On time services, communication they can understand, access to information and rest. All these are key points to improving a patient’s experience during any hospital visit. Another important point is to build a care environment where treatment plans can work effectively.
When used correctly, technology can be the perfect assistant for medical staff. It helps them deliver the best possible care in an efficient manner. One technological advancement that makes this all possible are bedside terminals available to the patient on a easy to move hospital arm.
Bedside terminals have been providing information and entertainment for quite a while now. Their popularity comes from the fact that they serve the needs of both hospital staff and patients. From a single point of care.
The rise of mobile technology has made both ‘Bring your own Device’ (BYOD) and ‘Bring your own Content’ (BYOC) increasingly important. Not only patients, but the patient’s family and care staff are all keen to access their personal content through hospital screens. A mirror image of that would be staff access hospital content on their personal devices.
This new form of interactive technology made bedside terminals even more popular than before. Bedside terminals are seen to be the ideal ‘hub’ between patient, family and care staff. A centralized digital point of care providing information, entertainment and communication to all parties involved in the patient’s care and treatment plan.
With different ways to mount the hospital arms, any hospital can easily install the arm and bedside terminal in their different patient rooms.
Trends in Bedside Terminals
Hospitals and clinics are going through some major transformations. Of course doctors and nurses still make the traditional rounds but thanks to technology they now have access to real-time data from virtually any location and at any time.
1. Access to Information
Technology offers them all the information they need right at their finger tips. This not only makes their lives easier, it also helps them provide better and more accurate care.
2. Content Sharing
Bedside terminals are opening up content sharing possibilities. The ability to share patient information and other care content to the hospital’s screen. Both patients and hospital staff are increasingly requesting this type of sharing technology. If content can be shared on your home TV, why can’t information be shared in the hospital?
3. Digital Signage
Another great development is the use of terminals as digital signage. There is information that needs to be quickly distributed around the hospital. Digital signage provides high quality public information and directions. Studies have shown that digital content can help reduce stress and nerves in high pressure environments.
4. Improved Communication
Bedside terminals creates different points of communication and different ways to connect with people within and outside the hospital. Bedside terminals don’t only serve people inside the hospital, it also enable the patient to communicate with their loved ones when they are not with them inside the hospital building.
Patient Centered Care Services
An important part of using bedside terminals to improve the patient experience is the patient centered features and services they offer. Traditionally bedside terminals were used to access the internet, listen to music or watch an on demand video. And in some cases using the additional telephone service or using Skype.
But the hospital industry has uncovered other services that benefit from bedside terminals. All focused around the patient. If permitted by medical staff, patients can also access medical information provided by the hospitals and send alerts to nurses and doctors. Or to pay for premium services or catch up on some work.
All these advanced patient centered services improve patient well-being, give them continuous information concerning their health and make them feel more in control. This will ultimately relieve stress and anxiety. Engaging the patient and generating better health outcomes.
Hospitals have also started using bedside terminals to conduct patient feedback questionnaires. These surveys give patients a voice in a private and confidential manner. Hospital chiefs especially are fond of this type of feedback as medical staff cannot temper with the results. It is direct information from patients. Helping hospitals improve the experience they offer their patients.
Bedside Terminals as an Integrated System
Today’s bedside terminals are not just for entertainment. Manufacturers have realized bedside solutions that provide entertainment, but can also supply educational content, allow patients to order meals and give a platform for two way communication.
Bedside terminals and their features serve both patients and caregivers. For patients this includes TV, internet services, Skype, VoIP services, video and music, video recording, BYOC and meal ordering.
For medical staff, the same system can contain educational materials like treatment videos and care manuals and real-time patient data. Or even bedside registration/check out, notifications, sharing of content from mobile devices and alarm signalling.
The requirements for bedside terminals has changed. They should be able to seamlessly interconnect with other (hospital) services. Allowing the entertainment system to be used for all kinds of applications. Bedside terminals’ days of offering simple entertainment are gone. They have to be able to integrate with meal ordering systems and EHR systems at the least.
Squeezing maximum value from the investment.
Bedside terminals are no longer bedside entertainment systems. They are the connection between patient, family, care team and hospital. They improve health outcomes and the overall patient experience. Leading to healthier patients, reduced costs and happier care staff.