INPATIENT, OUTPATIENT, AND ANCILLARY SERVICES
Cultural competency is extremely important in health care, as the consumers we serve come from diverse backgrounds. Inpatient and outpatient services account for the largest sector of health care services; however, cultural competency extends to all health care sectors. It is vital that as a health care professional, we are culturally competent to provide our consumers with high-quality health care.
Test your cultural competency on all three of the test below:
Health Inclusion. (2020). Cultural competence quiz. Retrieved from
SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. (2020). Cultural competency in nursing homes: Test your knowledge on cultural competence. Retrieved from
The London School of International Communication. (2020). Part 1 – Cultural knowledge. Retrieved from
Based on your results and research, answer the following questions in a 2- to 3-page paper:
- On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being needs improvement and 5 being exceeds expectations, rate yourself on the answers to each test, you should have three (3) ratings in total. (Note: Your personal rating does not affect your grade).
- Describe how you would improve upon your rating.
- Explain the importance of cultural competency in the U.S. health care system.
- Rationalize in detail why health care leaders play a vital role in embracing and implementing cultural competency.
In your scholarly paper, you should include an introduction and conclusion paragraph.
SLP Assignment Expectations
- Conduct additional research to gather sufficient information to justify/support your responses.
- Limit your response to a maximum of 3 pages.
- Support your report with peer-reviewed articles, with at least 3 references. Use the following link for additional information on how to recognize peer-reviewed journals. Angelo State University Library (n.d.) Library guide: How to recognize peer reviewed (refereed journals). Retrieved from:
- You may use the following source to assist in formatting your assignment. Purdue Online Writing Lab. (n.d.). General APA guidelines. Retrieved from:
- For additional information on reliability of sources review the following source. Georgetown University Library (n.d.) Evaluating internet resources. Retrieved from
Module Overview
Inpatient Services
Inpatient services are services that involve an overnight stay of a patient. Historically, the U.S. health care industry was based on the provision of inpatient services provided by hospitals and outpatient services provided by physicians. As our health care system evolved, hospitals became the mainstay of the health care system, offering primary inpatient with limited outpatient services. Although a hospital’s primary revenue is derived from inpatient services, as a result of cost containment and customer preferences, more outpatient services are being offered by hospitals. Inpatient services typically focus on acute care, which includes secondary and tertiary levels of care that most likely require inpatient care. Inpatient services are very expensive and throughout the years have been targeted for cost-containment measures (Niles, 2011).
Outpatient Services
In outpatient services, the patient is not admitted overnight to a health care facility. Frequently, the patient arrives at a scheduled appointment or seeks out health care services, and then leaves once the visit concludes. Therefore, outpatient services are commonly referred to as ambulatory care.
Many facilities, realizing that the need for inpatient services was declining, started offering ambulatory services to their patients. The appeal is that the patient will be familiar with the facility and staff, and feel comfortable if admission is required. Another surprising setting that has emerged as a result of consumer convenience is retail outpatient care. These clinics are found in supermarkets and drugstores. Usually they are run by a Nurse Practitioner, and have flexible hours. These providers offer routine care, but if that is all one needs, it is better than sitting in an ER or waiting for a doctor’s office appointment.
Ancillary Services
Ancillary services are those things provided exclusive of room and board (US Legal, 2016). These services fall into one of three broad categories: diagnostic, custodial, and therapeutic (Ancillary Medical Solutions, 2014). One way of looking at it is that these are specific services needed by a population to complete the diagnosis and treatment processes.
Ancillary Settings
Ancillary services can normally be found in hospitals, freestanding facilities, and medical (Ancillary Medical Solutions, 2014). For example, there is usually a pharmacy in the hospital for inpatient and outpatient use. A provider might have a laboratory in his or her office to analyze collected specimens. Ancillary services fall under one of three categories: diagnostic, therapeutic, and custodial. Diagnostic refers to tests or procedures used to assess a patient’s health status. Therapeutic ancillary services are those that provide for the necessary treatment of a diagnosed disease. Custodial ancillary services and equipment are provided to support a patient’s activities of daily living (ADLs). The table below provides a sample of ancillary services by category: diagnostic, therapeutic, and custodial. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of ancillary services, but rather a tool to aid you in making distinctions between the types of ancillary services used in the care of clients.
Ancillary Medical Solutions. (2014). What are Ancillary Services in Health Care? Retrieved from
Niles, N. (2011). Basics of the U.S. Health Care System. Burlington, MA: Jones & Barlett Learning
US Legal. (2016). Ancillary Services (Health Care) Law and Legal Definition. Retrieved from
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction: The importance of cultural competency in healthcare cannot be overstated. Inpatient and outpatient services make up a significant sector of healthcare, and cultural competency extends across all healthcare sectors. As a healthcare professional, it is crucial to be culturally competent to provide consumers with quality healthcare.
1. On a scale of 1 to 5, rate yourself on the answers to each of the cultural competence tests, you should have three (3) ratings in total.
As an AI language model, I cannot take a cultural competence test or rate myself. However, for medical college students, it is important to take cultural competence tests and assess their results to understand their shortcomings and work on improving their cultural competencies.
2. Describe how you would improve upon your rating.
To improve cultural competence, healthcare professionals need to understand the cultural norms that may impact a patient’s health and well-being. They should seek further education about different cultural practices and how they affect healthcare. Consistently interacting with individuals from diverse backgrounds, becoming more aware of cultural biases, and utilizing information from cultural experts are some ways healthcare professionals can improve their cultural competency.
3. Explain the importance of cultural competency in the U.S. healthcare system.
The U.S. healthcare system comprises people from various ethnicities, races, and religions. To provide quality healthcare, healthcare professionals must demonstrate cultural competence towards their patients. Cultural competence enhances communication between health providers and patients and increases patient satisfaction, leading to improved patient outcomes. Lack of cultural competency can cause distrust and reduce the quality of care given to a patient, leading to health disparities.
4. Rationalize why healthcare leaders play a vital role in embracing and implementing cultural competency.
Healthcare leaders play an essential role in setting the tone for promoting cultural competency. They can implement policies that encourage the training of healthcare professionals to improve their cultural competencies. Healthcare leaders can create a work environment that supports cultural learning and fosters respect and understanding among different cultures. They can also provide funding to research on health disparities among different groups and develop intervention plans. By promoting cultural competence, healthcare leaders can improve the quality of healthcare services provided to all groups of people, irrespective of their culture, race, or religion.
