Ashwani Vohra, CEO, Compass India Food Services Pvt Ltd interacted with ETHealthworld about how technology, nutrition, and holistic care are shaping the future of healthcare in India. He emphasised that in a world where food is medicine, the role of nutrition in the healthcare industry is changing. With the growing competition and increasing demands for personalized care, hospitals are leveraging technology to enhance both patient and staff experiences. Compass Group India, part of Compass Group, a world leader in food and facility management services, is driving innovation through its newly launched Medirest Platform, revolutionising meal planning, offering personalised nutrition, and enhancing operational efficiency.
In the evolving healthcare landscape, how do you see the role of nutrition in patient care and recovery changing over the next few years? What are some emerging trends that hospitals are adopting to enhance the patient experience?A. When we speak about patient care we need to look at it holistically. Tasty, healthy and nutritious food not only helps patients in overall recovery, but it plays an important role in managing staff’s motivation and energy levels, thus providing a great outcome for patient recovery.
India’s healthcare landscape is witnessing a revolutionary period, with health-conscious consumers increasingly prioritising informed decisions about their care. The rise of medical tourism, which is growing twice as fast as other sectors, and increased foreign direct investment (FDI) have intensified competition among hospitals.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the doctor-patient ratio in India as of March 2024 was 1:900, which is much higher than it should be. It signifies the increasing stress levels amongst healthcare providers. Amidst these developments, nutrition is becoming central for healthcare stakeholders, catering to their functional, emotional and social needs. Given these evolving conditions, hospitals are now leveraging technology to curate customised meal plans according to patient requirements. Providing meaningful variety, all-day dining and easy access are fast becoming central for the hospital staff. This shift towards personalised care improves recovery outcomes, enhancing the overall patient experience while improving staff retention and satisfaction, making nutrition a cornerstone of modern healthcare practices.
With technology playing an increasingly crucial role in almost every sector, how is the healthcare industry, particularly in India, integrating tech solutions into everyday operations like patient care and meal planning?A. Today, customised nutrition is critical in ensuring that the right meals are delivered to the right patients at the right time, based on their clinical profiles. Digital interventions streamline front- and back-end processes, allowing clinical dietitians to provide nutritious meals efficiently. Tech solutions automate meal planning and distribution, ensuring accessibility, safety, and high-quality kitchen operations. By integrating these systems, hospitals can enhance patient outcomes, reduce errors, and meet the growing demand for personalised care, making technology a game-changer in the healthcare industry.
Doctor and staff burnout is a growing concern in the healthcare industry. With the increased focus on holistic well-being in hospitals, how important is it to address the nutrition and care of doctors and staff as well?
A. Addressing the nutrition of healthcare providers is crucial in combating burnout and enhancing overall well-being. Wholesome, varied meals tailored to the needs of doctors and staff can significantly impact their functional, emotional, and social health. By offering all-day dining and easy access to healthy food options, hospitals can ensure staff are well-nourished and energised.
Moreover, food-driven initiatives such as teaching kitchens, food festivals, and engagement activities foster a sense of community and boost morale. Engaged and well-nourished staff are better equipped to provide high-quality patient care, making staff nutrition a priority in the healthcare environment.
Attendee and visitor experiences are also key to hospital satisfaction. What are the ways to help enhance the experience for visitors and attendees in hospitals, providing comfort and care while their loved ones are being treated?
A. Providing high-quality, safe, and delicious food that caters to regional and seasonal preferences can significantly improve the experience of attendees and visitors at the hospital. Easy access to food through technology, such as food ordering apps, offers visitors convenience and speed when needed most. Integrating feedback management into these systems helps hospitals continuously improve service. Last but not least, by focussing on food quality, variety, and convenience, hospitals can create a comforting environment for visitors, ensuring they feel cared for while supporting their loved ones during treatment.
Compass has recently launched the Medirest Platform for hospitals. Can you explain the primary vision behind this innovation and how it addresses key pain points faced by dieticians and healthcare professionals?
A. The primary vision behind Compass Group India’s Medirest Platform is to revolutionise patient nutrition by automating the end-to-end meal planning process for hospitals, empowering clinical dieticians to focus on personalised care. Traditionally, dieticians spend extensive time manually gathering patient information and crafting meal plans. The platform simplifies this with automation, ensuring precise, tailored meals based on patients’ clinical needs, dietary preferences, and allergies while eliminating manual errors. By addressing these key pain points, our platform empowers healthcare professionals to provide higher standards of care while improving patient outcomes and operational efficiency in hospitals. It significantly improves food wastage at various levels, aiding to the sustainability goals of healthcare institutes. We serve with humility and deliver performance with heart, inspired by the idea of food as medicine to aid recovery and bring a smile to patients’ faces.
How does Medirest Platform contribute to operational efficiency in hospitals, particularly in terms of meal planning and patient dietary management?
A. Medirest Platform enhances operational efficiency in hospitals by integrating data-driven, tech-enabled solutions for meal planning and patient dietary management. Backed by Compass’ proprietary nutrition database, it provides comprehensive macro and micro nutritional data, ensuring precise, personalised meal plans tailored to individual needs. The platform instantly generates diet slips with patient-specific details, minimising manual errors. Consolidated data reports streamline kitchen operations, improving workflow and reducing food wastage. By working in collaboration with medical experts, Medirest combines technology and nutritional guidance to enrich and heal patients, optimising staff productivity and delivering the best possible care through personalised nutrition.
Compass Group India has been a leader in food services and facility management. How has your expertise in these areas positioned you to innovate within the healthcare sector?
A. Commitment to innovation as a core pillar for growth, we leverage technology as the backbone of everything we do, ensuring seamless operations and global standards of health, safety, and quality through automation.
Our Medirest Platform exemplifies this. It is a revolutionary solution that automates patient meal planning, providing the clinical dietician at hospitals to provide enhanced patient care and ensure every patient receives the benefits of scientifically planned nutrition tailored to their needs. It also enhances operational efficiency and reduces food wastage. Sustainability is at the centre of our approach, alongside responsible sourcing and adherence to dietary protocols. With the Medirest diet platform, hospitals can create new benchmarks for patient dining experiences leveraging food as medicine.
Looking ahead, at the innovations shaping the future of healthcare and food services in India, what’s next for Compass Group in this space?
A. Looking ahead, Compass Group India is committed to leading innovations in healthcare food services. We will enhance hyper-personalisation in the dining experience, with nutrition and well-being at the core, offering tailored options for patients, healthcare providers, and visitors.
Automation will be pivotal, enabling all-day dining with seamless ordering, personalisation, and payment. Sustainability remains key as we implement eco-friendly practices, reduce food wastage, and ensure energy-efficient kitchen operations. By integrating these trends, Compass will continue elevating the patient experience while driving sustainable and efficient food services across India’s healthcare sector.
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