How Technology Improves The Average Patient Experience

BY MUHAMMAD SIDDIQUI, MBA

Group CIO

According to  research  conducted by Stoltenberg Consulting, 42% of over a hundred health IT leaders consider “updating technology to improve the patient experience” as a primary goal in 2019. This isn’t just a result of improving technology but of increasing awareness among consumers. They demand better from the healthcare industry, as they should.

Patient Satisfaction

While it’s nearly impossible for a patient to judge the quality of healthcare while they’re admitted, they are the only ones that can determine the level of satisfaction with that care. And that satisfaction comprises of all the interactions they’ve had with the nurses, doctors, equipment operators, etc.

The Role of Technology

Improving the patient experience through technology  can begin with the basics such as bypassing the bureaucratic process.

Digitization and Streamlining

All communication and transactions that are required for a patient to check-in, authorize procedures, receive medication, etc. should be streamlined through technology and made wholly digital.At the Philadelphia branch of the Thomas Jefferson Hospital,  data analytics and visualization are being used to monitor procedures in the operating room . The use of interactive dashboards has increased on-time starts by 25% and saved nearly $300,000 every month. Insights gained from the data have reduced the average time that patients spend in the ICU on ventilators, reducing the risk of associated illnesses.

Mobile Tools

Patients should also be able to access their medical records on their personal devices and contact their doctors without any red tape. Some great examples of this are:

* Phoenix Children’s Hospital : Customized iPad devices are available in every patient room with access to social media accounts, children friendly films, educational videos, medical records, and treatment plans.

* NYU Langone Health’s Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Pavilion : A 75-inch HD display called “My Wall” is available to patients with which they can read educational material and order food.

Security

Patient data should always remain secure within a health facility. Leaks and losses contribute negatively to the patient experience. Here, the value of HITRUST CSF certified and HIPAA and GxP compliant IT Service Providers become apparent.Not only do these standards allow for a better patient experience but they also allow the incorporation of new software without endangering existing integrated data and platform security.

Technology can do wonders to improve the patient experience  by streamlining various processes and strengthening the connection between doctors, nurses, and patients. This will not only save millions of dollars in the long run but will also contribute to a safer and healthier global lifestyle. 

This article originally appeared on  LinkedIn Pulse .