5 Examples of How a Communications Platform Can Improve Patient Outcomes and Enhance Healthcare Provider Collaboration
Patient and healthcare provider communications have always been important, but with the current threat of COVID-19, effective communication is more vital than ever. The demand for telehealth has increased exponentially; in fact, a new report from Frost & Sullivan indicates that telehealth will increase by 64.3% nationwide this year alone as a result of COVID-19. Reduced resources, heightened demand, increased risk of exposure, and surges in patient volume have all contributed to the growing need and demand for telehealth services and virtual medical treatment. Implementing a streamlined communications platform can help improve the patient experience and boost collaboration amongst health care providers and provide increased access to medical staff and information.
Here are 5 examples of how a communications platform can improve patient outcomes and enhance healthcare provider collaboration
1. Using an effective communication platform can Reduce Staff Exposure and Minimize Surges in Medical Facilities
Medical establishments had to change many of their protocols due to the threat of COVID-19. Hospitals and doctor’s offices with limited personal protective equipment (PPE), were concerned about both staff and patient safety and needed to limit their exposure. Many doctor offices closed altogether and opted to only communicate via voice, phone, text, or video to protect medical professionals and staff. Delaying non-essential procedures, coupled with enabling remote care, also helped reduce the number of people having to access in-person care at hospitals so professionals could focus on urgent care for the most acute patients.
2. Expand Care Patients with limited
Video conferencing services enable healthcare providers a way to deliver remote care or telehealth virtually for patients in isolated areas or crises when an office visit is not possible. Patients that do not have access to local care either to due to proximity, transportation, or health requirements can now connect with healthcare professionals right from their living room.
3. Enhance Collaboration and Support Mobile Workers
By implementing a mobile workforce, healthcare teams can collaborate quickly in real-time with experts in the field from wherever they are working. Just as patients can access medical attention via telehealth options, healthcare providers can also collaborate with medical specialists around the globe – opening up the talent pool to access knowledge and information from anywhere in the world. Real-time collaboration amongst medical professionals can help improve patient outcomes as decisions can be made faster, response times increase, diagnoses are made sooner, and labs/testing can be scheduled quicker.
4. Improve Patient Outcomes with Automated Services
Medical offices and establishments can save money and time with customized hold time recordings to provide valuable information to patients while they wait on the line. Providers can automate many daily tasks, such as appointment confirmations and reminders. Ensure patients do not miss a dose of their medication with prescription refill reminders. Enhance quality of care by delivering aftercare instructions to patients and caretakers. Improve the patient experience by soliciting valuable feedback from patients to improve upon the patient experience.
5. Boost Patient/Provider Engagement with Omni Channel Communications
Omnichannel communication makes it easier for patients, healthcare providers, and staff to communicate on mobile devices, increases access to information and promotes real-time collaboration. Patients and providers can choose the mode of communication they are most familiar with, which helps boost patient engagement and interaction amongst healthcare providers and staff. Patients can opt to communicate via voice, text messaging, or email to receive information, confirm appointments, and more. Many patients want to communicate through text; as a matter of fact, a recent study showed that “more than 90 percent of respondents would like the ability to communicate via secure text messaging with a family member’s care team if that loved one were ill.” This feature is provided through the use of Contact Center Solutions. Providers and team members will have access to features such as call recording, call forwarding, and screen sharing while in the field to boost collaboration with professionals from wherever they may be.