The healthcare system in the US ranks last out of the other eleven technologically advanced nations. This is because costs aren’t in line with the treatment that is received. Here are some of the initiatives that medical professionals are taking towards improving healthcare.
Improving Quality While Reducing Costs
Many patients receive tests that are unnecessary and costly in determining a diagnosis. This has been demonstrated by the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators (NDNQI). They found that patients who have these unnecessary tests didn’t have improved outcomes for their treatment. Hospitals were asked to determine if there was a need for some of their more costly practices. This helped to reduce the overall costs to the hospitals and the patients, while still experiencing similar outcomes for the patient.
Increased Access to Preventative Care
Having access to preventative care results in better health management for the patients. Conditions can be caught at an earlier stage and dealt with more effectively. This prevents the rate of hospitalizations and other more costly procedures. The healthcare industry needs better educated personal in order to meet the demands of the population. For those that have an MSN degree or another such higher education degree, this gives them an opportunity to offer better care to their patients.
Targeted Treatments
Medicine needs to move more towards developing treatments that are specific to each patient. This cuts down on costly procedures and potential side effects of broad based drugs. Technology is allowing healthcare providers to give their patients better options for disease management. Medical professionals have also found that targeting segments of the population that are at high risk can cut down on costs. This may mean that clinics are opened in areas that are more prone to only seeking out medical treatment after a health crisis.
Using New Research Methods
Research studies are working to improve the quality of treatments that are available. Many of these new drugs and surgeries offer patients a greater life expectancy rate. As these treatments become more mainstream, the costs will be reduced. Clinical trials are advancing the frontiers of medicine. They offer alternatives to the standard treatments that may be ineffective for treating certain types of conditions. Some of these studies are funded by drug companies or universities. The ultimate goal is to improve the quality of care the patient receives and reducing the cost of healthcare.
Medical professionals are working to reform the healthcare system. These changes will prove to be beneficial to the patients that they serve.