Unit 5 Flashcards

What is care coordination?

What is care coordination?

Care coordination is a mechanism through which teams of health care professionals work together to ensure that patients’ health needs are met and the right care is delivered.

What are the potential consequences of poor care coordination?

Poor care coordination can lead to medication errors, unnecessary diagnostic tests, emergency room visits, and lower quality of care, ultimately resulting in worse health outcomes.

How much wasteful spending is estimated to be caused by inadequate care coordination?

Inadequate care coordination is estimated to have caused between $25 and $45 billion in wasteful spending in 2011.

What are accountable care organizations (ACOs)?

ACOs are organized systems of care in which health care providers agree to be accountable for improving the health of their patients while controlling costs.

What role does the care coordinator play in a care coordination program?

The care coordinator engages patients in developing individualized care plans, identifies barriers to care, assembles care teams, and ensures effective communication among team members.

What should care coordination programs focus on, according to the advocacy guidelines?

Care coordination programs should focus on improving care quality for patients, not just on reducing spending.

Why is changing the payment system important for care coordination?

Changing the payment system is important to create financial incentives for providers to deliver coordinated care, as the current fee-for-service model does not reward care coordination.

What are some key elements that should accelerate success in care coordination program design?

Key elements include targeting high-need patients, frequent in-person interactions, timely information access for providers, strong transitional care, and self-management education.

What is the primary goal of care coordination programs?

The primary goal of care coordination programs is to improve the health of patients, while also potentially reducing wasteful spending.

How do advocates play a role in the development of care coordination programs?

Advocates should ensure that the consumer’s best interest is kept in mind, encourage development, and promote the design of programs that meet the needs of patients.