The Key to Improve Patient Satisfaction in Healthcare

Today, the modern society in India is witnessing technology advancements and in parallel levels of an increased percentage of medical ailments. Many types of new viruses, diseases and disorders have disturbed the lifestyle of numerous citizens in our country. The widespread of many medical conditions have left many as patients which in turn has increased the demand for new health care practices and many hospitals are coming into existence. Still, the hospitals are not able to accommodate all patients as the patients outnumber the hospitals.

While medicine being the noble profession, medical service should be rendered aiming patient satisfaction in healthcare industry. The hospitals that lack in infrastructure, facilities and services should take measures in improving patient experience. Every industry has to meet certain quality standards. Healthcare industry is not an exception. In fact, this industry needs high quality standards and quality improvement in healthcare that has become inevitable.

Also extensive patient experience strategy has to be implemented by every hospital management in order to satisfy and serve every patient who puts trust and faith in the hospital and of course on the doctors who treat them.

So, what would the patient expect from a hospital?

Every hospital should first realize that hospital is a place where patients come with distress. So, they should ensure the patient return home with healed and happy. Hospitals play a vital role in transforming a patient’s woes into bliss. From patient’s perspective, they expect an efficient trustworthy treatment that cures their disease and a proper infrastructure during their stay in the hospital if they are admitted as in-patients. And, a clean and infection free atmosphere is also highly expected by patients irrespective of the level of hospitals both private and public because patients are already under some medical conditions and any poor hospital infrastructure or procedure should never aggravate their ailments and worsen the situation. Cost is also a key factor that has to be devised reasonably without much deviation from market standards. Every hospital should never forget that healthcare industry is a service sector and henceforth offer treatments at affordable prices.

These are fundamental patient requirements that brings in positivity on the Hospital. If any hospital lacks quality standards, then definitely it is mandatory they work on quality improvement in healthcare.

What are the measures a hospital should take to improve quality standards?

An effective strategy has to be implemented if a hospital infers poor patient satisfaction. Every hospital should set public relations department that constantly focusses on patient satisfaction and quality improvement. Some of the functions of such a department are employing efficient doctors, good infrastructure with all amenities that includes ward, operation theatres, rooms for in patients, waiting lounge for out patients, latest medical equipment or at least the basic equipment required for a hospital setup, cleanliness etc., last but not least, treatment with a bit of compassion by doctors, nurses, technicians and other hospital authorities. Treatment with care and affection adds more value to the treatment leading to patients’ satisfaction and good patient experience that earns a goodwill to the hospital. This goodwill helps a hospital to gain competitive advantage and grow in their business.

A hospital possessing all quality standards will certainly be rewarded with patient satisfaction which in turn increases patient flow, their reputation and goodwill in the healthcare industry.