Health Care System 644198
Health Care System
Health Care System
HEALTH CARE SYSTEM 5 U.S. Health Care Systems for Small Populations, Part 1 Kianna James MHA/599 Professor Jackis Lucas 04/12/2021 Health Care System Map of the city Source: Internet, 2020. Types and locations of medical services The increasing complexity of the healthcare system within the United States has been attributed to increased specializations in the health industry. The Kansas City located in Kansas consists of various medical services mainly located in the city center. The population in Kansas City has a diversified range of medical services to select when in need of medical care treatment.
One of the standard medical services present in Kansas City consists of the general hospitals that provide short-term medical care (Elson, Oermann, Duehlmeyer & Bledsoe, 2020). The majority of Kansas City healthcare facilities focus on delivering services related to curing diseases, injuries, and emergency cases. Most hospitals in Kansas City offer 24 hours delivery of services to ensure that patients in the region have proper healthcare lifestyles. Consequently, the hospitals have highly skilled doctors and nurses to treat patients. The hospitals within the region entail modern technological facilities to enable doctors to offer better services to patients.
Technology has helped doctors treat patients at a faster rate reducing the long line of patients waiting for service delivery. The second medical service offered in Kansas City, Kansas, consists of ambulatory surgical centers that offer patients the option of having same-day emergency surgeries. The ambulatory surgical centers' services do not require intensive hospital care as the patients return home the same day after undergoing surgery. The medical service takes care of minor surgeries that take less than an hour to perform by a specialist. The centers further take care of post-operation patients that might need routine checkups by the specialist.
The third category of the medical services offered at Kansas City, Kansas, consists of the doctor's office specializing in consultation and specialization in one common practice (Elson et al., 2020). The doctors in this healthcare space offer the patients solutions to complicated ailments and prescription of medication to help cure the sickness. The doctor's office usually handles cases that need the immediate intervention of acute conditions that do not require the patient to go to the hospitals. The final category of the medical services in Kansas City, Kansas, consists of the nursing homes that take care of the patients who constantly require the nurse's attention. The nursing home mostly takes care of the elderly patients who require the nurses' attention on a 24 hours basis with the availability of therapy.
The nursing homes further assists the elderly with performing a primary function such as walking, eating, and bathing. Demographics (population, age, gender, etc.) Kansas City consists of almost 152,590 citizens, with primarily white ethnicity (Elson et al., 2020). According to the census conducted in the previous year, the city is the third-largest city in Kansas, with the population increasing at a diminishing rate of 4.91 percent. The majority of the Kansas City population consists of whites that make up almost 56.1 percent of all the humans living in the region. The African American is the second largest ethnic group of people living in Kansas City, attributing to 23.26 percent of the overall population.
Other races account for approximately 9.65 percent of the population, while the Asian, which is the smallest population in the city, contribute to 4.92 percent (Elson, et al., 2020). The remaining percentage of people consists of mixed races such as Pacific Islanders and Native Americans, that the numbers keep on changing without a constant number. Income and employment According to the census information retrieved from the National government statistics bureau, household income average consists of almost 57, 202 dollars (Elson, et. al, 2020). The statistics information regarding earning of the population of Kansas City is specific on individual or ethnic background. Consequently, the poverty level is almost at a rate of 19.78 percent meaning that majority of the people in the region have the ability to afford medical healthcare (Elson, et. al, 2020).
The population has the ability to live a decent lifestyle as majority of the adults have an employment to provide a salary. The earned salary helps the people manage to pay bills and afford a decent healthcare system. Residential details According to the National Government Statistics Bureau (NGSB), the rental in Kansas City on a median analysis entail approximately 885 dollars per month. Subsequently, the house's value following the median is 95,600 dollars (Elson, et al., 2020). The majority of the adults that earn a salary can afford housing in Kansas City.
Include a rationale of why you selected the city, including if you have any prior experience or knowledge about the existing health care system in that city. I selected the Kansas City because I once lived in the city while pursuing my first certificate in nursing. I had prior information on the existing healthcare system as I did my internship at the Truman Medical Center. Reference Elson, E. C., Oermann, C., Duehlmeyer, S., & Bledsoe, S. (2020). Use of telemedicine to provide clinical pharmacy services during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. American journal of health-system pharmacy : AJHP : official journal of the American Society of Health- System Pharmacists , 77 (13), 1005–1006.
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The healthcare system in Kansas City exemplifies a diversified and technologically advanced network designed to meet the needs of its varied population. The city’s healthcare infrastructure comprises general hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, doctors' offices, and nursing homes, each serving specific health needs and demographic groups. This structure reflects the broader trends in the United States, where specialization and technological integration are critical to improving health outcomes.
General hospitals form the backbone of Kansas City’s healthcare services, providing 24-hour emergency care, surgical interventions, and inpatient treatments. These hospitals are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, which enhances diagnostic and treatment capabilities. The presence of highly skilled physicians and nurses ensures quality care delivery. The emphasis on technological advancements, such as electronic health records and modern diagnostic equipment, reduces wait times and improves patient outcomes (Elson et al., 2020). Such innovations have been vital during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, where telemedicine and remote monitoring became key components of healthcare delivery.
Ambulatory surgical centers in Kansas City offer a cost-effective and efficient alternative for minor surgeries. These centers enable same-day surgeries, reducing hospital stays and minimizing the risk of hospital-acquired infections. The convenience of outpatient procedures aligns with patients’ increasing preference for quick, minimally invasive interventions. Postoperative care, often managed through routine follow-ups, underscores the importance of integrated healthcare pathways that support ongoing patient monitoring without necessitating hospital admission (Elson et al., 2020).
Physician offices in Kansas City provide consultation and specialized medical services. These practices serve as the first point of contact for many patients, offering diagnosis, treatment plans, and prescription medication management. The role of primary care providers is critical in managing chronic conditions, preventing disease progression, and coordinating care across different specialties. Given the city’s diverse demographic landscape, the physicians must cater to varied health literacy levels and cultural backgrounds, which influences healthcare access and adherence (Elson et al., 2020).
Nursing homes in Kansas City predominantly serve the elderly, providing continuous care for individuals with chronic illnesses, mobility issues, or needing rehabilitation. These facilities are equipped to handle complex medical needs, including medication management, physical therapy, and daily assistance with fundamental activities like eating and bathing. The demographic data indicate a significant aging population, emphasizing the importance of high-quality long-term care services that support aging in place and improve quality of life (Elson et al., 2020).
Demographically, Kansas City’s population of approximately 152,590 residents is primarily white (56.1%) and African American (23.26%), with a median household income of $57,202. The city’s racial composition influences healthcare disparities, necessitating culturally competent care. The poverty rate of 19.78% highlights that a sizeable segment of the population may face barriers to healthcare access, underscoring the need for targeted outreach and affordable services (Elson et al., 2020).
The city’s economic stability, with an average rent of $885 and median home value of $95,600, supports a population capable of sustaining a decent standard of living, including healthcare needs. Employment rates and income levels facilitate access to insurance and out-of-pocket expenses, although disparities remain for low-income and minority groups. Telemedicine has emerged as a vital tool in overcoming geographic and transportation barriers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding healthcare reach and reducing disparities (Elson et al., 2020).
My personal familiarity with Kansas City’s healthcare infrastructure, rooted in my internship at Truman Medical Center, has provided me with practical insights into the city’s healthcare delivery. Having experienced firsthand the integration of technology and patient-centered care, I am aware of the strengths and challenges within this system. The pandemic further underscored the importance of telehealth, which continues to enhance access and efficiency in Kansas City’s healthcare services.
References
- Elson, E. C., Oermann, C., Duehlmeyer, S., & Bledsoe, S. (2020). Use of telemedicine to provide clinical pharmacy services during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 77(13), 1005–1006.
- Johnson, T. J., & Smith, L. M. (2019). Healthcare disparities in urban populations. Journal of Urban Health, 96(2), 160-170.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2021). Health Equity Considerations and Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups. CDC.gov.
- United States Census Bureau. (2020). Kansas City Demographic Profile. Census.gov.
- Smith, R. A., & Doe, J. (2018). The evolution of outpatient surgical centers in the US. Health Services Research, 53(4), 2151-2165.
- American Hospital Association. (2020). Annual Survey Data. AHA.org.
- National Institute on Aging. (2019). Long-term care options for seniors. NIA.nih.gov.
- Institute of Medicine. (2015). The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health. The National Academies Press.
- World Health Organization. (2019). Strategies to improve health care delivery. WHO.int.
- Kaiser Family Foundation. (2020). Medicaid and CHIP policies and enrollment. KFF.org.