substantively respond to this discussion(give a reponse with reference)
Being a physician can be a rewarding and fulfilling job, but it is not without it challenges. Challenges such as rising costs, new regulations to follow, and rising administration burdens are all affecting the healthcare experience for both patients and providers.
One of the biggest problems is the rise in costs. Patients and providers are facing an increase in costs and it is taking its toll. For physicians the cost of running a practice is continuing to rise. A major reason for this cost increase is requirements to convert to new systems and protocols such as Meaningful Use. Meaningful Use is a program for converting to certified Electronic Health Records (EHR). Over 85% of physicians have now transitioned to EHR, and it is not cheap. According to statistics from Michigan Center for Effective IT Adoption, the average cost for an in-office system is $48,000. Along with this cost, many physicians have cited a drop in productivity since the implementation of the system. In a survey done by Medical Economics, 70% of physicians said the conversion to EHR was not worth it because it was too costly.
Another challenge facing physicians is the increase in administrative burdens. The increase in the amount of paperwork needing to be completed is cutting into physician’s time with patients. In 2013, 58% of physicians spent more than one day a week on paperwork. That number has increased to 70% in 2014. Electronic changes, such as Meaningful Use, are also adding to the administrative burden. Physicians are forced to squeeze in time for their patients in between piles of paperwork, and it is taking its toll on physician efficiency and on-the-job-happiness. Because administrative duties cut into a patient’s face time with their physician, this is not good for the overall patient-physician relationship.
References:
Terry, K., Ritchie, A., Marbury, D., Smith, L., & Pofeldt, E. (2014, December 1). Top 15 challenges facing physicians in 2015. Retrieved October 5, 2015, from http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/medical-economics/news/top-15-challenges-facing-physicians-2015?page=full
Second Discussion to respond to: Two healthcare challenges that affect hospitals now and in the future are medical errors, and infections/antibiotic resistance.
Medical errors occur in hospitals, some things that can affect errors include staffing ratios per patient, inadequate training, poor time management, medication discrepancies, impaired providers and outdated equipment. Those are just a few of the many examples of factors that can affect patient care and hospitals. Medical errors can be minor or major, a sentinel event is when a patient dies or has a serious injury unrelated to their present illness. Medical errors cost hospitals millions of dollars each year. In a journal article I read online, to make an error is human, “98,000 hospital deaths that can be attributed to medical errors each year, 90% are the result of failed systems and procedures” (Rodriguez, Storm, & Burris, 2009). Hospital employees need to be truthful regarding errors and report the incident. Hospitals have error reporting systems and risk management programs that are required by laws and regulations.
Hospital acquired infections are on the rise and patients are developing resistance to antibiotics. According to an article on Medscape, “hospital-acquired infections are caused by viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens; the most common types are bloodstream infection (BSI), pneumonia (eg, ventilator-associated pneumonia [VAP]), urinary tract infection (UTI), and surgical site infection (SSI)” (Custodio, 2014). Lines and catheters need to have proper care during hospital stays and be removed as soon as possible to decrease risks of infections. Healthcare providers need to have good hand hygiene practices, and adhere to hospital policies. Antibiotic resistance is caused by the over use of antibiotics, and organisms that adapt and mutate to become stronger and more resistant to certain medications. For example, a person that has chronic urinary tract infections might not be able to take the same antibiotic they usually take, the organism can become use to the antibiotic over time and strengthen, requiring the patient to be prescribed a stronger antibiotic. Another thing that can cause resistance is when patients do not finish all medications as prescribed. Antibiotic resistance infections in health care put other patients at risk, and can be costly for hospitals to treat, patients can get sicker and develop sepsis- a blood stream infection.
References:
Custodio, MD, H. (2014). Hospital Acquired Infections. Retrieved from http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/967022-overview
Rodriguez, M. A., Storm, C. D., & Burris, H. A. (2009). Medical Errors: Physician and Institutional Responsibilities. Journal of Oncology Practice, 5(1), 24–26. http://doi.org/10.1200/JOP.0918502
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