6 Must-Have Technologies When Designing a Smart Hospital

Technology is the way of the future. Advancements allow for more people to not only work from home, but stay connected with work, family, and friends from anywhere in the world. More and more people are in the habit of staying connected no matter where they are. Companies across many different industries find technology advantageous. Hospitals are no exception. Integrating the latest technologies and designing a smart hospital offers benefits to patients, staff, and the hospital as a whole.

Benefits of a Smart Hospital

The benefits of designing a smart hospital affect all levels of the hospital. First, a smart hospital provides a better patient experience. Patients and their families are able to stay connected thanks to technology friendly waiting areas. They can charge their phones or catch up on emails and work from their laptops and tablets. Patients are also able to check in more efficiently upon arrival using kiosks which in turn reduces overall waiting times.

A smart hospital provides a better working environment for staff, nurses, and physicians. Registration staff experiences a more manageable workload due to automated check-in, which leaves more time to focus on patient questions and needs. Physicians and nurses are able to use technology to collaborate with professionals from all over the world and keep family members updated.

By using technology to increase the efficiency of hospital operations cut down on overall operating costs. For instance, going paperless with patient records cuts down on supply costs and the time wasted to hunt down a patient’s chart. Streamlined operating processes makes for better use of time and resources.

Check-In Kiosks

It is no secret that the initial check-in and registration at a hospital can be the most frustrating for both patients and staff. Between phone calls, registration papers, and insurance forms, registration staff easily find themselves falling behind. This makes for frustrated employees and frustrated patients. If the process is delayed from the start, it causes a delay all the way down the line.

Check-in kiosks are a great way to combat this problem and streamline the initial check-in and registration process. The ability to digitize the check-in process will free up your staff to be able to focus on the more complex tasks of registration. This means paperwork will be completed in a more timely manner, reduction of patient wait time, and staff having more available to answer questions and concerns of waiting patients.

Plugged In Waiting Rooms

Time spent in waiting rooms is a normal and expected part of the hospital experience. With everyone connected to their cell phones and computers, it can be very frustrating when waiting rooms do not have convenient outlets in order to charge electronic devices or reliable WiFi. Waiting patients and family members are not able to keep family and friends updated or handle issues that arise at work.

Having furniture placed strategically near outlets along with providing a strong guest WiFi connection will make the waiting time more comfortable for both patients and families and friends of admitted patients. Depending on the size of your waiting room, consider integrating not only comfortable pieces of furniture but technology friendly workstations as well, for those who might have a long wait and want to catch up on work from the office.

Digital Scheduling System

Implementing a digital scheduling system is extremely beneficial in cutting hospital costs down. Staff can view their schedule at any time from anywhere. They can request additional open shifts if they wish. Filling unwanted shifts tends to be a costly expense. Hospitals spend a great deal of time and resources offering special incentives in order to fill slots. Sometimes hospitals must even use contract agencies and traveling nurses in order to fill open shifts. When staff have the ability to see the schedule and availability of open shifts, it is much more likely that these shifts will be filled voluntarily by in-house staff without the need for additional incentives.

Telemedicine

The use of telemedicine in hospitals is one of the most advantageous technological advancements to physicians, patients, and family members. The use of secure video chat, email, wireless phones, and much more allows for remote communication. Physicians can keep patients’ families updated remotely. Clinicians can remotely check on the progress of discharged patients and make adjustments to treatment plans if need be without the need for a face to face visit.

In particularly complex cases, physicians can consult with specialists from all over the world. This allows for better patient care, quicker diagnoses, and more comprehensive treatment plants. This is because physicians can gather input, suggestions, and come up with treatment plans utilizing the knowledge and expertise of doctors from all over the world.

Electronic Medical Records

The implementation of electronic medical records in place of paper records offers benefits to both the patients and the clinicians. Maintaining records electronically means a reduction in errors due to difficult to read handwriting. Electronic records are easy to read by all without the need for deciphering.

Electronic medical records are easy to get your hands on. Clinicians do not have to waste time trying to find paper charts. Every patient’s chart is right at their fingertips, allowing for more efficient patient diagnosis and quicker treatment.

Patient security is of the utmost importance. With electronic records kept all in one place on a secure platform, it reduces the chance of paper files containing sensitive information becoming lost or ending up in the wrong hands.

Custom Designed Interactive Educational Games in Pediatric Waiting Areas

Anyone who has toddlers and children or works with them understands that most lack patience and the ability to sit still for long periods of time. A busy waiting room can be a parent’s worst nightmare. It is difficult to keep a child occupied and calmly waiting until they are seen. Incorporating interactive educational games and activities in pediatric waiting areas is a great way to elevate the patient experience in your hospital.

Examples of smart pediatric wait room activities include wall and floor projections. These large scale activities offer opportunities for interaction among family members, friends, siblings, and new found friends.

Keep Your Smart Hospital on the Right Track

In addition to integrating these 6 must-have technologies into your smart hospital, it is important to have the most advanced and innovative software available. Attania is the industry leader in equipment planning, budgeting, and tracking system software for all of your healthcare equipment. The knowledgeable experts take pride in providing the perfect solution for your hospital’s specific needs and future goals!