COVID-19 has changed the world in many ways — some good and some not-so-good. The world has grown ever-more reliant on computers and the internet to the detriment of personal connections and relationships. For many, fear of death even overruled seeing family.

That being said, the coronavirus has shown healthcare its shortcomings and has catapulted improvements that would have been much longer in coming, from the embracing of telehealth to the renewed emphasis of patient care.

Symtech Solutions has been supporting nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and area hospitals and medical centers with the best life safety communication systems, such as nurse call systems, wireless phones, wearable panic buttons, and digital whiteboard solutions. Below, we’ll take a look at some of the things the healthcare industry has learned from COVID-19 and what positive changes you can now see and expect. Contact us to learn more today!

Design Changes

Many hospitals and healthcare facilities faced an onslaught of patients and did not have the space to provide adequately for them. This has led many hospitals and urgent care centers to implement a change in their layout to include such things as the ability to isolate different areas of the hospital, as well as implement better air filtration systems that keep the air from co-mingling. Plus, hospitals are looking to implement ways to accommodate more beds than normal when a crisis arises.

Supply Changes

At the beginning of the pandemic, many hospitals ran out of PPE, or personal protective equipment (aka masks). They also didn’t have enough hospital equipment, such as ventilators, that were critical during this time. Now, hospitals are beginning to realize the value of having extra supplies and abundant machinery on hand for when a healthcare crisis does arise.

Renewed Emphasis on Training

Before COVID-19, most hospital staff did not have any training on how to run a ventilator machine. Typically, this was done almost exclusively by the respiratory therapist or intensivist. Without the staff to operate these machines, people had to wait to receive treatment. Thus, medical facilities are not realizing the benefits of cross-training healthcare staff outside of their specialized field.

Importance of Telehealth

Many people had never heard of a virtual doctor’s office visit before COVID-19. With stay-at-home orders, patients still had to see their doctors, but stay safe doing so. Telehealth, which is the delivery of healthcare services via a digital device, exploded, and both doctors and patients realized that you can still give and receive great healthcare services remotely. Many patients report a higher satisfaction rating with telehealth, and the cost savings alone could be significant to the entire healthcare industry.

Helping to Move from Fee-For-Service to Value-Based Care

For the most part, doctor’s are paid based on the services they provide. Thus, if they perform more tests, they earn more. Instead, many doctors have been pushing for a value-based system where patients pay a flat fee no matter what services they get. Doctors say that patient care will increase and that there will be more time to have conversations around overall health rather than just treating the problem that the patient came in for. Plus, this system will allow doctors to better weather another pandemic if one ever arises again since they won’t be reliant on the number of surgeries they perform for their paychecks.

Symtech Solutions offers amazing life safety and rapid response monitoring systems for healthcare facilities nationwide. Since 1982, our team has been on the cutting-edge of technology, helping your healthcare facility implement systems that help increase efficiencies, lessen burnout, and improve patient care. Nurse call systems allow for patients to have access to their healthcare providers quickly, and it gives healthcare providers peace of mind. Likewise, healthcare whiteboards have allowed for telehealth services, as well as helped patients stay connected with loved ones while they are in the hospital.

Technology is a wonderful thing, and healthcare facilities are now embracing it as never before thanks to COVID-19. Symtech Solutions will continue to be offering the latest in technological solutions, such as our temperature screening kiosks, to meet your ever-changing needs. Reach out to a team member to get started today!