Margret Spinner-Ramirez is a 66 y/o female Hispanic-American who speaks both Spanish and English fluently. She is retired, lives alone, and has Medicaid as her primary insurance. Ms. Spinner-Ramirez was scratched by a stray cat that she feeds on her back porch daily. She has been cleaning the wound daily; however, after 2 days she went to her local ER for increased pain, redness, and swelling in her left lower leg wound where she was scratched by the stray cat. Ms. Spinner-Ramirez explained she recently had her left knee replaced about 6 months ago and verbalized new difficulty with baring weight on that extremity to the point that she was having to use her cane again. Her vital signs at the ER visit were stable. Her left leg wound was cleaned and redressed. After 5 hours in the ER, Ms. Spinner-Ramirez was discharged to home on oral Keflex for her left lower leg infection and was instructed to call her primary care physician for a follow-up appointment. Five days later Ms. Spinner-Ramirez was taken back to the same ER via ambulance. Her neighbor found her lethargic, short of breath, and was experiencing difficulty being able to move. A CT scan and blood work revealed that Ms. S
If you were in charge of a healthcare insurance company:
• Explain why insurance companies should or should not pay for injuries, extended costs, readmissions, or death from a hospital-acquired infection or medical error. Support your why or why not?
• Describe two ways healthcare quality can be improved to help reduce errors and improve patient safety.
• Discuss how creating incentives for providers can improve quality and reimbursements for services/care.
