How to Increase Patients in Health Care Management

Health care management can be extremely challenging. It requires involvement with every aspect of health care provision from the storage of patients' records to facilities management and building renovations. Efficient health care management will improve patient safety and the quality of care, while accounting for complex advancements in medical technology, staffing issues and strict budgetary constraints. Effective health care management should also increase patient numbers and maintain and enhance a facility's viability as an economical and profitable service provider.

Instructions

• 1

  Analyze existing service provision figures to determine current levels of service utilization and how many additional patients can be accommodated.

• 2

  Examine patient mortality and the factors involved. Determine what is required to improve patient outcomes. It is unrealistic to expect to increase patient levels if mortality levels are higher than national averages.

• 3

  Determine specifically what attracts patients to certain service providers. Factors such as location, high quality services, state-of-the-art technologies, friendly personnel and a comfortable environment all factor in to the choices that patients make.

• 4

  Research best practices in health care service provision, from throughout the nation, and seek to implement similar models within the facility.

• 5

  Use the latest electronic technologies to store patient records, track test results and patient progress. This can greatly increase efficiency and improve the patients' experiences, according to Roland Goertz, M.D., president of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

• 6

  Investigate opportunities for grants, loans and philanthropic donors to enhance existing physical facilities. Sanitary and comfortable environments that enhance the patients' experiences within the facility are a fundamental necessity.

• 7

  Employ highly qualified professionals at all levels of service provision. Patients will be attracted to a facility if they know that they will be attended by skilled professionals with exemplary records, who care about their patients and are open in their communications.

• 8

  Work with insurance companies to ensure that patients clearly understand their coverage and options. The complexity of the insurance process and complications and misinformation at the provider's end can deter patients from seeking treatment.

• 9

  Examine the facility's appointment system and make changes where required. It is not unusual for patients to have extended waits far beyond their specified appointment time. Such waits are unacceptable, if you hope that patients will continue to use your facilities instead of a competitor's.

• 10

  Provide healthy lifestyle education and disease prevention programs such as weight control, smoking cessation, exercise, stress management and parenting classes. These will all encourage users into your facilities.

• 11

  Become an active part of the local community, participating in activities such as health fairs, festivals and events. Sponsor sporting activities and encourage the community in its efforts to get fitter. Hold annual flu shot clinics and help low-income residents access services. Active involvement will improve your credibility as being more than another business that simply seeks to make money.