In this situation, the hospital experimenting with POEM (Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy) is filling the role of tertiary care. Tertiary care refers to specialized medical services typically provided at larger hospitals or specialized centers, often for complex cases that require advanced diagnostic and treatment procedures. Since Ryan's case involves an experimental treatment for a specific esophageal condition, it fits into the tertiary care category.
Ryan has a condition called achalasia, where the muscles in his esophagus refuse to relax and allow food to enter his stomach. Ryan has seen specialists for this issue but his last treatment involving a laparoscopic myotomy did not fix it. In fact, Ryan has seen a substantial increase in the amount of acid reflux he has since the procedure. He hears about an experimental new treatment called POEM that is being tried in a hospital across the country. Ryan sends a letter to the surgeons on staff, asking that he be considered for this treatment. In this situation, what healthcare role is the hospital experimenting with POEM filling?
(1 point)
• primary care
• secondary care
• tertiary care
• quaternary care
1 answer