NR506NP Healthcare Policy and Leadership

Week 1 Discussion

Barriers to Practice

Purpose

Discuss barriers to practice as an APN in one’s state from both a state and national perspective.  Research methods to influence policy change from various forms of competition, state legislative and executive branches of government and interest groups.

Activity Learning Outcomes

Through this discussion, the student will demonstrate the ability to:

Discuss the history of policy development and policy making in nursing (CO1)

Examine different types of policy and their relationships to healthcare policy (CO1)

Explain current barriers to practice for advanced practice nurses (CO2)

Discuss health policy and methods of lifting barriers to practice (CO2)

Requirements:

Using the readings from this week as well as outside reliable resources to:

Identify and describe practice barriers for APNs in your state and discuss these barriers on a state and national level.

Identify forms of competition on the state and national level that interfere with APN’s ability to practice independently.

Identify the lawmakers at the state level (i.e., key members of the state’s legislative branch and executive branch of government)

Discuss interest groups that exist at the state and national levels that influence APN policy.

Discuss methods used to influence change in policy in forms of competition, state legislative and executive branches of government and interest groups.

NR506NP Healthcare Policy and Leadership Papers

Week 2 Discussion

Organizational Change and Ethical-Legal Influences in Advanced Practice Nursing Case Study

Purpose

The purpose of this discussion is to discuss organizational changes and ethical-legal influences in a clinical scenario at an out-patient family practice. Students will explore potential effects on patient outcomes and ethical and legal implications for members of the heath care team as a result of illegal behaviors.  Students will develop strategies that result in prevention of untoward outcomes that result in a positive practice culture.

Activity Learning Outcomes

Through this discussion, the student will demonstrate the ability to:

Demonstrate effective leadership styles in the management of organizational change (CO3)

Interpret various forms of ethical theories and application into practice (CO4)

Discuss practice guidelines and malpractice prevention (CO2)

Requirements:

You are a family nurse practitioner employed in a busy primary care office. The providers in the group include one physician and three nurse practitioners. The back office staff includes eight medical assistants who assist with patient care as well as filing, answering calls from patients, processing laboratory results and taking prescription renewal requests from patients and pharmacies. Stephanie, a medical assistant, has worked in the practice for 10 years and is very proficient at her job. She knows almost every patient in the practice, and has an excellent rapport with all of the providers.

Mrs. Smith was seen today in the office for an annual physical. Her last appointment was a year ago for the same reason. During this visit, Mrs. Smith brought an empty bottle of amoxicillin with her and asked if she could have a refill. You noted the patient’s name on the label, and the date on the bottle was 1 week ago. You also noted your name printed on the label as the prescriber. The patient admitted that she called last week concerned about her cough and spoke to Stephanie. You do not recall having discussed this patient with Stephanie nor do the other providers in the practice.

Case Study Questions:

What are the potential ethical and legal implications for each of the following practice members?

Medical assistant

Nurse Practitioner

Medical Director

Practice

What strategies would you implement to prevent further episodes of potentially illegal behavior?

What leadership qualities would you apply to effect a positive change in the practice?? Be thinking about the culture of the practice.

NR506NP Healthcare Policy and Leadership Papers

Week 3 Discussion

Review the Hedis Measures and select ONE (1) measure. Briefly discuss the measure.

Discuss how each intervention can result in improved patient outcomes and cost savings for the practice. Provide evidence to support your discussion.

Discuss how each intervention can result in improved patient ratings (an NP’s patient scorecard). Provide evidence to support your discussion.

Use the provided APA Paper Template to complete the assignment.

Review writing for grammar and mechanics. Consider using academic writing resources to support writing. Your paper should include a title page, introduction with a purpose statement, body with citations to support assertions, conclusion addressing the findings of the paper, and reference page.

Review APA formatting. Consider using APA resources to support citation and reference formation.

Enjoy the learning and reach out to me if you have questions. Cphillips2@chamberlain.edu  or 260-417-2889

NR506NP Healthcare Policy and Leadership

Week 4 Discussion

This is a required, but not graded open forum. Your post should add further clarity to the assignment and content of the readings and lessons for the week. Please feel free to post questions related to content or assignments.

NR506NP Healthcare Policy and Leadership

Week 5 Discussion

Ethical and Legal Implications

Purpose

Discuss potential complications in a clinical scenario at an out-patient family practice. Students will explore potential effects on patient outcomes and implications for members of the heath care team as a result of conflict among the healthcare team.  Students will develop strategies that result in prevention of untoward outcomes that result in a positive practice culture.

Activity Learning Outcomes

Through this discussion, the student will demonstrate the ability to:

Recognize potential areas of conflict in NP clinical practice (CO1)

Determine methods of data collection to assess the conflict (CO3)

Examine corporate compliance and its effect on clinical practice (CO2)

Understand risk management in clinical practice (CO4)

Requirements:

You are a family nurse practitioner working in an outpatient primary care office of a large hospital system. The practice has been operating for over 15 years, and many of the administrative and clinical staff were hired when the practice opened. You have been in the practice for less than 3 months. In that short amount of time, you have witnessed several of the clinical staff engaging in heated arguments with each other, sometimes in patient areas. You overhear an argument occurring today between two staff. You pick up a patient’s chart and notice a very low blood pressure that the medical assistant failed to notify you about. When you confront the MA, she states that she was going to report the vital signs to you when she became engaged in the heated argument you overheard and forgot to notify you.

Unfortunately, this pattern of behavior is not unusual in this practice. Working with staff who cannot cooperate effectively can negatively influence your ability to spend time with patients, can impede the flow of patients through the office, and could impact patient safety.

Case Study Responses:

Analyze the case study for potential issues for members of the healthcare team from office conflict. Contrast the potential effects for each member of the healthcare team based upon the required readings from the week. Discuss the potential ethical and legal implications for each of the following practice members:

Medical assistant

Nurse Practitioner

Medical Director

Practice

What strategies would you implement to prevent further episodes of potentially dangerous patient outcomes?

What leadership qualities would you apply to effect positive change in the practice? Focus on the culture of the practice.

NR506NP Healthcare Policy and Leadership Papers

Week 6 Discussion

Scope of Practice and Patient’s Healthcare Accessibility

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is to identify the scope of practice in one’s state including level of independence of practice, prescribing authority, any limitations of practice, process for obtaining licensure in your state, certification and education requirements for licensure.  Next, students will discuss how the level of independence of practice in their state, i.e., reduced, restricted or full practice, affects patient’s access to care in their local community.

Activity Learning Outcomes

Through this discussion, the student will demonstrate the ability to:

Understand NP practice as defined by law (CO2)

Determine legislation as defined by legislation, statutes and regulations (CO2)

Identify barriers to ensuring patient’s rights (CO3)

Requirements:

Discuss your state NP community in terms of scope of practice. Include the your state’s scope of practice for NPs including:

Level of independence of practice

Prescribing authority

Any limitations of practice

Process for obtaining licensure in your state

Certification and education requirements for licensure.

If you live in a restricted or reduced practice state, how has patient care been impacted in your local community from these barriers?  For instance, is the ED used for primary care?  Are the EDs overcrowded with long wait times?  Are there urgent care clinics readily available? Is there adequate access to primary care?  If you live in a full practice, how has independent practice of the APN resulted in improved patient access to healthcare?

How does access to NPs impacts any healthcare disparities?

NR506NP Healthcare Policy and Leadership papers

Week 7 Discussion- APNs as Healthcare Policy Leaders

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is to discuss healthcare policy of the APN profession and how Transformational Leadership can help to influence policy changes. This week’s assignment focuses on the APN as a Health Policy Leader, one of the nine NONPF NP competencies.  Students will analyze how health policy may affect NP practice and how Transformational Leadership can help to influence policy changes.

Activity Learning Outcomes

Through this discussion, the student will demonstrate the ability to:

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 the advanced practice nursing in fostering policy within diverse healthcare settings (CO3)

Advocate for institutional, local, national and international policies that fosters person-centered healthcare and nursing practice (CO4)

Requirements:

Criteria for Content

Explanation of how healthcare policy can impact the advanced practice nurse profession

Explanation of why advocacy is considered an essential component of the advance practice nurse’s role

Discuss the four pillars of Transformational leadership and the effect it may have on influencing policy change

NR506NP Healthcare Policy and Leadership Papers

Week 8 Discussion

Reflection on Achievement of Outcomes

Purpose

The final week will focus on Global Policy Reform and the impact on patient care.  Students read the Berwick article and respond to the required discussions.  In addition, students reflect on what they have learned in NR506NPNP and how it is applicable to their upcoming clinical courses.

Activity Learning Outcomes

Through this discussion, the student will demonstrate the ability to:

Understand the role of advanced practice nursing in the International Context (CO2)

Research global aspects of healthcare and the effect on the US healthcare system (CO5)

Discuss the implications of global health on your clinical practice (CO5)

Berwick, D., Snair, M., & Nishtar, S. (2018). Crossing the global health care quality chasm: A key component of universal health coverage. Journal of American Medical Association, 320(13), 1317-1318.

Read the Berwick article and reflect on the concepts and practices you have learned in NR506NP on healthcare systems, politics, and health policy. Reflections should include:

How to make informed decisions on nursing practice and patient outcomes on a global basis.? In addition, state how you will apply what you have learned in this course to your upcoming practicum experience.?

Describe how one will apply content from NR506NPNP to the upcoming clinical courses.

NR506NP Healthcare Policy and Leadership Papers

Week 3 Assignment  

Quality Healthcare: Measuring NP Performance

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is to have students research the measurement tools of NP performance.  Through the use of quality patient outcomes, student will l ist and discuss three different patient interventions and how  they would specifically measure the outcomes and h o w 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 .

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 the 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)

Requirements:

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) was formed to ensure 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 quality of care.

Write a formal paper in APA format with 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 cost savings for the practice?

How can these interventions result in improved NP patient ratings?

NR506NP Healthcare Policy and Leadership

Week 4 Assignment  

Kaltura Health Policy Analysis

Purpose

This assignment will focus on developing a health policy analysis presentation that includes a problem statement, background, landscape, options and recommendations from the week’s readings.  The health policy analysis presentation is based upon an identified healthcare issue in one’s local community.

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)

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)

Requirements:

Research healthcare issues that have been identified in your local community. Develop a power point presentation offline. Structure a health policy analysis presentation that addresses the following topics particular to your health problem.

Problem Statement

Background

Landscape

Options

Recommendations

Next, record your Kaltura presentation and upload it into the week 4 assignment. How to use Kaltura resources are in Home/Resources/Technology Resources

Posting your recording:

Go to the week four assignment tab and hit Submit Assignment

Use the Text Entry Tab. You will have the option of selecting the Kaltura icon

It will take you to your My Media Gallery and upload it from there, example below

 

MORE INFO 

Healthcare Policy and Leadership

Introduction

The 20th century saw the development of a belief that health is a right to be enjoyed by all people, regardless of class or status. Public health leaders contributed to this belief by advocating for policies that affect the lives of vulnerable populations. Healthcare policy developed as a result of this belief and public health workers are advocates for policies that affect their communities. Policymakers often seek advice from public health professionals who understand both sides of issues before making decisions that can affect millions of people’s lives

The 20th century saw the development of a belief that health is a right to be enjoyed by all people, regardless of class or status.

The 20th century saw the development of a belief that health is a right to be enjoyed by all people, regardless of class or status. This idea has been promoted by organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and the World Bank.

The concept of universal healthcare was first introduced into U.S. politics during President Roosevelt’s administration in 1938 through his National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA). In this law he proposed that every American should have access to affordable healthcare coverage regardless of their income level or employment status. It wasn’t until 1965 when President Lyndon Johnson signed legislation creating Medicare which provided low-income Americans with access to medical insurance while they were still working; however this program only covered hospitalization expenses not primary care services like doctor visits or prescriptions medication refills etcetera…

Public health leaders contributed to the development of this belief.

Public health leaders contributed to the development of this belief. They focused on the health of populations, not individuals, and advocated for policies that would benefit the whole population. Public health leaders were concerned about the health of all people, not just those with wealth or power—and they were often criticized by those who believed that only those in positions to lead should have a say in public policy decisions.

Healthcare policy developed as a result of the belief that healthcare is a right.

Healthcare policy developed as a result of the belief that healthcare is a right. This idea emerged in the 20th century, when many people believed that health care should be provided by the government because it was necessary for everyone to have access to quality care.

The belief that healthcare is a right stems from modern thinking about politics and society, which emphasizes democracy over authoritarianism. For example, this view also means that governments should not be able to take away individual freedoms without their consent; however, it’s important not to confuse this with freedom itself—it just means there will be less restrictions placed upon people when they choose whether or not they want to participate in certain activities (like accessing medical services).

Public health workers are advocates for policies that affect the lives of vulnerable populations.

Public health workers are advocates for policies that affect the lives of vulnerable populations. They advocate for policies that benefit public health, promote equity and are based on evidence.

Public health workers work in many different settings, including hospitals and clinics; schools; prisons; homeless shelters; social service agencies; community centers (including senior centers); colleges and universities..

Policymakers often seek advice from public health professionals.

Policymakers often seek advice from public health professionals. Public health professionals are experts in their field and can help policymakers develop policies that are informed by research and evidence. They can also help policymakers understand the implications of their policies for vulnerable populations.

Public health policy is informed by public health leaders who work on behalf of communities.

Healthcare policy is informed by public health leaders who work on behalf of communities. Public health leaders advocate for the public good, shaping healthcare policy that improves their lives and the lives of vulnerable populations.

Public Health Leaders Shape Healthcare Policy

In order to understand how public health leaders shape healthcare policies, we must first understand what they do and how they do it. Public health leaders are advocates for public health; they help shape legislation that will make sure everyone has access to quality health care services (and not just those with money). They also work with government agencies such as federal lawmakers or state legislators to promote laws designed specifically for improving life expectancy rates across different groups within society (such as women).

Conclusion

In conclusion, public health policy is informed by public health leaders who work on behalf of communities.