on a phone for five to 10 minutes trying to place an order,” Morgan said. “You can spend that time doing your responsibilities, and we’ll take care of the food.”
Step‑by‑step instructions for using the service are available on inpatient menus, and an upcoming Spanish‑language version of the app will further expand access.
“If more patients can use the app, then that takes no labor from anybody,” Morgan said. “That takes no labor from my staff, and it takes no labor from a nursing employee.”
The result is a more efficient use of staff time, better support for higher‑need patients, and continued progress toward a modern, patient‑centered care environment.