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Healthcare providers certainly have a stake in keeping patients healthy, but their loved ones have even more on the line. Engaged family members can ensure patients adhere to treatment plans, help them to make informed medical decisions and provide emotional support that speeds recovery and improves outcomes. That’s why innovative healthcare organizations are investing in caregiver technology that makes friends and family part of the medical team.
Keeping Loved Ones in the Loop
Homecare Homebase, a software provider for home health and hospice agencies, understands the importance of family involvement in patient care. In fact, the company’s caregiver technology platform, Family Link, was inspired by one executive’s personal experience.
When the grandmother of Tom Maxwell, the chief strategy officer at Homecare Homebase, needed home health services, he wanted a way to monitor and track her treatment as well as to help her manage her disease. “I would call my family and ask what the home health nurse had to report, and they would simply say, ‘Nana is fine,'” says Maxwell. “Then I’d find out Nana had pain and her blood pressure was up, but no one could tell me how high or how the doctor planned to correct this problem. I wanted to be involved, and I knew other families felt the same way.”
Inspired by Maxwell’s experience, Homecare Homebase added Family Link to the suite of technology solutions it provides to home healthcare agencies. “Our clinicians use Samsung tablets to do their point-of-care documentation from the patient’s bedside,” says Maxwell. “They’re documenting the medical care provided, patient vital signs, medication regimens and any other vital notes about the patient. Caregiver notes sync up with Family Link, so approved family members can see updates on Nana’s care in a secure, HIPAA-compliant environment. We also share educational materials about how to manage the disease, so family members can help their loved one stay healthy and prevent future complications.”
How Caregiver Technology Pays Off
Patient engagement is a priority across the healthcare industry. According to the American Institutes for Research, engaged healthcare users are more likely to comply with treatment plans and preventative care, and they are less likely to end up in the hospital. In order to increase patient engagement, forward-looking healthcare providers are investing in IT solutions like Family Link. According to the 26th Annual HIMSS Leadership Survey, 72 percent of healthcare leaders say patient considerations — including engagement, satisfaction and quality of care — will have a major impact on their organizations in the next couple of years, and 81 percent believe IT is “a highly strategic tool” that can help improve these key business drivers.
By incorporating caregiver technology like Family Link into their IT solutions, healthcare providers can:
Healthcare providers aren’t the only ones who care about their patients’ health and happiness; so do their loved ones. By giving families the tools and information they need to keep each other healthy, organizations can deliver a better “Connected Care” experience — from the doctor’s office all the way to the home.
To learn more about mobile technology for home healthcare, read our latest white paper.