Hospital Power Players: Atascadero State Hospital

17. Atascadero State Hospital, Atascadero, Calif.

Licensed Beds: 1,275
Management: self-operated
Avg. Daily In-patient Census: 1,080
Avg. No. In-patient Meals/Day: 3,240
No. of Retail Dining Outlets: 1
Total Annual Retail Sales: $130,000
Dining/Nutrition Services FTEs: 157

California Department of State Hospital-Atascadero’s 1,275 licensed beds are located on 34 residential units. Within a secure perimeter, the nutrition services department provides patients a scheduled breakfast and dinner from five cafeteria-style stations with seating in eight central dining rooms.

A cook-serve system is utilized with a main kitchen centrally located near the dining rooms. Individual breakfasts and lunches and between-meal feedings are delivered to units as needed. Sack lunches are also delivered within insulated transport carts to all patients on the units in order to maximize the time that patients have for treatment activities.

The four-to-five week cycle regular menu is developed in house, published quarterly and posted weekly on the units for patient awareness. There is also a comprehensive nutrition assessment/intervention and therapeutic diet program coordinated by a staff of over 13 registered dietitians and six dietetic technicians. Nutrition services is managed by a team of five RDs who apply performance improvement concepts to maintain quality operations.

Menus are planned with attention to national Therapeutic Lifestyle Guidelines. A patient council meets monthly with nutrition services to offer suggestions and express concerns regarding the menus and aspects of meal service. Patient input on meal service is also gathered via surveys.
 
In addition to its staff of more than 135 employees, nutrition services provides a work environment where screened patients can participate in a vocational program, assisting with limited production, service and sanitation activities.

A contracted commissary also provides a means for patients and staff to purchase supplemental foods and grill items, and staff also has contracted vending machines available around the clock.