HEALTHCARE AND MEDICINE 2
Los Angeles County Health Center Uses CAHPS to Shorten Wait Times
The case study addresses the need to reduce the time that patients spend before getting
attention from healthcare attendants. Northeast Valley Health Corporation (NEVHC) is among
federally sanctioned health organizations whose role is to cater for low-cost families. According
to the case study, patients from low-cost families have limited alternatives since most of them
lack health insurance and as such, they have to seek treatment from these federally supported
health institutions (“Los Angeles County Health Center Uses CAHPS To Shorten Wait Times |
Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality,” 2018). What this means is that there is a likelihood
that organizations such as NEVHC serve more people than the required populations. As such, the
issue of long waiting times is likely to emerge. However, the management of NEVHC affirms
that although the huge populations contribute to long waiting times, this is not appropriate
because it is a sign of inefficiency. What the organization acknowledges is that there is the need
to make the waiting time to be of an appropriate period.
The outcomes of the study demonstrate some of the challenges that patients experience
when seeking medical attention. It is important to note that apart from fatigue that is caused by
long waiting times, there are those medical conditions that require a timely response. According
to the current health standards, patient-care does not begin at the time when the providers are
administering the actual treatment but it also involves the time that one spends before getting the
attention (Bakaeen, Blaustein, & Kibbe, 2014). Evidently, this is a serious consideration
especially for people who cannot seek treatment from exclusive hospitals which do not
experience patient congestion. When a patient takes a short time before getting the initial
treatment, this means that the organization has effective strategies that reduce backlogs or
duplication of duties (Luigi, Michael, & Valerie, 2013). A health facility where there is an
