Some of the benefits of automation in medical services and processes.
Despite high prices and demand in our current healthcare services industry, hospitals and independent healthcare providers are reporting lower profits than ever before. According to the Harvard Business Review, several big-name healthcare providers lost millions of dollars in FY 2016 and FY 2017. In their analysis, the Harvard experts pinned the blame on increases in operating costs that outpaced increases in revenue. Automation allows healthcare organizations to provide high levels of care with the lowest overall investment. Here are some ways automated services improve healthcare for providers and patients.
Increased Productivity with Lower Labor Costs
With automation healthcare processes that require little skill or thought are removed from employees’ task lists. Without needing staff to perform check-ins, manually send appointment reminders, or other mundane duties, employees are free to concentrate on higher-priority tasks. Each staff member is able to handle a larger number of patients, which decreases the number of on-duty employees at any given time. Offices that employ automation see a significant reduction in labor costs while maintaining an organized and compliant practice. Coincidentally, these offices also see an increase in employee satisfaction. Employees who are engaged in more stimulating and challenging tasks throughout their day are generally happier with their position.
Reduction in Recording Errors
Thanks to automation, healthcare records and data are more accurate. While people can make complex decisions and calculations that machines can’t, we are still prone to random mistakes. Automated processes reduce the need for human input, which, in turn, reduces the chance of errors. When practices institute automated processes, doctors are less likely to run across inaccurate information that can compromise care. Organized and accurate patient information is key to predicting outcomes and detecting when providers may need to adjust treatment plans.
Encourage Patient Participation
Healthcare industry professionals know that an involved patient follows directions more closely, heals faster, and enjoys a better overall prognosis. Self-help options like smartphone apps and website access to personal history and information increase patient participation in the healthcare process. Patients who are able to book appointments, pay bills, and communicate virtually with healthcare providers online are more engaged and cooperative. Healthcare automation results in happier, more satisfied patients.
Improve Resource Allocation
How much time do medical staff waste playing phone-tag with patients and other professionals? How much paper goes into the trash or recycle bin from notes, outdated forms, and other paperwork? Keep your resources free for more important things with automation. Healthcare offices use automated voice and messaging services to make repeated tries at contact less time consuming. Paper waste is naturally reduced when regular communications and repetitive tasks are done automatically. Healthcare services automation also saves time, as the digital format makes data easier to search, sort, and manipulate. Healthcare providers can make more accurate decisions faster with automation.
Automation Is the Future of Efficient Healthcare
Automation is poised to take over the healthcare industry, just as it helped revolutionize the manufacturing industry. Those in the healthcare services industry who adopt these technologies early will be able to decrease costs, increase employee and patient satisfaction, and maintain superior standards of care.
