A growing number of patients appreciate the convenience of being able to contact their health care provider via e-mail, to adjust medications or just to be reassured that their symptoms don’t require an office visit.

Physicians also find e-mail an efficient way to follow up with patients after an outpatient surgery or office visit. Several hospitals have adopted an all-menu food service to give patients maximum choice and take advantage of their expectations for restaurant-type service. The hospitals have been able to offer patients a wider range of choices and have reduced waste from unwanted food as well.

Hospitals are using decorating trends in the built environment to differentiate themselves from competitors and to increase satisfaction of patients. Birthing suites decorated like home bedrooms, waiting rooms and lobbies that resemble hotel lobbies, and patient gowns made of soft and comfortable jersey fabric are just some ways that providers have made changes to improve the patient experience.