NURS-FPX 6612 Health Care Models Used in Care Coordination ​​​​​​​Quality Improvement Proposal

 

Introduction

In the pursuit of delivering high-quality healthcare while enhancing patient safety, healthcare organizations should aim to qualify as Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs). This designation not only boosts patient confidence in managing their health needs but also reduces hospital costs and offers superior healthcare solutions. Evidence-based approaches, such as care plans, have been effective in improving patient outcomes while decreasing expenses, making ACOs well-positioned to utilize care plans in managing patients’ complex healthcare requirements (Fraze et al., 2020).

Success of ACOs in Delivering Quality Healthcare

ACOs have shown success in providing quality healthcare to patients with depression, effectively reducing preventable hospitalizations. A comparison between ACO and non-ACO hospitals indicates significantly lower rates of preventable hospitalizations in ACO-affiliated healthcare settings (Barath et al., 2020).

Enhanced Quality and Safety Outcomes within ACOs

The establishment of coordinated medical care for the broader community and population has led to improved quality and safety outcomes for patients within ACOs. These organizations are specifically designed to address the cost and quality of healthcare services provided to patients, with all stakeholders sharing responsibility for delivering affordable care while minimizing waste (Moy et al., 2020).

Recommendations for Expanding Health Information Technology (HIT)

Importance of HIT in Healthcare

Health Information Technology (HIT) is crucial for delivering high-quality, cost-effective healthcare. It enhances data access, streamlines information retrieval, and provides comprehensive insights into patients’ complex health needs through data analytics. Each patient’s health records, managed via a unique Medical Registration Number (MRN), enable better healthcare planning and improved patient outcomes at reduced hospitalization costs.

Comprehensive Expansion of HIT

To meet the healthcare needs of patients comprehensively, HIT should be expanded across all healthcare settings. A user-friendly system should facilitate timely patient care, allowing patients access to their health charts via mobile applications and healthcare staff access through hospital site computers, with remote access available via hospital databases.

Illustrative Case and Importance of HIT

For example, a patient like Caroline McGlade benefits from HIT by effectively managing her health records and potential diagnoses, contributing to improved patient outcomes (Alaei et al., 2019).