Ambulatory Care

Ambulatory care refers to healthcare services rendered on an ______ basis.

outpatient

These services do not require overnight ______.

hospitalization

Ambulatory care accounts for approximately ______ to ______ of total healthcare spending in the United States.

one quarter, one third

Ambulatory care is commonly provided in ______ offices, which may be solo or group practices.

physician

Care may be categorized as either ______ care (general wellness and first contact) or ______ care (specific conditions or advanced treatment).

primary, specialty

Urgent care centers and ______ departments (both hospital-based and stand-alone) are also considered ambulatory settings.

emergency

Ambulatory ______ centers offer outpatient surgical procedures without the need for hospital admission.

surgery

______ health centers provide accessible services to underserved populations and are often supported by federal funding.

community

Primary care is the first point of ______ in the healthcare system.

contact

It offers continuous and ______ care that covers both physical and ______ health.

comprehensive, mental

Primary care includes services such as prevention, wellness, ______ care, management of chronic and comorbid conditions, and ______ of life care.

acute, end

Compared to specialty care, primary care is generally ______ in cost.

lower

Specialty care is provided by physicians trained in a specific medical ______ or organ system.

field

It typically focuses on one specific aspect of care, such as a body system, condition, ______, or type of intervention.

gender

Specialty care is often ______-oriented and may require a ______ from a primary care provider.

procedure, referral

Although typically more expensive, specialty care can be provided in both ______ clinics and during hospital stays.

ambulatory

Examples of specialty care include:

• Heart care: ______

• Skin conditions: ______

• Kidney disorders: ______

• Eye care: Optometry/Ophthalmology

• Hormonal disorders: ______

cardiology, dermatology, nephrology, endocrinology

Two specialties based on life stage are ______ (for children) and ______ (for older adults).

pediatrics, geriatrics

Urgent care clinics provide treatment for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries and are designed with ______ hours.

expanded

Urgent care is common in ______ areas and offers ______ pricing.

urban, consistent

These clinics are typically staffed by MDs, APRNs, ______, and PAs.

NPs

Around ______% of U.S. hospitals have emergency departments (ERs).

93

Types of ER cases include:

• Life-threatening: ______

• Serious but not life-threatening: ______

• Minor/non-severe: ______

emergent, urgent, non-urgent

Stand-alone ERs receive higher Medicare reimbursement for treating ______-severity cases.

lower

Hospital-affiliated ERs must be located within ______ miles of the main hospital campus.

35

Ambulatory Surgery Centers (ASCs) were created in response to pressures from the ______ ______ ______ system and managed care.

medicare prospective payment

ASCs provide surgical services that would traditionally be offered in a ______ setting.

hospital

ASCs are generally ______ costly than inpatient stays and have high patient satisfaction and perceived quality of ______.

less, care

Community Health Centers (CHCs) are also known as ______ ______ ______ Centers and are designed to serve ______ populations such as migrants and the homeless.

federally qualified health, underserved

CHCs must be located in designated ______ ______ ______ (MUAs).

medically underserved areas

These centers operate as 501(c)(3) - organizations and are governed by volunteer ______ made up of patients and local leaders.

non-profit, boards

CHCs offer a wide range of services including:

• Medical, dental, ______ health, and behavioral health

• Discounted ______ services and immunizations

mental, pharmaceutical

CHCs also provide women’s health, family planning, and ______ care, along with wellness and ______ services.

prenatal, prevention

Social support services include case management, ______ coordination, social services, and patient ______.

care, transportation

CHCs offer cancer screenings for multiple types such as breast, cervical, prostate, ______, and skin cancer.

colorectal

Their services span all age groups from ______ to ______.

pediatrics, geriatrics

CHCs provide access to translation, diagnostic labs, and X-rays, and help with enrollment in programs like Medicaid, ARKids, and ______ ______ ______.

Medicare Part D