Healthcare Issues

Paper Summary:

In this article, the writer notes that when people think of health care concerns, they most normally first consider chronic illnesses that will cause a much lower quality of life if not an earlier death than normal. The writer then points out that there a number of other equally pressing health care issues that people should be aware of, which need to be addressed in the United States. The writer maintains that one of these areas is the quality of hospital care. The writer then looks at adverse drug events (ADE) in hospitals, or injuries or harm caused because of the administration of the wrong medicine or the wrong quantity of medicine. The writer concludes that it will be necessary for Americans to become increasingly involved with healthcare if they wish to maintain high standards of care.

From the Paper:

"There are also certain illnesses that people can get when they go to the hospital for other purposes, even for routine reasons. For instance, MRSA, meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a subject of considerable scientific and public concern. First recognized in the early 1960s, MRSA proved to be uncommon reason for infection for several decades. However, it quickly grew in significance in the 1980s, some strains then becoming of an epidemic nature in the 1990s. Today, the prevalence of MRSA infections is of major concern, especially within some particular clinical settings such as intensive-care units (ICU) where patients are especially susceptible and where transmission of bacteria is facilitated by the procedures and techniques used. A recent study of 249 patients staying in an ICU for more than 48 hours showed that 8.4 percent developed MRSA infections, primarily with bloodstream infection, but also pneumonia and surgical-site infection."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Andrews, J. (2006). Where the jobs are: eldercare is already creating more jobs than there are people willing to do them. And the market is just heating up. Here's a look at where some of the greatest demand will be. Assisted Living 4(6) S6-9.
• Hawkins, D.(12 February, 2007). Bush's Remedy Isn't a Cure; The President's health-care won't help those who need insurance most or the underinsured who can't afford primary care. Business Week Online
• Institute of Medicine (2007). Preventing medication errors. National Academies Press, Washington, D.C.:
• Lafferty, L. (2007). Medical identity theft: the future threat of health care fraud is now: lack of Federal Law Enforcement efforts means compliance professionals will have to lead the way. Journal of Health Care Compliance 9 (1) 11-21.
• Williams, D. (2006). Material surfaces and MRSA: it appears that our hospitals are facing serious threats from antibiotic-resistant bacteria, especially meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In this article, some of the new materials-related solutions to these threats are discussed. Medical Device Technology 17(7) 8-10.

More papers on Healthcare Issues:

• Essay # 66980 : "Healthcare Issues in the United States"
• Term Paper # 97039 : "Healthcare Issues in the Law"
• Essay # 22608 : "The Impact of Current Health Care Issues"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: