Introduction

Figure 3.1 Healthcare delivery systems include all aspects of public and private health, wellness, and prevention and must include a culture of cooperation and collaboration. Nurses have an active role in the healthcare delivery system and directly impact it. (credit clockwise from top left: modification of “American Medical Response Ambulance (51190421444)” by Raymond Wambsgans/Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0; modification of “Researcher looks through microscope (2)” by Rhoda Baer/Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain; modification of “US Navy 070919-N-6278K-056 Lt. Cmdr. Mary Gracia, a pediatric nurse practioner attached to Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH 20)” by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joan E. Kretschmer/Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain; modification of “Close up of nurse comforting ill patient in hospital ward” by DC Studio/Freepik, Freepik license; modification of “USMC-100804-M-3909A-294” by Pfc. Sarah Anderson/Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain)

Chapter Outline

3.1 Levels of Care

3.2 Organizational Frameworks and Structure

3.3 Barriers to Healthcare Access

3.4 Culture

The U.S. healthcare industry is like a vast machine that has been added onto and adjusted over time. The healthcare machine is constantly changing and evolving, adding new ideas, practices, and systems to improve patient care, and slowly removing outdated ideas, practices, and systems that no longer work. Understanding how healthcare systems function can positively impact a new nurse’s ability to adjust to their healthcare environment.