Discussion: Reviews of Current Healthcare Issues

Discussion: Reviews of Current Healthcare Issues

Discussion Reviews of Current Healthcare Issues

National healthcare issue/stressor

A national healthcare issue I have selected for this discussion is shortage of healthcare workers, especially nurses. Nursing shortage is one major issue that I have experienced since I began working as a nurse some years back.  “According to the American Nurses Association (ANA) there is a shortage of 7.2 million healthcare workers with regard to health needs, whereas the report by the ‘Third Global Forum on Human Resources for Health’ estimates that by 2035, the nursing deficit will reach 12.9 million. (Rya & Shim, 2021). Working in skilled transitional care unit, nursing shortage creates unsafe nurse to patient staffing ratios.  Unlike California, Maryland does not have a specific nurse-to-patient ratio in every hospital Unit, as a result, I have worked shifts with three patients; two of those were intubated on full ventilator support.  An appropriate skilled assignment is one nurse for one invasively ventilated patient due to the close monitoring required to adequately care for the patient. (Broome & Marshall, 2021).

Impact on Work Setting

Nursing shortage has negatively impacted my work setting in several ways. It produced poor patient experience of care, low staff retention, and increased hospital acquired infections.   When patient load exceeds available nurses, patient experience is compromised.  Patients become aware that their nurses were difficult to call at bedside or spent their time tasking, instead of showing care and compassion.  Also, unsafe staffing ratios increases burnout and nurses tend to leave for higher education or a different career entirely.  Patient care is also compromised with nursing shortage.  Studies have found increased length of stay for patients when higher nurse-to-patient ratios result in more complications (Heinz, 2021).  For example, one transitional care unit nurse with three patients (all requiring total care) will not be able to turn patients every two hours for pressure ulcer prevention and provide mouth care every two hours for ventilator associated pneumonia prevention.  Hence, increase in hospital acquired injuries or infections.

Strategies to address this stressor.

Finding ways to survive the nursing shortage at my work setting can be challenging for nurse leaders and the facility as a whole. Several techniques such as listening to nurses concerns, prioritizing workplace culture, adjusting protocol to meet nurse’s needs, addressing and supporting nurses are different avenues the facility had utilized to help solve the issue, but overall, Listening to Nurses Concerns is the most effective mechanism of all.  Simply listening to nurses’ concerns had help the facility in retaining nurses, nurses want to feel their loyalty to a system is of value, and not as though it is actually being used against them. Finally, administrators and finance department agreed offering sign-on bonuses, three times higher pay, and flexibility with schedules so as to address the staffing issues.

References

American Nurses Association. (2022, April). Patient safety Retrieved February 28, 2023, from https://www.ana.org/patientsafety Links to an external site.

Doyle, J., & Streeter, R. A. (2017). Veterans’ location in health professional shortage areas: Implications for access to care and workforce supply. Health Services Research, 52, 459–480. https://doi.org/10.1111/1475-6773.12633

Links to an external site.

Heinz, D. (2021, January 1). Hospital nurse staffing and patient outcomes: a review of current literature. Dimensions of Critical Care Nursing, 23(1), 44-50. Retrieved from  https://search-ebscohost

Links to an external site.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=rzh&AN=106723823&site=ehost-live&scope=site

Marshall, E. S., & Broome, M. E. (2017). Transformational leadership in nursing: From expert clinician to influential leader (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Springer

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Ryu, I. S., & Shim, J. L. (2021). The influence of burnout on patient safety management activities of shift nurses: The mediating effect of compassion satisfaction. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(22), 12210. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182212210

Links to an external site.

Wang, Q., Tao, C., Yuan, Y., Zhang, S., & Liang, J. (2023). Current Situations and Challenges in the Development of Health Information Literacy. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032706

Global healthcare systems are facing unprecedented times and uncertain future based on the

current situation of Covid-19 pandemic. This has prompted quick adoption of technology in healthcare systems from booking of appointments to billing. Therefore, I believe one of the major current healthcare issues is on technology disruption. Much questions have been raised on the big data usage, incorporation of telehealth, synchronization of the national health data systems and on the confidentiality and security of the patient’s health records as cases of cybersecurity have soared with increased adoption of information technology in healthcare (Sittig et al., 2018).

Big data in healthcare systems refers to the accumulation of large sets of digital information about the patients’ biodata, medical history, clinical interventions, current and past medical concerns of the patients. This data is accumulated overtime rather than that which is received in small amounts and not stored for future references (Thew, 2016). This prompts the healthcare nurse informatics to employ the use of data analytics and data mining tools so that they can extract meaningful patterns, study the correlation and develop predictions (McGonigle & Mastrian, 2018). Use big data has proved to be essential in healthcare management especially when analyzed and used to inform critical decision-making points and even guide future evidence-based change projects (Byrd et al, 2018).  This information is used by managers and administrators to identify patterns and areas of strength and weakness within the system and help plan in resource allocation.

However, big data faces one of the greatest security challenges especially on the confidentiality of the patient’s information. Cases of cyber insecurity have been rising since most healthcare facilities and organizations adopted use of technology to manage the spread of Covid-19 pandemic. The patient’s confidential data may be easily accessed if the systems security checks are not well enforced. In some of the online platforms like Amazon, for online shopping, the systems put in adequate security checks and user authentication and verification steps. The breech of patient’s confidential medical information could have adverse effects on the healthcare facility or organization hence incur a lot of expenses in terms of compensation and in the end the reputation of the organization will also be severely damaged.

Therefore, it is imperative for healthcare organizations and systems that procure any digital platform for managing healthcare records to invest heavily on ensuring the system is safe and secure from cyber security threats and phishing on patient’s data (Bibhuranjan, 2019). Moreover, there is need to improve the software technology to develop systems that are less susceptible to hacking. It is also essential to ensure that patients are well educated on ways of safely using the digital platforms and there should be readily accessible customer care agent to help patient’s carry out proper verification and maintain safety of their data.

Increased usage of digital platforms and information technology poses another safety threat to the patients as they are likely to seek for medical advice from online blogs and unverified media sources that could be misleading to the patients. This information collected on such blogs has no scientifically proven or evidence-based data to support the claims or the medical advice offered. Moreover, the information could be provided by individuals who have no professional training in the areas that they are providing the medical information. There has been rapid increase in blogs from unregistered dietician and fitness coaches whose methods are not scientifically viable to rely on as professional medical procedures. Many patients have fallen prey to such misleading information that even sometimes discourages the use of conventional medication and clinical intervention measures (Young, 2016).

In conclusion, it is imperative for the federal and state government to come up with strict measures, laws and policies that govern the use of information technology in healthcare. The guidelines should be clear and the regulations must be standardized to enhance security of the patients’ data and also safeguard them from unverified and unethical practices and information availed to them on social media platforms. Any digital platforms or media engaging in medical or clinical information must have passed the licensure criteria that would be guided by strict conformity to the ethical issues in healthcare and meets the set standards.

References

Bibhuranjan. (2019). Big data analytics – How beneficial is it for healthcare? Technofaq. https://technofaq.org/posts/2019/05/big-data-analytics-how-beneficial-is-it-for-healthcare/#:~:text=%20Big%20Data%20Analytics-%20Benefits%20in%20the%20Healthcare,is%20very%20important%20for%20any%20organization…%20More

Byrd, T.A., Kung, L., & Wang, Y. (2018). Big data analytics: Understanding its capabilities and potential benefits for healthcare organizations. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 126(1), 3-13. doi:10. 1016/j.techfore.2015.12.019

McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2017). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (4th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Sittig, D. F., Wright, A., Coiera, E., Magrabi, F., Ratwani, R., Bates, D. W., & Singh, H. (2018). Current challenges in health information technology–related patient safety. Health Informatics Journal, 26(1), 146045821881489. https://doi.org/10.1177/1460458218814893

Thew, J. (2016). Big data means big potential, changes for nurse execs. HealthLeaders. https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/nursing/big-data-means-big-potential-challenges-nurse-execs

Young, A. (2016). The pros and cons of big data in the healthcare industry. HealthCareZone. https://www.healthtechzone.com/topics/healthcare/articles/2016/11/18/427248-pros-cons-big-data-the-healthcare-industry.htm

Discussion: Review of Current Healthcare
Issues

If you were to ask 10 people what they believe to be the most significant issue facing healthcare
today, you might get 10 different answers. Escalating costs? Regulation? Technology disruption?
These and many other topics are worthy of discussion. Not surprisingly, much has been said in
the research, within the profession, and in the news about these topics. Whether they are issues
of finance, quality, workload, or outcomes, there is no shortage of changes to be addressed.
In this Discussion, you examine a national healthcare issue and consider how that issue may
impact your work setting. You also analyze how your organization has responded to this issue.

To Prepare:

 Review the Resources and select one current national healthcare issue/stressor to focus
on.

 Reflect on the current national healthcare issue/stressor you selected and think about how
this issue/stressor may be addressed in your work setting.

By Day 3 of Week 1

Post a description of the national healthcare issue/stressor you selected for analysis, and explain
how the healthcare issue/stressor may impact your work setting. Then, describe how your health
system work setting has responded to the healthcare issue/stressor, including a description of
what changes may have been implemented. Be specific and provide examples.

By Day 6 of Week 1

Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days who chose a different national
healthcare issue/stressor than you selected. Explain how their chosen national healthcare
issue/stressor may also impact your work setting and what (if anything) is being done to address
the national healthcare issue/stressor.
Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria

To access your rubric:
Week 1 Discussion Rubric

Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 6 of Week 1

To participate in this Discussion:
Week 1 Discussion

Learning Resources

Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course
Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus.
Required Readings
Marshall, E., & Broome, M. (2017). Transformational leadership in nursing: From expert
clinician to influential leader (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Springer.

 Chapter 2, “Understanding Contexts for Transformational Leadership:
Complexity, Change, and Strategic Planning” (pp. 37–62)

 Chapter 3, “Current Challenges in Complex Health Care Organizations: The
Triple Aim” (pp. 63–86)

Read any TWO of the following (plus TWO additional readings on your selected issue):
Auerbach, D. I., Staiger, D. O., & Buerhaus, P. I. (2018). Growing ranks of advanced practice
clinicians—Implications for the physician workforce. New England Journal of Medicine,
378(25), 2358–2360. doi:10.1056/NEJMp1801869
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
Gerardi, T., Farmer, P., & Hoffman, B. (2018). Moving closer to the 2020 BSN-prepared
workforce goal. American Journal of Nursing, 118(2), 43–45.
doi:10.1097/01.NAJ.0000530244.15217.aa
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
Jacobs, B., McGovern, J., Heinmiller, J., & Drenkard, K. (2018). Engaging employees in well-
being: Moving from the Triple Aim to the Quadruple Aim. Nursing Administration Quarterly,
42(3), 231–245. doi:10.1097/NAQ.0000000000000303
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
Norful, A. A., de Jacq, K., Carlino, R., & Poghosyan, L. (2018). Nurse practitioner–physician
comanagement: A theoretical model to alleviate primary care strain. Annals of Family Medicine,
16(3), 250–256. doi:10.1370/afm.2230
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
Palumbo, M., Rambur, B., & Hart, V. (2017). Is health care payment reform impacting nurses'
work settings, roles, and education preparation? Journal of Professional Nursing, 33(6),
400–404. doi:10.1016/j.profnurs.2016.11.005
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
Park, B., Gold, S. B., Bazemore, A., & Liaw, W. (2018). How evolving United States payment
models influence primary care and its impact on the Quadruple Aim. Journal of the American
Board of Family Medicine, 31(4), 588–604. doi:10.3122/jabfm.2018.04.170388
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Pittman, P., & Scully-Russ, E. (2016). Workforce planning and development in times of delivery
system transformation. Human Resources for Health, 14(56), 1–15. doi:10.1186/s12960-016-

0154-3. Retrieved from https://human-resources-
health.biomedcentral.com/track/pdf/10.1186/s12960-016-0154-3

Poghosyan, L., Norful, A., & Laugesen, M. (2018). Removing restrictions on nurse practitioners'
scope of practice in New York state: Physicians' and nurse practitioners' perspectives. Journal of
the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 30(6), 354–360.
doi:10.1097/JXX.0000000000000040
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
Ricketts, T., & Fraher, E. (2013). Reconfiguring health workforce policy so that education,
training, and actual delivery of care are closely connected. Health Affairs, 32(11), 1874–1880.
doi:10.1377/hlthaff.2013.0531
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
Required Media
Laureate Education (Producer). (2015). Leading in Healthcare Organizations of the Future
[Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

A national healthcare issue of concern is the perennial nursing shortage. Statistics at national and international levels show that the shortage of healthcare worker (HCWs) is profound and affects effective and quality service delivery. The World Health Organization (WHO) projects that nursing shortage could hit 12.9 million by 2035 (Marc et al., 2018). Nursing shortage creates unsafe working environment and increases fatigue, high turnover rates, and make nurses susceptible to medication administration errors. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the situation as the demand for healthcare services has increased, leading to more strain and burden on nurses, especially those working in critical care settings and others with elderly patient populations with chronic and terminal conditions.

Nursing shortage has impacted my work setting negatively as we enhance efforts to provide care to a patient diversity coming to the facility. Low staff retention, reduced levels of patient’s satisfaction, and a rise in hospital acquired infections are some of the negative effects of nursing shortage in our facility. When patient workload exceeds the available shift nurses, patients experience low levels of satisfaction. Unsafe staffing ratios contribute to burnout and high turnover rates (Alenezi et al., 2018). Further, increased length of stay happens due to higher nurse-to-patient ratios lead to more complications and a rise of hospital acquired infections.

Many healthcare settings are struggling in responding to nursing shortage because of the few options available (Marshall & Broome, 2017). Our facility is now leveraging technologies like telehealth to enhance access and quality for patients with chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension who require constant monitoring. While studies show that nursing supply may exceed demand in the near future, using technologies and innovative models like increased training and flexibility can help organizations mitigate the adverse effects of nursing shortage.

References

Alenezi, A. M., Aboshaiqah, A., & Baker, O. (2018). Work‐related stress among nursing staff

working in government hospitals and primary health care centers. International Journal of Nursing Practice, 24(5). doi: 10.1111/ijn.12676

Marc, M., Bartosiewicz, A., Burzynska, J., Chmiel, Z., & Januszewicz, P. (2018). A

nursing shortage – a prospect of global and local policies. International Nursing Review, 66(1), 9-16. DOI: 10.1111/inr.12473.

Marshall, E. S., & Broome, M. E. (2017). Transformational leadership in nursing: From expert

            clinician to influential leader (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Springer