DALLAS, Aug. 09, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Advances in medicine and a nationwide focus on health and wellness are factors contributing to our longevity. As our population lives longer, there is an increased demand for critical care medicine—and the specialized physicians who treat these patients. The Delta Companies (TDC), a leading staffing firm for healthcare professionals nationwide, shares their perspective on this growing trend.
From Hospitalist to Specialist
Just five years ago, it was the hospitalist or internist who was expected to perform procedures required in the critical care unit. However, changes to our healthcare system structure, including coverage and reimbursement to hospitals, have had a dramatic impact on critical care.
For example, under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), more people are insured today than ever before, which means there are more patients. Further, ACA has evolved the hospital business model: physician and hospital reimbursements have moved from a services-based system to a results-based system, requiring hospitals to reevaluate who treats patients in order to effect the best possible outcome.
In the wake of these changes, the hospital’s foundational and physical structure has also evolved. Today, hospitalists have greater autonomy to assign patients to the specialist who is most qualified to achieve positive results. In addition, hospitals are reducing the number of inpatient beds in favor of sending any patient who might require specialty support to the critical care unit or the intensive care unit, resulting in a steady increase in the number of critical care beds. In fact, from 2000 to 2010, the number of critical care beds increased by 17.8 percent, according the Society of Critical Care Medicine.
In addition, acute care hospitals and rehabilitation hospitals have become more prevalent—a clear demonstration of the increase in the number of specialized hospitals and units that treat the chronically ill who rely on critical care.
Filling the Critical Care Gap
These facts all point the reality that there will continue to be unprecedented demand for critical care physicians, and you can expect this need to continue on a strong and steady trajectory. Why? Because advances in medicine will continue to advance lifespans, and hospitals will continue to look for ways to improve outcomes. Their point of differentiation and competitive edge will be influenced by critical care medicine.
ABOUT THE DELTA COMPANIES
The Delta Companies is the leading physician and healthcare staffing firm in the United States offering permanent and temporary staffing solutions nationwide for physicians, physician extenders, allied, and therapy healthcare professionals. Visit Delta Physician Placement for more about permanent physician staffing services; Delta Healthcare Providers for more about allied healthcare staffing services, and Delta Locum Tenens for more about locum tenens staffing services.