Some hospitals' food may have a bad reputation, but at West Boca Medical Center, one of the draws is the menu. The hospital, in conjunction with Morrison Healthcare Food Services, offers a program known as "Dining On Call". 

"The "Dining On Call" program is part of our overall goal to increase our customer satisfaction at the hospital," says Richard Gold, chief executive officer of West Boca Medical Center.

When a patient is first admitted to the hospital, their health needs are assessed to determine if they can order their own meals. Once in their room, the patient finds a leather bound menu in which they can phone in their meal. For those unable to call, a hospital staff member can come to the room and take their order on a Palm Pilot. Parents can also call and order the food for their children (pediatric patients) or adults can order for their elderly parents.

"The goal is to give the patients some control while they are in the hospital," says Sandy West, director of nutritional services at West Boca Medical Center. "They can choose what they want, when they want."

The menu is much like that of a restaurant's. There are breakfast items, entrees, salads, sandwiches and desserts. The service operates from 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. and during this time patients can eat whatever is on the menu, as long as their physician gives the approval. This means if the patient wants pancakes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, he or she can have it.

According to hospital staff, the most popular item on the menu is the chicken stir-fry. Another favorite is the ziti pasta with meat sauce. Desserts also get great reviews - the most requested is the crème brulee, followed by the strawberry shortcake.