Types of Health Care Deliveries Like Inpatient, Outpatient, Etc

One important and visible role of the health system is known as health care delivery which is provided to both the general public and patients.

One important and visible role of the health system is known as health care delivery which is provided to both the general public and patients. Healthcare deliveries focus mainly on patient flows combined with the healthcare organization and delivering services like promotion, restoration, maintenance of health, and diagnosing and treating various diseases.

The prime areas of healthcare delivery services cover specialized care (tertiary and secondary care), public health, dental care, mental health care, informal care, long term cares, emergency/urgent care, primary care, intermediate or rehabilitation care, pharmaceutical care, palliative, inpatient care, outpatient care, etc.

Outpatient Care

Outpatient care is also referred ambulatory care as this form of treatment or service doesn’t require any means of hospitalization. One instance of outpatient care is the yearly exam conducted by your primary care doctor or physician. Another Instance of outpatient care is taking an appointment at a particular specialty facility or clinic, not within a hospital area. Outpatient providers are generally known as primary care physicians.

Following are the broader ways to understand where outpatient care is needed-

 

  • Colonoscopies
  • Routine physical examining
  • Mammograms
  • Radiation or chemotherapy treatment
  • Minor surgery that doesn’t require any invasive methods
  • CT scans, X-Rays, MRIs, etc. forms of imaging
  • Blood work or related lab tests
  • Urgent care treatment

Inpatient Care 

Inpatient care means hospitalization or when a patient gets admitted to a hospital either for an extended period or for one night only. Physicians have to monitor their medical condition at the hospital. Inpatient providers are known as specialists. Sometimes physicians have to offer both inpatient and outpatient care. E.g., GYNs or OB offers outpatient care when they consult with pregnant ladies during their prenatal exam and offers inpatient care when they help in baby delivery.

Following are the examples of inpatient care-

 

  • Childbirth
  • Surgeries that may be routine or complex ones
  • Substantial and constant monitoring of serious medical conditions or illnesses of patients
  • Severe injuries
  • Psychiatric illness that requires rehabilitation services

Primary Care 

Primary care is provided for illness, referral, or injury. This is the first thing one seeks if they notice any medical symptoms or concerns. Patients seek PCP (primary care provider) for regular checkups, general wellness visits, and screening. PCP are physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners. There are many specialists in primary care, like pedestrians, GYNs, OB, or geriatricians, who provide care for a group of patients. Primary care helps to enhance the assess to healthcare providing services and offer effective health results. This type of care is given to reduce the hospital or emergency department visits.

Specialized Care (Tertiary and Secondary Care)

Patients need secondary or tertiary care, also known as specialized care, when their primary care provider refers them to a specialist. The secondary specialists treat particular diseases like –

 

  • Heart /blood vessels by cardiologist
  • Cancers by oncologist
  • Thyroid, diabetes, and hormone system by an endocrinologist

Tertiary care is provided to hospitalized patients and needs high-level specialty care by providers with specialized expertise and equipment knowledge. Tertiary care providers offer the following services-

 

  • Treating severe burns
  • Plastic surgery
  • Surgery related to coronary artery bypass
  • Complex medical treatment
  • Neurosurgeries
  • Dialysis
  • Chronic kidney disease

A medical center generally provides this care, offering advanced care and service.

Dental Care 

Dentists provide dental care to patients having gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss. They help in dental fillings, dental check-ups, professor teeth cleaning, orthodontic treatment, dentures, root canal treatment, and dental fissure cleaning. Dental clinics offer patients the service to check for signs of oral cancer or tooth-related problems. The specialized dentist may be referred to if your situation is complex.

Emergency Care

Medical emergencies are constantly increasing in hospitals and nursing homes. Advanced medical care is given in the following cases-

 

  • Gynecological
  • Trauma
  • Surgical
  • Medical
  • Pediatric Emergencies

It includes ambulance services and well-equipped technologies in ICU like multipara monitoring, oxygen facility, transport ventilator, emergency drugs, etc. managed by trained paramedics called ACLS providers. An emergency medical condition is a sudden worsening of a health condition. So prompt action is given by critical care physicians or Emergency medicine physicians who handle all kinds of emergencies.

Mental Health Care

Countless individuals suffer from mental health problems, and they require mental healthcare to lead an improved quality of life. There are many mental health disorders like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, anxiety disorder, addiction, and depression. Depression and bipolar disorder are mood disorders that are the prime reasons for mental illness and suicide. Mental health care helps these patients reduce the risk of anxiety, stress, substance abuse-related chronic diseases. Therapists, counselors, Primary care doctors help in treating mental illness. PsyD Or Ph.D. psychologist specializes in professional counseling but not any medical training. Psychiatrists are doctors who prescribe medicines and hold therapy sessions to treat emotional, mental, and behavioral problems.

Public Health Care

Public healthcare helps create an environment that will prevent any diseases, promote good health, and establish healthy behavior among the human population. For example, public health care efforts prevent disease outbreaks, educate the masses about healthy choices and infectious disease, prepare for emergency conditions, prevent injury, and make a smoke-free environment. Several communities and systems are set in urban and rural areas like community health centers, government hospitals, primary health centers, and sub-centers offering public health care. The policy options of legislators improve the health of the entire population.

Pharmaceutical Care

The pharmacist provides pharmaceutical care to supply good quality medicines within the law's borders. They suggest to patients the number of drugs to be taken and answer their questions. They ensure the effective and safe use of medicines and inform the patients about the symptoms /side effects of the drugs. The medicine supply chain is properly supervised by pharmacists and ensures that the medicines prescribed to patients are suitable. There are community pharmacists as well as hospital pharmacists,

These types of healthcare systems help put the diagnosed patient at the center of care and provides opportunities for healthcare solutions to a large number of people who are suffering from various chronic diseases. All these integrated health care systems have changed the traditional methods of health service delivery. Medical Coding Training online would help you understand the different types of healthcare deliveries.


Eldon Frami

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