Today, healthcare is a retail business, and no longer immune from the consumer-based realities that affect virtually every other industry in the U.S. economy. And in this new environment, providers are placing a high priority on satisfaction when it comes to serving these new patient-consumers. While clinical excellence should be a given for all providers, beyond that baseline, what does it take to deliver the greatest value to your patients and your facility? From initial consult to final follow-up, creating a smooth patient experience is key. An anesthesia management company can help in the following ways:
Optimize efficiency
It doesn’t take much to derail a GI procedure.
Failing to obtain the appropriate cardiac clearance for anesthesia, an unfulfilled medical record request or unaddressed co-morbidities, such as the use of blood thinners, can axe a scheduled endoscopy. We know it’s difficult to get the right clearances in place, and we can help get the information needed.
A quality anesthesia provider will help by participating in pre-op patient calls as well as interacting with referring physician offices to ensure paperwork is in order. Anesthesia management can increase efficiency further by facilitating communication between your facility and the providers in your center.
Ensure patient safety
An anesthesia management company will go beyond the CV to examine each clinician’s qualifications and identify candidates uniquely suited for the specific setting. Most importantly, they will ensure that all providers are properly trained to administer the most up-to-date standard of care. For example, with propofol offering a safer alternative to traditional sedation methods, your provider also should be skilled in administering and dosing the drug during GI cases and an expert in airway management.
Clinical competency is important not only for staying compliant, but also remaining competitive in today’s consumer-based healthcare market. Providers should participate in quality assurance activities that support facility accreditation and build your reputation, which helps to improve patient loyalty and retention.
Make a great impression
As the last person the patient talks to before they go to sleep, and the first person they see when they wake up, an empathetic anesthesia provider will be the face of your center and help patients feel more comfortable. A good bedside manner also makes patients more inclined to provide high marks on a satisfaction survey. According to a 2015 study[1], patients ranked the personal manner of support staff and nurses among the most important factors for a positive colonoscopy experience.
Actively engaging patients and showing empathy can go a long way in ensuring patient satisfaction. Anesthesia providers should get on the patient’s level, address them as they’d like to be known, and explain the procedure and anesthesia details. By addressing the issues patients are likely thinking about, giving them a chance to ask questions, and always listening respectfully, the anesthesia provider will help set your practice apart.
Simplify billing practices
Unexpected anesthesia bills can sour your relationship with patients—and potentially slow down payment on invoices. In addition to having patients sign the required billing consent form on the day of service, following up after the procedure to handle billing questions is always helpful. A quality anesthesia management company should always have a proactive program in place to ensure excellent communication with patients, which is essential in managing patient expectations regarding billing.
According to a 2013 J.P. Morgan analysis of key trends in healthcare patient payments, “The current systems infrastructure in most provider organizations is not designed to provide the necessary level of detailed, accurate and timely payment processing service to patients.” The report continues, “Clearly, providers are in a position to lower many healthcare consumers’ barriers to paying. One approach would be to adopt new approaches to make payment more convenient and less confusing.”
CarePlus provides superior, turnkey anesthesia management services that result in improved efficiency and patient satisfaction. Physicians also rely on us to give them peace of mind, so they can take care of their patients and run their practices. As a guest in your home, we always exhibit professionalism and respect, while keeping clinical safety paramount and delivering patient comfort.
Isn’t it time to minimize clinical disruptions and improve patient satisfaction at your center? Take the first step: Click here to contact us today!
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[1] “What do patients want from their endoscopy experience?,” Frontline Gastroenterology, 2015