Raymond, a 78-year-old man living in a motel, is found by the housekeeper lying on the floor of his room, semiconscious. The motel manager calls 911, and Raymond is taken to the closest emergency room, where he lies on a gurney in the hallway for 6 hours before a physician examines him. Because it is unclear what is wrong with him and he cannot speak coherently, the physician admits him to the hospital for observation. Later, when it is determined that he had suffered a stroke; he is discharged to an inpatient rehabilitation facility that has no knowledge of his medical history including his current medications for hypertension and high cholesterol. He dies there several weeks later.
1. Identify the source(s) of inefficiency of medical care.
2. Identify the source(s) of reduced quality of care.
3. Discuss three (3) changes to the medical care delivery system that could have improved the patient’s outcome.