What is referred to as an "informed consent?"

Rationale:

A. Prospective Payment System (PPS): PPS was introduced in the 1980s and aimed to control healthcare costs by reimbursing hospitals based on predetermined rates for services provided. While it had an impact on hospital operations, it did not directly contribute to the growth of hospitals.

B. The growth of managed care: Managed care emerged as a significant force in healthcare delivery in the latter part of the 20th century, but its impact on hospital growth was more complex, including efforts to control costs and utilization.

C. Technological advances: Advances in medical technology, such as diagnostic imaging, surgical techniques, and pharmaceuticals, played a significant role in the growth of hospitals by expanding their capabilities to diagnose and treat a wider range of conditions.

D. Increased use of skilled nursing: While skilled nursing facilities and services are important components of the healthcare system, they did not directly contribute to the growth of hospitals during this period.

Rationale:

A. Wastage at clinics: While wastage at clinics may contribute to inefficiencies in the healthcare system, it is not a primary reason that cost-control efforts in the United States have not been successful.

B. Global healthcare issues: While global healthcare issues may impact the broader context of healthcare delivery, they are not a specific reason for the lack of success in cost-control efforts within the United States.

C. Poor patient outcomes: Poor patient outcomes may contribute to healthcare costs, but they are not the primary reason that cost-control efforts have not been successful.

D. Cost shifting: Cost shifting refers to the practice of shifting costs from one payer to another, such as from private insurers to public payers like Medicare and Medicaid. This practice can undermine efforts to control costs by redistributing financial burdens rather than addressing underlying cost drivers.