The mental burden of anything that requires hospitalization is intense. MedSitter remote patient observation improves the mental well-being of patients.
When people think about being in a hospital, they mostly think about being physically well—bones healing, sickness diminishing, recovery from surgery. However, a patient’s mental well-being is important, as well. The mental burden of any illness or injury that requires hospitalization is intense – and studies have shown that anxiety and depression plague patient families as well. (Source: OJM International Journal of Medicine). Patients in isolation are particularly vulnerable to feelings of depression, anxiety, and anger. (Source: NCBI).
Fortunately, MedSitter remote patient observation has ways to improve those feelings and the mental well-being of patients. Healthcare providers that use virtual observation with tools like MedSitter have begun leveraging many of the features to help with the emotional highs and lows that come with being in the hospital. Isolation is one of the most harrowing aspects of hospitalization. With MedSitter, you are never alone. In fact, our logo is an angelfish because angelfish are never found alone in nature. They always move in pairs. We want our solution to provide companionship to your patients so that they never feel truly alone during their hospital stay.
Let’s take a look below at three ways MedSitter improves patient mental well-being.
- Instantaneous Communication—Including Two-Way Audio & Video. One of MedSitter’s features is instantaneous communication between patients and sitters via two-way audio and video. This means that it is not just the observer that can see the patient, but the patient can see the observer, as well. With just one click, sitters can appear on video in the patient's room—no calling required!
Persistent video closely mimics the immediacy of in-person communication and helps sitters to establish strong relationships with patients. This has gone a long way towards improving patient loneliness that can occur with long stays at the hospital.
- Language Translation—Including Sign Language. Observation units like those offered by MedSitter are pre-loaded with dozens of spoken prompts that cover many of the issues and questions that come up when interacting with a patient. The units can be set to the patient’s language so that the spoken prompt can be translated. We even have American Sign-Language for deaf and hard-of-hearing patients, for whom communication in the hearing world is already a challenge.
Since language can be a very frustrating barrier in patient care, this function can create a comfort level that reduces patient anxiety and improves patients’ mental well-being. In essence, if a patient needs someone to be there, they won’t feel alone.
- Our Sitters are Trained to Interact Socially with Patients. MedSitter observers are trained to interact socially with patients to alleviate feelings of isolation, and in most cases a strong rapport is established between patients and MedSitter observers.
Patient satisfaction is an important part of patient care, and MedSitter helps to improve patient satisfaction even amidst feelings of isolation and loneliness.
MedSitter was designed to be a patient safety tool. Initially conceptualized to help prevent patient falls, its impact has expanded beyond fall prevention and has proven to provide vital support to inpatients suffering from loneliness in isolation.
If you would like to learn more or are interested in installing MedSitter in your healthcare facility. Visit the Contact Us page now.
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