Reflection on what you have accomplished in completing your course of student by your work in this capstone course and what skills you will continue to develop and improve on as you begin or advance in your career in healthcare management.
Part 1: Plan for proposed healthcare facility
You have been asked to present your plan for the proposed health care facility to the Board of Directors. Based on your previous assignments, you are to develop a proposal
The type of health care facility (Week 1)
Discuss the type of facility that you are recommending and the rationale behind your recommendation. For example, if you chose an ambulatory care facility, explain the reasons why this type of facility would be recommended over another type.
Discuss the type of health care delivery and services that are provided at the facility.
Discuss the type of staff that will work in the facility. Specify the position categories and/or titles for these positions and include what are the credentials or licensures required by these positions in the state in which you live where you proposed facility would be located.
Financing the organization (Week 2)
Discuss the method(s) of reimbursement that you believe will work best for the health care facility that you have proposed to be developed, and explain why you chose that method.
Discuss the pros and cons of the reimbursement method(s) you chose.
Discuss the impact that the method(s) may have on the financial operations of the facility that you chose.
Medical technology (Week 3)
Discuss the financial and health benefits that can be realized by implementing an electronic health record (EHR).
Discuss the estimated cost of implementing an EHR and the estimated cost of managing an EHR over the long run.
Discuss current security concerns surrounding health information technology (HIT) and the EHR.
Discuss how electronic health records can be used for decision-making and problem-solving.
Choose 1 piece of federal legislation, e.g., HIPAA, HITECH Act, Meaningful Use), and discuss the requirements that legislation imposes on the use of HIT and the EHR.
Ethical and legal considerations (Week 4)
Discuss an accrediting body that will provide accreditation to the facility you are proposing.
Discuss the ethical or legal requirements and responsibilities that a health care organization has in ensuring that its facility is licensed, certified, and accredited. When discussing licensure requirements, ensure that you research requirements based on the state in which you reside.
When discussing licensure requirements, ensure that you research requirements based on the state in which you reside.
Full Answer Section
Recommendation: I propose developing an ambulatory care facility.
Rationale:
- Community Needs: Based on research, our community experiences a shortage of primary care services and preventative care options. An ambulatory care facility focuses on outpatient services, making it accessible and affordable for a wider range of patients.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Ambulatory care offers preventive and diagnostic services, often at a lower cost compared to hospital-based care. This can reduce overall healthcare spending and improve population health.
- Convenience: Outpatient services minimize disruption to patients' lives and can be more readily accessible, especially for routine checkups or minor procedures.
Healthcare Delivery and Services:
- Primary care services: Preventative care, health screenings, chronic disease management, and referrals to specialists.
- Diagnostic services: X-ray, lab testing, and other diagnostic procedures to support primary care services.
- Mental health services: Individual and group therapy sessions, medication management, and referrals to specialists if needed.
- Women's health services: Routine checkups, cervical cancer screenings, family planning services, and prenatal care.
Facility Staff:
- Physicians: Board-certified family medicine practitioners or general internists.
- Nurse practitioners and physician assistants: To provide primary care services and collaborate with physicians.
- Registered nurses: To assist physicians, administer medications, perform assessments, and educate patients.
- Licensed practical nurses (LPNs): To provide basic care, assist registered nurses, and perform administrative tasks.
- Medical assistants: To schedule appointments, take vital signs, and assist with administrative duties.
- Behavioral health professionals: Therapists and counselors to provide mental health services.
- Administrative staff: Medical coders, receptionists, and billing specialists.
Staff Credentials and Licensure:
State-specific licensure requirements will apply.
- Physicians: MD (Doctor of Medicine) or DO (Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine) license.
- Nurse practitioners: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree and national certification as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP).
- Physician assistants: Master's degree in Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) and national certification as a Physician Assistant (PA-C).
- Registered nurses (RNs): Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and current RN license in the state.
- Licensed practical nurses (LPNs): Associate's degree or diploma in practical nursing and current LPN license.
- Medical assistants: Certification from an accredited medical assistant program.
- Behavioral health professionals: Master's degree in social work (MSW), psychology (MA/MS), or counseling (MA/MS) and state licensure.
Financing the Organization:
Method: A combination of fee-for-service and managed care contracts.
Rationale:
- Fee-for-service reimbursement: This allows the facility to receive payments directly from patients' insurance companies for services rendered. It provides flexibility in service offerings.
- Managed care contracts: Negotiating contracts with HMOs (Health Maintenance Organizations) or PPOs (Preferred Provider Organizations) can provide a steady stream of revenue. It can also encourage preventative care practices.
Pros and Cons:
Fee-for-Service:
- Pros: Flexibility in service offerings, potential for higher revenue generation.
- Cons: Vulnerable to changes in insurance reimbursement rates, potential for overutilization of services.
Managed Care:
- Pros: Predictable revenue stream, promotes preventative care.
- Cons: Lower reimbursement rates, restrictions on services covered by contracts.
Impact on Financial Operations:
This combined approach can balance the benefits and drawbacks of each method. Fee-for-service revenue can offset potentially lower managed care reimbursements. The focus on preventative care within managed care contracts can also reduce overall healthcare costs in the long run.
Part 2: Reflection Continued in Next Post
Due to character limitations, this response is divided into two parts. The second part will follow and discuss Medical Technology, Ethical and Legal Considerations.
Sample Answer
Capstone Course Reflection and Healthcare Facility Proposal
Part 1: Healthcare Facility Proposal
Introduction:
I'm excited to present my proposal for a new healthcare facility to the Board of Directors. Through this capstone course, I've gained valuable insights into healthcare management, and I'm confident this facility will address a critical need in our community.