NR506NP Week 3 Quality Healthcare: Measuring NP Performance
NURS 6051 Transforming Nursing and Healthcare Through Technology – Step-by-Step Guide
The first step before starting to write the NURS 6051 Transforming Nursing and Healthcare Through Technology, it is essential to understand the requirements of the assignment. The first step is to read the assignment prompt carefully to identify the topic, the length and format requirements. You should go through the rubric provided so that you can understand what is needed to score the maximum points for each part of the assignment.
It is also important to identify the audience of the paper and its purpose so that it can help you determine the tone and style to use throughout. You can then create a timeline to help you complete each stage of the paper, such as conducting research, writing the paper, and revising it to avoid last-minute stress before the deadline. After identifying the formatting style to be applied to the paper, such as APA, you should review its use, such as writing citations and referencing the resources used. You should also review how to format the title page and the headings in the paper.
How to Research and Prepare for NURS 6051 Transforming Nursing and Healthcare Through Technology
The next step in preparing for your paper is to conduct research and identify the best sources to use to support your arguments. Identify the list of keywords from your topic using different combinations. The first step is to visit the university library and search through its database using the important keywords related to your topic. You can also find books, peer-reviewed articles, and credible sources for your topic from PubMed, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. Ensure that you select the references that have been published in the last words and go through each to check for credibility. Ensure that you obtain the references in the required format, for example, in APA, so that you can save time when creating the final reference list.
You can also group the references according to their themes that align with the outline of the paper. Go through each reference for its content and summarize the key concepts, arguments and findings for each source. You can write down your reflections on how each reference connects to the topic you are researching about. After the above steps, you can develop a strong thesis that is clear, concise and arguable. Next you should create a detailed outline of the paper so that it can help you to create headings and subheadings to be used in the paper. Ensure that you plan what point will go into each paragraph.
How to Write the Introduction for NURS 6051 Transforming Nursing and Healthcare Through Technology
The introduction of the paper is the most crucial part as it helps to provide the context of your work, and will determine if the reader will be interested to read through to the end. You should start with a hook, which will help capture the reader’s attention. You should contextualize the topic by offering the reader a concise overview of the topic you are writing about so that they may understand its importance. You should state what you aim to achieve with the paper. The last part of the introduction should be your thesis statement, which provides the main argument of the paper.
How to Write the Body for NURS 6051 Transforming Nursing and Healthcare Through Technology
The body of the paper helps you to present your arguments and evidence to support your claims. You can use headings and subheadings developed in the paper’s outline to guide you on how to organize the body. Start each paragraph with a topic sentence to help the reader know what point you will be discussing in that paragraph. Support your claims using the evidence conducted from the research, ensure that you cite each source properly using in-text citations. You should analyze the evidence presented and explain its significance and how it connects to the thesis statement. You should maintain a logical flow between each paragraph by using transition words and a flow of ideas.
How to Write the In-text Citations for NURS 6051 Transforming Nursing and Healthcare Through Technology
In-text citations help the reader to give credit to the authors of the references they have used in their works. All ideas that have been borrowed from references, any statistics and direct quotes must be referenced properly. The name and date of publication of the paper should be included when writing an in-text citation. For example, in APA, after stating the information, you can put an in-text citation after the end of the sentence, such as (Smith, 2021). If you are quoting directly from a source, include the page number in the citation, for example (Smith, 2021, p. 15). Remember to also include a corresponding reference list at the end of your paper that provides full details of each source cited in your text. An example paragraph highlighting the use of in-text citations is as below:
The integration of technology in nursing practice has significantly transformed patient care and improved health outcomes. According to Smith (2021), the use of electronic health records (EHRs) has streamlined communication among healthcare providers, allowing for more coordinated and efficient care delivery. Furthermore, Johnson and Brown (2020) highlight that telehealth services have expanded access to care, particularly for patients in rural areas, thereby reducing barriers to treatment.
How to Write the Conclusion for NURS 6051 Transforming Nursing and Healthcare Through Technology
When writing the conclusion of the paper, start by restarting your thesis, which helps remind the reader what your paper is about. Summarize the key points of the paper, by restating them. Discuss the implications of your findings and your arguments. End with a call to action that leaves a lasting impact on the reader or recommendations.
How to Format the Reference List for NURS 6051 Transforming Nursing and Healthcare Through Technology
The reference helps provide the reader with the complete details of the sources you cited in the paper. The reference list should start with the title “References” on a new page. It should be aligned center and bolded. The references should be organized in an ascending order alphabetically and each should have a hanging indent. If a source has no author, it should be alphabetized by the title of the work, ignoring any initial articles such as “A,” “An,” or “The.” If you have multiple works by the same author, list them in chronological order, starting with the earliest publication.
Each reference entry should include specific elements depending on the type of source. For books, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the book in italics, the edition (if applicable), and the publisher’s name. For journal articles, include the author’s last name, first initial, publication year in parentheses, the title of the article (not italicized), the title of the journal in italics, the volume number in italics, the issue number in parentheses (if applicable), and the page range of the article. For online sources, include the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) or the URL at the end of the reference. An example reference list is as follows:
References
Johnson, L. M., & Brown, R. T. (2020). The role of telehealth in improving patient outcomes. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 35(2), 123-130. https://doi.org/10.1097/NCQ.0000000000000456
Smith, J. A. (2021). The impact of technology on nursing practice. Health Press.
NR506NP Week 3 Quality Healthcare: Measuring NP Performance Instructions
Purpose
The purpose of this assignment is to have students research the measurement tools of NP performance. Through the use of quality patient outcomes, students will list and discuss three different patient interventions and how they would specifically measure the outcomes, and how these primary care interventions result in improved patient outcomes and cost savings for the practice. In addition, students will discuss how these interventions result in improved patient ratings. Have a look at NR506NP Week 4 Kaltura Health Policy Analysis.
Activity Learning Outcomes
Through this assignment, the student will demonstrate the ability to:
- Employ strategies to impact the development, implementation, and consequences of holistic healthcare policies using evidence-based practice principles (CO1)
- Critically analyze how healthcare systems and APRN practice are organized and influenced by ethical, legal, economic, and political factors (CO2)
- Demonstrate professional and personal growth concerning the advocacy role of advanced practice nursing in fostering policy within diverse healthcare settings (CO3)
- Analyze social, historical, ethical, and political contexts of healthcare policies and advanced practice leadership (CO4)
- Advocate for institutional, local, national, and international policies that fosters person-centered healthcare and nursing practice (CO5)
Due Date: Sunday of week 3 by 11:59 PM MST
Students are expected to submit assignments by the time they are due. Assignments submitted after the due date and time will receive a deduction of 10% of the total points possible for that assignment for each day the assignment is late. Assignments will be accepted, with a penalty as described, up to a maximum of three days late, after which point a zero will be recorded for the assignment. Quizzes and discussions are not considered assignments and are not part of the late assignment policy.
Total Points Possible
This assignment is worth 200 points.
Preparing the Assignment
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) was formed to ensure the quality of patient care and measurement of patient outcomes with set standards.
Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) is a performance measurement tool used by millions of health insurance plans. There are 6 domains of care:
- Effectiveness of Care
- Access/Availability of Care
- Experience of Care
- Utilization and Risk Adjusted Utilization
- Health Plan Descriptive Information
- Measures Collected Using Electronic Clinical Data Systems
You may access the 6 domains of care by clicking this link:
(NCQA, n.d. https://www.ncqa.org/hedis/Links to an external site.)
As an APN, productivity will be an important measurement for the practice to determine reimbursement and salary. Fee-for-service practices will require a set number of patients per day to maintain productivity. A capitated practice will require the APN to have a large panel of patients but also will focus on controlling costs. This can be accomplished through effective primary care that is accessible, convenient for the patients, and has a method of measuring the quality of care.
Write a formal paper in APA format with a title page, introduction, the three required elements below, conclusion, and reference page.
You are now employed as an NP in primary care. Choose one performance measure from one of the six domains of care, i.e. Adult BMI Assessment, Prenatal, and Postpartum care, etc.
Develop three different patient interventions for that one performance measure and how you would specifically implement the intervention and measure the outcomes for that particular performance measure in clinical practice.
How would these primary care interventions result in improved patient outcomes and healthcare cost savings?
How can these interventions result in improved NP patient ratings?
NR506NP Week 3 Quality Healthcare: Measuring NP Performance Example
Measuring Performance
The National Forum for Health Care Quality and Reporting, a not-for-profit membership organization incorporated in May 1999, is dedicated to creating and executing a national strategy for measuring and reporting on health care quality. At the individual practice level, specific efforts are required to meet goals and measures by the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) (Weisner et al., 2019). By examining patient-level factors and their impact on meeting HEDIS standards, disparities and subgroups that could benefit from improved referral and engagement strategies can be identified to improve care quality.
As a primary care nurse practitioner, it is my responsibility to prioritize early detection and proactive management of chronic diseases, including diabetes. Implementing comprehensive screening protocols for diabetes plays a crucial role in identifying individuals at risk or already affected by the condition (National Committee for Quality Assurance, 2021). This paper examines three patient interventions for Comprehensive Diabetes Screening, discussing their implementation and measuring the results. Additionally, it will explain how these primary care interventions can enhance patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and improve NP patient ratings.
Patient Interventions for Comprehensive Diabetes Screening
Comprehensive diabetes screening is one of the performance measures in the HEDIS under the Effectiveness of Care domain. Untreated diabetes can result in severe ramifications such as cardiovascular ailments, stroke, high blood pressure, vision impairment, kidney problems, disorders of the nervous system, limb amputations, and premature mortality. To regulate blood glucose levels effectively and mitigate risks associated with complications, evidence-based practice recommends timely management of diabetes. Patients themselves play a crucial role by engaging in self-care practices, including following prescribed medication regimens precisely, maintaining a balanced diet filled with nourishing foods while avoiding harmful substances like tobacco products, and ensuring regular physical activity. At the primary care level, I will offer the below-listed patient interventions.
Intervention #1: Risks and Control Assessment
To ensure that I contribute to meeting healthcare quality goals of effective care in diabetes prevention, I will assess the risks of diabetes mellitus. I will utilize the FINDRISC tool, which is a questionnaire designed to evaluate the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults receiving primary care. This tool was developed based on data from a prospective cohort study involving individuals aged 35 to 64 years (Bernabe-Ortiz et al., 2018). The use of a diabetes risk assessment tool is highly effective in quickly identifying individuals at high risk for the disease. This tool can efficiently identify those who would benefit from further screening measures (Iacoboni & Knox, 2023). According to Bernabe-Ortiz et al. (2018), one possible approach to improve the identification of T2DM cases is by utilizing a two-step method.
In the initial step, a risk score can be employed as an objective assessment of the likelihood that an individual may have or develop T2DM in the future. This will aid in identifying individuals who are at high risk for this condition. Then, in the second step, a confirmatory test such as fasting glucose, oral glucose tolerance test, or glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) should be administered only to those who have been identified as high risk during the previous step. My state board of nursing (Georgia) allows nurse practitioners practice authority to order relevant tests as part of preventive and curative care. I will perform a yearly evaluation of diabetes risk for all patients during their regular primary care appointments. The intended outcomes are to record the number of completed risk assessments, track high-risk patient identification, and assess the rate at which diagnostic tests are carried out as part of follow-up measures.
Intervention #2: Performing Eye Exam
The Healthy People 2030 focuses on reducing the impact of diabetes and enhancing the well-being of individuals with or at risk for this condition. One way to achieve this goal is by ensuring that a higher percentage of adults with diabetes undergo annual eye examinations (Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, n.d.). Diabetic retinopathy, a form of diabetic eye condition, is the primary reason behind fresh instances of visual impairment in employed individuals within the United States. However, numerous individuals with diabetes, particularly among minority communities, fail to undergo annual eye examinations. I will conduct regular ocular check-ups to effectively prevent vision loss by detecting early signs of diabetic retinopathy when treatment options are typically more manageable.
Intervention #3: Referral to Diabetes Prevention and Treatment Programs and Specialists
Weisner et al. (2019) assessed the factors associated with Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) measure performance in 2014-2015. One of the factors that was identified to greatly influence diagnosis is the setting of identification. Primary care setting was associated with lower odds of initiation of treatment. Extrapolating these results to my care quality improvement plan would point towards the need for the involvement of various team members to achieve the aforementioned goals.
I will direct patients who are at risk for diabetes to established diabetes prevention programs that are supported by evidence. Additionally, I will refer patients who show signs of complications to specialists for further medical attention. The primary objective is to identify and offer appropriate referrals to recognized Diabetes Prevention Programs within their communities. These programs usually provide support and lifestyle modifications specifically designed for individuals with a high-risk profile (Davidson, 2021).
According to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (2019), for over 50 years, nurse practitioners have been delivering patient-focused healthcare that is of excellent quality and cost-effective. They cater to patients across all age groups and from various backgrounds, with a particular emphasis on primary care. To measure the outcomes of the above interventions, a comprehensive tool would objectively capture the outcome metrics such as the number of patients screened in primary care, the number that receive eye exams, and the number of high-risk patients who are referred for specialist care. The source of information would come from the American Diabetes Association, the National Bureau of Statistics, and local state data.
Impact on Improved Patient Outcomes and Healthcare Cost Savings
Implementing these interventions to conduct a thorough screening for diabetes can have positive effects on patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs. Timely identification of diabetes and prediabetes allows for prompt interventions, lowering the chances of complications related to diabetes and hospitalizations. By addressing risk factors associated with diabetes and ensuring access to preventive services, nurse practitioners can enhance patient well-being and quality of life, resulting in long-term savings in managing diabetes. Detecting undiagnosed T2DM in individuals is crucial for mitigating the risk of complications (American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2019). The American Diabetes Association advises adults aged 45 and older, irrespective of their weight status, to undergo T2DM screening (Bernabe-Ortiz et al., 2018). Additionally, those who are overweight or obese and possess one or more additional risk factors for T2DM should also consider testing.
Enhanced NP Patient Ratings
Nurse practitioners can greatly enhance NP patient ratings by actively advocating for their health and placing emphasis on preventive care. One way they can do this is by implementing thorough diabetes screening and referring high-risk patients to proven programs. This unwavering dedication to the well-being of patients not only leads to improved patient outcomes, reduced healthcare expenses, and higher levels of patient satisfaction but also contributes to NPs receiving higher ratings when comprehensive diabetes screening becomes a top priority in their primary care practice.
The nurse practitioner’s execution can guarantee a patient-focused and collaborative method of providing care to individuals with diabetes (American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2019). Regardless of whether the primary caregiver is a doctor, NP, or PA, the effectiveness of a treatment plan relies on teamwork and an empowered patient. Initiatives such as the Patient-Centered Medical Home aim to bolster comprehensive primary care and provide novel avenues for managing diabetes through a team-based approach.
Conclusion
It is crucial for primary care practices to conduct thorough screening for diabetes, as it enables early identification and treatment of both diabetes and associated conditions. Implementing interventions such as an annual assessment of diabetes risk, conducting HbA1c tests during office visits, and referring patients to diabetes prevention programs can lead to notable improvements in patient outcomes while also reducing healthcare expenses. Additionally, these proactive measures demonstrate a patient-centered approach towards care, which can help enhance NP ratings and significantly contribute towards enhancing overall healthcare outcomes and ensuring a positive patient experience.
References
American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2019, January 10). Primary Care, Diabetes and the Role of NPs. American Association of Nurse Practitioners. https://www.aanp.org/news-feed/primary-care-diabetes-and-the-role-of-nps
Bernabe-Ortiz, A., Perel, P., Miranda, J. J., & Smeeth, L. (2018). Diagnostic accuracy of the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC) for undiagnosed T2DM in the Peruvian population. Primary Care Diabetes, 12(6), 517–525. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcd.2018.07.015
Davidson, M. B. (2021). Effect of diabetes-trained nurse practitioners on glycemic outcomes: Their suggested use in busy primary care practices. Clinical Diabetes: A Publication of the American Diabetes Association, 39(3), 293–296. https://doi.org/10.2337/cd20-0102
Glassman, J. R., Hopkins, D. S. P., Bundorf, M. K., Kaplan, R. M., Ragavan, M. V., Glaseroff, A., & Milstein, A. (2020). Association between HEDIS performance and primary care physician age, group affiliation, training, and participation in ACA exchanges. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 35(6), 1730–1735. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-020-05642-3
Han, X., Chen, C., & Pittman, P. (2021). Use of temporary primary care providers in federally qualified health centers. The Journal of Rural Health: Official Journal of the American Rural Health Association and the National Rural Health Care Association, 37(1), 61–68. https://doi.org/10.1111/jrh.12424
Iacoboni, J., & Knox, L. (2023). Improving screening of prediabetes and undiagnosed diabetes. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 35(4), 258–264. https://doi.org/10.1097/JXX.0000000000000843
National Committee for Quality Assurance. (2021, July 19). Comprehensive Diabetes Care. NCQA. https://www.ncqa.org/hedis/measures/comprehensive-diabetes-care/
Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. (n.d.). Diabetes. Health.gov. Retrieved November 7, 2023, from https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/diabetes
Weisner, C., Campbell, C. I., Altschuler, A., Yarborough, B. J. H., Lapham, G. T., Binswanger, I. A., Hechter, R. C., Ahmedani, B. K., Haller, I. V., Sterling, S. A., McCarty, D., Satre, D. D., & Kline-Simon, A. H. (2019). Factors associated with Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) alcohol and other drug measure performance in 2014-2015. Substance Abuse: Official Publication of the Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse, 40(3), 318–327. https://doi.org/10.1080/08897077.2018.1545728