NURS FPX 6612 Assessment 2 Quality Improvement Proposal

Student Name

Capella University

NURS-FPX 6612 Health Care Models Used in Care Coordination

Prof. Name

Date

Quality Improvement Proposal

Introduction

In pursuit of delivering high-quality healthcare and enhancing patient safety, healthcare organizations should strive to qualify as Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). Such designation instills greater confidence in patients as they manage their health needs, while simultaneously reducing hospital costs and providing superior healthcare solutions. Evidence-based approaches, such as care plans, have proven effective in improving patient outcomes while reducing expenses. ACOs are ideally positioned to leverage care plans in managing the complex healthcare requirements of patients (Fraze et al., 2020).

Benefits of Accountable Care Organizations

ACOs have demonstrated success in delivering quality healthcare to patients with depression and have effectively reduced preventable hospitalizations. A comparison between ACO and non-ACO hospitals reveals significantly lower rates of preventable hospitalizations in ACO-affiliated healthcare settings (Barath et al., 2020).

The establishment of coordinated medical care for the broader community and population has led to improved quality and safety outcomes for patients within ACOs. Accountable Care Organizations are specifically designed to address the cost and quality of healthcare services provided to patients. In ACO healthcare settings, all stakeholders share responsibility for delivering affordable care while minimizing waste (Moy et al., 2020).

Recommendations for Expanding Health Information Technology (HIT)

Health Information Technology (HIT) is essential for delivering high-quality, cost-effective healthcare. HIT enhances access to data, streamlines information retrieval, and provides healthcare practitioners and caregivers with comprehensive insights into patients’ complex health needs through data analytics. Each patient’s health records are meticulously managed via a unique Medical Registration Number (MRN). Electronic folders, containing detailed examinations and prescribed medications, are accessible to all healthcare staff, including doctors, paramedics, and nurses, enabling better healthcare planning and improved patient outcomes at reduced hospitalization costs.

To ensure that healthcare organizations meet the healthcare needs of their patients, HIT should be expanded comprehensively across all facets of healthcare settings. A user-friendly and accessible system should be designed to facilitate timely patient care. Patients can access their health charts and detailed examinations via mobile applications, while healthcare staff can access patient portfolios through hospital site computers, with remote access available via hospital databases.

For instance, consider a case like that of Caroline McGlade, a 61-year-old woman whose Electronic Health Record (EHR) contains information about her medical history, laboratory examinations, and a potential breast cancer diagnosis. Health information technologies play a pivotal role in effectively managing and providing nursing care, ultimately contributing to the desired quality improvement in patient outcomes (Alaei et al., 2019).

Focus on Information Gathering and Guiding Organizational Development

The primary objective of information gathering is to deliver high-quality healthcare to patients at reduced costs while addressing complex healthcare needs. Data collection, informatics, and analytics enable caregivers to plan more effectively, eliminating redundancies in hospital databases. Organizations have evolved through the progressive implementation of database-driven changes. A robust and dedicated health system now serves every individual, resulting in significantly improved patient outcomes and employee efficiency. Healthcare staff have gained greater control over their achievements and performance, with access to performance charts and projected growth. Employees can provide feedback on their job satisfaction levels and make inquiries during work hours.

NURS FPX 6612 Assessment 2 Quality Improvement Proposal

While monitoring and managing healthcare databases present challenges, their effectiveness is crucial for organizational development within ACO hospitals. Artificial Intelligence and advanced information and communication technologies hold the potential to provide better solutions for healthcare, particularly in nursing informatics (Robert, 2019).

Problems with Data Gathering Systems

Data gathering is a complex task, and its management and handling are equally demanding. The problems associated with data gathering systems can be addressed through a three-step process: data gathering, preprocessing of relevant data, and data analysis.

Firstly, healthcare staff must receive comprehensive training in using digital health databases to prevent complications in patient data collection and management. The information required should be explicitly defined, and healthcare staff should be well-versed in essential healthcare tools. Adequate training and guidance should be provided to healthcare staff.

Ensuring data security and controlled access is vital to safeguard patients’ sensitive data. Stringent information security protocols must be implemented to prevent any unauthorized access or breaches of patient data.

Efforts should be made to establish a secure data protection system with strong management support. Dedicated resources should be allocated to data security, ensuring that sensitive patient information is accessible only to authorized healthcare staff.

The challenge of handling and storing continuously expanding data can be addressed through the implementation of cloud-based data storage strategies.

It is imperative for healthcare organizations to acknowledge and address the stress and burnout experienced by physicians and other healthcare staff in their daily use of health information technologies (HIT) (Gardner et al., 2018).

Conclusion

In summary, the central role of health information technology (HIT) in the development of Accountable Care Organizations cannot be overstated. HIT implementation is essential for leveraging new and innovative information and communication technologies effectively. Coordinated data gathering, supported by unique MRNs for individual patients, addresses complex health needs. Challenges in data gathering systems can be resolved through formal training, enhanced data security, and effective data storage solutions. By overcoming these challenges, healthcare organizations can deliver high-quality healthcare at reduced costs.

References

Alaei, S., Valinejadi, A., Deimazar, G., Zarein, S., Abbasy, Z., & Alirezaei, F. (2019). Use of health information technology in patients care management: A mixed methods study in Iran. Acta Informatica Medica, 27(5), 311. https://doi.org/10.5455/aim.2019.27.311-317

Barath, D., Amaize, A., & Chen, J. (2020). Accountable care organizations and preventable hospitalizations among patients with depression. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 59(1), e1–e10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2020.01.028

Fraze, T. K., Beidler, L. B., Briggs, A. D. M., & Colla, C. H. (2020). Translating evidence into practice: ACOs’ use of care plans for patients with complex health needs. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 36(1), 147–153. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-020-06122-4

Gardner, R. L., Cooper, E., Haskell, J., Harris, D. A., Poplau, S., Kroth, P. J., & Linzer, M. (2018). Physician stress and burnout: The impact of health information technology. Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association, 26(2), 106–114. https://doi.org/10.1093/jamia/ocy145

Moy, H., Giardino, A., & Varacallo, M. (2020). Accountable Care Organization. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448136/

Robert, N. (2019). How Artificial Intelligence is changing nursing. Nursing Management (Springhouse), 50(9), 30–39. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.numa.0000578988.56622.21

NURS FPX 6612 Assessment 2 Quality Improvement Proposal