Ambulatory Care Continuum

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The healthcare world is constantly changing and evolving to keep up with the fast-paced world, continually changing technology and patient expectations. One place in the healthcare world that is working to stay up-to-date in the current climate is ambulatory care. Ambulatory care, also known as outpatient care, refers to medical services provided on an outpatient basis without requiring an overnight hospital stay (Khalil, 2024). According to Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, “Ambulatory services make up about 53 percent of the total revenue earned by the health system” (Bergen, 2020). While this statistic is only based in South Central Pennsylvania, it shows that ambulatory care is an important component of the healthcare world. According …show more content…
However, the shift towards preventative care and chronic disease management may require additional resources and time commitment from healthcare providers, potentially leading to challenges in managing patient volume and workload. “Nurses in the ambulatory care setting provide patient care and assist with treatment processes and management strategies for an array of patient populations and at various stages in the wellness and illness continuum” (Cavanaugh, 2021). The vast array of patients at different stages along with different diseases and treatments can quickly overwhelm nurses, but adding in preventative care can place an additional strain on nurses as they have to start looking beyond the patients who are sick. The emphasis on patient-centered care in ambulatory settings signifies a shift towards a more holistic and personalized approach to healthcare delivery. Patient-centered care focuses on involving patients in decision-making, respecting their preferences and values, and considering their individual needs and