In: Nursing
what are the most important issues in balancing cost, quality, and access? What are the ways to solve or overcome these issues? Please support your answers with credible evidence.
most important issues in balancing cost, quality, and access :
> Lack of incident review procedures
> Lack of good hospital information system.
> Absence of conduct
> Lack of resources
>Personal problems
> Unreasonable patients and attendants.
>Improper maintenance
> Absence of accreditation laws
2. Ways to overcome the issues.
Implementation of Health Information Technology: Health information technology is changing the way healthcare is delivered and paid for. It has been said that over the next 8 years, we will see more innovation than we have seen in the last 18 years. Now that the healthcare industry is getting ‘wired’ we are safer, more efficient and able to use data to improve the quality of care provided.
Payment Models: Up until now, payment models for hospitals, physicians, and other providers were based on paying for products and services. Due to the rising cost of healthcare spending, changes to payment models are being tried in efforts to bend health care spending curve. Examples include; Value-Based Purchasing models that reward physicians and other providers for the quality of care they provide.
Focus on Quality Improvement Efforts: There's never been a more critical time in the history of U.S. health care system for health care professionals to turn to clinical analytics to help them survive — and thrive amidst the trials of health care reform. Overcoming the challenges of reform will ultimately result in improved quality of care delivery and decreased costs. But reaching that point will require significant changes to the way healthcare has historically operated.
The Move to Evidenced-Based Care ;
is a causing sea change in how medicine is practiced and delivered in hospitals, clinics and physician practices across the country. Evidence-based medicine includes three key components; research-based evidence, clinical expertise (i.e., the clinician’s accumulated experience, knowledge, and clinical skills), and the patient’s values and preferences. Practicing evidence-based medicine is important in today’s healthcare environment because this model of care offers clinicians a way to achieve the Triple Aim’s objectives of improved quality, improved patient satisfaction, and reduced costs.
Consumer Engagement: A shift is underway as more of the financial risk for paying for health care migrates from payers to consumers (with providers sharing the risk when individuals cannot pay) and from groups to individuals. For the consumer, this means an increasing obligation to pay a greater share of their health care costs through rising premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance. As a result, consumers are demanding to be part of the decision-making process when it comes to their health and healthcare.
Patient Advocacy: the practice of patient advocacy is growing to meet the needs of consumers as they strive to better understand how to use the health care system when they are thrust into the system with an injury or a complex medical or behavioral health condition. Just like a financial planner, certified public accountant or attorney are hired to assist a person with their financial or legal needs, patient advocates are being hired to help the patients and their families navigate the complex healthcare system.
Case Management: case managers are advanced practice professionals who are in place to assist the patient in navigating the complex healthcare system. Case managers can be found at every entry point of the health care system. If a patient or the family member has a question or concern about their care, asking for a case manager can help you find the right person to answer your question, address your concerns and ensure the team is aware of barriers and challenges the patient/family are having.