A healthcare team is a popular term used to describe all of
the healthcare professionals involved in patient care. For example, when one go to the doctor
for a check-up or physical, who is actually involved? For starters there is the receptionist who keeps track of
scheduling and billing. Next,
there are a number of nurses who place the waiting patients into an exam room
and take vitals signs. At long last, the
physician sees the patient. But is
that all? What if the physician
orders a lab test? The drawing of
blood would involve a phlebotomist and a laboratory technician to run the
test. Some tests might need to be
read by a pathologist or radiologist. As one can see, there are quite a few people involved
in just a simple visit. Things
become much more complicated if multiple visits to different specialists are
involved. It becomes quite easy
for the patient to become lost and confused in the process. Not to mention sometimes the physicians
and nurses are confused the disjointed care.
The goal of a healthcare team is to integrate the different
services and providers so that the patient receives an efficient continuum of
care. Such teamwork improves
patient outcomes and reduces costs.
Integrating patient care with a healthcare team has been a forefront of
healthcare reform.
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| William Streck, MD at the Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, NY. |
It is difficult to discuss integrated healthcare without
mentioning The Cleveland Clinic, the Mayo Clinic, and Bassett Healthcare Network. This article cites several examples of healthcare systems
that integrate patient care.
Otsego County is fortunate to be the home of the Bassett Healthcare Network, a hallmark of integrated patient care.
