Canadian Health Information Management Association Practice Exam

What level of care is represented by Susie’s visit to the ER and subsequent surgery for acute appendicitis?

1. Primary care

2. Quaternary care

3. Secondary care

4. Tertiary care

The correct answer is: Secondary care

Susie’s visit to the ER and her subsequent surgery for acute appendicitis exemplify secondary care, which is the correct answer. Secondary care involves specialized medical services and procedures that typically require a referral from a primary care provider. This level of care addresses acute or severe health issues that cannot be managed at the primary care level. In this scenario, the emergency room (ER) visit indicates an immediate need for professional medical evaluation and intervention due to an acute condition. After the initial assessment in the ER, Susie underwent surgery, which is a specialized procedure falling within the realm of secondary care. Primary care typically involves general health maintenance and treatment of common illnesses, which would occur before the referral to secondary care for further specialized intervention. Tertiary care represents a higher level of care that includes specialized consultation and advanced treatments often in a hospital setting, but it usually addresses complex and rare conditions requiring highly specialized expertise. Quaternary care is even more specialized, often involving experimental medicine or procedures that are not widely available. Thus, recognizing the specifics of Susie’s situation in the emergency department leading to surgery fits well within the definition and scope of secondary care.