National Patient Recognition Week is observed annually from February 1 to 7 to promote the culture of emphasizing patient satisfaction. The holiday is about patient involvement as paramount. It serves as the day professionals in the healthcare field recommit to the pledge of human-centered and superior healthcare service delivery.
History of National Patient Recognition Week
National Patient Recognition Week, held in the first seven days of February, is about promoting the culture of emphasizing patient satisfaction. It serves as the day professionals in the healthcare field recommit to the pledge of superior healthcare service delivery.
The holiday serves as an opportunity for healthcare service providers to find ways to better care for their patients and attend to some of the most common complaints around healthcare service delivery in the U.S., including noisy nurses stations that can sometimes interfere with sleep, loss of personal belongings and more.
Patient Recognition Week is a time for healthcare service providers to “seriously reflect on their stewardship of patient care and their dedication to patient satisfaction.”
In modern times, healthcare in the United States is having a torrid time in contrast to the healthcare industry of other developed countries. This makes National Patient Recognition Week even more important.
In 2014, the World Health Organization’s survey revealed that the United States has the highest per capita healthcare expenses of any first-world country. And, the National Institutes of Health’s 2016 research also noted that the U.S. has the highest prevalence of obesity, car accidents, infant mortality, heart and lung disease, sexually transmitted infections, adolescent pregnancies, injuries, and homicides among the 17 high-income countries surveyed.
National Patient Recognition Week timeline
The Affordable Care Act or Obamacare is enacted and is a major change in insurance.
The court upholds the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act.
The country spends $9,403 per capita and 17.9% of GDP on health care, as discovered by WHO.
The landmark research shows life expectancy in the U.S. has dropped since 1993.
National Patient Recognition Week FAQs
When is National Patient Recognition Week?
National Patient Recognition Week is observed annually starting on the first week in February to promote the culture of emphasizing patient satisfaction.
What do you do for National Patient Recognition Week?
To observe National Patient Recognition Week as a healthcare service provider, you are expected to take more time to listen to patients and make them smile. Making your patients smile reflects on their perception of the healthcare service delivery and yourself.
How did National Patient Recognition Week start?
National Patient Recognition Week was initiated by John O’Malley in 1995 after he felt the need to specially dedicate a week to the many patients healthcare workers look after each day.
How to Observe National Patient Recognition Week
Take more time to listen to patients
As healthcare service providers, this is the time to plan initiatives or events that improve service. Make it time to also reflect on ways to further better health care service delivery by taking the time to listen even more to their predicaments. Become an advocate of their well-being.
Make patients smile
Commit to going the extra mile for patients by making them smile to improve their satisfaction with your service. Smiling helps people get over unfriendliness and heartaches. By doing so, you’re not only helping them, but you are also making it likely that they remember your service long after.
Pledge your commitment on social media platforms
Nothing is as beautiful as seeing professionals do their job online. On National Patient Recognition Week, make sure to recommit your pledge to better healthcare service delivery by sharing instances of how it has changed your patients’ perceptions. Use #NationalPatientRecognitionWeek to post.
5 Facts You Should Know About Healthcare And National Patient Recognition Week
Doctors average 10 patients a day
According to a recent survey, doctors sometimes have to attend to 20 patients a day.
A healthcare worker initiated the celebration
National Patient Recognition Week was initiated in 1995 by John O’Malley, a worker in the healthcare service sector.
It coincides with other notable holidays
National Patient Recognition Week coincides with other popular events like African Heritage and Health Week, Pride in Foodservice Week, and more.
The highest cost
Citizens in the U.S. pay more for healthcare than anywhere else in the world, with approximately $2.8 trillion being spent annually.
The Supreme Court upheld Obamacare legality
In 2012 rulings, The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of most of Obamacare after it was challenged by national health insurance organizations.
Why National Patient Recognition Week is Important
It reinforces confidence in the healthcare system
National Patient Recognition Week is important in reinforcing patients’ confidence in the healthcare service sector. The week aims to encourage increased sensitivity and impact on patient care by all healthcare practitioners in the country.
It recommits doctors to better service delivery
It is not uncommon for doctors and other healthcare service professionals to face burnout and even lose interest in delivering top-notch service after attending to an ever-increasing number of patients daily. National Patient Recognition Week helps healthcare service professionals refocus their interest and attention on the patients with the ultimate goal of improving their overall experience.
It promotes understanding of patients’ health history
One of the premises for the week is to promote the culture of emphasizing patient satisfaction through empathy. The week is meant to serve as the time when professionals in healthcare commit greater attention to patients and deliver exceptional service.
National Patient Recognition Week dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | February 1 | Saturday |
| 2026 | February 1 | Sunday |
| 2027 | February 1 | Monday |
| 2028 | February 1 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | February 1 | Thursday |
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