NURS 6053 Discussion Review of Current Healthcare Issues
Sample Answer for NURS 6053 Discussion Review of Current Healthcare Issues Included After Question
If you were to ask 10 people what they believe to be the most significant issue facing healthcare today, you might get 10 different answers. Escalating costs? Regulation? Technology disruption? Social Determinant such as environment/community, education, access/quality to healthcare?
These and many other topics are worthy of discussion. Not surprisingly, much has been said in the research, within the profession, and in the news about these topics. Whether they are issues of finance, quality, workload, or outcomes, there is no shortage of changes to be addressed.
In this Discussion, you examine a national healthcare issue and consider how that issue may impact your work setting. You also analyze how your organization has responded to this issue.
RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
WEEKLY RESOURCES
To Prepare:
- Review the Resources and select one current national healthcare issue/stressor to focus on.
- Reflect on the current national healthcare issue/stressor you selected and think about how this issue/stressor may be addressed in your work setting.
BY DAY 3 OF WEEK 1
Post a description of the national healthcare issue/stressor you selected for analysis, and explain how the healthcare issue/stressor may impact your work setting. Which social determinant(s) most affects this health issue? Then, describe how your health system work setting has responded to the healthcare issue/stressor, including a description of what changes may have been implemented. Be specific and provide examples.
BY DAY 6 OF WEEK 1
Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days who chose a different national healthcare issue/stressor than you selected. Explain how their chosen national healthcare issue/stressor may also impact your work setting and what (if anything) is being done to address the national healthcare issue/stressor.
A Sample Answer For the Assignment: NURS 6053 Discussion Review of Current Healthcare Issues
Title: NURS 6053 Discussion Review of Current Healthcare Issues
Thanks for highlighting the many changes your organization made during these pandemic times; many of us have experienced those same exact changes in practice and policy. Working between Arizona and California during this pandemic on designated COVID-19 units the one thing I know for sure is no two facilities implemented the same changes and California’s changes were more restrictive. The facility in California stayed up to date with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) daily, literally processes for personal protective equipment (PPE) use and caring for COVID patients changed sometimes in a matter of hours. Arizona seemed to be delayed in their response, such that PPE was not initially enforced or as restrictive. Now that we are reopening our country, visitors are being allowed to return, many facilities are not being as strict in their employee screening processes, Arizona is seeing a spike in cases. With this new development Arizona facilities are now becoming more restrictive than ever. On the telemetry unit every patient care employee must sign in on a sheet outside of every patients room door, must wear a surgical mask and face shield in every room, and a N95 respirator is required one-hour pre and post during aerosolized treatments, even for COVID negative patients. In reality these changes should have been in place during the quarantine period as well.In your opinion or research have you noticed organizations/facilities be more reactive than proactive with changes and restrictions during this pandemic? Do you see a variation in the changes implemented based on the number and severity of cases in a specific area?
Also while exploring the CDC website I noticed they not only provided information and guidance on physical preventive measures they have included some guides for coping with mental health issues and
workplace fatigue for which I found helpful. The information is in the references below.
Healthcare Personnel and First Responders: How to Cope with Stress and Build Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic. (2020). Retrieved June 5, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/mental-health-healthcare.html NURS 6053 Discussion Review of Current Healthcare Issues
What Workers and Employers Can Do to Manage Workplace Fatigue during COVID-19. (2020). Retrieved June 5, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/managing-workplace-fatigue.html
A Sample Answer 2 For the Assignment: NURS 6053 Discussion Review of Current Healthcare Issues
Title: NURS 6053 Discussion Review of Current Healthcare Issues
This is such an interesting discussion post! I can identify with your explanation of the national health care issue/stressor that has impacted your work setting. Indeed, COVID-19 is currently not just a national health care issue but a global health problem. According to the (Worldometer update, 2020) COVID-19 has claimed 396,190 lives with 6,789,321 cases as of June 5th 2020. COVID-19 has indeed affected every organization, and it has caused fear, panic, and uncertainty, as outlined in your discussion post. In your post you stated that COVID-19 has impacted your work because many surgeries were postponed to rationalize the utilization of the available ventilators. Now that less urgent procedures are about to resume, doctors are strained to the limit by the upcoming rise of rescheduled surgeries (“Infection prevention and control,” 2020). In addition to the likely rise in demand of elected surgeries in the near future new Covid-19 safety policies will likely add additional pressure and overextend hospitals to the limit (“Infection prevention and control,” 2020). NURS 6053 Discussion Review of Current Healthcare Issues
In your discussion post you described two initiatives your organization is putting in place to minimize the threat of COVID-19 and ensure workers’ safety. First and foremost, I admire the fact that your organization is providing workers with personal protective equipment (PPEs) as per the CDC guidelines. It is protocol that the PPEs are cleaned, sterilized, and rendered safe before reuse. Most importantly, you stated that your organization is also reorganizing the hospital facility by prohibiting visits and allowing some nurses to work from home. This move is meant to adhere to the WHO’s social distancing guideline of one meter apart (“Infection prevention and control,” 2020).
References
Coronavirus Update (Live): 6,789,353 Cases and 396,191 Deaths from COVID-19 Virus Pandemic – Worldometer. (2020). Retrieved June 5th 2020, from https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/
Infection prevention and control. (2020). Retrieved June 5th 2020, from https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/infection-prevention-and-control
Click here to ORDER NOW FOR AN ORIGINAL PAPER ON NURS 6053 Discussion Review of Current Healthcare Issues
A Sample Answer 2 For the Assignment: NURS 6053 Discussion Review of Current Healthcare Issues
Title: NURS 6053 Discussion Review of Current Healthcare Issues
Great Post. The shortage of available PPE for healthcare facilities across the nation has spark a fear of contracting the virus from not being properly protected. My facility provides staff with a surgical mask that is supposed to be good for three days which should be maintained in a brown paper bag when not in use. Nurses and respiratory therapists were apprehensive and had expressed concerned that patients being tested for Covid-19 should be placed on droplet precaution and staff should be provided with N95 masks and face
shields along with the standard PPE; however, management did not agree with the staff. According to research conducted by N. Sum et al., 2020, “staff were overwhelmed with fear and anxiety when caring for these patients; however, when management provided additional training and environmental adaptation such as admitting all Covid-19 patients on a specific unit helped to reduce staff anxiety” (p. 596). Education has been the key to decreasing fear on my unit and improving the work environment. In addition, staff temperatures are taking prior to starting their shift as a precautionary measure to decrease the spread of infection (www.cdc.gov). Motlagh A et al., 2020 recommends “providing staff with weekly updates on the latest developments concerning Covid-19 along with educational pamphlets to help address any further questions and decrease anxiety” (p. 262 ). The Covid-19 pandemic had caused a panic of fear due to lack of knowledge of the virus, but education is the key to addressing the fear of the unknown and improving the work environment. NURS 6053 Discussion Review of Current Healthcare Issues
References
Motlagh, A., Yamrali, M., Azghandi, S., Azadeh, P., Vaezi, M., Ashrafi, F., Zendehdel, K., Mirzaei, H., Basi, A., Rakhsha, A., Seifi, S., Tabatabaeefar, M., Elahi, A., Pirjani, P., Shoar, L. M., Nadarkhani, F., Khoshabi, M., Bahar, M., Esfahani, F., & Fudazi, H. (2020). COVID 19 Prevention & Care; A Cancer Specific Guideline. Archives of Iranian Medicine (AIM), 23(4), 255-264. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.34172/aim.2020.07
Sun, N., Wei, L., Shi, S., Jiao, D., Song, R., Ma, L., Wang, H., Wang, C., Wang, Z., You, Y., Liu, S., & Wang, H. (2020). A qualitative study of the psychological experience of caregivers of COVID-19 patients. American Journal of Infection Control, 48(6), 592-598. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.10/j.ajic,2020.03.018
Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) When Caring for Patients with Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19. (n.d.). Retrieved June 6, 2020, from http://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus
A Sample Answer 3 For the Assignment: NURS 6053 Discussion Review of Current Healthcare Issues
Title: NURS 6053 Discussion Review of Current Healthcare Issues
There are many different issues facing healthcare today. These issues often lead to the adjustment in the healthcare processes as well as the approaches that need to be undertaken to enhance the quality of healthcare delivery and efficient outcomes. Technology disruption is one of the main healthcare issues that is experienced by most healthcare institutions. With the increase in the use of different technologies, more healthcare institutions often face challenges associated with the complexities brought about by the computerized systems (Ford et al., 2017). Technological disruption is changing different aspects of future healthcare from the diagnosis processes to how patients are treated. The advanced technologies such as the artificial intelligence, 3D printing, Internet of Things are no longer sci-fi fantasy. In other words, these technological innovations are going to enter healthcare industry sooner. As a result, they will bring a lot of disruptions in the normal operational processes.
Technological disruption is more likely to impact different healthcare settings. In my case, technological disruption may enhance the diagnosis and treatment processes. In most cases, there are always problems encountered by both patients and healthcare professionals in the management of different patients (Herrmann et al., 2018). For instance, medication error is one of the main issue that can be solved by the technological innovations. Further, technological disruption is more likely to render many healthcare professionals jobless. For example, with the incorporation of the artificial intelligence in the healthcare system, most of the healthcare activities will be undertaken by the computerized programs in a more accurate fashion. Technological innovation/disruption may enhance quality delivery and facilitate patient’s safety in different healthcare processes.
My organization has responded to the issue of technological innovation through the reorganization of the work environment as well as working approaches to ensure the realization of quality outcomes. Further, in my healthcare institution, there are training processes to ensure that healthcare professionals understand different aspect of this healthcare issue and how to enhance the implementation processes.
References
Ford, G., Compton, M., Millett, G., & Tzortzis, A. (2017). The role of digital disruption in healthcare service innovation. In Service business model innovation in healthcare and hospital management (pp. 57-70). Springer, Cham. https://doi/10.1007/978-3-319-46412-1_4
Herrmann, M., Boehme, P., Mondritzki, T., Ehlers, J. P., Kavadias, S., & Truebel, H. (2018). Digital transformation and disruption of the health care sector: internet-based observational study. Journal of medical internet research, 20(3), e104. https//doi/org/2018/3/e104/
A Sample Answer 4 For the Assignment: NURS 6053 Discussion Review of Current Healthcare Issues
Title: NURS 6053 Discussion Review of Current Healthcare Issues
The perennial nursing shortage is a national healthcare issue of concern. Statistics at national and international levels show that the shortage of healthcare worker (HCWs) is profound and affects effective and quality service delivery. The World Health Organization (WHO) projects that the nursing shortage could hit 12.9 million by 2035 (Marc et al., 2018). Nursing shortage creates unsafe working environment and increases fatigue, high turnover rates, and make nurses susceptible to medication administration errors. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation as the demand for healthcare services has increased, leading to more strain and burden on nurses, especially those working in critical care settings and others with elderly patient populations with chronic and terminal conditions.
Nursing shortage has impacted my work setting negatively as we enhance efforts to provide care to a patient diversity coming to the facility. Low staff retention, reduced levels of patient’s satisfaction, and a rise in hospital acquired infections are some of the negative effects of nursing shortage in our facility. When patient workload exceeds the available shift nurses, patients experience low levels of satisfaction. Unsafe staffing ratios contribute to burnout and high turnover rates (Alenezi et al., 2018). Further, increased length of stay happens due to higher nurse-to-patient ratios lead to more complications and a rise of hospital acquired infections.
Many healthcare settings are struggling in responding to nursing shortage because of the few options available (Marshall & Broome, 2017). Our facility is now leveraging technologies like telehealth to enhance access and quality for patients with chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension who require constant monitoring. While studies show that nursing supply may exceed demand in the near future, using technologies and innovative models like increased training and flexibility can help organizations mitigate the adverse effects of nursing shortage.
References
Alenezi, A. M., Aboshaiqah, A., & Baker, O. (2018). Work‐related stress among nursing staff
working in government hospitals and primary health care centers. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 24(5). https://doi.org/10.1111/ijn.12676
Marc, M., Bartosiewicz, A., Burzynska, J., Chmiel, Z., & Januszewicz, P. (2018). A
nursing shortage – a prospect of global and local policies. International Nursing Review, 66(1), 9-16. https://doi.org/10.1111/inr.12473.
Marshall, E. S., & Broome, M. E. (2017). Transformational leadership in nursing: From expert
clinician to influential leader (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Springer
A Sample Answer 5 For the Assignment: NURS 6053 Discussion Review of Current Healthcare Issues
Title: NURS 6053 Discussion Review of Current Healthcare Issues
Global healthcare systems are facing unprecedented times and uncertain future based on the current situation of Covid-19 pandemic. This has prompted quick adoption of technology in healthcare systems from booking of appointments to billing. Therefore, I believe one of the major current healthcare issues is on technology disruption. Much questions have been raised on the big data usage, incorporation of telehealth, synchronization of the national health data systems and on the confidentiality and security of the patient’s health records as cases of cybersecurity have soared with increased adoption of information technology in healthcare (Sittig et al., 2018).
Big data in healthcare systems refers to the accumulation of large sets of digital information about the patients’ biodata, medical history, clinical interventions, current and past medical concerns of the patients. This data is accumulated overtime rather than that which is received in small amounts and not stored for future references (Thew, 2016). This prompts the healthcare nurse informatics to employ the use of data analytics and data mining tools so that they can extract meaningful patterns, study the correlation and develop predictions (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2018). Use big data has proved to be essential in healthcare management especially when analyzed and used to inform critical decision-making points and even guide future evidence-based change projects (Byrd et al, 2018). This information is used by managers and administrators to identify patterns and areas of strength and weakness within the system and help plan in resource allocation.
However, big data faces one of the greatest security challenges especially on the confidentiality of the patient’s information. Cases of cyber insecurity have been rising since most healthcare facilities and organizations adopted use of technology to manage the spread of Covid-19 pandemic. The patient’s confidential data may be easily accessed if the systems security checks are not well enforced. In some of the online platforms like Amazon, for online shopping, the systems put in adequate security checks and user authentication and verification steps. The breech of patient’s confidential medical information could have adverse effects on the healthcare facility or organization hence incur a lot of expenses in terms of compensation and in the end the reputation of the organization will also be severely damaged.
Therefore, it is imperative for healthcare organizations and systems that procure any digital platform for managing healthcare records to invest heavily on ensuring the system is safe and secure from cyber security threats and phishing on patient’s data (Bibhuranjan, 2019). Moreover, there is need to improve the software technology to develop systems that are less susceptible to hacking. It is also essential to ensure that patients are well educated on ways of safely using the digital platforms and there should be readily accessible customer care agent to help patient’s carry out proper verification and maintain safety of their data.
Increased usage of digital platforms and information technology poses another safety threat to the patients as they are likely to seek for medical advice from online blogs and unverified media sources that could be misleading to the patients. This information collected on such blogs has no scientifically proven or evidence-based data to support the claims or the medical advice offered. Moreover, the information could be provided by individuals who have no professional training in the areas that they are providing the medical information. There has been rapid increase in blogs from unregistered dietician and fitness coaches whose methods are not scientifically viable to rely on as professional medical procedures. Many patients have fallen prey to such misleading information that even sometimes discourages the use of conventional medication and clinical intervention measures (Young, 2016).
In conclusion, it is imperative for the federal and state government to come up with strict measures, laws and policies that govern the use of information technology in healthcare. The guidelines should be clear and the regulations must be standardized to enhance security of the patients’ data and also safeguard them from unverified and unethical practices and information availed to them on social media platforms. Any digital platforms or media engaging in medical or clinical information must have passed the licensure criteria that would be guided by strict conformity to the ethical issues in healthcare and meets the set standards.
References
Bibhuranjan. (2019). Big data analytics – How beneficial is it for healthcare? Technofaq. https://technofaq.org/posts/2019/05/big-data-analytics-how-beneficial-is-it-for-healthcare/#:~:text=%20Big%20Data%20Analytics-%20Benefits%20in%20the%20Healthcare,is%20very%20important%20for%20any%20organization…%20More
Byrd, T.A., Kung, L., & Wang, Y. (2018). Big data analytics: Understanding its capabilities and potential benefits for healthcare organizations. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 126(1), 3-13. doi:10. 1016/j.techfore.2015.12.019
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2017). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Sittig, D. F., Wright, A., Coiera, E., Magrabi, F., Ratwani, R., Bates, D. W., & Singh, H. (2018). Current challenges in health information technology–related patient safety. Health Informatics Journal, 26(1), 146045821881489. https://doi.org/10.1177/1460458218814893
Thew, J. (2016). Big data means big potential, changes for nurse execs. HealthLeaders. https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/nursing/big-data-means-big-potential-challenges-nurse-execs
Young, A. (2016). The pros and cons of big data in the healthcare industry. HealthCareZone. https://www.healthtechzone.com/topics/healthcare/articles/2016/11/18/427248-pros-cons-big-data-the-healthcare-industry.htm
A Sample Answer 6 For the Assignment: NURS 6053 Discussion Review of Current Healthcare Issues
Title: NURS 6053 Discussion Review of Current Healthcare Issues
The national healthcare issue I have selected for analysis is the increasing prevalence of mental health disorders in the United States. Mental health disorders are a significant stressor for individuals and the healthcare system, and the implications for my large hospital system work setting are profound. The mental health of people with chronic physical conditions is also frequently overlooked. Understanding the links between mind and body is the first step in developing strategies to reduce the incidence of co-existing conditions and support those already living with mental illnesses. Mental health disorders affect individuals from all walks of life and are caused by a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and social factors (Jorm, 2000). The most common mental health disorders include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
The impact of mental health disorders on my work setting is multifaceted. Our emergency departments are often the first point of contact for individuals in crisis, and our psychiatry units provide critical care for patients with severe mental health conditions. Additionally, our hospital system offers outpatient mental health services, including counseling and medication management, to individuals in our community. One of the social determinants that most affect mental health is poverty. Research has consistently demonstrated that impoverished individuals are more likely to experience mental health disorders, which can exacerbate challenges related to economic instability, housing insecurity, and limited access to healthcare (Padgett, 2020). Other social determinants that impact mental health include race, ethnicity, gender, and access to education.
In response to the rising prevalence of mental health disorders, our hospital system has implemented several changes to better serve patients with mental health needs. One significant improvement is expanding our telepsychiatry program, allowing patients to receive mental health care remotely from their homes. This program has benefited patients with difficulty accessing care due to mobility issues. Additionally, our hospital system has increased the number of mental health providers, including psychiatrists, psychologists, and licensed clinical social workers, to meet the growing demand for mental health services. Another significant change is creating mental health first aid training for our staff. This training provides our employees with the knowledge and skills to recognize signs of mental illness and to provide appropriate support and referrals. Our hospital system has also implemented new policies and procedures to ensure that patients with mental health need to receive timely and proper care, including using evidence-based treatment protocols and implementing quality improvement initiatives to monitor and improve the delivery of mental health services. According to Broome & Marshall (2020), team-based integrated care may help to achieve the Quadruple Aim, which includes health care results, patient satisfaction, provider work/life balance, and cost of care.
In conclusion, mental health disorders are a significant national healthcare issue impacting individuals and healthcare systems nationwide. Through these changes, as mentioned above, we are better equipped to meet the growing demand for mental health services and to provide compassionate care to individuals experiencing mental health challenges.
References
Broome, M. E., & Marshall, E. (Eds.). (2020). Transformational leadership in nursing (M. E. Broome & E. Marshall, Eds.; 3rd ed.). Springer Publishing Company. https://doi.org/10.1891/9780826135056Links to an external site.
Jorm, A. F. (2000). Mental health literacy. British Journal of Psychiatry, 177(5), 396–401. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.177.5.396Links to an external site.
Padgett, D. K. (2020). Homelessness, housing instability and mental health: Making the connections. BJPsych Bulletin, 44(5), 197–201. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjb.2020.49Links to an external site.