Health Care Delivery System Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts, health care levels, legislation, and care delivery settings from Chapter 11 on the Health Care Delivery System.

IOM's Six Outcomes for a New Health System

The six outcomes targeted by the Institute of Medicine for 21st-century health care: Safe, Effective, Efficient, Patient-centered, Timely, and Equitable.

Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA)

Legislation designed to expand coverage, control health care costs, improve the health care delivery system, and provide Medicaid or subsidized coverage to qualifying individuals with income up to 400% of poverty beginning in 2014.

Health Insurance Marketplace

A system established under the PPACA designed to help people more easily find health insurance that fits their budget.

Primary Health Care

A level of health care focused on the treatment of common health problems.

Secondary Health Care

A level of health care focused on the treatment of problems requiring more specialized clinical expertise.

Tertiary Health Care

A level of health care focused on the management of rare and complex disorders.

Home Health Care

The most rapidly growing area of the health care system, driven by early hospital discharge, providing skilled nursing assessment, medication administration, teaching, and direct care in patient homes.

Respite Care

A type of health care service provided specifically to give relief to caregivers of homebound ill, disabled, or elderly patients.

Hospice Services

Services designed to provide physical, psychological, social, and spiritual palliative and supportive care for dying persons.

Parish Nursing

A specialized nursing role that emphasizes holistic care, health promotion, and disease prevention activities within a community or faith context.

Voluntary Agencies

Community health agencies that are often nonprofit and provide settings for support groups.

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs)

Nurses—such as nurse practitioners, midwives, and clinical nurse specialists—who work independently or collaboratively with physicians to conduct assessments and provide health promotion and maintenance care.