Phoenix, AZ -- (SBWire) -- 02/06/2018 --ImageFIRST, a healthcare laundry and linen services provider serving Phoenix, AZ, and other areas, shares observations that change management is the new normal in healthcare based on news stories in the media over the course of the past year.

As health systems continue to grow due to changes in the industry as well as consolidation resulting from mergers and acquisitions, one thing that's certain is that change management is, and has been, the new normal.

The industry is only at the beginning stages of increased consumerism, which is driving competition between healthcare providers. For the past several months, patients have been increasingly using online map services and smartphone apps to share their experiences of providers, similar to the way a person would review a restaurant. This trend has reportedly led to increased competition, and pushed providers to continue to drive better and better quality care at more competitive prices.

Another notable industry change is that now more than two-thirds of insurance plans are high deductible plans, and that number is continuing to grow. These plans are anticipated to increase consumerism and encourage people to look for both quality and value. To partially address this, providers are increasingly shifting care from hospitals to more competitively-priced outpatient settings, leaving hospitals to only treat very acute cases.

As the industry continues to experience change, medical facilities and health systems must find a way to embrace it. Research indicates that the involvement of all levels of staff is essential for effective change management.

To learn more about how ImageFIRST can support medical facilities in a changing landscape with their products and services, or to learn more about their healthcare laundry services in Tempe, AZ, call 1-800-932-7472 or visit http://phoenix.imagefirst.com/.

About ImageFIRST
Founded in 1967, ImageFIRST® is the largest and fastest growing national linen rental and laundry service specializing in the healthcare market. ImageFIRST's 36 locations nationwide serve over 11,000 medical facilities every week providing linen, patient gowns, scrubs and more while managing their clients' linen inventory for cost management. With a customer retention rate of over 95%, ImageFIRST is dedicated to improving patient satisfaction through quality products and remarkable service: their Comfort Care® line of gowns are proven to increase patients' favorable perception of a facility by more than 50%. For more information about ImageFIRST, your cost-effective solution for greater patient satisfaction, please visit http://phoenix.imagefirst.com/.