After-Hours Care
When it comes down to it, the main decider in how you choose between nurse-based triage and other after-hours models lies in the patient experience. A nurse-first after-hours triage provider connects your patients with a live caregiver at every encounter.
Regardless of how your agency operates your internal after-hours triage, appropriately managing these calls requires skills that differ from bedside nursing. Consider these best practices if your agency manages your after-hours call internally.
Understanding the different options for after-hours care models and choosing the model that best fits your agency's goals can significantly impact overall patient satisfaction, nurse burnout, and your bottom line.
"We started looking at a triage outsourcing company and then talked to our staff nurses: "What would you think if we did this?" There was a resounding: Oh wow, you mean I can sleep at night?!"
Every home health and hospice organization is different, but one issue remains: compassion fatigue and nurse burnout. An emerging approach to leveraging after-hours triage support poses to change that by becoming an extension of your staff, increasing nurse efficiency and giving you access to key metrics. Hear from Three Oaks Hospice Senior Director of Clinical [...]
When your healthcare practice is facing staff shortages, your clinical team is overworked, or you just need a little help with patient engagement after hours, a triage nurse may just be the answer for you. After-hours triage can be your all-in-one-solution, whether you are an independent practice, a home health agency, or a hospice organization. [...]
Illness and injury do not always recognize a physician’s typical schedule. As a healthcare provider, you cannot staff your office around the clock to be available for those issues that arise in the middle of the night. The solution for your patients and for your team is to enlist a qualified triage provider who will [...]
Post-acute care is often provided at home by healthcare professionals experienced in caring for patients in a more comfortable environment than an institutional facility. Nurse triage protocols are put in place specifically for home health patients to ensure they continue to receive the care they need. Post-Acute Care When a patient is discharged from a [...]
Your practice is focused on providing the highest quality care to your patients. You see them in your office during the day, perhaps following up with phone calls, and possibly even providing telehealth options to keep patients safe and healthy. When your practice closes for the day, your patients still need to be able to [...]
Quality triage services involve more than simply answering the phone and passing along messages. Trained triage nurses are equipped to ask questions that can lead to recommendations for care or instructions to seek immediate treatment, depending on the caller’s situation. Phone triage using Schmitt-Thompson protocols ensures that patients’ concerns are addressed appropriately and efficiently.
Quality triage services involve more than simply answering the phone and passing along messages. Trained triage nurses are equipped to ask questions that can lead to recommendations for care or instructions to seek immediate treatment, depending on the caller’s situation. Phone triage using Schmitt-Thompson protocols ensures that patients’ concerns are addressed appropriately and efficiently. What [...]
Finding a quality nurse who is available on call can be complicated and even expensive. When you’re looking for help in your practice, you may need a different and more responsive solution. Contracting with a 24-hour nurse triage line can make finding an affordable on-call nurse easier and simpler for you and your healthcare team. [...]
