As the stores begin to fill with holiday gift merchandise, and Black Friday and Cyber Monday marketing fills the media, it is a good time to step back and revisit the priorities in our lives. As a healthcare technology service support company, Nobl helps the end-user, frontline providers of care every day. We understand the value they bring to each patient, the sacrifices they make to continue in a profession that while gratifying can also be exhausting, and the critical link they provide to keep America healthy.

The little things that go above and beyond the basic behaviors to create a “personal” experience or “wow” for each patient are important. These small but significant actions can make a big difference in patients’ perceptions of each encounter with a care provider. Individual staff members don’t have to wait for the whole facility to launch one of the best practices, they can create a change one provider and one patient/family at a time. Choose one new thing to implement each month.

Sometimes we get caught up in the rigors of life, the stresses at work and the never-ending to-do list. But with the recent tragic events caused by Hurricane Harvey in Texas, we are reminded what is important – family, friends, health, and happiness. As a healthcare technology company supporting the everyday workflow and documentation of nurses and nursing leaders across the country, we have many friends and colleagues in the hurricane’s path and we wish them “Godspeed” and safety to start the journey back.

If you have worked anywhere in a service industry, you are fully aware of the value of relationships. Whether you are serving retail customers, hotel guests or patients and families in the hospital they must trust that you know what you are talking about, listen to their needs/concerns, and work to meet those needs. Unfortunately, in the healthcare industry, the “customer isn’t always right.” Their wants may not align with their needs and we are constantly balancing service with safety, therefore the strength of the relationship may suffer.

In 2011, approximately 41 million Americans were 65 or older. By 2029, when the last baby boomers reach retirement age, an estimated 71 million Americans will be at this same age, a 73% increase. An aging population presents numerous challenges for healthcare providers, including a key challenge of Medicare reimbursement.