The development of a methodology for assessing food quality in hospital food service systems.

There are few empirical studies of food quality within hospital food service systems. Although it is widely accepted that food quality is a multi-faceted phenomenon, much attention has been paid to single component explanations in the past. The aim of this study throughout has been two fold - to develop a model suitable for evaluating the quality of food in conventional hospital food service systems; and to evaluate food quality in selected hospitals in the Trent Regional Health Authority and West Midland Regional Health Authority using the model. A key outcome in this study has been the development of a multifaceted measurement of food quality to help catering managers deploy resources effectively, in conventional hospital food service systems. This approach was achieved using a variety of qualitative and quantitative information to score six food quality components and 15 influencing variables. Food quality was defined as a multi-dimensional measure to include measures of satisfaction of patients and catering staff, productivity, safety, and nutritional adequacy. Measures of influencing variables were chosen or adapted from those available in food service operations insofar as was possible. Where none was available, methods were developed. The variables were grouped into two major categories: human resources and system resources. A survey of 12 hospital conventional food service systems in the UK was undertaken and detailed information was collected from each, including surveys of 933 patients and 327 catering staff.Patient satisfaction with the quality of hospital food and food-related service was evaluated by patient questionnaires. It was measured by assessing 14variables. Patients seem to be generally satisfied with the food served. In the regression analysis none of the influencing variables explained the component of 'patient satisfaction' at the level of P