Problem
We look at regulatory challenges facing quality professionals in the various settings of healthcare. Healthcare spending in the United States is more than in any other industrialized country in the world and one of the challenges we face is increasing quality while reducing expenditure.
Choose one of the following settings (the same you chose in Unit 3 and will use for the remainder of the units):
a) Hospitals
b) Post-Acute Care (LTC, Rehabilitation, or SNF)
c) Ambulatory Care (Primary Care or Urgent Care)
d) Behavioral Health (Rehabilitation, Outpatient, Inpatient, Residential, or School Programs)
After researching regulatory challenges inherent to your chosen setting, answer the following questions:
A. What are the main regulatory challenges facing healthcare today, particularly in your chosen setting?
B. What is the dynamic relationship between healthcare costs and quality?
C. How does the regulatory environment impact the quality and safety professional's role?
D. Why is it important for the quality and safety professional to stay updated on regulatory changes?