How Hospitals can Leverage eCommerce to Reduce Readmissions

It's a big challenge for hospitals and health systems that patients are discharged, then re-admitted after returning home in short order. It's problematic for several reasons. Health and wellness are always top priorities for hospitals and health systems, which means that when a patient is discharged and suffers a setback that causes them to return to the hospital (usually within 30 days of discharge), it has a negative influence on their health and convenience.

This hurts the hospital or health system that treated this patient. If the patient is re-admitted to another hospital within the grace period, Medicare will usually punish the hospital where the patient was treated and released. Aside from the fee, hospitals risk losing their quality of care rankings, which are used to determine how well a hospital treats patients in several categories.

So, how can hospitals and health systems lower readmission rates?

Ecommerce, to be precise. In principle, when patients are discharged, they are typically given materials and information that will assist them, their families, or carers in ensuring a successful recovery.

Imagine a patient who needs hip surgery. As soon as the surgery is completed, the patient will be discharged and likely will be recovering at home. Because of this procedure, the chances of falling increase. However, there are several home health products and daily living aids that could aid this patient in reducing their risk. You can get everything from a reacher tool to a bathtub grab bar and shower bench. Since many families and patients are unaware of these products, it will establish the health system as a trusted resource of care if their hospital/health system suggests these products upon discharge, and more importantly, provides an ordering portal that allows patients to purchase the doctor-recommended products.

In health systems, this type of e-commerce platform can also be found within patient portals. Clinical Care professionals being able to recommend home healthcare products directly through an e-commerce portal that the hospital is offering them could reduce readmissions by a great deal.

Hospital Benefits of Leveraging eCommerce

Summary

In the end, hospitals and health systems must provide methods to ensure that patients are safe upon discharge. Providing patients and loved ones with eCommerce options will help them recover in a safe, secure manner, contributing to better patient outcomes.