Discussion 2: Advocating Through Policy NURS 8100
Discussion 2: Advocating Through Policy NURS 8100
Discussion 2: Advocating Through Policy NURS 8100
The nurse-led discharge planning is a process that can benefit from advocacy in healthcare settings. The process support the reduction of readmission policy and comprises of different interventions (Qui et al, 2021). Key among them include having daily rounds to identity those to be discharged next and any potential difficulties that they may have, provision of written instruction on discharge and providing pre-scheduled follow up visits to the outpatient unit and the physicians in-charge (Chaka et al., 2019). The process also entails involvement of patients and caregivers in planning and decision-making that comprise of patient education and a better understanding of the discharge process.
The stakeholders in this process include the patients and their families or caregivers, nurses, physicians and pharmacists. The case manager, the nutritionists and even the healthcare organization and its management are also critical stakeholders in this process. Through them, it is possible to advocate for changes in policy processes to improve the Readmission Reduction policy’s outcomes.
The multidisciplinary team will comprise of different professionals with well-documented roles and responsibilities. The team will conduct discharge planning with the patient and family through educating them using layman’s language (Vernon et al., 2019). For instance, the physician will discuss the management of the disease and prognosis while the nurse will offer education on medication and administration of medicines (Mabire et al., 2018). The pharmacist will review medications before discharge while the case manager will ensure that all home needs that the patient requires are available. The nutritionist or dietitian will discuss effective and appropriate food options for the patients.
The use of multidisciplinary approach in rounds on a constant basis improve the ability of the facility to address barriers to effective patient management. Secondly, it improves patient compliance to treatment upon discharge and reduces readmissions that are costly, especially when not done sufficiently. The process reduces the cost of care and improves clinical outcomes. The implication is that advocating for this process imprpvement allows the facility to attain the goals of its Readmission Reduction policy.
The healthcare needs of the homeless population are greatly overlooked. Thank you for sharing. Here is my feedback for your presentation PowerPoint:
Style and quality of the PowerPoint: Very formal and professional. I would recommend a design geared to your topic versus “Walden University” since the presentation is meant for a member of politics or a healthcare organization.
Persuasiveness: Slides represented the importance of healthcare in the homeless population.
Clarity: Brief phrases or words are recommended versus sentences to avoid losing interest in the audience.
Representation of stakeholders, such as additional individuals/groups that could be included: Great diagram to represent stakeholders such as researchers, government policymakers, the homeless population, health care workers, and insurance companies.
From a general perspective, the primary role of health care delivery systems is ensuring that the population is safe from illnesses. Through health care providers, these systems identify health problems and develop solutions according to the problems’ severity. This intervention has been the standard approach for a long time. As health care providers execute their professional mandates, it is disappointing that the extent of health risks continue to increase as time advances. One of the leading areas of health risks is changes in climate levels due to uncontrolled human activities. This paper discusses the impact of policy changes to minimize respiratory infections on children and older adults.
Policy Health Issue
Always, all population segments should be protected from health dangers. Increased efforts to achieve this objective have been a success, although disappointments are many due to the lack of cooperation from many industrial sectors. Policy interventions ensure that there are adequate legal covers to oblige the public to stick to activities with minimal or no adverse impacts on people’s health. For a long time, the global climate change has been on a gradual rise. The United States is not an exception, and different population segments are affected and respond to extreme weather changes differently.
Mostly, pollution is the main area of attention when examining public health issues related to an environmental issue within the U.S. health care delivery system. Far from that, Mirsaeidi et al. (2016) found that bacterial respiratory infections have become a nuisance due to the erratic nature of climate changes in the United States. The central theme is that the distribution of some infectious diseases such as malaria and food and waterborne diseases has a direct relationship with the local environmental conditions. Unfortunately, rising temperatures have been an issue to children and the elderly since they cannot cope with abrupt changes in weather patterns. Unlike adults, children metabolism cannot adapt to heat stress and temperature variations- this has been a leading cause of pneumonia (Quinton et al., 2018). The level of exposure is increasing gradually. Such situations imply that some population segments are disadvantaged when it comes to health and wellness and their health status can be detrimental to the health status of the entire population.
Regarding the level of the issue, respiratory problems are a national issue, and the perfect responses should strive to solve the problem from a national outlook. Quinton et al. (2018) noted that climate alterations affect the host immune responses, and fluctuations in climatic patterns affect variations in respiratory infections. To worsen the problem, climatic changes affect the distribution of some infections seasonally and in an unpredictable manner. A suitable example is pneumonia and influenza leading to deaths of 53,282 people in 2013 in the United States, a proportion where children and the elderly were affected the most (Mirsaeidi et al., 2016). Since the impacts are not restricted to a place, the best way to respond to the problem is by initiating a policy response that tackles the problem from a national perspective.
Problem Statement
Irrespective of where a person lives, origin, social class, or age, among other factors, protection from harm should be a health objective. However, which United States Environmental Protection Agency (2016) observed, increase in human activities in the past decade have contributed substantially to climate change, with the increase in the level of Carbon (IV) Oxide and similar heat trapping gases being typical. With the surge in greenhouse effect and a gradual temperature rise inevitable, some population segments are at a high risk of respiratory infections. The issue is a concern since the increase is inconsistent since there is a huge gap between winter and summer temperatures. During transition, many people are unable to cope with temperature changes, with the elderly women and children being affected the most (Gaard, 2015). In such a case, practical measures that address the root of the problem should be initiated. The focus should be preventing occurrence by all means.
The Current Policy
To address the problem of respiratory infections to children and elderly, the current policy proposes two interdependent measures aimed at controlling climate damage. The first is obliging organizations to develop elaborate waste disposal mechanisms regardless of their type and community status. Secondly, all organizations must commit 1% of their revenue towards climate control programs such as afforestation, cleanup exercises, and use of renewable energy. Yearly review of their commitment should be a legal obligation. To initiate policy change, the first step is always identifying a need; the policy can be initiated in anticipation of a need or in response to a need (Loversidge & Zurmehly, 2019). Next, the policy formulator identifies who will take responsibility while gathering information about similar policies and how they succeeded or failed. A draft of the policy follows as the formulator consults appropriate stakeholders and supporters. Relevant stakeholders include the state’s Senator, environmentalists, and supporters of positive social change. After the policy approval, it is important to follow its progress through media and communication with the Senator until it becomes a law. Budget considerations include communication, printing copies, and organizing sensitization forums.
Impact on the Health Care Delivery System
Health care providers have a professional mandate of keeping people safe from illnesses. Challenges are part of their mandate, and a situation where some population segments are at risk of illnesses is common. The policy seeks to protect vulnerable populations [children and the elderly] from respiratory illnesses. Doing so will promote health to all and reduce cost involved in taking care of children and older people when they get ill.
In conclusion, policies identify a need and develop strategies of addressing the need. Undeniably, increasing respiratory illnesses in children and older adults is a severe public health issue related to an environmental issue since the origin is practices causing global temperatures fluctuation making adaptation a challenge. As a result, the policy looks forward to a situation where organizations will be more responsible of their actions. The rates of respiratory illnesses are expected to reduce if the climate levels remain stable.
References
Gaard, G. (2015). Ecofeminism and climate change. In Women’s Studies International Forum (Vol. 49, pp. 20-33). Pergamon. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wsif.2015.02.004
Loversidge, J., & Zurmehly, J. (2019). Supplemental materials for evidence-informed health policy. Sigma Theta Tau International.
Mirsaeidi, M., Motahari, H., Taghizadeh Khamesi, M., Sharifi, A., Campos, M., & Schraufnagel, D. E. (2016). Climate change and respiratory infections. Annals of the American Thoracic Society, 13(8), 1223-1230. https://doi.org/10.1513/AnnalsATS.201511-729PS
Quinton, L. J., Walkey, A. J., & Mizgerd, J. P. (2018). Integrative Physiology of Pneumonia. Physiological reviews, 98(3), 1417–1464. https://doi.org/10.1152/physrev.00032.2017
United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2016, Dec 27). Causes of Climate Change. https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/climate-change-science/causes-climate-change_.html
Strategy proposal: Unclear what the direct motive was for a specific practice issue regarding homelessness.
Discussion 2: Advocating Through Policy
As noted by Dr. Stanley and Dr. White in this week’s media presentation, professional
nurses should be engaging in advocacy efforts to improve health and nursing practice
through involvement in the policy process at the institutional, local, state, or federal
levels. This array of possibilities for involvement provides opportunities for all nurses,
regardless of time, or other possible constraints. Successful policy making is a
collaborative effort, and one that commands mutual respect from all involved. Your
involvement in policy making can lead to expanded opportunities as both a nurse leader
and as a respected member of an interprofessional health care team.
Note: In a small group context, this Discussion gives a place for exploring advocacy prospects and polishing your presentation abilities.
To prepare, consider Dr. Stanley’s and Dr. White’s perspectives on advocating through the policy process.
Identify a practice issue that is of interest to you and that could benefit from policy advocacy initiatives.
Consider your stakeholders as well as any special interest or professional organizations that may support your cause.
Discussion 2: Advocating Through Policy NURS 8100
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Discussion 2: Advocating Through Policy NURS 8100
Create a brief yet persuasive PowerPoint presentation (up to three slides) like follows:
o Determine which practice issues should be addressed through the policy process.
o Represent the major stakeholders (where possible, utilize graphical visuals) o Propose one method for how a nurse could advocate for this problem
The PowerPoint presentation should be brief, visually appealing, and effective.
Post your PowerPoint presentation by Day 4.
Read a few of your coworkers’ postings.
By Day 6, review each group member’s PowerPoint presentation and provide constructive input on: PowerPoint style and quality Persuasiveness
Clarity Stakeholder representation, such as extra individuals/groups that could be added
Proposal for a Strategy
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the replies to your first post.
Take note of what you learned and/or any insights you acquired as a result of your colleagues’ comments.
Be sure to support your work with specific citations from this week’s Learning
Resources and any additional sources.
Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria
Week 11 Discussion 2 Rubric
Post by Day 4 and Respond by Day 6
To participate in this Discussion:
Week 11 Discussion 2
Discussion 2: Advocating Through Policy NURS 8100
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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
Bodenheimer, T., & Grumbach, K. (2016). Understanding health policy: A clinical
approach (7th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Medical.
Chapter 17, “Conclusion: Tensions and Challenges”
This chapter concludes with final thoughts on the challenge of providing quality
health care and controlling health care costs. The solution is likely to be resolved
only by a collaborative approach, involving all health care stakeholders, and by
health professionals taking the lead.
Howard, J., Levy, F., Mareiniss, D. P., Craven, C. K., McCarthy, M., Epstein-Peterson,
Z. D., & et al. (2010). New legal protections for reporting patient errors under the Patient
Safety and Quality Improvement Act: A review of the medical literature and
analysis. Journal of Patient Safety, 6(3), 147-152.
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
The authors studied the dissemination of information on the Patient Safety and Quality
Improvement Act (PSQIA), a federal act that affords protection to those reporting
medical errors. They found medical literature to be inadequate in this regard, and as a
result, medical personnel were uninformed on their legal protections. This lack of
information has become a barrier to policy implementation.
Jacobson, N., Butterill, D., & Goering, P. (2003). Development of a framework for
knowledge translation: Understanding user context. Journal of Health Services
Research & Policy, 8(2), 94–99.
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
Lau, B., San Miguel, S., & Chow, J. (2010). Policy and clinical practice: Audit tools to
measure adherence. Renal Society of Australasia Journal, 6(1), 36–40.
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
Discussion 2: Advocating Through Policy NURS 8100
The authors study the compliance to renal-care policies by health care professionals.
They conclude with the necessity for nurses to support evidence-based protocols as
well as to obtain continuing education on new protocols.
McCracken, A. (2010). Advocacy: It is time to be the change. Journal of Gerontological
Nursing, 36(3), 15-17.
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
The author proposes that nurses, as patient advocates, need to be more involved in the
making of health care policy instead of reacting to policies that are constantly changing.
The article provides a guide to help organize initial policy efforts.
Nannini, A., & Houde, S. C. (2010). Translating evidence from systematic reviews for
policy makers. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 36(6), 22–26.
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
The article cites geronotological nurses as examples of those who are able to translate
research into policy briefs that can be clearly understood by policy makers.
Geronotological nurses are in this unique position because of their clinical experience
and educational background.
Paterson, B. L., Duffet-Leger, L., & Cuttenden, K. (2009). Contextual factors influencing
the evolution of nurses' roles in a primary health care clinic. Public Health Nursing,
26(5), 421-429.
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
This article provides details on a study conducted in a nurse-managed clinic related to
the changing roles of nurses. The authors found that nurses, in response to social,
political, and economic forces, became involved in advocacy for the clinic through
political action, government funding issues, and media relations roles.
Sistrom, M. (2010). Oregon's Senate bill 560: Practical policy lessons for nurse
advocates. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 11(1), 29-35. doi:
10.1177/1527154410370786
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
Discussion 2: Advocating Through Policy NURS 8100
The author uses the efforts by a nurse advocate in lobbying for an Oregon bill related to
healthy food in public schools to illustrate nurse advocacy and policy making. The bill,
developed in response to childhood obesity, did not immediately become law. The
author concludes with the importance of considering the political environment when
creating successful policy.
Spenceley, S. M., Reutter, L., & Allen, M. N. (2006). The road less traveled: Nursing
advocacy at the policy level. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 7(3), 180-194. doi:
10.1177/1527154410370786
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
Nurses have always been advocates at the patient-level of care, but the authors of this
article promote the need for all nurses to become advocates at the policy level as well.
They discuss factors that have kept nurses from getting involved with policy making and
they provide strategies to resolve these challenges.
Wyatt, E. (2009). Health policy advocacy: Oncology nurses make a difference. ONS
Connect, 24(10), 12-15.
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
The author presents information on two nurses who have become health care policy
advocates—one as a policy maker and one as an elected legislator. Both have been
able to use their perspectives from their nursing careers to affect health policy.
Zomorodi, M., & Foley, B. J. (2009). The nature of advocacy vs. paternalism in nursing:
Clarifying the ‘thin line.’ Journal of Advanced Nursing, 65(8), 1746-1752.
Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.
The authors attempt to distinguish the concepts of advocating for a patient and
paternalism, or overriding a patient’s wishes. They provide clinical examples to illustrate
the differences between these concepts, and they conclude with strategies to use in
practice.
Discussion 2: Advocating Through Policy NURS 8100
Required Media
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2011). Healthcare policy and advocacy:
Advocating through policy. Baltimore: Author.
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 7 minutes.
In this media presentation, Dr. Joan Stanley and Dr. Kathleen White discuss how
nurses can influence practice and engage in advocacy through the policy process.
Accessible player
Optional Resources
Birnbaum, D. (2009). North American perspectives: POA, HAC and never
events. Clinical Governance: An International Journal, 14(3), 242–244.
Discussion 2: Advocating Through Policy
As noted by Dr. Stanley and Dr. White in this week’s media presentation, professional nurses should be engaging in advocacy efforts to improve health and nursing practice through involvement in the policy process at the institutional, local, state, or federal levels. This array of possibilities for involvement provides opportunities for all nurses, regardless of time, or other possible constraints. Successful policy making is a collaborative effort, and one that commands mutual respect from all involved. Your involvement in policy making can lead to expanded opportunities as both a nurse leader and as a respected member of an interprofessional health care team.
Note: This Discussion provides a forum for discussing advocacy opportunities and honing your presentation skills in a small group setting.
To prepare:
Reflect on the insights offered by Dr. Stanley and Dr. White on engaging in advocacy through the policy process.
Identify a practice issue that is of interest to you and that could benefit from advocacy efforts through the policy process.
Consider the stakeholders and any special interest or professional organizations that would support your issue.
Develop a short, yet persuasive PowerPoint (up to 3 slides) as follows:
Identify the practice issue that would benefit from being addressed through the policy process
Represent the key stakeholders (i.e. use graphical images when possible)
Propose one strategy for how a nurse could advocate for this issue
The PowerPoint should be succinct, visually appealing, and effective.
By Day 4
Post your PowerPoint presentation.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.
By Day 6
Review each group member’s PowerPoint presentation and offer constructive feedback on:
Style and quality of the PowerPoint
Persuasiveness
Clarity
Representation of stakeholders, such as additional individuals/groups that could be included
Strategy proposal
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you learned and/or any insights you gained as a result of the comments made by your colleagues.
Be sure to support your work with specific citations from this week’s Learning Resources and any additional sources.
Click on the Reply button below to reveal the textbox for entering your message. Then click on the Submit button to post your message.
