Implementing some key planning strategies can help health systems build outpatient networks that will improve patient outcomes and work more effectively.
Instead of emergency hospitals, the health care system will include a coordinated network of outpatient care points, which includes:
- Primary care and specialized clinics;
- Surgical centers;
- Diagnostic centers and laboratories
- Administrative premises
- Clinics in shopping centers
- Emergency centers and separate services
- Telemedicine
Because of this fundamental change, healthcare professionals need to create a flexible environment that supports an effective and adaptable strategy. This outpatient network of the future is a model of strategic planning that takes into account the profound trends that are changing the health care industry, and a coordinated network of outpatient outlets will soon become the focus of care.
The five principles governing the new model include:
- Expanding territorial boundaries
- Neutral design
- Virtual care
- Location of the outpatient clinic
- Creating accessibility
Strategy 1: Expansion of territorial boundaries
The future outpatient network is the center of the health care system, and facility managers need to expand their geographical boundaries and, as a result, provide medical services not only at their location.
In terms of public health, health systems can identify the needs of people in the region and address logistics issues. Strategic partnerships and relationships with the community are key indicators for creating an effective network of outpatient clinics.
Strategy 2: Neutral design
Meeting the current needs of society and the compliance of the outpatient network with the future requires an adapted design. This neutral approach to design is associated with a flexible and operationally neutral template that adapts to new technologies, scientific advances and new delivery processes as they develop.
The most effective facilities should be able to adapt to geographical changes related to the elderly population that require geriatric and ongoing care services, to achieve this, contact healthcare consulting firms in India.
Strategy 3: Virtual patient support
The provision of virtual support services requires a more sophisticated approach and requirements, in contrast to the traditional hospital examination. The virtual care service will reduce and review the needs of many clinical facilities, including patient care rooms.
At the same time, there will still be a need for specialized facilities to support information technology systems, telecommunications equipment and support staff.
Virtual care technology is likely to promote the development of linear diagnostic facilities, staffed primarily by technicians and specialists who provide remote care.
Strategy 4: Use analytics to choose the location of the clinic
Forecasting analytics uses a wide range of data to model complex consumer demand and individual behavior. These tools help managers understand regional patient groups and plan access points within the outpatient network.
Health care providers can build market scenario models to differentiate market opportunities by patient demand and market prospects in a competitive environment.
Strategy 5: Create accessibility
Patient-oriented medical care requires accessibility and efficiency throughout medical care. The design and process should work in tandem to provide easy access, short latency and fast bandwidth.
Possible examples of these goals are hybrid medical facilities or clinical research centers that allow physicians to make the most of their outpatient network.
According to hospital management consulting company, institutions need to consider the impact of technology on every phase of care, starting with patient registration through the development of telemedicine capabilities and more efficient work processes with physicians and staff.