1. Describe how some of the changes in the health services delivery system have led to a decline in hospital inpatient stays and a growth in ambulatory services.
Geographical and financial barriers lead to a shift in access to health care. With the Affordable Care Act in effect, hospitals have been losing patients to clinics and home settings (Evans, 2015). The reduced occupancy demanded a shrink in the capacity of hospitals, with some reducing the beds or closing. Over the last decade, the call to promote outpatient services that keep chronic patients out of hospitals has grown. Cities are now investing in ambulatory services to replace hospitals since they are cost-effective.
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2. What are the Characteristics of Primary Care?
Primary care is the first engagement with health care when a patient or family has a concern. Primary care providers are mostly physicians or practicing nurses who see patients with common health issues. Primary care uses locally available choices while focusing primarily on preventive measures than treatment. At times it involves multi-disciplinary coordination of practitioners to improve accessibility and sustainability of the management of short term and chronic conditions.
3. What are some of the reasons why solo practitioners are joining group practices?
Group medical practices have become a practical approach for meeting the dynamic demands of the increasingly multifaceted healthcare market. Under group practices, solo Practitioners enjoy improved access to shared data and clinical experience. Grouping broadens the scope of the practice; therefore all practitioners attend to more patients. Also, practitioners in groups enjoy a better monetary return. This is provided by the large market share and regular bonuses offered by the practices. Practitioners find it easy to manage their lifestyles in a group practice. This is due to the ability to manage practice hours, off days and vacation by getting a cover-up. Lastly, it is easier to tailor one’s desired practice in group practice by focusing on an area of interest, e.g., management, research or particular time practice .
4. Why is it important for hospital administrators to regard outpatient care as a key component of their overall business strategy?
Hospitals prescribe most treatment routines, and patients might need attention again over some time (Vega, 2017). Inpatient services are expensive; hospitals would rather have capable patients rest at home and booked in for follow up services. Due to the same reasons, insurers prefer outpatients than paying for beds, meals and other facilitations. Patients with chronic conditions, look for clinics that will be effective, cost-convenient and efficient. Outpatient care and ambulatory services reduce the need for hospitalization in high-cost environments. Setting up and running hospitals together with inpatient care is expensive. It is way affordable to attend to specific patients’ needs and make a follow up remotely.
References
Evans, M. (2015). Hospitals face closure as a new dare in healthcare dawns . Mordern Health care. Retrieved on 6 March 2019, from https://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20150221/MAGAZINE/302219988/hospitals-face-closures-as-a-new-day-in-healthcare-dawns
Vega, C. (2017). How to optimize ambulatory care . HFMA business insight. Retrieved on 6 March 2019, from https://www.hfma.org/Leadership/Archives/2017/September/How_to_Optimize_Ambulatory_Care/
