The Discharge Process
1 Who makes the decision that a patient can be discharged? Although residents, medical students, and other staff can anticipate a patient’s discharge, the attending physician makes the final decision…
Intensive Care Unit
1 What is the intensive care unit (ICU)? The ICU is a specialized area of the hospital designated for patients who are critically ill and may require increased monitoring, hemodynamic…
Medical Documentation and Writing Orders
1 What is the purpose of the medical record? The medical record is intended to provide a detailed account of the care that a patient receives and is essential for…
Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests
1 Describe the step-by-step process whereby laboratory results are obtained by the medical team The first step in the process of obtaining laboratory results occurs when the medical team caring…
The Admission Process
1 When does a patient get admitted to the hospital? The decision to admit a patient for management and treatment within the hospital is based on clinical judgment, treatment protocols,…
The Emergency Department
1 What is the purpose of the emergency department (ED)? The purpose of the ED is primarily to stabilize the patient, provide a diagnosis if possible, initiate treatment, and determine…
The U.S. Healthcare System
1 List the major players within the U.S. healthcare system A general overview of the major players within the U.S. healthcare system is displayed in Table 1-1 . Table 1-1…
