Nursing Practice Standards and Policies for Healthcare Technology, Care Coordination, and Use of Community Resources

 

Comprehensive nursing practice standards and policies greatly influence technology employment, care coordination, and community resource utilization. These components are interconnected and crucial for effective and efficient patient care.  ANA standards support using health care technology, such as Electronic Health Records (EHRs), for evidence-based care, provided patient privacy is ensured. Similarly, HIPAA guidelines safeguard the security and confidentiality of health information, especially in digital forms like EHRs and telehealth (Keshta & Odeh, 2020). ANA standards advocate for patient-centered care coordination, promoting shared decision-making and seamless care transitions. Compliant with this, care coordinated for patients will ensure all decisions will be made together with patients and communication among healthcare providers will be smooth. HIPAA policies will further guide this by providing that any communication involving the patient’s health information will be done securely, respecting their privacy (American Nurses Association, 2020).

According to ANA, nurses must identify and connect with community resources to support patient care. Similarly, HIPAA underlines that patients’ consent should be obtained and their privacy ensured while sharing information with community resources. Therefore, appropriate community resources will be identified in patient care, and patient data will be shared with them securely, adhering to all privacy standards  (Edemekong et al., 2022). These standards and policies guide actions in a way that ensures quality care, respects patient privacy, and considers the cost to the systems and individuals. They will shape the approach to addressing care problems and guide future interactions with healthcare technology, care coordination, and utilization of community resources.

The core principles of nursing ethics, including autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, and justice, play a critical role in the decision-making process concerning the adoption of health technologies, choices in care coordination, and the utilization of community resources (Varkey, 2021). These ethical principles serve as a compass in ensuring patient-centered care, judicious use of resources, and the welfare of the patient, in this case, John. Applying these ethical principles guides care providers in their professional practice and ensures that patient choices, rights, and interests are safeguarded.

The conscientious application of nursing ethics also aids in bridging the gaps between legislative requirements and everyday nursing practices, ensuring that the execution of care, technology use, or community resource exploitation aligns with both the legal framework and the general welfare of the patient. Further interactions with John’s healthcare team provide the additional insight necessary for his care, and every hour spent, such as the two practicum hours recorded, will be carefully documented in the Capella Academic Portal Volunteer Experience Form, demonstrating adherence to professional guidelines and accountability.

Conclusion

In conclusion, managing obesity requires a multifaceted and integrated approach, particularly in children like 10-year-old John. Technology in healthcare, particularly electronic health records, can play a critical role in monitoring progress and coordinating care between different health professionals. Following the American Nurses Association’s standards and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act’s guidelines will ensure this technology’s ethical and practical use to protect patient information while enhancing care. Moreover, being aware of and implementing local, state, and federal policies can positively impact the efficiency and effectiveness of patient care. In John’s case, regulations and guidelines on telehealth, for instance, can allow for a consistent approach when managing his health condition even from afar.

Simultaneously, integrating community resources can contribute to John’s well-being by making necessary interventions and support more accessible. Always at the forefront of every decision is the adherence to nursing ethics, which ensures that our approach to employing these resources is focused on John’s best interest. In essence, effectively addressing John’s clinical obesity requires technology, care coordination, and community resources underpinned with the highest ethical standards in nursing. With these factors working harmoniously and by policies and guidelines, we ensure not just John’s safety but also his potential for improved health in the long term.

 References 

American Nurses Association. (2020). Care Coordination and Registered Nurses’ Essential Role. ANA.