FIVE TAKEAWAYS
ENHANCING THE EXPERIENCE: RETHINKING TECHNOLOGY AND YOUR EXAM SPACE
Implementing technology at the point of care.
On October 29, two leaders from Midmark Corporation, Dr. Tom Schwieterman and Kurt Forsthoefel, discussed the dramatic growth of digital technology. While the expansion of technology can pose a challenge, the goal is to integrate it in a seamless way to enhance the patient and caregiver experience in the health system as a whole, but especially in the exam room. To access the entire webinar, visit www.modernhealthcare.com/ RethinkClinicalSpace.
1 An effective exam room improves care efficiency and enhances engagement.
Making sure technology relieves clinical burden is dependent on optimizing data and equipment. For example, properly using EHR to efficiently track and document a patient encounter will help speed up a diagnosis or a test for a patient, eliminating clinician stress for their patients’ overall health.
At the same time, utilizing the right exam room equipment that allows for continuous eye contact, having as few clicks as possible when ordering tests and exchanging personal information, can engage a patient more intimately and eradicate communication barriers.
2 Compatibility, exam room workflow, connectivity, setup and staff engagement are the five keys for a seamless integration of technology in the exam room.
Evaluating compatibility allows discernment on whether the technology is truly adding value to the health system. Analyzing exam room workflow enhances existing workflows. Creating a connected work ecosystem helps ensure realtime optimization in the exam room. Finally, coordinating an installation and set-up with your team eliminates future issues, while engaging staff in the introduction of new technology allows for hands-on training.
3 The growth of digital technology has reduced healthcare spending, but has sometimes caused disruption in the delivery of care.
According to a 2019 McKinsey report, using technology to drive improvement in productivity and health outcomes could save approximately $139 to $163 billion in health expenditures by 2025. An improved spending rate is good news for a health system, but many clinicians feel technology, especially related to electronic health records (EHR), has disrupted care. Creating a significant burden can affect clinician-to-patient interaction, leading to the perception that workflow and efficiency has been negatively impacted.
4 The patient experience is highly dependent on the provider experience.
The Triple Aim has been expanded to include improving the provider experience. Dissatisfied providers are less productive and receive lower patient satisfaction scores. When providers feel burned-out from their work, they are more likely to make medical errors and be less profitable for the health system as a whole. Making sure providers feel satisfaction from their work achieves the Quadruple Aim.
5 When technology is implemented correctly, care systems empower the caregiver and increase standardization across networks.
Technology can wipe out barriers to high-quality care by addressing inefficiencies through automating data transfers, reducing safety issues and ensuring an overall better patient experience. Clinicians feel more at ease when their definition of success shifts from measuring productivity to personal satisfaction of care for their patients; and technology creates a high-quality experience for all involved.