The Importance of Patient TV Systems in 2019

Patient TV systems are more important than ever in 2019. Hospitals and other healthcare facilities that have poor or ineffective entertainment systems are missing out on a wide range of benefits that reduce costs and improve services for the patient.

Here’s why patient TV systems are so important and what to look for if you want an upgrade.

Why are Patient TV Systems So Important?

It’s just a TV, right? So why are they so important for hospitals, nursing homes and hospices? Firstly, it’s been a long time since it was ‘just a TV’ that was located up in the corner of the room. Patients had to come to a consensus on what to watch and if their bed had a poor view, bad luck.

Since then, we’ve become accustomed to the bedside TVs that were on the adjustable arm. They were a little impractical but allowed each patient to have their own TV. Charges for watching could soon rack up though which was a serious problem for some patients.

In 2019, the TV systems have transformed completely to offer so much more to patients and residents. As you’d expect, they still offer access to television shows which can be a real morale boost for someone who’s having a miserable time in hospital.

Their favourite show can offer the perfect distraction for someone who's preparing for surgery or trying desperately to think of anything but scratching their itchy leg underneath a cast. It’s also a great way of just keeping in touch with the outside world.

It’s easy for patients to feel isolated and as though the rest of the world is moving on without them. By watching the news or a show like Match of the Day, they'll make sure they don’t fall behind.

Patients Can Take Control of their Treatment and Health

The latest innovations mean that 2019’s patient TV systems can offer a lot more than ‘just TV’. In addition to live channels and on-demand shows, patients can also access educational content that’s suited to their specific health concerns.

For example, if they’re trying to quit smoking, then they can access the NHS’ library of content. Videos, shows and articles that deal with symptoms of long-term smoking and advice on the best way of quitting can all be seen at the touch of a button.

This content can also be used by doctors and nurses when giving information and advice to patients. It’s often easier to explain a condition or treatment if there’s educational content on hand to assist them.

This feature is crucial for patients as it is incredible demotivating to feel like you aren’t in control of your own body. It gives the power back to the patient and allows them to formulate their own health plan that’ll go hand in hand with the care they receive.

There’s also a service request feature that allows patients to decide when they need assistance. It can be as simple as asking for a glass of water, but being able to ask for these essentials can make all the difference to a person’s morale and independence.

Patient TV Systems Lead to Improved Services

It’s often difficult to know exactly how a patient is feeling when they’re in hospital or a resident at a nursing home. The circumstances are sometimes difficult so someone might not necessarily be happy, but they could still be pleased with the service they’ve been given.

It can be hard to receive feedback from a patient during their stay in hospital and they’re unlikely to provide any after they’ve left. This means hospitals, both private and the NHS, are missing out on valuable opinions and data that can shape hospital decision and improve services.

SPARK® Media is the patient TV system we have available and it features survey and feedback facilities that you can use to improve your services for future patients and residents. A quick survey needs to only ask a few questions about their stay and the data you collate could be incredibly useful.

Until you’re a patient, you might not realise that certain aspects of hospital life could be improved. The feedback from these surveys might all point to a particular issue that could be changed and made better. Use this information to shape future decisions and the whole hospital benefits.

Download the SPARK® Media Brochure

Hopefully, this has helped you to understand the importance of patient TV systems and the positive impact they can have on staff as well as patients.

Our offering, SPARK® Media, is available in different tiers, allowing you to choose the package that best suits your needs. It empowers patients and gives healthcare professionals the assistance they need to carry out the very best care.

For a closer look at the wide range of features that SPARK® Media offers, including service requests, meal ordering and video on demand, don’t hesitate to download our free brochure by using the link below.