Health Unit Coordinator Unit IV Q1

BHA 3401, Health Unit Coordination 1

Course Learning Outcomes for Unit IV Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:

1. Define support services.

2. Identify the role health unit coordinators have with support services.

3. Distinguish between direct support services and indirect support services.

4. Describe the role of administration in health care.

5. Identify leadership styles in health care.

6. Explain the challenges that face health care administration and how health care is meeting the challenges.

Reading Assignment Chapter 7: An Introduction to Support Services Chapter 8: Administration

Unit Lesson The leadership team of the health care organization ultimately sets the tone for the delivery of services, as well as determines the overall viable future of the organization. Without strong, competent leadership, the health care organization would struggle to meet the demands of its stakeholders and the community in which it serves. The leadership team is often referred to as the administration. The administration is mostly comprised of professionals with a keen business sense and an eye for future opportunities that could be beneficial for the organization. Along with consistent and competent administration, all health care organizations also include support services. Support services are made up of direct and indirect support services. Direct support services are those services that involve face to face patient contact or contact with the patient’s family. Indirect support services are those services that are provided throughout the health care stay. Typically, indirect support services are the services provided to patients when the person providing the service isn’t seen by the patient. Another vital department that exists within the health care environment is the patient access department (PAD). Within the hospital setting the admitting department is typically located on the main floor near the entrance into the facility. Because the admitting department’s main role is bed placement of new patients, there is usually a large tracking board in the center of the department where a daily census is maintained. Staff working within the admitting department must be well groomed, respectful, and courteous at all times. When new patients present to the hospital or health care organization for services, the patient access personnel must make a good impression during their first encounter with the patient. An additional role of the staff within the patient access department includes obtaining some very personal information from the patient, so a courteous and warm attitude is a necessity. PAD staff must also safeguard the patient’s very confidential medical, health, and identification records. Other direct support services departments are social services, security, environmental services, and pastoral services.

UNIT IV STUDY GUIDE

Support Services and

Administration

BHA 3401, Health Unit Coordination 2

UNIT x STUDY GUIDE

Title

Indirect support services include the business office, educational and training departments, medical records, employee health, human resources, employee health, and public relations. The business office is responsible for developing the patient’s account and for providing and maintaining the patient’s hospital bill. As we revamp and overhaul the health care system to reduce costs, we are faced with the need to streamline services by incorporating more efficient technological practices. These processes and procedures will involve the use of computers. The computer services department is responsible for the enhancement of health care services by providing the necessary technological support to the health care facility. The overall health care environment consists of several components that contribute to the health care outcome for patients. The leadership team sets the pace and tone for the health care organization. Without strong leadership, the health care facility will perish. There are several qualities and characteristic traits that determine the quality of the health care leadership team. In order for the management team to perform with efficiency while providing effective outcomes, the administration and board of directors must strategically plan for success. Although the administration department may consist of competent leadership, the size and type of health care facility depends heavily on the size and type community in which it is housed. Additionally, the focus of the administration department depends on the influence that the community has on the organization. As you review the content of Unit IV, you will be exposed to a thorough description of the roles of the social services and administration departments within the health care arena. Additionally, you will also develop an understanding of the challenges that health care administration faces, as well as the various styles of leadership involved in health care.

Learning Activities (Non-Graded) Click here to access the BHA 3401 Glossary. Please review the glossary before attempting the Unit IV Assessment. Non-graded Learning Activities are provided to aid students in their course of study. You do not have to submit them. If you have questions contact your instructor for further guidance and information.