3 Technologies Helping Healthcare Providers Improve Patient Experience

An increasing number of healthcare providers are finding innovative ways to improve patient experience through the adoption of new technologies, including those which improve communication, entertainment options, and access to key medical and financial information. 

These three new technologies are changing the game when it comes to the patient experience in the healthcare industry:

1.  Bedside Infotainment Units

It's paradoxical but true:  given the strides made in the adoption of healthcare technology in recent years, the one area which has seen little change for decades is patient accommodations.  Most hospital rooms, for example, are still equipped with a standard television and telephone.  Understandably, patients wonder why their communications and entertainment options lag behind those they would have in their own living rooms!

That's now beginning to change at many forward-leaning hospitals with the adoption of the so-called bedside infotainment terminal.  The terminal combines the functions of a television, computer, phone, and nurse call button.  Patients can access these improved functions easily, using intuitive touchscreen technology. 

Specifically, bedside infotainment units give patients easy access to:

ㆍEnhanced entertainment options:  Patients can now download movies and videos, access the internet, follow local and national news stories, listen to their favorite music, play their favorite games, and even shop online.  They can also (if their doctors approve) complete work-related tasks, like checking and responding to professional emails.

ㆍAdvanced communications:  Some units enable advanced communications with both healthcare staff and family members.  Patients also have access to a chat feature and can make conference calls or use the webcam feature for video chat or video conferencing. 

ㆍEnvironmental control:  If a patient wants to change his room temperature, adjust the lights, or open window blinds, they can now do so without calling for a nurse.  

Some would argue that access to entertainment and communication options is relatively inconsequential.  An increasing number of providers, however, counter that the new units are effective in relieving stress and boredom and that doing so promotes a positive outlook and faster recoveries. 

Furthermore, the unit is also a useful clinical tool for nurses and physicians. It provides access to important patient data, which enables input to update the patient's condition.

2.  Mobile Technology for Patients and Families

The quality of communication between healthcare providers, patients, and families is critical to an improved patient experience.  Again, technology is providing a solution to make communications more effective, in this case through mobile applications.

Other mobile applications to improve both patient and family experience:

ㆍPoint-to-point directions from the parking lot to the appointment, and walking directions for internal wayfinding helps families find their family members with less stress.  

ㆍBetter informed and comfortable patients prior to planned hospitalizations, patients can walk themselves virtually through their path through the hospitals with simple virtual tours to fully immersive virtual reality

ㆍBetter communication of events, amenities, and other hospital information for patients and families 

3.  Centralized Records and Billing

When patients need access to key medical and financial information, they don't want to wait for protracted periods of time to get it. Furthermore, they want to be assured that the information they get is accurate. 

When healthcare providers switch to electronic records and centralize their patients medical records and billing information, they can provide this level of assurance. No matter where patients are when they request such information, the provider can quickly access it by simply contacting the records department through either an online portal or email exchange.

Equally important to the quality of the patient experiences the fact that when medical records and billing documents are centralized, they're also more secure. Once the relevant information is entered into the system, it is essentially “locked,” with only members of the records department having access. By decreasing the number of staff with access, the chances for security breaches are dramatically reduced, something providers can advertise to prospective and current patients. 

Conclusion

These new healthcare technologies may not address every challenge—or solve every problem—that patients and healthcare providers encounter.  They will, however, go a long way in improving the quality of the healthcare patients receive. This will increase their trust in healthcare providers, and by extension make those providers more competitive in the new healthcare marketplace. We are a bedside infotainment terminal manufacturer. If you are interested in our products, please contact us now!