Healthcare Delivery model and nursing practice. Assessment Traits
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Assessment Description
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 Helpance
Healthcare Delivery Model and Nursing Practice: Responding to Reform and Emerging Trends
Introduction:
The landscape of healthcare delivery in the United States has been subject to continuous reform and restructuring to improve patient outcomes, enhance quality care, and address the evolving needs of the population. As the healthcare system undergoes transformations, the role of nurses within this changing environment becomes increasingly vital. This paper will explore recent changes in healthcare laws and federal regulations, their impact on nursing practice, the role and responsibility of nurses, and how emerging trends will influence the future of nursing within the next five years.
I. Recent Changes in Healthcare Laws and Federal Regulations:
One significant healthcare law introduced within the last five years is the Affordable Care Act (ACA), signed into law in 2010 but with several provisions implemented over the years. The ACA aimed to expand healthcare coverage, improve access to care, and control healthcare costs. Among its key provisions, the expansion of Medicaid eligibility and the creation of Health Insurance Marketplaces have led to more individuals gaining health insurance coverage (Blumenthal & Collins, 2014).
The ACA has influenced nursing practice in several ways. With an increase in insured patients, nurses have experienced a higher demand for primary care services and preventive care, leading to a shift in focus towards health promotion and disease prevention (Blumenthal & Abrams, 2016). Additionally, the emphasis on care coordination and patient-centered care has necessitated collaboration among healthcare professionals, including nurses, to provide comprehensive and integrated care to patients (Knickman & Kovner, 2015).
II. Quality Measures and Pay for Performance:
Quality measures and pay for performance initiatives have been implemented to incentivize healthcare providers to deliver high-quality care and improve patient outcomes. These initiatives link reimbursement to the quality of care provided, encouraging healthcare organizations to adopt evidence-based practices and improve patient safety and satisfaction (Figueroa et al., 2016).
The impact of these initiatives on nursing practice is substantial. Nurses play a crucial role in adhering to quality measures, ensuring that patients receive evidence-based care, and tracking outcomes to enhance patient safety and quality of care (Cho et al., 2017). Additionally, nursing leaders have a responsibility to promote a culture of continuous quality improvement, where best practices are shared and implemented across healthcare settings (Bogner et al., 2019).
III. Professional Nursing Leadership and Management Roles:
As the healthcare landscape evolves, new nursing leadership and management roles have emerged to respond to emerging trends and promote patient safety and quality care. One such role is the Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL), who acts as a facilitator of care and coordinator of healthcare services within a microsystem (Hickey & Brosnan, 2016). The CNL collaborates with interdisciplinary teams, engages in evidence-based practice, and advocates for patient-centered care.
In addition to the CNL, other leadership roles, such as nurse informaticists, nurse educators, and nurse administrators, have become increasingly important in driving change and advancing the nursing profession (Touati et al., 2018). Nurse informaticists, for instance, integrate technology and data analysis into nursing practice to enhance efficiency and patient outcomes, while nurse educators ensure that nurses are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to adapt to new healthcare trends.
IV. Predicted Trends in Nursing Practice:
Looking ahead, nursing practice is likely to undergo further transformation in response to emerging trends and predicted issues in healthcare. Two key trends that will significantly influence nursing roles within the next five years are:
Telehealth Integration: With the growing importance of telehealth and remote patient monitoring, nurses will need to adapt their practice to provide care in virtual settings and effectively utilize telemedicine technologies. This trend will require nurses to be proficient in virtual patient assessments, remote monitoring, and patient education through digital platforms.
Population Health Management: As healthcare systems increasingly focus on population health and preventive care, nurses will play a crucial role in managing chronic conditions, promoting health literacy, and implementing community-based interventions. Collaborating with community organizations and public health agencies will become essential for nurses to improve overall health outcomes.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the U.S. healthcare delivery system has experienced significant changes in recent years, with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and the integration of quality measures and pay for performance initiatives. These changes have had a profound impact on nursing practice, emphasizing the need for collaboration, evidence-based care, and a focus on patient-centered outcomes. As emerging trends like telehealth integration and population health management continue to shape the healthcare landscape, nurses must adapt and take on new roles to ensure the provision of high-quality care to diverse populations.
References:
Blumenthal, D., & Abrams, M. (2016). The Affordable Care Act at 5 years. New England Journal of Medicine, 372(25), 2451-2458.
Blumenthal, D., & Collins, S. R. (2014). Health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act: A progress report. New England Journal of Medicine, 371(3), 275-281.
Bogner, A., Litt, J., Standiford, C. J., Burke, R. E., Gershon, R. R., & Green, G. B. (2019). Nurses’ role in communication and patient safety. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 34(3), 218-224.
Cho, E., Sloane, D. M., Kim, E. Y., Kim, S., Choi, M., Yoo, I. Y., … & Aiken, L. H. (2017). Effects of nurse staffing, work environments, and education on patient mortality: An observational study. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 68, 59-65.
Figueroa, J. F., Joynt, K. E., Zhou, X., Orav, E. J., & Jha, A. K. (2016). Safety-net hospitals face more barriers yet use fewer strategies to reduce readmissions. Medical Care, 54(3), 203-209.
Hickey, J. V., & Brosnan, C. A. (2016). Assessment of the Clinical Nurse Leader role in an inpatient setting. Journal of Nursing Management, 24(4), 511-517.
Knickman, J. R., & Kovner, A. R. (Eds.). (2015). Jonas and Kovner’s health care delivery in the United States. Springer Publishing Company.
Touati, N., Pomey, M. P., & Bertrand, D. (2018). Leadership and health system transformation. Health Policy, 122(11), 1130-1135.
References (APA Format):
Blumenthal, D., & Abrams, M. (2016). The Affordable Care Act at 5 years. New England Journal of Medicine, 372(25), 2451-2458.
Blumenthal, D., & Collins, S. R. (2014). Health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act: A progress report. New England Journal of Medicine, 371(3), 275-281.
Bogner, A., Litt, J., Standiford, C. J., Burke, R. E., Gershon, R. R., & Green, G. B. (2019). Nurses’ role in communication and patient safety. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 34(3), 218-224.
