We’re long past the days where the only way for consumers to share their experiences with businesses (or medical practices) was through word of mouth.
In the current age of digital media, where nearly everyone has immediate internet access – as well as the ability to register their pleasure or displeasure with their experience – patients have the ability to boost or diminish an urgent care or emergency department’s reputation with just a few clicks.
Online reviews and social media testimonies have a huge impact on whether potential patients consider booking an appointment at a certain practice. That is just one of the many reasons why patient experience is more important than ever in today’s healthcare landscape.
Having a reputation for a great patient experience in your practice can both satisfy your current patients and inspire confidence in prospective ones, ultimately generating more revenue for your organization.
From the moment a patient walks through your doors till they leave with a diagnosis, prescription, and/or treatment plan, there is no shortage of touch points. Each one presents an opportunity to make their experience a positive one. Or conversely, leave them questioning whether they should look elsewhere for care.
Were they greeted in a friendly, respectful manner? Did the information they provided (either as a new or repeat patient) follow them to their current visit? Was there continuity even if they were seen by a different healthcare provider than last time? Were they seen within a reasonable amount of time? And if they had to see more than one provider in the practice, was the “handoff” performed seamlessly?
Here are just a few of the specific reasons why patient experience is so important in today’s healthcare industry:
Attract and Retain Patients
Creating a positive patient experience in your medical practice is essential for attracting and retaining patients. In order to grow and thrive, healthcare organizations need to be able to attract new patients while simultaneously retaining the ones they already have.
Having long wait times, unattentive staff and creating a generally bad experience is the easiest way to lose existing patients and scare away any potential new patients. That is why fostering a positive patient experience is essential for your practice to accomplish both of these goals.
Reduce Costs
When it comes down to it, the ability to reduce costs and maintain a profit is what keeps medical practices afloat. Part of creating a positive patient experience is having a well-run and efficient office and staff. Being able to run your practice efficiently not only creates a positive experience for patients but also reduces costs for your organization.
On a similar note, the more patients that walk through your door, the more revenue your practice can generate. Creating a positive patient experience will help to retain existing patients and attract new patients, resulting in greater revenue and stronger financial health for your practice.
Better Health Outcomes
At the end of the day, the ultimate goal of any healthcare organization is to provide the best possible medical outcomes for their patients. When patients have a positive experience with your practice, they are more likely to follow through with their care plan and take their medications as prescribed. This can lead to better health outcomes and lower costs for both your practice and patients down the line.
Boost Employee Engagement and Job Satisfaction
Happy employees lead to happy patients! When staff members enjoy coming into work each day, it is reflected in the quality of care that they provide. This, in turn, leads to improved patient satisfaction scores and increased employee retention rates. In essence, a positive patient experience is a win-win for both your staff and patients.
Provide a Better Patient Experience with ER Express
From providing better health outcomes to reducing costs for your practice, there are countless reasons why providing a positive patient experience is important for healthcare organizations. These are just a few of the most important ones. By focusing on providing a great experience for patients, healthcare organizations can improve their bottom line while also improving the quality of care that they provide.
ER Express’s multiple software solutions help urgent care facilities and emergency departments engage with patients and provide them with a better, modernized experience that will encourage them to revisit your organization and recommend it to others.
To learn more about how ER Express’s solutions can help improve your practice’s patient experience, schedule a demo with us today.
