People I Met With and Lessons Learned
The following section highlights my experience during the first two practicum hours, where I met with the hypertensive patient, their family, and several physicians. The individuals shared their experiences with the condition and the management techniques. From the session, I discovered that the patient was taking three hypertensive medications and had some side effects. Additionally, I found that the client had been hospitalized two times due to hypertensive-related problems. The client expressed frustration since they could not afford the medication. However, through consultations with the physicians, I learned that the insurance covered cost of drugs for hypertensive patients.
Evidence-Based Practice Documents
I reviewed several evidence-based practice documents related to hypertension. These sources provided insightful information on medications available to manage the condition, their effectiveness, their side effects, and adverse effects. Moreover, these sources provided insight into lifestyle and dietary changes essential for hypertension management. I discovered numerous drugs for the treatment of hypertension, all of which have different degrees of efficacy and adverse effects. Additionally, I found that altering one’s lifestyle, like eating balanced meals, exercising frequently, and dealing with stress, is crucial for managing hypertension and can lessen the need for medication (Valenzuela et al., 2021). Admittedly, it was essential understanding different views regarding the management of hypertension.
Effect of Leadership, Collaboration, Communication, Change Management, and Policy
While exploring the problem, I discovered that strong leadership, collaboration, effective communication, change management, and policy change were essential for addressing the issue. I employed my leadership skills by guiding the family through understanding the risks and impacts of hypertension. I was able to cooperate with the family to identify available options for the management of the condition, such as dietary modifications. Effective communication enables smooth interaction with the family and promotes comprehension of the disease. I emphasized the importance of change management to ensure the family supported the patient. Throughout the process, I discussed the need for policy changes to reduce the incidence of the disease. The policy change would involve advocating for an increase in the availability of healthcare resources.
Barriers Encountered
The most significant obstacle I encountered when interacting with the family was their knowledge deficit of the ailment and the potential implications of its progression. They were, therefore, unaware of the dangers of hypertension and the necessity of efficient actions to lower the likelihood of developing the condition. It also implied that they were unaware of the possible financial impact the disease could have on their family’s finances. The family agreed with my ideas by giving them thorough information on the risks associated with hypertension. Moreover, they agreed with my thoughts by emphasizing the necessity for efficient measures to lower the likelihood of having the disease.
Overcoming the Barriers
During my interaction with the family, I used effective leadership, communication, change management, and policy skills to overcome potential barriers. I gave the family clear and straightforward leadership by assisting them in comprehending the issue and identifying the options that might be used to lower their likelihood of developing hypertension. Effective communication was crucial during my encounter with them to ensure that the family was utterly aware of the risks connected with hypertension and the potential financial implications of the issue. Furthermore, I reassured them that any dietary adjustments or other interventions would help lower their risk of contracting the illness.
I was able to work with the family to determine the alternatives they had for lowering their risk of developing hypertension. I emphasized the significance of using change management techniques during investigating the issue to guarantee that the family was supported in their attempts to lower their risk of acquiring hypertension. I discussed the need for policy changes that may reduce the prevalence of hypertension, such as expanding access to medical resources and launching public awareness campaigns to inform people of the possible risks associated with hypertension.
Changes to the Definition of the Problem and What Could be Done Differently
Based on the discussion, I modified my definition of the issue to emphasize the significance of dietary changes, medication compliance, and patient education as critical elements for the effective management of hypertension. I further emphasized potential policy improvements that could enhance care and support services access results. I could have done better by providing individualized attention to the family members involved. As each person had different experiences and needs, offering more tailored advice and recommendations could have been advantageous. I also should have looked more closely at the possibility of policy changes to increase access to care for people with hypertension.
Impact and Consistency of Evidence with Nursing Practice
In the US, hypertension is one of the main reasons for morbidity and mortality. It is one of the most prevalent chronic illnesses treated in primary care, affecting more than 32% of grown-ups (Singer, 2019). The severity of hypertension has a substantial impact on the standard of care and patient safety. The risk of stroke, coronary heart disease, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and early death is increased by hypertension, and each of these conditions can have a major impact on patient care and outcomes (Tackling & Borhade, 2022). Untreated hypertension can trigger a series of expensive and potentially harmful outcomes. According to Udayakumar (2022), hypertension causes an economic burden to the US at an estimated $48.6 billion, with much of the cost directed to its management. This has cost ramifications for both the system and the individuals who must pay for their own medical care and prescription drugs. Stephen et al. (2022) examined the effectiveness and affordability of therapies to lower blood pressure in adults with hypertension through a systematic review and meta-analysis. The potential for nurse-led treatments in general practice to lower risks for cardiovascular disease and raise blood pressure is significant. What I have observed in my nursing profession is supported by this evidence. I have had the chance to help patients with their hypertension as part of my professional responsibilities as a primary care nurse. I have witnessed firsthand how a combination of drug therapy and lifestyle changes can lower blood pressure and minimize the risk of developing medical issues like heart disease and stroke.
State Board Nursing Practice Standards
State board nursing practice significantly impacts the quality of care, patient safety, and costs to an individual. The American Nurses Association’s (ANA) Standards of Practice for Nurses Working with Hypertensive Individuals offer an overview of the values and skills nurses should consider when caring for clients (Goodwin University, 2022). These guidelines address clinical management, teaching and counseling, health assessment, referral, and collaboration. They also stress the value of patient support and education in promoting self-management.
Effectiveness of Standards on Care Quality, Patient Safety, and Cost to the Individual
The effectiveness of organizational or governmental policies on care quality, patient safety, and costs to the system and individuals linked with hypertension has been the subject of numerous research. Laban (2020) utilized a quasi-experimental approach to examine how effective nurse-led hypertension programs addressed the causative factors of hypertension. In a study by Estrada et al. (2022), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference, and body mass index were all considerably lower in the intervention than in the control group. In addition, the measure significantly reduced the cost of medical care. Similarly, Lee et al. (2022) examined how nurse-led patient care interventions affected older persons with hypertension’s ability to control their blood pressure. The authors discovered that nurse-led treatments improved blood pressure management and decreased hospitalizations for cardiovascular events. According to these results, nurse-led interventions are crucial for enhancing patient safety, lowering costs to the system and the individual associated with hypertension, and increasing care quality.
How Standards Will Guide My Actions
My actions in addressing care quality, patient safety, and costs to the system and individual shall be guided by the state board of nursing practice standards and institutional or governmental policies relating to hypertension. These guidelines give my practice a foundation while I treat hypertensive patients. The standards stress the significance of measuring blood pressure, educating and coaching patients about lifestyle changes, and working with other medical specialists. I will use the guidelines to guide for implementation of evidence-based interventions. Additionally, they offer advice on identifying at-risk groups and communicating hypertension control objectives.
Effect of Federal Policies on the Nursing Scope of Practice
Regarding hypertension care, local, state, and federal rules and legislation may impact the nursing scope of practice. The Nursing Practice Act in my state contains a detailed description of the laws governing nurse practice (Huynh & Haddad, 2022). This Act explains the range of nursing practice, including the diagnosis and treatment of hypertension. The Act also specifies the counseling and training procedures nurses must carry out when treating patients with hypertension.
Strategies to Improve Quality of Care
Adopting evidence-based protocols, collaborating with the population, and incorporating technology can improve care quality. Hypertension control has been improved by using evidence-based protocols and guidelines (DiPette et al., 2020; Frieden et al., 2019). Using standards and recommendations can also improve patient safety, lower healthcare delivery costs, and lower the likelihood of medical errors. The burden of hypertension on patients can be lessened by incorporating technology into care delivery, such as minimizing the need for frequent medical visits (Bilal et al., 2018). Technology can also make remote healthcare accessible, allowing people with hypertension to receive treatment at home, saving money on travel expenses, and enhancing patient safety. It is also possible to use population health initiatives to lessen the impact of hypertension on patients and the entire healthcare system. These tactics may include promoting healthy lifestyle choices to the general public, improving access to care for underserved groups, and putting in place public health programs to lower the prevalence of hypertension in the general population.
Many studies have evaluated the efficacy of the above measures in addressing care quality, patient safety, and costs to the system and individuals. According to a study by Estrada et al. (2022), the nurse-led intervention program enhanced the patient’s awareness of healthy behaviors, raised the patient’s understanding of hypertension, and decreased the patient’s body mass index, waist circumference, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Moreover, Kumar et al. (2022) investigated the utility of telehealth technology for the therapy of hypertension in a systematic review. The authors discovered that telehealth technologies successfully raised health standards and brought down medical expenses. The convenience and accessibility of the service and improved communication with healthcare professionals were also found to improve patient satisfaction.
Source of Benchmark Data
The National Quality Forum (NQF) is an organization that establishes and implements national performance goals and plans for improving the safety and quality of healthcare. The NQF offers summaries of reports and statistics on several quality indicators, including patient outcomes, preventive programs, and care coordination (Namburi & Lee, 2019). This information can be utilized in he evaluation of effectiveness of care, patient safety, and the financial impact of hypertension on the system and the individual. Data on the prevalence, morbidity, mortality, and financial burden of hypertension in the United States are also provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2020). The influence of hypertension on healthcare quality, patient safety, and system and individual costs can be evaluated using this data.
References
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