Kansas City, KS -- (SBWire) -- 02/25/2016 --As the patient consumer base in healthcare becomes more demanding and savvy, healthcare providers must focus on the patient experience as a means of staying competitive in the industry. Innovative products, services and facilities that approach the patient experience from unexpected or unorthodox angles are often key to creating patient-centered solutions that help healthcare providers thrive. ImageFIRST Kansas City, a medical uniform, linen and laundry provider in Kansas City, KS, is no stranger to the importance of the patient experience as a key consideration for healthcare providers. The company recently shared the example of the Children's Hospital of Michigan—Troy as an innovative, patient-focused healthcare provider.

The Children's Hospital of Michigan—Troy was designed to change the typical experience of patient flow and revitalize care through innovative design. Using a method called "integrated facility design," over 100 healthcare professionals including physicians and nurses, as well as parents from the community that the staff serves, met to collectively discuss the design of the new hospital. Instead of taking a conventional approach to design, the group discussed the flow of patients through the facility and what did and didn't benefit children and their parents.

From there, the hospital's design developed organically, entirely focused on floor plans and processes that will prioritize lowering patient stress levels and creating a patient-centric environment. One area of focus was the simplification of the emergency admittance process, which will expedite care for patients who need emergency treatment. The hospital will also adopt a "level loading' process that ensures a consistent patient flow, meaning that children and families will not have to sit in packed waiting rooms. Finally, every procedure at the hospital will be standardized, ensuring that patients receive uniform care.

In addition to design and processes, the services and products offered at healthcare facilities also helps to create a positive patient experience, even during difficult times. ImageFIRST, a nationwide provider of nurse uniforms in Kansas City, MO and elsewhere, has sought to design innovative products and services that improve the patient experience since day one. In particular, their Comfort Care Line of luxurious-feeling patient gowns. These soft, plush patient robes and gowns wrap patients in instant warmth and coziness and are guaranteed to improve the patient experience at any facility.

ImageFIRST, the cost-effective solutions for medical linen and laundry service, is a continual champion of improving the patient experience. Learn more at http://kansas-city.imagefirst.com.

About ImageFIRST
Founded in 1967, ImageFIRST is the largest and fastest growing national linen rental and laundry service specializing in the outpatient medical market. ImageFIRST's 36 locations nationwide serve over 5,500 medical offices every week, providing linen, patient gowns, scrubs and much more while partnering with facilities to better manage linen inventory. With a customer retention rate of over 95%, ImageFIRST is dedicated to improving patient satisfaction through quality linens and remarkable service: their Comfort Care gowns product line increases patients' favorable perception of a facility by more than 50%.

For more information about ImageFIRST Kansas City, the cost-effective solution for greater patient satisfaction, please visit http://kansas-city.imagefirst.com.