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 The health care industry is made up of many delivery systems.  A delivery system is a facility or organization that provides health care services.  Examples: ◦ hospitals, ◦ long-term care facilities, ◦ medical offices, ◦ laboratories, ◦ nonprofit organizations

Table of Contents  All systems share basic components:  Services ◦ One or more health care services to a specific group of people  Consumers ◦ Person needing health care  Health Care Personnel  Payment for Services

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 Size ▫Small ▫Large  Ownership ▫Proprietary: earn profits & are privately owned ▫Nonprofit or voluntary ▫Government ▫Religious  Services ▫General ▫Treat a variety of conditions ▫Specialty ▫Services for certain conditions or age groups

Table of Contents  Provide long-term care for elderly patients and for patients in rehabilitation.  Levels of long-term care: ▫A nursing home provides care for patients who can no longer care for themselves. ▫An independent living facility allows patients to use only the services they need, such as transportation or housekeeping.

Table of Contents  Some medical offices are operated by just one or two doctors. Other are made of large groups of health care professionals.  Some medical offices treat a wide range of conditions. Others are specialized for specific ages or medical conditions.

Table of Contents  A healthy mind is just as important as a healthy body.  Mental health professionals treat and counsel patients with a variety of conditions: ▫Mental disorders ▫Substance abuse and addiction ▫Domestic violence and abuse

Table of Contents  Emergency care services ◦ Immediate aid for sick or injured  Laboratories ◦ Stand alone and perform tests to help diagnose illness & disease  Hospice ◦ Care and counseling for terminally ill patients  Home Health Agencies ◦ Treatment & therapy at a patient’s home

Table of Contents  Government health care facilities exist at several levels: ▫International ▫National ▫State ▫Local  Government facilities are supported by taxes.

Table of Contents  International agency sponsored by the United Nations  The goal of W.H.O. is that all people obtain the highest possible level of health, including physical, mental, and social well-being.  Investigates serious health problems

Table of Contents  Goals: ◦ protect the health of American citizens ◦ provide essential human services for those who cannot help themselves  Broken into many divisions: ▫National Institute of Health ▫Center for Disease Control and Prevention ▫Food and Drug Administration

Table of Contents  Focus on one disease or group of diseases.  Research, search for a cure, promote public awareness, and provide services to victims.  Supported by donations, membership fees, fundraisers, and government grants.  Examples include: ▫American Cancer Society ▫American Heart Association ▫American Red Cross

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 An organizational structure helps a facility run smoothly by outlining the responsibilities of employees.  Five divisions: ▫Diagnostic ▫Therapeutic ▫Health Informatics ▫Biotechnology R & D ▫Support

Table of Contents  Establish cause & nature of illness  Results provide physician with logical plan of treatment & care for patient  Examples: ◦ Imaging ◦ Laboratory ◦ Radiology

Table of Contents  Focused on changing the health status of patient over time.  Examples: ◦ Nursing Department ◦ Physicians ◦ Respiratory Therapy ◦ Physical Therapy ◦ Pharmacy

Table of Contents  Bioscience research as it applies to human health  Study diseases to discover new treatments  Invent medical devices  Examples: ◦ Biological Scientists ◦ Biotechnological Engineers ◦ Forensic scientists

Table of Contents  Involved with documentation of patient records and health information  Examples: ◦ Admissions ◦ Medical Records ◦ Billing & Collections  Health Care Administrator ◦ Plan, direct, coordinates, and supervise delivery of health care ◦ Manage operation of health care facilities

Table of Contents  Provide a therapeutic environment for the delivery of health care  Examples: ◦ Central Supply: order, stock, distribute all equipment & supplies ◦ Biomedical Technology: design, diagnose, repair maintain equipment ◦ Housekeeping & Maintenance: maintain safe, clean environment ◦ Dietary

Table of Contents  The line of authority (aka: Chain of Command) determines a worker’s position in a facility’s organizational structure.  The line of authority also establishes levels of supervision.

Table of Contents  The doctor is the primary supervisor at a medical office.  Office Manager oversees daily functions within office.

Table of Contents  All members of the health care team are dependent on each other.  If one worker does not fulfill the required duties, the entire team is hindered.

Table of Contents  Technology  Epidemiology  Geriatric Care  Wellness  Cost Containment

Table of Contents  Computers and audiovisual devices  Telemedicine  “Long distance” surgery

Table of Contents  Epidemiology is the study of diseases.  Many researchers are focusing of diseases that are influenced by lifestyle factors.  Taking responsibility for one’s own health is a growing trend in today’s world.

Table of Contents  Because people are living longer, geriatric care is in high demand.  Geriatric facilities have developed quickly in recent years: ▫Adult day care centers ▫Independent living facilities ▫Retirement communities ▫Nursing homes

Table of Contents  Change in focus from “sick care” to “health care.”  Wellness centers include: ▫Weight control facilities ▫Health food stores ▫Nutritional services ▫Stress reduction counseling ▫Habit cessation management

Table of Contents  Outpatient Services – Reduce the length of hospital stays to reduce costs.  Preventive Care – Get regular check-ups and vaccinations to prevent illness.  Energy Conservation – Use energy-efficient lighting, solar power, and automatic faucets.