1. You are the nurse manager in an Emergency Department of a mid-level department. A past patient calls your office with questions about his bill. He tells you that he does not understand what his insurance pays for and what he needs to pay. He also questions the charges and why he had to make a payment before he left the hospital.
a. For patients with billing questions, how would you advise them?
b. What are the resources you can give this patient related to healthcare costs and/or his insurance coverage?
c. Describe the significant changes in hospital healthcare during the last 5-10 years.
d. Are your values to act as an agent for the patient or for the hospital more strongly developed?
2. You are one of 8 nurse managers within a healthcare facility. All of you have been informed by the budget committee of escalating costs and quality of care. The group has been charged with determining ways to reduce costs and increase revenue, Answer the following questions:
a. Where do you begin with this project? Who should be involved?
b. What is some information that you will need before you can offer any suggestions?
c. Should group decision-making be involved in fiscal decisions such as this one?
d. Can fiscal decisions be made without value judgments?