Top 5 Ways to Create a Stellar Patient Experience

The following is a guest blog post by Sarah Bennight, Marketing Strategist for Stericycle Communication Solutions, as part of the Communication Solutions Series of blog posts. Follow and engage with them on Twitter: @StericycleComms

Patient experience has always been something healthcare delivery organizations should strive to improve. However, in the past couple of years, patient experience has received a necessary focus as health consumers are presented with more choice, transparency, and data to navigate their healthcare journey. But with so many choices available, what can health providers do to drive loyalty?

I recently had to schedule a visit for my annual mammogram, a much dreaded experience for most women. I’m lucky to have many imaging options around me, making it easy to get in on a day that was convenient for me. However, the choice was very simple after the exemplary experience I received last year. One facility in particular made me into a loyal patient, and they did so in five key ways.

1. Convenience of access: Consumer-centric businesses like Amazon and Starbucks have made it so seamless and easy to get what you need from them when you need it, that it makes waiting in healthcare more painful than it used to be. Now, we expect to handle business transactions on our own terms and to receive immediate results. Even Amazon Prime’s two-day shipping wasn’t enough for us, and now we have Amazon Now. When it was time to schedule with the facility, it was simple to connect and get care when convenient for me. They offer online scheduling, which enabled me to browse open appointments and choose an option that fit my busy schedule. They have a phone number as well if you prefer to schedule that way, but I prefer doing most business transaction from my phone.

2. Patient-first in clinic experience: Everything at the facility was set up to make something no woman really wants to do, an enjoyable experience. I was greeted with a warm smile when I walked in and promptly taken back to the changing rooms. Their rooms are finely decorated with warm lighting and comfortable dressing rooms. I never sat idle for more than 10 minutes. They have even taken the extra step to provide lockers for your personal belongings with the names of famous amazing women so you can remember where your belongings are. I chose to be Eleanor Roosevelt one year, and Jane Austin this year.

3. Putting data in the patients’ hands: Both times I have been in for a screening, I receive my secure results within 24 to 48 hours and they send the results to both my OB/Gyn and my primary care provider. Armed with information contained in my profile, I can choose to have a more in depth conversation with my care providers regarding the risks and results, or I can keep them and compare year after year. Knowledge and education are the first two steps in patients having the ability to manage their health.

4. Proactive engagement in care: Patients can be very forgetful (especially when managing the care of four additional family members). If there is something I need to do in order to take better care of myself, it’s better to be proactive and ping me instead of assuming I’ve got it covered. This facility let me know several months in advance that it was time to reschedule. I knew the exact date I was eligible per my insurance, so it made it easy to take the best step to keep on top of my health.

5. Ease of doing business: No one wants to spend hours filling out paper forms. When looking for a repeat appointment for this year, I saw that there was a clinic closer to my office. I arrived a few minutes early to fill out the insurance forms since I scheduled online and there was no place for me to put the card information. When I walked in and gave my name at sign in, they had everything: my address, insurance, birthdate, records from the last visit at a different facility. This is imperative for healthcare organizations to prioritize as mergers and acquisitions mean multiple EHRs, billing systems, and contact centers. The experience and ease of doing business with your team before and after care will affect patient loyalty. Make it easier to do the small things, and watch your patient satisfaction increase.

The facility has gone to great lengths to ensure their patient experience is above par and their efforts have definitely paid off. And they will have my loyalty for it as long as they serve my area. Their mission states:

“Our promise is to provide an exceptional experience, exceptionally accurate results, and Peace of Mind to everyone we serve. Our purpose is to be the National Leader in Mammography and imaging services, helping patients achieve and maintain optimal health.”

What is your promise to your patients? Is your number one to provide an exceptional experience? Are you meeting the above five areas of the patient experience beyond the clinical face to face interaction? What are some additional ways you ensure the best experiences for everyone in your care?

The Communication Solutions Series of blog posts is sponsored by Stericycle Communication Solutions, a leading provider of high quality call center & telephone answering servicespatient access services and automated communication technology. Stericycle Communication Solutions combines a human touch with innovative technology to deliver best-in-class communication services.  Connect with Stericycle Communication Solutions on social media: @StericycleComms

   

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