...Medical Malpractice and Quality of Care: With the increase in costs of malpractice insurance for doctors, how is our quality of care affected and what can be done about it? Rising malpractice insurance affects everyone seeking medical care and should be a cause for serious concern. At first, the health care industry saw rising premiums as only a temporary backlash from a couple of lawsuits with multimillion dollar jury awards. Therefore, health care administrators, insurance companies, and public officials worried little about planning for the snow-balling crisis that exists today. People blame greedy lawyers and generous juries for the problem; however, I feel that more than one cause led to our current situation. Today, administrators and lawmakers debate the best solution to this dilemma. Many suggest that by merely capping monetary damages awarded, malpractice rates will stabilize. I disagree. I believe that monetary caps must occur to help with the costs, but I also feel that patient/public awareness is essential to the stabilization of insurance premiums. After the first multimillion dollar award in a medical malpractice lawsuit, physicians still felt safe because they believed juries would place little or no emphasis on non-economic damages – awards unrelated to medical costs, lost salary, etc. However, the lawsuits kept coming and the awards, especially for non-economic damages, kept escalating. According to the New York Times, “the average jury...
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...Medical Care for an Aging Population Medical Care for an Aging Population Aging – an inevitable event all people face. No matter race, ethnicity, or gender, aging affects all individuals in ways as unique as one’s personality. As the Baby-Boomer generation reaches retirement age, the need for expanding national geriatric medical services has become an urgent matter. Even with an increase in a healthier population of seniors in today’s world, many elderly people often have multiple chronic illnesses, ranging from high blood pressure to such serious diagnosis’s as kidney failure; and both major and minor (or easily treatable diseases) can be expensive to treat. The Unites States, like many other counties of the world, is in a health care crisis. Also like other countries, the U.S. government has stepped to the plate to try to find a solution to be sure not only the aging population’s medical needs are met but also all other citizens of the country. Health Care Reform and health care costs are a current hot topic for the U.S., and many ideas, solutions, and opinions exists on the issue. To further evaluate and gain alternative perspective, three articles (each with a different perspective on the subject) have been reviewed and summarized to help reach a better understanding of what the aging population and rising health care costs they will accrue means to the financial state of the Unites States. Article one is an article related to the increasing demand for medical...
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...pattern of health care consumption, and the utilization of available resources by describing the ecology of medical care in Beijing on a monthly basis and by describing the socio-demographic characteristics associated with receipt care in different settings. Methods A cohort of 6,592 adults, 15 years of age and older were sampled to estimate the number of urban-resident adults per 1,000 who visited a medical facility at least once in a month, by the method of three-stage stratified and cluster random sampling. Separate logistic regression analyses assessed the association between those receiving care in different types of setting and their socio-demographic characteristics. Results On average per 1,000 adults, 295 had at least one symptom, 217 considered seeking medical care, 173 consulted a physician, 129 visited western medical practitioners, 127 visited a hospital-based outpatient clinic, 78 visited traditional Chinese medical practitioners, 43 visited a primary care physician, 35 received care in an emergency department, 15 were hospitalized. Health care seeking behaviors varied with socio-demographic characteristics, such as gender, age, ethnicity, resident census register, marital status, education, income, and health insurance status. In term of primary care, the gate-keeping and referral roles of Community Health Centers have not yet been fully established in Beijing. Conclusions This study represents a first attempt to map the medical care ecology of Beijing...
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...Medical Care for an Aging Population HCS/440 Economics: The Financing of Healthcare University of Phoenix Online Medical Care for an Aging Population There are many issues that face the health care system for the aging population such as the strain on major funding programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and social security by not having enough funding to cover the growing baby boomer population as they reach retirement age. Social security is the largest federal spending program and Medicare is the fastest growing program and with less working adults than those 65 and older, these programs face issues that could be solved in several ways including raising the retirement age beyond 65, Raising the taxable wage limits for social security and Medicare, and building more long term care and memory care facilities. With an increase in the aging population medical care may be difficult to afford as the increased use of services puts a strain on funding programs requiring changes on how we fund these programs and who will qualify. Raising Retirement Age There are many issues that face the health care system for the aging population such as the strain on major funding programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and social security by not having enough funding to cover the growing baby boomer population as they reach retirement age. Raising the retirement age beyond age 65 is a proposed solution to increase the funding for the program. Life expectancy continues to grow and we are living...
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...Medical Pluralism Introduction From the complementary medicine context, notes Marian (2007) medical pluralism donates to the recognition and acknowledgment of various healing systems entrenched within their respective culture. Reeser (2014) observes that pluralism is legitimized through chief principles of political and social justice namely the right to free choice and freedom. In this context, pluralism is closely linked to the four biomedical principles of ethics, respect for autonomy in particular. Other biomedical ethics principles include justice, nonmaleficence, and beneficence (Marian, 2007). These biomedical ethics principles define the various duties of health care providers. However, applying or executing such principles in specific cases at the edge of both biomedicine and CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) may prove to be particularly difficult....
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...Making the decision to inform the guardians of the cervical cancer patient, promotes the largest ration of good for the minor and her health. Diminishing any barriers encountered with parental consent, especially for cancer treatment. The framework of ethical decision making is a vital tool to conquering ethical dilemmas. Its nine steps is a practical method for exploring ethical aspects of a decision and weighing the factors that may impact one’s choice toward a course of action. As suggested previously, this writer will institute the deontology and beneficence realms, along with the ethical decision making framework to correlate with a ÞîHO2`ò5HC:d5ã°ÛPŽK ï=ð>…tœ‰S»È!” ":sbGŸÍð¬‡Oª(Š7f,+CÂ(ÞÇrd|ä{ÌÂø{âkC6ÄEØŸèNò ¿7݃“ãa”: FZ¢÷ «ÂìÁF’F“£nö¦ê©uŠî–ìÄžY%û2¦´LÖMkZ2¿i÷Ü%)vÁ¨(¦+Î kgË ´^E (™õ,Ï©ÖÃ.-°x} ™O±k(ÆëéX`$ (u4ÐXzZœä ¨]5‚C¸õ8n UŒà½Çh,´ ìÝÆõh è‡=ˆüwÀ äø°ÂÆ0ð€¸l~ú|TŒ6 m¨2·SMU7ØGÂZl$Léb„ÓÓÓü²&êÌ¬óƒ –MÍt Vü,>ß¾êE°; ÷’Rò*ðÞÙ^NÊ’óÁd,"¶~`W”ï¦;ŠC©ù#àã H–iÑæ$÷öôP/õAÓ«gPœl#t±ÈO!E'Ìw*ÞŒÐKM‘Eõ RejâK’ Ä ."fâöSí%{M9ûL˜æC˜MƒØ\Âï æ+D¾‚¼î㊳56ª ²Er™ªÎàO"Ì””d¦5¤«-´ÜÎþó¡‰êõ% × ìeÀKê9Çyí¢ —gˆWýÞÄÈ·n=(¾Õ ®‘4©›ô×t¬ŠWÛÈléæ¹ögœ‹¥æöEÎ2¾L]"½b.³¯tn!›¹Mê}#w€o¯Ùn’O¹OÕ·ô‡[ÁšÜZµJ%GÇf¤©0R‰pBióª¨Ò–uðÖ Ò 67Uea‰ MEuuV ʦ†[”I-F i˜_%‘²¦A &å¹%eC›ÎTÏ,zó[ö\ìªíêzvnaÎ=Q|64q3 ½ß}à>Ú I¬Ë*²1TrƒMs^¤ï¼+;Ï2c!%¤r1uw»)wû>Küç'wñ·©gÊ¿|òïòù;wL+¾IçÉ++lèø 8"¼¶Åì"nZ...
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...Health Care Susan Medhurst Grand Canyon University: HCA 515 10/5/2013 Unfortunately, there is no single form of identifying test that can tell you if you have Alzheimer’s or if you are just forgetful. For those patients dealing with other illnesses like thyroid problems, depression and other health problems, memory loss is a very common side effect to their illness, which makes identifying Alzheimer’s even more difficult (Alzheimer’s association, 2013). This disease often goes unnoticed until the patient has reached a moderate to advanced stage because of the commonality of the indicators in early stages such as forgetfulness of where you put your car keys (Alzheimer’s association, 2013). Currently over five-million American’s have Alzheimer’s. This number will begin to increase as the baby boomers age and life expectancy is extended. The risk of getting Alzheimer’s only increases as we age with number of people doubling every 5-year interval beyond the age of 65 (Alzheimer’s association, 2013). Case Study Eaton, a 72 year old male patient, was found roaming downtown Denver with no recollection of how he got there. Paramedics brought him to the hospital for evaluation. The patient presents with progressive memory loss, confusion, agitation, and doesn’t know his last name. Identification in his wallet helped the hospital staff contact his wife. Upon the wife’s arrival, the patient seemed distant and unable to identify his wife Ethel. After multiple tests, the Care Team...
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...in May each year, to encouraging state and local entities to provide volunteer opportunities for older adults. Volunteerism is a proven component of good health and quality of life by providing funding to support community-based programs that are collaborations between health care and social service agencies. The most successful aging in place strategies recognize and build on integrated health and social services, provide incentives and guidance to local planning boards and other bodies to incorporate community and housing design features that help achieve “livable communities” for older adults. The way this is work is by increasing growth opportunities by ways of moving or transportation, increasing advancement, and regular entertainment. Such as including common design features in new home construction to increase accessibility, and safety for all household members, from kids to aging adults, and people with disabilities. Which includes promoting pedestrian safety and safe driving among older adults; developing walkable communities work to eliminate the institutional bias in Medicaid by providing funding for home and community based services. Provide leadership to address end-of-life and palliative care issues, including pain management and expanded use of advance planning and directives. Learn more about health promotion programs with evidence based track records of success....
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...Why Medical Care for an Aging Population Needs Reforming Medical care for the aging population has been an issue of concern for the American population for many years, and cost of medical care continues to grow exponentially (Getzen & Moore, 2007). The costs associated with health care, limited health care resources, longevity of the population, and quality of care, are factors considered when medical care for the aging population is analyzed. The following discussion provides an overview of the issues surrounding medical care for the aging population, reasons substantiating the cause for national concern, and two major reasons medical care for the aging population needs reforming. Issues Surrounding Medical Care for the Aging Population and Reasons Substantiating the Cause for National Concern Current estimates predict by 2015, the Baby Boomer population will increase more than 76 million. One of the reasons this population of Americans is expected to live longer, is because of the continuing advances in medical technologies.The aging population will require different levels of health care at different intervals, to avoid their health continually going downhill, resulting in admission into a long-term care facility. The years 1998-1999 marked a fractured health care financal system. In addition, during this time, Medicare executed payment systems for skilled nursing services and home health care. Therefore, the current challenge in America is to figure out how to deliver the...
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... A) What are ways that medical error affects health care delivery? How can principles of quality be used to identify, correct, and prevent errors? Medical errors can adversely affect a medical facility. A large number of publicly reported errors can result in a negative reputation for the organization. Medical errors are costly. It costs a large amount of money to settle disputes of medical errors. It can also affect the moral of the organization. Those involved in the error feel unable to function with confidence and staff will not trust the policy and procedures of the organization. Quality improvements are a never ending evolution. It is important that a health care organization not get comfortable in their quality policy and procedures. In order to decrease errors it is important to identify the errors that are occurring. These errors can be great or small. Reporting all errors in comfortable procedural manner will only improve the quality of care in an organization. If errors are not reported or downplayed there will not be the true reflection of what is going on, thus improvements will not occur. The staff must feel safe about reporting errors and understand that there will not be negative punishments for their report, but rewards for letting management know. Quality improves when they are all called to the attention of administrative staff. Ways to identify errors is to know the patients, know the staff, know plans of care, know policy and procedure...
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...In the context of end-of-life issues and decisions, autonomy and beneficence are concepts which are applicable to ethical principles concerned with judicial medical practices. The roles of autonomy in medical care is an individual’s right to be self-governing – independent to make their own decisions (DeSpelder & Strickland, 2015, p.214). However, personal autonomy can be challenged within the limitation of societal welfare, but also effected by the reciprocated actions of others imposing their autonomy. Thereby forcing our self-direction to concede, which in turn modifies our decisions thus altering actions. Furthermore, free will can be impacted by our individual morals or ethics, such as making decisions based on a respect or consideration...
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...• How does medical technology affect the health care cost in the US? Medical technology has affected health care costs in several ways. Acquiring and using new medical technology is costly, its increased use will affect cost, and specialized health care providers are needed to administer the new technology1,2. Cost will also be influenced depending on the size or special accommodations needed to house the new equipment and maintenance of the new technology1,2. However, medical technology can also have an impact on reducing cost2. For example, computed tomography (CT) has significantly reduced the number of exploratory surgeries; leading to reduced costs and better patient outcomes. An additional benefit to technology is the increased life expectance of the US population2. Medical technology can both increase and decrease health care expenditures. The benefits of medical technology can be measured in extended life expectancy, improved patient outcomes, and overall cost and can be measured using the health technology assessment (HTA)1. • What are the factors affecting the pharmaceutical industry that has caused an increase in the cost of...
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...Are Electronic Medical Records a Cure for Health Care? Abstract In the United States, healthcare remains a top priority and is consistently part of the national public policy agenda. Political leaders and healthcare providers attempt to address issues of quality, access, efficiency and affordability. Solutions to these challenges are being pursued through a great variety of strategies and methodologies ranging from adoption of best practices of patient care to negotiated contracts between payers and Care Delivery Organizations (CDO.) (Gonzalez, 2014) This writing assignment will take a look at the adoption of Electronic Medical records and show the strengths and weaknesses of overhauling medical records from paper to digital. Context The purpose of writing this paper is to give me a better understanding on how information systems can help the medical field. However, it is important to understand that you cannot just overhaul the current system in place. There needs to be a process involved to get everyone at stake the proper training and information needed to undergo such a large transition. Introduction Electronic Medical Records are basically electronic versions of paper-based medical records. An Electronic Medical Record (EMR) is essentially an electronic record of health related information on an individual that can be created, gathered, managed and consulted by authorized clinicians and staff in one healthcare organization. Electronic medical record systems...
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...The Rights of Minors or their Parents to Consent to Medical Care Vanessa Lecoin University of Phoenix February 27, 2012 It is understood that under the age of 18 minors are considered to have their parents be legally responsible in all aspect of their lives including decision-making. The responsibility of the parents are to feed, clothe, financially support, shelter their children and in this case make medical decisions and sign consent to either participate or not participate in medical treatment. It is debatable on when the minors can at least participate in the decision-making process of their health care needs versus the parents pursuing to disregard their children’s feelings and make decisions despite their children’s concerns or wishes. The question is can minors be responsible in making decisions for themselves when it comes to his or her health care needs? The answer is yes, only if they are legally able to make that decision for his or herself ir if they are above the age of 18. Many minors may appear to have the knowledge and understanding to make their own decisions such as whether or not to engage in sexual activities, to drink or not drink alcoholic beverages, to smoke cigarettes, or other illegal substances. The decisions gets more in-depth when taking into consideration what types of birth control to use such as the pill and other forms of birth control contraceptives to used as precautions to lessen chances of potential pregnancies and condoms to...
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...Just societies provide universal medical coverage. This is because something that is ‘just’ is fair. Therefore, a just society will be fair to every citizen regardless of race/religion/age/health, and provide universal coverage. This universal medical coverage can be provided in a form of minimum level medical care for everyone and any citizen. Providing this type of care to everyone is justice. The justice is providing support for a right of citizens to have health care. Health care is needed to preserve life and liberty. Life is a right that a just society must support. According to philosopher John Rawls, “justice applies to the basic structure of society, and health care is part of that structure” (Rawls). For Rawls, a just society will...
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