Going to the hospital is typically not an enjoyable experience for any person, not only because it likely means you or someone you care about needs medical care, but also due to the overall experience. There’s no denying the environment of a hospital can be stressful — tensions are high, people are sick, and most of the time, hospitals are really busy. As a result, the level of care and patient experience can sometimes be overlooked.
It seems like since the beginning of time, people have complained about the services received at the ER, and these concerns often reveal problems with workflow. While we’re no experts on hospitals and patient services, we do have some ideas on how hospitals might be able to improve patient satisfaction and enhance the quality of care and working conditions. Let’s take a look…
Improved Check-in Procedures
Traditional check-in procedures require patients to wait in line. This arrangement can prove uncomfortable for those who can’t stand for extended periods. Additionally, it creates challenges regarding social distancing, and those seeking emergency care often have health conditions that put them at high risk of complications from any kind of highly infectious virus.
Hospitals can improve this dynamic by offering off-site check-in, where patients announce their arrival via the internet. Such systems benefit front desk staff by freeing them from long queues of patients and increased contact with strangers. They also allow patients to move from their vehicles directly to a chair, decreasing pain for those who find standing challenging.