Zuid-Afrikaans Hospital is an award-winning healthcare facility located in Pretoria, South Africa. Founded 120 years ago with just six beds, the hospital now accommodates 181 patients, offering a distinctive healing environment that features outdoor gardens and recreational facilities.
To support ongoing growth, the hospital is expanding its kitchen facilities to meet increasing demands.
“The kitchen has become too small for the number of meals it needs to serve. The renovation project, which will take six months to complete, includes a total interior makeover and the installation of state-of-the-art equipment,” said Ronel Knoetze, Food Service Manager at Zuid-Afrikaans Hospital.
One of Knoetze’s biggest challenges during the renovation was continuing to serve their patients three hot meals a day.
“We aspire to serve well-balanced, homestyle meals that complement the warm, welcoming atmosphere of the hospital. We take pride in using high-quality ingredients to prepare meals tailored to each patient’s individual needs. We believe that a nutritious, well-prepared meal plays a crucial role in supporting the healing process,” said Knoetze.
Knoetze was able to utilize an off-site kitchen to prepare the meals but needed a way to maintain safe temperatures during transport to the hospital.
“This operation was significantly eased by the use of Cambro equipment. We utilized UPCH400 front loaders to keep the food hot during transport and Cambro hot holding cabinets (UPCH1600) in the temporary kitchen to ensure that meals brought from the off-site kitchen remained hot until serving time,” said Knoetze.
In addition to the Cambro hot holding cabinets, Knoetze purchased a Camduction® Complete Heat System to use during and after the renovation. The Camduction consists of a charger that heats up to 20 Camduction bases at once in 4 to 6 minutes, accommodating up to 300 meals per service. When the heated base is combined with a properly heated plate and covered with a Cambro insulated dome, the system maintains hot foods at safe temperatures 140°F (60°C) or higher for 60 minutes.
“We are already using the Camduction unit in the temporary kitchen, and it has been extremely effective. Since some patient areas are quite far from the kitchen, the unit helps ensure that we can still serve hot meals,” said Knoetze.
When the renovation is completed, Knoetze will easily transition the Camduction system into their new kitchen.
“I’m excited because the staff has become accustomed to working with the Camduction system, thanks to [their local Cambro sales rep] Francis’ thorough training. Using this system in the future will place no additional strain on us,” Knoetze.
As for their Cambro hot holding cabinets, the hospital will use them for their day ward and theatres as food trolleys, with the addition of trays that her local Cambro sales rep, Francis Bekker, suggested will fit perfectly.
Whether you need to replace ineffective equipment or figure out a temporary solution, your local Cambro sales rep is ready to help you find the right products for your needs. Click here to find yours now!
AUTHOR: ADRIANA COCHRAN IS THE DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER AT CAMBRO.
