“At Your Request” or “A La Carte” — lets patients order food directly from the hospital food service department between regularly scheduled mealtimes, even if they just need a snack to tide them over. Better yet, the cost of these special orders are considered part of standard care, hospital officials said.
“The satisfaction is phenomenal,” agreed Joan Dolezal, director of food and nutrition services at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, where “A La Carte” room service was launched in January.
“The food is very similar to what you would find in fine hotels,” she said. Patients order through the room telephone from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. seven days a week. A software program determines if their order violates any restriction laid down by their doctor.
“Food is delivered within 45 minutes,” Dolezal said. “You can have an omelette in the evening, you can have pizza with the topping of your choice.”
https://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/health/feeds/hscout/2004/10/22/hscout521685.html