HSCI710 Discussion Role of Government In Healthcare Role of Government in Healthcare

Healthcare policy refers to the policies, objectives, and activities that govern how care is delivered and received (Ginter et. al. 2018). Policies might include, for example, state legal and safety requirements or guidelines governing how care and medicine are supplied to patients at a certain hospital. “Healthcare policy” also refers to national policies governing access to healthcare, coverage, and cost. Healthcare policy is vital because it aids in the establishment of guidelines that benefit patients, healthcare organizations, and our healthcare system. Protocols can assist reduce human error and poor communication when it comes to medical choices. Understanding and adhering to policies may assist nurses and health administrators provide the best possible care to patients while also informing future policies. Patients learn more about their rights when they take the time to grasp healthcare policy.

A very good example of a health policy is the Security and Privacy Policies. These policies spell out exactly how workers should handle circumstances that constitute a security risk in their workplace. Abuse of medical personnel, patient abductions or elopements, theft, and active shooters are examples of such circumstances. If a facility has security procedures, they must be clearly defined and followed by all staff.

Policies and procedures for data privacy and technological security, in addition to physical security, are critical in any healthcare facility. The HIPAA Privacy Rule protects patient information from public disclosure while allowing it to be exchanged between medical practitioners and in certain other situations (Ginter et. al. 2018). Failure to comply with HIPAA can result in clearly defined sanctions.

The more technology gets integrated into how healthcare institutions run, the more likely it is that data leaks and privacy breaches will occur. There will be 600 healthcare breaches in 2020. This is why it’s critical that facilities explicitly define data-handling rules and procedures to minimize mistakes that might lead to privacy leaks.

In many nations, politics and governance have played a crucial role in establishing sound policies that assure and promote access for all of their residents, financing health research, and preparing for an appropriate quantity, distribution, and quality of health workers to accomplish healthcare goals. Many governments throughout the world have implemented universal healthcare, which shifts the weight of healthcare costs away from private firms and people by pooling financial risk. There are several reasons for and against universal healthcare and other healthcare programs. Healthcare is a major component of health systems, and as such, it frequently accounts for one of the greatest areas of spending for both governments and people worldwide.

Healthcare practitioners must be sensitive to their patients' religious and spiritual requirements (Timmins & Caldeira, 2017). Many patients' fears are alleviated when they turn to their religion through medical difficulties. Because many patients resort to their religious and spiritual beliefs when faced with tough healthcare issues, it is critical for healthcare practitioners to understand and accommodate the patient’s religious and spiritual demands. Patients' religious and spiritual views should be discussed with health professionals, and their evaluation and treatment should be tailored to their individual requirements (Matthew 9:12).

Reference

Ginter, P. M., Duncan, W. J., & Swayne, L. E. (2018). The strategic management of health care organizations. John Wiley & Sons.

Timmins, F., & Caldeira, S. (2017). Understanding spirituality and spiritual care in nursing. Nursing Standard, 31(22).