Patient Satisfaction
In the hospital and in other health care settings, patient safety has become one of the most important considerations. This is particularly so in terms of the increasing complexity of related technology. Indeed, it is common for a person to be admitted to hospital where the patient requires a variety of tests and other technical assistance. While most members of the general public believes in the ability of technology to result in better patient care, the opposite can also be the case, as suggested by Powell-Cope, Nelson and Patterson (2008). For this reason, it is suggested that more technical personnel per patient will result in a higher level of excellence in patient care and a concomitant higher level of patient satisfaction.
Powell-Cope, Nelson and Patterson (2008) suggest that this could result in errors and adverse events. Despite, or perhaps because of, the general faith in technology to improve all areas of life, incuding health care, the complexity of the same technology may compromise such improvements.
Powell-Cope, Nelson and Patterson (2008) name four common areas of compromise when it comes to technological elements in health care. The first of these is poor technology design that fails to recognize human factors and ergonomics. Second, a poor technology interface with the patient or environment may compromise patient safety. Third, the failure of nurses and technical staff to communicate or collaborate effectively may resultt in an inadequate plan for technology implementation. Finally, there may be an inadequate mainetenance plan for the technology involved.
Because so many pitfalls are not only possible, but...
Hence, patiens will enjoy a higher level of excellence in their care, with fewer errors or problems. At the same time, patient satisfaction will increase, since fewer technology-related errors will necessarily result in a better experience in the care setting. In other words, appointing a technical staff member for each component of required for the particular patient situation involved.
Clarke and Donaldson (2008), for example, make the suggestion that the characteristics, knowledge and experience of nurses have a particular effect on patient satisfaction. Staff and support services, such as technological personnel, need to be carefully matched with each patient situation in order to ensure that all needs are met. This particularly affects the quality of care.
Quality of care is directly related to patient satisfaction. An adequate match among patient needs, nursing staff, and techical personnel will result in a higher level of patient satisfaction than a situation in which technical support is lacking (Clarke and Donaldson, 2008).
This further implies that even simple patient needs require a minimum of staffing support, including nurses and technical support. The adequate response of care settings to these needs will result in optimal patient satisfaction.
Indeed, with more personnel involved, greater attention can be paid to safety outcomes. Assigning technological personnel for each area of required care will reduce the potential for technologically-related errors and mishaps. In other words, more tech…
