The Hospital District of Helsinki and Uusimaa (HUS) – My Meal app

HUS serves meals to up to 3,000 patients every day

The scope of the My Meal application is demonstrated by the number of meals served at HUS: across all locations, meals are served to up to 3,000 patients every day. 

The application is divided into two parts according to target group: customers and staff. Customers can customize their meal by choosing from the options provided. The alternatives offered take into account the customer’s potential allergies and the dietary recommendations.

The staff application automatically routes the patients’ choices to the kitchen and food delivery in real time. Deliverers also see potential dietary restrictions, allergies, and assistive needs, such as the need for a sippy cup or straw.

– The accuracy of meal data is paramount. Throughout the process, all parties need to have the right information about the meals, and we want to give our customers the ability to influence their meals. The My Meal application plays an important part in this, says Leena Jalosuo, Development Manager of HUS core services.

Reducing food waste is important for the environment and the economy

Reducing waste is an important objective for HUS food services, both for environmental and financial reasons. There are many ways to achieve this objective, and the My Meal application plays a key role. By involving the entire food distribution chain in the development, the benefits of automation and digitalization can also be fully exploited.

– The development project with Pinja has opened everyone’s eyes to how the whole process works. Meal information is passed from patients and caregivers to the kitchen, which prepares and dispatches the meals, which are then distributed by a caregiver or multi-service worker. Employees have responded positively to the reform and see the benefits, says Jalosuo.

The use of the app has been extended in phases after the pilot phase in the spring of 2024. The ultimate goal is to use the application throughout HUS in all locations and departments.

Nutrition is an important part of patient care

Nutrition plays a key role in patient care, both in relation to disease and as a factor in recovery and empowerment in general. This work is supported by the European Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism’s (ESPEN) international declaration on nutrition as a human right.

– The My Meal app ensures that the patient’s nutritional care is what it should be. The accuracy of meal information is therefore paramount, and the right information must be available at all stages of the process, says Jalosuo.

Accessibility an important objective

The patient logs in to the My Meal app using their bank details or other authentication method of their choice, and selects their preferred meal and side dishes, drink, and portion size from the available options. The information is transmitted to the ERP system of the food services in near real-time. The staff’s view of the application displays the distribution information digitally.

HUS has a diverse clientele of people of all ages and backgrounds – virtually the entire spectrum of citizens. This means that the development of the application must consider factors such as varying levels of knowledge about how to use the app, as well as visual and other limitations.

An important requirement in the design of the My Meal app was to make it as accessible and easy to use as possible. Accessibility was ensured through accessibility testing, further research and feedback from the HUS wards, and the expertise of Pinja’s accessibility expert.

– We wanted the path to flow logically from user login. We also considered things like color contrasts and fonts. We wanted to make the app as easy to use as possible, says Jalosuo.

Customers who cannot use the app for one reason or another can still communicate their meal requests verbally through HUS staff.

Beyond the application, understanding the process is essential – results are achieved through collaboration

Real collaboration between the parties involved has been important in the development of the My Meal app. HUS Development Manager Leena Jalosuo and Pinja’s Project Manager Joni Partanen have both been involved in the design and implementation of the application from the beginning.

Jalosuo says that the My Meal app development project is a good example of the need to get the process, the information system, and the people to work together.

– No matter how well-designed the approach, the system alone will not solve the challenges. The staff must be ready to change the way they work, and for that I would like to thank everyone involved, says Jalosuo.

Partanen says that Pinja’s experts can do effective and meaningful work in HUS projects.

– I appreciate that HUS trusts our expertise and gives us the freedom to propose solutions. In a situation like this, where a completely new service is being built, it is good not to impose too many constraints. Overall, the My Meal project was a real pleasure to work on. Work flows well when it’s fun to do it together with the client, adds Partanen.

HUS is also satisfied with the process and the result.

– All in all, the cooperation went well. I am completely satisfied with Pinja – they are a competent team, says Jalosuo.