DQ 6-2

DQ 6-2

1.

According to the website Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Understanding Quality Measurement, quality in healthcare is defined as, “the degree to which health care services for individuals and populations increase the likelihood of desired health outcomes and are consistent with current professional knowledge.” With this definition, three characteristics that would define quality for healthcare services would be patient education, timeliness, and equity.

Patient education is important because it ensures that there will be minimal visits for the same health issue if patients are aware of how to take care of themselves after receiving healthcare. An example of this would be how to change and dress an abscess properly. Typically, education is given at the time of discharge by the nurse. From the classroom textbook, Economics of Health and Medical Care (6th Edition), written by Lanis L. Hicks, “if more extensive patient education is an aspect of higher quality care, then the production relationship will again be pushed downward.” Patient education also shows patients that there is care involved, if providers and clinical staff did not care they would not take the time to educate. Education is power!

Timeliness is another characteristic for quality health care. Though, I understand that time is valuable, only so many resources can be provided especially when working in an unknown setting like the emergency room or urgent care. When care can be given in a timely matter, it makes patients more likely to come back and receive care.

Equity is important because no human wants to be discriminated against when receiving care whether it is the color of their skin or financial status. When this occurs, patients do not want to come back and receive care or receive care period which could be detrimental to their health. When everyone can feel comfortable in a healthcare setting, patient satisfaction ratings go up and it will ensure that patients will want to be seen at the facility.

When you increase quality of care, it increases the demand for health care which in turn will create a relationship between the patients and the physicians. Healthcare is a business that needs to be conscious about how they market and reform healthcare in their area. I believe that there is a negative connotation to healthcare, physicians over testing, patients believing that those who are in the field are greedy and only in it for the finances and that no one cares. Implementing a strong quality of care in the workplace environment should hopefully eliminate those notions within healthcare.

References:

Hicks, L. L. (n.d.). Economics Of Health and Medical Care.

Understanding Quality Measurement. (2012, September 01). Retrieved from https://www.ahrq.gov/professionals/quality-patient-safety/quality-resources/tools/chtoolbx/understand/index.html

2.

Re: Topic 6 DQ 2

Quality can be identified by attributes, characteristics, the ability to satisfy the needs of the consumer is ultimately quality. For health care to meet the criteria of the three major links to clarification of quality, the process would be under scrutiny as well as any products used, and the service, such as customer service. Did the staff communicate well and explain their processes and what they were doing and why? As far as the process, is it up to par with other facilities or could you receive a better process somewhere else? These and more are important characteristics to keep in mind when offering any service. Not all medical offices, dental and otherwise are created equal. Nobody I know of likes to go into a restaurant or a coffee shop and order something just to realize that the barista or waiter/waitress did not pay attention to specifics and gave you the wrong order! How much worst it is then when it comes to your health. Perhaps the one serving has a preconceived idea of what is going on already and so pays minimal attention, missing key facts in the process of serving you. Or there are stereotypical reasons for neglecting to note certain aspects of an illness because the nurse or doctor or nurse practitioner has a preconceived idea of what is wrong. So many scenarios could be entertained here but truly listening is a first step of providing quality care. (Tapper & Lai, 2014)

Shoddy equipment that is outdated and breaking down is another way of saying to those visiting "we don't really value you enough to invest in better equipment." If you walk into a restaurant and are all ready to eat a favorite meal, and the room smells like garbage and cleaning fluids and the servers are unkempt, it is as if the business is saying, "we want your money, but we have no interest in food, no passion for cooking but trust us, it will be good." Would you trust them?

Are all the patients' needs satisfied? Were they properly diagnosed and treated for the diagnosis? Were other needs met? Meal service, respectfully treated, equipment was clean and in good repair, and this would be quality, if at the end of your visit you can honestly say if you need medical care you would return to that facility.

The attributes needed for quality health care are; good environment, empathy, efficacy, efficiency, effectiveness, and efficacy. Characteristics are; availability, acceptability, affordability, appropriateness, competency, timelines, responsiveness, attentiveness, caring, accuracy, reliability, comprehensiveness, continuity, ensuring safety, security, reduction of mortality and morbidity, improving quality of life. (Babalola, 2017)

To answer the second part of the question, how is health care affected with increased quality? The demand is then greater because health care as a business will draw those in need because of the reputation of quality care and service.

Babalola, O. (2017, August 28). Consumers and Their Demand for Healthcare. Retrieved June 22, 2019, from http://health-medical-economics.imedpub.com/consumers-and-their-demand-for-healthcare.php?aid=21061

Tapper, E. B., & Lai, M. (2014). Factors Affecting Adherence to a Quality Improvement Checklist on an Inpatient Hepatology Service. Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings, 27(2), 100-102. doi:10.1080/08998280.2014.11929069

3

Quality’s definition in the healthcare field depends on the person who is receiving care, and it can be linked to several things such as personable treatment, sympathy when performing tasks, highly skilled personnel, and several others. Quality should be measurable and standardized to carry the healthcare organization goals all the way through without confusing consumers and providers. A great alternative to identify quality is being able to recognize what works and what does not work when caring for anyone; fixing what is wrong and improving what is right through satisfaction surveys and patient-health providers interviews. Another excellent form to identify quality is when health providers ensure patient safety by preventing mistakes in patient care. Finally, making patient knowledgeable of their health condition can guarantee better care because they can make the more appropriate decision, which stimulates better patient care and much more significant results.

Increased quality affect the demand for healthcare services positively because it does promote a sense of stability and commitment to excellence at times of care. “Healthcare quality can be improved by supportive visionary leadership, proper planning, education and training, availability of resources, effective management of resources, employees and processes, and collaboration and cooperation among providers” (Mosadeghrad, 2014.) All of these qualities are the ones that spread the voice about hospitals and healthcare professionals.

Thanks

Reference:

Mosadeghrad, A. M. (2014). Factors Influencing Healthcare Service Quality. International Journal of Health Policy and Management,3(2), 77-89. doi:10.15171/ijhpm.2014.65