By Healthcare Facilities Today

Some of Erlanger Health System staff are fretting that a new hospital food service contract could force them to give up their post-surgery cinnamon dolce latte, grilled chicken cool wrap or philly cheesesteak, according to an  article on the Times Free Press website.

However, the Starbucks location that will remain in place along with the Chick-fil-a and Subway, Erlanger Health System officials said in the article.

A $10 million renovation by Aramark, which is assuming control over the hospital's food service from previous vendor Sodexo and from Erlanger's own staff, will require as many as 36 months to complete.

Workers will temporarily close locations as they renovate and modify each one in turn. The cafeteria and the restaurants will receive both a visual face lift and new kitchen equipment, Gentry said, although many specifics remain to be determined in upcoming negotiations, the article said.

Though Erlanger will be outsourcing virtually all of its food service operations, the contract will also include "performance metrics," which will ensure that food quality remains at an acceptable level, hospital officials said in the article.

Read the article.