Updated on November 3, 2022 by Jordan McGlone
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Patient care standards are always evolving. What was considered great patient care a few years ago may not be the same today. And as our understanding of medicine and health improves, so too do our patient care standards. Healthcare organizations must constantly work to stay current with the latest patient care research and guidelines to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.
Of course, staying up to date can be a challenge. With so much information out there, it can be tough to know where to start. But by keeping an eye on key resources and developments, healthcare organizations can make sure they’re always at the forefront of patient care.
How the Standards for Patient Care Have Changed over Time
In the last three decades, patient care standards have changed dramatically. In the 1980s, the focus was on improving patient satisfaction and providing more personalized care. This led to changes in how hospitals operated, such as introducing patient advocates and customer service initiatives.
In the 1990s, patient safety became a major concern. Thanks to advances in medical technology, patients were living longer and surviving conditions that once would have been fatal. But this also meant that instances of complications rose in relation to the increasing number of treatments and surgeries performed. To address this issue, patient safety initiatives were introduced, such as the establishment of hospital accreditation programs.
In the 2000s, patient-centered care became the new standard. This approach puts the patient at the center of all decision-making, with the goal of providing care that is tailored to the individual. This has led to changes in how hospitals are designed and run, as well as how patient care is delivered.
What’s on the Horizon for Patient Care Standards?
As we look to the future, patient care standards will continue to evolve. With the rise of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, we will see new ways of delivering care that are more personalized and efficient. The healthcare industry is expected to focus more on preventive care and comprehensive treatment plans. In addition, patient engagement will become increasingly important, as patients take a more active role in their own care.
Healthcare organizations that stay up to date on the latest patient care research and guidelines will be best positioned to provide the highest quality of care to their patients.
6 Pillars of Great Patient Care
- Accessible: Patients need to feel that they have access to the support they need, when it’s needed. This isn’t just limited to the physical locations and office hours of doctors’ offices, clinics, and hospitals. Accessibility also refers to the availability of transportation, the possibility to reach health care providers and schedule appointments as needed.
- Trusted: In order for a patient-provider relationship to be effective, trust must be established. Patients need to trust that their provider is knowledgeable and has their best interests at heart.
- Transparent: Patients expect their doctors to be as transparent as possible, even if they may not fully understand their sickness or diagnosis. Clear communication of clinical conditions, status, procedures, prognosis, and long-term effects are needed to manage expectations.
- Engaged: Today’s patients are independent and need to be engaged as active participants in the care process. Before requesting a test or recommending therapy, the patient needs to understand and agree with the treatment plan in order for any course of action to be successful.
- Compassionate: Finally, patients should feel that their provider cares about them as a person, not just a condition. This compassion will go a long way in establishing trust and rapport.
- Coordinated: Given the multiple tracks that co-exist in healthcare – from inpatient to outpatient and community settings – there is a need for the transition of care between providers and facilities to be carefully managed. Global outcomes can be improved by well planned, targeted care coordination: for patients, providers, and payers alike.
Related article: How to Improve Patient Care by Centralizing Activities.
Great Customer Service for Great Patient Care
PatientCalls is a trusted service provider throughout the healthcare industry and great customer service is our biggest priority. Our top-rated customer service is a product of detailed assurance controls. Agents undergo training and quality-assurance monitoring in the following areas:
- Proper phone etiquette,
- Clear and compassionate communication with patients,
- Protecting patient data,
- HIPAA privacy and security requirements,
- Adherence to customer-specific protocol for call handling.
In order to ensure that we deliver excellent customer service, PatientCalls also carries out call monitoring and customer satisfaction questionnaires. These standards apply to our small-scale doctors answering service, home health care answering service, as well as support for hospital networks and medical emergency facilities. Read more about medical answering service Quality Assurance Standards.
