American Health Care Systems Issues Health And Social Care Essay

The Ever Increasing Cost of Care. The cost of wellness attention has been on the addition for decennaries. From 1960 through 2006, wellness attention disbursement has seen an addition of 9.9 per centum each twelvemonth, while the national Gross Domestic Product ( GDP ) rose merely 7.3 per centum during the same period. Additionally, Americans are paying well more than any other developed state. In 2008 entirely, the national wellness attention measure was about $ 2.5 trillion dollars ( Johnson T. , 2010 ) . This astronomical sum was about 16 per centum of the Gross Domestic Product. In simpler footings, every adult male, adult female, and kid in the state received $ 7,680 of medical attention ; yet, 1000000s of Americans had no coverage at all ( Kimbuende, Ranji, Lundy, & A ; Salganicoff, 2010 ) . In comparing, England ‘s wellness attention budget for 2009 was $ 160 billion for every English citizen ( Lyall, 2010 ) . In fact, no other industrialised state had similar outgos as the United States. President Obama admitted every bit much in a 2009 address to the American Medical Association: â€Å" Today, we are passing over $ 2 trillion a twelvemonth on wellness attention – about 50 per centum more per individual than the following most dearly-won state † ( 2009 ) . What state was the following most dearly-won? Actually, Norway and Switzerland were the following more dearly-won states with both passing $ 4,500 per individual in 2007 ( Pearson, 2009 ) . In add-on, insurance premiums have risen well in the last decennary. Employer-provided insurance premiums rose over 130 per centum while employee rewards merely saw an approximative 30 per centum addition. Furthermore, workers have seen their part addition over 125 per centum since 1999. The people who purchase their ain insurance have a significant addition in premium monetary values every bit good. The monetary value of the mean household policy in 2009 was $ 7,102 with an extra $ 1,690 spent on out-of-pocket disbursals ( Schoen, Nicholson, & A ; Rustgi, 2009 ) . Medicare and Medicaid presently account for approximately $ 750 billion dollars or 21 per centum of the national budget with Medicare having about two-thirds at $ 468 billion ( Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 2010 ) . Payroll revenue enhancements were responsible for about 90 per centum of Medicare funding merely two old ages ago. Currently, Medicare is the primary insurance coverage for 45 million people. The bulk of receivers are over 65 but there are several million younger persons enrolled because of entire disablement. About 50 per centum of Medicare enrollees have at least three ongoing medical issues ; about half are besides really hapless. Ten per centum of Medicare receivers are responsible for two-thirds of the full plan ‘s disbursement ( Potetz & A ; Cubanski, 2009 ) . Obviously, Medicare needs more gross come ining its system or less money go outing its system. A combination of both would give the most favourable overcome for the plan. About 60 million Americans are take parting in the Medicaid plan with an extra 16 million enrolling in the following five old ages due to the health care reform jurisprudence. In 2008, the state spent about $ 340 billion on Medicaid. Which is non surprising since Medicaid is the primary remunerator for nursing place and other long-run attention. In add-on, Medicaid pays for much of mental wellness costs. It besides provides public infirmaries with 33 per centum of their net gross. Millions of people are working because Medicaid provides support for many occupations in the community. Like Medicare, a little per centum of Medicaid patients are responsible for over 50 per centum of entire Medicaid disbursement. Yet, Medicaid has the lowest administrative costs of all insurance remunerators ( Kaiser Family Foundation, 2010 ) . Where Is All The Money Going? Hospital attention is devouring the largest per centum of wellness attention dollars. For 2008, it accounted for about 30 per centum of all wellness attention disbursement. Unsurprisingly, the cost for the mean stay of four and one-half yearss will change from one installation to another ( U.S. Department of Health & A ; Human Services, 2008 ) . As an illustration, the cost for handling pneumonia can be every bit small as $ 1,900 or every bit much as about $ 16,000. Furthermore, the 30-day readmission rate was similar regardless of the cost of intervention. Similar attention should intend similar cost yet with the state ‘s infirmaries this is clearly non the instance ( Chen, Jha, & A ; Guterman, 2010 ) . Doctor and clinical services are besides devouring a immense per centum at 20 per centum. Many would reason malpractice or the fright thereof is driving some of these costs. However, physicians may good be the key to harnessing in physician-related disbursals ( Kaiser Family Foundation, 2009 ) . Training on the fiscal elements of wellness attention needs to be of high precedence, such preparation will do physicians more cognizant of the cost of a peculiar class of intervention. They will besides be more willing to order a generic or cheaper drug that will supply the same consequences ( Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, 2010 ) . At 10 per centum, prescription drug use is besides taking a big part of the wellness attention dollars. Prescription drug disbursement has been the fastest turning component of the wellness attention field. In merely 18 old ages, disbursement for prescription drugs jumped from approximately $ 40 billion yearly to $ 234 billion in 2008. For several old ages, drug shapers enjoyed the most net income of any industry. Conversely, generic drugs were one of the primary grounds that prescription drug disbursement slowed by 12 per centum from 1999 until 2005. Of all the FDA approved drugs, 80 per centum has a cheaper, generic equivalent. Because of this low-cost option, most physicians will discourse the out-of-pocket cost of medicines with their patients. Over 60 per centum of physicians switched to a less dearly-won drug and 58 per centum of doctors provided free samples to their patients ( Lundy, 2010 ) . Solutions to Escalating Health Care Costss Technology will be indispensable in commanding costs. Electronic medical records will non merely cut down some administrative costs but it would besides let physicians to entree pertinent information needed to handle the patient in the most efficient and effectual manner. For illustration, the medical records would clearly demo the doctor all current trials and lab work completed, thereby diminishing the likeliness of extra acerate leaf trials and lab work every bit good as X raies. They would besides alarm the physician to patients who may be merely seeking to obtain narcotics. Most significantly, they have the possible to cut down medical mistakes in prescriptions drug interactions and in transmittal of really of import information between different medical suppliers ( Johnson T. , 2010 ) . A consumer-driven program is besides really of import in cost containment. When the patient has input in their ain wellness attention determinations, they become better consumers. Therefore, it is imperative that the existent costs of wellness services are readily available to the patient. Most consumer directed programs besides involve greater cost sharing, which will be ineluctable in promoting people to go more cognizant of the high cost of medical attention in America ( Johnson, 2010 ) . The bar of chronic preventable disease will be a cardinal component in commanding costs. Obesity, although non technically a disease, is the precursor to other really preventable, chronic diseases. Type 2 diabetes and bosom disease are two of the diseases straight related to fleshiness. Possible fiscal inducements to employees may promote more people to watch their weight and to take part in some sort of physical activity if needed. Some companies have gone every bit far as to increase the employee portion of premium part if an employee has high hazard factors such as fleshiness or baccy usage. Similarly, Medicaid patients should portion in the cost of their intervention. For illustration, if a patient does non desire to do important life style alterations to continue their wellness position so they should be required to pay some clip of extra fee. As overall wellness indexs improve, the fee can be refunded to the patient. Nicotine trials for baccy users can be one index. The resting bosom rate may be another index used for physical activity since the resting bosom rate lessenings, as a individual becomes more physical active. And, yes, the parents have to be held responsible for the negative wellness indexs of minor kids. Standardized medical charge could perchance salvage one million millions of dollars in administrative costs. For case, should all insurance companies use a procedure similar to the 1 used for treating Medicare claims ; there will be a drastic decrease in administrative disbursals. Of class, this would see uniformity in entry and payment of all claims. This would besides cut down the waiting period for payment ( Evans, 2010 ) . A Dim Future If wellness attention cost are non curtailed, economical desolation will be the result. Many employers are fighting to maintain up with the ever-increasing cost of wellness attention. Employers spent $ 460 billion for medical coverage in 2006. In other words, they spent 12 per centum of entire working budget on wellness insurance. Because of the uninterrupted addition in insurance costs, companies have to increase the cost of goods sold. General Motor reportedly has to add about $ 2,000 to the monetary value of each vehicle to cover the $ 5 billion it spends on employee wellness attention each twelvemonth. Employers spend $ 2.38 per hr for medical benefits while their foreign rivals spend $ .96. In fact, Johnson claimed, â€Å" At 12 per centum, wellness attention is the most expensive benefit paid by U.S. employers † ( 2010 ) . If this tendency continues, American companies will probably free fight in the international playing field. Some employers will hold no other option other than dropping wellness attention coverage wholly. Many more Americans will probably register bankruptcy because of reeling medical measures. Presently, about half of all personal bankruptcies file are partially because of medical disbursals. Many people are proroguing intervention because of cost. When intervention is eventually obtained, the status is much more expensive to handle with longer recovery periods. Seniors will hold to salvage a considerable sum to cover costs that Medicare will non pay ( Kaiser Family Foundation, 2009 ) . More employers are switching much of insurance premium increases to the worker. This in bend is go forthing more people with less take-home wage and larger out-of-pocket disbursals. In order to salvage money, some workers will non seek medical aid when needed. Alternatively, they will take extra ill yearss trusting remainder will do things better. Merely when the consumer usage available wellness attention sagely, will at that place be a positive result. Unfortunately, many may take to waive medical intervention when it is most needful ( Johnson, Rockoff, & A ; Mathews, 2010 ) . Medicare and Medicaid are the primary insurance for 1000000s of aged and hapless Americans. Numerous persons are besides double eligible, which allows them to have coverage from Medicare and Medicaid at the same time. Dual eligible persons must hold really low income to measure up for both plans. Intelligibly, these persons have much greater wellness demands than regular Medicare receivers. Medicare is the primary coverage ; nevertheless, Medicaid helps to pay the Medicare premiums. Medicaid besides picks up the check for services that are restricted or non collectible under Medicare. Medicaid pays for the long-run attention of 70 per centum of nursing place occupants. In add-on, because of the wellness attention reform jurisprudence, 1000000s more will be added. Although, province and federal money fund the Medicaid plan, the federal authorities will pay 96 per centum of the cost for people enrolled because of the wellness attention authorization ( Kaiser Family Foundation, 2010 ) . Decision Without a uncertainty, something has to be done to decelerate the cost of wellness attention so every American can hold entree to quality, low-cost attention. Electronic medical records can be a start in the acclivitous conflict to suppress cost. The benefits of fewer medical mistakes, less paperwork, and a more dependable transmittal of pertinent information greatly outweigh privateness concerns. Standardized charge will besides cut down administrative costs and see timely processing of all claims ( Johnson T. , 2010 ) . Furthermore, the figure of people having Medicare will increase to 79 million in twenty old ages. The aging population and longer life anticipation are responsible for this immense figure. Additionally, the figure of workers paying into the fund will see a lessening ( Potetz & A ; Cubanski, 2009 ) . How can an already delicate system survive this added strain? The registration age has to be raised a few more old ages. This will let more people to work longer to pay in and prorogue the registration of more people at the same time. Medicaid on the other manus, need more people paying just premiums and co-payments. The consumer of wellness services has the duty of doing better lifestyle picks. Chronic, ongoing medical issues have a annihilating consequence on persons, their households, and the national wellness attention system.

Change theory Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Change theory - Assignment Example As such, people have to be made aware of the proposed changes and benefits and develop higher efficiency in them through motivation and in-depth understanding of the situation. Exchange of information and communication forms the key component of nursing and patient care. Bedside handovers constitute an essential part of this process whereby nurses provide relevant and latest patient information and health data to other nurses resuming the second or the third shift. Traditionally, bedside handovers comprised majorly of in-charge nurses providing the details. However, it lacked individualized care, psychosocial components of nursing and in a way; two-way interaction was absent (Chaboyer et al. 2009). Another shortcoming is the requirement of in-charge nurse to be present to handover the clinical details to the resuming nurse. But sometimes, it leads to irrelevant and outdated details which cause dissatisfaction among patients that they are not being properly taken care of. Further, information was not available to others involved who might need it any time and can have access even without the presence of the nurse in-charge. This calls for a change in the practice of bedside handovers whereby the way of reporting and communicating patient clinical information has to be addressed (Chaboyer et al. 2009). Apart from verbal information, it will take into account other modes which can deliver information on the current status of patients, better bed side reporting techniques and more personalized attention to the patients (Appendix 1). Various theories are applied to various planned changes. However, all change theories are not standard fit that can be applied on every project. As for this case, the need for change has been recognized by the management which has to be communicated to the nurses and patients first. Though there are several change models like Lewin’s model of unfreezing, moving and freezing; Lippitt’s Theory of introducing a

Psychology2 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Psychology2 - Essay Example Humans also commit direct aggression in situations where circumstances are dangerous , thus, aggression can be used as a defense. Most common manifestation of aggression employed by humans are passive ones such as indifference, silence, ignoring, refusal to perform a task, or even spreading malicious gossip. Usually, people who express indirect aggression play subordinate roles such as children, lower rank employees, or someone who does not have any authority whether in a formal or informal setting. For example, young people who resent parental authority become indifferent and ignore their parents when communicating with them. They often stay inside their rooms and pretend to be busy or sleeping. However, once confronted, these young people talk back and say insulting words to their parents. In a societal level, groups who disapprove of a certain person or another group usually spread malicious rumors that damage character or reputation. Thus, the gossip becomes a tool of social control. Consequently, verbal confrontations result to direct, physical aggression. 2. There are many reasons why a person behaves aggressively. Manifestation of aggression is commonly seen in young people. One of the common factor as explained in a study is that a group of people need to perform roles that are expected of them by the society. The research argued that : A concrete example of this would be street gangs who try to make an impression to the community or society. Pressure from gang members to prove one’s loyalty can result to displaying aggression in public. As a group, gang members gain reputation by showing direct verbal aggression in the form of insult that would provoke other groups to retaliate. Consequently, the aggression becomes more physical and leads to violent behavior resulting to injury or even death. Another form of direct physical aggression

English - School Lunches Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

English - School Lunches - Research Paper Example As the school bell rings for lunch, children rush to the canteen to fill their hungry stomachs. Most schools have a menu from which children can select for their lunch. The lunch time for the kids is a time not only to energize themselves but also to sit with their friends and have a good time. However though, there are certain concerns which are going unnoticed by the school authorities. Concerns A lot of teachers have noticed a tired set of students attending the classes which are conducted after lunch. The reason for tiresome students has been the food they consume. Most schools though are not able to provide healthy food to the students. This has been a problem for most of the schools. In most schools, the menu for lunch reads a list of junk foods which is wrong. Looking at the menu, children have no other option but to consume them. The school authorities should take responsibilities and stop selling junk foods. One of the main reasons why junk food should be stopped is it affec ts the health of the children a lot. It is the major reason for child obesity. To be unfit and obese at a young age is a concern. Survey has shown that 32% of the youngsters are obese. One can accept the fact that such food is sold outside to earn money but it is unacceptable when such food is sold in schools. Due of the lack of fresh foods and healthy foods, students buy cheap junk foods. Pizzas, pastas, chips, cookies and burgers form the main menu in school lunches. Consumption of these means a lot of sugar is consumed by the children. School lunches have a high level of sugar content in them. Healthier food would mean that the obesity rate is reduced. Another reason why cafeterias should not serve junk food is that it keeps the energy levels of the children low. High energized food shall help the children to maintain good focus and participate in sports as well. Lunch is the most important since it falls in the middle of the day. Consuming junk food will extracts all the energy and reduces the physical activity. One cannot perform to their potential if they do not have enough energy. In one of the schools, children complained of less stamina while practicing soccer. When the coach investigated in their diet, he found out that most of them had a packet of chips and soda before practice. He advised them not to consume fried and fatty foods before exercising since it consumes most of the energy from the body. Studies have shown that the most commonly food consumed by children is cookies, candy, cakes and ice cream. This is also the reason for children losing energy during their noon classes. He stressed on the importance of consuming healthy and natural food which give energy to our bodies. Despite schools imparting knowledge to the children on how to remain healthy, sometimes they miss out on providing healthy food to them. The authorities should notice this and make sure that children are provided good food. Quality Most of the science classes teach the chi ldren that good food is the secret of a healthy life. However though, the same is not followed in schools. Authorities take a lot of effort to make sure that children get tasty food, but they miss out on the quality. In an era where health has been given primary importance, schools have neglected that. Parents have complained that their children are suffering from illness frequently and their immune systems have gone down. An inspection conducted by the officials brought a

Animal in research Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Animal in research - Essay Example Prior approval from Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) is mandatory before using animals for such purposes. An estimated 100-200 million non-human animals are used and decimated annually through out the world in universities, medical colleges, research institutes, defense and public health establishments, commercial and pharmaceutical companies etc. Non-human animal testing is conducted chiefly for basic research, applied research and toxicology or safety testing. The proponents of animal testing argue that animals have a significant role in research that can benefit both animals and humans. Major development in medicine and science has been possible through such researches. Animals such as mice was used for development of the drug penicillin(awarded with Nobel prize), dogs for organ transplantation as well as Pavlov's experimentation, mice and monkey's for the vaccine poliomyelitis etc. The very edifice of morality and ethics is based on the principle that humans are unique and distinct from non-human and so they can utilize animals for their benefit. It is also a moral duty to elevate the misery of both animals and humans by researching developing medical science and science in general. Since non-human animals are less developed they are not so sensitive to pain and suffering.

Envirnmental issues Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Envirnmental issues - Essay Example It is a threat to the environment because it has led to an increase in the temperature of the world which has been accompanied by other ecological alterations (Houghton 2004). Global warming as the name indicates is a worldwide problem which has been explained by Sir David King who is the chief scientific adviser of the UK government in the following words, â€Å"Climate change is a far greater threat to the world than international terrorism† (BBC, 2004). Global warming is basically a rise in the temperature of the world. The increased release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere has been identified as a major reason for global warming. This results due to the increased usage of motor vehicles which have been linked with emissions of carbon in the atmosphere. Furthermore, increased industrialization has also resulted in an increase in the release of these gases into the atmosphere. Deforestation accompanied with the forest fires are also major reasons for the rise in the global temperature across the world (Chemical & Engineering News, 2005; Desonie, 2008). Strict regulations are essential for all the contributors of global warming. It has been seen that laws have been passed with regard to controlling the emission of gases from the motor vehicles. Research is underway for the creation of ways that limit the passage of gases into the atmosphere. Permafrost is one such substance which limits the release of the emissions into the atmosphere. But its efficiency is also reducing. The best method to control global warming is to limit the release of gases into the atmosphere and hence this would limit the raise in the temperature of the world (Bhargava 2004; Desonie, 2008; Tesar, 1991). The issue of global warming needs to be tackled as it is an issue of concern. It can lead to severe effects for the environment of the world. The increased temperature across the globe can result in the melting of glaciers which would

Cell bio lab report Essay Example for Free

Cell bio lab report Essay Purpose: During this experiment we compared the hemagglutination reaction of control Con A solution at 2 mg/ml in Con A buffer with the hemagglutination reaction of your own purified Con A sample that you diluted previously at 2 mg/ml in Con A buffer. The purpose of this lab was to determine the strength of the reaction by performing serial dilutions on both the Con A sample and the control Con A sample, and determine through observations whether or not addition of galactose or mannose will inhibit this reaction. I hypothesize that the Con A + galactose solutions will have partial agglutination and partial no agglutination, and the Con A + mannose solutions will have all no agglutination. Results: Rows A and B had half agglutination and half no agglutination, while row C had all no agglutination. Row D had half agglutination and half partial agglutination, while row E had 4 columns with agglutination and 8 columns with no agglutination. Row F had complete agglutination throughout. Con A reaction plate (Row/Column) Reaction A1-A6 (Control) Agglutination/inhibited A7-A12 (Control) No Agglutination/not inhibited B1-B6 (Con A + galactose) Agglutination/inhibited B7-B12 (Con A + galactose) No Agglutination/not inhibited C1-C12 (Con A + mannose) No Agglutination/not inhibited D1-D5 (Sample) Agglutination/inhibited D6-D12 (Sample) Partial agglutination/inhibited E1-E4 (Con A + galactose) Agglutination/inhibited E5-E12 (Con A + galactose) No Agglutination/not inhibited F1-F12 (Con A + mannose) No agglutination/not inhibited G1-G12 ((-)Control) Partial agglutination/inhibited H1-H12 (RBCs) Partial agglutination/inhibited Discussion: My hypothesis was proven correct, the Con A + galactose solutions did have partial agglutination and partial no agglutination, and the Con A + mannose solutions did have all no agglutination. This means that in the Con A + galactose solutions the ones that had agglutination the red cells aggregated with the lectin and sediment in the form of a uniform layer that covered the whole bottom of the well including the slopes, and in the Con A + mannose solutions the ones that failed to have agglutination take place covered only part of the bottom. We found through this experiment that the control Con A sample and the Con A sample had very similar strengths of reaction. Conclusion: In this experiment through serial dilutions on a 96 well plate we determined the strength of the each reaction on both the Con A sample and the control sample. We found through our experiment that the addition of galactose or mannose will partially inhibit or inhibit the reaction between our Con A sample and control Con A sample.