Ease the Way - Gebauer Patient Comfort Blog

How Can Nurses Define and Guide the Patient Experience?

By: Jennifer Clark | On: May 17, 2017

While the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has urged healthcare organizations across the country to change the ways they evaluate the care they provide, arguably the most important measurement the ACA highlighted is the concept of the “patient experience.”

Unfortunately, the best way to define the patient experience is up for debate, and every individual involved in a patient’s care has their own perception of which factors should be considered when assessing treatment quality.

However, among the most comprehensive investigations into the idea of patient experience was a 2014 article published in Patient Experience Journal, “Defining Patient Experience.” In this study, Wolf, et al. identified four distinct themes that practitioners—especially nurses—can use to help define and guide the patient experience.

Below is a discussion of these four elements.

3 Uncommon Ways Nurses Can Improve Patient Care

By: Jennifer Clark | On: May 9, 2017

Though nurses have a laundry list of responsibilities during each shift, when it comes to patient care, there are two main priorities: providing compassionate medical treatment and involving patients in care decisions.

Once these primary duties are addressed, most nurses choose to go above and beyond to ensure a patient’s stay at the hospital is as comfortable as possible. While there are dozens of ways to accomplish this goal, there may be a few you might not have considered.

Take a look at three uncommon ways nurses can improve patient care and increase satisfaction.

5 Ways Physicians Can Improve the Patient Experience

By: Bethany Nock | On: April 13, 2017

A private practice physician’s interaction with a patient during a clinic visit may only last 10 to 20 minutes, but for the patient, the encounter started weeks ago when they scheduled the appointment and will last long after they leave the office.

Along with the support of his or her clinical staff, it is the responsibility of the physician to do his or her best to make sure the patient feels respected and appreciated at every stage of the process.

Here are five ways private practice physicians can provide a consistently positive experience for their patients.

3 Healthcare Technologies All Hospitals Should Have

By: Bethany Nock | On: April 5, 2017

It’s difficult enough to survive in the competitive healthcare marketplace, but if your hospital doesn’t use the most cutting-edge practices and the latest healthcare technology, it can be especially challenging.

A hospital’s willingness to embrace innovation influences not only the decision of a patient seeking care but also the decision of a physician pursuing a new position. Using technologically advanced clinical processes and medical devices are an effective way to improve the patient experience, attract high-caliber staff and ensure compliance with regulations.

Here are three healthcare technologies that can help your hospital thrive.

3 Ways to Change Hospital Design for Higher Productivity

By: Bethany Nock | On: March 30, 2017

Though healthcare has recently shifted from fee-for-service (FFS) payment structures to a value-based care (VBC) model, efficiency and productivity are still primary concerns for every care provider.

Healthcare technology, inventory management and proper interdepartmental communication are all essential for a productive and efficient healthcare facility. However, a hospital's design can have also have a big effect on patient flow, patient care and the patient experience.

Below are three ways to improve hospital design for increased productivity and efficiency.