Interiors and Sources

Fashion Week” is upon many folks around the world—and it is no longer the hubs of NYC, Paris, London, and Milan—but happening in other countries, such as Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Australia and Mercedes Benz Stylo Asian Fashion Week in Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, and other Asian countries. According to a recent NPR segment, it used to be when fashion was seen for the first time on the runways, it would impact the clothing racks in six to 12 months, including the brand name originals. However with the “instantaneous gratification” movement, a tweet or Instagram of the most popular new fashion is old news within six months. So the fashion industry is looking at introductions that are ready within mere weeks—keeping the interest of the consumer and reducing the potential for fashion knock-offs.

Thinking through the immediate need and desire for changeability and updates, social media and technology are also impacting healthcare from both an immediate access to information and a documentation perspective. Technology is used operationally to meet requirements established through the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), aka Obamacare, by reducing readmissions to hospitals from home as well as long term care settings, resident and patient satisfaction and facility ratings, and reduction of infection rates.

Reminders and follow-up information are available in patient portals, and texts and emails are reinforcing appointment times and follow-up needs. At some point soon, it is possible that all of our information will be on a smart card similar to a credit card that will allow any practitioner anywhere to have the exact same information. One of the current challenges is uniformity across the continuum of care and all practitioners being able to see consistent information. Consistency is a driver for positive outcomes.

What is “fashion forward” for patients and residents in relationship to healthcare facilities and related care models? In order to have individuals take on personal responsibility in the healthcare sector, is it necessary to spark interest in health and wellness through the same means as gamification? To gain interest, the “hook” would have to span all ages and