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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – As recent events have taught the world, there’s more to an efficient and effective healthcare system than just exceptional treatments and talented medical professionals. In fact, a huge bulk of time spent in healthcare facilities is with its administrative side. Anything from lining up, filling out forms, and making payments to setting up future visits and scheduling procedures are outside the scope of medicine.
Fortunately, this means there’s essentially another avenue for effectively improving healthcare in a meaningful and relatively simpler way. This article will discuss how healthcare administration improvements can be made and what this means for the future of the industry.
Use of Healthcare Administrative Software
The Electronic Health Records or EHR software has revolutionized the way patient records are being kept and maintained. No longer are these important documents confined to the restrictions of paper. Aside from making record-keeping easier and safer, a digital database promises more reliability as well.
But the most important feature of electronic records might be its unprecedented accessibility. With this single feature, medical professionals from different departments or even facilities can gain access to a patient’s personal information, medical history, past treatments and procedures, and other live-saving data.
For these reasons, EHRs have been gaining popularity with medical facilities around the world. In the future, there can be a database that makes it easier for hospitals and clinics to share information and save lives in the process.
Another software is making waves by addressing two common issues in healthcare facilities – long lines for patients and long hours for medical staff.
Appointment scheduling software systems are not exclusive to healthcare, but its impact on the industry has been phenomenal.
By effectively automating the scheduling process, this software significantly reduces work for healthcare administrative staff. They get back time that can be used for more important, even life-saving tasks. It also empowers the patient to make scheduling decisions.
With this software, patients are able to choose a perfect time for them and even time their visits to coincide with the schedules of their preferred medical professionals. Because patients are given the freedom to participate in their own medical process, this software also encourages the bridging of healthcare’s own last mile problem.
According to Trust Radius, these systems also usually feature support for billing, submission for claims, appointment reminders, and other functionalities that take up administration time.
Another notable function of appointment scheduling software is safety. Because it reduces physical interaction in healthcare facilities, both patients and medical personnel are less exposed to risk factors such as infections or contagious illnesses.
Speaking of reducing risk factors, Telehealth applications are taking this to the next level. As the name implies, telehealth basically provides healthcare to patients in remote areas or in situations where it’s impractical to travel through the internet
Instead of making regular visits to medical facilities, patients can opt to access telehealth and get the help they need. This is especially useful for follow-ups and updates.
According to Mayo Clinic, telehealth applications can usually be accessed using different devices. Even mobile phones can be used, which takes accessibility to a whole new level for patients.
Like the appointment scheduling software, telehealth also encourages patients to stay on top of their own healthcare. This responsibility and self-accountability can often mean the difference between recovery and health decline.
Personnel Management
The shortage of medical professionals is well-known in the healthcare industry even before 2020. The spread of the current pandemic only further highlighted this issue. In fact, according to the Occupational Health and Safety website, the sheer stress of dealing with an overwhelming number of infections has been enough to cause Post-traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD in some healthcare workers. This is why the efficient management of healthcare personnel is increasingly important.
As the number of cases continues to rise, it can be tempting to allow healthcare workers to work longer hours, especially since the industry is currently stretched. However, limiting their time in their posts can actually yield better results in the long run. Firstly, this lessens the healthcare workers’ exposure to the pandemic and other risk factors in the facilities.
Also, according to a paper published at the US National Library of Medicine – National Institutes of Health, a study was conducted on a group of nurses who were given shortened schedules. These healthcare workers were eventually found to exhibit improved social factors and sleep quality. They were also found to have reduced mental fatigue and heart and respiratory complaints. These nurses developed an overall better outlook towards work.
It can be difficult, but shortened work hours for medical professionals will benefit everyone in the system, including the patients.
Training is another avenue for improving personnel management. Updating skills and know-how when it comes to new medical technologies will empower medical staff and further improve their morale towards work and the industry in general. There are also supplementary degree courses that educate professionals about the business or administrative side of healthcare. An investment in learning and career-building ensures a more capable and satisfied workforce.