A Patient healthcare delivery system is related to a strong public health system. The role of healthcare is making a strong impact on the healthcare field. According to the Institute of Medicine (report) Crossing the Quality Chasm (2001b:6),
“All health care organizations, professional groups, and private and public purchasers should adopt as their explicit purpose to continually reduce the burden of illness, injury, and disability, and to improve the health and functioning of the people of the United States.”
The chapter focuses on the issues of neglected healthcare services, chronic diseases, and mental healthcare. It serves the population in terms of quality, workforce, and emergency preparedness. Furthermore, it also discusses the responsibilities of the healthcare system and plays its role within the public health system.
The healthcare field in the US consists of clinicians, hospitals, and purchasers of healthcare services. They operate in groups and independent practices. As described in 2001b, the healthcare system has faced challenges. The United States spent more per capita on health in comparison to other countries. Overall, the money spent was approximately $1.3 trillion.
Due to the highly competitive market in the healthcare sector, the healthcare system does not interact with the public health system’s components. Health care incentives are procedure driven and do not support time for communication and for building relationships. Several healthcare providers argue that rules add costs to them and create high profile problems.
Better Access to Healthcare
In the United States, having health insurance or a publicly financed program is a requirement for routine access to health care. IOM notes in a recent report, published,
“Health insurance coverage is associated with better health outcomes for adults. It is also associated with having a regular source of care and with greater and more appropriate use of health services. These factors, in turn, improve the likelihood of disease screening and early detection, the management of chronic illness, and the effective treatment of acute conditions.”
Private insurance is purchased through employment-based groups. Publicly funded insurance is provided through seven government programs. Also, public funding supports delivered health care accessed by the nation’s uninsured.
The largest public programs are directed to the disabled and low-income populations. In 2001, Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program provided healthcare coverage to nearly 24% of children in the United States.
How COVID-19 Pandemic Has Changed the Patient Experience
The COVID-19 outbreak has sparked a healthcare crisis. Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston and the chief medical officer for Press Ganey, Thomas Lee, said,
“It's certainly been a very stressful time. But on the provider side, it makes everyone remember what it is that made them want to go into healthcare. We're doing a redesign of care, and we're figuring stuff out about the patient experience that is going to go on after this crisis is under control — and I do believe we will get it under control.”
Public health officials are working to develop safety guidelines and to enhance patient care delivery.
The healthcare IT field is revolutionizing its offerings with EHR providers and providing better data interoperability. The
COVID-19 pandemic has revamped healthcare in several ways. As days are passing by, several healthcare organizations are protecting their system to fight with this deadly virus.
Also, healthcare IT sectors are altering their systems to look for solutions at a minimal cost. After the crisis, a huge increase in telehealth visits was seen. Also, several healthcare systems are using the Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS) to access a patient’s information on tips. The healthcare industry is evolving and trying to meet COVID-19 solutions.
Lee said,
“The good news, which comes from the bad news, is that because the needs of patients are so worrisome they have become huge. They're so scary, so everyone is focusing on the right thing. You don't hear anyone talking about, ‘well this isn't really going to break even under fee-for-service.’ Everyone is doing whatever they can and whatever it takes to meet the needs of patients with the resources available to them.”
Telehealth and virtual visits have become a new normal and give them more time to focus on one patient. He continued,
“I'm responding to every phone call, every email, and every text message. I’m not just looking at what is physically in front of me. At the moment, I'm looking over all the things on my panel, and I'm doing the most urgent things first, as opposed to just what is right in front of me.”
Patient care is important, and so is the process. COVID-19 has changed patient satisfaction trends, and they are receiving quality care.
Healthcare organizations are checking patients based on COVID-19 status. Patients who are free from COVID-19 can visit the emergency department, ICU, and other departments to receive care. Clinicians are focussing on what is right for patients and chronic disease management, and also focussing on acute care. COVID-19 has taught healthcare experts that patients want themselves to be safe and to trust their healthcare system.
The Role of Medical Data in Patient Care Delivery
Implementing a data management system ensures efficient transfer of healthcare data. They use EHR applications to minimize medical errors. It indicates the role of EHR in delivering the best healthcare practices.
Patient healthcare delivery focuses on patient engagement, patient-centered communication, and a system that supports patient access. The patient data focuses on care-coordination and reduces the care fragmentation of a patient.
Concluding Words
Healthcare is reframing and focusing on better patient care delivery. However, poor data processing can give data errors.
The methods used to improve patient care are Electronic Health Records, medical data processing, and electronic medical records. Both
EHR and EMR are making a strong impact on the healthcare sector.
EMR is considered to be the best digital version of a patient’s chart; whereas, EHR includes patients' records from different healthcare experts and shares a detailed view of a patient's health. EHR gives the flexibility to experts to work from anywhere and to enhance the accuracy of billing.
