Clarus™ Glassboards Make Patient Safety a Priority
When patients come into the hospital, they expect to be cared FOR. They assume their physicians are board certified and credentialed to practice. They assume that the nurses are licensed and competent to perform the care necessary to take care of them. And they assume their privacy will be both respected and protected.
Clarus glassboards are bacteria-resistant writing surfaces with a clean, upscale look. They amplify the power of a patient’s presence and truly highlight the visual impact and importance of a patient’s voice. But providing the patient an avenue to communicate has identified a challenge, a key deficiency, in traditional whiteboards. Bland and hard to clean, the ghostly traces of previous patients undermines the practical benefit of having the board in the first place. If patient safety is not protected, the patient’s expectations have been breached. The issues don’t stop there. As part of the HIPAA requirements from the Department of Health and Humans Services, patients are protected by the Privacy Rule (45 CFR Part 160). This rule protects against the use and improper, or in the case of old whiteboards – accidental, disclosure of individuals’ health information.
A key aspect of patient-centered care involves empowering patients to feel as though they have a voice in their care. For instance, when patients need medication, they don’t simply receive a prescription; instead, they engage in conversations with doctors and nurses about various options. More importantly, patients, doctors, nurses—and often the families of patients—develop meaningful relationships: Caregivers take time to learn about patients beyond the horizon of medical issues. Patients are encouraged to share stories of their lives, interests, and tastes.
While this communication between patient and caregiver is essential, it is easy to imagine a scenario where the patient’s private information could be in jeopardy. Yesterday’s patient’s medicines, scrawled across a porous whiteboard, result in confusion as to which medication an ill patient should receive. This is a very real safety concern. And not only is private patient information at risk, but so are the HCAHPS scores of the hospitals that continue to make use of the old technology. With 60% of HCAHPS scores based on or influenced by communication, it is imperative that hospitals invest in mediums that protect their patients, and in turn, their organization.
Now healthcare professionals have a new, safe channel to empower patients and their voice in care. Clarus glassboards, specifically the Healthboard product, mark a new era of patient-doctor communication. Clarus Healthboards come with hidden channels and replaceable, custom printed insert panels, creating a solution tailored to your specific needs. The corners of the tempered glass are eased for physical safety, while personal information is protected thanks to the non-staining writing surface, compatible with any marker. And with a clean, crisp, and most importantly, erasable writing surface, the opportunities for effective communication are protected.
This communication is a key to improved patient care. And communication can be a challenge amidst the fast pace and complex dynamics of healthcare environments. When a patient chooses a doctor, nurse, or hospital, it is a big decision. A decision based on trust. Make sure that your patient also trusts that their health information is in good hands. Make sure your brand and patient care are as shiny as the Clarus glassboard itself, driving patient satisfaction.
