A 70-year-old patient tells the nurse, I can't go to the hospital ...

[stevenposner]

A 70-year-old patient tells the nurse, I can't go to the hospital for treatment, because I have no hospital insurance. My Social Security and my pension pay my living expenses, but I don't have any savings. The nurse's response should be focused on
 
  a. providing information about Medicare.
  b. explaining the provisions of Medicaid.
  c. exploring the patient's ability to purchase group health insurance.
  d. investigating which hospitals provide free care for indigent patients.

Question 2

A patient tells the nurse, I received a questionnaire that said my answers would be used for purposes of continuous quality improvement. I wonder if it's worth my time to fill it out?
 
  The response that best explains continuous quality improvement is, Continuous quality improvement activities are used to
  a. restructure hospital departments and personnel assignments to ensure cost savings.
  b. provide an opportunity for staff members to participate in self-governance.
  c. obtain appropriate reimbursement for care given to ambulatory and inpatients.
  d. monitor and improve processes involved in providing safe, effective care for patients.

[thall411]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
It is important to provide information that elderly persons, regardless of income, can receive federal payment for hospital and physician services through Medicare. There is not a clear need to provide information about Medicaid. It's too late to secure group health insurance for this identified health care need. In addition, health insurance companies often refuse payment for treatment of preexisting conditions. Exploring the patient's ability to purchase group health insurance should not be the initial focus.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Continuous quality improvement (CQI) activities provide information critical to total quality management. Feedback from patients is one data collection method for CQI. The other options do not describe CQI activities.