The reputation of a hospital ward depends on the quality of patient care. After all, it is this one aspect that can directly impact patient health outcomes, satisfaction, and wellbeing. This is why hospitals will try to improve patient care by encompassing a holistic approach to healthcare, prioritizing the patient’s emotional, physical and social needs.
But it can be difficult to make positive changes in a hospital environment. Hospital wards are often busy, with patients coming and going and staff working to ensure procedures run smoothly. With this in mind, some advice might be needed to ensure patient care can be successfully enhanced without wasting time and/or effort.
Thankfully, this post outlines three of the key ways to enhance patience care on a hospital ward.
Prioritize Patient Comfort and Wellbeing
A comfortable environment should be the bare minimum that patients experience in a hospital ward. This means ensuring they are comfortable in both a physical and emotional manner, which can encourage open communication and active participation in their care. Many deem this patient-centered care due to its considerations for the patient’s emotional, financial, physical, and social wellbeing.
To create a comfortable environment in the hospital ward, you should begin considering how accessible the amenities are. It should be easy to access refreshments, restrooms, and other necessary facilities, even for visitors. For inpatients, they should be provided with appropriate room temperatures, comfortable beds, easy access to call buttons, and more. Privacy and socializing aspects of the ward should also be improved upon.
Similarly, the way that staff interact with patients can also impact the patient’s comfort and wellbeing. Using active listening and clear explanations can help patients understand their care and ask their own questions. It is also important be completely transparent during discussions as this will build trust; you should keep them informed about wait times and any changes to their care.
Optimize Ward Efficiency and Workflow
How the hospital ward runs can also have an impact of patient care. If procedures and processes have been streamlined correctly, there will likely be faster treatments, fewer errors, and better patient outcomes. It could decrease healthcare costs and staff burnouts, too. All of this will then create a better environment and overall experience for patients.
The best way to do this is by streamlining processes through a variety of aspects. This will include automating routine tasks, like appointment reminders and data entry, and reduce redundant tasks. Both of these tasks can save time and resources, and the former will even reduce the number of human errors that are made. It will also free-up staff to focus on other areas of the ward.
However, the efficiency of the ward will depend on its layout as well as the processes. There should be clear navigation, efficient room adjacencies, and optimal bed placements. The space for equipment and supplies should also be used strategically, which is why many hospitals opt to purchase mobile carts and other storage solutions from InnerSpace. These types of equipment can be used for bulk storage, moving supplies from one ward to another, and more.
Enhance Communication
Communicating openly with patients can have a major impact on their experience within the hospital. Effective communication will ensure patients are actively involved in their care, foster trust, and improve understanding. It can also reduce the number of mistakes being made as well as result in better adherence to treatment plans.
Many patients will find medical jargon confusing, so communication must focus on plain language and clear explanations. This will ensure patients understand what they are hearing and can follow instructions to the letter. You should allow for questions to be asked and answered, and it is wise to provide written materials to patients when necessary.
While verbal communication should be prioritized, staff should be aware of their non-verbal communication. They must monitor their own body language, posture, and facial expressions to show empathy and engagement. This can be as easy as maintain eye contact and smiling.
To conclude, it is vital to ensure patient care is of a high standard in all hospital wards. This can be difficult to improve when nurses and other staff are unaware of what to focus on, but the information supplied in this post can assist.
