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4 Significant Ways Mobile Can Help Accountable Care Organizations (ACO)
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By [x]cube LABS
Published: Feb 27 2014
The healthcare industry is undergoing a transformation. Two factors are at play. New care models and deliver mechanisms are experimented with and are being adopted into the system to address critical challenges posed before the industry. Many healthcare organizations are now pursuing accountable care models wherein the organizations are accountable to the patient and third party payer like medicare companies for the quality, efficiency and cost of the care. On the other hand, healthcare organizations are embracing technologies to improve care, reduce costs and better treatment outcomes. Mobile devices powered by healthcare apps can play a significant role in enabling healthcare organizations to get lean, agile and responsive. Here are the 5 ways mobile devices and apps can play a larger role in ACOs-
1. Educate And Engage Patients
Patients often lack right information, guidance and support at the time of crisis. Every injury or illness doesn’t need a rush to the emergency care. A symptom checker app or video chat facility with a doctor can help patients take correct and informed decision on the treatment required and can help organizations reduce admission rates and treatment costs.
2. Boosting Efficiency Of HealthCare Staff
Healthcare mobility solutions like mobile EMR, physician rounding solutions etc., can liberate the nursing staff from central stations and help them be mobile. With a device in their hand, the staff can get updates on patient condition and can take necessary steps. Similarly, healthcare apps can reduce paperwork and other redundant activities of the staff helping them concentrate more on care, thereby improving patient satisfaction and treatment outcome.
3. Streamline And Better Processes
Mobile healthcare solutions can give a massive flip to streamline processes. Medication administration apps will ensure that right medications are administered to patients at the right time. On-the-move access to patients medical history help doctors take appropriate treatment decision from anywhere, anytime thereby helping them cover more patients in less time. Similarly, hospital asset management solutions ensure that organizations cam maintain and locate their various assets like medical equipments, wheel chairs and stretchers, effortlessly. Streamline and efficient processes will boost treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction in addition to lowering overheads of the hospitals.
4. Reduce Re-Admissions
Medicare companies have gone very strict on re-admissions. The onus is now on healthcare providers to reduce re-admissions. Post-discharge mobile apps can play a big role in managing the discharge process and post-discharge treatment management by facilitating communication and guidance between physician, home caregiver and patient. From providing a list of do’s and don’ts to recommending exercises and medication, the app can be a vital tool in home care. Remote patient monitoring apps can help healthcare staff monitor and provide treatment to patients at home thereby reducing hospitalization and readmission rates.
Mobile is quickly becoming an enabler in the new patient-centric and accountable healthcare model adopted by ACOs. Healthcare mobility solutions can perfectly align with ACO model to help them realize their objectives and empower patients through better access to information and care.
Image courtesy of imagerymajestic/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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