Discuss the following characteristic of our health care delivery system: Health care delivery is no longer confined to the hospital setting.
Over the past few years we have witnessed the emergence of outpatient surgery centers, home health, hospice, etc. Please discuss the following as it relates to this change in venue:
1) What factors have led to care being offered outside of the hospital setting?
2) What are the advantages and disadvantages of these settings? Who benefits the most: consumers or organizations?
3) How will the Affordable Health Care Act impact this trend? Will it encourage more alternative settings or put care back into the hospital setting?