New heating system maintains food temperature for patients

WVU Medicine Nutrition Services has added a new induction heating activator that keeps plates of food hot for up to 90 minutes.

The Aladdin Temp-Rite is the latest upgrade for food preparation and delivery, according to Ken Phares, manager of Nutrition Services.

Nutrition Services delivers between 1,300 and 1,400 meals a day to patient rooms, depending on the census at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, Phares said. Although the new system has only been in place about a month, Phares said he has already heard positive feedback from patients and employees.

“Our hospital cafeteria system is the biggest and busiest in the state and we wanted to do a better job at keeping meals warm in the patient’s room,” Phares said. “It’s all about patient satisfaction. We’re very pleased with the way this has been working out.”