Healthcare Systems Overview

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What are Healthcare Systems?

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Healthcare systems encompass the organizations, institutions, resources, and people that deliver healthcare services to meet the health needs of target populations.

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Growth of Healthcare Systems

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Healthcare is one of the largest and fastest-growing industries in the US, offering employment opportunities to over 13 million workers in more than 200 careers.

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Healthcare Expenditures

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Healthcare is a four-billion-dollar-per-day business and continues to grow.

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Types of Private Health Care Facilities

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Includes hospitals (general, specialty, government, university/college medical centers), long-term care facilities, emergency care services, laboratories, home health care, hospice agencies, medical and dental offices, clinics, optical centers, mental health facilities, genetic counseling centers, rehabilitation facilities, industrial/occupational health care centers, and school health services.

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Classification of Hospitals

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Hospitals can be classified based on income as proprietary, religious, non-profit, or government.

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Long-term Care Facilities (LTC or LTCF)

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Provide care for the elderly, physically or mentally disabled, and those with chronic illnesses. Includes nursing or geriatric homes, extended care or skilled care, and independent or assisted living.

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Special Services of LTC Facilities

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Includes delivery of meals to homes, senior citizen or day care centers, and social activities for geriatrics.

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Home Health Care

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Care provided in a patient's home, including nursing care, personal care (ADLs), therapy, and homemaking.

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Hospice Agencies

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Provide care for terminally ill patients with less than 6 months to live, either in-home or in hospice facilities.

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Government Agencies in Healthcare

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Government services are tax-supported and include international (WHO), national (USDHHS, NIH, CDC, FDA, AHCPR, OSHA), and state/local health departments.