Present Day Health Care Systems

• 9.8 million + health care workers in over 200+ health careers

• 2 billion dollar a day industry

HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

• Hospitals: provide many different medical services– Private: Lakeview, Louisiana heart hospital– Religious: St Francis, Our Lady of The Lake– Government: Ochsner (all money is put back into the

hospital)– Specialty Hospitals (specialize in certain treatments)

1. Children’s (pediatrics)2. Shriner’s (burn victims; orthopedics)3. M.D. Anderson (cancer)4. St Jude (pediatric cancer)

– University Hospitals: teaching; Tulane, LSU

HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

• Long-Term Care Facilities– Nursing homes• Care and assistance for elderly residents• Care for individuals with disabilities, handicaps, or

chronic long-term illnesses

– Assisted living• Residents do not require extensive or extended medical

care

• Medical Offices– Normally privately owned by a corporation or

group of physicians– Normally there for diagnosis, treatment,

examination, minor surgery, lab testing– Tend to be small groups from general practitioners

to specialists

HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

• Clinics– Normally owned by a corporation but can be

owned by the physicians– Tend to be large group of physicians of different

types of practices in one centralized area

HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

• Emergency care services– Used for trauma accidents, sudden illnesses,

transfers– Ambulance services: transportation to or from

medical facilities by ambulance, helicopter (Acadian, Fire District 4)

– Urgent Care: for minor emergencies or sudden minor illnesses

– Rescue Squads: rescue individuals trapped in an emergency situation (fire departments)

HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

• Home Health Care Agencies– Care in patients home– Most are run by private agencies but can be

offered by the health department, hospitals, government agencies, non-profits

– Provide wide range of services (nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy)

HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

• Hospice Agencies– Usually work with patients with life expectancies

of 6 months or less– Care may be provided at home, hospitals, LTC– Purpose is to allow patient to die with dignity and

in comfort– Give psychological, social, spiritual, and financial

counseling for patients and family

HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

• Laboratories– Diagnostic test for blood, sugar, urine, etc.– Dental labs for dentures and other devices– Used by medical and dental offices, small

hospitals, clinics

HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

• Mental Health Facilities– Treat mental health disorders and diseases– Counseling centers, psychiatric clinics and

hospitals, chemical abuse centers…

HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

• Rehabilitation Facilities– Located in hospitals, clinics, private centers– Rehab in physical, occupational, recreational,

speech, and hearing therapies– Used for mental and physical disabilities for

maximum self-care

ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES

• Acupuncture: the insertion of thin needles into specific points to stimulate balance in the flow of body energy

• Aromatherapy: use of plant extracts (fragrances) to alter mood and restore the body

• Hypnotherapy: used to produce a trancelike state so they are more receptive to desired behavior changes

• Yoga: based on concentration and movement exercises to balance the flow of life energy

• Chiropractors: use spinal manipulation, massage, and exercise to adjust vertebrae and restore the flow of energy