Blog

Home > Blog > Patient Satisfaction Made Simple

Patient Satisfaction Made Simple

When allied health workers are asked why they chose to work in healthcare, the majority say they find personal satisfaction from helping others. When grateful patients compliment the care they’ve received, they are acknowledging the time and effort someone took to focus on their individual needs.

In any healthcare setting, it is imperative to be professional and polite at all times. Using proper phone etiquette while making appointments or triaging calls gives the impression that the entire staff is competent. It is important to take the time to give patients as much information as possible, even if there are others waiting; each patient will appreciate the attention.

Communicating with patients is the key to providing excellent care. Whether your work setting is a clinic, shelter, hospital or dental office, when a patient arrives, they deserve everyone’s full attention. Greet patients warmly, offer your name and inform them about each step of their appointment so they know what to expect. If a patient seems nervous, ask if s/he has any questions. Engaging in “small talk” may also help alleviate anxiety. Other patients would rather be quiet. It’s important to learn how to identify different personalities to act accordingly.

Patients often judge physical environment just as critically as treatment. An important part of the environment is the general attitude of the staff. Never complain about your co-workers or about work general. You may not think patients can hear what’s going on, but they are doing nothing but waiting and know much more of what’s going on than you may think. Another important part of the environment is maintaining the cleanliness of the patient areas. While you may work in one section of a large building, the entire facility belongs to all of the employees. Pick up papers on the floor, stack reading material neatly, keep exposed work areas free of clutter. Patients feel safe and at ease when they are in a clean, professional environment.

When healthcare workers take the time to give patients information, answer their questions and make them feel at comfortable, patients will communicate their appreciativeness. And that makes all the difference.

Please use our blog to share some of the compliments you’ve received from patients and how it made you feel about the work you do.
 

Posted by: Laura Wagner