Florida Nursing Assistant Competency Pracrice Exam

What is the primary role of an ombudsman in a healthcare setting?

1. Client advocate

2. Medical advisor

3. Financial liaison

4. Facility manager

The correct answer is: Client advocate

The primary role of an ombudsman in a healthcare setting is to serve as a client advocate. This means that the ombudsman works directly with patients to ensure their rights are respected and their needs are met. They address concerns and complaints regarding the care patients receive, helping to facilitate communication between patients and healthcare providers. Ombudsmen are often involved in resolving conflicts and promoting quality of care, ensuring that patients feel heard and supported in their experiences within the healthcare system. Their focus is primarily on advocating for the best interests of the clients they serve, making sure that their voices are considered in decisions affecting their health care. The other options represent roles that do not encompass the primary function of an ombudsman. For instance, a medical advisor would focus on clinical guidance rather than patient advocacy, while a financial liaison would deal with billing and insurance matters, and a facility manager would be concerned with the operations and management of the healthcare setting. Each of these roles do have their importance, but they do not capture the advocacy aspect that defines the ombudsman’s primary purpose.