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Recommended Citation
Griggs P, Desloover I, Freund N. Nourishing Our Neighbors: Increasing Utilization of a Hospital Based Food Pantry Program. Quality Improvement poster presented at Transforming Practice: The Intersection of Technology and Nursing Excellence; Advocate Health Nursing Research and Professional Development Conference 2025; November 12, 2025; Virtual.
Presentation Notes
Quality Improvement poster presented at Transforming Practice: The Intersection of Technology and Nursing Excellence; Advocate Health Nursing Research and Professional Development Conference 2025; November 12, 2025; Virtual.
Abstract
Background
A local food pantry partnership to provide patients with food and other resources was being underutilized due to a lack of knowledge of said program as well as a lack of standard workflow around getting patients access to those goods and services.
Local Problem
The 2022 Illinois Masonic Community Health Needs Report stated, “in 2020, the PSA’s food insecurity rate was 14.5%, which is a 4% increase from 2018.” While the hospital-based pantry program has existed since 2018 and aims to address the community's needs, a nursing council recognized that it had been underutilized hospital wide.
Methods
Nursing Professional Development Council (NPDC) implemented a pilot program on 3 inpatient units using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) method to improve the pantry bag screening and distribution workflow. Key modifications were made to the workflow, which was then introduced to the social work and case management teams in Q2 2024. NPDC representatives disseminated information to the nursing staff across 8 inpatient units regarding the food insecurity screening process and workflow at the start of Q3 2024.
Results
Between April and October of 2024, a total of 40 pantry bags have been distributed to patients across the 8 inpatient units compared to only 4 patients receiving pantry bags from April to December 2023. The percentage of patients screened for food insecurity has increased by an average of 8.59% across the 8 inpatient units since the education was provided to team members.
Implications
Education on food insecurity screening and creation of an interdisciplinary workflow has increased utilization of the hospital-based pantry program. Addressing food insecurity needs can directly impact patient experience and outcomes. Future impacts include expanding to ambulatory settings.
Document Type
Poster
Publication Date
11-12-2025
Nourishing Our Neighbors: Increasing Utilization of a Hospital Based Food Pantry Program
Background
A local food pantry partnership to provide patients with food and other resources was being underutilized due to a lack of knowledge of said program as well as a lack of standard workflow around getting patients access to those goods and services.
Local Problem
The 2022 Illinois Masonic Community Health Needs Report stated, “in 2020, the PSA’s food insecurity rate was 14.5%, which is a 4% increase from 2018.” While the hospital-based pantry program has existed since 2018 and aims to address the community's needs, a nursing council recognized that it had been underutilized hospital wide.
Methods
Nursing Professional Development Council (NPDC) implemented a pilot program on 3 inpatient units using the Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) method to improve the pantry bag screening and distribution workflow. Key modifications were made to the workflow, which was then introduced to the social work and case management teams in Q2 2024. NPDC representatives disseminated information to the nursing staff across 8 inpatient units regarding the food insecurity screening process and workflow at the start of Q3 2024.
Results
Between April and October of 2024, a total of 40 pantry bags have been distributed to patients across the 8 inpatient units compared to only 4 patients receiving pantry bags from April to December 2023. The percentage of patients screened for food insecurity has increased by an average of 8.59% across the 8 inpatient units since the education was provided to team members.
Implications
Education on food insecurity screening and creation of an interdisciplinary workflow has increased utilization of the hospital-based pantry program. Addressing food insecurity needs can directly impact patient experience and outcomes. Future impacts include expanding to ambulatory settings.
Affiliations
Illinois Masonic Medical Center