Examine changes introduced to reform or restructure the U.S. health care delivery system. In a 1,000-1,250 word paper, discuss action taken for reform and restructuring and the role of the nurse within this changing environment.
Include the following:
- Outline a current or emerging health care law or federal regulation introduced within the last 5 years to reform or restructure some aspect of the health care delivery system. Describe the effect of this on nursing practice and the nurse’s role and responsibility.
- Discuss how quality measures and pay for performance affect patient outcomes. Explain how these affect nursing practice and describe the expectations and responsibilities of the nursing role in these situations.
- Discuss professional nursing leadership and management roles that have arisen and how they are important in responding to emerging trends and in the promotion of patient safety and quality care in diverse health care settings.
- Research emerging trends. Predict two ways in which the practice of nursing and nursing roles will grow or transform within the next five years in response to upcoming trends or predicted issues in health care.
You are required to cite a minimum of three sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be published within the last 5 years, appropriate for the assignment criteria, and relevant to nursing practice.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.
Expert Answer and Explanation
Trends and Issues in Healthcare Today
The US healthcare system has undergone tremendous reforms since it was developed. Some of the laws that have been passed to improve US healthcare include the Affordable Care Act of 2010, HIPAA, Medicare, Medicaid, and many more. These laws have improved the healthcare system and made the role of nurses clear. The purpose of this assignment is to discuss action taken for reform and restructuring and the role of the nurse within this changing environment.
Current Law
The US Congress has passed many laws regarding the US healthcare system. One such law is the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education and Support (CARES) Act of 2019. The law expands and reauthorizes the provisions introduced first in the Combating Autism Act of 2006 (Congress.Gov, 2019). The Autism CARES Act ensures support for prevalence tracking, services, research, and other government activities in the improvement of care among people with autism.
The law increases yearly authorized federal spending on autism activities to $369.7 million through 2024. The law aims to improve the entire lifespan of people with autism spectrum (Congress.Gov, 2019). This law was enacted to restructure healthcare delivery among people with autism. It aimed to improve the quality of care provided to patients with autism.
The Autism CARES Act will affect nursing practice by promoting evidence-based care when dealing with people with autism. The law provides support for prevalence tracking and research regarding autism services (Congress.Gov, 2019). It affects nursing practice by promoting evidence-based practice and high-quality care services in the treatment of patients with autism.
The role of nurses based on the law is to engage in research activities that aim to improve the quality of life of people with autism. The responsibility of nurses is to ensure that people with autism receive care that is supported by research and evidence-based. Nurses are also responsible for ensuring that the added funds are used as intended. The law will also affect nursing practice by supporting the inclusion of knowledge about autism in nursing education.
Impact of Quality Measures and Pay-for-Performance on Patient Outcomes
Quality measures are significant, especially in nursing practice. For a healthcare service to be of high quality, it should be patient-centred, safe, effective, timely, and equitable (Zarowitz et al., 2018). Quality measures affect patient outcomes by identifying what to be done to improve patient outcomes and provide high-quality care. One of the patient outcomes is patient experience. The nurse can improve the patient experience by providing safe, effective, and timely care.
In summary, quality measures affect patient outcomes by providing ways for how nurses can achieve these outcomes. pay-for performance, also known as performance-related pay is a care delivery system where healthcare professionals are paid based on their performance. This delivery system affects patient outcomes by ensuring that healthcare professionals achieve what patients envision from the treatment plan (Kyeremanteng et al., 2019). Pay-for-performance ensure that patients get value for their services.
Quality measures and pay-for-performance affect nursing practice by directing how nurses should conduct their duties. The role of nurses in these situations is to ensure that patients achieve the best and high-quality care. Nurses also have the role of working together with other healthcare professionals and patients to provide the best care. For instance, nurses need to work with patients in developing a care plan that fits their needs of the patient.
Nursing Leadership and Management Roles
Nursing management and leadership are vital in nursing practice. New professional nursing management and leadership roles have emerged to respond to emerging trends in promoting patient quality and safe care in diverse healthcare settings. One such role is education and training. Nurse leaders and managers have the role to educate junior nurses and training them about emerging issues in nursing.
Nurses need requisite knowledge to handle emerging trends in healthcare such as covid-19 pandemic and other problems. As such, the role of education is vital in ensuring that nurse knowledge to implement emerging trends (Noh et al., 2020). The second role is policy development. Nurse managers and leaders also have the role to develop and implement policies that support emerging trends.
One of the emerging trends is the use of electronic health records to manage patient data. Nurse managers and leaders have the role to create policies which direct how the technology can be used to improve the quality of care. The third role is advocacy. Nurse leaders and managers have the role to advocate for patients and fellow nurses to ensure that there are enough resources that can be used to provide care.
Nurse advocacy ensures that patients have a voice in care provision. The last role is managing financial and human resources. The nursing profession needs human and financial resources to address emerging trends. The role of nurse leaders is to ensure that there are sufficient financial and human resources to address emerging trends.
Emerging Trends
The world is changing and new trends are emerging thus, nurses need new ways to respond to the predicted issues or upcoming trends in healthcare. One of the ways nursing practices is changing to respond to upcoming trends is value-based care. Value-based care is a type of care delivery model in which healthcare providers, including physicians, hospitals, nurses, and other healthcare professionals are paid based on patient health outcomes (Teisberg et al., 2020).
In value-based care agreements, healthcare providers are rewarded for helping patients achieve care outcomes, live healthier lives, and reduce the incidences and effects of chronic disease in an evidence-based way. Value-based care can help nurses deal with emerging health problems such as obesity and chronic diseases (Ramkumar et al., 2019).
The second way the practice of nursing is emerging is to deal with emerging trends in nursing informatics. Nursing informatics will help nurse deal with upcoming trends in the next five years. One of the emerging problems nursing informatics will solve is big data. Big data is complex data to deal with and includes EHRs, real-time alerting, and medical imaging. Nursing informatics will help in managing big data and use it to improve care.
Nursing informatics will also help nurses develop knowledge in applying healthcare information in nursing care. Backonja et al. (2022) noted that the primary goal of nursing informatics is to analyze a wide variety of healthcare data to identify solutions that will allow nurses to provide higher quality care in addition to finding solutions to enable nurses to provide cost-effective care.
Conclusion
The Autism CARES Act will improve healthcare delivery by improving care delivery in people with autism. The law aims to promote autism can by ensuring that patients with autism receive evidence-based care. Quality measures and pay-for-performance affect patient outcomes by ensuring that patients achieve their care goals.
The role of nurses is to ensure that the outcomes of patients are achieved based on the measures. The roles that help nurse leaders and managers respond to new trends include education and training, advocacy, policy development, and managing financial and human resources. The emerging nursing practices that will help nurses tackle emerging trends include value-based care and nursing informatics.
References
Backonja, U., Langford, L. H., & Mook, P. J. (2022). How to support the nursing informatics leadership pipeline: Recommendations for nurse leaders and professional organizations. CIN: Computers, Informatics, Nursing, 40(1), 8-20. doi: 10.1097/CIN.0000000000000827
Congress.Gov. (2019). Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, And Support Act Of 2019; Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 151. https://www.congress.gov/congressional-record/volume-165/issue-151/senate-section/article/S5609-3
Kyeremanteng, K., Robidoux, R., D’Egidio, G., Fernando, S. M., & Neilipovitz, D. (2019). An analysis of pay-for-performance schemes and their potential impacts on health systems and outcomes for patients. Critical Care Research and Practice, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/8943972
Noh, J., Oh, E. G., Kim, S. S., Jang, Y. S., Chung, H. S., & Lee, O. (2020). Development and evaluation of a multimodality simulation disaster education and training program for hospital nurses. International Journal Of Nursing Practice, 26(3), e12810. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijn.12810
Ramkumar, P. N., Haeberle, H. S., Bloomfield, M. R., Schaffer, J. L., Kamath, A. F., Patterson, B. M., & Krebs, V. E. (2019). Artificial intelligence and arthroplasty at a single institution: real-world applications of machine learning to big data, value-based care, mobile health, and remote patient monitoring. The Journal of arthroplasty, 34(10), 2204-2209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arth.2019.06.018
Teisberg, E., Wallace, S., & O’Hara, S. (2020). Defining and implementing value-based health care: a strategic framework. Academic Medicine, 95(5), 682. https://doi.org/10.1097%2FACM.0000000000003122
Zarowitz, B. J., Resnick, B., & Ouslander, J. G. (2018). Quality clinical care in nursing facilities. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 19(10), 833-839. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2018.08.008
FAQs
The Role of State-Based Action Coalitions in Advancing the Goals of the Future of Nursing Campaign for Action
In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, the nursing profession stands as a cornerstone, ensuring the well-being of individuals and communities. The Future of Nursing Campaign for Action represents a visionary initiative designed to propel nursing to new heights, fostering advancements in healthcare delivery, education, and leadership. Central to the success of this campaign are state-based action coalitions, powerful collaborative entities that work synergistically to drive the campaign’s objectives forward. In this comprehensive article, we delve into the pivotal role these coalitions play and how they propel the goals of the Future of Nursing Campaign for Action to the forefront of the healthcare arena.
Understanding State-Based Action Coalitions
State-based action coalitions are dynamic partnerships comprising stakeholders from diverse sectors of the healthcare realm. These coalitions serve as catalysts for change, advocating for policy alterations, championing innovative strategies, and fostering collaboration among healthcare professionals. Their overarching aim is to enhance the nursing profession’s impact on patient care, education, and practice. With each state possessing its unique healthcare landscape and challenges, these coalitions act as localized powerhouses, tailoring their efforts to address specific needs while aligning with the broader goals of the Future of Nursing Campaign for Action.
Advancing Education and Training
One of the pivotal pillars of the Future of Nursing Campaign for Action is advancing education and training for nurses. State-based action coalitions take this mission to heart by collaborating with academic institutions, healthcare organizations, and policymakers. These coalitions advocate for increased funding for nursing education programs, bridge the gap between academia and clinical practice, and promote lifelong learning opportunities for nurses. By championing the importance of advanced degrees, continuous education, and specialized training, state-based action coalitions are instrumental in preparing nursing professionals for the complex challenges of modern healthcare.
Fostering Leadership and Diversity
Diversity and leadership are intertwined elements crucial for the nursing profession’s evolution. State-based action coalitions actively work to promote diversity within the nursing workforce and leadership positions. By partnering with organizations focused on underrepresented groups, these coalitions strive to create an inclusive environment that mirrors the communities nurses serve. Moreover, they offer mentorship programs, leadership development initiatives, and networking opportunities, nurturing the growth of aspiring nurse leaders who can drive change and innovation.
Influencing Healthcare Policy
In the realm of healthcare, policy shapes the landscape in which professionals operate. State-based action coalitions are pivotal advocates for policy changes that align with the Future of Nursing Campaign for Action’s goals. These coalitions leverage their collective influence to engage with policymakers, legislators, and regulatory bodies. They provide evidence-based insights, data-driven recommendations, and compelling narratives that underscore the importance of policies conducive to nursing practice and patient-centered care. Through their concerted efforts, state-based action coalitions drive legislative changes that positively impact healthcare delivery and outcomes.
Facilitating Interprofessional Collaboration
Modern healthcare is a collaborative endeavor, requiring seamless interaction among various healthcare professionals. State-based action coalitions recognize this reality and actively foster interprofessional collaboration. By organizing conferences, workshops, and forums, they create platforms for nurses to engage with colleagues from different disciplines. This not only enhances the overall quality of patient care but also breaks down silos, leading to a holistic and integrated approach to healthcare delivery.
Strengthening Community Engagement
At the heart of nursing is a commitment to community well-being. State-based action coalitions translate this commitment into action by engaging with local communities and advocating for their unique healthcare needs. These coalitions serve as conduits for communication between healthcare providers, policymakers, and community members. By listening to the concerns and perspectives of diverse populations, they contribute to the development of tailored healthcare solutions that reflect the true essence of patient-centered care.
Conclusion
In the tapestry of healthcare transformation, state-based action coalitions are the threads that bind progress and innovation. Through their unwavering commitment, collaborative spirit, and strategic advocacy, these coalitions advance the goals of the Future of Nursing Campaign for Action. From education and leadership to policy and community engagement, their multifaceted efforts resonate throughout the healthcare landscape, ensuring that nursing remains at the vanguard of change.
The Impact of Healthcare Reform on Nurses: Navigating Change and Shaping the Future
The healthcare landscape is perpetually evolving, and at the heart of this transformation are the dedicated nurses who provide vital care and support to patients across the nation. The implementation of healthcare reform brings about significant changes that reverberate throughout the industry, and nurses find themselves at the forefront of these shifts. In this comprehensive article, we delve into how healthcare reform profoundly affects nurses, shaping their roles, responsibilities, and the overall nursing profession.
Redefining Care Delivery Models
Healthcare reform often leads to a reimagining of care delivery models, moving away from fee-for-service structures toward value-based care. Nurses, as the linchpins of patient care, play a pivotal role in this transition. They must adapt to new care coordination approaches, emphasizing preventive care, chronic disease management, and interdisciplinary collaboration. This shift requires nurses to enhance their communication skills, coordinate with various healthcare professionals, and focus on holistic patient outcomes rather than episodic interventions.
Expanding Access to Care
One of the primary goals of healthcare reform is to expand access to care, ensuring that more individuals receive the medical attention they need. This expansion places an increased demand on healthcare services, and nurses bear the responsibility of meeting this demand. Nurses often find themselves at the forefront of primary care delivery, providing services ranging from health screenings and vaccinations to patient education and preventive interventions. Their role as frontline caregivers becomes even more critical in underserved communities where they act as vital healthcare connectors.
Embracing Technological Advancements
The digital age has ushered in a plethora of technological advancements that have the potential to revolutionize healthcare. Electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine, remote monitoring, and data analytics are just a few examples of technologies that healthcare reform introduces. Nurses must adapt to these technologies, mastering EHR systems, participating in virtual care settings, and leveraging data to inform clinical decisions. While technology enhances efficiency and patient care, nurses must balance its benefits with maintaining the human connection that is integral to nursing.
Focusing on Preventive Care and Health Promotion
Healthcare reform places a renewed emphasis on preventive care and health promotion as cost-effective strategies for improving population health. Nurses, with their deep understanding of patient needs and their role as patient advocates, are well-positioned to drive these initiatives. From counseling patients on healthy lifestyles to conducting screenings and immunizations, nurses contribute significantly to early intervention and disease prevention. Their efforts not only improve patient well-being but also alleviate the burden on the healthcare system.
Navigating Regulatory Changes
Healthcare reform often comes with changes in regulations and policies that impact the nursing profession. Nurses must stay informed about evolving guidelines, reimbursement structures, and scope of practice regulations. Advocacy becomes a crucial aspect as nurses collaborate with professional organizations to ensure their voices are heard in shaping these policies. Additionally, nurses may find themselves advocating for patient rights, equitable care, and safe staffing levels to uphold the principles of quality healthcare.
Addressing Workforce Challenges
As healthcare reform accelerates, it brings to light existing workforce challenges within the nursing profession. The increased demand for care, coupled with an aging nursing workforce and the need for specialized skills, underscores the importance of workforce development and retention strategies. Nurses are called upon to engage in continuous education, pursue advanced degrees, and embrace leadership roles. Mentorship and succession planning become instrumental in cultivating the next generation of nursing professionals.
Conclusion
Healthcare reform is a dynamic force that reshapes the healthcare ecosystem, and nurses stand as the bedrock of this transformation. As they navigate through redefined care models, technological integration, and policy changes, nurses continue to embody the essence of compassionate care. Their adaptability, resilience, and commitment to patient well-being position them not only as beneficiaries of healthcare reform but as drivers of positive change. In the face of these changes, nurses are shaping the future of healthcare and upholding the profession’s core values.
Evolution of Nursing: How the Past 5 Years Have Transformed the Profession
The field of nursing is in a constant state of flux, adapting and evolving to meet the ever-changing demands of healthcare. Over the past five years, the nursing profession has undergone significant changes that have reshaped the way nurses deliver care, collaborate with colleagues, and contribute to the overall healthcare ecosystem. In this in-depth article, we explore the transformative journey of nursing over the last half-decade, shedding light on the key shifts that have propelled the profession into a new era of healthcare excellence.
Technological Integration and Digital Transformation
Perhaps one of the most pronounced changes in nursing over the last five years is the integration of technology into every facet of care delivery. From electronic health records (EHRs) and telehealth platforms to wearable devices and virtual reality tools, technology has become an integral part of the nursing workflow. Nurses now navigate digital platforms to access patient data, monitor vital signs remotely, and engage in telemedicine consultations. This technological evolution has streamlined communication, improved patient outcomes, and elevated the efficiency of nursing practice.
Rise of Data-Driven Decision Making
Data has emerged as a cornerstone of modern healthcare, and nurses are harnessing its power to inform clinical decisions. The utilization of data analytics and evidence-based practice has become a hallmark of nursing care. Nurses now analyze patient data to identify trends, predict potential complications, and tailor interventions to individual needs. This data-driven approach not only enhances patient outcomes but also contributes to the continuous improvement of healthcare protocols and standards.
Shifting Focus to Patient-Centered Care
In the past five years, there has been a notable shift toward patient-centered care in nursing practice. Recognizing the importance of personalized care experiences, nurses are actively involving patients and their families in care planning and decision-making processes. This approach fosters collaboration, empowers patients to take ownership of their health, and improves overall patient satisfaction. As a result, nurses have become not only caregivers but also advocates for patients’ rights and preferences.
Expanded Scope of Practice
The last half-decade has witnessed an expansion of the nursing profession’s scope of practice, allowing nurses to take on more advanced and specialized roles. Nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse anesthetists have gained increased autonomy, with some states granting them full practice authority. This expansion has not only addressed healthcare provider shortages but has also improved access to care, especially in underserved areas.
Embrace of Interprofessional Collaboration
Collaboration among healthcare professionals has become a hallmark of modern healthcare delivery, and nurses have embraced their role as collaborative team members. Over the past five years, there has been a growing emphasis on interprofessional collaboration, with nurses working closely with physicians, pharmacists, social workers, and other professionals to provide comprehensive and holistic care. This collaborative approach ensures that patient care is well-coordinated and multifaceted.
Heightened Focus on Diversity and Inclusion
The nursing profession has also undergone a shift toward greater diversity and inclusion. Recognizing the importance of representative healthcare, efforts have been made to increase diversity in the nursing workforce. Organizations are promoting cultural competence training, creating mentorship programs for underrepresented groups, and advocating for equal opportunities for all aspiring nurses. This focus on diversity not only enhances the quality of care but also enriches the profession’s perspective and approach.
Conclusion
The past five years have brought about a transformational journey for the nursing profession. From technological integration and data-driven decision making to patient-centered care and expanded scope of practice, nurses have navigated these changes with resilience and dedication. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, nurses will remain at the forefront of innovation, driving improvements in patient care, advocating for patient rights, and shaping the future of healthcare delivery.
Navigating the Future: Key Trends in Long-Term Care That Shape Program Operations
Long-term care is a vital component of the healthcare continuum, offering essential support to individuals with chronic illnesses, disabilities, or the elderly. As the landscape of healthcare continues to evolve, long-term care programs face a series of transformative trends that impact their operation and delivery. In this comprehensive article, we delve into the significant trends that are reshaping long-term care and influencing the way various programs are provided and managed.
1. Aging Population and Increased Demand
One of the most prominent trends in long-term care is the rapidly aging population. As life expectancy increases, the demand for long-term care services is also on the rise. This trend places pressure on existing programs to expand their capacity and offer diverse services to cater to the unique needs of older adults. From assisted living to home care and nursing homes, program administrators are challenged to develop innovative solutions that can accommodate the growing number of individuals seeking long-term care.
2. Home-Based and Community-Centered Care
Long-term care is experiencing a paradigm shift toward home-based and community-centered care. Older adults and individuals with chronic conditions increasingly prefer to receive care in the comfort of their homes. Long-term care programs are adapting by offering a range of services that support independent living, such as home health aides, telehealth services, and meal delivery. This trend not only enhances patient satisfaction but also reduces the burden on institutional care facilities.
3. Technological Integration
Technology is revolutionizing long-term care delivery by enhancing communication, monitoring, and coordination. From wearable devices that track vital signs to electronic medication management systems, technology streamlines operations and improves patient outcomes. Long-term care programs are investing in electronic health records, remote monitoring tools, and telemedicine platforms to ensure efficient care coordination and real-time communication between caregivers and healthcare providers.
4. Person-Centered Care and Individualization
Long gone are the days of one-size-fits-all care models. The trend toward person-centered care emphasizes tailoring services to the unique preferences and needs of each individual. Long-term care programs are implementing comprehensive assessments that consider not only medical conditions but also psychosocial factors, cultural backgrounds, and personal goals. This approach ensures that care plans are holistic and empower individuals to actively participate in their own care decisions.
5. Workforce Challenges and Training
The long-term care sector is grappling with workforce challenges, including shortages of skilled caregivers and healthcare professionals. Programs are focusing on recruitment and retention strategies, offering competitive wages and professional development opportunities. Training and education are essential components to ensure that caregivers are equipped with the necessary skills to provide quality care to individuals with complex needs.
6. Regulatory Changes and Quality Improvement
Long-term care programs are subject to evolving regulations and quality standards that impact their operation. Compliance with these regulations is crucial for maintaining the safety and well-being of residents or clients. Long-term care providers are investing in continuous quality improvement initiatives, conducting regular audits, and embracing best practices to ensure that their programs meet the highest standards of care.
7. Financial Sustainability and Payment Models
The financial sustainability of long-term care programs is an ongoing concern. The shift toward value-based care and alternative payment models requires program administrators to explore innovative reimbursement strategies. Programs are exploring partnerships with accountable care organizations, leveraging bundled payment models, and focusing on preventive interventions to reduce overall healthcare costs.
Conclusion
The landscape of long-term care is undergoing transformative shifts driven by changing demographics, technology, and evolving healthcare paradigms. The trends mentioned above are shaping the way long-term care programs are provided, challenging administrators to adapt, innovate, and enhance the quality of care. As long-term care continues to evolve, the industry’s ability to respond to these trends will be instrumental in providing effective and person-centered care to individuals in need.
