II-11 The Patient in the Hospital Setting

Question 1

Compare the treatment goals of physicians and nurses.

Answer 1

There are two lines of authority in a hospital: a medical line, which is based on technical skill and expertise, and an administrative line, which runs the business of the hospital. Nurses are part of both lines of authority, whereas physicians are not. Nurses are focused on care, which includes the patient’s physical comfort and emotional balance, whereas physicians are concerned primarily with cure, which involves the alleviation of symptoms and the restoration of function.

Question 2

Discuss the risk of nosocomial infection among hospitalized patients.

Answer 2

In 1999, of the 10 million patients entering U.S. hospitals, two million of them contracted bacterial infections or viral infections, and 90,000 of them (approximately one percent) died. This rate makes hospital infection the number six killer in the United States, accounting for more deaths than diabetes, flu, or pneumonia.

Question 3

Identify two cost-containment strategies that affect hospital care.

Answer 3

• Diagnostic-related groups (DRGs) are part of a patient classification scheme that determines the typical nature and length of treatment for particular disorders; this scheme is sued by some third-party reimbursement systems to determine the amount of reimbursement based on the diagnosis.
• Preferred provider organizations (PPOs) are networks of affiliated practitioners that have agreed to charge pre-established rates for particular medical services.

Question 4

Describe the role of psychologists in hospital care.

Answer 4

The number of psychologists in hospital settings has more than doubled over the past 10 years, and their roles have expanded. Psychologists participate in the diagnosis of patients, particularly through the use of personality, intellectual, and neuropsychological tests. They also determine patients’ general level of functioning, prepare patients for surgery, are involved in pain management, design interventions to increase treatment adherence, and develop behavioral programs to teach self-care after discharge.

Question 5

nosocomial infection

Answer 5

Infection that results from exposure to disease in the hospital setting.

Question 6

diagnostic-related group (DRG)

Answer 6

A patient classification scheme that specifies the nature and length of treatment for particular disorders; used by some third-party reimbursement systems to determine the amount of reimbursement.

Question 7

preferred provider organization (PPO)

Answer 7

A network of affiliated practitioners that has agreed to charge pre-established rates for particular medical services.