Nutrition plays a vital role in delivering high-quality care at AZ Glorieux in Ronse and AZ Sint-Elisabeth in Zottegem. With the rollout of the meal management system, Nexuzhealth Meal - fully integrated into the electronic health record (EHR) and linked to Mynexuzhealth - both hospitals have put an end to inefficient, error-prone paper-based meal ordering. The result is a digital workflow that streamlines operations, reduces food waste, and empowers both patients and care teams.

ZORG, the regional partnership between AZ Glorieux and AZ Sint-Elisabeth, has been at the forefront of this transition. “AZ Glorieux is part of the first pillar of the umbrella organization vzw Werken Glorieux. In addition to hospital care, our non-profit also focuses on two other pillars: child and youth care, and elderly care. AZ Glorieux has around 300 beds,” says Elisa Van Eeckhoudt, Head of Dietetics and Nutritional Advice at AZ Glorieux.
“Our central hospital kitchen prepares about 600 freshly made lunches every day, along with 250 to 300 breakfasts and dinners for both patients and visitors. Nutrition has always been a top priority for us, but switching to Nexuzhealth Meal marked a major step forward in terms of ease of use, follow-up, and communication.”

From paper chaos to digital clarity

Before implementing Nexuzhealth Meal, AZ Glorieux relied on outdated systems—meal orders were managed using handwritten notes and manual entry. “It wasn’t uncommon for an order slip to get lost or stained,” Elisa recalls. “We needed a digital solution that could be directly integrated into our Clinical workstation (CWS).”

Intensive setup, strong payoff

The implementation  required considerable effort. “We went through a rigorous planning phase and set up the system in just three months,” says Elisa. “Menus, diets, all available meal options, portion sizes, types of spreads, drinks — everything had to be configured. We had no additional staff to manage this, so the project ran in parallel with day-to-day operations. It succeeded thanks to strong preparation, clear communication and great collaboration between Nexuzhealth and our IT department.”

AZ Sint-Elisabeth faced similar challenges with an outdated in-house nutrition management system. “It had been custom-developed by the IT team years ago and required time-consuming manual updates,” she adds. “Thanks to Nexuzhealth Meal, the entire ordering process is now far more efficient.”

Empowering patients through choice

The integration with Mynexuzhealth gives patients the ability to choose their meals digitally, within the limits of their medical diet. “It creates autonomy and boosts engagement. We started with a phased rollout in paediatrics, maternity, and day clinic services, and then expanded to other departments. We supported the transition with brochures and online tips,” says Elisa. “To keep the kitchen’s workflow manageable, patients can order their lunch for the next day until 8 p.m. Those who are admitted in the morning or forget to choose receive the standard meal of the day, adjusted to their dietary needs.”

For nurses and dietitians, the changes are substantial. Orders are now fully digital through the electronic health record (EHR). Diets can be updated instantly, and communication is far smoother. “For instance, if a patient requires easily digestible food, the system updates the order automatically. That reduces the risk of errors and improves patient safety,” Elisa explains. The hospital’s finance department also benefits: “Thanks to smart system links, invoicing is now much more accurate - especially for meals ordered by partners in the maternity unit.”

Reducing waste, increasing efficiency

Nexuzhealth Meal also delivers gains in terms of sustainability. The focus is on digital choices to help reduce food waste. “We start from the idea that when people choose their own meals, they generally eat with more enjoyment,” says Stef Bracke, Project Manager for Food Services at ZORG. “In this way, we aim to reduce food waste, which perfectly aligns with our sustainability objectives. We have baseline measurements in place, but it is still a bit too early to present concrete figures. In any case, every kilogram of food that no longer ends up in the bin is a step in the right direction.”

Tips for other hospitals

The implementation wasn’t without its hurdles. “Involving as many stakeholders as possible is crucial,” Stef advises. “Clear communication and structured training make all the difference. We focused on this at every stage of the implementation. Knowledge simply can’t be tied to one person. Today, everything is well documented to safeguard continuity. Sure, switching from a familiar system takes getting used to - but once the efficiency gains kick in, that adjustment period quickly fades into the background.”

Elisa adds: “Digitalisation only works if everyone is on board - nurses, kitchen staff, IT, and of course, patients. Fortunately, Nexuzhealth Meal is accessible and intuitive. Our experience? If you can shop online, you can order your meals via Mynexuzhealth. While not every patient uses the app yet, the overall feedback has been very positive.”

Looking ahead

AZ Glorieux continues to optimise and explore new features, including refined dietary profiles. “The integration with the EHR and Mynexuzhealth turns Nexuzhealth Meal into a powerful tool,” concludes Stef. “It’s not just another digital application - it’s a catalyst for better care and smoother operations. I’m also a strong believer in the working groups organized by Nexuzhealth with other hospitals. By sharing expertise, we all move forward faster.

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