67 Both human and technology based solutions have their place in the future delivery of hospital food

BackgroundHospital food influences experiences and outcomes of care and optimising nutrition for hospitalised children is universally recognised as important for recovery. Whilst barriers to oral food intake have been identified, interventions to address them are limited. As part of a proof of concept (PoC) trial, our aim was to explore both technology and person to person solutions to this perennial problem.MethodsOur two-pronged approach involved exploring the potential for developing the catering liaison role (low tech) and implementing and evaluating a Food on Demand Delivery Service (FODDS) app (high tech) at Great Ormond Street Hospital. The catering liaison role was evaluated through individual case studies with 4 long-term patients whereas a PoC trial was undertaken on six inpatient wards during a 4 week period to evaluate the FODDS app. Data were collected using quantitative (surveys) and qualitative (focus groups and individual interviews) approaches with families and staff.ResultsOverall, 149 families and 19 staff participated in data collection. Both solutions were positively evaluated by all stakeholder groups, with the Net Promotor score in relation to the FODDS app moving from a baseline score of -26 to +44 during the PoC. Challenges of both solutions were identified, particularly in relation to communication and logistics, but overall findings supported upscaling both the catering liaison manager role and the implementation of the FODDS app across the hospital.DiscussionTechnology and person to person solutions both offer potential for addressing barriers to oral intake for hospitalised children. Challenges will need to be addressed prior to scaling up for a hospital-wide roll out but the benefits for children, families and staff, as well as potential resource benefits for the hospital, were evident and support further work to enable such solutions to be introduced across the hospital, alongside a comprehensive evaluation programme.