Value Add

A Paradigm Shift: Hospital Embraces Hospitality

Providing private rooms reduces medication error and falling instances

Satisfaction is a temporary word when it comes to products and services as new expectations do set in after some time and force/lead players to higher quality level called value addition. Yes! It is happening out here in hospital industry, so apart from core competencies i.e. medical services, hospitals have taken a leaf out of hotels' book of hospitality. It's all about giving personalised comforts to a patient on par with a hotel. So, hospital personnel/ experts can learn a lot from hotel designers. Hotels offer a better ambience for different moods, designated spaces for visitors/ family to stay and a wide selection of room services to choose from- and these are just a few of the hotel amenities that hospitals can incorporate. In today's hospital environment, healing has taken on a whole new meaning. Also, medical tourism despite economic ups and down would become a reality a la dotcom boom. It's an idea whose time would set in soon.

Architectural Perspective

Hospital iterior and design have a bearing on patients' recovery. Hospital designers need to change the conventional perception of hospital interiors Hospital designers and interiors need to create an ambience that would make a patient's hospital stay very pleasant.

Hospital planners and designers could focus on following:

Residential Elements

In the private rooms, several elements help create a more residential atmosphere. At the head of each bed sits a cherry wood wall storage unit that houses medical equipment. A visitors' seating area has a small sleeper couch or upholstered chairs. A work station for staff as well as visitors is at the opposite end of the bed. Shaded lamps, wallpaper, draperies, and framed paintings should be part of interior. The rooms may also have refrigerators, internet access hookup and even guest books. The bathrooms can also fit into the concept with coloured fixtures, decorative tile and roll-in showers.

Private Rooms

Also important to hospital design is the frequency of private rooms in a hospital. Providing private rooms reduces medication error and falling instances.

Nature and Artwork

Hospitals that include nature and artwork ensures more positive patient experiences. Both nature and artwork contribute to patients having a greater sense of well-being.

Noise

A major problem within hospitals today is noise. Often patients cannot sleep through the night as medical carts screech through the halls, with doors opening and closing. Hospital designers should pay greater attention to acoustics within hospitals as noisy environments generate more stress for patients. Also, sleep is critical for patient recovery.

Colour

Use of proper colours in hospital design is very important. Color can help patients have a sense of orientation - where color is used to give different hospital areas a sense of place. Also, psychologically speaking, color has been known to be associated with mood. Using the right colors in waiting areas, examination rooms, hallways or patient private rooms can have a definite affect on patient motivation and stress levels.

Operational View: Healthcare Hospitality Pays

Patients no longer simply look for a private room but one with a view and a welcome mat. Like any other businesses, things have undergone sea change in hospitals as patients and relatives accord high importance not only to quality of medical services but also over all infrastructure of the hospital. Hence, hospitals have started focusing on patient and attendant(s) satisfaction. Satisfied patients and relatives add to referential business of hospitals. And yes patients and relatives are also aware of the fact that quality does come at a price.

Contact:
Tarun Katiyar
Hospaccx India Systems
tarun.katiyar@gmail.com
Mob : 9220604903
Team- HIS