Tertiary Healthcare System

Tertiary care is a specialized and complex level of care offered for rare disorders over a prolonged period.

Generally, a patient is referred to tertiary care by a primary or a secondary care provider.

The healthcare professionals in tertiary care have access to advanced and specialized equipment and required expertise.

Patients undergo advanced medical investigations or procedures like major transplant and replacement surgeries.

Likewise, patients receive treatment for medical conditions, such as cancers and neurological impairments, requiring long-term care.

For example, a patient with severe osteoarthritis visits an orthopedic surgeon to undergo a total knee replacement when it can no longer be treated with medications at a secondary level.

Other examples of tertiary care include burn treatment, plastic surgeries, and advanced neonatal care.

The attributes of a tertiary care system include modern medical facilities with advanced diagnostic centers and specialized intensive care units.

Unfortunately, the major drawback of tertiary care is that it can be expensive and less accessible, which may result in delays in the treatment.