Aramark Launches New Telehealth Program to Digitally Connect Hospital Inpatients with Clinical Nutrition Services

Rhea-AI Summary

Aramark (ARMK) launches telehealth program with Teladoc Health to connect clinical dietitians with hospital patients through cloud-based technologies

Healthcare Technology Analyst

The collaboration between Aramark and Teladoc Health represents a significant advancement in the integration of telehealth services within the nutritional care segment of hospitals. This strategic move taps into the growing telehealth market, which is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 19.3% from 2021 to 2028. By utilizing Teladoc's Solo platform coupled with Microsoft Teams, Aramark is not only diversifying its service offerings but also enhancing its competitive edge in the healthcare services industry.

This initiative could potentially lead to increased efficiency and cost savings for hospitals by reducing the time needed to fill clinical dietitian positions, which is particularly critical in rural areas facing workforce shortages. Moreover, the program's compliance with state regulations and payer requirements underscores Aramark's commitment to maintaining high standards of patient privacy and care. As hospitals continue to adopt such technologies, we could see an uptick in demand for Aramark's services, thus potentially impacting its revenue growth and stock performance positively.

Healthcare Policy Expert

Aramark's telehealth program is a prime example of how healthcare companies are adapting to regulatory environments to meet the evolving needs of patient care. The program's adherence to individual state regulations and payer requirements is crucial, as it ensures the scalability and sustainability of the service across various jurisdictions. Furthermore, it is reflective of the broader industry trend toward personalized and accessible care, which is increasingly being supported by legislative changes favoring telehealth.

For stakeholders, particularly in the underserved rural areas, the implications are profound. The program promises to mitigate the impact of dietitian shortages, thereby improving patient outcomes. It also aligns with the federal push to increase healthcare access, which could lead to enhanced funding or reimbursement scenarios for telehealth services, potentially benefiting Aramark's financial positioning in the long term.

Healthcare Recruitment Specialist

The innovative approach to recruiting and retaining clinical dietitians as highlighted by Aramark's program addresses a critical bottleneck in the healthcare labor market. The ability for dietitians to work remotely across state lines where they are licensed can significantly widen the talent pool for hospitals struggling with hiring. This could lead to a reduction in recruitment time and costs, which are often inflated due to scarcity of specialized healthcare professionals.

By offering flexibility and remote working options, Aramark is likely to attract a more diverse range of clinical dietitians, which could enhance the quality of care provided. For Aramark, this strategy may result in increased employee satisfaction and retention rates, ultimately translating into a more stable and reliable workforce. This could have positive ramifications for Aramark's brand reputation in the healthcare sector, possibly impacting its business growth and investor confidence.

First of its kind program with Teladoc Health® provides hospitals with access to both technology and talent.

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Aramark (NYSE: ARMK), one of the largest employers of Registered Dietitians in the U.S., today announced a new program designed to remotely connect its highly skilled clinical dietitians with hospital patients through cloud-based technologies.

Aramark launches new telehealth program to link clinical dietitians with hospital patients with cloud-based technologies. (Photo: Business Wire)

The program includes a first of its kind technology service agreement with Teladoc Health, where Aramark can offer communication technologies to hospitals leveraging Teladoc Health’s Solo platform integrated with Microsoft Teams. Aramark is also able to facilitate the program through a hospital’s existing telehealth platform. Participating hospitals must have a clinical nutrition service agreement with Aramark.

“We are pleased to offer hospitals this innovative and customizable new program to connect our clinical dietitians with their patients,” said Bart Kaericher, President, and CEO of Aramark Healthcare+. “Utilizing Teladoc Health’s technology will help us enable vulnerable patients in underserved areas to better receive care as lack of technology or physical location will no longer be barriers.”

Aramark’s program is thoroughly vetted with each state’s regulations to ensure patient privacy and to comply with individual payer requirements. Hospitals choosing Aramark’s telehealth program will have access to a regulatory compliant medical nutrition therapy program, trained clinical dietitians, Teladoc equipment hardware, services, technical support, and remote device monitoring.

Like nurses, clinical dietitians are in high demand and many hospitals, particularly in rural locations, face hiring shortages. Through this service, Aramark can link its state licensed clinical dietitians with inpatients at hospitals hundreds of miles away.

“In addition to providing patients with greater access, this technology also helps us to recruit more clinical dietitians,” Kaericher added. “Now they can perform their jobs across a wide range of clients in the states where they are licensed.”

An example of the flexibility was captured at Aramark’s pilot site at the University Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas. The time to fill a vacant clinical dietitian position at UMC Lubbock is 6 months, and when one of the clinicians needed to temporarily relocate to another part of Texas, UMC Lubbock became the first pilot site. Using the hospital’s technical platform, the leadership team and clinician completed all Aramark program requirements within two months, and she was able to continue to work full time as a pediatric dietitian. She is currently attending rounds, assessing, and educating patients, and continues to be a vital part of the medical team.

“Medical nutrition therapy is an important aspect of our care team and the innovation offered with the Aramark program has enabled us to leverage technology to retain difficult to recruit dietitians and continue to provide, safe, high-quality care to our patients,” said Jeff Hill, Senior Vice President of Support Services and Government Relations at the University Medical Center in Lubbock.

About Aramark Healthcare+

Aramark Healthcare+ provides proven, tailored food services, environmental services, and facilities management solutions to more than 600 healthcare facilities in the United States. Our strategic approach redefines the hospital experience and helps improve patient outcomes by combining hospitality, science, and culinary expertise to promote the total wellbeing of every person we serve. Patient Engagement Advisors leverage a research-based methodology to help healthcare organizations express their missions though personalized patient solutions, while our exemplary healthcare nutrition excellence program, delivers an evidence-based approach to medical nutrition therapy. Learn how Aramark Healthcare+ partners with healthcare facilities to serve, solve and strengthen at https://www.aramark.com/industries/healthcare or follow us on LinkedIn.

About Aramark

Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves the world’s leading educational institutions, Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, prominent healthcare providers, iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 18 countries around the world with food and facilities management. Because of our hospitality culture, our employees strive to do great things for each other, our partners, our communities, and the planet. Aramark has been recognized on FORTUNE’s list of “World’s Most Admired Companies,” DiversityInc’s “Top 50 Companies for Diversity” and “Top Companies for Supplier Diversity,” Newsweek’s list of “America’s Most Responsible Companies 2023,” the HRC’s “Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality,” and scored 100% on the Disability Equality Index. Learn more at www.aramark.com and connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), and Instagram.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240105745933/en/

Chris Collom

215-238-3593

collom-chris@aramark.com

Source: Aramark

FAQ

What program did Aramark announce with Teladoc Health?

Aramark announced a new telehealth program designed to remotely connect its clinical dietitians with hospital patients through cloud-based technologies.

What technology service agreement did Aramark enter into with Teladoc Health?

Aramark entered into a technology service agreement with Teladoc Health to offer communication technologies to hospitals leveraging Teladoc Health’s Solo platform integrated with Microsoft Teams.

What are the benefits of Aramark's telehealth program for hospitals?

Hospitals choosing Aramark’s telehealth program will have access to a regulatory compliant medical nutrition therapy program, trained clinical dietitians, Teladoc equipment hardware, services, technical support, and remote device monitoring.

How does Aramark's program help in recruiting more clinical dietitians?

Aramark's program allows clinical dietitians to perform their jobs across a wide range of clients in the states where they are licensed, enabling them to work across different locations.

What was the impact of Aramark's program at the University Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas?

The program enabled the center to retain difficult to recruit dietitians, continue to provide safe, high-quality care to patients, and leverage technology to fill vacant positions and allow clinicians to work across different locations.