Assignment: Advocating for The Nursing Role in Program Design and Implementation Questions

Assignment: Advocating for The Nursing Role in Program Design and Implementation Questions

Assignment: Advocating for The Nursing Role in Program Design and Implementation Questions

Community Outreach for Hypertensive Screening Program Interview Responses

Osteoporosis and low bone density affect approximately 54 million Americans making it a growing health issue in the United States. Osteoporosis affects a significant proportion of the aged American population, according to statistics. The implication is that a sizable proportion of the population is predisposed to increased rate of bone fractures and breakage that might not be easy to heal. Osteoporosis prevention and reduction programs have been implemented in the United States (Lieberman et al., n.d.). This paper aims at looking in nursing role in osteoporosis reduction program implemented in my practice.

What is the Cost and Projected Outcome of the Program?

The Osteoporosis Prevention Program is a program that has been implemented in my practice to address high incidences of post knee and hip bone surgeries. The Texas government created the OPP program with the goal of preventing and reducing osteoporosis rates in the state. Implementation of the OPP program was necessitated by the fact that close to one-third of the population in Texas was suffering from recurrent bone fractures in 2015. This program is guided by a number of principles. They include addressing the social determinants of health that contribute to osteoporosis, increasing resource availability, and transforming environments to promote physical activity and healthy eating.

In order to meet the program’s objectives, a number of activities have been implemented.

They include expanding possibilities for healthy eating, encouraging active living through the construction of healthy settings, and providing community and clinical preventive interventions for people who are at risk of becoming bone fractures. The initiative also improves the chances of children and elderly populations at risk having a healthy lifestyle, as well as public health efforts aimed at preventing osteoporosis (Osteoporosis Treatment & Prevention in Houston, Texas, n.d.). The program’s implementation costs are paid for with public funds. Projected outcomes include a decrease in the state’s bone fracture rate, a decrease in morbidity and mortality rates, and increased access to healthy foods and environments for the population (des Bordes et al., 2020). It is also expected to improve Texans’ health and well-being, as evidenced by increased awareness, lifestyle, and behavioral changes on health-related issues.

What is the target Population?

According to the research, the program targets all of the populations in Texas that are at risk of or affected by osteoporosis and low bone density associated with post knee and hip bone surgeries. The state’s population includes children, adults, and the elderly. The program addresses the social inequalities that contribute to the state’s osteoporosis problem. It also broadens the population’s access to healthy living options, regardless of background.

What is the role of the nurse in providing input for the design of this healthcare program? What are the examples?

My experience and research have taught me that nurses play a variety of roles in providing input for the design of the OPP program. The first role they play is to ensure that the program’s strategies align with the expected goals and objectives. They ensure, for example, that the strategies adopted are relevant to the needs of the populations affected and at risk of bone fractures and osteoporosis. The nurses’ other role in contributing to the design of OPP is to ensure that the needs of the target population are incorporated into the program.

For example, they conduct needs assessments to identify health-related aspects that should be prioritized in the project, thereby increasing the project’s relevance to the population (Curry et al., 2018). Another way nurses influence the design process is by assisting in determining the program’s resource requirements. Adequate resources, such as financial and human resources, are required for the program’s successful implementation. As a result of their experience with public health programs, nurses can contribute insights into the resources that are required.

What is your role as an advocate for your target population for this healthcare program? Do you have input into design decisions? How else do you impact design?

My responsibilities as an advocate for populations at risk of or affected by the OPP program are diverse. One of them is to ensure that adequate public awareness of the program’s importance and use of its strategies is generated. Health education is required to ensure that those at risk of or affected by osteoporosis understand the lifestyle and behavioral interventions required for their health and well-being. My other role as an advocate is to ensure that all members of the community have equal access to and use of the program initiatives. I ensure that all affected and at-risk populations have improved access to program resources to promote their health. I address issues such as costs associated with the population’s use of the program. I also connect people with the resources they require. For example, I assist them in gaining access to community support groups where they can obtain the assistance, they require in managing and preventing osteoporosis and bone fractures. I had a say in the design. I collaborate with other program stakeholders to define the program’s goals, strategies, and objectives. In addition, I help to determine the program’s resource requirements.

What is the role of the nurse in healthcare program implementation? How does this role vary between design and implementation of healthcare programs? Can you provide examples?

Nurses play a variety of roles in healthcare program implementation. One of the roles of nurses in the implementation of healthcare programs is that of implementers. Nurses help to carry out the program’s strategies. They put the strategies developed to bring the program to life into action. Another role of nurses in program implementation is to coordinate the process. Nurses can help ensure that the program’s strategies are followed as planned. They also make certain that the allocated resources are used to their full potential in order to achieve the program’s objectives. Working with the project management team to evaluate resource utilization versus plan to identify any deviations and implement changes is one example (Pinheiro et al., 2020). However, the roles differ in program design and implementation. Nurses are involved in the development of program plans. During the implementation phase, they carry out the plans.

The design phase is also hands-off because it includes strategy development, whereas the implementation phase is hands-on because it includes the actual use of strategies in practice.

Who are the members of a healthcare team that you believe are the most needed to implement a program? Can you explain why?

Registered nurses, dieticians, and physicians are the members of the healthcare team I believe are most needed to implement the OPP program. Registered nurses perform tasks such as screening, health education, and follow-up on patients. Dieticians perform tasks such as nutritional assessment and counseling for the at-risk patients. Finally, doctors diagnose and treat these patients.

 Conclusion

The osteoporosis prevention program is a successful one to help curb the increased incidences of post knee and hip bone surgeries. The program aims to educate those who are impacted by osteoporosis and those who are at risk of developing the condition in future life about how to live a better lifestyle. Nurses are vital in the planning and implementation of programs. All stakeholders involvement is crucial to the success of the program.

References

Curry, S. J., Krist, A. H., Owens, D. K., Barry, M. J., Caughey, A. B., Davidson, K. W., Doubeni, C. A., Epling, J. W., Kemper, A. R., Kubik, M., Landefeld, C. S., Mangione, C. M., Phipps, M. G., Pignone, M., Silverstein, M., Simon, M. A., Tseng, C.-W., & Wong, J. B. (2018). Screening for Osteoporosis to Prevent Fractures. JAMA, 319(24), 2521. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2018.7498

des Bordes, J., Prasad, S., Pratt, G., Suarez-Almazor, M. E., & Lopez-Olivo, M. A. (2020). Knowledge, beliefs, and concerns about bone health from a systematic review and metasynthesis of qualitative studies. PLOS ONE, 15(1), e0227765. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0227765

Lieberman, I. H., MD, MBA, & FRCSC. (n.d.). Osteoporosis Prevention Plan. SpineUniverse. https://www.spineuniverse.com/conditions/osteoporosis/how-start-your-osteoporosis-prevention-plan-today

Osteoporosis Treatment & Prevention in Houston, Texas. (n.d.). Texas Endocrinology Group. Retrieved October 24, 2021, from https://www.txendocrine.com/services/osteoporosis/

Pinheiro, M. B., Oliveira, J., Bauman, A., Fairhall, N., Kwok, W., & Sherrington, C. (2020). Evidence on physical activity and osteoporosis prevention for people aged 65+ years: a systematic review to inform the WHO guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 17(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-020-01040-4

Tell us about a healthcare program within your practice.

The healthcare problem my facility nurses are addressing is hypertension (HTN) awareness, education, nutrition, medication, and exercise. The community surrounding the facility has a large Hispanic and African American population which are more predisposed to develop HTN due to risk factors like ethnicity, and traditional foods within those communities.

According to various studies and trends of HTN diagnoses, statically African American men and women have a greater disposition to have HTN than Caucasian men and women within the same community. (Lackland, 2014). This community outreach is done twice a month for two to four hours at a time and will be held at various locations within the community (churches, schools, etc.) to screen citizens for HTN and refer them to a free or low-cost clinic for management of HTN.

What are the costs and projected outcomes of this program?

For the first year of providing these screenings to the community the initial annual expenses would cost around $55,000. This includes fliers about HTN, booklet with a log for patients to monitor BP at home and keep track of and show to their primary care provider. Included in the booklet as well are recipes that provide suggested heathy substitute ingredients for cooking some preferred meals, and how to limit sodium intake.

This cost also includes initial purchases of marketing supplies, a years’ worth of gas from facility to location of screening, vehicle insurance on company truck, purchase of two sets of manual blood pressure cuffs, two stethoscopes, and pay for two nurses to conduct these screenings. The targeted outcome for this program is to see a decrease in hypertensive emergencies, increase patient compliance with HTN treatment, decrease the risks for cardiovascular disease (CVD).

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Programs like this exist in communities throughout the nation and according to Ferdinand et. al. (2012) these programs have had positive patient outcomes and saw a significant decline in uncontrolled HTN, positive lifestyle changes, decreased risk factors for CVD.

Who is your target population?

As mentioned above the target population for this program is the community surrounding the facility which is predominantly Hispanic and African American with a great education deficit in regards to high blood pressure. Recently a patient stated “I might have high blood pressure, but I never started taking the medication prescribed to me last time because I know once you start taking the medication, you cannot stop.”

This patient is a good example of the lack of education related to healthcare, especially HTN, within the community surrounding this facility. Statements such as this indicates there is a need for an outreach program to address the educational, and medical deficits related to HTN.

What is the role of the nurse in providing input for the design of this healthcare program?

Nursing input into the initial design of the community outreach program was to review the blood

pressures of patients seen in this emergency room and note the prevalence as to: whether the patient knew they had high blood pressure; if so, are they taking medication; if not taking medication, what is the reason.

By auditing the patient charts for these markers, it became evident that the community in which we are located needs to have access to screening, education, nutritional and lifestyle changes, and access to quality care they can afford.

Information is abundant on the internet about healthy eating and ingredient substitution, but there is still some apprehension about changing recipes of traditional meals (Maintain a Healthy Weight, n.d.).

What is your role as an advocate for your target population for this healthcare program?

As a patient advocate and an emergency room nurse, I can visit many establishments like churches and schools within the community and explain the screening process for HTN. As well as the education that will be conducted during the screening, patients will also be given referrals to free or low-cost clinics and a list of discounted medications at several pharmacies.

It is important for the nurses active in this program to speak with community leaders, school principals, and church pastors to secure a location for screenings and encourage community citizens to come to the screenings.

Do you have input into design decisions?

Yes, an excellent team of nurses identified a need within the community, collaborated amongst other nurses and out emergency room physicians, and shared ideas on how to address the high prevalence of HTN.

This team of healthcare professionals conducted research on effective patient teaching, locating and evaluating recipes of traditional meals and identifying healthy alternative ingredients. There was large amount of network between team members and with pharmacies, physicians’ offices, and clinics to gather an abundance of resources for patients and gained support for the community outreach program as well.

How else do you impact design?

Design is also impacted by specifying which department or individual is responsible for implementation and program evaluation. The design of the program should also have protocols in place that have been agreed upon by nursing and the medical director in the event one of the community members has a medical emergency.

What is the role of the nurse in healthcare program implementation?

Nurses fill many roles, but the nursing role of the implementation of this HTN screenings program is to actually take vital signs and educate the community about the importance of good blood pressure control to decrease the risk of complications later in their lifetime, such as stroke, congestive heart failure, myocardial infarction, renal damage requiring dialysis, edema in the lower extremities, diabetes and other comorbidities that often occur was a result of long term, sustained, and untreated high blood pressure.

How does this role vary between design and implementation of healthcare programs? Can you provide examples?

During the design phase to this healthcare program, there was a large amount of research conducted on the topic and program collaborators shared ideas and suggestions as to what information was going to be printed on flyers, and in booklets.

During the design phase, it was also decided there should be two nurses, protocols, and that relationships should be sought between the community leaders and the facility to encourage participation and increase awareness.

Who are the members of a healthcare team that you believe are most needed to implement a program? Can you explain why?

Nurses, because nurses can interpret the patient’s blood pressure, provide education about risks of uncontrolled HTN, and educate and encourage patients to make healthy lifestyle changes. Nurses also possess the critical thinking skills needed to identify medical emergencies when running these types of screening clinics, as to where a layperson may not.

The nurses were able to compile resources for members of the community, so they have access to affordable quality healthcare and medications. Anyone can go buy an automatic blood pressure cuff from a store, or even us the one in the pharmacy, but many citizens would not know to interpret the plod pressure because the lack the medical background a nurse possesses.

References

• Ferdinand, K. C., Patterson, K. P., Taylor, C., Fergus, I. V., Nasser, S. A., & Ferdinand, D. P. (2012). Community-based approaches to prevention and management of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. Journal of Clinical Hypertension (Greenwich, Conn.), 14(5), 336–343. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1111/j.1751-7176.2012.00622.x
• Lackland D. T. (2014). Racial differences in hypertension: implications for high blood pressure management. The American Journal of The Medical Sciences, 348(2), 135–138. doi:10.1097/MAJ.0000000000000308
• Maintain a Healthy Weight. (n.d.). Retrieved July 22, 2019, from https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/educational/lose_wt/index.htm

Assignment: Advocating for The Nursing Role in Program Design and Implementation Questions

Question Description

I don’t know how to handle this Nursing question and need guidance.

Assignment: Advocating for the Nursing Role in Program Design and Implementation
As their names imply, the honeyguide bird and the honey badger share an affinity for honey. Honeyguide birds specialize in finding beehives but struggle to access the honey within.

Love badgers are well-equipped to raid beehives but cannot always find them. However, these two honey-loving species have learned to collaborate effectively to meet their objectives. The honeyguide bird guides honey badgers to newly discovered hives. Once the honey badger has ransacked the hive, the honeyguide bird safely enters to enjoy the leftover honey.

Much like honeyguide birds and honey badgers, nurses and health professionals from other specialty areas can—and should—collaborate to design effective programs. Nurses bring specialties to the table, making them natural partners to professionals with different specialties. When nurses take the requisite leadership in becoming involved throughout the healthcare system, these partnerships can better design and deliver highly effective programs that meet objectives.

In this Assignment, you will practice this type of leadership by advocating for a healthcare program. Equally as important, you will advocate for a collaborative role of the nurse in the design and implementation of this program.

To do this, assume you are preparing to be interviewed by a professional organization/publication regarding your thoughts on the nurse’s role in designing and implementing new healthcare programs.

To Prepare:

• Review the Resources and reflect on your thinking regarding the role of the nurse in the design and implementation of new healthcare programs.
• Select a healthcare program within your practice and consider the design and implementation of this program.
• Reflect on advocacy efforts and the role of the nurse in relation to healthcare program design and implementation.

The Assignment: (2–3 pages)

In a 2- to 3-page paper, create an interview transcript of your responses to the following interview questions:

• Tell us about a healthcare program, within your practice. What are the costs and projected outcomes of this program?
• Who is your target population?
• What is the role of the nurse in providing input for the design of this healthcare program? Can you provide examples?
• What is your role as an advocate for your target population for this healthcare program? Do you have input into design decisions? How else do you impact design?
• What is the role of the nurse in healthcare program implementation? How does this role vary between design and implementation of healthcare programs? Can you provide examples?
• Who are the healthcare team members that you believe are most needed to implement a program? Can you explain why?

Hi Alejandra,

Good post. I agree that it is beneficial for RNs and APRNs to join professional nursing organizations to participate in healthcare policymaking actively. According to Matthews (2012), members and experts from many specialty organizations work with ANA lobbyists in the U.S. Congress and the various state legislatures to inform and persuade legislators concerning the needs of nursing and the general public regarding healthcare issues and quality care (para 26). The ANA and other nursing organizations lobby for beneficial legislation and regulations, offering members the chance to contribute their voices and experiences to influence policy. They also provide education resources on health policy, empowering RNs to understand and engage in the policy process. These organizations represent a large collective of nurses, providing a unified voice in policy discussions to ensure that the needs and perspectives of nurses are considered.

Another opportunity for nurses to participate in healthcare policymaking is by doing nursing research. Nurse researchers in health policy are responsible for increasing knowledge in the discipline and providing evidence for informing and advancing health policies with the goal of improving national health outcomes (Ellenbecker, 2017, p. 214). Nurses can conduct and publish research that explains the effectiveness of various nursing interventions, the efficiency of healthcare delivery models, and the experiences and needs of patients. This research can identify gaps in current policies and provide data-driven recommendations for improvements. Policymakers can then use these findings to develop policies that are grounded in evidence, ensuring that they address real-world needs, resulting in improved patient care and health outcomes.

Thanks for your post!

Learning Resources

Required Readings

• Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Chapter 7, “Health Policy and Social Program Evaluation” (pp. 116–124 only)
• Glasgow, R. E., Lichtenstein, E., & Marcus, A. C. (2003). Why don’t we see more translation of health promotion research to practice? Rethinking the efficacy-to-effectiveness transition. American Journal of Public Health, 93(8), 1261–1267.
• Shiramizu, B., Shambaugh, V., Petrovich, H., Seto, T. B., Ho, T., Mokuau, N., & Hedges, J. R. (2016). Leading by success: Impact of a clinical and translational research infrastructure program to address health inequities. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 4(5), 983–991.
• Williams, J. K., & Anderson, C. M. (2018). Omics research ethics considerations. Nursing Outlook, 66(4), 386–393. doi:10.1016/j.outlook.2018.05.003

Document: Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation Template (Word document)

Required Media

• Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). The Importance of Program Evaluation [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.
• Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Peter Beilenson: Ethics and advocacy [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Advocating for the Nursing Role in Program Design and Implementation on Diabetic Education Program

Healthcare providers and organizations aim to improve the health and wellbeing of the populations they serve by reducing disease incidences and severity.

Diabetes is one of the chronic conditions that affects millions of Americans and nurses are a core aspect of the healthcare delivery system have a duty to design and implement diabetic education programs to help patients and their families navigate the delicate situation for patient based on severity (Laureate Education, 2018).

Newly developed healthcare programs on diabetes education can improve outcomes and the quality of care and life for those with the chronic condition. Based on an interview, this essay summarizes the role of nurses in designing and implementing a diabetic education program for patients with diabetes.

Tell us about a healthcare program, within your practice.

The healthcare program within the facility by nurses is the designing and implementing a diabetic education program. Diabetes continues to be a serious public health concern and efforts to offer education to diabetic patients can improve adherence to medication, and self-care management (Powers et al., 2020).

Diabetes self-management education and support offers the foundation to help people with the disease navigate decisions that they must make daily and activities to improve health outcomes (Milstead & Short, 2019). Through the education program, diabetic patients will have knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for improved self-care.

What are the costs and projected outcomes of this program?

The program focuses on providing resources and educational interventions at the convenience of a patient who visits the facility and would like to enhance their self-management approaches to diabetes. The institution will provide access to information through its online portal, physical materials to those visiting the facility, and one-on-one sessions with patients and their families to demonstrate the efficacy of the program.

The cost involved in implementing the program will include funds to publish materials like brochures for patients and families, funds to develop online resources through increasing the organization’s website interface to have one on diabetes self-management and resources to fund the one-on-one sessions with appropriate consultants that shall boost the current nurses’ efforts.

The overall cost of all these interventions will be $3,500. The money that will be used to fund the program will include an additional cost of $1,000 for implementation in different areas for providers in the facility, especially training. Therefore, the entire initiative will cost the organization an estimated $4,500 which the entity can recover within one month after the implementation.

The projected outcomes from the program are varied. These include increased and better adherence to diabetes self-management protocols, lower or reduced costs of diabetes management, improved knowledge and abilities for patients and their families. The implication is that this program will enhance awareness and abilities among patients to self-manage and self-care for themselves.

Who is your target population?

The program’s main target is diabetic individuals and their families who shall benefit from the information and resources offered by the facility. The program also targets nurses working in the facility to enhance their knowledge and abilities to care for these patients in an effective manner.

What is the role of the nurse in providing input for the design of this healthcare program? Can you provide examples?

Nurses play a critical role in care provision that includes designing healthcare programs like education program for diabetic patients. In this case, the nurse will offer interventions that can improve care and self-management for patients with different types of diabetes.

The nurse will also guide the inclusion of self-management aspects that align with best evidence-based practice (EBP) interventions in the facility. For example, the nurse will identify strategies to enhance adherence to blood sugar monitoring and taking insulin medication at appropriate time.

What is your role as an advocate for your target population for this healthcare program? Do you have input into design decisions? How else do you impact design?

Nurses are patient advocates; in this instance, education programs are necessary for patients to improve care outcomes. In this regard, the role of a nurse as a patient advocate is to ensure that the program meets patient needs, is easy to understand and can be implemented at home in collaboration with patients’ families.

Nurses have a chance to directly influence policies because of their unique positions in healthcare system. Imperatively, having input in designing the diabetic education program is essential for effective success of the initiative. In this regard, I impact the design by ensuring that the initiative addresses key patient concerns and issues aimed at improving their overall management of diabetes. My input also includes having a monitoring system that allows providers to interact better with the patients.

What is the role of the nurse in healthcare program implementation?

Nurses play a critical role in the implementation of healthcare program. At the core of this role is coordination where they work collaboratively with both patients and other providers to ensure the success of the program. Nurses also undertake roles of initiating the program by being educators and offering lessons to diabetic patients.

How does this role vary between the design and implementation of healthcare programs? Can you provide examples?

The design and implement roles differ since the two stages are also different. The design stage entails having research, effective structures and collaboration, and laying the foundation for the program. The design stage also entailed identifying different roles and duties that each nurse should play and keeping them abreast with all aspects of the initiative (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2018).

However, the implementation stage is the real working and being on the ground to execute the interventions. For instance, in implementation, one must execute the interactions with patients to attain their feedback and customize the education program to their needs. Implementation also entails working with community leaders and patient families to carry out the various interventions meant to enhance self-management.

Who are the healthcare team members that you believe are most needed to implement a program? Can you explain why you think this?

The most important members of the healthcare team to implement this initiative include nurses, nurse managers, and social workers as well as physician dealing with particular customers. Nurses are patient advocate and understand the different aspects of their needs (Tomaschewski-Barlem et al., 2018).

They also deal with different patients and can work with their managers and physicians to deliver quality care. As educators, they can offer lessons to patients with diabetes on the benefits of self-management and care to improve the quality of life.

 Conclusion

The inclusion of nurses in designing and implementing diabetic education program illustrates nurses’ critical role in care delivery. As demonstrated, the program to enhance education will improve quality of life for patients with diabetes.

The program will also enable nurses to participate in different initiatives to improve overall care for patients. The implication is that diabetic patients require education programs to enhance their medication adherence and self-management decisions.

 References

• Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). Design and Implementation [Video file]. Baltimore, MD:

Author

• Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Powers, M. A., Bardsley, J. K., Cypress, M., Funnell, M. M., Harms, D., Hess-Fischl, A., … &
• Uelmen, S. (2020). Diabetes self-management education and support in adults with type 2 diabetes: a consensus report of the American Diabetes Association, the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of PAs, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and the American Pharmacists Association. Diabetes Care, 43(7), 1636-1649. DOI: 10.2337/dci20-0023.
• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. (2018). Nurses Take on New and Expanded Roles in Health Care. https://www.rwjf.org/en/library/articles-and-news/2015/01/nurses- take-on-new-and-expanded-roles-in-health-care.html
• Tomaschewski-Barlem, J. G., Lunardi, V. L., Barlem, E. L. D., Silveira, R. S., Ramos, A. M., & Piexak, D. R. (2017). Patient advocacy in nursing: Barriers, facilitators, and potential implications. Texto Contexto-Enfermagem, 26(3), e0100014. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/0104-07072017000100014

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Assignment: Advocating for The Nursing Role in Program Design and Implementation Questions

Nurses collaborate with other health professionals from various specialty areas to design effective programs. Nurses bring various specialties in designing and implementing programs that make them effective partners to professionals in such undertaking. Their involvement through leadership positions in the healthcare system allows them to deliver highly successful programs that meet set goals and objectives (Evripidou et al., 2019).

The purpose of this essay is to demonstrate through an interview with a nurse leader the type of leadership required for nurses to advocate for a healthcare program. Based on a transcript of the interview, the assignment illustrates the critical role of these healthcare providers in design and implementation of programs.

Tell us about a healthcare program, within your practice. What are the costs and projected outcomes of this program?

Nurse Interviewee

Nurses play a vital role that include linking healthcare professionals and patients to offer effective treatment interventions, especially in mental and behavioral health areas. Caring for adults with mental health issues is challenging for families and even healthcare providers. The implication is that these challenges require stakeholders, especially healthcare providers like nurses, to design and implement effective programs that can lead to optimal care and better outcomes.

An effective program that is being implemented in my practice is the use of home-based care interventions like meditation and dance therapy to enhance the psychological aspects of individuals with mental health issues. The program that was designed by the nursing team in the facility involves using meditation and dancing therapy as ways of helping the mentally sick individuals to enhance their cognitive functioning.

The facility implemented this program due to elderly patients over 60 years presenting with different types of mental disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson disease, Schizophrenia, and dementia (Chiesi et al., 2021). The program aims at improving memory for this individuals, enhancing their cognition and coordination of activities. Mental health benefits of meditation are broad and include better focus and concentration, improved self-awareness and self-esteem as well as a reduction in stress and anxiety and fosters kindness.

Dance movement therapy (DMT) is used in nursing care and practice as way of reducing symptoms linked to different mental health conditions. The average cost of the program whose duration is two hours; one hour for meditation and one hour for dance therapy, is $80. The program’s projected outcomes include enhancing coordination and cognition and reducing the adverse symptoms of mental health conditions.

Who is your target population?

Interviewee

The program targets mainly all individuals who are 60 years and above and have some form of mental health challenges, especially those presenting in the facility with dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.

What is the role of the nurse in providing input for the design of this healthcare program? Can you provide examples?

Interviewee

The nurse plays a significant role in offering input for designing the healthcare program. Nurses possess extensive and hands-on knowledge about patient needs than other healthcare practitioners as they provide care and interact with more. Nurses’ input in the program is founded on using best practices from research findings.

The implication is that nurses suggests the different aspects of the program. Nurses design communication approaches and strategies, different ways to implement the program, and various aspects of the initiative to enhance its effectiveness on the target population (Evripidou et al., 2019).

Nurses are also critical in the program as they encourage patients to develop positive body image, have self-esteem and self-concept to ensure that they benefit from its approaches. For example, the nurses propose different approaches to implementing the program with the aim of meeting patient needs and expectations on outcomes.

What is your role as an advocate for your target population for this healthcare program? Do you have input into design decisions? How else do you impact design?

Interviewee

Nurses are patient advocates in all their settings or practice environment as they seek better ways to help improve care outcomes. As an advocate for the target population, my role is to ensure that these individuals get quality care at their convenience. The care does not need to be hospital-based but can be private in the comfort of their homes. My role is to ensure that these individuals feel free and can express their feelings.

Further, I ensure that they get sufficient resources and interact well with the providers for effective care delivery. I believe that their involvement in the program is critical to both the facility and communities where they live. Secondly, I have significant input in the design decisions as I am part of the team that recommended and developed the program for the target population.

My suggestions include integrating the dance movement therapy with the meditation process that has proved successful for the target population based on positive outcomes attained since implementation. I impact the design by ascertaining that the program can also run in patients’ homes for those who cannot move to the facility.

What is the role of the nurse in healthcare program implementation? How does this role vary between design and implementation of healthcare programs? Can you provide examples.

Interviewee

The nurse plays a critical role in implementation of healthcare programs, not just this one. The initial role is program coordination that involves the monitoring of various patients and their care needs to ensure effective and quality performance of the expected outcomes. Nurses also link different healthcare professionals in their teams to provide a common approach to the health situation at hand.

In this program, nurses are the pivot of the implementation as they execute the suggested strategies for patients in different settings, including at home and in the facility Innes et al., 2018). Nurses incorporate the proposed program into their clinical practices and offer patient-centered care to meet the individual needs of a patient. Nurses incorporate the individual specifications of the initiative to like personal or customized plans for different patients with mental health issues.

The role of nurses in implementation differs from the design as implementation entails executing aspects of the program and ascertaining that they meet patient’s needs. In design, a nurse suggests different approaches to the program that include scope and size and sustainability. However, in implementation, the nurse incorporates these specifications into clinical practice and hands-on execution to ascertain expected outcomes.

Who are the members of a healthcare team that you believe are most needed to implement a program? Can you explain why?

Interviewee

Effective design and implementation of healthcare intervention programs requires collective efforts from different stakeholders and players. These include healthcare professionals, nurses in the practice, organizational managers and leaders and patients. In this case of this program and its implementation, the members of the healthcare team include nurse practitioners in the facility, the mental health professionals like psychologists, psychotherapists, and psychiatrists.

The nurse practitioners and the mental health experts are essential for this program because of their role and experience in its overall success (Singh et al., 2019). As members of the team, they will ensure that all components of the program succeed and are tailored to meet the needs of the different patients in the facility and even those in home-based settings.

Conclusion

Nurses like other healthcare providers, play a critical role in the design and implementation of healthcare programs or initiatives focused on enhancing target populations based on their suggested interventions. The need to enhance mental health among elderly patients is essential since many suffer from mental health disorders. The program in this case will enhance their mental cognition and functions leading to better lifestyle experience for the target population.

References

• Chiesi, F., Gori, E., Collini, F., Palfrader, A., Galli, R., Guazzini, A., … & Bonaccorsi, G. (2021).
• Biodanza as a Nonpharmacological Dance Movement–Based Treatment in Older People with Alzheimer’s Disease: An Italian Pilot Study in 2 Tuscan Nursing Homes. Holistic Nursing Practice, 35(5), 264-272. DOI: 10.1097/hnp.0000000000000470
• Evripidou, M., Charalambous, A., Middleton, N., & Papastavrou, E. (2019). Nurses’ knowledge and attitudes about dementia care: Systematic literature review. Perspectives in psychiatric care, 55(1), 48-60. doi: 10.1111/ppc.12291.
• Innes, K. E., Selfe, T. K., Brundage, K., Montgomery, C., Wen, S., Kandati, S., … & Huysmans,970. (2018). Effects of meditation and music-listening on blood biomarkers of cellular aging and Alzheimer’s disease in adults with subjective cognitive decline: An exploratory randomized clinical trial. Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, 66(3), 947-970. doi: 10.3233/JAD-180164.
• Singh, N. N., Lancioni, G. E., Medvedev, O. N., Sreenivas, S., Myers, R. E., & Hwang, Y. S. (2019). Meditation on the soles of the feet practice provides some control of aggression for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Mindfulness, 10(7), 1232-1242. https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/facpubs/4362
• Swan, B. A., Haas, S., & Jessie, A. T. (2019). Care coordination: roles of registered nurses across the care continuum. Nursing Economics, 37(6), 317-323.  https://jdc.jefferson.edu/nursfp/101

Read Also:

NURS 6050 Discussion: Professional Nursing and State-Level Regulations

NURS 6050 Discussion 1: Evidence Base in Design

NURS 6050 Discussion 2: The Role of the RN/APRN in Policy-Making

Advocating for the Nursing Role in Program Design and Implementation

Question 1

One of the most frequently handled infections in the nursing home is UTI. This infection poses problems regarding its proper treatment administration.  I work for an organization with 36 long-term care facilities, all under the same upper corporate management, although they function differently. I have been in charge of my facilities’ infection control for the last three years, and in this period, I have witnessed the outrageous number of UTI infections reported. About 70% of all the total reported infection cases in my facility are UTI cases.

We are looking to develop a health care program that will ensure that there is a reduction of inappropriate antibiotics used to deal with these cases. This initiative achieved quite remarkable success when rolled out in my facility, significantly reducing the infections rates. Therefore, I am looking to have it rolled out in the rest of our facilities. The primary focus of this initiative is to ensure patients with UTI are prescribed the appropriate antibiotics as we rid the non-effective ones to decrease the number of UTI cases.

The costs projected in this project are traveling and training material costs as I will have to travel to all our 36 facilities and train all the nursing practitioners and staff.

Question 2

The program targets the elderly in our long-term care facilities. Several research studies indicate that they are the most at-risk populations to contracting urinary tract infections.

Question 3 &4

We, as nurses, will conduct assessment and Request (SBAR) for the patients with symptoms of UTI rather than randomly requesting physicians to provide urinalysis on the patient’s samples. In essence, the program will ensure that inappropriate antibiotics used to treat UTIs are disposed of, which will improve the effectiveness of the appropriate antibiotics among patients. In addition, nurses will work with other professionals in the healthcare facilities to prescribe the right antibiotics to UTI patients.

A design example is as follows:

All the nursing staff at each of our training facilities will be acquainted with UTI classic symptoms and told to watch out for any of these symptoms inpatient analysis.

• 100or 2.4 increase above baseline
• New delirium onset
• Rigors
• New Flank tenderness/pain

All NPs will submit their forms to me since I am the infection control nurse. I will ensure all criteria are adequately satisfied, after which the nurses can now notify the respective clinicians.

Question 5

As previously stated, my target population includes the older adults who are accommodated in nursing homes since these facilities top the list for harmful antibiotics resistant infection strain breeding grounds. We will eliminate the unneeded antibiotics that might become resistant and provide new and appropriate antibiotics for UTI.

Question 6

All tool kit forms for any potential UTI cases will be forwarded to me, after which my and health team members and I will discuss the appropriate follow-up for the cases.

I will ensure that every UTI case suspect will be properly and adequately assessed, after which the appropriate implementation will follow. For instance, if the resident exhibits behavior not linked or related to UTI, they will be thoroughly assessed, and possible implementation procedures identified before contacting the physicians.

Question 7

The essential team members are the practitioners who prescribe the UTI antibiotics. We will email each practitioner to inform them that “based on recent clinical guidelines developed with the nursing home, some modifications will be made on the protocols around urinalysis for optimal antibiotic use in treating UTI. Nurses will be provided with a toolkit SBAR that will be followed before contacting clinicians.”

The nursing care team, Nursing Directors, registered nurses, nursing assistants, and licensed practical nurses are the target healthcare members involved in the program.

Question 8, 9 &10

The nurse will be tasked with coming up with a program that focuses on identifying the inappropriate antibiotics to which the patient can develop resistance and getting rid of them.

We will achieve it by working with other health care professionals to prescribe the correct antibiotic treatment to each UTI patient.

Question 11&12

Nursing staff will have to follow and implement the Suspected UTI SBAR toolkit. This toolkit form will include the initiated antibiotic’s minimum criteria.  For example, if a patient does not show indwelling catheter signs, we will look at fever or at least one of the following new or worsening symptoms; costovertebral angle tenderness, suprapubic gross hematuria, and urinary incontinence. If the patient shows Indwelling catheters, we will look for fever, or at least one of the following; rigors, new costovertebral tenderness, new delirium onset. Resistant antibiotics can become harmful to a patient.

Finally, Strong leadership plays a critical role in transforming the health care system. In the nursing field, leaders need to perform and develop excellent and efficient health care programs. Leadership varies from the boardroom to bedside care. Therefore, Nurses should partner with health professionals with high-quality care delivery.

Rubric Detail