Doctors and nurses are the core of the health care system. However, health care services involve many other organized processes and people who help prevent, diagnose, and restore the health of people who suffer from any physical or mental disease. It also comprises medical equipment providers, pharmacists, lab technicians, and various other professionals who you may not see in person but work behind the scenes to improve the health care system.

What are the important health care services?
Health care services include doctors, other medical and support professionals, and paramedics who provide medical care and serve patients, caregivers, and communities. Various services provide emergency, preventative, and hospital care for patients. They also offer treatment options and at-home care for people diagnosed with chronic, long-term illnesses. The health care services are broadly categorized into primary, outpatient, and emergency. Other essential health services include:

• Daycare
• Inpatient
• Outpatient
• Emergency
• Surgical
• Dental care
• Eye care
• Mental health care
• Nutritional support
• Occupational therapy
• Pharmaceutical care
• Physical therapy
• Prenatal care
• Transportation

Types of health care facilities
Health care facilities are settings where patients can access different health care services.

• Hospitals
  These are large organizations offering most health care services under one roof, saving patients from the time and effort of running from one health care service to another.
• Clinics
  Clinics and medical offices provide health care services for a specialized area and may offer only consultation. Some large clinics are headed by experienced doctors and assisted by specialist doctors and other healthcare professionals and may have a limited number of rooms for inpatients.
• Ambulatory surgical centers
  These are facilities where patients can avail of certain surgical procedures outside a hospital. These centers do not offer consultation, serve only as surgical centers, and are less expensive than a fully equipped hospital.
• Birth centers
  These are facilities that only offer services related to childbirth. Once the baby is born, the parents may look for other facilities for further care.
• Nursing homes
  Nursing homes offer round-the-clock attention for seniors or people with disabilities. Nurses, physical therapists, and assistants help patients in performing their daily activities.
• Mental health centers
  These centers are specialized facilities that provide psychological care and treatment and may provide outpatient and inpatient care.
• Hospices
  These are not treatment centers but facilities that work to improve the lives of people diagnosed with end-stage diseases. Their goal is to reduce the pain and discomfort of their patients and provide them with medical and emotional support

Dialysis facilities, blood banks, diabetic education centers, imaging centers, and diagnostic labs are other essential health care facilities that are part of the health care system.

What are health care products?
Health care products are all those items used in a health care facility to maintain and improve a person’s health and prevent any deterioration in their condition. These products undergo strict quality checks and many levels of screening and validation for hygiene, cleanliness, contamination, and infection. Some of the most commonly used and essential health care products include:

• Hospital gowns
• Uniforms
• Clothing
• Linen
• Surgical covers
• Masks
• Caps
• Hospital beds
• Mattresses
• Vaccines

Important health care software for patients and hospitals
Health care software automates every aspect of patients’ health, hospital management, hospital inventory, and employees. The most important health care software includes:

• Electronic Health Record
  Electronic Health Record (EHR) is the primary software that records a patient’s personal and medical history, treatment plans, diagnostic test results, and any allergies. This information is crucial for doctors to diagnose and create a personalized treatment approach for their patients. EHR is essential for effective communication between a patient and a doctor and for future references and billing.
• Telemedicine software
  Telemedicine software is a tool that facilities remote consulting without visiting a health care facility. A patient and doctor are connected through an app or website via video conferencing. Payment and prescription generation are all done online.
• Remote patient monitoring software
  Remote patient monitoring software helps doctors and caregivers track their patients and loved ones’ health using sensors via Bluetooth and the Internet. Blood pressure and blood sugar monitors and heart rate and wearable ECG monitors are examples of remote patient monitoring software.
• Hospital Management System
  The Hospital Management System records, manages, and tracks all activities of patients, doctors, and other employees, as well as doctor appointments, prescriptions, billing, health insurance, and other crucial hospital operations and data.

Health care tips for all ages

• Increase the quantity of fresh food and restrict the consumption of processed and fast food.
• Stay hydrated and drink up to two liters of water every day.
• Go for periodic screening to detect any nutritional deficiencies or abnormalities in vital parameters.
• Learn to manage stress and emotions like fear, anxiety, and depression.
• Commit to a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise.
• Get an adequate health insurance that covers major treatment and at-home care expenses.
• Do not hesitate to visit a doctor on noticing any abnormal symptoms or changes in the body.