Qualitative analysis of the implementation of a hospital room service in a large metropolitan hospital: foundations for transformation

Abstract

Background: Room Service is a hospital meal service model with demonstrated improved nutrition intake, reduced wastage and cost bene ts in some settings compared with traditional models. However, uptake across public hospital settings appears low; the underlying reasons require exploration. In 2019, Room Service was introduced in a Queensland Hospital and Health Service site. The aim of this paper is to identify the barriers and enablers to implementing Room Service to provide recommendations for future implementation of this model.Methods: This qualitative descriptive study utilised semi-structured interviews with staff involved in implementation of the Room Service meal delivery model at The Prince Charles Hospital (Queensland, Australia). A purposive sample of project members and key stakeholders were recruited. Interviews explored project experiences from commencement to completion, barriers and enablers to implementation, strategies to overcome challenges and recommendations for implementation at other sites. Interviews were coded to identify themes and sub-themes.Results: Nine participants were interviewed. Key themes with associated sub-themes were (I) Foundations of transformation; (II) Navigating implementation; and (III) Embedding sustainable practices.Conclusions: This study adds rich information to understand factors that support the implementation of a room service model in a large public hospital. Future implementation of room service should not only consider measuring quanti able outcomes, but also the importance of qualitative descriptive studies surveying project members and key stakeholders to further explore experiences, barriers and enablers to implementation and develop strategies to overcome challenges to assist further sites implement this model.

Are Malnourished Inpatients Treated by Dietitians Active Participants in Their Nutrition Care? Findings of an Exploratory Study of Patient-Reported Measures across Nine Australian Hospitals

“…The Systematised Interdisciplinary Malnutrition Program for impLementation and Evaluation (SIMPLE) Phase II implementation program was a knowledge translation, quality assurance program aiming to scale and spread the initial SIMPLE program across hospitals in Queensland, Australia [ 16 , 17 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ]. Led by an interdisciplinary knowledge translation team, the program engaged local dietetics and interdisciplinary ward/unit teams, the SIMPLE Champions Network and subgroups, and key site influencers to translate SIMPLE into new wards/units and hospitals.…”