How can Supply Chain contribute to patient engagement, satisfaction?

With healthcare reformers pushing consumer-driven care philosophies and customer service surveys linked to reimbursement, how can Supply Chain steer healthcare facilities toward satisfying patients and achieving successful evaluations used to justify payer reimbursement? Four experts share their insights and observations with Healthcare Purchasing News.

Investing in future-proof technologies is another key reason to involve Supply Chain early in the decision process. Healthcare facility managers, clinicians, and supply chain staff benefit by investing in these future-proof Android-based SMART technologies by PDi that easily progress to internet-enabled features (when ready!) and are compatible with many leading enterprise-based interactive patient software systems (IPS) to further engage, satisfy and educate patients. PDi is proud to be the preferred OEM hardware supplier for these IPS solutions that help engage patients in their care and drive motivation for patients to change behaviors toward a healthy lifestyle, especially for patients needing chronic disease management.

Cat Saettel, Marketing Manger, PDi Communication Systems, Inc.

In today’s value based care environment, where health systems are focused on delivering quality care, supply chain leaders understand how purchasing key technologies empower providers and care teams to optimize care delivery.

The members of the Supply Chain team are often strategists, and to formulate a successful solution for provider burnout and patient engagement you have to understand the risks, and the potential rewards. Measuring the effectiveness and efficiency of value-based care processes and determining [return-on-investment] on utilization is directly linked to the Supply Chain management focus area. We expect to see more analysis from this group as health systems focus on delivering precision care, and address population health, while maintaining a competitive advantage.

Kyle Cooksey, President, CareThrough, a subsidiary of HealthChannels

Healthcare organizations have invested billions of dollars in electronic medical records and other data-driven solutions. However, healthcare providers and insurers still seek meaningful engagement solutions that improve patient health and avoid the revolving door of costly readmissions.

Hospitals strive to meet value-based purchasing demands focused on increasing patient satisfaction. Supply Chain professionals should be fully aware and involved in the process of investing in more advanced infrastructures that support emerging patient experience technologies, especially those that motivate and encourage patients to be more knowledgeable and involved in their care.

Richard Bootes, Vice President of Product Development, TeleHealth Services

While many patients like to [bring] their own device(s), staff require iPads and Androids for rounding. Outpatient areas and waiting rooms need kiosks for surveys. There is a hardware component, and in some cases furniture installation, to provide this. Television sets may be used to mirror education that is deployed via mobile device. As patient engagement became an organizational priority in hospitals, the traditional scope of Supply Chain is being expanded to include support and acquisition of tools needed for patient engagement initiatives.

Lisa Romano, R.N., Chief Nursing Officer, CipherHealth