- Aspects of Long-Term Care
As a result of the rising concern on the state of long-term facilities, a complex state and federal regulatory system has been established. Agencies charged with the responsibility of ensuring that these regulations are followed to the letter can be either private or government owned. The regulations have been set up with the aim of putting to an end irresponsible behavior by the management of the long-term care centers. In the past, there has been several cases reported of patient’s negligence and poor quality of the healthcare services. For example, individuals who desire to be long-term care providers must be licensed by both the federal government and the state governments. One such agency is Virginia Department of Health and is charged with the responsibility of licensing nursing facilities (Iglehart, 2010). Though the importance of the agencies charged with the responsibility of regulating the long-term care cannot be overlooked, it is important to realize that the agencies also act as one of the greatest hindrances to the efficiency of the providers. The service providers for have to spend a lot of time and resources fulfilling the set rules and regulations. As a result, the service providers are not able to concentrate fully on the provision of services to their clients (Levenson & Swagerty, 2004). The regulations also act as a hindrance to individuals and organizations wishing to venture into the market. Recently, some nursing homes have complained that the regulator has set up unrealistic prices for services to be provided by the facilities. As a result, the facilities operate on constrained budgets, yet the regulator requires that they offer high quality services to customers.
- Description and Development of Various Long-Term Care Providers Nursing facilities were developed in order to provide medical assistance to the poor in the society. Under the continuum of care, the nursing facilities are charged with the responsibility of providing health care services. Among the services that they provide include professional nursing services and rehabilitation of patients. Sub-acute and Post-acute care providers offer distinct services, which are not offered by other acute-care hospitals. Within the continuum of care, the sub-acute and post-acute care providers fit within the Medicare service providers. Individuals who seek assistance in these facilities are medically fragile; thus, require specialized services. Some of the specialized services offered by sub-acute and post-acute providers include feeding, complex wound management services, tracheotomy and inhalation therapy (Hospice, 2009). Assisted living care providers offer housing services for patients with disabilities. The service providers fit within the continuum of care in that they provide shelter for the elderly in the society (Mor, Miller & Clark, 2010). Services offered in these facilities include the administration of medicine and the provision of personalized care. Notably, the elderly in the society live in these facilities where their health and security is assured. Senior housing care provides are similar to those who offer assisted living services. In the continuum of care, they play a vital role in the provision of care to the elderly and the retired. They provide the senior citizens with a place where they can live and socialize with their age mates. These services are primarily offered to the elderly and cannot be accessed by younger people. Community based services aim at ensuring quality living to patients suffering from autism and other developmental disorders. In the continuum of care, these particular service providers assist in the provision of rehabilitation and housing services to people with developmental disorders. The services offered are based on the patient’s interests and abilities. As a result, they feel part of the activities in these centers.
- Impacts of Different Aspects on the Long-Term Care Providers
Nursing homes, assisted living, and community-based service providers have similar operations. These service providers require finances for them to carry out with their activities. For example, qualified nurses have to be employed in order to ensure high standard of services offered. The service providers are also required to comply with the rules and regulations set by the regulatory agencies. Thus, their pricing of services have to comply with the set regulations. Nurses are also required to be ethical. Severe punishments are imposed on those who fail to comply with these regulations (Mor, Miller, & Clark, 2010). Some of these regulations affect the operations of the service providers because they are limited in terms of funds. As a result, the long-term care providers are not able to provide services that are of the required quality. The Sub-acute and Post-acute care providers offer distinctive services that are not offered by the other long-term care service providers. Therefore, they require huge budgets for them to be in a position to offer high quality services to their customers. The service providers also require highly trained doctors, nurses, and technicians who should have adequate knowledge on the use of the medical equipment used. The facilities must operate in accordance with the set guidelines. Additionally, the service providers must comply with all ethical issues that govern the operations of healthcare professionals. The management has to use the available resources to facilitate all of its operations. Senior Housing service provides also face similar management issues. They have been accused of promoting racial discrimination and segregation by housing people of the same racial background together. Essentially, the service providers are required to offer services without any discrimination.
- Impact of External Controls on Long-Term Care Providers and Facilities The impact of regulatory controls on long-term care providers is not well documented. It has been established that regulations have led to an improvement in the welfare of many people. Such regulations as OBRA 1987 have led to improvement of quality of care in nursing homes (Hospice, 2009). For example, the inappropriate use of chemical and physical restraints has decreased. External controls affects the healthcare facilities as most of them favor large corporations. In addition, government controls significantly affects the cost of doing business (Levenson & Swagerty, 2004). Although this cost forms a small portion of the total budget of healthcare providers, it does have a considerable impact on their finances. Clearly, regulation has an impact on the quality of care provided by the long-term care providers and their finances (Brown, 2001). The healthcare providers are controlled through various types of methods. The government regulates the quality of care and the cost. Quality is measured through process measures, structure measures and outcome measures. Cost of care is regulated through channeling funds in order to influence service delivery patterns. Such patterns include the use of Medicare. Non-governmental controls are usually voluntary and are provided by organizations such as the Joint Commission, and the National Committee for Quality Assurance. The organizations measure the performance of the long-term care providers against optimal standards. If the provider passes the tests, the long-term care provider is approved for accreditation (Mor, Miller & Clark, 2010). Regulation of long-term care providers can also be through certification of individuals working in the organizations. The government regulates individuals through certification of healthcare professionals, long-term care practitioners, and long-term care administrators.
- Role of Competition, Cooperation and Integration of the Long-Term Care
Competition in the long-term care industry is growing because there is an increase in the population. In addition, competition has increased as a result of customer gaining knowledge and increase expectance for quality healthcare services. In addition, there has been a rise in the number of healthcare providers across the nation. As a result, the long-term care providers are experiencing more competition. Entry of hospitals into long-term care field has also contributed to competition in the industry (Hospice, 2009). Notably, competition has led to an improvement of quality of care. The emergence of more facilities means that customers have more options; thus, they can seek services from the best facilities. Cooperation in the industry is mostly informal liaising, while integration is more formal where component organizations become part of a bigger entity. Cooperation has increased efficiency across the industry. For example, hospitals can refer patients to nursing homes that work with the hospital. Therefore, patient does not waste time looking for nursing facilities. Integration also has its effects on the efficiency of the organizations. There has been an improvement in the financial conditions of long-term care providers (Hospice, 2009). The providers have increased their purchasing power; thus, they are able to acquire scarce resources through integration. In addition, sharing of administrative costs has reduced their overhead costs. Coordinated referrals mean easier movement within the network. Importantly, coordinated medical records lead to the avoidance of duplication of services and more seamless care.
References
Brown, K. S. (2001). Guide to long term care financial management. New York: John Wiley.
Hospice In Long-Term Care: (2009). Regulations, Ethics, Quality, And Collaboration (P6). Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 37(3), 447.
Iglehart, J. (2010). Long-Term Care Legislation At Long Last?. Health Affairs, 29(1), 8-9.
Levenson, S. A., & Swagerty, D. (2004). The Impact Of Laws And Regulations In Improving Physician Performance And Care Processes In Long-term Care. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 5(4), 268-277.
Mor, V., Miller, E. A., & Clark, M. (2010). The Taste For Regulation In Long-Term Care. Medical Care Research and Review, 67(4 Suppl), 38S-64S.
