Ten 10 aspects that go in to improving quality outcomes in healthcare.

Aeons ago Hippocrates the patriarch of medicine had said, “Where the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love for humanity.” A thought that should resonate with all modern health care entities today who value the human being or the patient at the centre of the health care ecosystem.

When it comes to quantifying outcomes, what really makes the cut to top quality is what works best for the patients.

The pillar of quality outcomes depends on a well worked out plan across the continuum of care in a healthcare entity for which a series of pre-ordained systems must be in place. This includes personalised patient centric approach, adoption of sophisticated and latest AI-assisted technologies, highly qualified talent pool of health care specialists and professionals, and above all the presence of review boards that enable a strong system of communication between teams of doctors, surgeons, anaesthetist, nurses, and caregivers, following a well-planned protocol in patient care.

A lowdown

At the very outset let me list the top 10 variables that are mandatory to assure the best outcomes and they are.

1. Effective use of AI in patient management for predictive pre and post operative outcome assessments.
2. Personalised patient care with tailor-made pre and post procedure protocols
3. Use of advanced and sophisticated precision tools and next generation equipment in the surgical and diagnostic processes to ensure minimum margin of error.
4. Deployment of minimal invasive procedures and implementation of day-care stay wherever possible.
5. Effective negative pressure technology in air-conditioning systems of hospital to ensure highest standard of infection control.
6. Minimum antibiotic exposure for the patient to keep the immune system uncompromised.
7. Effective personal care management systems in hospital procedures
8. Attention to high quality of nutrition and taste in food menus.
9. An effective insurance preapproval and approval network and reimbursement system
10. Strong pharmacy network and medicine delivery system

Let us deconstruct this a bit.

When we talk of personalised patient care, it means every programme is tailor-made to the specific needs of an individual patient who is treated as an individual and not a footfall statistic the moment he enters the hospital.

 His electronic medical records reach ahead of his visit via telemedicine consultation where the doctor attending on him knows exactly the specific nature of his condition, his medical history, drug sensitivity, history of previous hospital stay and other such patient specific information. The protocol that he creates for the individual is based on this past record and tailored to the last detail. Care is taken for minimum use of antibiotics that are administered under strict supervision to assure that the patient’s immune system is not compromised in anyway and the antibiotic exposure is broad spectrum and minimal as per the requirement.

In case the patient requires surgery, AI outcomes and equipment work out the plan with minimal invasive pathways to ensure best results, quick recovery process and therefore, early discharge of patients.

Infection control at hospital plays a big role in ensuring the best outcomes. A very high standard of sanitization, effective air conditioning that prevents any spread of infections via air ducts, and implementation of a vigilant inspection protocol that ensures no lingering bacterial, fungal or viral build up in any part of the premise, has to be maintained. There is no room for any misadventure here.

An insurance pre-approval network & acceptance system to avoid unnecessary delay and ensures a hassle-free billing system with zero waiting period for the patient.

A prescription based, electronic, paper-free pharmacy dispensation and delivery system that syncs with doctor’s advise for medicine dosages and timings during the hospital stay as well as a post discharge, there is a set-up of a medicine tracking and delivery system to ensure compliance to the medicine protocol by the patient.

Building loyalty pathways

The relationship of the hospital with the patient continues beyond the four walls of the premise where every patient gets an effective follow-up to a reasonable length of time, to ensure he or she remains compliant to all protocols. We cannot tell patients, ‘See you soon or come again’. However, if a need does arise, the continuum of care has to uninterrupted and seamless so as to ensure a patient picks out your hospital as his first choice.