Accounting, Financial Statements, and Cost: Who Makes This Stuff Up?

Discussion Topic 1: Accounting, Financial Statements, and Cost: Who Makes This Stuff Up?

Learning about the principles behind the accounting department and financial statements is an important part of the role of the nurse executive at all levels. Discuss the following topics, identifying the key concepts behind each topic:

How does a healthcare organization handle bad debt versus charity care?
What kind of information is contained in the notes of a financial statement?
Does patient volume have an impact on the cost per patient of care provided by a healthcare organization?

Textbook Reading:

Financial Management for Nurse Managers and Executives

Chapter 6: “Accounting Principles”
Chapter 7: “Analysis of Financial Statement Information”
Chapter 8: “Cost Management”
Chapter 9: “Determining Health Care Costs and Prices”