Patient visit restrictions bringing many new costs Dec 11, 2020 News | Coronavirus Save Print
Hospitals broad and ongoing restrictions on visits to patients aim to protect patients and staff from COVID-19. But what if the restrictions are worsening overall clinical outcomes, hurting staff morale and increasing costs for hospitals, health plans and patients?
One national quality-improvement advocacy group has raised those concerns amid pandemic-related restrictions, some of which have been mandated by state and local governments.
“We’ve had a lot of concerns about that at Leapfrog, not only because of course from the patient and family perspective it is terribly isolating, but also because patients who have their family nearby or have an advocate with them in the hospital is truly one of the factors that can improve their safety,” Leah Binder, president and CEO of hospital safety organization Leapfro
Hospitals try to apply lessons learned during the COVID-19 response Print
Post-COVID-19, hospitals plan to continue innovations developed in response to the pandemic, including virtual health and closer relationships with employers.
One health system will use a modified version of its crisis management team to find continuing opportunities for improvements.
An employee newsletter created at the same health system will continue due to employee demand.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage, hospitals and health system leaders already are trying to apply lessons derived from their responses.
An obvious lesson for many is the desire of patients for more treatment location options.