Deck 1: Connected Careclosing the Gaps and Filling the Cracks in Health Care

Question 1

Which suggestion is made by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) to promote a connected patient care approach?

A) Assure the primary healthcare provider is the center of control.
B) Redesign care processes according to clinical population.
C) Share knowledge and assure a free flow of patient information.
D) Design a hierarchy of communication between clinicians.

Answer 1

C
Explanation: An important recommendation relevant to connected care approach is the development of shared knowledge and a free flow of patient information between all involved parties, including the patient. The patient is always the center of control with a connected care approach. Redesign of care processes should be based on best practices and not on the clinical population. There is no hierarchy of communication among clinicians; communication is to be free flowing.

Question 2

Which is a goal for improvement of American health care delivery?

A) Lower health care costs for patients and third party payers
B) Improve the health of under-served patient populations
C) Lower the number of patient days in acute care settings
D) Improve the health of identified patient populations

Answer 2

D
Explanation: A goal for improvement of American health care delivery is to improve the health of patient populations (groups of patients with like characteristics). A goal to lower the per capita cost of health care, nationally, does not focus on just the costs for patients and third party payers. With a broad goal of improving the American health care delivery, the focus is not on just the under-served patient populations. Health care involves many settings, and not just acute care.

Question 3

Which situation is a root cause of the disconnection in the health care system?

A) The shift toward primary care doctors in the delivery of health care
B) Clinicians who limit care activities to quick, billable procedures
C) The large number of physicians who focus on treating the whole person
D) The lack of involvement of government agencies in regulating costs of care

Answer 3

B
Explanation: Clinicians who limit care activities to quick, billable visits and procedures are noted to be influenced by fee-for-service payment structures, which directly contributes to disconnection in the health care system. Medical specialists can shift the focus of health care away from the primary care doctors, which increases the cost and decreases the effectiveness of medical treatment. Because of increases in the number of medical specialists, there is a decrease in physicians who focus on the treatment of the whole person. Current government regulations from Medicare and Medicaid play a significant role in fragmenting the health care delivery system.

Question 4

Health care administrators and clinical care providers share an interest in developing endorsed care coordination measures. Which outcome is a goal?

A) The rate of hospital readmissions will decrease
B) Medication discrepancies will not increase in number.
C) Older adults are successfully integrated into extended care.
D) Discharge records are immediately faxed to the physician.

Question 5

A home health agency is developing connected care measures and goals for the agency. Which is an appropriate measure and goal?

A) Multiple nurses visit the patient during a home episode to provide a broad scope of care.
B) Family members are expected to fully manage patient care after discharge to reduce readmission rates.
C) Patient satisfaction scores on health care agency surveys will improve.
D) Amounts of nonpayment by the patient due to poor care will decrease.

Question 6

In which way does the nurse manager recognize a nurse is positively impacting connected care?

A) The nurse provides appropriate care by assigning patient needs to the appropriate staff.
B) The nurse demonstrates specialized care coordination, transition, and case management skills.
C) The nurse focuses on individual education and care delivery instead of system changes.
D) The nurse assumes a formal role as advisor to family, friends, and professional colleagues.

Question 7

Which individual does the nurse recognize as being most in need for assistance with obtaining connected care?

A) An adolescent who needs surgery for a sports injury
B) An adult who is technologically savvy searching for a doctor
C) A female adult receiving a screening mammogram at a clinic
D) A single, young adult female who is uninsured and pregnant

Question 8

Health care organizations are both victims and agents of disconnected health care.

Question 9

Organizational connected care solutions require a culture change that starts with a set of guiding principles. One guiding principle requires making health care professionals the priority so that patients and their families are given appropriate care.

Question 10

The American Nurses Association Congress describes the essential role of nurses in the daily practice of care coordination. It identifies RNs as being both qualified and educated for the role of care coordination, with a focus on high risk and vulnerable populations.