[Quality assurance of cooked food in conventional hospital food service].

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the hospital food service of the Azienda in preserving microbiological quality and temperature of cooked foods during the distribution to the different wards of the hospital. During three years, microbiological parameters and temperatures were monitored in the central kitchen before distribution (T0), in the first (T1) and in the last ward (T2) of the distribution route during a three-year period for a total of 337 analytical determinations. Temperature values before distribution improved during the study period, whereas the capacity of keeping adequate temperature values during the distribution decreased over time, in spite of the introduction of a new technology after the first year of the study. No significant deteriorations of the microbiological quality of the cooked foods were detected. The results of the study clearly indicate that an integrated approach involving new technology, work organization and personnel training is needed in preserving food quality in hospitals.