The Cherokee health care
system is ran by the Cherokee instead of the state or government like the
health care systems back home are. The healthcare team at Cherokee Indian
Hospital consists of a provider, LPN, RN, and a CMA. When a patient comes into
the emergency room the patient checks in at the desk unless brought in by EMS,
then they wait and are brought back by the RN to a room vital signs are checked
and the RN addresses them to find out the problem. The provider then goes into
the room and assesses the patient then comes out talks to RN and puts in orders
for RN to complete. The RN then completes the order and in most cases patients
are then discharged. While in the ER I talked with the RN’s they stated that
most of the time there is no wait time to be seen in the ER but when there is
patients are seen by acuity.
So far in my time at Cherokee
Indian Hospital I feel things are fairly similar to the care that is provided back
home. Some differences I have noticed is they don’t react or aren’t surprised when
people don’t show for their appointments. I have asked a few nurses their view
on why people don’t show for their appointments and their responses were along
the lines of because there is no repercussions to them not showing for example
they don’t pay a fee. I think it is great that Cherokee members receive their healthcare
for free but when it is abused I feel there should be some form of repercussions. Within
the Cherokee culture they have an alternative clinic within the hospital that
offers massage, aromatherapy, and acupuncture to the enrolled members.
"Tell me and I forget Teach me and I may remember Involve me and I learn" -- Benjamin Franklin
Brittany, I too have noticed how those in healthcare have no reaction to no-show appointments. I had wondered if it is almost expected that some will miss an appointment. I think this is a main reason why it is important that the hospital has so many services. Patients can get everything that need in one place. Regarding scheduling appointments, one provider had explained to me that when a person calls to make an appointment, it is almost easier to get them in right then, rather than wait several days.
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