As a healthcare professional, you strive to provide your patients with service that creates the highest level of satisfaction possible. Yet, even the best patient-centered approach may be overlooking small points that really matter.
It's key to take a granular overview of whether you're getting as specific as you possibly can when it comes to the details your patients truly care about. Use this scientific advice to provide the things they truly want and need:
Make sure your staff is faultlessly professional.
Research from Brunei University reported that dignity in the hands-on care of hospital patients is always incredibly important. You should make sure all doctors, nurses, PCAs and food service and housekeeping employees knock before entering a room, speak politely at all times, and act humanely.
That means paying attention to things like not waking patients roughly in the middle of the night to do a blood draw. Employees should also keep the noise down in wards and around the nurses' station and avoid wandering the wards gossiping or talking loudly about personal matters.
Make patient convenience job No. 1.
A patient's orientation to their room often gets short shrift when the staff is busy with multiple admissions. Make sure your staff walks patients through points like how to operate their TVs and use their call buttons.
Their whiteboards should be updated promptly each morning, so they'll always know the names of their caregivers for the day and what tests or procedures they'll be having.
Maintain stringent and ongoing sensitivity training.
A study from researcher Robert Buckman at Princess Margaret Hospital found that showing compassion to patients is a great tool for improving satisfaction of care.
Frequent workshops on the importance of humane bedside manner for all caregivers are key, as is observing your staff members' demeanor to make sure they come across as human and not cold when dispensing medical information.
Mandate timely condition updates.
Research from Vanguard Communications found that 96% of Google+ reviews citing provider complaints center on poor communication. Few things are as nerve-wracking as not being told when your condition has worsened or improved, so ensure that your caregivers check in with patients immediately whenever a change occurs.
Error-proof your procedures.
Take every possible step to avoid unclean rooms, lost personal belongings, long waits for water, and forgotten calls to be helped to the bathroom.
Covering these points means you're showing your patients respect. They will appreciate it immensely and give your organization their respect in return.
