NURS-FPX 6612 Health Care Models Used in Care Coordination
Quality Improvement Proposal
In pursuit of the goal to deliver high-quality healthcare while enhancing patient safety, healthcare organizations should strive to qualify as Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). Such a designation instills greater confidence in patients as they manage their health needs, all while reducing hospital costs and providing superior healthcare solutions. Evidence-based approaches, such as care plans, have proven effective in improving patient outcomes while reducing expenses. ACOs are ideally positioned to leverage care plans in managing the complex healthcare requirements of patients (Fraze et al., 2020).
ACOs have demonstrated success in delivering quality healthcare to patients with depression and have effectively reduced preventable hospitalizations. A comparison between ACO and non-ACO hospitals reveals significantly lower rates of preventable hospitalizations in ACO-affiliated healthcare settings (Barath et al., 2020).
The establishment of coordinated medical care for the broader community and population has led to improved quality and safety outcomes for patients within ACOs. Accountable Care Organizations are specifically designed to address the cost and quality of healthcare services provided to patients. In ACO healthcare settings, all stakeholders share responsibility for delivering affordable care while minimizing waste (Moy et al., 2020).
This assessment recommends expanding an organization’s Health Information Technology (HIT) to incorporate quality metrics. It delineates the primary focus of information gathering and how it contributes to guiding organizational practice. Additionally, it identifies potential challenges that may arise within data-gathering systems.
Recommendations for Expanding HIT
Health Information Technology (HIT) is essential for delivering high-quality, cost-effective healthcare. HIT enhances access to data, streamlines information retrieval, and provides healthcare practitioners and caregivers with comprehensive insights into patients’ complex health needs through data analytics. Each patient’s health records are meticulously managed via a unique Medical Registration Number (MRN). Electronic folders, containing detailed examinations and prescribed medications, are accessible to all healthcare staff, including doctors, paramedics, and nurses, enabling better healthcare planning and improved patient outcomes at reduced hospitalization costs.
To ensure that healthcare organizations meet the healthcare needs of their patients, HIT should be expanded comprehensively across all facets of healthcare settings. A user-friendly and accessible system should be designed to facilitate timely patient care. Patients can access their health charts and detailed examinations via mobile applications, while healthcare staff can access patient portfolios through hospital site computers, with remote access available via hospital databases.
For instance, consider a case like that of Caroline McGlade, a 61-year-old woman whose Electronic Health Record (EHR) contains information about her medical history, laboratory examinations, and a potential breast cancer diagnosis. Health information technologies play a pivotal role in effectively managing and providing nursing care, ultimately contributing to the desired quality improvement in patient outcomes (Alaei et al., 2019).
Focus on Information Gathering and Guiding Organizational Development
The primary objective of information gathering is to deliver high-quality healthcare to patients at reduced costs while addressing complex healthcare needs. Data collection, informatics, and analytics enable caregivers to plan more effectively, eliminating redundancies in hospital databases. Organizations have evolved through the progressive implementation of database-driven changes. A robust and dedicated health system now serves every individual, resulting in significantly improved patient outcomes and employee efficiency. Healthcare staff have gained greater control over their achievements and performance, with access to performance charts and projected growth. Employees can provide feedback on their job satisfaction levels and make inquiries during work hours.
While monitoring and managing healthcare databases present challenges, their effectiveness is crucial for organizational development within ACO hospitals. Artificial Intelligence and advanced information and communication technologies hold the potential to provide better solutions for healthcare, particularly in nursing informatics (Robert, 2019).
Problems with Data Gathering
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