Organizations and healthcare providers develop analytic frameworks for assessing quality that improves outcomes. Patient-centered care is one of the aims proposed by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) that focuses on the improvement of patients’ health (Joshi, Ransom, Nash, & Ransom, 2014). This component requires healthcare facilities workers to treat their clients in a respectful and responsive way that prioritizes their needs and values (Joshi et al., 2014). By making sure that patient-centeredness is practiced in a hospital, care providers benefit through enhanced satisfaction scores and improved reputation among facilities.
In my personal experience, this aim has been illustrated on several occasions by healthcare professionals. For example, two patients that were admitted to the surgical ward had two different needs or preferences. While patient A wanted music for relaxation, patient B asked for a hot environment. The management team practiced client-centered care; thus, it worked to fulfill these needs by providing patient A with music and patient B with hot surroundings in their recovery rooms. This was a clear demonstration of customization of care that allows users’ individuality to be among the important factors in decision-making (Joshi et al., 2014). Providers are required to customize their surroundings according to the needs of their clients to improve the quality of outcomes (Joshi et al., 2014). In the illustration, the customization was critical because individuals are unique, and their different preferences should be satisfied as well as respected. In addition to meeting environmental needs, the facility also took into account cultural backgrounds, employment statuses, sexual orientation, dietary preferences, and religious beliefs of patients A and B to treat them with respect and dignity they deserved.
Reference
Joshi, M., Ransom, E. R., Nash, D. B., & Ransom, S. B. (2014). The healthcare quality book: Vision, strategy, and tools (3rd ed.). Chicago, IL: Health Administration Press.