At Glenwood Regional Medical Center, meals are just a phone call away.

Glenwood Regional Medical Center's Foods and Nutrition Department implemented a new Room Service program on May 5, 2004. The first of its kind in Northeast Louisiana, room service offers patients meals on demand.

Here is how it works. A patient nutrition hostess will visit all new admitted patients and explain the ordering process and meal options. The patients are offered the menu that features up to 25 various entrees ranging from light fare to heartier dishes.

By telephoning the room service number 4000 line, patients may place an order for a meal from their room anytime from 6:30am until 8:00pm, seven days a week. If patients are unable to make their choice by telephone and there are no family members or visitors to assist them, a nutrition hostess will assist the patient in placing their order. Menu choices are reviewed by trained staff to ensure that the patient receives food that is appropriate for their personal diet plan.

Meals are delivered to the bedside within 30 minutes. Patients may order up to three meals in advance if necessary. Guest trays are offered for a cost of $5 a meal and are delivered to the patient's room.

Aside from making the patient feel pampered, the room service program gives the patient an opportunity to eat what they like at the times they are hungry. Eating well is a contributing factor to healing and the Foods and Nutrition department understands that many people have different expectations about the quality of hospital food service. By providing Room Service for patients, our staff believes we can provide a positive dining experience for our patients.