Improving patient satisfaction data is an ongoing task in the healthcare industry. No matter how much emphasis medical professionals put on prevention and maintaining optimal patient care, there will always be a need to measure improvement. Patients have particular expectations of their care, including both frequency and results. They want to know that their experience will be at a high standard of care when they visit the doctor, with competent and friendly staff. Communication between nurse and patient family are far more likely to take positive actions to improve their healthcare, and healthcare institutions are continually analyzing different areas for improvements.
There are many ways to analyze patient care and improve scores. One such method focuses on improving patient experience and recovery rates by identifying factors related to bedside manner. Other aspects of a healthcare facility’s operations can be analyzed, and these can be used to help improve scores on patient satisfaction surveys.
An organized work environment and a pleasant bedside manner are among the factors that affect patient satisfaction. Surveys of healthcare employees often focus on the work environment or bedside manner to provide feedback on healthcare facilities’ management of these elements. They expect to be greeted warmly and professionally by a friendly staff member. If the greeting is harsh and unpleasant, the patient will likely become upset, negatively affecting their overall experience of care. Therefore, improving patient satisfaction scores by having a pleasant bedside manner is essential for overall healthcare success.
Another area of importance for healthcare employers is the way they treat their employees. Many hospitals and other healthcare facilities offer personalized services to provide immediate personalized care to patients. However, this personalized service can often come at a high cost, making it impossible for low-income individuals to receive this benefit. In addition to providing personalized care, other hospitals and clinics also value-based care options such as preventative screenings and other opportunities for physical activity. By focusing on implementing value-based care strategies, improving patient satisfaction scores can also benefit all healthcare organizations by decreasing the financial strain and staff training time associated with providing healthcare services.
Hospitals also must address the issue of the poor-quality patient experience. There are many examples of poor-quality patient experience, ranging from inpatient and rude staff to waiting rooms that are often crowded and unable to handle walk-in patients. According to the American Hospital Association, low patient satisfaction has been a significant cause of increased patient turnover, negative feedback, and staff burnout. To ensure that health systems are taking the issue of patient experience seriously, hospitals and clinics should implement policies that promote quality client satisfaction and quality improvement initiatives. One example of a policy that can promote better patient experience is a triage nurse option, which provides patients with the opportunity to go first for help with acute medical issues or to have a health specialist assist them more appropriately. These nurses should offer supportive and insightful consultation, as well as a non-judgmental, neutral presence.
Improving patient experience and employee engagement through innovative technology can also play a key role in improving healthcare organizations. According to the American Hospital Association, improving healthcare facilities through innovative technology can help eliminate several potential risks, such as reduced employee turnover, lessening emergency room visits, and improving the overall efficiency of patient care. Implementing new technologies can also help reduce the burden of managing existing data, improving operational productivity, and reducing information-gathering time. According to the American Association of Hospital Medical Assistants, incorporating cutting-edge technology into healthcare facilities can improve the quality and the safety of patient care, reduce healthcare utilization and spend time effectively providing care.
Improving employee satisfaction and creating a positive workplace culture can also have a substantial impact on patient safety. According to the American College of Safety and Security, improving safety and compliance standards can create a safer work environment. According to the same study, hospital staff may feel less inclined to adhere to hospital safety and health regulations if there are fewer reasons to be diligent. One way to ensure compliance is to provide more training to employees and opportunities for staff members to gain certification. Implementing policies such as these can eliminate or at least prioritize the problem of unsafe workplace behavior. According to the same study, implementing safety and regulatory policies that address worker fatigue and on-the-job distractions can also help to promote improved employee satisfaction and health benefits.
Overall, the importance of using healthcare analytics is apparent. However, organizations must ensure that the information captured within the databases and dashboards provided to the endpoints is accurate, complete, and accessible. Healthcare organizations should take an active approach to gather patient satisfaction data significantly when improving their bottom line. Creating dashboards and operational software that provide information from all patient segments, measuring everything from patient satisfaction to healthcare cost, is crucial to improving the quality of care provided by healthcare facilities. This approach is sure to generate more revenue and improve profitability.
