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Providing quality patient care is the foundation of every hospital and healthcare facility. When a hospital works with a patient-centric approach, they end up engaging with their patients by learning about their experiences. The patients are content when they see their input and individuality being acknowledged.

Healthcare workers who value their patients’ well-being above everything else work towards using treatment practices that prioritize the quality of actions over quantity. Every effort they make to care for their patients leads to positive results. These may include treatments that have lasting effects, fewer patients having to check into the hospital, and satisfied patients who are happy with the care and attention they received while at the facility.

The perspective patients form about the health care facility is primarily attributed to the hospital’s success and reputation in the area. This is why it is of utmost importance to design care and treatments that cater to the patients and all their needs. A healthcare facility should be equipped with all the materials and equipment needed to treat patients. The same goes for the staff. You need to have qualified staff and personnel to provide care for the patients who are admitted to your facility. Thankfully, many passionate young individuals are switching careers to the medical side with the introduction of online second degree accelerated BSN programs. This way, you can find and hire the right people who could become a part of your team and add to the overall reputation of your healthcare facility.

Here is a list of ways your hospital or another medical facility can improve patient care practices.

Use the best available equipment and technology

People who work at hospitals make several prompt decisions related to patient care. This continuous need to be quick and vigilant means it’s crucial for a healthcare facility to have the latest equipment, machines, and tools for treatment and diagnosis. This also includes using the latest technology for maintaining patients’ records. Several US healthcare providers are using biometric patient identification platforms like RightPatient to prevent patient data mix-ups and ensure that the right EHRs are used by physicians. 

Incorrect diagnoses are a sign of incapability but can also prove to be hazardous and, in some cases, fatal. When you have the required equipment for treating your patients, you end up winning the trust and acknowledgment of your patients. Your hospital will be known for its responsible ways of providing treatment and care.

Practice Communication that is Efficient and Transparent

Every healthcare worker should possess the right communication skills. They should be clear in their words and compassionate in how they talk. That’s because, in today’s age, patients play an active and vital role in their treatment process. 

Healthcare workers should aim to state the science behind the treatment and the possible experience that a patient will have in the simplest way possible. They shouldn’t make assumptions or have a patronizing tone. Use the language best suited to a particular situation, which is only possible when a healthcare worker has conversations with the patient. This way, you also answer any questions they may have and can gauge their understanding of a treatment or procedure.

When there’s a productive level of communication amongst the staff members, the entire team works more efficiently and well. There’s little chance of mistakes, improper diagnosis, and no gaps in the information.

Work With Patient Advocates

Apart from effective communication among the staff and other related personnel of the hospital, it’s also imperative to bring in patient advocates to a medical team. This can lead to a better understanding of the patient’s needs, feelings, and preferences by the entire team.

These advocates can either be in-house hospital staff or outsourced from a third-party agency. Patient advocates are a means of support to patients during their treatment. They listen to them, comfort them, encourage them and facilitate a conversation with professionals who can further help them along the way.

Since they play a guiding role in these patients’ journeys, patient advocates can bond and connect with patients in a way that other members of the hospital’s team are unable to do. This often results in an in-depth insight into the patient’s mind and can help design an effective treatment plan. 

Follow Up After Treatment

It should be known that a hospital’s care for their patient doesn’t end when the patient pays their bills and walks out of the hospital. There are times when it is necessary for patients to actively participate in programs offered by other facilities or even in the comfort of their own homes. These can be physical therapy or some form of rehabilitation. This is done to stop a situation from getting out of hand in the near future and ensure that the treatment has lasting effects.

Hospitals and other healthcare-providing facilities should continue to maintain relationships with their patients. They can do this through follow-up appointments, where a healthcare provider from the team can pay a visit to the patient’s residence and analyze the treatment plan by addressing any concerns they may have about their health. Patients may also seek advice, helpful tips, reminders, or any necessary guidance regarding their overall health.

The most valuable aspect of any treatment is information. That’s what a patient needs the most, regardless of where treatment might lead. There’s no way to be sure about whether a patient will attend any further appointments in the future, even if a healthcare worker recommends it to them. So, when a patient is discharged, all facilities should provide patients with helpful information. This includes everything about their condition, the treatment, and what might happen in the future. This way, the patient has all the information they need to make a decision for themselves. With the information they have, they can either get readmitted to the hospital, consult with another doctor or facility, or not do anything about their condition.

Conclusion

Running a hospital or any other healthcare facility is not easy. It requires a lot of attention to detail, precision, the right resources, and working with an objective to provide the best possible health care to your patients. The entire team should share this objective, from the chief medical officer and senior surgeons to the cleaners and other support staff. Patients place a lot of trust in a hospital when choosing one for their treatment and their loved ones. It is only fair that they receive the best care in return for their trust.

In the United States, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has been in effect for a while now. One of its key provisions is the expansion of Medicaid, which has helped millions of Americans gain access to quality healthcare. What many people don’t realize is that the ACA also expanded the role of family nurse practitioners (FNPs) in providing care to patients. Here are ways FNPs are making a positive impact on healthcare.

High-Quality, Patient-Centered Care

One of the core values of nursing is providing care that is patient-centered and individualized. This means that NPs take into account each patient’s unique circumstances and develop a care plan that meets their specific needs. This type of care has been shown to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction levels. With their deep knowledge of the human body, mastery of modern medical techniques, and understanding of the unique needs and perspectives of each individual patient, these professionals are ideally equipped to provide effective healthcare. 

FNPs are known for their compassion, patience, and dedication to creating positive patient experiences. Whether it’s working one-on-one with patients in a hospital setting or providing support from a distance via phone or email, these skilled medical professionals are always committed to ensuring that patients receive the best possible care.

Experts in Disease Prevention and Management

A family nurse practitioner receives extensive training in disease prevention and management. This makes them uniquely qualified to help patients prevent or manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. NPs also play a key role in promoting healthy lifestyles and helping patients make necessary lifestyle changes to improve their health.

Trained to Provide Culturally Competent Care

Cultural competence is the ability to provide care that is respectful of and responsive to the cultural beliefs, values, and needs of patients from diverse backgrounds. NPs receive training in cultural competence as part of their education and are therefore able to provide care that is more culturally sensitive and responsive. They must have a deep understanding of the unique needs and cultural practices of their patients in order to provide effective treatment and support. This involves knowing how different cultures view illness, what health behaviors are considered appropriate, and what issues patients may be facing outside of the healthcare system.

Additionally, nursing practitioners must also have a firm grasp on communication styles and preferences, particularly among socially marginalized groups that may be at a higher risk for experiencing stigma or discrimination. Through careful study, skill development, and ongoing training, these experts can become true champions of culturally competent care.

Address the Primary Care Shortage

There is currently a shortage of primary care providers in America, which is predicted to worsen over the next decade as the population ages and more people gain insurance coverage through the ACA Medicaid expansion. Nurse practitioners are helping to address this shortage by providing high-quality primary care services to patients across the country.

Nurse practitioners play a critical role in healthcare delivery. Not only do they provide direct patient care in clinical settings, but they also work to educate and support patients and families. Through their efforts, nursing practitioners can have a profound impact on the overall health and well-being of the people they serve. They help to bridge the gap between medicine and nursing by advocating for care that is scientifically sound, compassionate, and holistic.

The healthcare system is not only growing but is also getting increasingly complex. It is common for patients to see multiple specialists, which often makes it harder for them to manage bills and keep track of treatments. 

In fact, about 52 percent of patients cannot correctly navigate the system. Healthcare advocacy can prove to be a savior and help patients deal with the complicated healthcare system.

Introduction to Healthcare Advocacy

The purpose of healthcare advocacy is to make it easier for patients to manage their healthcare, especially for seniors with cognitive impairment or for individuals dealing with issues such as exhaustion and stress.

Patients often have to spend hours going through documents such as insurance forms that they do not always understand. It is even common for patients to misunderstand options or diagnoses, which can result in major issues such as missed appointments and wrong dosage. This is when healthcare advocates come to play. 

They offer direct and customized assistance to patients and make healthcare easy to access. Moreover, they educate patients and guide them through insurance questions, administration tasks, legal issues, and more.

Companies can choose to hire independent health advocates or work with advocacy organizations. Furthermore, even hospitals often offer advocates in the form of nurses. These advocates offer a variety of services, including:

• Coordinating with specialists and communicating with providers
• Explaining patient rights and confusing information
• Identifying resources and making referrals
• Clarifying medical conditions and diagnoses
• Reviewing bills and getting errors corrected
• Reviewing insurance policies, explaining different terms, and advising on policies 
• Information about available insurance benefits and technologies such as telehealth
• Helping people with hospital admissions and discharge procedures
• Assisting with meals, home care, housing, and more, especially when dealing with older patients
• Helping with disability filings, legal concerns

The Importance of Advocacy in Healthcare

The best way to understand the importance of advocacy in healthcare is to examine patient support roles and healthcare policy. Advocacy can be on an individual level or large scale, while the former focuses on individual patients, and the latter focuses on the system and ways to improve it.  

Large Scale Advocacy

Leaders and lawmakers sit down to create healthcare policies, but they don’t do it alone. They often get organizations onboard and seek expertise from different corners to ensure the policy is effective and efficient. 

The purpose of large-scale advocacy is to guide these policymakers and support a reliable and well-informed decision-making process. It encourages reforms and changes that improve the system in the eyes of the latest research. The aim is to improve technologies and cultivate better relationships in the industry. Moreover, it encourages policies that take into account factors such as the changing socioeconomic situation of the country. 

Through influencing public policy, healthcare advocacy aims to improve the community and individual healthcare and reduce health disparities. Large-scale healthcare advocacy does not only work to improve the policies but also to ensure they get approved quickly. Furthermore, healthcare advocacy works to secure the finances needed to support the introduction of new healthcare policies.  

A great example of large-scale healthcare advocacy was seen during the pandemic when experts jumped into action to create efficient policies. They shared their expertise with the lawmakers and highlighted technologies such as telehealth. These policies have helped control the pandemic and things are already back to normal in most parts of the world. 

Something similar was seen during the AIDS crisis when advocacy groups came together to start AIDS research, ultimately resulting in the development of treatments that have proven to be highly effective. 

In addition, healthcare advocacy groups are also working to reduce racism in the industry by ensuring all groups get access to healthcare. They’re educating healthcare providers, policymakers, and people to combat discriminatory practices.

Individual Scale Healthcare Advocacy

Healthcare advocacy on an individual level does a very important job of helping individuals navigate through the complex system. The main job of advocates is to ensure patients receive the care that they require without having to deal with unnecessary costs, paperwork, or hassles. They work to improve safety and optimize care delivery and answer all relevant questions a patient may have.

By helping patients, they also help organizations improve their engagement. Reports suggest that about 42 percent of physicians believe that healthcare advocacy has helped improve quality outcomes, whereas 38 percent believe that it can be good for patient experiences. Similarly, about 26 percent agree that it can help save patient costs.

Healthcare advocacy helps all patients, regardless of their background or status. This is very important because not all patients have family members or loved ones to take care of them or to explain the system. As a result, patients often end up delaying procedures, choosing the wrong procedure, or suffering from more pain and anguish.

The cost of healthcare is a concern for millions, and so thinking about how you’ll cope as and when you’re hit with a big medical bill is best done in advance.

Here are just a few examples of ways that patients often pay for treatment, so that you can put your own plans in place.

Personal loans

When faced with significant healthcare expenses, taking out a loan is a solution to help spread the costs over a longer period, rather than having to suffer a major hit to your finances all at once.

You should read more about personal loans to ensure that you know what to look for in a deal, and how to find a lending arrangement that suits you.

Insurance

Health insurance, whether as part of a public scheme or from a private provider, can protect you against the bulk of the costs that you’ll face when you need to use healthcare services, or receive ongoing treatment for a condition.

The cost of cover will vary depending on the scheme, as well as according to your own medical history and circumstances.

Local programs

In the case that the financial strain of paying for medical aid and prescription drugs is too great, there are social service agencies in all states which may be in a position to provide support.

Often people will use a combination of resources to pay for healthcare, and again it’s down to the unique situation of each individual, as well as the services in your area.

Savings

The idea of saving for a rainy day is a tried and tested way to ensure that if you suddenly find yourself lumbered with expensive healthcare to pay for, you won’t have to be entirely reliant on outside assistance.

Paying into a healthcare savings pot on a regular basis means that there will always be money available for when the unexpected happens. And of course, you can always use this cash for other emergencies as well, depending on the type of savings account you choose and the terms of use that apply to it.

Crowdfunding

It’s a reality of the modern world that running crowdfunding campaigns to pay for medical treatments is not just possible thanks to technology, but also necessary because of the way that the healthcare industry operates today.

Setting up a crowdfunding page on one of the many mainstream platforms that support this will allow you to share your scheme with friends and family, as well as potentially getting donations from complete strangers who are compelled to contribute out of an ethical sense of duty to their fellow human beings.

Other points to consider

It’s worth talking briefly about the opportunities you have to make savings on healthcare costs so that the price you pay for treatment isn’t as steep regardless of how you choose to fund it.

For example, it’s always a good idea to get in touch with the pharmaceutical firms which supply any prescription medicines that you require in order to see if there are any affordable alternatives to what you’re taking, or if they offer discounts.

Also, it may be worth taking out additional insurance in the case that you’re the main breadwinner in the household. Disruption to your income caused by prolonged poor health can be a catastrophe, so accounting for this rather than hoping for the best is useful.

Final thoughts

You rarely have to face healthcare costs alone. Whether you borrow from a reputable lender, use insurance, or source the funds from your savings or those around you, there’s always a path forward.

Administrative tasks in the healthcare industry are essential, but they can also be labor-intensive, extremely time-consuming, and dangerously prone to human error. 

So, it isn’t surprising that, since their introduction in the 1970s, Electronic Health Records (EHR) have played a pivotal role in transforming the healthcare industry – both in terms of efficiency and quality. 

While these systems are still in their infancy and not entirely faultless, they have the potential to propel the healthcare sector into the future. Discover how below. 

Electronic Health Records: An Overview

Electronic Health Records (EHR) refer to the digital counterpart of a patient’s paper chart. Typically used in hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities, these digital charts offer a collection of systematized information about a patient or the local population. 

Since these records are often stored in internal cloud infrastructures, they can be easily accessed, shared, and recovered by different authorized healthcare providers and facilities.

Just after their invention in the late 1960s, EHRs existed in rudimentary infrastructures, and they were mainly used in academic inpatient and outpatient medical facilities. 

However, thanks to the technological advancements that took place in the 1990s and 2000s, digitized patient data became more popular, and they underwent significant upgrades between 1992 and 2015. By 2011, nearly 60% of clinics were regularly using EHR technology in combination with paper charts. 

How EHRs Affect the Healthcare Industry

Over the past 10 years, the crucial role played by EHRs became evident and, according to estimations by Nature, 96% of hospitals and 86% of physicians’ offices in the US now use digitized medical records. 

There are many reasons for the mass adoption of electronic health records that took place in the past years, and most of them are connected to the benefits this technology offers to most medical facilities. 

Thanks to EHRs, clinics can now reduce the risk of human error, transfer critical patient information to other providers and facilities, and update a patient’s health record in real-time. What’s more, EHRs are user-friendly for both healthcare providers and patients, and they can be integrated with other systems within a certain healthcare setting (including billing and scheduling systems).

In terms of boosting the efficiency of clinical settings, EHR has played an essential role in helping the healthcare system boost automation and deal with the unprecedented demand fuelled by the Covid-19 pandemic and the aging population. 

Adoption of EHRs: Challenges and Benefits

Undeniably, the implementation of electronic health records can boost the quality and efficiency of the healthcare system, reduce paperwork, and even put patients in control of their health. What’s more, EHRs have helped clinics streamline patient management, build relationships of trust, and make better clinical decisions.

However, most clinics using EHRs today do so in combination with traditional paper charts, mostly due to the adoption challenges this technology is facing today. 

Some of the greatest concerns hindering the widespread adoption of EHR include patient data security, physician error, data breaches, and loss or damage due to poor software infrastructures. The cost of use, training needs, and the limited tech abilities of less tech-savvy physicians are additional minor challenges. 

The Future Potential of EHRs

Since their introduction over forty years ago, electronic medical records have evolved drastically. Thanks to EHR optimization and improvement strategies, physicians are now able to seamlessly access and consult real-time patient data, monitor at-home care, and schedule appointments. 

What’s more, as emerging technologies become more affordable and widespread, EHRs gain new, powerful functionalities, including:

• GPS technology can provide patients with remote assistance and greater security levels.
• IoT devices can monitor vital signs and deliver personalized reminders (i.e.: medication alerts).
• Greater levels of interoperability allow for greater ease of use and access
• Enhanced patient safety when touchless patient identification platforms like RightPatient are used. 
• Live video streaming platforms support remote communication with patients and telehealth services.
• Greater levels of integration with billing, appointment scheduling, and patient management software will allow for more streamlined workflows. 
• More ad hoc EHR solutions that fit the specific needs of a certain clinic, hospital, lab, or facility, also through app extensions and customized functionalities.
• Customized user experience for patients and healthcare providers
• Faster EHR adoption and cycle times to deliver consistent and integrated data in real-time across multiple facilities.

While it is impossible to foresee the exact extent to which EHRs will change the healthcare industry, it is already evident that this technology will play a crucial role in helping the global healthcare industry cope with the unprecedented demand for quality, affordable, and accessible care.