A 45-year-old female has requested a copy of her 80-year-old father’s health record. She has presented POA and has a legal right to access his records. You provide a copy to the woman, but she has many questions regarding documentation of her father’s diagnosis. He has a Living Will but the daughter does not have the right to make medical decisions. He was admitted to the ICU last week from the skilled nursing facility. When discharged, he was transferred to a long-term care facility that is part of the same healthcare system.
Assignment Instructions
Explain the continuum of healthcare delivery across systems and services. Use the case scenario to provide examples of the continuum of care in a healthcare system.
Evaluate the case and impact of policies on healthcare delivery.
Determine at least one (1) federal level, one (1) state level, and one (1) local level healthcare policy that may impact the case.
Interpret each policy, in relation to the case. (Explain how each policy is relevant to the case scenario) and justify your rationale for applicable policies.
Evaluate and discuss the impact of the patient’s age, relationship with the requestor, and POA for health record access.
Assess the impact of a Living Will and explain in detail why the daughter may/may not have the right to make medical decisions.
Evaluate how the policy affects national and global health delivery systems, both directly and indirectly.
The provided case scenario showcases the intricate connections within the continuum of healthcare delivery across systems and services.
Continuum of Care Explained:
Imagine a patient’s health journey as a river flowing through various landscapes. The continuum of care reflects this journey, encompassing the seamless transition between different healthcare settings and service providers based on the patient’s evolving needs. It includes preventive care, acute care, chronic care, rehabilitative care, and end-of-life care.
Case Scenario Application:
Impact of Policies:
Relevance of Policies:
Age, Relationship, and POA:
Living Will and Decision-Making:
The daughter may not have the right to make all medical decisions for her father due to the presence of a Living Will. This document likely specifies:
If the daughter is not named as the decision-maker, she would lack authority to make medical choices beyond those allowed by her POA (e.g., consent for routine procedures).
National and Global Implications:
Effective policies guiding the continuum of care benefit public health systems:
Global healthcare systems grapple with similar challenges in managing the continuum of care, and effective policy frameworks can be shared and adapted across countries to improve healthcare delivery for all.
In conclusion, this case scenario paints a vivid picture of the interconnectedness within the healthcare delivery system. Understanding the various policies, considerations, and their impact on patients like the 80-year-old father is crucial for optimizing care and upholding individual rights across the care continuum.