Although each hospital is different — in its size, employee structure, and workflow organisation, they all share the same objective. That is to offer the best possible healthcare services to patients by using available resources in the most efficient way. Reducing costs and raising the quality of work at the same time seems like a Sisyphean task, that is until you know the perks of advanced healthcare technology!
Read on and find out how hospitals can optimise their workflow with the help of healthcare information technology.
What are the key factors influencing hospital workflow?
The healthcare industry has often faced the pressure of optimising its workflow and achieving greater efficiency. Today, the need to think and plan how hospital work processes are organized is even more important due to several factors, including:
- The introduction of new technologies and treatment methods;
- the challenge of coordinating the chronically ill;
- cost and efficiency pressures to improve patient flow;
- the growing need to ensure patient safety;
- coordination of larger care teams per individual patient;
- implementation of patient-centered care.
Good workflow design has significant impacts on care delivery. And since information storage and exchange are two of the most pivotal processes in hospitals, it is no wonder they are among the key factors influencing hospital workflow. Let’s review all of them more closely.
#1 Information transfer
Healthcare organization services rely on a large amount of high-quality information. The transfer of this information can be complicated due to the number of different professionals and sources of information involved in the care process of one patient. Many errors can occur during transition points, causing the duplication or loss of information. From dual paper, electronic orders, phones, whiteboard, pagers to verbal orders. The problem with non-formalized information transfer is the degradation of information, meaning patient information may not be passed on when staff members leave a unit. In addition, responsibilities and expectations are often unclearly defined.
#2 Storage of data
Management of data, patient records, and history are vital for more efficient work processes in hospitals. Many of the hospitals still rely on the basic combination of paper and electronic data management. In comparison to advanced healthcare technology, the latter can cause double strain on nurses, elongate the process of patient admission and patient flow, and lead to patient data being lost or duplicated inside the hospital system.
#3 Accessibility
In the hustle and bustle of everyday hospital work, nurses and other health professionals lose valuable time retrieving and recording patient data, treatment updates, making work task analysis, and researching medical history. Not only that but also by keeping track of scheduling, shifts, and possible staff changes. Having the tools to access patient data and staff information on the go — anywhere inside the healthcare organization can greatly improve efficiency and workflow.
#4 Diagnosis
The process of diagnosing patients relies on the prompt availability of patient data and their medical history, and of course on the skills of health professionals working the case. The time spent reviewing data, the patient, and making the diagnosis should not suffer because of efficiency pressures, since it could lead to medical errors and poor patient care. Healthcare technology has the power to offer both valuable insight and decision support, making the diagnosis process quicker, without sacrificing the quality of work.
#5 Patient care
The amount of time any patient spends inside the hospital and the number of his recurring visits are both key factors that influence hospital workflow and patient flow. Both affect the workforce burden, from direct patient care to information management. With healthcare information technology and data insights, preventive care and home care can reduce the number of patients and simplify patient care.
What are the key benefits of healthcare technology?
Technological innovation has affected the healthcare industry in more ways than one. From improving the quality of doctor-patient relationship to lowering the cost of healthcare services and raising the level of work effectiveness. Let us look at the key benefits along with actual healthcare technology solutions, which can be implemented to optimise hospital workflow.
#1 Better information flow
Digitalising healthcare information management and using one centric-based system means all past and current patient data and treatment records are entered at once and only once. It prevents the transfer, loss, and degradation of information in the course of an on-going treatment carried out by different medical personnel.
Digitalised information management systems, such as the advanced IP nurse call system NurseCare, can improve information flow and eliminate the process of filling out patient records, all in all, saving time and quickening hospital workflow. The system also offers healthcare planning, notifications, task assignment, and advanced statistical reports.
#2 Reliable data storage
Digitalised healthcare administration means all information is saved inside a cloud database, connected to the hospital network. Electronically stored data prevents the duplication and loss of information, quickens the process of patient admission, and offers more control and insight into medical processes or errors. With healthcare technology tools, such as IP nurse call systems, data storage becomes easy, fast, and reliable. Even more importantly — it saves you time to save lives.
#3 All information at hand
Upgrading your hospital with advanced information technology means implementing electronic management and devices, which give access to information on the go. We are talking about smart solutions, such as:
- NurseTab, interactive room touchscreen display;
- InfoTab, interactive corridor display and
- iNurse, a smart mobile app for staff.
They enable medical personnel to input new patient data directly from a patient’s room or from the hospital corridor or allow nurses to contact other staff from anywhere inside the hospital. Saving valuable time and energy for more vital tasks.
#4 Better data analysis
Upon making a diagnosis, the medical professional must take into account patient history and lifestyle. Big data analysis comes to the rescue! It can offer support in decision making, it also quickens the process of diagnosis and helps identify recurring patients. Based on that, medical professionals can design preventive plans and optimise hospital workflow by preventing recurring visits of the same patients.
#5 Improved patient care
Hospitals should not be focused only on fixing existing health problems, but on preventing them from evolving and also enabling patients to be cared for at home. Both objectives contribute to fewer patient admissions and less time spent in the hospital. Utilizing advanced healthcare technology tools, such as automated pill dispensers and smart home care systems can simplify doctor-patient interaction and enable patients to continue their recovery at home.
Optimise hospital workflow, optimise your results
Digitalisation of healthcare management is the future. Although it may seem costly at first, the cost of implementing healthcare technology pays off in the long run. It saves time and money, it relieves medical personnel, it betters patient care, and raises the quality of work. And all of the above has a long-term positive effect on the hospital’s reputation.