"[This book is] the most authoritative assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of recent trends toward the commercialization of health care," says Robert Pear of The New York Times. This major study by the Institute of Medicine examines virtually all aspects of for-profit health care in the United States, including the quality and availability of health care, the cost of medical care, access to financial capital, implications for education and research, and the fiduciary role of the physician. In addition to the report, the book contains 15 papers by experts in the field of for-profit health care covering a broad range of topicsâ€"from trends in the growth of major investor-owned hospital companies to the ethical issues in for-profit health care. "The report makes a lasting contribution to the health policy literature." â€"Journal of Health Politics, Policy and Law.
As more people live longer, the need for quality long-term care for the elderly will increase dramatically. This volume examines the current system of nursing home regulations, and proposes an overhaul to better provide for those confined to such facilities. It determines the need for regulations, and concludes that the present regulatory system is inadequate, stating that what is needed is not more regulation, but better regulation. This long-anticipated study provides a wealth of useful background information, in-depth study, and discussion for nursing home administrators, students, and teachers in the health care field; professionals involved in caring for the elderly; and geriatric specialists.
Among the issues confronting America is long-term care for frail, older persons and others with chronic conditions and functional limitations that limit their ability to care for themselves. Improving the Quality of Long-Term Care takes a comprehensive look at the quality of care and quality of life in long-term care, including nursing homes, home health agencies, residential care facilities, family members and a variety of others. This book describes the current state of long-term care, identifying problem areas and offering recommendations for federal and state policymakers. Who uses long-term care? How have the characteristics of this population changed over time? What paths do people follow in long term care? The committee provides the latest information on these and other key questions. This book explores strengths and limitations of available data and research literature especially for settings other than nursing homes, on methods to measure, oversee, and improve the quality of long-term care. The committee makes recommendations on setting and enforcing standards of care, strengthening the caregiving workforce, reimbursement issues, and expanding the knowledge base to guide organizational and individual caregivers in improving the quality of care.
Hospitals and nursing homes are responding to changes in the health care system by modifying staffing levels and the mix of nursing personnel. But do these changes endanger the quality of patient care? Do nursing staff suffer increased rates of injury, illness, or stress because of changing workplace demands? These questions are addressed in Nursing Staff in Hospitals and Nursing Homes, a thorough and authoritative look at today's health care system that also takes a long-term view of staffing needs for nursing as the nation moves into the next century. The committee draws fundamental conclusions about the evolving role of nurses in hospitals and nursing homes and presents recommendations about staffing decisions, nursing training, measurement of quality, reimbursement, and other areas. The volume also discusses work-related injuries, violence toward and abuse of nursing staffs, and stress among nursing personnelâ€"and examines whether these problems are related to staffing levels. Included is a readable overview of the underlying trends in health care that have given rise to urgent questions about nurse staffing: population changes, budget pressures, and the introduction of new technologies. Nursing Staff in Hospitals and Nursing Homes provides a straightforward examination of complex and sensitive issues surround the role and value of nursing on our health care system.
Effective Management of Long-Term Care Facilities, Third Edition examines the complex operations of the long-term care facility and offers critical skills to current and future long-term care administrators for delivering quality, cost-effective services. Comprehensive, yet concise, the Third Edition explores the necessary skills and tools for creating a person-centered environment. Topics covered include: how to adapt an existing nursing facility, the growing culture change movement, and the laws, regulations, and financing of the long-term care industry, as well as its organization and delivery. Finally, this book offers extensive coverage of the essential skills necessary to manage it all.
This unique, spiral-bound handbook is compact, portable, and written with busy home health nurses in mind! Organized by body system, it offers instant advice on assessment and care planning for the disorders home health nurses are likely to encounter. Providing assessment guides for all body systems, the home environment, and the client's psychological status, it includes full care plans for over 50 illnesses and conditions most commonly encountered in the home. Each plan lists nursing diagnoses, short- and long-term expected outcomes, nursing interventions, and client caregiver interventions. Care plans are organized by body systems to allow for quick retrieval of information. Both short-term and long-term outcomes are included in the care plans to aid evaluation of the care provided. Detailed assessment guidelines are provided for all body systems to facilitate complete and comprehensive client examinations. Guidelines for environmental and safety assessments aid in the appraisal and improvement of clients' living conditions. Client and caregiver interventions are outlined in the care plans to promote active client participation in self-care. The convenient pocket size makes transportation and use convenient to home health nurses. Appendices on documentation guidelines, laboratory values, medication administration, home care resources, and standard precautions provide quick access to useful home care information. Related OASIS items are identified in the assessment section, and ICD-9 diagnostic codes in the care plans section assist with proper home care documentation. Visit frequency and duration schedules are suggested within each care plan to assist nurses in evaluating and planning care. NANDA nursing diagnoses are consistent with the latest 2001-2002 nomenclature. An increase in suggested therapy referrals within the care plans and in a new appendix helps nurses identify indicators for specialized services. A fully updated Resources Appendix includes websites for easy access to home health service information.
This book, selected for inclusion in Doody's Core Titles in the Health Sciences, 2005 edition (DCT), will inform you about the theoretical and practical applications of culture change within the institutional long-term care setting. It examines existing models of positive cultures, emphasizing philosophy, underpinning, and implementation. You'll gain a greater understanding of theoretical frameworks for organizational change, of the changes that can occur in all members of the long-term care community, and of culture change in the context of broad organizational experience and cultural competence.
