Abstract This paper discusses the rising healthcare costs in the United States and its long-term effects. Several of the primary drivers of increasing healthcare costs are examined with their short-term solutions introduced thereafter. The research concludes with the examination of the primary modes of healthcare deliver, Medicare and managed/employment based healthcare programs and the overall solution to the long-term healthcare system problems. The result is the recommendation that the healthcare system be nationalized and several cost control measures mandated by Congress.
From the Paper "The United States is courting disaster with its current trend in rising healthcare costs coupled with its aging population. In the United States healthcare is fully privatized with employees being offered healthcare insurance through the employer which is usually subsidized by the employer or healthcare insurance is available privately but is expensive. Additionally, there are several federally mandated programs such as Medicare and Medicaid that provide some degree of medical coverage to the elderly and the underserved. Clearly, the United States' medical healthcare system is in dire need of an overhaul; otherwise, the ramifications of having a very large percentage of its population become essentially uninsured, which is to say uncared for, are dire. Below are the primary drivers of this increasingly unaffordable system followed by a recommended solution. The Prescription Drug Industry The federal government must contain the spiraling prescription drug costs."
Abstract This writer of this paper examines the current situation in the Native American community and the absence of acceptable healthcare services offered. Topics discussed in this paper include: Healthcare funding, recruitment and retention of healthcare staff, changes to federal programs and cultural issues. This paper also discusses the Hispanic community which faces similar barriers to healthcare. This paper explores the various strategies to address the healthcare issues of Native Americans developed by the Indian Health Design Team.
From the Paper "Hispanics face similar barriers to healthcare, as do Native Americans. These are the lack of providers, which are close in proximity to the patient. Many Hispanics live in rural areas, which are far from healthcare providers. This problem does not only affect those in rural areas, but urban areas as well, another area which is heavily populated by Hispanics. Patients in this area may still have to travel quite a distance for healthcare, the choice of which may be limited due to type of coverage they have and they may not have adequate means of transportation. Finally, a healthcare provider who is closer may not be accepted due to differences in nationality."
Abstract This paper discusses the fluid nature of law and most legal systems and then relates this characteristic back to healthcare. Various aspects of healthcare such as palliative care and healthcare's ethical framework are examined in light of the nuances of an inexact legal framework. This paper concludes that the healthcare industry cannot and should not function off the interpretive method that the legal system does.
From the Paper "The nature of law has been a hotly contested subject ever since Hammurabi first had his code carved in stone circa 1775 B.C. Since then, law has been subjected to myriad interpretive analysis, written, rewritten and canonized in various ways: the common law of England, precedent or case law in America developing out of England's common law heritage and even religious law as of Islamic law commonly called Shari'ah. The only common dialectical thread through all these historical bodies of law and legal systems, both current and past, is that law is not an exact science. "
Abstract This paper discusses the nature of the healthcare system in the United States in 15 to 20 years and what it will resemble. The paper's hypothesis is that the three current trends in payment will drive the industry towards a consolidation of all three within the structure of a centralized healthcare system. Furthermore, the centralized healthcare system will come about because the current system is privileging only those who can pay and leaving the rest effectively uncared for. Finally, the paper discusses how technology will express a great influence on the pervasiveness of this centralized healthcare system.
From the Paper "The ebb and flow in the healthcare industry regarding payment systems and arrangements for practicing physicians will be especially pronounced in the next twenty years. With the constant rise in healthcare costs, the increased reliance on managed care systems and ever improving technology, the payment strategies used by physicians will become an important component of the business aspect of healthcare: "Insurance carriers are introducing an unending stream of new caps and conditions... Hospitals are undergoing a major restructuring... doctor groups are forming, breaking up, reforming and restructuring...to meet...demands of insurers..."(Galbick, 1996, para.1). This flux in the industry will intensify and will have a pervasive impact on the healthcare industry in terms of payment strategies and systems resulting in a health care system that coalesce around one of the following payment systems but, in all cases, will become heavily subsidized by the federal government."
Abstract This paper deals with the responsibility the employer has in providing healthcare benefits to its employees. It reviews healthcare systems and recommends how the employer can maximize healthcare benefits for employees. Four different plans are reviewed and discussed. The results will possibly lower the employers healthcare cost for employees.
From the Paper "Healthcare and all of the fractured issues included in it is one of the most explosive topics in our society today, both politically and consumer wise. Horror stories are continually told about, among other things, the costs of insurance, the inability to receive care, racial and ethnic disparity, and a host of other intervening variables and conditions. Sometime in the past several years America's healthcare system has managed to avoid the checks and balances of the institutional system and plunge into a state of national crises. Economic and business driven healthcare, wherein medical practitioners are seemingly more interested in stock options and bottom line profits than in their patients, is a blight on society as a whole as well as a failing grade for the government whose obligation it is to preserve and protect the country's citizenry. As such that ..."
Abstract This paper discusses healthcare budgeting process as it impacts the economics of the industry relevant to the government rules and regulations that define the overall process. Of particular importance are the Medicaid and Medicare programs and how recent changes in policies and the regulatory environment have impacted the healthcare industry. Overall, the regulatory environment of the Medicare and Medicaid government programs has made healthcare budgeting and economics a much more problematic endeavor.
From the Paper "While most administration officials view the economics of healthcare budgeting to be nothing more than a specialized version of the normal business budgeting process, in the healthcare industry, this viewpoint can be problematic. The core activities of the healthcare budgeting process are fairly straightforward and can be largely automated through specialized industry software. But the economic impact on the wider community that this process engenders is an extremely important consideration because the budgeting process determines pricing for services, taking into consideration insurance and government restrictions, and this process impacts affordability. Within this process are such line items as staffing requirements, workload activities, as well as a host of variables."
Abstract The paper contains a review and evaluation of four healthcare Internet websites including two basic healthcare websites, one government healthcare website and one professional organizational website. In the paper, each site was reviewed according to pre-established criteria with respect to content information, presentation, coverage, information accuracy and viewer draw.
From the Paper "In the midst of the twenty first century explosion of high technological advances, several content knowledge areas are now readily available for the healthcare consumer via the Internet. Whether or not all sites are fundamentally sound and disseminate information that is accurate and up to date is not totally known. Healthcare consumers who visit Internet sites should be constantly vigilant as to the efficacy of the site and should be careful not to use site information for medical diagnostics or treatment solutions of any kind. All Internet sites should be used with caution and when medical diagnostics and treatments are needed, the healthcare consumer should always consult a physician."
Abstract This paper discusses how HIPAA relates to the issue of ethics in healthcare. To this end a discussion is presented with respect to HIPAA regulatory compliance issues within the healthcare profession. Presented also was a discussion on whether or not ethics can be taught in the healthcare industry. The conclusions drawn point to both personal and professional adherence to ethics in patient wellness.
From the Paper "The advent of the twenty first century has produced a significant increase in the use of the Internet is business, education, medicine and all other service industries. Along with this increase is the development of software programs increasing the accessibility of information with respect to personal data, including, but not limited to, healthcare information. In response to the tremendous data bank availability the government has initiated changes in laws regarding the confidentiality of information and no area is more sensitive to issues of privacy then the subject of patient information. Requirements for healthcare consumer privacy are extremely necessary to protect the rights of healthcare consumers from unauthorized use and disclosure of at risk medical and demographic information. "
This paper analyzes the importance of effective communication in the field of healthcare while focusing primarily on its relevance in hospital settings.
Abstract The writer of this paper examines the lack of adequate communication in the healthcare industry. The writer contends and explains that a large number of health care professionals are not capable of effectively communicating the inherent risks during medical procedures to either the patient or those closely associated with the patient such as their spouse or family member. This paper explores the issues of teamwork, dialogue and contact which are the crux of risk management while discussing the strategies and methods that need to be implemented in order to effectively improve the communication skills of healthcare workers. This paper details the measures implemented by both the UCLA and New York Presbyterian teaching hospitals which pertain to this specific topic.
From the Paper "The ability adequately communicate risk levels amongst providers can become difficult. Also, hasty words can create a misperception in the minds of patients, if a doctor speaks too casually. "Science cannot prove a negative, but, where their children are concerned, parents want to be assured that risk is zero," and it is tempting for doctors to ignore communicating data, for fear of communication the issue. Some suggest, regarding all procedures, establishing a comprehensive 'Richter scale' of risks to communicate data to remove the potential for misunderstanding--for example, identifying the riskiest scenarios, and flagging them for hospital staff, or using the 'pain scale' amongst all hospital staff and on paperwork of 1-10 to communicate how much pain a patient is in, on a feeling level, as well as the state of health according to traditional medical data."
Tags: hospital, healthcare, communication, risk, patient, care, ucla, new, york, presbytarian
Abstract This paper details the results of an interview between the writer of this paper and Ms. PC. The writer of this paper contends that the main goal of the interview is to give an in-depth look at the healthcare industry as well as the leadership style of Ms. PC. This paper analyzes the interview questions and answers which provide great insight into Ms. PC's understanding of the healthcare profession. This paper delves into the bureaucratic and administrative limitations as well as the many rewards to be found in this particular field of employment. The writer discusses the numerous aspects surrounding Ms. PC's profession including the need for basic morals and ethics, astute business acumen as well as good communication skills, honesty and integrity.
Table of Contents:
Introduction and Background
The Interview
Analysis
Ms. PC's Leadership Style
Some Limitations
Trust and Integrity
Conclusions
Works Cited
From the Paper "To find a mentor, one can have many mentors during their career, as leadership growth comes in stages. The skills and attitudes observed from other leaders allow one to determine if they are developing and growing into true leaders. When looking for footsteps to follow, observe their quality of work as a leader. I believe the most important trait is enthusiasm. Enthusiasm compensates for weak skills or lack of experience and brings positive energy to the team. An enthusiastic attitude is often contagious. And, integrity...that value is at the top of the list in importance, both as a personal value as well as a morale issue."
Abstract This paper discusses the size of Tenet Healthcare Corporation. The author points out its hospital and healthcare delivery networks. The paper describe the company's violations of its own policies.
From the Paper "Tenet Healthcare is one of the largest hospital chains in the United States. The company owns or operates acute care hospitals with more than beds in states. Tenet Healthcare organizes its operations in five regions as follows: California ...percent of the company's total beds, Central-Northeast ...percent of the company's total beds, Florida ...percent of the company's total beds, Southern States ...percent of the company's total beds and Texas ...percent of the company's total beds. The company's acute care hospitals serve ..."
Abstract This paper examines the healthcare insurance industry in the United States, looking at how many people have coverage, what it costs, how it is paid for, and how many people are uninsured. The paper also looks at economic factors which are causing people to drop coverage and the effects that has on their health and the healthcare providers.
From the Paper "Health care spending in the United States rose at five times the rate of inflation - the fastest rate in US history. NCHC-Costs in health care premiums rose at a rate five times faster than the inflation rate, which was the largest one-year increase in premiums in more than a decade..."
Abstract "This paper discusses the efforts being made in order to improve healthcare quality in hospitals and the various agencies involved in these efforts. The paper discusses Malcolm Baldrige and his contributions to management of quality improvement. It also discusses the roles of various organizations in trying to improve quality healthcare.
From the Paper Abstract This paper looks at quality improvement in hospital healthcare in theUnited States and what is being done to promote it It first discusses thecontributions of Malcolm Baldrige in his establishment of methodologies forquality improvement then looks at the efforts of Quality ImprovementOrganizations QIO and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services CMS to develop unified systems of quality care reporting by hospitalswhich is standardized nation-wide Some of its achievements are noted andplans for the future discussed The paper also examines a
Abstract This paper relates that the internet enables people to have increasing control over their healthcare. The author evaluates a healthcare website for its access, confidentiality, resources, sponsorship and ownership. The paper concludes with the reviewer's opinion.
From the Paper "Health promotion is an integral part of any and all medical facilities anywhere in the world, whether the United State, Europe, or the Far East. Health promotion, as emphasized by Ewles and Sinmett (1999), and originating from the World Health Organization, Ottawa Charter, is the "process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve, their health" (WHO, 1986). However, as we enter the twenty first century of mega technology, new and improved medical treatment venues, and advanced diagnostics, preparation must be made to ensure that all providers deliver health care services that are best fit to the charges in their care. Regardless of the medical service program under which medical services are being provided, and ones wherein the model is primarily that of treatment, opportunities exist abundantly for the establishment of wellness programs."
Abstract This paper looks at the effects of the HIPAA legislation on healthcare. The HIPAA regulatory act is reviewed and a discussion presented on how the legislation affects healthcare. Specific to the topic is the area of patient confidentiality. Additional discussion is presented with respect to what HIPAA cannot, and does not, include.
From the Paper "According to Thomas (1983) hospitals and medical facilities are held together in a very finite way. With the twenty first century now upon us, there is even a greater need to foster an environment wherein there exists a coalition amongst educators, industrial leaders, politicians, regulatory agencies, and professional organizations to assist the healthcare profession with what may seem as an insurmountable task; namely, to combine the practice of healthcare delivery and regulatory compliance into a best fit practice for optimal patient care. The focus of this paper is on current and relevant issues pertaining to the healthcare profession in conjunction with stated HIPAA (not HIPPA as many so designate) regulatory requirements as applied to relational contingencies of shared responsibility and healthcare delivery. The goal is an attempt to advance the trans-professional understanding of medical care through healthcare treatment and compliance."
