Historical Trend Analysis

Historical Trend Analysis

Change is inevitable in all spheres of our lives. Likewise, health care has traversed a series of changes on different fronts, all aimed at improving access and quality and making health care affordable. To get an accurate prediction and postulation of the future trends of the key measures of health, it is important to look back and do a historical trend analysis.

As an administrator, historical trend analyses provide insights into the effectiveness and efficiency of health care by focusing on cost, performance, and productivity. The purpose of this paper is to describe a wider view of the developments in healthcare from the 18^th century to date based on access to care, quality of care, and the cost and payment models of care.

Trends and Regulations

The concept of access to care is hinged on the timeliness of care, qualified, competent health providers, services, and health care coverage. Consequently, access to health can simply be put as the timely acquisition of health services offered by competent persons to result in the best outcome (National Academies of Sciences et al., 2018). World Health Organization (2021) describes the quality of care as effective, safe, patient-centered care that aims at the best outcome. The cost of healthcare is the amount spent on treating an individual.

Health Care Access

Access to health care is an important concept as it helps reduce the burden of disease in a population by enhancing the prevention of death, disease, and disability and promoting health (Bhatt & Bathija, 2018). The US government has improved access through acts and initiatives such as the 1973 Health Maintenance Organization Act, the 1862 Sanitary commission formed, and the 2021 American Rescue plan Act, among others. The analysis reveals that healthcare access has improved immensely in the US and is set to get even better.

Quality of Health Care

Health care quality is effective, safe, patient-centered care that aims at the best outcome. Simply put, using legitimate means to achieve the best outcome (National Academies of Sciences et al., 2018).  Acts that have improved the quality of care include the 1800 State Medical Boards, 2005 Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005, and 2015 Hospital Quality Reporting (HQR) and Initiative (H.Q.I.), among others. Quality in healthcare has improved over time. With the innovation of new technology and increased activism, health care quality is bound to increase.

Cost of Health care

This is the value attached to the care provided. The cost of health care is an important subject to monitor as it directly affects access to care and influences health-seeking Behaviour. Over the years, the US government has invented ways to shield its population from rising costs.

The initiatives include the 1850 First health insurance policy, 1900 Health care payments payment mainly self-pay, 1983 Inpatient Perspective Payment System, and 2015 Merit-based Incentive Payment System, among other quality initiatives. All these initiatives have led to increased insurance cover and improved accessibility and affordability to care. Health care costs are bound to increase exponentially over time due to the technological advancements that have made diagnostic procedures effective and efficient.

Trend Analysis

The trends indicate a postulated growth in the insurance industry to cut catastrophic expenditures. The quality and access keep improving. Years back, getting a session with a consultant in the field of medicine was almost impossible. Currently, there are a lot of specialists, and efficient machines have been innovated. The innovations of complex machines automatically push the health care costs up even with the increased access and quality.

Conclusion

The healthcare system has progressed from a rudimentary system to a new complex one. It has continued to outgrow its quality and access challenges over a long period. However, I can’t say the same for costs. They continue to rise. These changes have greatly improved the US Health care system. Change is infinite, and it confers the progress of a nation.

References

Bhatt, J., & Bathija, P. (2018). Ensuring Access to Quality Health Care in Vulnerable Communities. Academic Medicine, 93(9), 1271–1275. https://doi.org/10.1097/acm.0000000000002254

Busse, R., Panteli, D., & Quentin, W. (2019). An introduction to healthcare quality: defining and explaining its role in health systems. In www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549277/

Health Care Cost – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (2021). Www.sciencedirect.com. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/nursing-and-health-professions/health-care-cost

Johnson, J. A., Davey, K. S., Greenhill, R. G., & Young, K. M. (2022). Sultz & Young’s health care USA: understanding its organization and delivery. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

National Academies of Sciences, E., Division, H. and M., Services, B. on H. C., & Disabilities, C. on H. C. U. and A. with. (2018). Factors That Affect Health-Care Utilization. In www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. National Academies Press (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK500097/

CMS. (2021). Physician Fee Schedule | CMS Www.cms.gov. https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-Fee-for-Service-Payment/PhysicianFeeSched

World Health Organization. (2021). Quality of care. Www.who.int. https://www.who.int/health-topics/quality-of-care#tab=tab_1

Appendix

Trend Analysis Table: Evolution of Access, Quality, and Cost in Health Care
Milestones	Health Care Access	Health Care Quality	Health Care Costs
The 1800sRegulatory Legislation, Agencies, or Quality Initiatives	1887, A hygienic laboratory set to improve the diagnosis of infectious disease·         This creation improved access to diagnostic care.	1791, States allowed licensed practitioners·         This step improved the quality of care by ensuring that only trained people did the work.	1850, the First health insurance policy·         Covered health care costs for non-fatal injuries.
	1862, the Sanitary commission formed·         Prompted an increase in the number of centers for medical care.	1800, State Medical Boards·         These boards were charged with the licensure of practitioners and facilities hence improving the quality of care.	1800, State Medical Boards·         These boards were also to regulate the amounts charged by caregivers.
The 1900sRegulatory Legislation, Agencies, or Quality Initiatives	1973 Health Maintenance Organization Act·         This act allowed private organizations to provide health care in different areas at a cost. Consequently, it improved health care access (Johnson et al., 2022).	1972, Professional standards review organizations·         This was a process aimed at ensuring hospitals maintain the care standards in providing quality care (Johnson et al., 2022).	1900, Health care payments payment mainly self-pay·         Out-of-pocket pay meant less access to pay due to the question of affordability.
	1989 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s (AHRQ)Note·         This act aims to improve access to health care through assurance of equity (Johnson et al., 2022).	1951, the joint commission Hospitals Accreditation·         Made sure effective and the highest quality care was given to patients in different facilities by setting accreditation standards (Johnson et al., 2022).	1983, The Inpatient Perspective Payment System·         This system assured value for money as patients paid hospital fees based on the quality of care.
The 2000sRegulatory Legislation, Agencies, or Quality Initiatives	2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (2010)·         This act improves access to health care through the provision of affordable care and expansion of prevention services (Johnson et al., 2022)	2005 Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005·         This act sought to improve patient safety through the enhanced reporting of errors in treatment for investigations ( CMS, 2021).	2015, Merit-based Incentive Payment System·         Entailed value-based purchasing and meaningful use, part of the CMS new rule.
	2021, American Rescue Plan Act·         Increases access to health care by making it more affordable (CMS, 2021).	2015 Hospital Quality Reporting (HQR) and Initiative (H.Q.I.)·         Improvement in the reporting and prescription of drugs under the Medicare program improves efficiency and quality of care.	2000 Managed Market Competition; Consumer-driven health plans·         This policy allowed the use of the medical savings when the covered amount was exceeded.

Assignment Description: Historical Trend Analysis

Write your introduction here. Provide a brief explanation of the purpose of this historical trend analysis and how it might be used in your work as a health administrator (1 paragraph).Where appropriate, reference significant health care milestones, regulations, and measures for access, quality, and cost.

Trends and Regulations

Provide a brief description of the key measures of healthcare services, which are access, quality, and cost (1–2 paragraphs).

Health Care Access

Explain why access to healthcare is important and what it means. What U.S. legislation, regulatory agencies, and quality initiatives for the 1800s, 1900s and 2000shave influenced access to healthcare services in the United States. What does your milestone trend analysis reveal for access to care? (1–2 paragraphs)

Health Care Quality

Explain what quality healthcare is and why it is important. What U.S. legislation, regulatory agencies, and quality initiatives for the 1800s, 1900s and 2000s have influenced care quality in healthcare services in the United States. What does your trend analysis reveal for care quality? (1–2 paragraphs)

Health Care Cost

Explain what healthcare cost is and why it is important. What U.S. legislation, regulatory agencies, and quality initiatives for the 1800s, 1900s and 2000s have affected healthcare costs for medical services. What does your trend analysis reveal for medical service costs? (1–2 paragraphs)

Trend Analysis

Analyze the trends and regulations in healthcare access, quality, and cost to draw conclusions about the evolution of healthcare regulations and practice throughout the recent eras (1–2 paragraphs). Describe professional experiences or examples to illustrate the trends. Include citations and references to specific regulations, events, or agencies.

Conclusion

Summarize clear and concise conclusions of your trend analysis (1 paragraph).What are the trends revealed for healthcare access, quality, and cost? Draw a conclusion about how the changes have improved, been neutral, or inhibited progress of the U.S. healthcare system.

 

References

Kroth, P.J., &Young, K.M. (2018). Sultz& Young’s health care USA: Understanding its organization and delivery(9th ed.). Jones & Bartlett.

Appendix

Trend Analysis Table: Evolution of Access, Quality, and Cost in Health Care
Milestones	Health Care Access	Health Care Quality	Health Care Costs
1800s Regulatory Legislation, Agencies, or Quality Initiatives	Year, Milestone ·         Note ·         Note	Year, Milestone ·         Note ·         Note	Year, Milestone ·         Note ·         Note
	Year, Milestone ·         Note ·         Note	Year, Milestone ·         Note ·         Note	Year, Milestone ·         Note ·         Note
1900s Regulatory Legislation, Agencies, or Quality Initiatives	Year, Milestone ·         Note ·         Note	Year, Milestone ·         Note ·         Note	Year, Milestone ·         Note ·         Note
	Year, Milestone ·         Note ·         Note	Year, Milestone ·         Note ·         Note	Year, Milestone ·         Note ·         Note
2000s Regulatory Legislation, Agencies, or Quality Initiatives	Year, Milestone ·         Note ·         Note	Year, Milestone ·         Note ·         Note	Year, Milestone ·         Note ·         Note
	Year, Milestone ·         Note ·         Note	Year, Milestone ·         Note ·         Note	Year, Milestone ·         Note ·         Note