Healthcare is a constantly evolving industry. Medical technology becomes more advanced while doctors and other healthcare professionals adapt to the changing needs of patients. In turn, healthcare marketing faces the challenge of shifting gears to accommodate these changes.

Here are some of the more significant healthcare marketing trends of the upcoming year that you should incorporate in your program.

2017 Healthcare Marketing Trends to Watch

• Consumers have become more active participants in covering their own healthcare costs, sending them online in search of information. Relevant and compelling content is the biggest factor that will set you apart from the competition.
• As consumers become more knowledgeable, they are less likely to respond to generic, broad-based advertising. Digital marketing puts an unprecedented amount of data at your fingertips for use in personalizing your message for specific targets.
• While “old school” computers are still widely used, Americans make the majority of their connections via smartphones. If your online presence isn’t optimized for mobile, you’re seriously behind the curve.
• If a picture tells a thousand words, then video speaks volumes. YouTube, Facebook Live, Instagram and other platforms give you the opportunity to share video and streaming content that immediately captures interest.
• Everyone’s lives are full with jobs, families and other commitments, so people have become less willing and able to bend their schedules. As a result, they look for prompt and convenient healthcare service, much like they do with retail businesses.

Powered Hospital Carts from DJ Products

Our powered hospital carts such as the CartCaddyLite let your employees move heavy loads safely and quickly without inconvenience to patients. Visit our website for more information.

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Caring for the sick unfortunately puts healthcare workers at a high risk of getting ill or injured themselves. It’s a stressful line of work with plenty of hazards, ranging from exposure to pathogens to the hazards of working with heavy equipment.

Everyone in a medical facility should be aware of proper safety practices. They include orderlies, nursing aides, and maintenance staff — who face the greatest risk of physical injury from musculoskeletal disorders.

When your healthcare organization discusses safety and injury prevention, be sure to include ergonomic concerns and repetitive task injuries. These issues rank up there with the top healthcare injuries according to OH&S Online:

1. Bloodborne pathogens can be controlled with proper handwashing and wearing safety equipment, along with proper equipment cleaning.

2. Sharps injuries usually occur when storing or transferring the instrument. Use locked safety boxes for storage and pass them in basins.

3. Musculoskeletal injuries are caused by high-effort and repetitive tasks. Common factors include lifting patients from beds and pushing equipment carts. Use powered hospital carts to move equipment and maintenance supplies, and use slings and hoists to move patients whenever possible.

4. Chemical risks require constant vigilance — have safety sheets handy and make sure workers are using protective equipment and safe practices.

5. Fire risks are higher in hospitals than many other workplaces because of the chemicals present. Regularly review your fire response protocol with all workers.

Injury risks for healthcare employees cannot be eliminated, but they can be managed. Automated equipment is a big part of the solution, including powered hospital carts to help move equipment and maintenance supplies. Contact DJ Products for more info about our cart movers.

The post OH&S’ Top Tips for Workplace Safety for Healthcare Employees appeared first on DJ Products.

It’s no secret that healthcare workers have tougher jobs than many other people. A recent poll sheds light on the difficult situation: healthcare employees are about as happy with their jobs as anyone else, yet feel less valued and struggle with work-life balance.

For healthcare employers, job satisfaction impacts the bottom line most directly in the form of employee retention rates. Those in healthcare fields are 35% more likely to leave their job for a small raise, compared to workers in other industries. Improving morale often costs far less than the churn of training new employees.

The poll, conducted by TINYpulse, found:

• Healthcare workers rate how much they feel valued at 10% lower than the general population.

• Work-life balance is rated at just 5.87 on a 10-point scale.

• Healthcare workers are less likely to say they would be a customer of their employer than workers in other industries.

The data suggests that healthcare workers like their jobs and enjoy helping patients, but are dissatisfied with workplace conditions and employer communications.

Supporting employees with communication and organization-wide tools appears to be the solution for improvement and worker retention.

Suggestions include:

• Open communication with employees about job satisfaction

• Provide healthcare equipment that makes the job less physically demanding

• Address issues related to coworkers and the organization, not just individual performance

Healthcare equipment from DJ Products includes motorized hospital carts for moving linens, janitorial supplies, dialysis machines, and other heavy items that are otherwise pushed or pulled manually.

Ease the burden of healthcare workers who exert physical energy moving healthcare equipment — morale and worker retention may depend on it.

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