Explore Current Trends in Health Care Health Team Relations 2 nd & 4 th Block Instructor: Melissa Lewis

A. Cost Containment 1.Reasons for high health care costs a. Technological advances (ex. Organ transplants) b. Aging population c. Health-related lawsuits

Cost Containment Cont… 2.Methods of cost containment a. DRG’s (diagnostic related groups) b. Combination of services c. Outpatient services d. Mass or bulk purchasing (Sam’s) e. Early intervention/preventive services

Home Health Care: People are going home from the hospital quicker and sicker. So, this is definitely a growing field. This is a another form of cost containment. All HC professionals are included in this (examples – Nursing, PT, RT, Social services, food services, etc.

Geriatric Care: Care for the elderly This field will continue to grow because people are living longer Facilities that care for the elderly include: -Long term care facilities, Convalescent care facilities, Nursing homes, retirement homes, independent living facilities

Geriatric Care Cont… Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) 1. Led to development of regulations regarding long term care & home health care 2. Requires states to establish training & competency evaluation for nursing assistants

Geriatric Care cont… 3. Each NA is now required to pass a written and a skills test to obtain certification 4. It also requires continuing education

Telemedicine: Involves the use of video, audio, computer systems to provide medical care services Allows HC to be delivered even when people are not in the same location Must have proper telecommunication lines for this to be effective

Wellness: Definition: a state of being in optimal health with a balanced relationship between physical, mental, & social health 1. Physical wellness 2. Emotional wellness 3. Social wellness

Wellness cont… 4. Mental & intellectual wellness 5. Spritual wellness 6. Holistic Health: Care that promotes physical, emotional, social, intellectual, and spiritual well-being by treating the WHOLE body, mind, & spirit

Alternative & Complementary Methods of Health Care: 1.***Ayurvedic practioners*** 2.Chinese medicine practitioners 3.Chiropractors 4.Homeopaths 5.Hypnotists 6.Naturopaths

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