Navigating a hospital can be a stressful experience. From crowded facilities to nerves about procedures, patients may feel extreme anxiety. It doesn’t help when the hospital has a confusing layout that leads people down rabbit holes.
Leadership needs to prioritize patient flow to create a better experience for everyone. This concept refers to how people move through a facility, from check-in to discharge. Improving patient flow in hospitals is achievable for the busiest practices with these simple tips.
Make Navigation Easy
Large hospitals often have complex layouts. You can make navigation easy by using bold signage on the interior and exterior. Signs will direct people to different departments and ensure everyone is at the correct location.
The outside of your hospital can be just as difficult to figure out. Many industries benefit from LED signs,including medical. You can use these large, bright signs to direct people to different entry points and reduce parking lot traffic.
Organize Arrivals and Discharges
Sometimes, hospitals experience an influx of check-ins at once due to emergencies. You can’t control these situations; however, you can manage elective procedures to compensate for the chaos. Establish a solid arrival and discharge plan for an organized hospital flow.
Anticipate staffing needs so that everyone gets proper care. Don’t overbook your procedures; since they are elective, you can take more time to ensure detailed organization. Improving patient flow in hospitals is all about handling the things within your control so that surprises don’t derail your operations.
Form a Patient Flow Team
Making changes for any reason can take a lot of time, money, and resources. Consider forming a patient flow team to take on the job. This group will be responsible for addressing concerns and implementing efficient policy changes.
A patient flow team will streamline information and reduce miscommunication. They can perform audits to discover exactly where your problems lie. Delegating tasks to trustworthy individuals will allow leadership to focus on big-picture concepts for general hospital improvement.
As healthcare professionals, it’s your job to make patients feel comfortable and secure. Having a calm, organized flow can do so much to ease anxiety. With these tips, you can create a more positive patient experience while making your job easier.
