The benchmarking program is being utilized by providers of healthcare all around the world to assist them in identifying areas of inferior performance as well as service inadequacies. When designing a performance standard, the most critical challenges are typically tackled first. Many people come from different backgrounds looking for treatments for chronic illnesses like diabetes. According to the findings of a study by Duan et al. (2021), diabetes was projected to cost the United States $245 billion in the year 2020. Consequently, it is necessary to formulate suitable state, federal, and municipal policies to handle issues such as diabetes. The dashboard benchmarks demonstrate that medical exams, particularly those for diabetes, were not completed at the Mercy Medical Center to the national government’s standards. Mercy Medical Center needs to create regulations and protocols that are both efficient and accurate if they want to improve the effectiveness of its services.
The Mercy Medical Center in Minnesota is a world-class hospital. Between the first and fourth quarters of 2019 and 2020, HgbA1c tests dropped drastically from 60 to 42. Multiple studies have concluded that early diagnosis is the most significant factor in lowering diabetes’s burden since it allows for preventative therapy and, ultimately, better health. Medical facilities that strictly follow all healthcare regulations and guidelines are more likely to accurately identify diabetes by conducting thorough examinations.
To improve the timely use of diabetic foot examination and Hgb A1C screening for early recognition and the prevention of diabetes-related complications, Mercy Medical Center, and other healthcare professionals, need to design appropriate protocols with nurses at the core of the transition. Unfavorable complications such as diabetic foot ulcers, nerve damage, and leg amputations can develop if the condition is not handled promptly. This necessitates establishing procedures for periodic testing of all individuals, particularly those over 40 (Duan et al., 2021). As a result, Hgb A1c testing and evaluation of diabetic foot health will improve at the centers. Individuals who have previously had unfavorable results should still be tested every three months.
When developing a strategy to deal with diabetes using the Chronic Care Model, it is essential to keep in mind the six core components outlined in the most recent guidelines from the American Diabetes Association. For Mercy Medical Center’s suggested policies to meet standards for diabetes detection and assessment at the national level, several considerations must be incorporated. Appropriate modes of distribution, patient-specific and population-centered support systems for the medical team, methods for finding and creating resources for developing positive habits, and establishing a quality-oriented environment are all required (Nayeri et al., 2020). Participation from healthcare professionals is also vital for enhancing clinical visits and subsequent therapy, such as diabetic foot inspections and Hgb A1C tests.
The new policy that is being proposed will investigate the possibility of rearranging the scheduling systems for diabetes-related exams to speed up the process of data collection and increase patient engagement. Many patients cannot make appointments at the clinic, and an even lower percentage attend their planned appointments. Patients will be able to schedule appointments online and receive timely reminders so that they may better prepare for their visits as a result of the new policy. As a direct result of these initiatives, more people will seek medical attention at Mercy Medical Center. Patients diagnosed with diabetes should be encouraged to learn about possible treatments by scheduling annual appointments.
The policy will contain procedures for changing staffing hour shifts and adding additional personnel to ensure that carers are not overwhelmed during these once-yearly checkups. This will ensure that caregivers are not overworked during these once-yearly checkups. A greater emphasis will be placed on patient adherence data and its analysis and use. The evidence needs to be published so that anyone interested can access it whenever they want. This would allow for excellent uniformity in treating diabetes patients and better patient outcomes.
To effectively implement organizational policies, it is necessary to consider a diverse range of aspects of the surrounding environment. For example, a sufficient number of qualified personnel capable of carrying out the new testing procedures should be available to avoid employee burnout and unreadiness. Examining a diabetic patient’s feet and performing a Hgb A1c test are necessary skills for nurses and other medical professionals caring for diabetic patients. A competency of this level can only be achieved after formal training. To prevent one department from becoming overburdened with work, the organization needs to do a better job recruiting and educating registered nurses.
It is possible that the adoption and implementation of the proposed policies would be complicated by the limited access that patients have to computers and other digital devices that allow them to book and keep track of their visits. Clients who do not possess essential computer literacy abilities may be unable to access these services and are likely to miss out on them. Because the policies involve using electronic health records (EHRs), which are susceptible to malicious attacks from hackers, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires organizations to conform to standard patient privacy and confidentiality guidelines during this transition. These guidelines must be adhered to protect patient’s privacy and confidentiality. Funding is required to make these portals functional and to manage the anticipated rise in the number of patients visiting the facility. Acquiring and installing necessary tools used in diagnosing and managing diabetes should be prioritized.
Evidence-based practices (EBP) may improve outcomes and efficiency in diabetic foot exams and Hgb A1c tests. The general public and patients can be educated on diabetes, facts, and standard operating protocols can be updated, alert labels can be added to client files and primary caregivers can be urged to review their patient’s medical records from other healthcare institutions (Yu et al., 2022). Therefore, the multidisciplinary team in charge of conducting the test should be briefed about both the currently used and suggested techniques for diagnosing diabetes, as well as the benefits of doing thorough tests.
Mercy Medical Center intends to achieve this goal by establishing specific programs to educate all relevant employees and setting annual targets to complete these programs. Employees must show the achievement of this competence by passing a test at the end of every module before they can begin delivering patient care. Films, booklets, PowerPoint presentations, and audio recordings will all be used to educate patients on diabetes and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
Accurately monitoring diabetic patients also necessitates using a standardized recording method. It may be possible to evaluate the value of the improvements precisely and efficiently if quality data collection methods are used. For example, foot examination instruments will be connected to the EHR system. In this way, only authorized staff members can update patient information, ensuring accurate records. Because their data will only be accessible to them and the healthcare professionals directly involved in their treatment, this strategy will contribute to maintaining patient anonymity. This strategy will also describe the criteria for choosing which exam should be carried out by healthcare staff. The goal of this is to reduce unnecessary spending as much as possible.
To ensure the strategy is implemented as planned, it is required that all involved stakeholders should play their part. Nurses, physicians, administrators at the hospital, podiatrists, statisticians, wound experts, friends, and family members are all involved in caring for persons with diabetes, alongside the patients themselves and their loved ones. Regular updates about the new policies and clearly defined responsibilities for everyone involved must be regularly updated.
Nurses, for instance, should be able to prepare patients for routine assessments like foot checks and Hgb A1C testing by clarifying their significance, motivating them to come up for the tests, and offering psychological help after the findings are in. Once a sufficient number of individuals come in for foot exams and Hgb A1C tests, medical professionals can collaborate to help the individual manage their condition depending on the outcomes of the tests. The EHR will then be updated with the most recent data by the database administrator.
Clear communication channels between all involved parties are crucial for fostering greater collaboration. Everyone who needs to know about policy changes must be kept up to speed. Employees’ motivation and engagement increase when they feel they contribute to the organization’s success (Silberberg & Martinez-Bianchi, 2019). Everyone must also understand their part to play and the duties under their purview. Similarly, it is essential to give stakeholders a degree of autonomy; it shows assurance that the task can be completed successfully because of the individual’s skills. Additionally, workers should feel at ease performing their jobs by accessing good systems to handle any difficulties or concerns. The support system should encourage stakeholders’ creativity in developing novel solutions to existing problems.
Diabetes and its associated complications are the major contributors to death rates in the United States. To lessen the impact of the condition and establish ways to stop diabetes from becoming an epidemic in the United States, several regulations and requirements have been made mandatory. The importance of early detection and therapy for this condition has been the subject of nursing research. Multiple national guidelines have been produced to promote rigorous diagnostic processes for early disease diagnosis to support the fast implementation of helpful therapies. These guidelines have been developed to facilitate the prompt implementation of beneficial interventions. The findings of the foot inspections and Hgb A1C testing at Mercy Medical Center did not match the requirements set by national agencies, despite the fact that the hospital is widely regarded as among Minnesota’s very best. This paper has made proposals to raise the overall quality of medical care and lessen the financial burden associated with detecting and treating diabetes.
Duan, D., Kengne, P., & Echouffo-Tcheugui, B. (2021). Screening for diabetes and prediabetes. Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America, 50(3), 369–385. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecl.2021.05.002
Janett, S., & Yeracaris, P. (2020). Electronic medical records in the American health system: Challenges and lessons learned. Ciencia & Saude Coletiva, 25(4), 1293–1304. https://doi.org/10.1590/1413-81232020254.28922019
Silberberg, M., & Martinez-Bianchi, V. (2019). Community and stakeholder engagement. Primary Care, 46(4), 587–594. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pop.2019.07.014
Nayeri, N., Samadi, N., Larijani, B., & Sayadi, L. (2020). Effect of nurse?led care on quality of care and level of HbA1C in patients with diabetic foot ulcer: A randomized clinical trial. Wound Repair and Regeneration, 28(3), 338-346. https://doi.org/10.1111/wrr.12788
Yu, J., Lee, H., & Kim, K. (2022). Recent updates to clinical practice guidelines for diabetes mellitus. Endocrinology and Metabolism, 37(1), 26–37. https://doi.org/10.3803/enm.2022.105
I’m working on a Health & Medical exercise and need support.
Write a 4-6-page policy proposal and practice guidelines for improving quality and performance associated with the benchmark metric underperformance you advocated for improving in Assessment 1.
In advocating for institutional policy changes related to local, state, or federal health care laws or policies, health leaders must be able to develop and present clear and well-written policy and practice guideline proposals that will enable a team, a unit, or an organization as a whole to resolve relevant performance issues and bring about improvements in the quality and safety of health care.
This assessment offers you an opportunity to take the lead in proposing such changes. As a master’s-level health care practitioner, you have a valuable viewpoint and voice to bring to discussions about policy development, both inside and outside your care setting. NHS FPX6004 Assessment 2 Policy Proposal
Developing policy for internal purposes can be a valuable process toward quality and safety improvement, as well as ensuring compliance with various health care regulatory pressures. This assessment offers you an opportunity to take the lead in proposing such changes.
Propose organizational policy and practice guidelines that you believe will lead to an improvement in quality and performance associated with the benchmark underperformance you advocated for improving in Assessment 1. Be precise, professional, and persuasive in demonstrating the merit of your proposed actions NHS FPX6004 Assessment 2 Policy Proposal.
Note: Remember that you can submit all, or a portion of, your draft policy proposal to Smarthinking for feedback, before you submit the final version for this assessment. If you plan on using this free service, be mindful of the turnaround time of 24–48 hours for receiving feedback.
The policy proposal requirements outlined below correspond to the scoring guide criteria, so be sure to address each main point. Read the performance-level descriptions for each criterion to see how your work will be assessed. In addition, be sure to note the requirements for document format and length and for supporting evidence.
Cite 3–5 references to relevant research, case studies, or best practices to support your analysis and recommendations.
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the course competencies through the following assessment scoring guide criteria:
Develop a 2-5-page training strategies summary and annotated agenda for a training session that will prepare a role group to succeed in implementing your proposed organizational policy and practice guidelines.
Training and educating those within an organization who are responsible for implementing and working with changes in organizational policy is a critical step in ensuring that prescribed changes have their intended benefit. A leader in a health care profession must be able to apply effective leadership, management, and educational strategies to ensure that colleagues and subordinates will be prepared to do the work that is asked of them.
As a master’s-level health care practitioner, you may be asked to design training sessions to help ensure the smooth implementation of any number of initiatives in your health care setting. The ability to create an agenda that will ensure your training goals will be met, and will fit into the allotted time, is a valuable skill for preparing colleagues to be successful in their practice.
Note: Remember that you can submit all, or a portion of, your draft strategy summary and annotated training agenda to Smarthinking for feedback, before you submit the final version for this assessment. If you plan on using this free service, be mindful of the turnaround time of 24–48 hours for receiving feedback.
To help ensure a smooth rollout and implementation of your proposed policy and practice guidelines, design a training session for one of the role groups in the organization that will be responsible for implementation.
During this training session, you will want to ensure that the individuals you are training understand the new policy and practice guidelines. You will need them to buy into the importance of the policy in improving the quality of care or outcomes and their key role in successful policy implementation. You must help them acquire the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in implementing the policy and practice guidelines.
As outcomes of this training session, participants are expected to:
The strategy summary and annotated training agenda requirements outlined below correspond to the scoring guide criteria, so be sure to address each main point. Read the performance-level descriptions for each criterion to see how your work will be assessed. In addition, be sure to note the requirements for document format and length and for supporting evidence.
Example Assessment: You may use the following to give you an idea of what a Proficient or higher rating on the scoring guide would look like:
Format your document using APA style.
Cite 2–4 external sources to support your strategies for working with the group you have identified and generating their buy-in, as well as for your approach to the training session, activities, and materials.
Note: Faculty may use the Writing Feedback Tool when grading this assessment. The Writing Feedback Tool is designed to provide you with guidance and resources to develop your writing based on five core skills. You will find writing feedback in the Scoring Guide for the assessment, once your work has been evaluated.
Portfolio Prompt: You may choose to save your strategy summary and agenda to your ePortfolio.
By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the course competencies through the following assessment scoring guide criteria:
Sound policy and practice guidelines for managing medication errors are critical for a premier medical center such as Mercy Medical Center. To successfully implement the policy on managing medication errors, members of the nursing staff at the medical center responsible for enacting the policy must thoroughly understand the strategies prescribed by the policy. A training program designed for staff members will ensure effective dissemination of the knowledge and skills required to implement the policy guidelines. The training program outlined in this paper will be conducted for a pilot group of 20 nursing staff members from the pediatric medical center’s pediatric division.
The policy on managing medication errors states the procedure that must be followed in case of a medication error. The scope of the policy extends to the nursing, emergency care, and medical staff employed at Mercy Medical Center (Black County Partnership, 2015). The policy requires that the medical center form a multidisciplinary committee. This committee will assess potential discrepancies and address shortfalls in medication processes (Weant et al., 2014).
The strategies to be implemented at the medical center include installing automated dispensing cabinets and setting up a standardized medication error analysis system. To set up a standardized medication error analysis system, the multidisciplinary committee should classify, prioritize, and regularize the process of reporting medication errors. Understanding the causes of medication errors through medication error analysis becomes simpler with the availability of accurate data.
Automated dispensing cabinets are computerized systems for medication management and are installed in healthcare units. These cabinets are used to manage errors that occur when dispensing medication. The cabinets store and dispense medication and electronically track drug inventory (Weant et al., 2014).
Medication errors are indicative of poor-quality healthcare services in a medical center. The proposed policy can prevent medication errors, ensure patient safety, help the medical center avoid litigation for medical negligence, prevent harm to the medical center’s reputation, and reduce unnecessary expenses (Black County Partnership, 2015). This will increase the efficiency of the nursing staff, thereby decreasing the effort and time spent on medication procedures. Less time spent and more efficiency would increase the job satisfaction of the members of the nursing staff.
Three types of indicators can project the success of the policy at an early stage: structural indicators, process indicators, and outcome indicators. Structural indicators emphasize the quality of organizational aspects, for example, the availability and effective functioning of equipment such as automated dispensing cabinets. Process indicators focus on the process of care delivery. Efficiency in prescription management and diagnosis management are two process indicators that measure the effectiveness of the policy. Outcome indicators are result oriented.
Reduction in readmission rates, reduction in postsurgical wound infection rates, and patient experience are a few outcome indicators that can measure the success of the policy (Grol et al., 2013).
The pilot group selected will be trained on the two strategies: installation and use of automated dispensing cabinets and standardized medication error analysis. Staff members could be apprehensive about reporting errors considering the degree of fatality of the error and the disciplinary action as a consequence of underreporting (Chu, 2016). Such apprehension may cause the nursing staff to object to the establishment of a standardized system for medication error analysis. Implementing the second strategy, the installation of automated dispensing cabinets would be beneficial for medication management and prevention of errors; however, automated dispensing cabinets can potentially cause errors in medication retrieval in case of mismanagement of medical inventory (Weant et al., 2014). This could be a potential concern for the nursing staff.
Nursing staff plays an essential role in the implementation of a medication error management policy because of their proximity to patients and medication processes. A nurse is the last person involved in the administering of drugs. A nurse is responsible for physically administering the right drug to a patient and can, therefore, easily identify and correct any error in the medication process (Ofusu & Jarrett, 2015). In order to ensure that the policy on managing medication errors is implemented efficiently, the nursing staff must focus on maintaining accuracy and regularity in reporting medication errors.
The nursing staff can prevent errors in drug administration by practicing the five rights: right dose, right patient, right time, right drug, and right route. The nursing staff can ensure that there are no medication errors while administering medication. Some ways the nursing staff can contribute positively toward policy implementation include calculating the amount of drugs accurately, reducing distractions while administering medication, informing patients about a drug’s effects, and continuously revising pharmacological knowledge (Chu, 2016).
Nursing staff is involved in medication processes such as prescription and administration of medication. During drug administration, a nurse is the last person who may be able to rectify errors. While patient safety is a priority for nursing staff, they cause most medication errors because of constant distractions and interruptions in their work routine (Ofusu & Jarrett, 2015). It is crucial to train the nursing staff on the guidelines of the policy, as inexperienced and untrained staff may not be able to anticipate or identify a medication error. The policy on managing medication errors requires that automated dispensing cabinets be set up, and medication error analysis be performed.
For the successful implementation of automated dispensing cabinets, it is crucial that the nursing staff be trained on the safe use of these devices. While automated dispensing cabinets are introduced to reduce errors, their incorrect usage can create problems in dispensing medication (Hamilton-Griffin, 2016). To implement the second strategy, namely medication error analysis, nursing staff must be trained on new procedures that will enable them to accurately and regularly report medication errors. Reinforcing the importance of reporting during training will encourage nurses to adopt the medication error reporting procedures, ensuring the availability of adequate data to perform a medication error analysis.
A 2-hour workshop will be conducted to train the nursing staff on using automated dispensing cabinets and medication error analysis. A questionnaire will be circulated to the pilot group a day before the training to assess their understanding of the two strategies. This workshop will be divided into two sessions of an hour each. The first session will be conducted by local opinion leaders, who are individuals recognized as clinical experts in a specific field of medication. The opinion leaders will discuss the technical know-how required to operate automated dispensing cabinets and the steps that must be followed for medication error analysis. This session by local opinion leaders would have an influential impact on the nursing staff because of the presence of a familiar figure whose credentials are known.
The second session will involve simulation-based training. Here, the staff will participate in situations in which they have to operate automated dispensing cabinets and perform a mock medication error analysis. This session will give the staff real-world experience and provide insights into potential complexities they may encounter while using the automated dispensing cabinets or conducting a medication error analysis (Grol et al., 2013).
Each participant will be given a handout containing the policy guidelines, a document listing the steps to follow while conducting a medication error analysis, and a user manual for the use of automated dispensing cabinets. In addition, a printed version of the content covered by the opinion leader will also be provided to the staff for future reference. In order to ensure continuous learning, the nursing staff will be given access to a virtual classroom using a log-in ID and password to access lectures and self-learning exercises (Grol et al., 2013). The handouts and the virtual learning material will be designed to help the staff members develop skills such as critical thinking and attention to detail and the confidence required to implement the strategies of the policy.
One of the complexities of implementing the strategies of the policy is deciding to report an event as a medication error. The lack of standard definitions for medication errors leads to unidentified errors because there is uncertainty around whether an error needs to be reported.
The implementation of a standardized system for medication error analysis would require that medication errors be clearly defined. This would help nurses accurately identify and report medication errors (Chu, 2016).
The number of medication errors in Mercy Medical Centre’s medical and surgical units increased by 50% from 2015 to 2016. Most medication errors occur during medication administration by nursing staff (Ofusu & Jarrett, 2015). Therefore, the training program on policy implementation intends to familiarize the nursing staff with complex sections of the policy, such as the repercussions of negligence and the protocol to be followed while addressing medication errors. The nursing staff will also be clearly informed of the chain of command to report errors.
The leadership of Mercy Medical Center proposed the policy on the management of medication errors to reduce and prevent the occurrence of medication errors. For the successful implementation of the policy, it is essential to design a training program for the hospital staff on the various strategies of the policy. The program will help staff members understand the importance of managing medication errors, thereby improving patient safety, the medical center’s reputation, and the staff’s job satisfaction.
Black County Partnership, NHS Foundation Trust. (2015). Medication error policy. Retrieved from https://www.bcpft.nhs.uk/documents/policies/m/973-medication-errors/file
Chu, R. Z. (2016). Simple steps to reduce medication errors. Nursing 2016, 46(8), 63–65. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.nurse.0000484977.05034.9c
Grol, R., Wensing, M., Eccles, M., & Davis, D. (2013). Improving patient care: The implementation of change in health care. Retrieved from https://ebookcentral-proquest- com.library.capella.edu/lib/capella/reader.action?docID=1153537
Hamilton-Griffin, K. (2016). Developing improvement strategies for using automated dispensing cabinets to reduce medication errors in a hospital setting (Doctoral dissertation). Retrieved from ProQuest. (Order No. 10127834)
Ofusu, R., & Jarrett, P. (2015). Reducing nurse medicine administration errors. Nursing Times, 111(20), 12–14. Retrieved from https://www.nursingtimes.net/Journals/2015/05/10/t/l/q/130515_Reducing-nurse- medicine-administration-errors.pdf
Weant, K. A., Bailey, A. M., & Baker, S. N. (2014). Strategies for reducing medication errors in the emergency department. Open Access Emergency Medicine, 6, 45–55. https://doi.org/10.2147/OAEM.S64174
For Noah Sanders, life had never seemed much fun. He was 18 when he first noticed that most of the time he “just felt down.” Although he was bright and studied hard, throughout college he was often distracted by thoughts that he didn’t measure up to his classmates.
He landed a job with a leading electronics firm, but turned down several promotions because he felt that he could not cope with added responsibility. It took dogged determination and long hours of work to compensate for this “inherent second-rateness.” The effort left him chronically tired. Even his marriage and the birth of his two daughters only relieved his gloom for a few weeks at a time, at best. His self-confidence was so low that, by common consent, his wife always made most of their family’s decisions.
“It’s the way I’ve always been. I am a professional pessimist,” Noah told his family doctor one day when he was in his early 30s. The doctor replied that he had a depressive personality.
For many years, that description seemed to fit. Then, when Noah was in his early 40s, his younger daughter left home for college; after this, he began to feel increasingly that life had passed him by. Over a period of several months, his depression deepened. He had worsened to the point that he now felt he had never really been depressed before. Even visits from his daughters, which had always cheered him up, failed to improve his outlook.
Usually a sound sleeper, Noah began awakening at about 4 A.M. and ruminating over his mistakes. His appetite fell off, and he lost weight. When for the third time in a week his wife found him weeping in their bedroom, he confessed that he had felt so guilty about his failures that he thought they’d all be better off without him. She decided that he needed treatment.
Noah was started on an antidepressant medication. Within 2 weeks, his mood had brightened and he was sleeping soundly; at 1 month, he had “never felt better” in his life. Whereas he had once avoided oral presentations at work, he began to look forward to them as “a chance to show what I could do.” His chronic fatigue faded, and he began jogging to use up some of his excess energy. In his spare time, he started his own small business to develop and promote some of his engineering innovations.
Noah remained on his medication thereafter. On the two or three occasions when he and his therapist tried to reduce it, he found himself relapsing into his old, depressive frame of mind. He continued to operate his small business as a sideline.
For most of his adult life, Noah’s mood symptoms were chronic, rather than acute or recurring. He was never without these symptoms for longer than a few weeks at a time (criterion C for dysthymia), and they were present most of the day, most days (A). They included general pessimism, poor self-image, and chronic tiredness, though only two symptoms are required by criterion B. His indecisiveness encouraged his wife to assume the role of family decision maker, which suggests social impairment (H).
The way he felt was not different from his usual self; in fact, he said it was the way he had always been. (The extended duration is one of two main features that differentiate dysthymia from major depressive disorder. The other is that the required dysthymia symptoms are neither as plentiful nor as severe as for major depression.) Noah had had no manic or psychotic symptoms that might have us considering bipolar or psychotic disorders (E, F).
The differential diagnosis of dysthymia is essentially the same as that for major depressive disorder. Mood disorder due to another medical condition and substance-induced mood disorder must be ruled out (G). The remarkable chronicity and poor self-image invite speculation that Noah’s difficulties might be explained by a personality disorder, such as avoidant or dependent personality disorder. The vignette does not address all the criteria that would be necessary to make those diagnoses. However, an important diagnostic principle holds that the more treatable conditions should be diagnosed (and treated) first.
If, despite relief of the mood disorder, Noah continued to be shy and awkward and to have a negative self-image, only then should we consider a personality diagnosis.
Now to the specifiers (Table 3.3). Though lacking psychotic symptoms, Noah had quite a number of depressive symptoms (including thoughts about death), which would suggest that he was severely ill. His dysthymia symptoms began when he was young (he first noticed them when he was just 18), so we’d say that his onset was early. Noah’s recent symptoms would also qualify for a major depressive episode, which had begun fairly recently and precipitated his evaluation; DSM-5 notes that a dysthymic patient can have symptoms that fulfill criteria for such an episode (D).
We would therefore give him the specifier with intermittent major depressive episodes, with current episode. None of the course specifiers would apply to Noah’s dysthymia, but the following symptoms would meet the criteria for an episode specifier for the major depression—with melancholic features: He no longer reacted positively to pleasurable stimuli (being with his daughters); he described his mood as a definite change from normal; and he reported guilt feelings, early morning awakening, and loss of appetite.
Once treated, Noah seemed to undergo a personality change. His mood lightened and his behavior changed to the point that, by contrast, he seemed almost hypomanic. However, these symptoms don’t rise to the level required for a hypomanic episode; had that been the case, criterion E would exclude the diagnosis of dysthymia. (Also, remember that a hypomanic episode precipitated by treatment that does not extend past the physiological effects of treatment does not count toward a diagnosis of bipolar II disorder.
It should not count against the diagnosis of dysthymia, either.) I thought his GAF score would be about 50 on first evaluation; his GAF would be a robust 90 at follow-up. In the summary, I’d note the possibility of avoidant personality traits.
My full diagnosis for Noah Sanders would be as follows:
F34.1 [300.4]Persistent mood disorder, severe, early onset, with intermittent major depressive episode, with current episode, with melancholic features (whew!)Non traditional health care practices that do not fall within the widely recognised domains of modern medicine or conventional health care practices are becoming popular among citizens in America and other western countries (Subramanian & Midha, 2016). Referred to by various nomenclature among them; complementary medicine, traditional medicine and alternative medicine (Balouchi et al., 2018), these forms of therapies are sought by patients and other clients to augment mainstream healthcare for various health conditions.
Survey reports indicate that as high as 60% of American citizens use complementary medicine with half of survey respondents reporting recent use- less than five years ago (Anheyer et al., 2017). In other continents the use of non-traditional health care practices is also reported to be popular. For example, in Europe, Germany and France were reported to have the highest prevalence of complementary health care where close to half of the population are reported to be consumers of non-traditional health care (Fjær et al., 2020).
In China, the most widely used form of complementary medicine among patients was reported to be Chinese Medicine administered by Chinese medicine doctors, family members and friends of patients (Thirthalli et al., 2016). The authors reported various forms of traditional Chinese therapies including; Acupuncture and moxibustion, Massage, Qigong- a practice of coordinating body, breath, and mind, based on Chinese philosophy, Tai chi- a traditional Chinese martial art in accordance with yin and yang- based mastering five elements; Yi (mind), Qi (breath), Xing (body gesture and movements), and Shen (spirit). Reported by the same study, more than fifty percent of patients reportedly visited their Chinese medicine practitioner more than once in a month while close to thirty percent of patients reportedly visit a Chinese medicine doctor daily. In comparison to China, homeopathic treatment, acupuncture, chiropractic manipulation, and phytotherapy/herbal medicine were the most sought after forms nonconventional therapies in Europe (Fjær et al., 2020).
Though rare, energy medicine was another form of non-traditional form of health care reported in the literature among the European citizens (Germany, Sweden, Norway, UK and France). The implementation of these alternative forms of therapies in Europe was found to be associated with availability of resources both at the individual and country level (Subramanian & Midha, 2016). Individuals were likely to seek these alternative therapies if they had the resources to acquire the services of an alternative care therapist. At the country level, countries with resources at their disposal were found to be more likely to integrate into their health systems these alternative forms of non-traditional health care by formal employment of alternative health care providers such as chiropractors and homeopathic physicians.
In the USA, the use of non-traditional forms of therapies in the management of health conditions as alternative to mainstream forms of treatment has been widely described in literature. In the management of Pediatric Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder for example, Anheyer and colleagues (2017) in a review describing alternative therapies for this condition, reported the use of; Botanicals, Minerals, Essential Fatty Acids, Dietary Restrictions, Homeopathy and Cognitive-Behavioral Interventions as the most widely used therapies. The use of these alternative therapies in this condition is just but a snippet of the use of alternative therapies in a host of other health conditions and is the characteristic of the American patients seeking alternative forms of therapy to supplement modern medicine.
The importance of non-traditional therapies as alternatives to mainstream health care is increasingly being recognised by health care providers and governments in many jurisdictions (Anheyer et al., 2017). The push for integration of non-traditional forms of therapies with mainstream health care services comes with the realisation that this integration enables the achievement of holistic health care for patients. In addition, for most countries, the numbers of mainstream health care providers such as primary care physicians and nurses is not adequate to match patient numbers leading to patients seeking care from alternative therapists.
For some conditions such as asthma, these non- traditional forms of therapies are documented to be offering superior outcomes for some groups of patients though the evidence is still inadequate to draw concrete conclusions (Amaral-Machado et al., 2020). In the management of communicable conditions such as malaria, the application of alternative medicine has proved its worth. The major drugs currently being used to treat malaria (quinine and artemisinin) were derived from traditional herbal therapies in Peru and China (Manuel et al., 2020). Non traditional forms of therapies are an important source for several drugs currently being applied in modern modern healthcare especially the treatment of infectious diseases.
In my area, the use of non-traditional forms of healthcare is not uncommon. Many diabetic and hypertensive patients I know are engaged in Yoga meditation, music therapy as a recreational activity and as alternative therapies (Subramanian & Midha, 2016). In addition, diabetic patients also visit chiropractors and homeopaths. Though actual numbers were not easy to come by, majority of users of non-traditional forms of therapy from my area do not only use one form of therapy to manage their conditions but are involved in dual or multiple therapies choosing to concurrently use both traditional and non-traditional alternatives.
World over, the consumption of non-traditional health care is on the increase (Subramanian & Midha, 2016). This increase in the preference for non-traditional health care can be attributed to the following reasons: 1) majority of alternative forms of therapies resonate well with cultural beliefs of patients and are therefore more acceptable. 2) compared to some mainstream forms of treatments, alternative therapies can be affordable to clients and will be preferred basing on the economic standing of the patient (Fjær et al., 2020). 3) though documentation of evidence for alternative forms of therapies is poor, for some conditions such as asthma, patients have reported better outcomes in their health when compared to the modern/traditional forms of treatment (Amaral-Machado et al., 2020).
In conclusion, literature supports the notion that application of non-traditional therapies is increasing in popularity. There is also the increasing recognition of its place in modern health care practice especially in the era of cross-cultural nursing. The emphasis by cross-cultural nursing practice on the principle of respect of patients’ preferences, cultures and beliefs should make the application of non-traditional health care practices more appealing for nurses. In deed, the integration of non-traditional health care into modern health care delivery models offers many benefits and will go a long way in ensuring the patient’s every health need is met as well as furthering the agenda of holistic health care approach.
National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties NONPF Competencies PRAC 6675
Nursing competencies include incorporating various professional skills, personal principles, knowledge, and values within the scope of nursing. These competencies play a critical role in the nurse performance evaluation. Competent nurses need to address the nine nursing competencies to achieve quality health outcomes.
Scientific Foundation
Competencies reflect on nursing education, ensuring that nurse practitioners have a comprehensive and robust foundation of medical sciences before graduation. The students need to understand pathophysiology and pharmacology in their specialties (Zakhari, 2021). Engaging medical research through evidence-based practice guidelines through scientific competence is easy.
Also Read:
Assignment 2: Practicum Experience Plan (PEP)
Leadership
Leadership competence allows all practitioners to understand their roles as team leaders and standards of practice while leading a team of healthcare providers (Stewart & DeNisco, 2019). I will be able to gain quality communication skills, solve problems, and make excellent decision-making skills.
Quality
This competency assesses healthcare services’ success in improving patient care and allowing nurses to effectively apply their knowledge and skills (Stewart & DeNisco, 2019). They should be willing to reduce errors and harm.
Practice Inquiry
It involves interpreting research and its application to clinical settings (Zakhari, 2021). Nurses need to understand how to apply research to their parents and improve patient outcomes. I can use the research to improve the health status of communities.
Technology and Information Literacy
This competency aims at the integration of various technologies into the nursing practice. Nurse practitioners need to understand how to use digital communication tools, have network access, and manage and create effective communication during care delivery (The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, n.d.). The technology can also be utilized in the maintenance of privacy and confidentiality. I would use social media and media houses to advocate for patient needs.
Policy
Policy refers to the implemented programs at the local, state, national, and global levels to facilitate health resource allocation. In these programs’ advocacy and legislation, however, nurses play a critical role considering that they understand the patient’s primary and complex needs. Nurses are better positioned to address social concerns at the community level, such as violence, poverty, and literacy (Buppert, 2021).
Nursing students also can develop ethical healthcare policies in reference to the existing policies, while others could use the same to provide awareness to members of the community. As a practitioner, I will commit to educating community members on their various health rights using the acquired skills.
Health Delivery Systems
This encompasses developing, planning, and implementing any community and public health program. Nurse practitioners engage in delivery systems through enhancing decision-making, developing major organizational reforms, and creating culturally competent care (Stewart &DeNisco, 2019). They can also implement these skills at the community level to identify existing health concerns.
Ethics
It involves the understanding of ethical issues between nurse-patient interactions that require to be observed. Ethics allows nurse practitioners to improve their decision-making regarding their patients’ health status (Zakhari, 2021). With the help of ethics, the dilemmas in community health can be handled within an appropriate time frame.
Independent Practice
An ability embraces an attendant specialist as an authorized medical care supplier who can freely work with next to no oversight. According to The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (2017), expertise like this works with nurture specialists to direct patients’ well-being appraisal, determination, and treatment remedies. Along these lines, nurture specialists are perceived by regulation as experts who have the right stuff and information to oversee both analyzed and undiscovered patients freely. Nursing Competencies Essay.
References
Buppert, C. (2021). Nurse practitioner’s business practice and legal guide (7th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. (2017). Nurse practitioner core competencies. Retrieved 4th April 2022 from https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/competencies/20170516_NPCoreCompsContentF.pdf
The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. (n.d.). National Organization of nurse practitioner faculties. Retrieved 4th April 2022 from https://www.nonpf.org/
Stewart, J. G., &DeNisco, S. M. (2019). Role development for the nurse practitioner (2nd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Zakhari, R. (2021). The psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner certification review manual. Springer Publishing Company.
The Assignment
For each of the nine NONPF competencies, write one paragraph explaining how the program has prepared you to meet the competency (for a total of at least nine paragraphs). Then, propose how you plan to engage in social change in your community as a nurse practitioner. Finally, describe 1–2 legislative and/or advocacy activities in which your state (California) nurse practitioner organization(s) are involved. Be specific and provide examples.
The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) has determined nine broad areas of core competence that apply to all nurse practitioners, regardless of specialty or patient population focus. NONPF created the first set of Nurse Practitioner Competencies in 1990; the most recent updates were incorporated in 2017. This course was designed to prepare you to synthesize knowledge gained throughout the program and to apply each of the nine core competencies within your selected areas of practice and your representative communities.
The nine areas of competency are:
Scientific Foundations
Leadership
Quality
Practice Inquiry
Technology and Information Literacy
Policy
Health Delivery System
Ethics
Independent Practice
To Prepare
Review this week’s Learning Resources, focusing on the NONPF Core Competencies Content.
Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)
American Nurses Credentialing Center. (n.d.). Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (across the lifespan) certification (PMHNP-BC).
https://www.nursingworld.org/our-certifications/psychiatric-mental-health-nurse-practitioner/
Scroll to ANCC Study Aids Free for sample test questions and study guides to help you prepare for your certification exam.
Buppert, C. (2021). Nurse practitioner’s business practice and legal guide (7th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Chapter 12, Lawmaking and Health Policy
Chapter 14, Standards of Care for Nurse Practitioner Practice
Chapter 15, Measuring Nurse Practitioner Performance
The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. (2017). Nurse practitioner core competencies. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/competencies/20170516_NPCoreCompsContentF.pdf
The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. (n.d.). National organization of nurse practitioner faculties. https://www.nonpf.org/
Stewart, J. G., & DeNisco, S. M. (2019). Role development for the nurse practitioner (2nd ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Chapter 11, Concepts of the Professional
Chapter 12, Health Policy and the Nurse Practitioner
Chapter 14, Mentoring
Zakhari, R. (2021). The psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner certification review manual. Springer Publishing Company.
Chapter 1, Preparing to Pass the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam (for review as needed)
Chapter 16, Practice Test
Document: Career Planner Guide
APRN Central. (2019, October 27). Goal digger: Test taking strategies [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STAT1WpQgSM
DrRegisteredNurse. (2020, February 16). Test-taking strategies to pass the NCLEX in 75 questions part 1 [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81E3dAxrO2c
Student Name:
Course:
Competency:D_2_1: Demonstrate knowledge and ability to use appropriate communication techniques to build, maintain, and close the therapeutic nurse-patient relationship (Song & McCreary, 2020).Significant Learning Experience: My significant learning experience was the takeaway assignment on therapeutic communication. Our lecturer provided a video of a nurse taking a history from a patient. The purpose was to identify therapeutic and non-therapeutic communication tools and describe how you would approach a similar patient.I was keen to bring out several therapeutic tools that the nurse employed. For every non-therapeutic technique used, I had an alternative therapeutic tool that I would have employed. Excellent performance in the assignment made me confident in my communication techniques when interacting with patients.
What you Learned: I have earnt the therapeutic and the non – therapeutic communication techniques. To foster a therapeutic relationship with the patient, I should apply tools such as active listening, empathy and silence and avoid invalidation, overloading patients with questions, giving advice, and false reassurance (Su et al., 2020). I have also learnt that communication includes verbal and verbal cues. Therefore, I should employ therapeutic communication techniques that align with my non-verbal cues to foster a therapeutic nurse to patient relationship.Proficiency Rating: My proficiency rating is competent because I meet the competency requirements of my practice satisfactorily. I am an effective team member in the health care teams. I achieved this by participating in inter-professional communication training and ensuring I contribute to the discussion during team and inter-professional meetings.Significance of Learning:The course was impactful in sharpening my communication skills. Communication is vital in cultivating a nurse-patient relationship and in patient advocacy.Nursing Practice: The competency has helped me handle patients’ sensitive situations and lead patients to tell sensitive information that is key to management. Therefore, in future, I can effectively handle bereaved clients. Regarding inter-professional collaboration, I need to be more involved in inter-professional teams to sharpen my collaboration skills.APA: ReferenceSong, Y., & McCreary, L. L. (2020). New graduate nurses’ self-assessed competencies: An integrative review. Nurse Education in Practice, 45, 102801. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2020.102801Su, Jing Jing, Golden Mwakibo Masika, Jenniffer Torralba Paguio, and Sharon R. Redding. Defining compassionate nursing care.” Nursing ethics 27, no. 2 (2020): 480-493. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0969733019851546
Also Read:
NFDN 1002 Assignment 2: Teaching Plan
The purpose of a professional portfolio is to demonstrate a commitment to life-long learning through ongoing professional development. The professional portfolio will help you to develop your understanding of the CLPNA competencies as well as ensuring self-assessment and reflection throughout your career in nursing. This will ultimately help you transition from a novice to expert practitioner. This assignment is a total of 14 marks and contributes 5% toward your total course grade.
Step 1:
Review the competencies from the CLPNA website
Once you have selected the competency send to your instructor to review the competency number .
NFDN 1002-Check with your Instructor the competency selected from CLPNA site.
Pick the specific competency you would like to focus on.
Step 2:
Reflect on the following areas and provide your information for each area on the template provided.
Competency: Clearly label the competency letter, number, and subcategory (write out the competency).
Significant learning experience: Describe ONE significant learning experience in this course related to the CLPNA competency you have identified. Provide an example.
What you learned: Describe what you learned and how it relates to the competency identified.
Proficiency rating: Use the Proficiency Rating Categories below to rate your own proficiency in the identified CLPNA competency. What did you do to achieve this competency and provide evidence to support your rating?
Significance of learning: Explain how the identified competency enhanced your learning (was meaningful) in this course.
Nursing Practice: Describe how you will apply this learning in your current and future nursing practice (What are your strengths and what are your future learning needs regarding this competency).
Follow APA for references and citations, grammar/spelling
Step 3:
The learner will upload their professional portfolio to the Moodle assignment drop box on the due date specified by your instructor.
Proficiency Categories:
Excellent: Integrates competency theory with other knowledge, skill and attitudes so that it becomes seamless/automatic as part of everyday nursing practice.
Good: Understands the competency in theory and in scenarios and nursing practice.
Fair: Understands the competency in theory; unable to apply it to scenarios or nursing practice.
Poor: Does not understand the content related to the competency
Professional_Portfolio_Marking_Guide_(1).pdf
Professional_Portfolio_Instructions_(1).pdf
Professional_Portfolio_Template_(3)
NR 504 Week 8 Assignment – The Meso Level Leadership
The care given to the Summerville, Florida residents is something that the Executive Team of Care Clinic takes great pride in. The Clinic is renowned for its community outreach initiatives and holistic patient treatment.
The Executive Team of Care Clinic evaluates the benchmark results for customer satisfaction with service and quality indicators every year. In the last 12 months, client satisfaction and quality care scores have significantly dropped.
To assist in understanding the quality issues related to client care occurring within the Care Clinic, you are provided with two videos of client situations that have been recorded using Second Life. You must also enter Second Life to observe actions and conversations occurring within the Care Clinic.
When viewing the videos and participating in the Care Clinic in Second Life, consider yourself the manager and identify quality care issues consistent with decreasing client satisfaction scores.
Determine how the declining benchmarks can be addressed and improved from your leadership perspective. Discuss the actions/changes that need to be implemented to improve satisfaction scores and attain Care Clinic quality outcomes.
For NR 504 Week 8 Assignment – The Meso Level Leadership assignment, the Care Clinic Improvement Project must be completed by the end of week six of this course and must address each of the following areas.to
Week 8 has arrived and provides an excellent opportunity to self-reflect on your leadership journey that started eight weeks ago. For the discussion, provide a comprehensive response to each of the following topics:
Based on your learning experiences in NR 504, identify two areas that were new to you regarding leadership and how you will use these two areas in your future professional nursing practice area.
Speculate how to use the leadership concepts presented in NR 504 to guide your final MSN practicum project.
MY TOPIC: Traditional Research Methodology
The purpose of this discussion board is to enhance understanding of an evidence-based practice versus quality-improvement versus research methodology (qualitative, quantitative -to include the Randomized Controlled Trial).
This week in discussion board we are going to have a debate-like discussion regarding the following 3 topics:
Through this assignment, the student will demonstrate the ability to:
Initial prompt due by Wednesday, 11:59 PM MT of week 1
One peer and one faculty or two peer posts due by Sunday 11:59 PM MT of week 1
Points:?50 points
NR-505 NP Advanced Research Methodology Discussion Content
Category
Points
%
Description
Scholarly
15
30%
Application
15
30%
Interactive Dialogue
10
20%
40
80%
Total CONTENT Points=40 pts
DISCUSSION FORMAT
Category
Points
%
Description
APA (current edition)
5
10%
Spelling / Grammar etc.
5
10%
10
20%
Total FORMAT Points= 10 pts
DISCUSSION TOTAL=50 points
Concerning Part 1 of the assignment, you are in a patient scenario. Utilizing the below information, provide answers the questions below:
1. Briefly and clearly provide a summary of the H&P results as though you were presenting it to your preceptor utilizing the relevant facts from the present case. Apply shorthand usage where necessary as well as approved medical abbreviations when needed. Avoid irrelevant information and redundancy.
2. Provide a differential diagnosis (plural) which might explain the patient’s chief complaint along with a brief statement of pathophysiology for each. NR 511 Week 3 Case Study Discussions Part 1
3. Analyze the differential by using the pertinent findings from the history and physical to argue for or against a diagnosis. Rank the differential in order of most likely to least likely. (This is where you present your argument for EACH DIAGNOSIS in your differential using the patient’s subjective and objective information that was …).
4. Identify any additional tests and/or procedures that you feel is necessary or needed to help you narrow your differential. All testing decisions must … supported with an EBM argument as to why it is necessary or pertinent in this case. NR 511 Week 3 Case Study Discussions Part 1
If no testing is indicated or needed, you must also support this decision with EBM evidence. (This is where you identify, based on what you know thus far, test or test(s) that you would perform TODAY which would help you narrow your differential diagnosis).
*Do not list all of the possible tests that can … done. You are being evaluated on your diagnostic reasoning skills as well your ability to make decisions that are in-line with current practice recommendations. Just because a test is available does not mean it needs to … done.
In Part 2 you might be … some additional history, exam or test findings. Using this information and the information in Part 1, answer the following questions:
1. What is your primary diagnosis for this patient? Tell the reader how you came to this conclusion using the information that you were … (i.e., CXR result, lab result). Interpret the results into your diagnosis decision (i.e., tell how this information helped you to narrow your differential to the one diagnosis that you chose).
2. Identify the corresponding ICD-10 Code for the diagnosis.
3. Provide a treatment plan for this patient’s primary diagnosis which includes:
4. a) Medication-all prescriptions and OTC medications should … written in RX format with an EBM to support:
1. b) Any additional testing necessary for this particular diagnosis-typically done when you need more information to confirm a diagnosis or differentiate the diagnosis. Do not state all of the possibilities that are available. To assess your diagnostic reasoning skill, you will need to … decisive.
2. c) Patient education-self explanatory
3. d) Referral-self explanatory
4. e) F/U plan-include if and when the patient should follow-up *If part of the plan does not warrant an action, you must explain why. ALL medication and testing decisions (or decisions not to treat with medication or additional testing) MUST … supported with an EBM argument as you did in Part 1.
NR511 Week 3 Case Study Part Two Discussion
Dr. Aje and Class,
- What is your primary (one) diagnosis for this patient at this time?
The primary diagnosis for the patient would be allergic conjunctivitis.
Pertinent positive findings: pale boggy turbinates, runny nose with intermittent nasal congestion, itchy, red, tearing eyes with FB sensation, previous dx of seasonal allergic rhinitis
Pertinent negative findings: patient denies having symptoms of sneezing and the patient is non-compliant with allergy medications
Other important information to support my diagnosis is the patient relocated from his home state of Phoenix to Illinois which is a change is climate, air quality and weather conditions. This may have exacerbated his chronic allergy condition (Ackerman, Smith, Gomes, 2016).
- Identify the corresponding ICD-10 code.
H10.33
- Treatment plan: Treatment with antihistamines would be appropriate.
Have the begin administering his current prescribed Fluticasone nasal spray 50mcg with instructions to spray 2 sprays in each nostril once daily. (Epocrates, 2018).
Reinstate the patient’s current prescription for Loratadine 10mg once daily or as directed. This is an “inverse agonism of histamine H1receptors (Carr, Schaffer, & Donnenfield, 2016)”.
“The most common treatment options for allergic conjunctivitis consist of topical ophthalmic formulations intended to reduce inflammation and provide symptomatic relief (Carr, Schaeffer & Donnenfeld, 2016)”. I would prescribe Olopatadine 2%. I would instruct the patient to administer 1-2 drops in each eye daily for 10 days. Olopatadine has a mast cell stabilizer which will reduce the inflammation and counteract the effects of histamine.
Additional testing
As I noted in part one of this case study, the patient can undergo allergy testing by having his blood / lab test to determine the Total IgE or quantitative IgE which can detect the IgE antibodies in the patient’s blood.
These blood test can detect different allergies such as allergies to medications, pollens dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, insect bites and foods. Other testing which is the most common way to test for allergies is the scratch test also known as the skin test.
Results of the skin test are resulted usually in 20 minutes (acai, 2014). Identifying the patients’ triggers will aid in identifying the correct plan of care. NR 511 Week 3 Case Study Discussions Part 1
Patient education:
Educate the patient on the importance of thorough handwashing before and after touching his eyes. Not share linens and to avoid direct contact with infected individuals and materials. Cool compresses to the eyes for 10-20 minutes as needed. NR 511 Week 3 Case Study Discussions Part 1
Notify his PCP of any changes in vision. Instruct the patient to seek emergency medical treatment if his vision becomes poor or diminished, pressure or headache that is not resolved with medication, blurred or double vision. NR 511 Week 3 Case Study Discussions Part 1
Referral on NR 511 Week 3 Case Study Discussions Part 1
The patient would be referred for immunology studies and allergy testing, a referral to an ophthalmologist for the photophobia and to rule out injuries, traumas, and other conditions other than allergic conjunctivitis.
4.Active problem list:
Chronic seasonal allergies
Acute allergic conjunctivitis
5.Are there any changes that you would also make to this patient’s overall treatment plan at this time?
Because of the patient’s past and present symptoms, I would opt not to change the patient’s treatment plan.
- Provide a F/U plan.
The patient would be directed to F/U with the in the clinic within 7 days or sooner if s/s are not resolving in 48-72 hours. F/U instructions to be evaluated by the referred ophthalmologist or an ophthalmologist of his choice. In the event of an emergency, the patient should seek emergency medical treatment.
Ackerman, S., Smith, L. M., & Gomes, P. J. (2016). Ocular itch associated with allergic conjunctivitis: latest evidence and clinical management. Therapeutic advances in chronic disease, 7(1), 52–67.
American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 2014. https://acaai.org/allergies/allergy-treatment/allergy-testing
Carr, W., Schaeffer, J., & Donnenfeld, E. (2016). Treating allergic conjunctivitis: A once-daily medication that provides 24-hour symptom relief. Allergy & Rhinology (Providence, R.I.), 7(2), 107–114.
Epocrates Athena Health. (2018). Epocrates Drug. Retrieved from https://online.epocrates.com/drugs
American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, 2014. https://acaai.org/allergies/allergy-treatment/allergy-testing
NR 512 Week 5 HealthIT Topic of Week Assignment
NR512 Health IT Topic of Week Assignment
Guidelines with Scoring Rubric
Purpose of NR 512 Week 5 HealthIT Topic of Week Assignment
This assignment is designed to help students
Develop an appreciation for informatics, basic skills and knowledge required in practice settings. Students will select a “hot” or popular topic of particular interest to their practice to discuss. The topic will be selected from the website using the link provided in the course Assignments section.
Through this assignment, the student will demonstrate the following ability.
Due Date for NR 512 Week 5 Health IT Topic of Week Assignment: Sunday 11:59 p.m. MT at the end of Week 5.
Total Points Possible: 125
Students will login to Fierce EMR and Fierce Health IT using the link provided in the course Assignments and select a “current/popular” topic of the week that may impact their practice.
Students, in a professionally developed paper, will discuss the rationale for choosing the topic, how it will impact practice in a positive or negative manner, citing pros and cons. Include a discussion of how informatics skills and knowledge were used in the process relevance to developing the assignment.
In the conclusion, provide recommendations for the future. Submit completed Fierce Health IT Topic paper for Wk. 5 to drop box by end of Week 5.
1. The Fierce EMR and Fierce Health IT Current/Popular Topic of the Week assignment must be a professional, scholarly prepared paper.
2. Required texts may be used as references, but a minimum of three sources must be from outside of course readings.
3. All aspects of the paper must be in APA format as expressed in the 6th edition.
4. The paper (excluding the title page, introduction and reference page) is 4-6 pages in length.
5. Ideas and information from professional sources must be cited correctly.
6. Grammar, spelling, punctuation, and citations are consistent with formal academic writing
Electronic health records have altered the way patient care is addressed and documented, but they have also unintentionally made billing fraud easier. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) failed to identify and investigate “EHR deficiencies,” according to a report released by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) (Levinson, 2017).
This has resulted in an additional $75 billion to $250 billion hit to the healthcare system (Levinson, 2017). The most common EHR documentation practices that are red flags for fraud, according to the OIG, are failing to update patient data accurately, over-documentation, and copy and paste (Levinson, 2017).
NR 512 Week 5: Health IT Topic of Week Assignment Requirements – The Impact of EHR Fraud Risks and Issues on Nursing. NR 512 Week 5 HealthIT Topic of Week Assignment. Out of these issues, the one that surfaces the most is copy and paste. This is when the healthcare provider fails to ensure accuracy due to time constraints or other motives and copies and pastes information from the patient’s medical record numerous times (Levinson, 2017).
OIG estimates that CMS has paid out “$729 million in Medicare related EHR incentive payments to professionals now considered ineligible because they did not comply with EHR documentation standards (Levinson, 2017).
Despite issues surrounding the implementation of EHR measures, the potential for EHR technology to assist in providing better patient care standards is vast. Nurses can help confront the issues associated with EHR documentation practices by adhering to ethical standards outlined in the ANA Code of Ethics for nurses when entering patient information in EHR databases.
A future recommendation for addressing this issue is to implement a patient identity frame that validates the nurse is entering information for the right patient record every time data is entered (Levinson, 2017).