How to Improve Patient Experience With Employee Comms

As a healthcare organization, your patients are at the center of everything you do. But between staffing shortages, strained employee relations, and ongoing financial pressures, it can be easy to lose sight of what really matters. That’s why we’re sharing our 12 simple steps to help you improve the patient experience.

What is Patient Experience?

Patient experience (PX) refers to the sum of all interactions that patients have with a healthcare organization, from the moment they seek care to their ongoing relationship with the provider. 

Key elements of patient experience include:

1. Patient Communication. Effective communication between healthcare providers, administrative staff, and patients is a fundamental component of patient experience. It involves not only conveying medical information but also addressing patients’ questions, concerns, and preferences with empathy and clarity.
2. Quality of Care. The clinical care provided, including diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up, significantly influences PX. Patients expect competent and compassionate care that meets their healthcare needs.
3. Access and Convenience. This includes appointment scheduling, wait times, and the availability of telehealth options.
4. Environment and Facilities. The physical environment of healthcare facilities, such as cleanliness, comfort, and amenities, contributes to a patient’s overall impression of care quality.
5. Emotional Support. The emotional aspect of patient experience is crucial. Healthcare providers and staff should provide emotional support, show empathy, and address the emotional needs of patients and their families.
6. Administrative Processes. Efficiency in administrative processes, such as billing, insurance coordination, and paperwork, plays a role in a patient’s experience. Streamlined administrative tasks can reduce stress for both patients and staff.
7. Post-Care Follow-Up. A patient’s experience doesn’t end after the clinical encounter. Effective follow-up, including post-discharge care, medication management, and ongoing communication, contributes to positive patient outcomes and satisfaction.

Why is it Important to Focus on Patient Experience?

Focusing on patient experience is not only a moral imperative but also necessary for improving patient satisfaction, better clinical outcomes, patient loyalty, and reputation. Here’s why:

1. Improved Clinical Outcomes

Positive patient experiences are closely linked to improved clinical outcomes. 

When patients have trust in their healthcare providers, feel engaged in their care, and have their questions and concerns addressed promptly, they are more likely to adhere to treatment plans and follow medical advice. This, in turn, leads to better health outcomes and reduced hospital readmissions.

2. Enhanced Patient Satisfaction Scores

Satisfied patients are more likely to recommend a healthcare facility to others and remain loyal to it for their ongoing care needs. 

Positive word-of-mouth referrals and patient retention contribute to a healthcare organization’s reputation and long-term success.

3. Competitive Advantage

In an increasingly competitive healthcare market, patient experience can be a key differentiator. 

Patients have choices when it comes to selecting healthcare providers, and they often base their decisions on the quality of care and the overall experience they expect to receive. Organizations that prioritize patient experience can gain a competitive edge.

4. Regulatory Compliance

Regulatory bodies and government agencies are increasingly looking at patient experience. Compliance with regulations and accreditation standards often requires healthcare organizations to demonstrate their commitment to providing high-quality care, which includes focusing on patient experience metrics.

5. Cost Savings

Efforts to enhance patient experience can result in cost savings for healthcare organizations. Improved patient engagement and satisfaction can lead to fewer medical errors, decreased litigation risks, and reduced resource utilization, ultimately saving both time and money.

6. Better Reputation

A strong focus on patient experience can contribute to building a positive reputation for a healthcare organization. Positive online reviews, patient testimonials, and favorable media coverage can attract more patients and reinforce the organization’s credibility.

The Link Between PX and EX

Just like how we agree that the customer experience and employee experience are linked, so too is patient experience linked to EX.

So, why is that the case?

The reality is that when employees feel supported and engaged in their work, they’re able to give their best at work. And, more importantly, they want to.

This means they can provide better customer care and make fewer mistakes.

But when employees are burnt out and don’t feel valued, it can actually have a negative impact on their care and, ultimately, your brand’s reputation.

Communication’s Role in Improving Patient Experience

Communication lies at the heart of every great patient experience. What we say and how we say it to patients makes all the difference.

That’s why it’s so important to start by mastering employee communication. Give your frontline healthcare teams talking points, scenario training, and up-to-date information so they can provide the best possible care to their patients.

12 Steps to Improve Patient Experience

Enhancing the patient experience requires a concerted effort, and effective employee communication is a critical component of achieving this goal. 

Here are 12 actionable steps you can take to improve EX:

1. Create a patient-centered culture. Align your mission and values so that the patient is at the center of everything you do.
2. Prioritize your employees. Invest in employee wellbeing, recognition, and growth and development. Engaged and satisfied employees are more likely to provide exceptional care.
3. Develop communication training. Provide your staff with communication training that emphasizes empathy and active listening.
4. Standardize comms protocols. Establish communication guidelines to ensure consistency in patient interactions across all departments.
5. Gather employee feedback. Solicit feedback from your employees to understand their insights and perspectives on the current state of PX.
6. Provide the right comms tools. Ensure that internal communication channels are efficient and accessible to all employees, allowing them to stay informed and connected.
7. Focus on digital content. Create multimedia content that makes it easier for employees to consume and act on information for their jobs.
8. Foster collaboration. When we all work together, we create better experiences. Encourage collaboration among different healthcare disciplines to ensure a holistic approach to patient care.
9. Promote patient education. Empower patients with information and resources to better understand their conditions, treatment options, and self-care strategies.
10. Monitor patient feedback. Collect and analyze patient feedback (like CAHPS scores) to identify areas for improvement.
11. Provide ongoing training. Offer training and development opportunities for healthcare staff to stay updated on best practices and evolving patient needs.
12. Measure and benchmark. Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for patient experience and regularly benchmark against industry standards to track progress.

By taking these proactive steps, you can create a patient-centric environment. But remember that enhancing patient experience is an ongoing journey not a one-and-done effort.