What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of healthcare? It is probably a hospital setting with lab coats, waiting rooms, and examination tables. In this day and age, however, there are many other ways to receive medical services – and point of care (POC) is one of those key healthcare pillars.
This framework offers several benefits and advantages for patients, caregivers, and practitioners alike, from more personalized care to maintaining a deep sense of comfort.
What is the Point of Care (POC) in Healthcare?
POC refers to the location where patients are receiving health services. In this case, the “point” of care is inside of their own home. Health practitioners schedule visits to patients’ residences, delivering the necessary care and enabling long-term remote monitoring if needed.
Why is Point of Care Important?
Not all patients are a good fit for traditional care. In fact, in many cases, visiting a hospital is largely unnecessary. Anyone who has a physical disability, mobility issues, or chronic pain will have difficulty making their way to a clinic or hospital, and POC healthcare is a way to bridge that gap. It also helps free up in-clinic resources by treating eligible patients remotely.
Advantages of Point of Care Healthcare for Patients
POC makes healthcare more convenient, personalized, and accessible: all of the ingredients necessary to cook up a more positive experience.
Reduced Hospitalization and Readmissions
Point of care healthcare can help patients manage their conditions at home, reducing the need for hospitalization by dealing with both chronic and acute issues remotely.
Improved Healthcare Access
As we mentioned above, many patients have limited mobility or other physical barriers. In these cases, they can receive care closer to home or even in their own homes, reducing the need for travel that is either uncomfortable or near-impossible.
Personalized Care
With the help of high-performance healthcare software, care providers can better tailor treatment plans to the individual patient’s needs, preferences, and medical history.
Enhanced Patient Engagement
Some clinical environments present barriers to patient engagement, but there’s nowhere people feel a greater sense of ownership than in their own homes. POC enables patients to be more actively involved in their care decisions, promoting a sense of empowerment surrounding their health.
Reduced Healthcare Costs
Especially if they have limited to no insurance, patients may have difficulty affording necessary care. POC can help reduce healthcare costs from many different angles, including lower transportation expenses and fewer hospital stays.
Enhanced Communication
Coordinating care between stakeholders and keeping everyone on the same page is a major challenge. POC software and healthcare apps enable caregivers to communicate directly with healthcare providers and specialists, facilitating collaboration and the exchange of vital information.
Reduced Stress and Burnout
Caregiver burnout is an epidemic in the healthcare system. The more organizations can refine and simplify their care processes, the better-equipped employees will be to deliver seamless services and reduce friction along the way.
Advantages of Point of Care Healthcare for Care Providers
Last but not least, POC software offers plenty of advantages for care providers. These solutions present a golden opportunity for organizations to streamline operations and provide better experiences for all parties involved.
Enhanced Patient Satisfaction
Point of care solutions automate countless administrative tasks, giving care providers the opportunity to spend more time interacting with patients, building trust, and addressing their concerns.
Improved Work-Life Balance
Caregivers are constantly juggling a thousand tasks at once; the ability to lighten their load is the greatest gift of all. POC systems streamline care processes and reduce administrative burdens, contributing to a better work-life balance and reduced stress load while on the clock.
Patient Empowerment
How can organizations improve health outcomes? POC solutions are a key piece of the puzzle, encouraging patients to actively participate in their care decisions and feel a sense of ownership over their journeys.
How to Implement Point of Care (POC) in Healthcare
Like any software integration, implementing point of care in a healthcare environment involves a strategic and systematic approach. Keep these steps in mind throughout every stage of the process.
Assess the Current Processes
Conduct a thorough needs assessment to identify the specific areas or departments where POC solutions would be most beneficial.
Select POC Technologies
Identify and select POC technologies, like health care apps, and devices that best meet your unique needs and objectives. The best way to go about this step, aside from doing plenty of research, is to book a demo with a couple of different providers to see their platforms in action.
Invest in Training and Education
Before it’s time to roll out your POC software, provide comprehensive training to every healthcare professional who will be using it. Without proper education, teams are far less likely to successfully adopt a new technology, as they won’t know how to leverage it properly.
Integrate with Existing Systems
Ensure that your chosen platform’s POC devices can seamlessly integrate with your current tech infrastructure, such as your EHR system.
Pilot Testing
As a final step before full-scale deployment, conduct pilot testing. That way, you can detect and iron out any snags in a controlled environment instead of dealing with widespread issues.
Quality Control and Monitoring
Establish mechanisms for quality control and ongoing monitoring for your new POC solution. Maintain a culture of continuous improvement, where feedback from healthcare providers and patients is used to refine your processes over time.
Embrace POC in Healthcare with AxisCare
The best way to ensure a successful POC software adoption is to work with a team of experts. AxisCare helps healthcare organizations of all sizes adopt home care software solutions that improve the patient and caregiver experience while expanding their ability to provide POC service.
Want to learn more? Book a personalized demo with one of our knowledgeable team members.
