Patient equity management involves treating patients as valuable assets worth tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars over their lifetime. Hospitals need to implement patient equity management strategies to improve patient satisfaction and experience at every touchpoint, as satisfied patients are more likely to return, refer others, and generate new revenue streams. The basic steps of a patient equity management strategy include creating a patient touchpoint map, interviewing patients to evaluate touchpoint effectiveness, and designing a total patient encounter strategy to maximize satisfaction across all interactions.