Healthcare Quality Policy and Law
This section steps away from the topics of medical care access and insurance to deal with the quality of healthcare. The authors claim that just as insurance and healthcare access, healthcare quality has several dimensions and the topic has significantly been a central area for scholars, professionals, consumers, and analysts. Healthcare quality is a major issue in health policy and law just as health access and insurance issues. For instance, long-lasting issues associated with the administration of healthcare such as ethnic and racial health differences, and the geographical differences in the quantity or kind of care that patients receive have attracted responses from legislators and the legal system (Teitelbaum & Wilensky,2016). The authors of this book provide an inclusive overview of health quality, emphasizing elements such as errors in medicine, ethical standards of care, accountability, licensing, authorization, and the impact of federal regulations including the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) on medical care lawsuits, the chapter offers a thorough introduction of healthcare quality. Though historically focused more on preventing egregiously subpar care than on the permanent development of high-quality care, the licensure and accreditation debate clarifies their roles in weeding out unfit healthcare professionals and organizations. The chapter’s outline on accreditation and licensure explains their function in sorting the incompetent physicians and organizations, although with the historical illustrations on solving poor-quality care instead of long-lasting fostering of quality services.
Furthermore, the chapter emphasizes the complexity of regulations highlighted through the in-depth scenario of Hurley and Eddingfield in 1901 and the current issues faced such as Michelina Bauman’s which emphasizes the intricacies of dealing with managed care organizations within the lawful framework, Besides, this book highlights the argumentative issues of discussing acceptable possibilities of activity, imitating current regulation discussions in health (Teitelbaum & Wilensky,2016). Although this section does not have a critical analysis of the restrictions and possible enhancements in the current legal frameworks; hence the readers of the book need a profound investigation of possible solutions to the outlined issues. Healthcare Quality Policy and Law
A notable change in legal perspective and methodology concerning medical malpractice cases is highlighted in the section on the development of the standard of care. The discussion makes the material understandable and straightforward by highlighting the most significant modifications to the legal precepts guiding the standard of care. The professional custom rule’s transition is one significant alteration that was explored. A crucial legal development is the shift from relying just on professional custom to determine whether a doctor’s acts fulfill the standard of care to taking into account the reasonableness of the action in light of available medical knowledge and technology. A more dynamic assessment of medical negligence is made possible by courts now taking into account empirical medical and scientific evidence in addition to professional custom, as demonstrated by the Helling v. Carey case.
It is also instructive to study the transformation of the locality rule. The adoption of a “consistently qualified doctor” standard instead of a rigorous locality-based approach highlights the need for a more objective, national standard of care. The fact that some states are still utilizing a modified norm that takes into account access to equipment and local resources gives a comprehensive understanding of the matter. A major step in the direction of a more uniform and standardized system for gauging healthcare quality has been taken with the implementation of the national standard of care. The section’s last questions successfully elicit from the reader a contemplation of the ramifications and subtleties surrounding the national standard of care.
The section on “Tort Liability of Hospitals, Insurers, and MCOs provides a thorough summary of the legal framework governing medical malpractice and negligence lawsuits involving various healthcare companies may be found in.” It provides a methodical examination of the legal factors and liability problems that these entities can encounter. The legal responsibilities of healthcare facilities, insurance companies, and managed care companies (in guaranteeing the safety of patients and the required level of care are outlined clearly at the outset of the conversation. This lays the groundwork for comprehending the potential hazards they may encounter. Healthcare Quality Policy and Law
I like how the authors of this book have highlighted the significance of informed consent as well as the need to educate patients about any possible hazards related to medical treatments. It highlights how maintaining a reasonable quality of care is a legal duty for healthcare providers and organizations. It also discusses the difficulties that arise in cases of corporate negligence, which is especially pertinent when it comes to hospitals and MCOs. The reader’s comprehension is improved by the inclusion of concrete examples, like the Tarasoff case, which highlights the practical applications of fundamental legal precepts. The explanation of recent court decisions or important cases that have had a big impact on negligence in the healthcare industry, however, might use some work. A more modern viewpoint might be provided by giving instances of recent court cases or legislative modifications. In terms of healthcare safety and quality for patients, this part offers a solid basis for comprehending the legal obligations and obligations of healthcare facilities, insurance companies, and MCOs.
Furthermore, this chapter covers the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), a federal law that governs compensation plans, including health benefits, offered by private employers, along with its intersection with managed care professional medical liability (Teitelbaum & Wilensky,2016). Specifically, it addresses the prioritization of state legal tort claims brought by people against directed care companies for careless coverage decisions and subpar care. The reflection questions after the ERISA section ask readers to think about whether it makes sense to treat decisions about healthcare coverage as unrelated to medical care it’s own and to what extent families and individuals can afford essential medical care without the help of a third party who will bear some of the financial burdens. In conclusion, the section emphasizes how complicated ERISA is and how it affects state legislation, especially when it comes to handling care and medical insurance issues. The legal system is intricate and has changed as a result of numerous court rulings.
To fully illustrate the enormous influence of technology on the healthcare industry, the section on Health Information Technology (Health IT) is crucial. Health information technology (IT) plays a vital role in raising the standard of healthcare services by streamlining the delivery of care and facilitating electronic features including electronic health records, electronic decision support tools, and electronic prescription capabilities(Teitelbaum & Wilensky,2016).. The technology’s ability to reduce errors in care through notifications and enable the immediate exchange of health information across clinicians is highlighted. Health information technology may significantly improve the standard of care.
The government’s initiatives to promote the uptake of Health IT are also highlighted in the passage, with particular attention paid to Meaningful Use and the Fostering Connectivity Performance Category. It is emphasized how important laws like the HITECH Act and MACRA are in encouraging the use of health IT. Giving specific instances of how healthcare information technology has changed healthcare outcomes and quality might help the text, though. Additionally, a more thorough understanding would be provided by more investigation into the difficulties and obstacles associated with integrating health IT throughout the entire healthcare system (Teitelbaum & Wilensky,2016). The section concludes with a clear explanation of the significance of health information technology for both payment reform and healthcare quality improvement. Although there are references to legislative initiatives, a more thorough explanation of the policies’ real-world applications and success stories will improve the reader’s comprehension. However, the sentence does a good job of illustrating how important health information technology is to the continuous attempts to improve the standard and effectiveness of healthcare.
To sum up, this chapter has covered every aspect of the complex environment that is healthcare quality. It began by outlining the basic idea of excellent healthcare, then went on to talk about accreditation, licensing, and the important issue of medical errors. The chapter covered a lot of ground in the complex area of legal liability related to poor healthcare delivery and decision-making, but it also emphasized the importance of using data and metrics to gauge the quality of healthcare. Notably, legal was explained as just one component of a larger range of tactics meant to improve the quality of healthcare. These tactics included the incorporation of information technology, medical evidence, and the structure of the healthcare system, some of which have been codified into federal legislation. The chapter also highlights the continued difficulties in integrating these tactics within the current legislative frameworks, highlighting the complex and dynamic nature of medical quality enhancement. This all-encompassing perspective highlights the complex interactions between policy, law, and medical advances that are necessary to negotiate the always-changing field of healthcare quality.
Healthcare in the US compared to other High-Income Countries
The article provides a thorough analysis of how the healthcare systems in the United States and other high-income countries compare. It effectively addresses a number of healthcare quality criteria, including equity, efficiency, and accessibility, and provides insightful information on how the United States compares to other nations (Mirror Miror,2021). Nonetheless, the report may be enhanced in certain areas. For example, it may improve transparency by giving more specific details about its methodology and data sources, which would increase the report’s legitimacy. Moreover, even though it deftly points out important problems with the American healthcare system, such as its outrageous pricing and unequal access, it makes no detailed suggestions for fixing them. If the report contained practical advice that stakeholders in healthcare and legislators could utilize to solve these issues, it would have greater influence. Ultimately, enhancing the way data is visually presented using graphs and charts would help communicate the findings more clearly and make the facts more accessible to a wider audience. “Mirror, Mirror 2021” is still a useful tool for anyone looking for a thorough grasp of the quality of healthcare in the US and how it compares to other wealthy countries, even with these areas for improvement. Healthcare Quality Policy and Law
Comparing the quality of healthcare in the US with other nations
The US has a shorter life expectancy compared to peer nations and has experienced deteriorating medical conditions since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, regardless of spending greater sums per capita on medical care compared to any massive and powerful nation serves as a sobering reminder of the shortcomings in the country’s healthcare system. The country finds it difficult to provide healthcare on pace with its peers in high-income levels, even with significant resource investments (Telesford et al., 2023). A dismal picture is painted by the data presented, which thoroughly evaluates several facets of healthcare quality. Noting that the United States’ life expectancy has significantly decreased relative to peer countries—a six-year disparity that became especially noticeable during the COVID-19 pandemic—is especially worrisome. The epidemic also revealed a growing disparity in death rates, highlighting the United States’ inadequate ability to protect its populace.
Furthermore, the idea of “years of life lost” as a proxy for premature mortality rates highlights the widening gaps in the quality of healthcare. The results reveal a troubling reality: communities of color are disproportionately affected by the U.S. healthcare system’s persistent inability to guarantee fair access to high-quality care. The results highlight the vital issue of child safety and mental health support by revealing alarming trends in child and teen mortality. Last but not least, the evaluation of disease burden using DALYs reveals that, despite recent advancements, the United States continues to trail behind other high-income nations, which is indicative of persistent gaps in the quality of healthcare. This sobering research highlights the urgent need for substantial reforms to close these gaps and elevate the standard of healthcare for all Americans, as well as raising important concerns about the efficiency and equity of the American healthcare system. Healthcare Quality Policy and Law
Healthcare Access and Quality
The paper emphasizes the significant obstacles to healthcare quality and access, highlighting a crucial problem in the American healthcare system. It starts by recognizing that about 10% of Americans do not have health insurance, which restricts their access to basic healthcare services as well as their financial capacity to pay for prescription drugs and other medical care, especially for long-term conditions (United States Department of Health and Human Services, n.d.). It has been demonstrated that not having insurance plays a significant role in the low use of preventative care, highlighting the need to put policies in place to increase the rate of insurance coverage and increase the accessibility of comprehensive healthcare to a larger population.
The paper also mentions how people might not receive recommended healthcare services because they don’t have a primary care physician or live far away from medical facilities. This suggests that efforts to close these gaps must focus on expanding access to healthcare providers and enhancing communication. It also outlines a broad range of goals concerning the availability and caliber of healthcare, addressing a variety of topics such as wait times at emergency rooms, family planning, cancer screenings, preventative healthcare, adolescent care, and the incorporation of health IT. Together, these goals highlight the intricacy and difficulties present in the American healthcare system and the pressing need for reforms.
Ultimately, the paper acts as an illustration of the inequalities and problems that still persist in the American healthcare system. Even though the Healthy People 2030 project seeks to address these issues, it emphasizes the need for advancements in a number of crucial areas. To make sure that more individuals have access to promptly and effective medical care, it is imperative to improve health insurance coverage, increase access to healthcare experts, improve communication, and introduce telehealth services. The article’s wide range of goals highlights the complexity of the problem and the demand for an all-encompassing strategy to raise healthcare quality and access across the country.
Americans sour on the Healthcare quality in the US.
The Lydia Saad article’s, “Americans Sour on U.S. Healthcare Quality” highlights a worrisome trend in Americans’ opinions on the quality of healthcare. An important finding is that, for the first time in Gallup’s twenty-years pattern, fewer than half of Americans (48%) believe that the quality of healthcare in the United States is “excellent” or “good.” This shows that the public’s trust in the health system has significantly decreased, with most people now viewing it as inadequate, including 21% who call it “poor.” Despite the slow nature of this deterioration, there are many different contributing factors.
One noteworthy pattern is the party shift in the favorable assessments of healthcare quality, with Democrats retaining lower but generally stable scores and Republicans’ favorable views declining since President Trump left office. Healthcare Quality Policy and Law
Essay
The environment of healthcare quality in the US is complex and constantly changing, but the fundamental foundations of quality assurance are licensure and certification. The purpose of state-mandated licensure is to guarantee that healthcare providers fulfill fundamental competency requirements. In addition, accreditation—which is conducted by non-governmental organizations—goes further in assessing and endorsing superior medical care, demonstrating the dedication to preserving and raising healthcare quality standards. By maintaining high standards for healthcare quality, these systems help to establish the foundation for ongoing progress.
Medical errors are one of the main obstacles in the fight for high-quality healthcare. Because of the potentially disastrous effects of these mistakes, they must be thoroughly addressed. The strategy should include open reporting, fostering a safety-conscious culture within healthcare institutions, and ongoing learning from these mistakes. It is crucial to understand that establishing legal responsibility for medical errors is only one aspect of the complex plan needed to address this problem and raise the standard of care.
The importance of health technological advances (health IT) in improving care quality is also highlighted in the chapter on the quality of healthcare. Electronic medical records, decision support systems, and electronic prescription features are all part of health information technology, which lowers clinical errors and enhances patient care. Health IT helps to improve quality in a variety of clinical settings by enabling the rapid sharing of health information. However, there are still a lot of obstacles to be solved in this field, particularly those about information exchange and interoperability between different health IT systems.
From my own experiences, I have seen both good and bad things about the quality of healthcare in the US. Positively, I have experienced health IT’s advantages, which have improved care coordination by streamlining information access and lowering administrative errors. But I have also seen cases of medical blunders, which emphasizes how important it is to promote a sense of safety and have strong processes in place for dealing with and acquiring from these mistakes. My own experiences support the chapter’s conclusions, which highlight the necessity of ongoing initiatives to raise the standard of healthcare in the US. In summary, the state of medical care in the US is ever-changing and complex. Several issues, such as accreditation, legal liability, licensure, and health IT, are involved in the quest for excellence in the delivery of healthcare. The most important lessons highlight the necessity of a thorough strategy for enhancing healthcare quality and the significance of correcting medical errors. These findings are consistent with personal experiences, which highlight the necessity of ongoing efforts to improve the quality of healthcare in the US.
References APA
Mirror, Mirror 2021: Reflecting Poorly. (2021). Commonwealth Fund. https://doi.org/10.26099/01dv-h208
Teitelbaum, J. B., & Wilensky, S. E. (2016). Essentials of health policy and law. Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Telesford, I., Amin, K., Wager, E., & Cox, C. (2023, October 24). How does the quality of the U.S. health system compare to other countries? – Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker. Peterson-KFF Health System Tracker. https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/chart-collection/quality-u-s-healthcare-system-compare-countries/
United States Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Health Care Access and Quality – Healthy People 2030 | Health.gov. https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/health-care-access-and-quality
