Reduces Stress

Many patients find that specific TV programming helps them to relax and decompress. This can be particularly beneficial if the patient is dealing with pain, discomfort, or stress. For example, streaming TV service for hospital waiting rooms, relaxing music, or calming nature videos help reduce cortisol levels and stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. In addition, some pharmaceutical companies produce educational videos on medications and procedures that patients can view to learn more about their treatments.

These are a great way to empower patients to control their health and eliminate the need to call the nurse or doctor for additional information. It also allows hospitals to provide important information digitally instead of on paper. This eliminates the need for patients to search for information, making it easier to keep track of important deadlines or events.

Some smart healthcare-grade TVs even feature a calendar or schedule that staff can update to notify patients of essential events. Streaming television can also ask for patient feedback on their stay. This is a crucial component of a high HCAHPS score, and it can be done quickly through the TV without the need for the patient to go out of their way. For example, the TV can prompt them to complete a survey after watching several videos or being in their room for a specific time.

Improves HCAHPS Scores

Hospital patient TV systems directly impact the HCAHPS scores that determine how much Medicare reimbursements a healthcare facility can receive. Low HCAHPS scores often result in lower overall reimbursements for the entire organization. Improving patient satisfaction is a top priority at many hospitals and senior living facilities. As a result, some of these centers have adopted hotel-like amenities, including flat-screen TVs, to boost patient ratings.

While these extras may make patients feel more comfortable, they can distract from the real issue: getting well. Moreover, hospital stays can be lonely and isolating, especially when patients must spend long periods in their rooms without seeing the outside world. Hospital patient TV can help overcome this problem by connecting patients to home, making them feel like they’re being treated at a hospital that cares about their comfort.

Reduces Anxiety

During inpatient stays, patients often have a significant amount of time per day that they can’t do anything. Watching TV is a great way to distract them from pain, discomfort, and anxiety by providing comforting, positive distractions. For instance, watching familiar TV shows like re-runs can help the brain recharge by providing a sense of familiarity and safety. The characters are familiar, and the plot is predictable, so the brain knows what to expect. This can be an essential mental health benefit, especially for older adults.

Smart TV technology also benefits hospital inpatients by allowing them to access their care teams with a button. The solution is easy to use, requiring just the same TV remote patients use to change channels to start requests. This eliminates the need for a separate device that may be more difficult to keep charged or misplaced and is easier for older adults to decipher than a smartphone.

Improves Communication

Hospitals can use digital signage to communicate daily updates to patients, visitors, and staff. Compared to traditional methods like writing on chalkboards or reprinting fliers, a digital system can automatically update multiple displays with little effort. This is especially important during the pandemic when sending out quick notifications such as food menu changes or public handwashing stations is crucial. A hospital’s patient TVs can also serve as a way to communicate information comfortably and familiarly.

While healthcare TVs may resemble consumer devices, they’re designed with specific safety features such as grounded plugs and an easy-to-use patient interface. For example, an alert on a patient’s TV can remind them of their following scheduled procedure or appointment. It can also provide educational videos and other content based on their specific needs, all in their language. This can be integrated with their electronic health record (EHR) to document their views. Patient TVs can also be an excellent tool for streamlining communication and coordination between patients, nurses, and doctors. Some systems feature a simple click-to-call button that allows patients to connect with their caregivers in the same manner they would with a live TV channel. This eliminates the need to navigate a complex set of remotes and applications, making the experience more seamless.