Add or Update a Meal Order

Add meals to a resident's order or change what they have already ordered.

Before You Begin

Check the date: By default, the app shows today's date. To take orders for a different date, use the date picker at the top of the page. If you select a date on the resident list, it will be remembered as you navigate to individual residents and back.

Review the dietary profile: The resident's dietary profile is displayed on the left side of the page. This shows important information like allergies, dietary restrictions, IDDSI texture levels, tags, and preferences. Always check the profile before taking orders to avoid dietary conflicts.

Tip: For details about what each field in the dietary profile means, see View Resident Dietary Profile.

Add Items to an Order

1. On the resident's page, find the meal service you want to order for (e.g., Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
   
2. Select Add items.
   
3. Select items the resident would like from the menu by tapping the checkbox next to each item.
   
4. Add notes or options for items (optional):
   • Type in the Notes field below an item
   • Select checkboxes for dish options (e.g., "No onions")
5. Tap outside the menu or press the close button to finish.
   

The selected items now appear under that meal service.

If an item conflicts with the resident's dietary profile (allergies, medical conditions, dietary restrictions, or IDDSI texture level), you will see warning badges on the item. Adding these items requires double-confirmation to ensure you're authorised to override the dietary conflict.

Customise an Order Item

After adding items, you can change portion sizes, quantities, add detailed notes, or override textures.

Change Portion Size

1. Find the item in the order.
   
2. Select the portion size button: S (Small), M (Medium), or L (Large).
   
   

Change Quantity

For items ordered by count (like slices of toast):

1. Find the item in the order.
   
2. Enter the number in the quantity field.
   

Add or Edit Notes

Notes should describe how to prepare or serve the specific item you're customising (e.g., "extra sauce", "no onions", "tea with 2 sugars").

Quick notes (when adding items):

• Type in the Notes field in the menu picker modal

Detailed customisation:

1. Tap the context menu button (three dots) next to the item.
   
2. Select Customise.
   
3. Add or edit notes in the Notes field.
   
4. Select Save.
   

Note: Portion Size, Quantity, and Notes you add are remembered for that resident. Next time they order the same item, your previous selections will reappear.

Tip: If the resident wants something not on the menu, add the "Other" item (usually available in each meal service) and use its notes field to describe what they'd like.

Override Texture or Thickness

Use this if a resident wants a specific item prepared differently from their usual texture level.

1. Tap the context menu button (three dots) next to the item.
   
2. Select Customise.
   
3. For food items: Select a different Food texture from the dropdown.
   For drinks: Select a different Drink thickness from the dropdown.
   
4. Confirm the change if prompted.
   
5. Select Save.
   

Warning: If you select a less safe texture (e.g., regular texture for someone on a minced & moist diet), you must confirm the change. Make sure you have authorisation.

Change an Existing Order

To update what a resident has already ordered:

1. Open the resident's page.
   
2. Find the meal service you want to change.
   
3. To add more items: Select Add items and select additional items.
   
4. To remove items: Tap the context menu (three dots) and select Remove.
   
5. To change customisation: Tap the context menu and select Customise.
   

Changes are saved automatically.

Remove an Item from an Order

1. Find the item in the order.
   
2. Tap the context menu button (three dots).
   
3. Select Remove.
   
   

Change Dining Location

Each meal service shows where the resident will dine. To change the location:

1. Find the meal service (e.g., Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner).
   
2. Open the dining location dropdown next to the service.
   
3. Select the location (e.g., "Own Room", "Dining Room A").
   

The dining location is remembered for that resident and service, so you only need to change it when their usual location changes.

Skip a Meal

If a resident won't be eating a particular meal service (e.g., they're going out with family):

1. Find the meal service you want to skip.
   
2. Select the Skip button.
   

The service will be marked as skipped, and the kitchen will know not to prepare food for that resident.

To undo a skipped meal, select Don't Skip.

Dietary Warnings and Overrides

Embrayse helps prevent dietary conflicts by warning you when a menu item may be unsuitable for a resident.

Types of Warnings

Warning badges appear on menu items that conflict with the resident's:

• Allergies - Items containing allergens the resident is allergic to
• Medical conditions - Items unsuitable for conditions like diabetes
• Dietary restrictions - Items that don't meet dietary requirements (e.g., meat for vegetarians)
• IDDSI texture level - Items not available in the resident's required texture

Adding Items with Warnings

When you select an item with a dietary warning:

1. A confirmation dialog appears asking if you want to add the item despite the conflict.
   
2. Review the warning carefully.
   
3. If you're authorised to override (e.g., with clinical approval), select Yes to add the item.
   
4. If you're unsure, select No and consult with a supervisor or the resident's care team.
   

Important: Only override dietary warnings when there is proper authorisation, such as a signed waiver. These warnings exist to protect resident safety.

Navigating Between Residents

After taking an order, you can go back to the resident list or move directly to another resident.

Return to the Resident List

Select the < Residents link at the top left of the page to return to the list, where you can select another resident.

Using the Navigation Arrows

To move through residents without returning to the list, use the arrows at the top of the page:

• Tap the left arrow to go to the previous resident
• Tap the right arrow to go to the next resident

The navigation follows the same order as the resident list, which is usually sorted by room number.

Using the Resident Picker

To jump directly to a specific resident:

1. Tap the resident name at the top of the page.
   
2. A dropdown appears showing all residents.
   
3. Select any resident to jump directly to their order page.
   

Tip: The date you selected is preserved as you navigate between residents, making it efficient to collect orders for a specific date across multiple residents.

Related Articles

• Understanding the Resident List - Overview, order statuses, and date selection
  
• View Resident Dietary Profile - Understand important resident dietary information like allergies and texture modifications
  
• Regular Order Items - Learn how to set up and manage recurring meal selections for residents.

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