Quality Healthcare for American Citizens
In an advanced society such as ours, it is unfortunate we are not able to provide what should be a basic human right to all American citizens, quality healthcare. The quality or level of healthcare should be a right for all and not a privilege for some. Once a single definition is established, health care professionals can begin to measure quality and improve the process of healthcare in this country. The U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality defines quality healthcare as "doing the right thing, at the right time, in the right way, for the right person, and having the best possible results." www.ahrq.gov/consumer/qnt/qntlook.htm. Once the industry establishes what is wrong, it can begin to devise some solutions to improve the quality of healthcare. With that said, how can an acceptable level of quality of health care be assured for all American citizens?
In the past two decades, high increases in advancements have occurred in medicine and technology. However, the healthcare system continues to perform far below acceptable levels in the areas promoting patient safety, as well as addressing the quality of care received. Physicians are confronted with increasing demands to ensure and improve quality care for their patients. A variety of approaches claim to provide solutions to the problems of healthcare delivery. The United States however, is the only major industrialized nation in the world that does not provide cradle to grave health care for its citizens. We produce ground breaking technology in the medical field, yet still seem to ignore the quality care needed for our citizens. The U.S spends twice as much per person on health care as Canada and some European countries however, we have worse outcomes when it comes to the quality of medical care received. Receiving the right type of care in the correct setting, affordable health insurance, managed care, and technological advancements all play a role in increasing the quality of care received.
In the past two decades, high increases in advancements have occurred in medicine and technology. However, the healthcare system continues to perform far below acceptable levels in the areas promoting patient safety, as well as addressing the quality of care received. Physicians are confronted with increasing demands to ensure and improve quality care for their patients. A variety of approaches claim to provide solutions to the problems of healthcare delivery. The United States however, is the only major industrialized nation in the world that does not provide cradle to grave health care for its citizens. We produce ground breaking technology in the medical field, yet still seem to ignore the quality care needed for our citizens. The U.S spends twice as much per person on health care as Canada and some European countries however, we have worse outcomes when it comes to the quality of medical care received. Receiving the right type of care in the correct setting, affordable health insurance, managed care, and technological advancements all play a role in increasing the quality of care received.
References: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) http://www.ahrq.gov Endsley, S. & Magill, M (2006). Creating a Lean Practice, Practice Management. New York, NY Hansen, F. ' (2008). A revolution in healthcare. 'Review - Institute of Public Affairs, '59(4), '43-45. ' Retrieved March 19, 2009, from ABI/INFORM Global 'database. (Document ID: '1437722711). Sultz, H. A. & Young, K. M. (2009). Health Care USA: Understanding its Organization and Delivery (6th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.