Heading For Patient-Friendly Hospital(ity)

Today's health care environment makes the hospitals recognize the importance of interactions with patient's family members for speedy recovery and improve patient well-being. Hospital stays are shorter, medical care is more technologically complex, resources are constrained, and there is a growing need for patients and families to have more information about, and involvement in, care decisions. A trusting relationship with patients and their families can be built on open but  honest communication by the Hospital staff.
This is what I exactly experienced recently.
Due to a severe pain in abdomen, I was to be shifted to Hospital on Sunday, the 21st March early hours.  Thanks to the quick arrival of 1-0-8  Ambulance which rushed me to Apollo Hospital, Mehdipatnam in Hyderabad. What I admired most is the free services of 1-0-8 with fair handling by its staff that too graciously denying the tips offered by my family members.
The treatment at Apollo was par excellent with patient-friendly focused philosophy. The 12 hour treatment including arrangements and care taken by the Hospital to move me over to Apollo Jubilee Hills Hospital to get myself undergo Ultra Sonography [Scanning abdomen]  were well handled with professional touch. I wish this tribe of Family Friendly Hospitals to adopt the following aspects also:

1. Recognize the vital role of family members in ensuring health and well-being of the patient.
2. Guide the attendants of patients in respect of claiming insurance or taking Health Insurance policy to bring important strengths to meet their health care experiences.
3. Respect patient and family choices, their values, beliefs and cultural backgrounds.
4. Promote sharing of information among patients, families and health care staff.
5. Encourage families to educate themselves about diagnostic tests, treatments and  vital  aspects of post hospitalization health care.
6. Educate about billing system, terminology used in bills. [ The bills given at the time of discharge at Apollo were not printed properly and the stationery belonging to the clinic of a different location. Discharge report was not provided in spite of my appeal to prefer insurance claim].
7. Solicit feedback from patients and families on all services at Hospital.
8. Incorporate family-centered care principles in every aspect of the hospital from having easy-to-read signs to training receptionists on how best to interact with patients and families.
9. Avoid Chit chatting and usage of Mobile phones near patients.

The patient-friendly measures adopted by hospitals and clinics should become popular with patients as it helps them conquer their fear.
Doctors are the life saviors who work relentlessly to cure the ailments of the patients. On the occasion of Doctor's Day 30 March, as a patient, consultant for corporate hospitals and as a well-wisher, I express my  gratitude and appreciation for  all those Doctors  who help keep me in robust good health. My eGreetings web page: 

http://www.123greetings.com/aff-bin/subcategory/1551/emar_doctorsday