There’s no question that hospitals and healthcare campuses are very busy places. The operation of such locations is often an around-the-clock business and that means vending machine options are very, very important in this particular sector. To that, it’s important that hospital and healthcare vending machines offer a variety of healthy snack options, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, low-sugar granola bars, and unsweetened drinks. This will help employees, patients, and visitors make healthier choices while onsite.
Why is it Important to Choose the Right Vending for a Hospital?
Vending machines within your healthcare campus—why is it important to choose the right one? Vending machines may seem like a small detail, but they can have a big impact on patient health and overall hospital experience.
Did you know that hospital vending machines are often stocked with unhealthy snacks and drinks? This can contribute to poor nutrition for patients who may already be struggling with their health. By choosing healthier options, hospitals can support patient recovery and promote better overall health. Internally speaking, promoting employee health and wellness can be as simple as providing hospital vending machines that feature healthy choices.
Best Vending Machines You Can Choose for a Hospital
It can be difficult to know how best to approach a vending machine program that’s the right fit for your healthcare campus or location. While the needs of your patients and employees are your highest priority, assigning the same type of priority to your vending options helps you ensure your people will be well cared for.
So what should you look for as you determine the right vending machines for your healthcare location? Consider these important variables.
Healthier Options
When it comes to hospital vending machines, the options available can greatly impact patient health. Did you know that over 60% of older adult patients in hospitals are at risk for malnutrition? By offering healthier options in vending machines, hospitals can play a crucial role in promoting patient health and well-being.
But it's not just about patient health—offering healthier options can also benefit hospital finances. Studies have shown that hospitals with healthy vending programs can see an increase in revenue by up to 30%. So not only is it the right thing to do for patients and their visitors, but it's also a smart financial decision.
Accessibility
Having accessible vending machines in hospitals is crucial for improving the patient and visitor experience. Imagine being a patient with limited mobility or a visitor with kids, trying to navigate through a hospital to find a vending machine that is out of reach or difficult to operate. By providing accessible vending machines, hospitals can ensure that everyone has equal access to refreshments and snacks.
Accessible features can include larger buttons, lower height, and audio instructions for those with visual impairments. Some vending machines even have Braille labels for easy identification of products. These features not only benefit those with disabilities but also make it easier for all users to quickly and easily purchase items from the vending machine.
Revenue Generation
Having the right vending machines in hospitals can not only provide convenience for patients and visitors but also generate revenue for the hospital. In fact, some hospitals have reported earning hundreds of thousands of dollars annually from vending machine sales.
One successful example is the vending program at Children's Hospital Los Angeles, which generated over $300,000 in revenue in just one year. The hospital partnered with a vending company that offered healthier snack options, which not only increased revenue but also supported the hospital's mission of promoting healthy habits.
Maintenance & Support
Reliable maintenance and support are crucial for hospital vending machines to function properly. Without it, these machines can experience malfunctions and breakdowns that can lead to lost revenue and frustrated patients and visitors.
Proper maintenance and support can also prevent health and safety issues, such as contaminated food or expired products. This is especially important in a hospital setting where patient health and safety are top priorities.
Successful maintenance programs have been implemented in hospitals across the country, including regular cleaning and restocking schedules, as well as prompt repair services. These programs not only ensure the functionality of the machines but also improve patient satisfaction and generate more revenue for the hospital.
We Can Offer You the Best Options
Choosing the right vending machines for hospitals is crucial. Not only can it provide healthier options for patients and visitors, but it can also generate revenue for the hospital. It's important to consider accessibility features and reliable maintenance and support when selecting vending machines.
By making informed decisions about vending machines, hospitals can improve patient experience and promote healthy habits. So, when it comes to choosing vending machines, remember that the right choice can make a big difference.
