NHS FPX 6004 Assessment 3 Training Session for Policy Implementation NHS-FPX 6004 Health Care Law and Policy ​​​​​​​Training Session for Policy Implementation 

Greetings, nurses. My name is ______, and I welcome you all to today’s training session on policy implementation. Today’s session focuses on presenting the policy and practice guidelines proposed for Mercy Medical Center (MMC) to address the underperforming benchmark of foot examinations for diabetic patients. This session is essential for you as nurses to ensure the successful development and implementation of the policy and practice guidelines, improving clinical outcomes and organizational performance. 

Session Objectives 

The objectives of the presentation are as follows:

1. Discuss the proposed policy and practice guidelines. 
2. Elaborate on evidence-based strategies to collaborate with nurses for successful implementation. 
3. Describe the implementation process and the impact on nurses’ roles and responsibilities. 
4. Discuss the importance of the policy and practice guidelines to improve the quality of care and clinical outcomes. 
5. Explain nurses’ role in successful implementation. 
6. Determine effective learning content, activities, and materials for the training session. 

Proposed Policy and Practice Guidelines 

Evaluating MMC metrics against established benchmarks revealed an underperformance in all diabetic screening tests – eye, foot, and HBA1c. However, our proposal specifically covered foot examination as a significant aspect of diabetic screening to prevent diabetic neuropathy and leg amputation. We developed a succinct policy based on guidelines established by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA). The proposed policy is as follows: 

“The organization must conduct annual comprehensive foot examinations for type I and type II diabetic patients to recognize the predictive factors for foot ulcers and diabetic neuropathy. These examinations should include foot inspection, checking for the pulses, and testing foot sensations” (CMS, n.d.). 

Furthermore, some practice guidelines are developed to ensure healthcare providers have a blueprint for successful comprehensive foot examinations. These practice guidelines include patients’ history and general exam, neuropathy assessment, vascular assessment, and referral/follow-up. Patient history and general examination involved healthcare professionals (physicians and nurses) in gathering sufficient data about past ulcerations and leg amputations, along with gathering data about previous incidences of peripheral vascular disease.

NHS FPX 6004 Assessment 3 Training Session for Policy Implementation

Moreover, assessing patients’ renal function is imperative to recognize the signs of disease progression and examine patients’ feet to identify deformities. Neuropathy assessment checks foot sensations using tuning fork vibration, ankle reflexes, and Vibration Perception Threshold (VPT). Next, the vascular assessment involves the evaluation of foot pulses to identify the signs of diabetic neuropathy and lack of tissue perfusion (ADA, n.d.). 

Based on these assessments, healthcare providers should decide whether the patient needs a referral or a follow-up according to the risk categories (RC). While RC 0 indicates zero risk of diabetic neuropathy, which means an annual examination will manage patients’ health condition, RC 1 is defined as losing protective sensation. Patients must receive an examination every three to six months. Additionally, RC 2 reflects sensation loss, deformities, and peripheral vascular disease.

This situation requires healthcare professionals to conduct tests every two to three months and refer patients to a vascular specialist. Lastly, RC 3 demonstrates that the patient has a previous history of ulceration or amputation and must get a foot examination by experts every 1-2 months (ADA, n.d; Nduati et al., 2022).

Evidence-based Strategies to Gauge Nurses’ Buy-in

Let us discuss the evidence-based strategies to actively involve nurses in successfully implementing the policy and practice guidelines. These strategies effectively garner nurses’ buy-in, improving clinical outcomes and organizational performance. Open communication channels, peer mentorship programs, and recognition and incentives programs are three distinct and effective strategies to achieve desired outcomes. 

• Open Communication Channels: Skumsnes et al. (2023) claim the effectiveness of open communication channels, such as regular meetings and technological mediums, to enhance care coordination and promote providers’ engagement in the process. These channels will encourage nurses to