If your facility treats a lot of children, your nutrition staff is already well aware of the immense challenges that come with trying to make sure sick pediatric patients consume enough nutrients to get better. What they, and you, might not be aware of, however, is how useful our innovative software technologies at Vision Software can be in helping your staff accomplish this goal.
Fruit On-Demand
Every nutrition expert knows fruit is one of the best and most versatile things to feed children when they’re sick. No matter what type of condition the child is suffering from, fruit offers ample vitamins and nutrients to support ideal health, its sweetness entices appetites, it can be puréed to be consumed more easily, plus fruit contains a lot of moisture to help encourage proper hydration. Citrus fruits and berries are high in vitamin C. Sliced frozen fruit is wonderful for sore throats and making healthy popsicles. And, when blended with milk or a similar alternative beverage, fruit can transform into a tasty smoothie that is packed with calories. This means, making sure your littlest patients have access to as much fruit as they want when they’re sick is vital – which is where Vision Software’s room service and tray tracking software applications really come in handy. These applications not only allow your patients to order whatever meals and snacks they want the moment they begin to feel hungry, ensuring maximum nutrient intake, they guarantee your nutrition staff maintains awareness of where everyone is, what is being ordered, when/where meals are delivered/consumed, and more so patient progress can be effectively tracked and documented for future reference.
Cater To Their Preferences
It’s no secret that when children are sick their appetites are fussier than normal, and sometimes it’s better for them to just eat something than not eat anything at all. What’s lesser known, however, is that no resource is more useful to nutrition staffs in these exact situations than Vision Software’s comprehensive diet office software. While the room service and tray tracking software applications may be great for keeping track of meals once they’ve been made, diet office software is the application that’s going to keep your staff constantly up-to-date on patient preferences, meal patterns, allergy information, medication/treatment schedules, and more so that available meals are always safe, well balanced, and enjoyable. While this doesn’t mean you have to give your pediatric patients whatever they want, it does mean if your staff notices a particular youngster tends to finish all their noodles or rice at dinner, offering an option of just plain buttered noodles and steamed broccoli, or a simple rice pilaf, becomes a fantastic easy alternative to wasted food or skipped meals. Plus, rice, toast, applesauce, and bananas especially are fan favorites for those with queasy tummies, also known as the BRAT diet.
Back To The Basics
Solid foods not agreeing with your youngest patients at all? Using leftover kitchen scraps to create rich unique stocks and broths is the most nutritious, and cost-effective, solution. Plus, it gives your nutrition staff the unique opportunity to go back to the basics in terms of nutrition education. Plain broths and soups, especially those that have been thickened a bit with oat flour, are warm on the throat and easy to digest yet still filling. They offer vital fluids necessary for keeping your patients hydrated. And, when the patient is ready, starchier ingredients, like rice and noodles, as well as diced vegetables and/or proteins, can be added to increase calorie/vitamin count. As each new ingredient is added to the pot, your staff can include convenient nutrient labels that help explain exactly how each added ingredient is beneficial to the body/health thanks to Vision Software’s groundbreaking nutrient labeling software.
Want to know more about all of our other incredible technologies at Vision Software, and how each one can help support transformation in your diet office and protect your patients of all ages? Now’s your chance! Our food nutrition informatics experts are already standing by. Call 629.777.8989, or fill in the free consultation form in the sidebar, to learn more about how Vision Software can positively impact the lives of the patients and visitors you service every day.