No matter what profession you are in, if you have patients then you are probably looking for ways to care for them better. This can be a little difficult if you are also looking to be more cost-effective. Luckily, here are just seven of the most cost-effective ways to provide outstanding care for your patients.
1. Online Medical Records
There is a good list of pros and cons of paper medical records, but e-clinical works EHR may be the way to go. Of course, paper records provide some service to the patient that they may prefer, so you might have it still if they want it. However, online medical records save money on paper and ink. It also saves time, more secure, and less accident-prone. Online medical records are likely the future, but older patients may be more comfortable with paper records. In short, it might be a good idea to have the option but recommend online medical records.
2. Partnerships
No matter where you work, forming partnerships can help your workplace, your partner, and your patients. Hospitals have a nationwide opportunity of partnerships and resources they can receive. This can be as small as with a local gym to resources like SCP. Not only do partnerships help reduce costs and increase resources, but it also adds to the customer service you provide.
3. Early Detection
Being proactive with risk factors and detecting illnesses earlier will save money and a lot of stress for your patient. Early detection can help with providing less intensive treatment and have reduced complications. It’s great for your patient and should be a priority. It’ll also save a lot of time and money for your workplace. Do this by providing risk assessments and identifying risk factors each visit in a respectful way that will make your patients trust and be honest with you.
4. Reduce Readmissions
Studies have shown that up to 25% of people who are released from the hospital have to be readmitted within 30 days. This costs more than $17 billion in Medicare expenditures each year. This is an extremely unnecessary expense if you take each case seriously and make sure the patient is completely okay before releasing them. Reducing readmissions will not only make the patient feel cared for properly, but it could save a lot of money for your workplace.
5. Increase Efficiency
You can increase efficiency in many ways, many of which should be tailored to fit your specific situation. For example, if you have issues with having patients use the nurse button to ask for food and other things that take up nurses’ and doctors’ time, then you could hire interns or other employees that specifically handle these calls and direct them to who they need to go to. This not only keeps employees on track, but it will also help patients get the care they need from the people they need it from faster.
6. Focus on Aftercare
Many patients end up back in the hospital due to not continuing their medication until it was done or caring for themselves how they need to. This is why focusing on aftercare can save a lot of time, money, and show patients the care they need. You can do this by giving a few follow-up calls reminding them of what they need to know and making sure the instructions are very clear. Make sure you give a space that the patient can ask any questions and you can answer them in the most understanding, caring way possible.
7. Make Care Accessible
Another way to reduce the number of admissions canceled appointments, and so on is to try virtual appointments. A lot of middle-class citizens are working multiple jobs and sometimes just don’t have enough time to make it to their appointment. In order to accommodate them and yourselves, try a telemedicine approach to these cases. This is to show patients you care and you will have a better success rate also!
These are just seven of many cost-effective ways to show your patients that you care about them. Sometimes you have to get creative and think outside the box for solutions for problems you see more often. It’d also be a great idea to ask for feedback from your patients.
