New business challenges brought by the pandemic, have lead healthcare facilities to increase focus on  patient experience efforts, according to an article on the Becker’s Hospital Review website.

Facilities are working on increasing access to care and deliver a better-than-expected service.

Hospital marketing teams are focusing on promoting brand awareness and addressing patient fears by stressing that their facilities are safe and open for services.

One challenge is that data usually used to inform patient experience decisions, like HCAHPS scores and post-visit surveys, aren't useful against poor experiences before they happen. 

There are things facility managers can do to better position buildings for re-opening, according to a Building Operating Management article.on the FacilitiesNet website.

The overall objective associated with re-opening from a facility management and facility maintenance standpoint must be that of complete readiness with the building operations. 

Everything from the lighting of the space to the security, HVAC, and janitorial operations must be performed within the strictest of procedures and industry protocols. 

This effort is being performed in several ways that include a strict cleaning protocol recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as performing testing of employees entering a building with temperature scanners. 

Read the full Becker’s Hospital Review article.