Health care delivery

Health Care Delivery System

Patient Protection/Affordable Care Act

  • Federal Statute (Public Law 111-148)

    • A comprehensive health care reform signed into law in 2010 aimed at improving accessibility and affordability of health care for Americans.

State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP)

  • Purpose: Provides health insurance to uninsured children up to age 19 at low cost to parents.

Health Care Financing

Medicare

  • Eligibility: Clients who are 65 years and older, as well as those with permanent disabilities.

Medicaid

  • Eligibility: Clients who have low incomes and require assistance paying for medical care.

Access to Health Care

  • Broadly encompasses the availability of comprehensive health care services, with costs varying based on income levels to enhance accessibility.

Barriers to Health Care

  1. Inadequate Health Care: Lack or deficiency in available health services.

  2. Inability to Pay for Health Care: Financial constraints that prevent individuals from accessing needed services.

  3. Language Barriers: Communication difficulties that arise due to language differences between patients and providers.

  4. Cultural Barriers: Differences in values, beliefs, or practices that can hinder access to care.

  5. Lack of Health Care Providers: Insufficient availability of medical professionals in certain areas.

Levels of Health Care

  1. Preventive Health Care: Focuses on educating and equipping clients to reduce or control risk factors associated with diseases.

  2. Primary Health Care: Emphasizes health promotion and the overall well-being of individuals, aiming for prevention and early intervention.

  3. Secondary Health Care: Involves the diagnosis and treatment of acute illnesses and injuries, typically provided by specialists.

  4. Tertiary Health Care: Offers specialized and highly technical care for complex health conditions, often requiring advanced medical technology.

Safety and Quality in Health Care

Safety

  • Definition: The minimization of risks and potential adverse effects that could lead to injury or harm during the provision of health care services.

Patient-Centered Care

  • Approach: Provision of care that is compassionate and culturally sensitive, addressing the physiological, psychological, sociological, spiritual, and cultural needs of the patient.

Evidence-Based Practice

  • Utilization of current knowledge derived from research to inform and enhance clinical judgment and decision-making in health care.

Information Technology

  • Role: A tool for communication and data gathering in health care, enhancing information sharing among providers and patients.

Quality Improvement

  • Definition: A systematic approach involving caring and organizational processes that are developed to improve health care service delivery.

Teamwork and Collaboration

  • Concept: Involves the delivery of client care through partnerships with interprofessional members of the health care team, emphasizing the cooperative effort in managing patient health.