HEALH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEM

General Hospital l Facility where patients are hospitalized a short time (few days to a few weeks) l Provide a wide range of diagnostic, medical, surgical, and emergency services l Most small town hospitals are classified as general hospitals

Specialty Hospitals l Provide care for specific chronic illnesses l Patients are usually hospitalized for a long time. l Duke Children’s Hospital in Durham is one

Convalescent Care l Generally care for elderly people who need nursing services and personal care l Examples: nursing homes and long-term care facilities

Extended Care Facility l This health care facility functions as a bridge between hospital and home when no longer acutely ill.

Ambulatory Care / Clinics  Facilities where several physicians with different specialties combine their practices.  This allows the patient to have immediate care for many different illnesses

Physician and Dental Facilities l Provides care that promotes wellness and diagnosis of illness l Services at most medical offices include examination, diagnosis, and treatments l Simple surgery, bone setting, counseling, and administration of drugs also take place here.

Optical Center l If you are having vision problems, you need to visit an optical center

Rehabilitation Centers l People who have been disabled by sickness or injury can recover many of their original abilities and relearn activities of daily living (ADLs) by seeking these services

Rehabilitation Center (continued) l Provide care for patients/ clients who require physical therapy, (hydrotherapy (treatments that use water therapy for disease or injury), and other therapies for loss of limb or organ function.

Rehabilitation Centers (continued) l They may receive prosthetics (artificial part made for the body) and learn how to use adaptive devices.

Rehabilitation Centers (continued) l Patients may stay in these facilities or be treated on an outpatient basis (patient does not require hospitalization but is under a physician’s care.)

Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO’s) l Stress wellness (preventive health care) and focus on keeping a person healthy l Provide health services that include hospitalization, basic medical services, and immunizations

H ome Health Care Agencies l Provide care in the home for patients who need health services but not hospitalization l Home health workers provide care for all ages l Services include: nursing, physical therapy, personal care (bathing, dressing, etc.) and homemaking (cleaning, food shopping, and preparation)

Senior Day Care l Provides care for those elderly people who are able to live at home with their families but need care when the family is away. l Provides a place where the elderly can be cared for during the day

Senior Day Care (continued) l Provides activities, rehabilitation, and contact with other people l The elderly are given their medications and are aided in mobility

World Health Organization l An international agency sponsored by the United Nations l Founded in 1948 l Concerned with world health problems and publishes health information, compiles statistics, and investigates serious health problems worldwide

Hospice care l This organization helps care for terminally ill patients (less than 6 months to live) l Most common diagnosis for these patients is cancer l Philosophy is to help the terminally ill patient live each day to the fullest - usually at home

Hospice (continued) l Patients are kept comfortable and free from pain l Involves family. Families are counseled and helped in acceptance of the impending death of a loved one. After the death, the family has continuing support for at least a year.

Hospice (continued) l These facilities usually need to sponsor fundraising activities to help with expenses. l No one is turned away due to financial reasons!

Government Agencies l The federal, state, and local governments provide health services. l These services are funded by taxes!

Veterans Administration Hospital l These hospitals are federally supported and are known as government hospitals. l Provides care for veterans who served in the armed forces l Ft. Bragg Arm Hospital is an example of a government hospital

US Public Health Department l Is a federal agency that has 6 major responsibilities: Performing research for diseases that kill, handicap, or cripple Preventing & treating alcohol and drug abuse Preventing and controlling diseases that are transmitted by insects, animals, air, water, and people.

US Public Health Department (continued) l FDA (Federal Drug Administration - Checks food and drugs that consumers purchase for safety l Planning more effective ways to deliver health services l Making quality care available and affordable by encouraging health personal to work in undeserved areas.

The Public Health Department l Provides services to local communities l Responsible for reporting communicable diseases, public health nursing, health education, environmental sanitation (methods used to keep the environment clean

The Public Health Department (continued) l Keeps records including immunization records, health inspections, birth records, and death statistics. l Also provides maternal and child health services

Nonprofit / Volunteer Agencies l Supported by donations, membership fees, fundraisers, and federal or state grants l Provide health services at national, state, and local levels l Most focus on specific diseases or health professionals l The American Red Cross and American Heart Association are example of this type of agency