Regardless of political affiliation, every citizen has a stake in healthcare policy decisions. Hence, it is little wonder why healthcare items become such high-profile components of presidential agendas. It is also little wonder why they become such hotly debated agenda items.
Consider a topic that rises to the presidential level. How did each of the presidents (Trump, Obama, and Bush) handle the problem? What would you do differently?
To Prepare:
By Day 3 of Week 1
Post your response to the discussion question: Consider a topic that rises to the presidential level. How did each of the presidents (Trump, Obama, and Bush) handle the problem? What would you do differently?
By Day 6 of Week 1
Respond to at least two of your colleagues* on two different days by expanding on their response and providing an example that supports their explanation or respectfully challenging their explanation and providing an example
A presidential plan consists of a list of issues or problems to which the presidential administration at any given time is paying close and serious attention to them. Some of the issues that rise to presidential levels are healthcare-related problems like a highly infectious disease outbreak. Notifiable diseases are also included in the presidential agenda. The chosen topic to discuss is a pandemic like coronavirus. Coronavirus pandemic is currently on every president’s agenda due to its impact on all aspects of life since 2019.
In many countries and states, Covid 19 has led to healthcare supply shortages, increased mortality rate, and social and economic impacts negatively affecting the lives of country people. For example, the issuance of a country’s lockdown decreased the country’s economic activity. In the United States, Trump’s administration played a crucial role in handling the pandemic.
First was issuing the country’s lockdown to prevent entry into the state’s borders. The aim was to decrease the spread of coronavirus from other countries such as China. The presidential administration acted as the last resort supplier. Due to poor national planning and appropriate government guidelines, coronavirus outbreak trajectories and community spread worsened (Kates et al., 2020).
Additionally, the president issued social distancing policies and stay-at-home orders to reduce coronavirus spread after the spike in the coronavirus infected numbers. In April, Trump encouraged the reopening of the country and schools even before the reopening metrics were met. Although the president gave conflicting messages to the public about covid 19 transmissions and treatment, the research bodies could correct and provide the proper recommendations (Kates et al., 2020).
Biden’s presidential administration handled coronavirus with more effective measures that proved appropriate to control the disease. He mounted a national emergency response strategy to decrease the virus spread, protect frontline workers, and save lives. He introduced a plan encouraging the federal government to be at the forefront in COVID- 19 response strategies such as managing healthcare supplies used to prevent, control, and treat coronavirus, contact tracing, and increasing coronavirus testing capacity (Kates et al., 2020).
Another approach is increasing critical supplies needed to curb the spread of covid 19, such as personal protective equipment. The president took the responsibility of providing essential supplies to the state and even tribes.
The defense production act was established to increase the production of supplies such as masks and other types of equipment to increase supply, especially in hard-to-reach areas which are primarily affected. The hospital equipment such as ventilators and intensive care supplies increased as covid 19 mainly affects the respiratory system. He also allowed public access to covid 19 information through the media (Holzer & Newbold, 2020).
The current president is fighting against the covid 19 pandemic by providing covid 19 vaccines to all people, even schoolchildren. The vaccines have been made available to the high-risk populations and hard-to-reach areas to increase the percentage of people vaccinated, promoting herd immunity (Maves et al., 2020).
In addressing the pandemic, I would not do anything different from what President Biden did because his approaches seem effective in preventing the spread of the disease. First, I would invest in technology and scientific research related to the pandemic to understand the disease and treat it. The research would lead to the production of vaccines to curb the disease.
Additionally, I would put more effort into increasing the vaccine coverage, especially to the resistant populations since there are many unvaccinated people in the country. Lastly, strict testing, quarantine, and isolation guidelines would be part of my efforts.
Holzer, M., & Newbold, S. P. (2020). A call for action: public administration, public policy, and public health responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. The American Review of Public Administration, 50(6-7):450-454. https://doi.org/10.1177/0275074020941666
Kates, J., Michaud, J., Levitt, L., Pollitz, K., Neuman, T., Long, M., Rudowitz, R., Musumeci, M., Freed, M., & Cubanski, J. (2020). Comparing Trump and Biden on COVID-19. Retrieved from https://www.kff.org/coronavirus-covid-19/issue-brief/comparing-trump-and-biden-on-covid-19/
Maves, R. C., Downar, J., Dichter, J. R., Hick, J. L., Devereaux, A., Geiling, J. A., Kissoon, N., Hupert, N., Niven, A. S., King, M. A., Rubinson, L. L., Hanfling, D., Hodge, J. G., Jr, Marshall, M. F., Fischkoff, K., Evans, L. E., Tonelli, M. R., Wax, R. S., Seda, G., Parrish, J. S., & ACCP Task Force for Mass Critical Care (2020). Triage of Scarce Critical Care Resources in COVID-19 An Implementation Guide for Regional Allocation: An Expert Panel Report of the Task Force for Mass Critical Care and the American College of Chest Physicians. Chest, 158(1), 212–225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2020.03.063
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, at least 70 million American adults are obese. Kopp (2019) indicates that in the US, 19% of young adults between 2 and 19 years old and 49% of adults suffer from obesity, which increases their risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. Additionally, obesity costs the healthcare system $147 billion annually in lost work hours and treatment costs.
Non-communicable, lifestyle-related diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, certain types of cancers, chronic respiratory disease, cognitive impairment, diabetes, and obesity are the leading causes of death today. Sompayrac and Linehart (2018) indicate that specific social determinants of health, such as poverty, income inequality, wealth inequality, food insecurity, and the lack of safe, affordable housing, have important implications for health risks and the ability to attain health insurance coverage for African Americans. Quadagno and Lanford (2019) also relate childhood obesity and adult obesity. Children who are obese are also likely to grow into older adults.
Trump’s administration did not do much to stop the obesity epidemic from growing further (Byrne, 2020). Instead of increasing the efforts towards funding anti-obesity programs, the administration mainly focused on defunding and reversing programs established by Obama’s administration. Consequently, there was a significant increase in obesity from 37.7% in 2018 to 42.4% during his administration. Trump’s administration bowed to the needs of the food companies, increasing the growth of fast-food restaurants, especially in low-income neighborhoods.
n the other hand, the President Biden administration has had to grapple with a worsening rate of childhood obesity, which has risen from 36% to 46% for children between 5 and 11 years during the pandemic. Under the President’s Department of Agriculture (USDA), there has been an increase in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) because Americans need more calories in their diets. With the current overweight and obesity figures, this decision by the USDA makes it challenging to regulate weight gain among children.
To diminish the obesity and overweight epidemic, I would increase population education on healthy dietary options and food portion sizes. Sompayrac and Linehart (2018) indicate lower education can lead to higher obesity levels. The positive effect of education on obesity is attributed to greater access to health-related information, improved ability to handle the information by the educated, more precise perception of the risks associated with lifestyle choices, and increased self-control. Individuals with greater access to health-related information are more likely to remain consistent with their dietary choices than individuals with lower education levels.
Further, I would engage nurses and other healthcare providers to take time and educate the communities on the best dietary options based on their income level, height, and food options. Since heart disease is the leading cause of death in America and is exacerbated by the patient’s weight and lifestyle choices, if the communities can eat healthier and maintain the recommended 30 minutes of physical activity daily, hospitals will not be overrun by patients with lifestyle-related health issues (Quadagno & Lanford, 2019).
I would also develop policies that demand a certain number of grocery stores per population to ensure that even low-income neighborhoods access vegetables and fruits. Finally, I would call for tax increases on fast-food restaurants and lower taxes on healthy food options to make vegetables and fruits more affordable to low-income households.
Byrne, P. J. (2020). Trump’s legacy. News Weekly, (3083), 14–15.
Kopp, W. (2019). How Western diet and lifestyle drive the pandemic of obesity and civilization diseases. Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome And Obesity: Targets And Therapy, 12, 2221. https://doi.org/10.2147/dmso.s216791
Sompayrac, J., &Linehart Trundle, K. (2018). Obesity: The Elephant in the Room We Can No Longer Afford to Ignore. Journal of Health Ethics, 14(2), 2. http://dx.doi.org/10.18785/ojhe.1402.02
Quadagno, J., & Lanford, D. (2019). The Obama health care legacy: The origins, implementation, and effort to repeal the Affordable Care Act of 2010. In Looking Back on President Barack Obama’s Legacy (pp. 69-92). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-01545-9_4
Healthcare has been discussed in national debates since the early 70s. This agenda dates back to the administration of the second president of the US, John Adams. During his reign, he signed legislation that stated 20 cents from sailors’ monthly paychecks must be set apart to cover the sailors’ medical expenses. This was the first milestone in US healthcare legislation. Ever since the topic of healthcare has been mandatory in presidential agendas and political debates.
As a professional working in the healthcare industry, you may need to provide your expertise, opinions, and guidance on matters concerning healthcare. Your expertise helps determine where these healthcare agendas will be part of the new policy. Another reason they may need to consult you is to assist in planning new organizational policies and changes in new legislation.
For these reasons, you must be ready to speak on national healthcare issues that are making headlines. In this Assignment, you should evaluate recent presidential healthcare agendas. Prepare a fact sheet to communicate the relevance of a healthcare component and how the proposed or recent policy has impacted it.
To prepare for this Assignment, you must focus on specific aspects. They include:
The Assignment
The Assignment comprises three parts: a one- to two-page comparison grid, a one-page analysis, and a one-page narrative.
In this section, you will utilize the agenda comparison grid provided in the learning resources. You will compare the current and two previous presidents and their healthcare agendas. You must highlight how these agendas relate to the public concern you selected. Ensure you include the following:
Using the information you gathered in the previous part, you will compile part two of this Assignment, which is an agenda comparison grid analysis. Address the following:
This is the last section of your Assignment, comprising a narrative or summary. This narrative aims to show how you would communicate to a legislator about your healthcare issue. Include the following,
Obesity in the US is at its highest, with 42.4% of the population being obese. One of the main issues with obesity is that it leads to lifestyle-related health issues such as heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in America (Wolfenden et al., 2019). This paper will assess presidents Obama, Trump, and Biden to determine how their administrations have dealt with the issue. It will also include a discussion on the role of nurses in the issue.
Agenda Comparison Grid and Fact Sheet or Talking Points Brief Assignment Template for Part 1 and Part 2 (Be sure to use at least 2-3 outside resources)
Trump’s administration worsened the problem and increased the obesity level from 35% to 42.4%. His administration led to a significant increase in fast-food restaurants due to lax laws (Wolfenden et al., 2019).Obama’s administration launched a task force on childhood obesity. He put the first lady into the leading role in starting a national public awareness effort to improve the children’s health.Identify the allocations of financial and other resources that the current and two previous presidents dedicated to this issue. Use citations. Biden has allocated an initial budget of $6.5 billion to the organization (McInturff & Lewis, 2020)
The organization proposed that $636 billion would be cut from the NHS (Wolfenden et al., 2019)Allocated $1 billion to improve children’s access to healthy meals through reauthorization of school meals (Wolfenden et al., 2019).Explain how each of the presidential administrations approached the issue. Use citations. Created an agency that would help deal with health issues (McInturff & Lewis, 2020)
Focused on undoing what Obama’s administration had done, leading to increased obesity instances (Wolfenden et al., 2019).This administration focused mainly on reducing childhood education (Wolfenden et al., 2019)
Using the information you recorded in Part 1: Agenda Comparison Grid, complete the following to document information about the population health/healthcare issue you are selected.
Administration (President Name)President Biden(current)President TrumpPresident ObamaWhich administrative agency would most likely be responsible for helping you address the healthcare issue you selected? CDCWHONHSHow do you think your selected healthcare issue might get on the agenda for the current and two previous presidents? How does it stay there?It can call for environmental and policy strategies to make healthy meals accessible and affordable (McInturff & Lewis, 2020) Increase awareness of obesity and its enormous cost burden on the countryCampaign for patient education on healthy eating and physical activityWho would you choose to be the entrepreneur/ champion/sponsor of the healthcare issue you selected for the current and two previous presidents?Academy of nutrition and dieteticsConMedThe United States Public Health Service
Part 3: Narrative of why this is an important issue and should be included in the agenda. Justify the nurse’s role in agenda-setting. (Be sure to use at least two course resources and 2 outside resources)
Nurses serve as role models for patients and families by educating them about nutrition, the healthcare system, and obesity-related diseases (Torre et al., 2018). NPs can serve as individualized counselors by assisting patients in identifying their health objectives and devising strategies to accomplish them (Wolfenden et al., 2019).
Nurses can assist parents and children by offering dietary advice and techniques for reducing calorie consumption and boosting physical activity through weight control programs (Lamb et al., 2015). Nurses can also advocate for patient needs at the legislative level (Milstead & Short, 2019).
Despite efforts by the presidents to reduce the obesity issue, the crisis has been increasing fast. More needs to be done to minimize the issue. It will help reduce the costs of healthcare.
Bucher Della Torre, S., Courvoisier, D. S., Saldarriaga, A., Martin, X. E., & Farpour?Lambert, N. J. (2018). Knowledge, attitudes, representations and declared practices of nurses and physicians about obesity in a university hospital: training is essential. Clinical Obesity, 8(2), 122-130. https://doi.org/10.1111/cob.12238
Lamb, G., Newhouse, R., Beverly, C., Toney, D. A., Cropley, S., Weaver, C. A., Kurtzman, E., Peterson, C. (2015). Policy agenda for nurse-led care coordination. Nursing Outlook, 63(4), 521–530. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2015.06.003
McInturff, W. D., & Lewis, J. (2020, July). What COVID-19 and the nomination of Joe Biden mean for health care in the 2020 presidential election. In JAMA Health Forum (Vol. 1, No. 7, pp. e200825-e200825). American Medical Association. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamahealthforum.2020.0825
Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning. https://www.google.com/search?tbo=p&tbm=bks&q=bibliogroup:%22G+-+Reference,Information+and+Interdisciplinary+Subjects+Series%22&source=gbs_metadata_r&cad=5
Wolfenden, L., Ezzati, M., Larijani, B., & Dietz, W. (2019). The challenge for global health systems in preventing and managing obesity. Obesity Reviews, 20, 185-193. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.12872
Most citizens often grow concerned when considering whether the interests of the government work in favor of the topics of interest to them. The healthcare system is no different. Some individuals feel federal, local, and state policies and legislation may either benefit society or be hindered by their interests.
To prepare for this module, you need to analyze the learning resources and reflect on the efforts to replace or repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Evaluate who benefits the most from this policy development and implementation.
As a nurse, it’s important to realize that there is a lot you can do to make things work differently in the healthcare system. You have a role and a voice, so most nurses are beginning to venture into advocacy. This hopes to impact policies, laws, and regulations that affect healthcare issues. Although most nurses are skeptical about diving into the unfamiliar world of policies and politics, the reward is the opportunity to influence future health policies.
To prepare for this Assignment, you need to select a proposed bill (not one that has been enacted) from the learning resources provided. The Assignment comprises two parts: the Legislation grid and the Legislation testimony/advocacy statement.
This is a one-to-two-page paper whereby you will use the proposed bill you selected to complete the grid. Address the following:
Based on the information you acquired from the proposed bill you selected, address the following:
Boards of Nursing (BONs) exist in all 50 states, American Samoa, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands. BONs aim to protect the public through the regulation of nursing practice. These boards highlight state/region regulations that all nurses must follow to get licensed.
These regulations may differ from one state/region to another. It’s essential to compare these regulations. This helps nurses who may require licenses in multiple areas or states. It also helps share insights that can be useful in case of future changes in a state/region.
To Prepare:
Nursing is a profession with various regulations. There are over 1000 nursing boards and national nursing associations across the United States. They aim to regulate, promote, and inform the nursing profession. Due to the large number of these entities, it’s challenging to distinguish between a BON and a national nursing association. It’s also difficult to evaluate the benefits and options offered by each.
Both of these bodies significantly impact the nursing profession and scope of practice. Once you understand the differences, you can build your expertise as a professional. In this Assignment, you need to compare the boards of nursing and national nursing associations. You must also provide an analysis of your state’s BON.
To prepare, you will assume you are the head of a staff development meeting on nursing practice regulation at your healthcare agency. Evaluate the ACA and the NCSBN websites to prepare for your presentation.
The Assignment (8-to-9-slide PowerPoint presentation)
This Assignment comprises an 8-to-9-slide PowerPoint presentation that addresses the following:
Debate is inevitable when politics and medical science intersect. Sometimes, people use hearsay and anecdotes inappropriately as evidence to support their point. However, despite these challenges, evidence-based approaches are often used to inform health policy decision-making. This is regarding causes of diseases, issues impacting society, and intervention strategies.
In this discussion, you will focus on a recently proposed health policy. You must provide an analysis of evidence supporting this policy. To prepare, you must review the congress website in the learning resources and identify one proposed policy. Reflect on its background and development.
Word cloud generators are popular tools used in meetings and team-building events. Teams or groups use these applications to input words they feel best describe their team. The application generates a word cloud that makes the most-used terms prominent. It offers an image of how common the thinking of the participants is.
Nursing is one of the largest professions in the world. Hence, nurses have the power to influence politics and policies globally. Policymaking is, therefore, an increasingly popular term in the nursing industry.
Nurses and health professionals from different specialty areas must and should collaborate in creating effective programs. Nurses possess specialties that automatically make them natural partners to professionals with varying things. The collaboration between nurses and these professionals produces better-designed and effective programs.
In this Assignment, you will lead this collaboration by advocating for a healthcare program. You will also advocate for a collaborative role of the nurse in the design and implementation of this program. You will assume a professional organization is interviewing you regarding your opinions on the functions of a nurse designing and implementing healthcare programs.
The Assignment (2-4 pages)
Create an interview transcript of your responses to the following questions:
Nurses can play a significant role in evaluating policies to enhance the organization’s performance as well as their careers. They can participate in policy evaluation by being part of professional organizations, which most assume the role of collection and dissemination of various forms of policy data (Derouin, 2019).
As part of professional organizations, nurses contribute to a policy review by gathering knowledge and other forms of useful information that can be used to evaluate policy outcomes (Gazarian et al, 2020). Professional organizations present a great opportunity to learn from others and get their opinion on policy issues.
Nurses can also participate in policy reviews by using scientific data and evidence-based research to inform health policy reviews. Policy review processes involve the collection of credible and reliable information and reflecting on how such information can be used to improve existing policies (Waddell, 2019). By supplying policymakers with concrete data and evidence-based research, policymakers can make policy decisions that are based on facts.
However, nurses may encounter various challenges as they participate in the policy review process. For instance, when they join professional bodies, they must be able to deal with other people’s opinions even if they do not agree. Whereas professional organizations help in building teams and networks, it might be difficult to develop a strong team if the team members’ ideas and opinions do not match.
Nonetheless, the teams and networks can play a significant role in facilitating policy evaluation. For instance, nurses can leverage social media networks to communicate and gain feedback on health policies. The social networks also present an opportunity for the nurses to educate the public on the policies as well as how they affect public health delivery.
Derouin, A. (2019). Health policy and social program evaluation. In J. A. Milstead, & N. M. Short (Eds.), Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed., pp 115-131). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Gazarian, P., Ballout, S., Heelan-Fancher, L., & Sundean, L. J. (2020). Theories, models, and frameworks used in nursing health policy dissertations: A scoping review. Applied nursing research: ANR, 151234. Advance Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnr.2020.151234
Waddell, A. (2019). Nursing organizations’ health policy content on Facebook and Twitter preceding the 2016 United States presidential election. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 75(1), 119–128. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.13826
In the Module 4 Discussion, you considered how professional nurses can become involved in policy-making. A critical component of any policy design is the evaluation of the results. How comfortable are you with the thought of becoming involved with such matters?
Some nurses may be hesitant to get involved with policy evaluation. The preference may be to focus on the care and well-being of their patients; some nurses may feel ill-equipped to enter the realm of policy and political activities. However, as you have examined previously, who better to advocate for patients and effective programs and policies than nurses? Already patient advocates in interactions with doctors and leadership, why not with government and regulatory agencies?
In this Discussion, you will reflect on the role of professional nurses in policy evaluation.
Post an explanation of at least two opportunities that currently exist for RNs and APRNs to actively participate in policy review. Explain some of the challenges that these opportunities may present and describe how you might overcome these challenges. Finally, recommend two strategies you might make to better advocate for or communicate the existence of these opportunities. Be specific and provide examples.
By Day 6 of Week 9Respond to at least two of your colleagues* on two different days by suggesting additional opportunities or recommendations for overcoming the challenges described by your colleagues.
Program/policy evaluation is a valuable tool that can help strengthen the quality of programs/policies and improve outcomes for the populations they serve. Program/policy evaluation answers basic questions about program/policy effectiveness. It involves collecting and analyzing information about program/policy activities, characteristics, and outcomes. This information can be used to ultimately improve program services or policy initiatives.
Nurses can play a very important role in assessing program/policy evaluation for the same reasons that they can be so important to program/policy design. Nurses bring expertise and patient advocacy that can add significant insight and impact. In this Assignment, you will practice applying this expertise and insight by selecting an existing healthcare program or policy evaluation and reflecting on the criteria used to measure the effectiveness of the program/policy.
Based on the program or policy evaluation you selected, complete the Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation Analysis Template. Be sure to address the following:
In the Discussion for this module, you considered the interaction of nurse informaticists with other specialists to ensure successful care. How is that success determined?
Patient outcomes and the fulfillment of care goals is one of the major ways that healthcare success is measured. Measuring patient outcomes results in the generation of data that can be used to improve results. Nursing informatics can have a significant part in this process and can help to improve outcomes by improving processes, identifying at-risk patients, and enhancing efficiency.
To Prepare:
In a 4- to 5-page project proposal written to the leadership of your healthcare organization, propose a nursing informatics project for your organization that you advocate to improve patient outcomes or patient-care efficiency. Your project proposal should include the following:
By Day 7 of Week 4
Submit your completed Project Proposal.
Submission and Grading Information
To submit your completed Assignment for review and grading, do the following:
Health care is one of the many sectors that have registered massive advancements in technology use and integration into practice. Given the numerous challenges, the sector must contend with, establishing quick and lasting solutions is imperative. Nursing informatics plays a significant role in improving patient outcomes and care efficiencies. When discussing nursing informatics, the discussion is often about technology. The definition by Saheb and Saheb (2019) includes a field of nursing that incorporates nursing science, technology and informational sciences to develop, process, and manage data.
The significance of information in health care is unparalleled, primarily because it enables nurses to observe patients’ safety, access patients’ history and obtain a patient’s complete clinical picture (Saheb & Saheb, 2019). Among the technologies of crucial significance in nursing, informatics include electronic health (EHR) records and artificial intelligence (AI). This paper aims to describe a nursing informatics project, identify stakeholders affected and explain how the project impacts patient outcomes. Further, technologies leveraged and the roles of each of the project team members are highlighted.
Due to identified gaps in patient care, particularly patient’s safety, this paper proposes a project proposal that incorporates both EHR and AI to solve the problem. The healthcare facility chosen specializes in critical care, especially trauma cases and advanced cardiovascular life support. These patients require close monitoring and care to avoid deterioration of their health status. The project involves the use of an EHR at the casualty department to enter details of critically ill patients. Special computer software then filters the information and performs computer-directed triaging. The system then automatically communicates to the emergency ward.
The emergency room nurses receive the communication via mobile phones and act quickly. The project aims at eliminating delays during triaging, and the death of acutely or severely ill patients. In reference to Stone (2019), due to poor triaging techniques, acutely injured patients die while doctors attend to those with minor injuries. This realization drives the need for a better triaging technique, as proposed in this project.
The project also incorporates the use of artificial intelligence. This part involves the use of a smart algorithm embedded within an EHR. Data is entered into the algorithm, which produces a scoring system based on how ill the patient is. The system determines acutely ill patients that require urgent care, and identifies patients with significant improvement, as well as those who need to be transferred to other wards for special care. When the scoring system indicates patient deterioration, nurses receive alerts via their mobile phones.
Numerous researchers have previously assessed the efficacy of similar technologies with promising results. For example, the Rothman index, which is a scoring system, has been used to identify patients at risk and with urgent need of care (Robert, 2019). This project, therefore, borrows largely from past tested evidence-based literature concerning the use of artificial intelligence in health care to improve patient’s outcomes in emergency departments.
Various individuals or organizations can be actively involved or have an interest in a project. Further, the project implementation process can have both negative and positive effects on patients and nurses, hence the need for close monitoring. In this project, the first stakeholders are the medical leaders. From the topmost rank is the health care facility administrator, who is responsible for the daily operations within the hospital and coordinates the functions of all the departments, including the emergency unit. The administrator must be aware of any project happening within the facility. This project will impact him, however, indirectly through improved efficiency in patient management and better patient outcomes.
The financial department is the other stakeholder directly involved. Usually, the project must be affordable and able to generate profits. Affordability is one of the criteria for assessing financial feasibility of a project. The healthcare team (clinicians and nurses) are directly involved in the project. If the project’s implementation succeeds, information retrieval becomes easy, therefore exonerating the care team from the burden of paper-based records. Finally, patients are vital stakeholders in the project. The project itself aims at improving patient’s outcomes. Therefore, patients are directly impacted.
The project aims at producing significant results on patient outcomes. First, it aims to improve patient safety. Safety, in this case, refers to reduced medical errors, improved diagnostics, and triaging techniques. The computer-based triaging, which forms part of the proposed project, improves the triaging procedures. The system filters patients’ data and determines the severity of their condition. The emergency department then receives prompt notification for quick and efficient response. This will result in reduced mortality rates of acutely ill patients in the triaging room.
A previous research by Levin et al. (2018) found that computerized triaging reduces crowding in the triaging room. Further, Stone (2019) showed that the normal triaging technique is likely to be biased since clinicians can respond to patients with minor injuries at the expense of acutely injured patients. The proposed computerized triaging solves this biasness, thereby increasing the survival chances of critically ill patients.
Patient satisfaction also forms a component of patient safety in this project. The majority would ask how the proposed project improves patient satisfaction. The smart algorithm embedded into the computer scores patients in terms of the severity of their illnesses. Patients who score lower have a greater risk of adverse events and thus require immediate nurses’ intervention. The scoring reflects how sick a patient by monitoring the rate of deterioration.
As the patient status deteriorates, the scoring drops. This is a cause for alarm that calls for a fast response. A study by Choudhury and Asan (2020) showed that such scoring systems in the emergency department, for example, the Rothman index, improves patients’ clinical status as clinicians can respond quickly to acute cases. The improvement in patient’s clinical status is a determinant of their satisfaction.
Ability to reduce medical errors is also an improved aspect of patient care that the project aims to achieve. The project, as aforementioned, incorporates aspects of EHR and AI. An EHR does not only record patients’ information but also checks errors in the details entered. For example, the EHR can identify a potential patient allergy and alerts the clinician in the emergency department. The EHR therefore helps mitigate risks that are otherwise associated with paper-based setting (Saheb & Saheb, 2019). This results in minimized medical errors and improved drug administration safety.
For a successful implementation of the project, a digital EHR and an AI tool are required. Even though few hospitals incorporate AI within their system, it is an essential technology for the success of this project. As defined by Robert (2019), AI refers to a computer capable of performing tasks with the same level of intelligence as human beings. Computer algorithms form the basic unit of an artificial AI (Robert, 2019).
In this case, an algorithm with a scoring index system is leveraged. It is used to determine patients’ severity of illness in the emergency room, determine the urgent need for care, and prioritize the needs of such patients. The rationale for the use of artificial intelligence in the project draws from its ability to perform fast and non-biased tasks such as triaging. Further, the AI provides accurate diagnosis and establishes an appropriate treatment plan. Other than the AI, a digital EHR is a requirement. The use of an EHR is based on the need to provide accurate diagnoses and reduce medical errors.
The project is under the project manager’s leadership, who oversees the project’s implementation from the start to the finish. The manager monitors the progress of the project throughout the implementation process. In this case, the project manager organizes his team, delegates duties, and is answerable to the administration in case of any challenges. Another crucial team member is the strategic analyst. The strategic analyst sets strategic goals and objectives that the program aims to achieve both in the short- and long term.
In this case, the goals of the healthcare setting are to improve patients’ outcomes, particularly safety, satisfaction and to mitigate medical errors. The strategic analyst also analyzes the feasibility of the project. The care team, comprised of nurses and clinicians, also form an essential part of the project team. They assist in implementing the EHR and AI intelligence technology through active patient information management.
Finally, a nurse informaticist’s role as part of the project team includes working with computers and patient data. The nurse informaticist helps the hospital select appropriate technology and is responsible for training other staff members on how to use the technologies (Peltonen et al., 2019). As a result, the nurse informaticist acts as a crucial link between the care staff and the technologies leveraged.
Choudhury, A., & Asan, O. (2020). Role of artificial intelligence in patient safety outcomes: systematic literature review. JMIR medical informatics 8 (7), e18599, https://doi.org/10.2196/18599.
Levin, S., Toerper, M., Hamrock, E., Hinson, J. S., Barnes, S., Gardner, H., Dugas, A., Linton, B., Kirsch, T. & Kelen, G. (2018). Machine-Learning-Based Electronic Triage More Accurately Differentiates Patients With Respect to Clinical Outcomes Compared With the Emergency Severity Index. Annals of Emergency Medicine, 71(5), 565–574. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annemergmed.2017.08.005.
Peltonen, L. M., Pruinelli, L., Ronguillo, C., Nibber, R., Peresmitre, E. L., Block, L., Deforest, H., Lewis, A., Alhuwail, D., Ali, S., Badger, M. K., Eler, G. J., Georgsson, M., Islam, T., Jeon, E., Jung, H., Kuo, C. H., Sarmiento, R.F., Sommer, J. A., Tayaben, J. & Topaz, M. (2019). The current state of Nursing Informatics-An international cross-sectional survey. Finish journal of eHealth and eWelfare, 11(3), 220–231. https://doi.org/10.23996/fjhw.77584.
Robert, N. (2019). How artificial intelligence is changing nursing. Nursing Management, 50(9), 30–39. doi: 10.1097/01.NUMA.0000578988.56622.21
Saheb, T., & Saheb, M. (2019). Analyzing and visualizing knowledge structures of health informatics from 1974 to 2018: a bibliometric and social network analysis. Healthcare Informatics Research, 25(2), 61-72. https://doi.org/10.4258/hir.2019.25.2.61
Stone, E. L. (2019). Clinical Decision Support Systems in the Emergency Department: Opportunities to Improve Triage Accuracy. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 45(2), 220–222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jen.2018.12.016.
The application and implementation of new healthcare technology require support from current literature. The literature may shed light on the benefits of using different clinical systems and the challenges encountered before, thus helping avoid similar challenges. In addition, research informs the selection of the best types of clinical systems. It provides results of related efficiencies and outcomes, assisting informaticists and healthcare institutions in trying different clinical systems (Atasoy et al., 2019).
One of the commonly used clinical systems is remote patient monitoring technology. There are different technologies and devices used in remote patient monitoring. Therefore, research literature can be used to identify the best, based on previous studies and outcomes or efficiencies. This essay presents the literature review in an annotated bibliography form, focusing on the role of patient monitoring systems in improving the outcomes of diabetes patients and improving the efficiency of diabetes care.
Su, D., Michaud, T. L., Estabrooks, P., Schwab, R. J., Eiland, L. A., Hansen, G., DeVany, M., Zhang, D., Li, Y., Pagán, J. A., & Siahpush, M. (2019). Diabetes Management Through Remote Patient Monitoring: The Importance of Patient Activation and Engagement with the Technology. Telemedicine Journal and E-health: the official journal of the American Telemedicine Association, 25(10), 952–959. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2018.0205
The study focuses on assessing the importance of patient activation and engagement with remote patient monitoring technology in diabetes management among type 2 diabetes patients. Su et al. (2019) note that despite the research results on the effectiveness of telemedicine, and remote patient monitoring, a clear report is needed to identify the effectiveness in patient outcomes. Therefore, the study measured the improvement of care outcomes among type 2 diabetes patients using changes in HbA1c levels. A sample of 1354 type 2 diabetes patients used remote monitoring technology for three months.
The study found that most patients embraced remote patient monitoring technology and devices and had improved their self-monitoring skills over time. At the end of the study, the patients showed reduced HbA1c levels, thus indicating proper glycemic control, which can be translated as desirable diabetes care outcomes. The lessons learned from applying remote patient monitoring systems in diabetes management are that it improves patient outcomes. According to Su et al. (2019), patients are more likely to take keen initiative when monitoring themselves remotely, thus promoting better health outcomes by preventing complications and unnecessary healthcare expenses.
Johnson, E. L., & Miller, E. (2022). Remote patient monitoring in diabetes: how to acquire, manage, and use all of the data. Diabetes Spectrum, 35(1), 43-56. https://doi.org/10.2337/dsi21-0015
The focus of this study is to identify the different factors facilitating the acquisition, management, and use of diabetes technology and telehealth in diabetes management. According to Johnson and Miller (2022), remote patient monitoring technology would be ineffective without being complemented by telehealth, which enables the patient to communicate with the care provider and upload their progress so that the care provider can access them and give feedback. Therefore, it is vital to identify the facilitating factors, to avoid missing out or making preventable mistakes.
The diabetes care remote monitoring systems assessed in the study included insulin pumps, health apps and personal digital devices, smart insulin pens and pen caps, connected glucose meters, and continuous glucose monitoring systems. These devices led to improved diabetes care outcomes since lower HbA1c levels and self-monitoring behavior were noted among patients using them (Johnson & Miller, 2022). The lessons learned from applying these systems is that it is vital to consider other facilitating factors, such as patients’ knowledge and confidence in using remote patient monitoring technology to produce the desired patient outcomes.
Al-Badri, M., & Hamdy, O. (2021). Diabetes clinic reinvented: Will technology change the future of Diabetes care? Therapeutic advances in endocrinology and metabolism, 12, 2042018821995368. https://doi.org/10.1177/2042018821995368
This study aimed to evaluate a virtual diabetes clinic, comparing it with regular primary care clinics, to determine whether diabetes remote care technologies such as remote patient monitoring devices increase efficiency in diabetes care. Al-Badri and Hamdy (2021) state that diabetes is a condition that requires continuous management, so remote patient monitoring technologies would increase efficiency and thus improve patient care outcomes. To validate the notion, the study assessed a complete virtual diabetes clinic. The must-have technologies for patients getting care services in the clinic include remote patient monitoring devices, patient portals/online records and mobile phones/computers to facilitate telehealth (Al-Badri & Hamdy, 2021).
The study further shows that incorporating these technologies and services in diabetes care is attributed to successful patient engagement in diabetes management, proper glycemic control, improved quality of life, and reduced diabetes complications and related healthcare costs. Remote patient monitoring also improves diabetes care efficiency since providers can provide services to more patients at a reduced cost (Al-Badri & Hamdy, 2021). The lessons learned from this study include the importance of shifting physical diabetes care to virtual care in reducing costs and thus improving care efficiencies. Additionally, remote patient monitoring improves self-management behavior, improving care outcomes.
Salehi, S., Olyaeemanesh, A., Mobinizadeh, M., Nasli-Esfahani, E., & Riazi, H. (2020). Assessment of remote patient monitoring (RPM) systems for patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders, 19, 115-127. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40200-019-00482-3
This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of remote patient monitoring systems in controlling glycosylated hemoglobin in type 2 diabetes patients compared to usual care. The study searched and reviewed other published studies from the most important electronic databases, whereby the main outcome was HbA1c levels. The review results showed that studies that employed remote patient monitoring systems and technologies had controlled glycosylated hemoglobin (Salehi et al., 2020). In addition, Salehi et al. (2020) note that patients who used remote patient monitoring technologies had better HbA1c levels than those who used routine patient care. The lessons learned from this study include the importance of assessing the efficacy of clinical systems before implementing them. These assessments can also be done by reviewing related research.
The essence of using clinical information systems in care is mainly improving outcomes and increasing care efficiency. Diabetes care is one of the areas that have adopted the use of clinical systems, especially remote patient monitoring systems. The literature reviewed above has justified improving patient outcomes and care efficiencies in diabetes care while using remote patient monitoring systems. The future of diabetes care depends on technology (Al-Badiri & Hamdy, 2021); however, it is essential to educate patients on how to acquire, manage and use data from remote monitoring systems (Jonhson & Miller,2022; Su et al., 2019), to lead to improved patient outcomes and care efficiencies. Therefore, remote patient monitoring increases patient outcomes and efficiency in diabetes care.
Al-Badri, M., & Hamdy, O. (2021). Diabetes clinic reinvented: will technology change the future of Diabetes care? Therapeutic Advances in Endocrinology and Metabolism, 12, 2042018821995368. https://doi.org/10.1177/2042018821995368
Atasoy, H., Greenwood, B. N., & McCullough, J. S. (2019). The Digitization of Patient Care: A Review of the Effects of Electronic Health Records on Health Care Quality and Utilization. Annual Review of Public Health, pp. 40, 487–500. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-publhealth-040218-044206
Johnson, E. L., & Miller, E. (2022). Remote patient monitoring in diabetes: how to acquire, manage, and use all of the data. Diabetes Spectrum, 35(1), 43-56. https://doi.org/10.2337/dsi21-0015
Salehi, S., Olyaeemanesh, A., Mobinizadeh, M., Nasli-Esfahani, E., & Riazi, H. (2020). Assessment of remote patient monitoring (RPM) systems for patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders, 19, 115-127. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40200-019-00482-3
Su, D., Michaud, T. L., Estabrooks, P., Schwab, R. J., Eiland, L. A., Hansen, G., DeVany, M., Zhang, D., Li, Y., Pagán, J. A., & Siahpush, M. (2019). Diabetes Management Through Remote Patient Monitoring: The Importance of Patient Activation and Engagement with the Technology. Telemedicine Journal and E-health: The Official Journal of the American Telemedicine Association, 25(10), 952–959. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2018.0205
New technology—and the application of existing technology—only appears in healthcare settings after careful and significant research. The stakes are high, and new clinical systems need to offer evidence of positive impact on outcomes or efficiencies.
Nurse informaticists and healthcare leaders formulate clinical system strategies. As these strategies are often based on technology trends, informaticists and others have then benefited from consulting existing research to inform their thinking.
In this Assignment, you will review existing research focused on the application of clinical systems. After reviewing, you will summarize your findings.
To Prepare this NURS 6051 Assignment The Use of Clinical Systems to Improve Outcomes and Efficiencies:
The Assignment: (4-5 pages not including the title and reference page)
In a 4- to 5-page paper, synthesize the peer-reviewed research you reviewed. Format your Assignment as an Annotated Bibliography. Be sure to address the following:
By Day 7 of Week 8
Submit your completed Assignment.
Also read:
Discussion: Big Data Risks and Rewards NURS 6051
The use of technology in healthcare delivery cannot be underestimated. Healthcare system is keen to use a new or implement an existing technology. Before technology is embraced, adequate research must have been conducted to prove its feasibility. There is associated improved patient safety, outcomes and work process with the use of technology in healthcare delivery (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017). However, technology is not always an answer to improve patient safety and outcomes.
Therefore, nurses are required to gain knowledge in basic technology and health informatics as an entry level nursing competency (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017). The purpose of this annotated bibliography is to review and synthesize credible resources that examine the application of technology-based clinical systems in the improvement of patient outcomes and care efficiencies.
In this article, Su et al. (2019) conducted a quantitative research to determine how effective remote patient monitoring (RPM) is on diabetic patients. The objective was to determine how patients’ levels of engagement with RPM devices impact post program hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C). In their study, the dependent variables include the patients’ level of participation and engagement, and the post program hemoglobin A1C. The primary outcome variable which is HbA1C was measured at two points, baseline and post program.
Further patients were divided into two groups depending on Hb levels, >9% and <9%. The findings from the research show lower HbA1C levels with increased use or engagement with RPM (Su et al., 2019). The findings imply a negative correlation between participation and post program HbA1C. Patients who engaged maximally with the RPM devices had lower HbA1C levels and the vice versa is true.
According to Eyth and Naik (2019), HbA1C serves as an indicator of glycemic control. Therefore, the higher the HbA1C, the poorer the glycemic control and therefore higher risks for diabetes and its complications. This is a case where technology is used to improve patient outcomes. Su et al. (2019) conclude that both the patient and the care givers’ efforts are crucial for the success of the RPM, and recommend an increased use of such technologies in the future care delivery.
The last demi decade has experienced massive research in the role of electronic health records (EHR) in healthcare. Tubaishat (2017) conducted a quantitative exploratory study to determine the effect of EHR on patient safety. The author, Tubaishat is a specialist and a professor in health information systems. The general purpose of the study was to explore nurses’ perception of EHR on patient safety. Semi-structured interviews were administered to the nurses from ten hospitals which had used EHR in the past between 1 and 5 years.
The findings from the research reveal that EHR is either directly or indirectly associated with decreased medical errors, improved data documentation and enhanced sustainability of data. According to Tubaishat (2017), e-prescriptions provide clear and precise medication doses as compared to paper-based prescription. Further, documentation is easier and less time consuming as compared to paper documentation (Tubaishat, 2017).
Moreover, HER are sustainable and protected using networks and passwords. The study is a typical example where technology is leveraged in improvement of patient care efficiencies, outcomes and safety. Even though the study affirms positive impacts of EHR on patient safety, it concludes that safety concerns such as technical problems and data entry errors should be addressed.
Polypharmacy is a common problem especially among the geriatric population due to the multiple health conditions they have. Rieckert et al. (2020) conducted a research to determine the effects of a computerized decision support tool in reduction of polypharmacy among the elderly population living with chronic diseases. A clustered randomized control study design, which is pragmatic and multi centered was used.
3904 patients aged 75 years and above, and on eight or more medications per day participated in the study. The participants were divided into two groups, the intervention group (1953) which was assigned to a computerized decision support tool and the control group (1951) which received treatment as usual. The findings of the study do not reveal a significant difference in the primary outcome (unplanned admissions or deaths) between the two groups; however, there is a subtle difference.
Among the intervention group, 44.6% of the participants experienced the primary outcomes while 48.4% (slightly higher) experienced the primary outcomes (Rieckert et al., 2020). Further, the secondary outcomes (number of drugs at final follow-up) were lower in the intervention group than the control group. The results indicate that the computerized decision support tool prompted the reduction in prescription and decreased the adverse consequences such as unplanned admissions and deaths. This publication is relevant to the current research as it espouses the fact that the use of computerized decision support tools should be extensive in healthcare as its efficacy in improving patients’ outcomes is proven.
Mobile technologies are increasingly used in the management of cardiovascular diseases. Of all the cardiac arrhythmias, atrial fibrillations are the most common (Guo et al., 2017). Guo and his colleagues conducted a research on the use of mobile health technologies in management of atrial fibrillation. A randomized control trial study was used on 113 patients with atrial fibrillations. The patients were divided into two groups, the intervention group which used the mobile application (mAF App) and the control group that did not use the app.
The mobile application incorporates the following details: patients’ personal health records, stroke and bleeding risk assessments, patient involvement self-score items and patient educational programs. The findings reveal that patients in the intervention group had better drug adherence, knowledge improvements and anticoagulant satisfaction as compared to the control group. In summary, quality of life significantly improved in patients who used the mAF App compared to the team that received usual care (Guo et al., 2017). The study had an upper hand being the first research in the use of mobile of mobile technologies in management of atrial fibrillation.
The use of technology in healthcare is expanding. Su et al. (2019) study found that use of a RPM in management of diabetes is effective in glycemic control. The findings of the research are as follows: patients’ participation and engagement with RPM devices causes lower post program HbA1C. Further, the study found that the frequency of use of the RPM also determine post program HbA1C levels; for instance, patients who used the RPM twice or more times a day had decreased HbA1C.
In a different study by Tubashat et al. (2017), use of EHR is associated with decreased medical errors, improved documentation of data and increased sustainability of data. According to the study, EHRs are a better alternative to traditional paper based documentation and prescription systems. Further, Rieckert et al. (2017) conducted a research on the use of electronic decision support tool to mitigate polypharmacy among elderly patients.
The findings indicated reduced adverse events such as unplanned admissions and deaths among the patients who use the tools. Further, there was a reduction in the prescribing among the patients in the intervention group. The final study about use of mobile applications in management of atrial fibrillation show positive correlation. The patients who used the mAF App showed improved educational levels and quality of life. Therefore, technology in healthcare in deed leads to improved patient outcomes, safety and care efficiencies.
Eyth, E., & Naik, R. (2019). Hemoglobin A1C. Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 16 January 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549816/#_NBK549816_pubdet.
Guo, Y., Chen, Y., Lane, D., Liu, L., Wang, Y., & Lip, G. (2017). Mobile Health Technology for Atrial Fibrillation Management Integrating Decision Support, Education, and Patient Involvement: mAF App Trial. The American Journal Of Medicine, 130(12), 1388-1396.e6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2017.07.003
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. (2017). Nursing Informatics and the Foundation of Knowledge (4th ed.). Jones and Batrlett Learning. https://samples.jbpub.com/9781284121247/9781284122688_FMxx_Pass01(1).pdf
Rieckert, A., Reeves, D., Altiner, A., Drewelow, E., Esmail, A., Flamm, M., Hann, M., Johanson, T., Klaassen-Mielke, R., Kunnamo, I., Loffler, C., Piccoliori, G., Sommerauer, C., Trampisch, U., Vogele, A., Woodham, A., & Sonnichsen, A. (2020). Use of an electronic decision support tool to reduce polypharmacy in elderly people with chronic diseases: cluster randomized controlled trial. BMJ, m1822. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m1822
Su, D., Michaud, T., Estabrooks, P., Schwab, R., Eiland, L., Hansen, G., DeVany, M., Zhang, D., Li, Y., Pagan, J., & Siahpush, M. (2019). Diabetes Management Through Remote Patient Monitoring: The Importance of Patient Activation and Engagement with the Technology. Telemedicine And E-Health, 25(10), 952-959. https://doi.org/10.1089/tmj.2018.0205
Tubaishat, A. (2017). The effect of electronic health records on patient safety: A qualitative exploratory study. Informatics For Health And Social Care, 44(1), 79-91. https://doi.org/10.1080/17538157.2017.1398753
Information technology has had a significant impact on the development and implementation of healthcare services. Through information technology, service providers can easily and efficiently deliver quality healthcare. Existing research evidence has proven that health information technology improves healthcare delivery in different ways, including improving compliance to regulatory standards, minimizing medical errors, and minimizing adverse reactions. However, health organizations should select the best information technology to minimize waste and increase effectiveness. This review summarizes the currently available evidence about the impact of health information technology on improving patients’ quality of care and safety.
Kruse, C. S., & Beane, A. (2018). Health information technology continues to affect medical outcomes positively: a systematic review. Journal of medical Internet research, 20(2), e8793. https://preprints.jmir.org/preprint/8793,
This article seeks to evaluate the impact of health information technology on health outcomes. It explores various elements of health information technology, such as health records management and health information systems. The study is based on the background that various adverse outcomes within the hospital’s information system can lead to patients’ morbidity or mortality, increasing the cost of healthcare.
The study relied on a systematic literature review methodology to identify and review evidence on health information technology, retrieving journal articles from CINAHL and MEDLINE. The review was structured as Primary Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) and completed using the Assessment for Multiple Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR).
The search yielded 37 studies for final review, 81% of the reviewed journals revealing that health information technology had at least one improved medical impact. This supports the study’s hypothesis that there is a positive association between the adoption of health information systems and medical outcomes.
Menachemi, N., Rahurkar, S., Harle, C. A., & Vest, J. R. (2018). The benefits of health information exchange: an updated systematic review. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 25(9), 1259-1265.https://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocy035
Health information exchange through health information technology has contributed to reduced costs and improved quality of care. This study aimed to rigorously evaluate the evidence that health information exchange has positive effects and benefits on the delivery of healthcare services. The study took the form of a systematic literature review and meta-analysis, retrieving peer-reviewed journal articles from Scopus and PubMed databases.
All the 24 reviewed studies reported beneficial effects of health information exchange through health information technology. Some of the benefits found by the survey include reduced imaging, lower costs, reduced duplicated procedures, and improved patient safety. This article is helpful in providing evidence about how healthcare providers can utilize health information technology to facilitate health information exchange for purposes of interprofessional teamwork.
Young, R., Burge, S., Kumar, K., Wilson, J., & Ortiz, D. (2018). A time-motion study of primary care physicians’ work in the electronic health record era. Family medicine, 50(2), 91-99. DOI: 10.22454/FamMed.2018.184803
While electronic health records have been appreciated for improving efficiency in the healthcare system, other critics claim electronic health records negatively impact the time providers take to care for patients. This study sought to update previous research on the time taken by providers to care for patients in the clinic using electronic health records.
The researchers used direct observations to observe family physician attendings, residents, and ambulatory patients in 982 visits. The researchers then measured total visit time, face-to-face time, pre-visit chart time, out-of-hours electronic health records time and total electronic health records work time.
The study results revealed that primary care physicians spent more time working with electronic health records than working face-to-face with patients. This study is helpful in deducing the impact of the electronic health records system on the average time physicians take to interact with patients physically and how that impacts the quality of care.
Gardner, R. L., Cooper, E., Haskell, J., Harris, D. A., Poplau, S., Kroth, P. J., & Linzer, M. (2019). Physician stress and burnout: the impact of health information technology. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 26(2), 106-114.https://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocy145
Health information technology has mixed effects on the delivery of healthcare services to patients. The main aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between stress and the use of health information technology and how health information technology predicts burnout. The study surveyed 4197 physicians on their health information technology use, with the primary outcome being self-reported physician burnout. The presence of burnout was denoted by excessive time spent on electronic health records at home, poor or marginal time for documentation, and the agreement that the use of electronic health records contributes to additional frustration.
The results showed that health information technology produces measurable stress-related, common, and independently predictive of burnout. As such, this study is useful in identifying health information technology factors related to burnout, helping to guide healthcare organizations on how to measure and resolve burnout among their staff.
Sittig, D. F., Wright, A., Coiera, E., Magrabi, F., Ratwani, R., Bates, D. W., & Singh, H. (2020). Current challenges in health information technology–related patient safety. Health Informatics Journal, 26(1), 181-189.https://doi.org/10.1177/1460458218814893
The main aim of this study was to identify and describe the short-term challenges to help healthcare organizations, developers of health information technology, and policymakers address the challenges that health information technology presents to patient safety. The study identified some of the current challenges of health information technology to patient safety, including difficulty with developing appropriate information technology models, challenges designing effective user interface design functions and features, challenges with implementing unambiguous patient identification, challenges with creating network-enabled clinical environments, and challenges with developing safety-improving decision support systems.
This study highlights complaints about health information systems, claiming that whereas health information technology systems are effective tools for improving efficiency and low cost of care, they present many challenges and complexities that may complicate the delivery of care. Failure to address these challenges may contribute to different bottlenecks within the healthcare system, leading to poor quality, unsatisfactory and substandard care. Therefore, healthcare managers are responsible for ensuring that when implementing health information technology, they should address the challenges that come with it to minimize the adverse effects on quality of care.
Gardner, R. L., Cooper, E., Haskell, J., Harris, D. A., Poplau, S., Kroth, P. J., & Linzer, M.(2019). Physician stress and burnout: the impact of health information technology. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 26(
The use of computer technology in combination with telecommunication in healthcare has improved over the past couple of decades worldwide. The major applications of information systems (Health Information Technology, HIT) in healthcare include but are not limited to electronic healthcare records (EHRs), telehealth & telemedicine, wearable devices, machine learning and artificial intelligence, nano-medicine, personalized medicine, genome-based medicine, and patient portals. These trends have evolved from previous methods of healthcare information, management and practice systems.
In my healthcare organization, the recording, storage, and retrieval of patients’ personal health records have improved from paper-based to electronic and hybrid health records. The process of monitoring the patient vitals has evolved with time such that the use of wearable devices has been more common and the use of portable monitors is so frequent as opposed to non-portable monitors.
Clinicians frequently use smartphones and tablets to retrieve patient information and search the latest information related to health practice from internet sources. These trends in medical technology are concerned with data and information manipulation and usage in my health organization. Their application in healthcare has potential challenges and risks that if not regulated may interfere with patient care safety and efficiency.
Arguably, the modern ways of storing and retrieving patient information are associated with improved patient care efficiencies. There is increased portability of patient data that reduces the retrieval time (Symons et al., 2019). The usage of portable computers such as tablets makes data retrieval easy and possible anywhere within the practice. Most importantly, at the beside, clinicians can find the patient’s data regarding updated care and medications given so far (Dykes et al., 2017). Searching in the electronic databases for essential drug information can reduce the chances of adverse drug reactions due to drug-drug interactions.
However, the process of retrieving can be so easy that it can be applied inappropriately and this can jeopardize patient data safety and security (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017). The sharing of patient information on social media can violate patient data confidentiality and privacy if not well regulated. Patient data privacy and confidentiality entail limiting access to patient information to an authorized third party without their consent. Even though clinicians may share this data with non-malicious intentions, the access and usage of this data by the unauthorized third party may violate the confidentiality of the discussion between the clinician and the patient. These actions may put the clinician at risk of ethical and legal violations.
The most promising future trends in healthcare information technology are wearable devices and telehealth. The usage of portable computers such as smartphones in healthcare will revolutionize healthcare by reducing the patient-clinician barriers while minimizing the cost of care. Patients will be at liberty to access care from their residences and can choose the clinicians they would want to attend to them. Wearable devices such as wearable blood pressure monitors and ECG trackers will enhance remote patient monitoring in the setting of the increasing patient to nurse/doctor ratio (Rao-Gupta et al., 2018). By limiting the care barriers, these technologies will improve the quality of care by reducing the overall cost and increasing access to this affordable care.
Health information technology incorporates various electronic and information systems into healthcare practice. There are potential benefits, risks, and challenges that accompany their uses. The overall benefits include improvement in health care quality through a reduction in costs of healthcare and chances of medical errors. However, there are concerns over patient data safety and security that need to proper mitigation strategies. While the promising trends in healthcare such as wearable devices and telemedicine would improve the quality, they may fail to address the ethical and safety concerns, hence the need for pragmatic interventions.
Throughout history, technological advancements have appeared for one purpose before finding applications elsewhere that lead to spikes in its usage and development. The internet, for example, was originally developed to share research before becoming a staple of work and entertainment. But technology—new and repurposed—will undoubtedly continue to be a driver of healthcare information. Informaticists often stay tuned to trends to monitor what the next new technology will be or how the next new idea for applying existing technology can benefit outcomes.
In this Discussion, you will reflect on your healthcare organization’s use of technology and offer a technology trend you observe in your environment.
To Prepare this NURS 6051 Discussion Healthcare Information Technology Trends:
By Day 3 of Week 6
Post a brief description of general healthcare technology trends, particularly related to data/information you have observed in use in your healthcare organization or nursing practice. Describe any potential challenges or risks that may be inherent in the technologies associated with these trends you described. Then, describe at least one potential benefit and one potential risk associated with data safety, legislation, and patient care for the technologies you described. Next, explain which healthcare technology trends you believe are most promising for impacting healthcare technology in nursing practice and explain why. Describe whether this promise will contribute to improvements in patient care outcomes, efficiencies, or data management. Be specific and provide examples.
By Day 6 of Week 6
Respond to at least two of your colleagues* on two different days, offering additional/alternative ideas regarding opportunities and risks related to the observations shared.
*Note: Throughout this program, your fellow students are referred to as colleagues.
Healthcare technology has been rapidly evolving, changing the way patient care is delivered and managed. The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the network of interconnected devices and sensors that collect and exchange data through the Internet. One of the key trends in healthcare technology related to IoT is the use of wearable devices, such as fitness trackers, smartwatches, and biosensors, which helps monitor vital signs, activity levels, sleep patterns, and other health-related data of the patient (Kadhim et al., 2020). The resulting data is transmitted into EHR, allowing for remote patient monitoring and more personalized care.
In hospitals, IoT enables medical devices and equipment to be connected to a network, allowing for real-time data monitoring, maintenance, and inventory management (Kadhim et al., 2020). For example, smart infusion pumps can track medication administration, alert nurses of any errors, and automatically update patient records. IoT also plays a crucial role in improving medication adherence and patient safety. Smart pill dispensers can remind patients to take their medications and provide alerts to caregivers or healthcare providers if doses are missed (Adhikary et al., 2020).
Additionally, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology can be used to track and manage medication inventory, reducing errors and ensuring accurate medication administration. In terms of data management and analytics, IoT generates health data that can be utilized for insights and decision-making. For example, wearable devices combined with AI algorithms can detect early warning signs of certain medical conditions, enabling timely interventions and preventive measures, according to Wang and Hsu (2023).
IoT provides improved patient outcomes through remote monitoring and proactive interventions. IoT devices enable real-time collection and transmission of patient health data, allowing healthcare providers to monitor patients remotely. This continuous monitoring can lead to early detection of health issues or changes in conditions, enabling timely interventions and improved patient outcomes (Adhikary et al., 2020). For example, wearable devices can track vital signs, detect abnormalities, and alert healthcare professionals to potential emergencies, reducing hospital readmissions and improving overall patient care.
On the other hand, a potential risk associated with data safety, legislation, and patient care in IoT technologies is the potential for data breaches and privacy violations (Chernyshev et al., 2018). The vast amount of personal health information collected and transmitted by IoT devices increases the risk of unauthorized access or cyberattacks. If healthcare data falls into the wrong hands, it can lead to identity theft, fraud, or misuse of sensitive information. Additionally, the sharing and integration of patient data from multiple IoT devices may raise concerns about patient privacy and consent. Ensuring robust data security measures, adherence to privacy regulations, and transparent data governance practices are crucial to mitigate these risks and maintain patient trust in the use of IoT technologies in healthcare.
Telehealth allows nurses to deliver care remotely through video consultations, remote monitoring, and digital communication tools. This trend has the potential to greatly impact nursing practice by enabling nurses to provide virtual care, monitor patients remotely, and engage in telehealth consultations. This contributes to improved patient care outcomes by increasing access to healthcare, reducing hospital readmissions, and enhancing patient satisfaction (Steingass & Maloney-Newton, 2020). For example, nurses can remotely monitor patients with chronic conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension, by reviewing their vital signs, symptoms, and medication adherence. By identifying any concerning trends or issues early on, nurses can intervene promptly and prevent complications.
Electronic Health Records (EHRs) and Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) adoption has transformed nursing practice by streamlining documentation, facilitating care coordination, and enhancing decision-making. EHRs provide a centralized platform for storing and accessing patient data, allowing nurses to access comprehensive patient information in real time. CDSS utilizes data within the EHR to provide evidence-based recommendations, alerts, and reminders to healthcare providers at the point of care (Gaughan et al., 2022). This improves patient care outcomes by reducing errors, promoting adherence to best practices, and enabling standardized care across healthcare settings. For instance, CDSS can alert nurses to potential medication interactions or allergies, helping to prevent adverse drug events.
Abu Bakar, N. A., Wan Ramli, W. M., & Hassan, N. H. (2019). The Internet of Things in healthcare: An overview, challenges and model plan for security risks management process. Indonesian Journal of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, 15(1), 414. https://doi.org/10.11591/ijeecs.v15.i1.pp414-420
Adhikary, T., Jana, A. D., Chakrabarty, A., & Jana, S. K. (2020). The internet of things (IoT) augmentation in healthcare: An application analytics. In ICICCT 2019 – System Reliability, Quality Control, Safety, Maintenance and Management (pp. 576–583). Springer Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-8461-5_66
Chernyshev, M., Zeadally, S., & Baig, Z. (2019). Healthcare data breaches: Implications for digital forensic readiness. Journal of Medical Systems, 43(1), 7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10916-018-1123-2
Gaughan, M. R., Kwon, M., Park, E., & Jungquist, C. (2022). Nurses’ experience and perception of technology use in practice: A qualitative study using an extended technology acceptance model: A qualitative study using an extended technology acceptance model. Computers, Informatics, Nursing: CIN, 40(7), 478–486. https://doi.org/10.1097/CIN.0000000000000850
Kadhim, K. T., Alsahlany, A. M., Wadi, S. M., & Kadhum, H. T. (2020). An overview of patient’s health status monitoring system based on internet of things (IoT). Wireless Personal Communications, 114(3), 2235–2262. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11277-020-07474-0
Steingass, S. K., & Maloney-Newton, S. (2020). Telehealth triage and oncology nursing practice. Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 36(3), 151019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soncn.2020.151019
Wang, W.-H., & Hsu, W.-S. (2023). Integrating artificial intelligence and wearable IoT system in long-term care environments. Sensors (Basel, Switzerland), 23(13), 5913. https://doi.org/10.3390/s23135913
The Systems Development Life Cycle is a framework that aims at improving care quality through the implementation of clinical information systems. It helps in managing organization project and information flow through planning, implementation, monitoring, and control. In the healthcare systems, nurse informaticists play an important role in the incorporation of SDLC by fusing applications of information technology with clinical nursing care for health improvement purposes from inception to completion of system projects. The SDLC has five main stages: planning and design, implementation, monitoring and control, and maintenance (Ross, 2018). The inclusion of nurses in tall these phases is essential for the best healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
The planning and designing phase is the most important in ensuring the success of the new IT project systems in an organization. the planning phase requires multidisciplinary teamwork where nurses’ input is required. In this phase, the estimation of costs, timelines, deliverables, and the scope of the new systems are discussed and verified. The nurses, especially nurse informaticists, are well-endowed with technical know-how that is vital in proper planning and designing (Verma & Gupta, 2017). Their exclusion risks the system implementation failure through inappropriate requirement identification and health information-related scope description.
The implementation phase requires the services and input of the nurses. The nurses from the largest care provider group in a healthcare organization. Information system implementation requires translation of the system project scope and plan into action. The nurses are, therefore, the best suited due to their hands-on and quality patient interaction skills. The time nurses spend on caring for patients is well reduced by the introduction of information systems and their inclusion in the actualization of the IT system project plan (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, n.d.a). The exclusion of nurses in the implementation of SDLC risks poor coordination of project plans with the realization of the objectives.
The project monitoring and control phase requires adequate and timely feedback and communication. The nurses have good communication skills that enable their interprofessional cooperation with physicians. When purchasing new information systems, the health organization should consider potential monitors and controllers for quality purposes.
Nursing informatics has provided nurses with relevant information technology resources to manage and maintain data flow in the organization (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2017). Nursing management skills are necessary for quality control and assurance of data management in the new systems (Moghaddasi, 2019). The maintenance depends on the stakeholders involved in the implementation and control phases where nurses’ roles were implicated as well.
The need for technological advancement in healthcare necessitated my healthcare organization to upgrade the information flow and reduce patient waiting time. Therefore, electronic health records were used to store, manage, share, and retrieve patent information among care providers. I had a role in the implementation phase where collaboration between nurses and the technical team was required. The knowledge and understanding of the application were established during shift reporting and communication of patient lab results.
The nurses form the backbone of direct patient care which also requires ethical, legal, and medical obligations. The nurses’ role in the implementation of new information systems is required because their input complements the technological and administrative requirements. In most cases, the nurses act as foot soldiers in executing and implementing new systems for best quality outcomes. Their roles in planning are also essential in promoting the ethical obligations of advocation for best patient outcomes. Their exclusion also risks project failure due to a lack of coordination from the planning to execution of the system development and maintenance.
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (n.d.a). Health IT evaluation toolkit and evaluation measures quick reference guides. Ahrq.Gov. Retrieved January 25, 2021, from https://digital.ahrq.gov/health-it-tools-and-resources/evaluation-resources/health-it-evaluation-toolkit-and-evaluation-measures-quick-reference
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. (2017). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett.
Moghaddasi, H. (2019). Features of nursing management information systems: A systematic review. Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research, 21(2). https://doi.org/10.26717/bjstr.2019.21.003582
Verma, M. P., & Gupta, S. (2017). Software development for nursing: Role of nursing informatics. International Journal of Nursing Education and Research, 5(2), 203. https://doi.org/10.5958/2454-2660.2017.00044.8
In the media introduction to this module, it was suggested that you as a nurse have an important role in the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC). With a focus on patient care and outcomes, nurses may not always see themselves as contributors to the development of new systems. However, as you may have observed in your own experience, exclusion of nurse contributions when implementing systems can have dire consequences.
In this Discussion, you will consider the role you might play in systems development and the ramifications of not being an active participant in systems development.
To Prepare:
By Day 3 of Week 9
Post a description of what you believe to be the consequences of a healthcare organization not involving nurses in each stage of the SDLC when purchasing and implementing a new health information technology system. Provide specific examples of potential issues at each stage of the SDLC and explain how the inclusion of nurses may help address these issues. Then, explain whether you had any input in the selection and planning of new health information technology systems in your nursing practice or healthcare organization and explain potential impacts of being included or not in the decision-making process. Be specific and provide examples.
By Day 6 of Week 9
Respond to at least two of your colleagues* on two different days, by offering additional thoughts regarding the examples shared, SDLC-related issues, and ideas on how the inclusion of nurses might have impacted the example described by your colleagues.
Assume you are a nurse manager on a unit where a new nursing documentation system is to be implemented. You want to ensure that the system will be usable and acceptable for the nurses impacted. You realize a nurse leader must be on the implementation team.
To Prepare:
The Assignment: (2-3 pages not including the title and reference page)
In preparation of filling this role, develop a 2- to 3-page role description for a graduate-level nurse to guide his/her participation on the implementation team. The role description should be based on the SDLC stages and tasks and should clearly define how this individual will participate in and impact each of the following steps:
By Day 7 of Week 10
Submit your completed Role Description.
As a professional nurse, you are expected to apply your expertise to patient care. On occasion, you will also be expected to share that expertise.
With evolving technology and continuous changes to regulations designed to keep up these changes, there is usually a need to share information and expertise to inform colleagues, leadership, patients, and other stakeholders.
In this Assignment, you will study a recent nursing informatics-related healthcare policy, and you will share the relevant details via a fact sheet designed to inform and educate.
To Prepare:
The Assignment: (1 page not including the title and reference page)
Create a 1-page fact sheet that your healthcare organization could hypothetically use to explain the health or nursing informatics policy/regulation you selected. Your fact sheet should address the following:
By Day 5 of Week 11
Submit your completed Policy/Regulation Fact Sheet.
Healthcare organizations continually seek to optimize healthcare performance. For years, this approach was a three-pronged one known as the Triple Aim, with efforts focused on improved population health, enhanced patient experience, and lower healthcare costs.
More recently, this approach has evolved to a Quadruple Aim by including a focus on improving the work life of healthcare providers. Each of these measures are impacted by decisions made at the organizational level, and organizations have increasingly turned to EBP to inform and justify these decisions.
To Prepare:
To Complete:
Write a brief analysis (no longer than 2 pages) of the connection between EBP and the Quadruple Aim.
Your analysis should address how EBP might (or might not) help reach the Quadruple Aim, including each of the four measures of:
The Quadruple Aim is a framework for augmenting or improving healthcare performance with efforts centered on enhanced population health, advanced experiences for healthcare providers, reduced healthcare costs, and better-quality patient experience. The achievement of the quadruple aim necessitates highly productive healthcare organizations with engaged and productive employees. EBP promotes quality care, improves patient outcomes, reduces healthcare costs, and increases employee morale, impacting the Quadruple Aim.
There is a close connection between the Quadruple Aim and EBP: EBP influences the Quadruple Aim in healthcare. EBP results in advanced quality care, reduced costs, enhanced patient results, and increased nurse satisfaction (Mazurek et al., 2010). EBP impacts the Quadruple Aim measures: improving healthcare givers’ experiences, reducing costs, advancing population health, and improving the patient experience. EBP is a problem-solving method for healthcare provision. EBP incorporates superlative evidence from well-planned studies and patient care information, integrating it with nurse proficiency, patient values, and partialities (Mazurek et al., 2010). EBP promotes the Quadruple Aim measures by enhancing healthcare dependability and quality, reducing costs, and improving patient outcomes.
EBP improves patient experiences by incorporating scientific evidence with patient values and partialities and a physician’s expertise. The scientific evidence encompasses internal evidence collected from patient information. EBP’s seven stages begin with cultivating an inquiry spirit where healthcare providers regularly ask clinical queries and search for scientific evidence (Melnyk et al., 2014). EBP leads to optimum clinical decisions that improve patient results and satisfaction, promoting a better-quality patient experience.
The evidence-based practice seeks to offer the most operative and available care to enhance patient results. The EBP approach to population health has many direct and indirect advantages. The approach promotes entree to more and better-quality statistics and an increased propensity for operative prevention guidelines and programs (Mazurek et al., 2010). EBP also leads to improved employee performance and better use of private and public resources, impacting population health.
Evidence-based practice alleviates healthcare costs by streamlining and standardizing care. Standardized treatment plans ensure that caregivers do not recommend inessential therapies or medications that might not help patients. EBP reduces the likelihood of unnecessary processes and medical errors that might incur extra costs. EBP provides the groundwork for obtaining necessary resources in clinical practice (Walewska-Zielecka et al., 2021). EBP decreases pointless medical processes, reducing healthcare costs.
EBP improves healthcare providers’ experiences as it allows them to assess the research to comprehend the efficiency and risks of diagnostic treatments and tests. Work injuries are more common in healthcare than in other occupations (Sikka et al., 2015). Hours are wasted on occupational injury and disease in healthcare than in construction, mining, or machinery manufacturing (Sikka et al., 2015).
Implementing the EBP competencies as a device to develop and uphold the attainment of EBP familiarity, adopt a positive outlook towards EBP, and progress EBP skills to sponsor best practices improves healthcare providers’ experiences (Melnyk et al., 2014). EBP mentorship and culture are crucial variables that positively influence job gratification and will to stay among nurses (Melnyk et al., 2021). EBP simplifies clinical judgments and advanced quality care, improving the work life of healthcare providers.
Evidence-based practice impacts the Quadruple Aim (facilitating physician experiences, reducing costs, progressing population health, and improving the patient experience). EBP integrates scientific evidence with patient values, partialities, and a physician’s expertise, enhancing patient experiences. EBP also improves employee performance and population health and alleviates healthcare costs. Evidence-based practice provides the most effective, available care, boosts patient outcomes, decreases healthcare costs, and increases employee optimism, impacting the Quadruple Aim.
Mazurek Melnyk, B., Fineout-Overholt, E., Stillwell, S. B., & Williamson, K. M. (2010). The Seven Steps of Evidence-Based Practice: Following this progressive, the sequential approach will lead to improved health care and patient outcomes. The American Journal Of Nursing, 110(1), 51-53.
Melnyk, B. M., Gallagher?Ford, L., Long, L. E., & Fineout?Overholt, E. (2014). Establishing evidence?based practice competencies for registered nurses and advanced practice nurses in real?world clinical settings: Proficiencies to improve healthcare quality, reliability, patient outcomes, and costs. Worldviews on Evidence?Based Nursing, 11(1), 5–15.
Melnyk, B. M., Tan, A., Hsieh, A. P., & Gallagher?Ford, L. (2021). Evidence?based practice culture and mentorship predict EBP implementation, nurse job satisfaction, and intent to stay: support for the ARCC© Model. Worldviews on Evidence?Based Nursing, 18(4), 272-281. https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12524
Sikka, R., Morath, J. M., & Leape, L. (2015). The quadruple aim: care, health, cost, and meaning in work. BMJ Quality & Safety, 24(10), 608–610.
Walewska-Zielecka, B., Religioni, U., Soszy?ski, P., & Wojtkowski, K. (2021). Evidence-Based Care Reduces Unnecessary Medical Procedures and Healthcare Costs in the Outpatient Setting. Value in Health Regional Issues, 25, 23-28.
Note: To access this module’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2018). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer.
Boller, J. (2017). Nurse educators: Leading health care to the quadruple aim sweet spot. Journal of Nursing Education, 56(12), 707–708.
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
Crabtree, E., Brennan, E., Davis, A., & Coyle, A. (2016). Improving patient care through nursing engagement in evidence-based practice. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 13(2), 172–175.
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
Kim, S. C., Stichler, J. F., Ecoff, L., Brown, C. E., Gallo, A.-M., & Davidson, J. E. (2016). Predictors of evidence-based practice implementation, job satisfaction, and group cohesion among regional fellowship program participants. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 13(5), 340–348.
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
Melnyk, B. M., Fineout-Overholt, E., Stillwell, S. B., & Williamson, K. M. (2010). Evidence-based practice: Step by step. The seven steps of evidence-based practice. American Journal of Nursing, 110(1), 51–53.
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
Melnyk, B. M., Gallagher-Ford, L., Long, L. E., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2014). The establishment of evidence-based practice competencies for practicing registered nurses and advanced practice nurses in real-world clinical settings: Proficiencies to improve healthcare quality, reliability, patient outcomes, and costs. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 11(1), 5–15.
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
Sikka, R., Morath, J. M., & Leape, L. (2015). The Quadruple Aim: Care, health, cost and meaning in work. BMJ Quality & Safety, 24, 608–610.
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
Walden University Library. (n.d.-a). Databases A-Z: Nursing. Retrieved September 6, 2019, from https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/az.php?s=19981
Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice and Research [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
Patient outcomes have become a critical component in the transformation of healthcare. Triple/quadruple Aim is an excellent example of how healthcare organizations improve their services by turning to evidence-based practice-EBP. In the past, healthcare organizations concentrated their efforts on improving the health of populations, enhancing patient experience, and lowering the cost of healthcare. In recent years, the approach has added a critical component of improving the work-life of the staff of healthcare organizations.
The Triple Aim approach introduced in 2008 by Donald Berwick and his colleagues was a critical step in enhancing patient outcomes. However, the overarching goals by Berwick and the team ignored a critical component in providing enhanced and quality care to the patients, namely the work-life of healthcare workers (Fitzpatrick et al., 2019). The quadruple Aim has since enjoined this critical factor to the other three in the Triple Aim. The work-life of healthcare staff directly impacts the quality of care given to patients. Positive job satisfaction and cohesion lead to positive outcomes in patient care while job dissatisfaction by healthcare workers results in poor quality of service offered to patients/customers.
Sikka, Leape, and Morath (2015) identified job satisfaction as the fourth most critical goal in implementing evidence-based practice. The study by Sikka et al. (2015) revealed that EBP among healthcare practitioners is a primary predictor of job satisfaction. Transforming the healthcare sector and the provision of quality care to patients cannot happen until issues surrounding the work-life of healthcare workers are adequately addressed (p. 608).
Among the critical factors concerning the work-life of healthcare providers is job satisfaction. Indeed, a national survey done in the United States in 2017 revealed that over 1 million registered nurses nationwide quit their jobs because of stress and burnout (Kapu et al., 2019). The level of job satisfaction and motivation of the healthcare workers affect patient outcomes and the implementation of EBP.
Additionally, EBP enhances patient experience by focusing on such critical aspects as cost, quality of service delivered and ease of access to care. Patient experience is a critical parameter in the healthcare industry because it measures the level of satisfaction by patients with the services of healthcare providers. Patient experience is critical because it affects not just the health of patience, but also the profitability of healthcare organizations (Sikka, 2015).
Cost has been identified by health experts as one of the impediments to access to health. Many people in the country suffer silently because they cannot afford to pay for their healthcare. The Quadruple Aim introduces several measures that can be used by patients to afford healthcare. Excellent examples of methods of affordable care advocated for by this approach is a system of universal healthcare coverage for everyone through the affordable health insurance schemes.
Evidently, the Quadruple Aim seeks to enhance the quality of care given to patients by prioritizing the work-life of healthcare practitioners. The transformation of the healthcare sector cannot be implemented without taking care of the welfare and the work-life of healthcare workers. Attempts to implement the triple Aim have previously failed due to the omission of the improvement of the work-life of nursing practitioners. Quadruple Aim supports EBP because it addresses all critical factors necessary for the provision of quality healthcare, which includes taking care of the welfare of healthcare workers
Fitzpatrick, B., Bloore, K., & Blake, N. (2019). Joy in Work and Reducing Nurse Burnout: From Triple Aim to Quadruple Aim. AACN Advanced Critical Care, 30(2), 185-188.
Kapu, A., Borg Card, E., Jackson, H., Kleinpell, R., Kendall, J., & Lupear, B. K., LeBar, K., Dietrich, M. S., Araya, W. A., Delle, J., Payne, K., Ford, J., & Dubree, M. (2019). Assessing and addressing practitioner burnout. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 33(1), 38-48.
Sikka, R., Morath, J., & Leape, L. (2015). The Quadruple Aim: care, health, cost and meaning in work. BMJ Quality & Safety, 24(10), 608-610.
Also read: NURS 6002 Transition to Graduate Study for Nursing
A 60-year-old male patient had been diagnosed with high blood pressure. He had two options, to immediately start taking medicine or try lifestyle modification. Since his blood pressure was so high at 173/120 he decided to immediately start taking medicine for he needed to lower his blood pressure quickly. Though the diagnosis was shocking to him, participating in decision making helped to make him less anxious.
He also had a better understanding of his condition. He was compliant with his medication which brought about an improved health outcome. The patient was also more open to cost-effective drugs that helped in managing his blood pressure (Stacey et al., 2017). Lifestyle modification can be an option when blood pressure is not higher than 160/100 when there are no comorbidities or organ failure. If lifestyle modifications do not bring down blood pressure to the desired level, then pills are recommended (Burke et al., 2018).
Positive impact: Patient participation enhances trust and reduces a patient’s anxiety. He gains a better understanding of what is needed of him which improves his quality of life. It ensures the delivery of more appropriate and cost-effective services without much resistance. The patient will actively participate in his healthcare process and more carefully monitor their care.
Negative impact: Robs the doctor autonomy and confidence as the patient will keep checking if what is being done is in line with what he had decided. It is time-consuming as it involves a lot of consultation. The patient may opt for a treatment modality that the doctor is not well conversant with. Does not give the doctor room for exploration (Ankolekar, et al., 2018).
Ankolekar, A., Dekker, A., Fijten, R., & Berlanga, A. (2018). The benefits and challenges of using patient decision aids to support shared decision making in health care. JCO Clinical Cancer Informatics, 2, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1200/CCI.18.00013
Burke, R. E., Jones, J., Lawrence, E., Ladebue, A., Ayele, R., Leonard, C., … & Cumbler, E. (2018). Evaluating the quality of patient decision-making regarding post-acute care. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 33(5), 678-684. https://link.springer.com/journal/11606
Stacey, D., Légaré, F., & Lewis, K. B. (2017). Patient decision aids to engage adults in treatment or screening decisions. JAMA, 318(7), 657-658. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2017.10289
Healthcare organizations continually seek to optimize healthcare performance. For years, this approach was a three-pronged one known as the Triple Aim, with efforts focused on improved population health, enhanced patient experience, and lower healthcare costs.
More recently, this approach has evolved to a Quadruple Aim by including a focus on improving the work life of healthcare providers. Each of these measures are impacted by decisions made at the organizational level, and organizations have increasingly turned to EBP to inform and justify these decisions.
To Prepare:
Read the articles by Sikka, Morath, & Leape (2015); Crabtree, Brennan, Davis, & Coyle (2016); and Kim et al. (2016) provided in the Resources.
Reflect on how EBP might impact (or not impact) the Quadruple Aim in healthcare.
Consider the impact that EBP may have on factors impacting these quadruple aim elements, such as preventable medical errors or healthcare delivery.
To Complete:
Write a brief analysis (no longer than 2 pages) of the connection between EBP and the Quadruple Aim.
Your analysis should address how EBP might (or might not) help reach the Quadruple Aim, including each of the four measures of:
Patient experience
Population health
Costs
Work life of healthcare providers
Healthcare organizations have adopted the Quadruple Aim framework as a means to enhance healthcare delivery. The Quadruple Aim emphasizes four key measures: patient experience, population health, costs, and the work-life of healthcare providers. Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) plays a crucial role in supporting and advancing the Quadruple Aim by promoting the use of the best available evidence in decision-making and driving improvements in these four areas. This paper explores the connection between EBP and the Quadruple Aim, discussing how EBP can facilitate progress in each measure.
EBP significantly improves patient experience by promoting the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care. Integrating research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences, EBP ensures that healthcare interventions align with the best available evidence of effectiveness, safety, and patient preferences (Bowles et al., 2019). This approach enhances patient outcomes, reduces variations in care, and fosters shared decision-making. EBP interventions, such as standardized care protocols and clinical practice guidelines, improve patient satisfaction, increase engagement, and enhance communication between patients and healthcare providers (Iglesia et al., 2020).
EBP advances population health by enabling healthcare organizations to implement evidence-based interventions and strategies that promote the health and well-being of entire communities. Synthesizing research evidence on preventive measures, health promotion initiatives, and disease management strategies, EBP informs population-level interventions addressing social determinants of health and reducing health disparities.
According to Iglesias et al. (2020), EBP guides the development of public health programs targeting specific populations or interventions aimed at reducing the burden of chronic diseases. By incorporating EBP into population health management, healthcare systems improve health outcomes, reduce healthcare utilization, and enhance community well-being.
EBP positively impacts healthcare costs by guiding resource allocation toward interventions that demonstrate effectiveness and cost-efficiency. Adopting evidence-based interventions allows healthcare organizations to avoid unnecessary or ineffective treatments, reduce medical errors, and optimize resource utilization.
Bowles et al. (2019) reiterate that EBP informs decisions regarding the adoption of new technologies, drugs, or medical devices by considering their clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, EBP identifies strategies for optimizing care delivery processes, improving care coordination, and reducing waste. Integrating EBP into healthcare decision-making allows organizations to achieve better outcomes while managing costs more efficiently (Nundy et al., 2022).
EBP enhances the work life of healthcare providers by promoting a culture of continuous learning, professional development and reducing practice variability. Basing clinical decisions on sound evidence increases healthcare providers’ confidence, leading to improved job satisfaction and reduced burnout.
EBP supports the use of standardized care protocols and clinical guidelines, which reduces the cognitive load on healthcare professionals and streamlines care processes (Bachynsky, 2020). Moreover, EBP fosters a collaborative approach to decision-making, promoting interdisciplinary teamwork and communication. These factors contribute to a positive work environment, improved provider well-being, and ultimately, better patient care.
Evidence-Based Practice plays a vital role in achieving the Quadruple Aim by improving patient experience, population health, cost-effectiveness, and the work life of healthcare providers. Integrating research evidence into decision-making processes allows healthcare organizations to deliver high-quality, patient-centered care, promote population health, optimize resource utilization, and enhance the well-being of healthcare professionals. Embracing EBP as a core component of healthcare delivery is essential for realizing the Quadruple Aim and driving meaningful improvements across these four measures.
Bachynsky, N. (2020). Implications for policy: The triple aim, quadruple aim, and interprofessional collaboration. In Nursing forum 55(1), 54-64. https://doi.org/10.1111/nuf.12382
Bowles, J. R., Batcheller, J., Adams, J. M., Zimmermann, D., & Pappas, S. (2019). Nursing’s leadership role in advancing professional practice/work environments as part of the quadruple aim. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 43(2), 157-163. https://doi.org/10.1097/NAQ.0000000000000342
Iglesia, E. G., Greenhawt, M., & Shaker, M. S. (2020). Achieving the Quadruple Aim to deliver value-based allergy care in an ever-evolving health care system. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 125(2), 126-136. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anai.2020.04.007
Nundy, S., Cooper, L. A., & Mate, K. S. (2022). The quintuple aim for health care improvement: a new imperative to advance health equity. JAMA, 327(6), 521-522. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2021.25181
Is there a difference between common practice and best practice?
When you first went to work for your current organization, experienced colleagues may have shared with you details about processes and procedures. Perhaps you even attended an orientation session to brief you on these matters. As a “rookie,†you likely kept the nature of your questions to those with answers that would best help you perform your new role.
Over time and with experience, perhaps you recognized aspects of these processes and procedures that you wanted to question further. This is the realm of clinical inquiry.
Clinical inquiry is the practice of asking questions about clinical practice. To continuously improve patient care, all nurses should consistently use clinical inquiry to question why they are doing something the way they are doing it. Do they know why it is done this way, or is it just because we have always done it this way? Is it a common practice or a best practice?
In this Assignment, you will identify clinical areas of interest and inquiry and practice searching for research in support of maintaining or changing these practices. You will also analyze this research to compare research methodologies employed.
To Prepare:
Review the Resources and identify a clinical issue of interest that can form the basis of a clinical inquiry.
Based on the clinical issue of interest and using keywords related to the clinical issue of interest, search at least four different databases in the Library to identify at least four relevant peer-reviewed articles related to your clinical issue of interest.
Review the results of your peer-reviewed research and reflect on the process of using an unfiltered database to search for peer-reviewed research.
Reflect on the types of research methodologies contained in the four relevant peer-reviewed articles you selected.
Create a 4- to 5-slide PowerPoint presentation in which you do the following:
Identify and briefly describe your chosen clinical issue of interest.
Describe how you used keywords to search on your chosen clinical issue of interest.
Identify the four research databases that you used to conduct your search for the peer-reviewed articles you selected.
Provide APA citations of the four peer-reviewed articles you selected.
After reading each of the four peer-reviewed articles you selected, use the Matrix Worksheet template to analyze the methodologies applied in each of the four peer-reviewed articles. Your analysis should include the following:
The full citation of each peer-reviewed article in APA format.
A brief (1-paragraph) statement explaining why you chose this peer-reviewed article and/or how it relates to your clinical issue of interest, including a brief explanation of the ethics of research related to your clinical issue of interest.
A brief (1-2 paragraph) description of the aims of the research of each peer-reviewed article.
A brief (1-2 paragraph) description of the research methodology used. Be sure to identify if the methodology used was qualitative, quantitative, or a mixed-methods approach. Be specific.
A brief (1- to 2-paragraph) description of the strengths of each of the research methodologies used, including reliability and validity of how the methodology was applied in each of the peer-reviewed articles you selected.
Your quest to purchase a new car begins with an identification of the factors important to you. As you conduct a search of cars that rate high on those factors, you collect evidence and try to understand the extent of that evidence. A report that suggests a certain make and model of automobile has high mileage is encouraging. But who produced that report? How valid is it? How was the data collected, and what was the sample size?
In this Assignment, you will delve deeper into clinical inquiry by closely examining your PICO(T) question. You also begin to analyze the evidence you have collected.
To Prepare:
Review the Resources and identify a clinical issue of interest that can form the basis of a clinical inquiry.
Develop a PICO(T) question to address the clinical issue of interest for the Assignment.
Use the key words from the PICO(T) question you developed and search at least four different databases in the Library to identify at least four relevant peer-reviewed articles at the systematic-reviews level related to your research question.
Reflect on the process of creating a PICO(T) question and searching for peer-reviewed research.
The Assignment (Evidence-Based Project)
Create a 6- to 7-slide PowerPoint presentation in which you do the following:
Identify and briefly describe your chosen clinical issue of interest.
Describe how you developed a PICO(T) question focused on your chosen clinical issue of interest.
Identify the four research databases that you used to conduct your search for the peer-reviewed articles you selected.
Provide APA citations of the four peer-reviewed articles you selected.
Describe the levels of evidence in each of the four peer-reviewed articles you selected, including an explanation of the strengths of using systematic reviews for clinical research. Be specific and provide examples.
Realtors rely on detailed property appraisals—conducted using appraisal tools—to assign market values to houses and other properties. These values are then presented to buyers and sellers to set prices and initiate offers.
Research appraisal is not that different. The critical appraisal process utilizes formal appraisal tools to assess the results of research to determine value to the context at hand. Evidence-based practitioners often present these findings to make the case for specific courses of action.
In this Assignment, you will use appraisal tools to conduct a critical appraisal of published research. You will then present the results of your efforts.
To Prepare:
Review the Resources and consider the importance of critically appraising research evidence.
Reflect on the four peer-reviewed articles you selected in Module 2 and analyzed in Module 3.
Review and download the Critical Appraisal Tools document provided in the Resources.
The Assignment (Evidence-Based Project)
Conduct a critical appraisal of the four peer-reviewed articles you selected and analyzed by completing the Critical Appraisal Tools document. Be sure to include:
An evaluation table
A levels of evidence table
An outcomes synthesis table
Part 4B: Critical Appraisal of Research
Based on your appraisal, in a 1-2-page critical appraisal, suggest a best practice that emerges from the research you reviewed. Briefly explain the best practice, justifying your proposal with APA citations of the research.
The collection of evidence is an activity that occurs with an endgame in mind. For example, law enforcement professionals collect evidence to support a decision to charge those accused of criminal activity. Similarly, evidence-based healthcare practitioners collect evidence to support decisions in pursuit of specific healthcare outcomes.
In this Assignment, you will identify an issue or opportunity for change within your healthcare organization and propose an idea for a change in practice supported by an EBP approach.
To Prepare:
Reflect on the four peer-reviewed articles you critically appraised in Module 4.
Reflect on your current healthcare organization and think about potential opportunities for evidence-based change.
The Assignment: (Evidence-Based Project)
Create an 8- to 9-slide PowerPoint presentation in which you do the following:
Briefly describe your healthcare organization, including its culture and readiness for change. (You may opt to keep various elements of this anonymous, such as your company name.)
Describe the current problem or opportunity for change. Include in this description the circumstances surrounding the need for change, the scope of the issue, the stakeholders involved, and the risks associated with change implementation in general.
Propose an evidence-based idea for a change in practice using an EBP approach to decision making. Note that you may find further research needs to be conducted if sufficient evidence is not discovered.
Describe your plan for knowledge transfer of this change, including knowledge creation, dissemination, and organizational adoption and implementation.
Describe the measurable outcomes you hope to achieve with the implementation of this evidence-based change.
Be sure to provide APA citations of the supporting evidence-based peer reviewed articles you selected to support your thinking.
Add a lessons learned section that includes the following:
A summary of the critical appraisal of the peer-reviewed articles you previously submitted
An explanation about what you learned from completing the evaluation table (1 slide)
An explanation about what you learned from completing the levels of evidence table (1 slide)
An explanation about what you learned from completing the outcomes synthesis table (1 slide)
The dissemination of EBP results serves multiple important roles. Sharing results makes the case for your decisions. It also adds to the body of knowledge, which creates opportunities for future practitioners. By presenting results, you also become an advocate for EBP, creating a culture within your organization or beyond that informs, educates, and promotes the effective use of EBP.
To Prepare:
Review the final PowerPoint presentation you submitted in Module 5, and make any necessary changes based on the feedback you have received and on lessons you have learned throughout the course.
Consider the best method of disseminating the results of your presentation to an audience.
To Complete:
Create a 5-minute, 5- to 6-slide narrated PowerPoint presentation of your Evidence-Based Project.
Be sure to incorporate any feedback or changes from your presentation submission in Module 5.
Explain how you would disseminate the results of your project to an audience. Provide a rationale for why you selected this dissemination strategy.