Answer

Introduction

            One of the main objectives of the US healthcare system is to provide quality and affordable care to all who require any medical services or products. Accordingly, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (2010) identifies three means of achieving this goal as: rewarding institutions providing effective care, encouraging sustainability of the high performance and opportunities for improvement, and lastly, decreasing the medical costs (Aoughsten et al, 2015; Healthgrades, 2014). In order to understand whether these objectives are being met, there is need to compare and review the provision of care in the country and for this reason, Healthgrades was formed in 1998 to review and report on the quality standards, safety state and affordability of hospitals in the US. Consequently, the institution continues with its role to date (2016) and the two key issues mentioned in the 2014 report are: Mortality rates are highest in hospitals with low approval rates and on the other hand, the cost of care increases with increase in complications and mortality.

Implications of Issues to Nurse Practitioners

            According to Healthgrades (2014), care facilities rated as 5-star are able to offer quality yet affordable services in their specialized conditions related to high mortalities like heart attack and stroke. This report further notes that increase in complications and rate of mortality during the provision of care cause the costs of the care to rise in order to meet the extra demands of the patient especially for mortality related conditions. Based on these arguments, nurse practitioner have to work better towards reducing mortality rates within their institutions and in their practice despite the level or location of the hospitals. Other than improving the livelihoods of the patients, it helps eliminate the extra costs required in solving these care challenges. Better care also reduces chances of complications and this makes the healthcare system affordable for all who need it (Aoughsten et al, 2015).

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