Regular, non-diet soda is coming back to Intermountain facilities. Many caregivers and patients have shared through surveys, Yammer, and rounding that they want regular soda back. Of caregivers surveyed, 50 percent say they prefer a non-diet, regular soda option. About 21 percent of surveyed caregivers say they often leave their assigned work facility for drinks, and of that group, 85 percent left their facility for a drink not offered in their local café. An overwhelming theme from all caregivers was the desire for more choices.
The transition to regular soda will take place from now until December, as the Culinary Services team works with vendors to replace fountain machine and cold cooler beverages.
- There will still be a 24-ounce cup maximum for fountain drinks.
- We’ll still offer healthy alternatives and diet sodas.
- We’ll continue to share educational content about the impact of high intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages.
Intermountain implemented changes to its eating environments in 2017, including replacing sugar-sweetened soda in cafeterias, cafés, vending, and staff lounges. According to the CDC, sugar-sweetened beverages represent a third of added sugar among U.S. adults, and 40 percent of added sugar intake in children and adolescents. Higher intakes of sugar-sweetened beverages have also been associated with adverse health effects like obesity, type-2 diabetes, and heart disease.
“I’m not a soda guy myself, and I wholeheartedly believe the change we made back in 2017 was the right one,” says CEO Marc Harrison, MD. “But our caregivers and patients have spoken. They want choice—and I respect and appreciate people’s decisions, even if I disagree with them. While serving healthier options is important, so is patient satisfaction and the caregiver experience. Taking care of the needs of our caregivers and patients is—and always will be—our top priority. This is one simple thing we can do to enhance the experience for those who prefer soda.”
Paige Allred, a lab assistant at Cedar City Hospital, started a Yammer thread in July about soda at Intermountain for a school assignment. She never expected the results to help drive change.
“I’m happy our leadership team listens to caregivers about things as simple as regular, non-diet soda,” says Paige.
There’s just one last question to answer. Is it ‘soda’ or ‘pop’? This map says Utah and Nevada are conflicted. Idaho seems all aboard the “pop” train. What do you say? Sound off in the Yammer comments.