The goal at The Allure Group, as at every healthcare facility, is to provide each and every patient with the best possible care. Unfortunately the demands placed upon medical professionals — whether because of healthcare policy, insurance costs or the sheer demand for services — make that ever more challenging.

There are ways, however, to meet that challenge.

First, facilities must provide value-based care, as opposed to employing a supply-driven system — to endeavor to improve the patient experience. That is what is being done at places like the Cleveland Clinic, which has not only upgraded that experience but made its goals the improved health of the population and reducing healthcare costs.

The result is that that facility has been consistently ranked among the nation’s best hospitals.

Second, it is important to make full use of technology, especially in light of a looming shortage of physicians, and the increased demands for care posed by the aging Baby Boomers.

Technology can be used to automate tasks, track health status and provide insights on treatment.

At The Allure Group, our Early Sense patient monitoring system tracks everything from vital signs to movement. The system is said to deliver a 45-percent reduction in patient falls and an 80-percent decrease in Code Blue events.

Third, the focus needs to turn toward customer service. Dr. James Merlino, a respected surgeon, notes that the healthcare field is unlike any other industry, in that the customer isn’t always right — that indeed, the customer often doesn’t want to be a customer at all. The other thing, he said, is that medical professionals are often dealing with patients at the most vulnerable time in their lives.

As a result, it is an absolute must that staffers’ interpersonal skills are as sharp as those they bring to the professional side.

Finally, care must go above and beyond the norm. Clear-headed leaders need to employ a thorough workable strategy and use resources wisely.

In that way, the challenges of today and tomorrow can be met. In that way, the patient can be best served, which is always the goal.