Many healthcare organizations across the United States are facing similar problems, which is slowing down efficiency, wasting money and posing a threat to patients’ health. To ensure you run a smooth medical organization, read more about the four biggest problems in healthcare and how to overcome them.
- Regulatory Confusion
Healthcare has been subject to much regulatory change in recent years and, unsurprisingly, many organizations might be struggling to keep up with the latest changes to compliance. By doing so, they may face both reputational, financial and legal ramifications. It is imperative that every medical facility remains on the cusp of regulatory changes, which is why they should consider professional, insightful advisory services from a leading provider, such as SA Ignite, who can help you understand fully the regulatory changes before making strategic decisions, such as an operational plan, or to help you make a final decision regarding the management of MIPS or APM.
- Unprepared for Emerging Technologies
Some US hospitals are more forward-thinking than others. In fact, the healthcare industry is considered to lag other industries when it comes to the deployment of innovative technologies such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence and drones. Yet, the innovations can transform healthcare practices and procedures for the better.
However, improved technologies should go beyond introducing the latest augmented reality into a surgical lab. Healthcare organizations need to also seriously consider introducing technologies to boost their facility’s cybersecurity. It only takes one harmful ransomware attack to gain access patient data before holding it ransom, which could cost a hospital or practice millions of dollars to recover – reputationally and financially. For this reason, it is important to invest in the latest technologies to prevent expensive breaches and adhere to regulations.
- Poor Nutrition
Many clinicians will be the first to tell you that many health conditions are preventable with the right nutrition, such as diabetes, heart disease and obesity. Unfortunately, organizations are failing to emphasize the importance of nutrition, which could prevent expensive medical problems whilst improving their community’s health.
Healthcare providers should therefore focus on the nutritional requirements of the communities they service, before partnering up with third-party companies to address their population’s diet-related problems. Also, facilities should consider adding more nutritionists and dieticians into their primary care teams to enhance the health of their patients.
- Outdated Payment Methods
Did you know that approximately 5% of healthcare revenue comes via credit card payments? This figure is also expected to double by 2020. Healthcare providers therefore need to say goodbye to their outdated technologies once and for all to modernize payments, which will ensure they are fully-prepared to provide various payment methods.
With cybercriminals targeting more healthcare facilities than ever before, it has never been more pressing to utilize modern payment processes to protect an organization’s finances and patient data. Not only will the modern payment methods help to secure every payment, and simplify the experience, but it will also build consumer trust, satisfaction and, of course, loyalty to your practice.
