When you run a skilled nursing facility (SNF), quality of care is an essential metric for understanding facility performance. When your skilled nursing center has a high quality of care, it also has positive care outcomes. But how can the quality of care be improved? With the First Docs approach, improving care quality at your facility is within reach.
The phrase “quality of care” is often used in skilled nursing centers and other healthcare organizations to describe how effectively care improves patient outcomes and how it aligns with evidence-based guidelines. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) assesses a facility’s quality of care in six areas:
Improving the quality of care is a priority for SNFs because it connects back to the larger goal of improving population health and the quality of life for patients and residents. Skilled nursing centers are essential in helping patients transition from the hospital to everyday life. According to United Health Group, high-performing SNFs have a 24% lower readmission rate than other centers. A high quality of care makes a significant difference for this complex population.
While every SNF has the intention of improving the quality of resident care, the goal comes with hurdles, such as:
An engaged medical director is a key piece of the care quality puzzle. Medical directors have a core leadership role at skilled nursing centers. With responsibilities like setting and overseeing care standards, facilitating communication between staff, and setting goals for care delivery, medical directors drive a higher quality of care.
Engagement is also essential. Medical directors shouldn’t make occasional appearances at your facility or add these responsibilities on top of burnout from working elsewhere. They must be dedicated, present, and focused for you to reap the benefits.
At First Docs, we add a truly engaged medical director and attending physician to your team who will:
With a First Docs medical director at work, your facility can become more efficient, improve patient outcomes, and meet value-based care initiatives.
Traditional primary care models often leave your patients waiting. Even when they do see a physician, overbooked schedules and burnout often lead to less-than-helpful interactions with these physicians.
First Docs aims to combat the shortcomings of traditional care with a physician whose focus isn’t split. Our physicians are on-site five to seven days a week to offer continuous patient monitoring and capture the unique needs of every patient. A greater presence also leads to prompt intervention for acute and chronic conditions.
More timely and informed care can help to reduce hospitalization — and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
Physician leadership with a First Docs medical director makes your facility more collaborative. Between nurses, physical therapists, specialists, and pharmacists, multiple providers are involved in a patient’s care. When all staff members are more connected and informed, care decisions are more holistic and encompass every need. Oversight from a First Docs physician keeps all parties unified and striving toward the same goals.
First Docs physicians also focus on delivering patient-centered care. While every care provider needs to be informed about each individual’s needs, patient involvement and education are equally valuable for improving your skilled nursing facility’s care quality. When patients and residents are included in and informed about their care, they feel more satisfied and have the information necessary to care for their needs following discharge.
Patient-centered care goes beyond education and considers every person’s unique experiences, values, and preferences. First Docs physicians have the time to get to know every patient and their needs. In doing so, they can provide care that is inclusive of their values and creates a more positive experience at your facility.
First Docs is a physician-first group dedicated to improving care outcomes for skilled nursing centers. We see the gaps in healthcare today, and we bring more present, engaged physicians to your center to bridge those gaps. Care for your complex patient and resident population in a timely and compassionate manner with First Docs. Contact us today to learn more.