Waiting rooms are among the most important spaces in healthcare facilities. Patients and family members tend to spend long periods of time in waiting rooms, and that time often is the worst part of the experience, according to Healthcare Facilities Today. Recent research directly links long wait times with negative HCAHPS scores, meaning a poor waiting experience can harm reimbursements.
Facility professionals can focus on three key areas to improve the waiting room for patients and their families and, in turn, help transform the overall patient experience:
Safe accommodation. Waiting spaces should be designed to accommodate everyone safely and comfortably. That might mean chairs with a higher weight capacity for larger patients or with a higher seat height for those who cannot easily get up.
Comfort. Patient comfort goes far beyond a cushy chair. The entire space can contribute positively to patient well-being and experience.
Welcoming amenities. Refreshment areas offering water, coffee and tea help patients stay hydrated and offer the opportunity to relax before seeing a healthcare provider.
This Quick Read was submitted by Cathryn Jakicic, Healthcare Industries Editor, FacilitiesNet. For more about hospital campuses and other medical facilities, visit https://www.facilitiesnet.com/healthcarefacilities.
