Although primary care physicians are in charge of each patient’s care, certain healthcare
services can only be provided by a hospital. Hospitals play a vital role in a community’s
health care and well-being, and as pillars of the healthcare system, they provide a crucial
environment for the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients of all ages with a broad array
of medical conditions. From the moment a patient is admitted to a hospital for an
emergency room visit, surgery, delivery or other medical situation identified by his or her
doctor, the person is first stabilized in an environment designed to support complete
health.
With teams of highly trained professionals, advanced technology, and a wide range of
medical services, hospitals have become a beacon of hope and healing, providing
comprehensive care to people in times of illness, emergency and need. For critical events
such as the COVID-19 pandemic, accidents and natural disasters, hospitals take a leading
role and work with community organizations to develop programs to promote health and
well-being for employees, patients and anyone else who benefits indirectly or directly from
their services. Their influence also transcends physical walls, given that many act as centers
for research, education and health promotion while integrating public health elements such
as vaccination and health education programs, and also working on initiatives in
collaboration with healthcare insurers or community based organizations to foster healthy
and resilient communities.
As part of the public health system, hospitals are also focused on protecting and saving lives
by providing service excellence, where patients are treated according to the level of
complexity and health status identified during their initial evaluation when being admitted
to the facility. This mechanism in turn helps allocate efforts for those patients who require
more specialized care. Key elements to promoting the continuity of healthcare service
inside and outside hospitals include:
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Interdisciplinary communication. With the primary care physician, insurer and
patient working together, all the components of the healthcare system are involved
in the patient’s recovery, proper care and health-related needs.
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Avoiding readmission. An effective discharge plan prevents patients from
returning to the hospital, including the emergency room. Clarifying doubts and
providing all the necessary information in writing allows family members to also
support a patient during his or her recovery.
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Including PCPs. Primary care physicians should evaluate patients after discharge,
in order to help them continue with the treatment recommended by the hospital
and avoid readmission.
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Monitoring opioid prescriptions.Although this may be a therapeutic option in
certain cases, avoid prescribing treatments that may create dependence and
aggravate the situation in the long term, including the patient’s health and costs to
the system and the hospital.
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Drug therapy. Make it clear to patients that the drug treatment plan to be followed
at home is essential, and clarify any doubts. This avoids side effects, therapy failures,
and consequently, readmissions.
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Long-term drugs.Provide tools for drug therapy compliance, such as 90-day
supplies and drugs by mail. Encourage discussions with the PCP and/or healthcare
plan to take advantage of this benefit, which helps patients stick to their treatments.
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Including support disciplines. Nutritionists, health educators, social workers,
therapists and mental health professionals are some of the essential resources to
identify needs, support recovery and prevent relapses.
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Communicating with insurers that support your patient’s overall health. Identify
support resources and request program information and documentation for
effective results.
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Transition of care.Make sure patients have a transition of care plan to support
them for the first month after discharge. This can include coordinating appointments
and drug refills.
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Clinical programsto support patients beyond their first month after discharge.
Ask the insurer what kind of support is available, and how it can be coordinated so
everybody can benefit from it.
Strategies aimed at improving the quality and efficiency of healthcare services are not only
essential for managing a hospital, but also for directing resources to initiatives that benefit
the community it serves. Likewise, when a patient receives holistic healthcare services
focused on his or her needs, all the other components of the healthcare system benefit as
well. And while the healthcare system has evolved in recent years, patient perspectives on
receiving the healthcare services they need have also evolved. If patients receiving
high-quality clinical care can quickly access services and easily communicate with their
doctors or healthcare professionals, they will continue to choose these providers over
other hospital facilities, thus demonstrating loyalty to that organization.
References:
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“Conozca Sus Opciones.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention,
https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/patients/es/options.html
- “Detener La Sobredosis.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/patients/es/options.html
- “For Hospitals, a Blueprint for Fighting the Opioid Epidemic.” Health Affairs, https://www.healthaffairs.org/do/10.1377/forefront.20191217.727229
- “Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain Factsheet.” Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/pdf/prescribing/Guidelines_Factsheet-a.pdf
- “MCS.” Programas De Bienestar: MCS Alivia,
https://mcs.com.pr/es/Paginas/bienestar/programas-bienestar/mcs-alivia.aspx
- “MCS.” Terapia De Medicamentos
- “Opioides.” Administración De Servicios De Salud Mental y Contra La Adicción,
https://assmca.pr.gov/Opioides/index.html
- “Opioids Prescribed at Discharge or Given During Emergency Department Visits
Among Adults in the United States, 2016.” National Center for Biotechnology
Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine,
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
- “Opioids.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention,
https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/healthcare-professionals/index.html
- “Process for the Development of the 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing
Opioids for Pain.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, 3 Nov. 2021,
https://www.cdc.gov/opioids/guideline-update/index.html
- “Sobredosis De Opioides.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization,
https://www.who.int/es/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/opioid-overdose
- Redacción. “Vigilante ASSMCA Ante El Uso De Opioides En Puerto Rico.” El Vocero
De Puerto Rico, 29 May 2022,
https://www.elvocero.com/gobierno/agencias/vigilante-assmca-ante-el-uso-de-opioides/
