Global foodservice, facility management, and uniform giant, Aramark, is expanding its reach in health care by adding two new contracts and expanding its existing partnerships with two other hospitals. The new contracts are with New Jersey's Kennedy Health and Tennessee's Vanderbilt University Medical Center, while contracts with Thomas Jefferson University Health System and the Einstein Healthcare Network, both in Pennsylvania, have been expanded upon.

"As hospitals face continued consolidation and cost pressure, our business model helps them create a greater level of support service standardization and quality across their operations to drive not only financial efficiency, but also better patient satisfaction outcomes," said Victor Crawford, Aramark's chief operating officer.

The details of the contracts are each different. For Kennedy Health, Aramark will be providing both patient and retail food services at three hospital locations. The Aramark room service model will be incorporated so that patients can order cooked-to-order meals from a full menu throughout the day. It will also incorporate Aramark's Healthy for Life program, which is designed to promote healthier food options.
For Vanderbilt University, Aramark will provide its health care technology management program involving biomedical, laboratory and diagnostic imaging equipment.

Aramark's longest running health care client is Thomas Jefferson University Health System in Philadelphia. Their partnership began in 1955, and as part of the new announcement, Aramark will provide custodial services and also begin to handle environmental services, patient transportation, and linen distribution services at Methodist Hospital, as well as patient food and linen distribution services at the Health System's Center City Campus and Hospital for Neuroscience.

Finally, for the Einstein Healthcare Network, Aramark will expand its current agreement to also include clinical technology management, including biomedical engineering and diagnostic imaging services at specified locations. Aramark has provided food service to Einstein Healthcare Network since 2009 but will now add Vibe Micromarkets, which provide employees and visitors with grab and go food items around the clock.

In a statement accompanying these announcements, Crawford said it was an honor to partner with such an esteemed group of health systems.

"These contracts represent our full portfolio of food, facilities and health care technology management services, as well as growth from both new clients and with existing partners. When we combine multiple services at a single hospital or across a system, we have the opportunity to drive better performance outcomes than many hospitals can achieve on their own," he continued.

Aramark's Healthcare Sector employs or manages more than 50,000 people serving more than 1,100 health care organizations across North America. Globally, the company is valued at $15 billion.

Business Affairs Homepage