Which of the following is not an example of the main forces of future change in healthcare delivery service?

Rationale:

A. Total number of inpatient days incurred by a population over a given period of time: "Days of care" refers to the total number of days that all inpatients collectively spend in hospitals over a specified period, such as a month or a year. It is a measure of the volume of inpatient services provided.

B. The number of days a patient stays in a hospital: While this answer describes the duration of an individual patient's hospital stay, it does not encompass the concept of "days of care," which refers to the aggregate total of inpatient days across all patients.

C. The total number of patients admitted: This answer refers to the number of patients admitted to a hospital but does not capture the concept of "days of care," which measures the duration of inpatient stays.

D. The length of time patients are treated in a clinic: This answer describes the duration of

treatment in a clinic setting, which is different from the concept of "days of care" in the context of inpatient hospital services.

A. The patients: While patients play a role in cost containment through their healthcare choices and behaviors, they do not have the primary responsibility.

B. Both physicians and patients: Physicians and patients contribute to cost containment efforts, but they are not primarily responsible for it.

C. The private sector: The primary responsibility of cost containment in the United States lies with the private sector, including insurance companies, employers, and healthcare providers, who implement policies and practices to manage and reduce healthcare costs.

D. The nursing unions: Nursing unions advocate for better working conditions and patient care but do not have primary responsibility for cost containment.