In Jenn Riggle's Hospital Impact blog post this week, vice president of Weber Shandwick Worldwide and member of its healthcare practice describes a common theme in seven patient-centered care must-haves--convenience. With patient satisfaction directly influencing reimbursement, hospitals worrying about their pocketbooks are revamping services so that patients can manage their care from home or locations close by.
"When people are seriously ill, they are willing to travel to find the expert care they need. But otherwise, people are looking for ways to fit health and wellness into their busy schedule," Riggle said. "Hospitals that develop services with this in mind will build their brand and customer loyalty." Riggle recommended looking at best practices from successful retail clinics and mail-order pharmacies, and offering convenient hours and online tools for patients to select a physician. Blog post