for families of extended-stay patients.
'Everyone has a smartphone now'
Cellphones have become invaluable conduits for so many aspects of
human life — communication, entertainment and banking, among oth-
ers. Choosing not to use a tool that lets you engage with patients and
their families on their terms could be a missed opportunity.
You might ask, "Well, apps might appeal to younger patients, but
what about technology-averse patients of a certain age?" Let Ms.
Tingle put your mind at ease.
"Our [older patients] are more tech-savvy than I would have
thought," she says. "We were concerned initially because Sarasota typ-
ically has an older population, and using an app like the one we did is
seen as cutting edge. Everyone has a smartphone now, and the app is
very simple to use."
Finally, keep in mind that patient satisfaction is an increasingly valu-
able currency, especially in light of the Hospital Consumer
Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems initiative, so any
tools designed to keep patients happy could be well worth the invest-
ment. Starting this year, 2% of Medicare reimbursement dollars will be
tied directly to a hospital's HCAHPS performance.
OSM
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