Technology to Improve Outcomes

Technology to Improve Outcomes

Overview

Prepare a 3–4-page report on new technologies available to rural health care providers for post-hospitalization follow-up care and monitoring. In your report, summarize the issues, identify and explain technologies, and recommend evidence-based strategies to improve outcomes.

By successfully completing this assessment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and assessment criteria:

· Competency 1: Evaluate scholarly nursing literature that supports evidence-based nursing practice.

1. Support the recommendations for new technologies with evidence-based research.

. Competency 2: Explain ways to promote safe, quality, evidence-based care to populations and communities in health care environments.

2. Summarize the issue(s) facing rural health care providers’ efforts to deliver quality care.

. Competency 3: Identify information management tools and technologies to monitor and improve outcomes.

3. Explain the use of information management tools and technologies to monitor and improve outcomes.

3. Recommend three new technologies that improve patient outcomes for patients in rural settings.

. Competency 4: Communicate in a manner that is consistent with expectations of nursing professionals.

4. Write content clearly and logically, with correct use of grammar, punctuation, and mechanics.

4. Correctly format citations and references using APA style.

Context

Rural clinics and health care settings have unique challenges that result in serious disparities. Physical isolation along with economic, cultural, and social differences can greatly affect rural Americans’ ability to lead healthy lives. Residents in rural communities have greater transportation problems, often having to drive great distances to reach medical care. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (2011), “Only about 10 percent of physicians practice in rural America, despite the fact that nearly one-fifth of the population lives in these areas” (para. 1).

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) contains provisions aimed at addressing provider shortages in rural areas, but progress is slow. In an effort to improve access to care for rural Americans, telehealth networks are being increasingly used to connect patients. Health care providers in remote locations are seeking models for practice that use new technologies to help close the gap between caregiver and patient (National Conference of State Legislature, 2011).

Reference

National Conference of State Legislatures. (2011). Telehealth and rural health care delivery. Retrieved from: http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/telehealth-and-rural-health-care-delivery.aspx

Questions to Consider

To deepen your understanding, you are encouraged to consider the questions below and discuss them with a fellow learner, a work associate, an interested friend, or a member of your professional community.

. What unique challenges do health care providers face in rural areas?

. What chronic health conditions require monitoring and reporting?

. How can technology increase access to specialists? What are the benefits and limitations?

. Besides funding, what other barriers prevent providers from adopting new technologies that increase access to care?

. What time and budget allowances should be considered for in-service and competency testing to implement new technologies?

Resources

Suggested Resources

The following optional resources are provided to support you in completing the assessment or to provide a helpful context. For additional resources, refer to the Research Resources and Supplemental Resources in the left navigation menu of your courseroom.

Click the links provided below to view the following multimedia pieces.

. APA Citation: Citing a Journal Article | Transcript.

. APA Citation: Citing a Book | Transcript.

Library Resources

The following e-books or articles from the Capella University Library are linked directly in this course:

. Kronenfeld, J. J. (Ed.). (2014). Technology, communication, disparities and government options in health and health care services . Bingley, England: Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

. Jones, M., Martinez, L., Muyambi, K., & Murison, J. (2015). Supporting rural mental health practitioners to practice evidence based care. Australian Nursing and Midwifery Journal, 23(4), 42.

. Traynor, K. (2011). Health care reform means challenges, opportunities in rural areas. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 68(2), 102–104.

. Hirakawa, Y. (2014). Current situation and challenges surrounding the communication gap among health-care professionals: Outlook of rural health-care professionals and medical students. Journal of Rural Medicine, 9(1), 43–44.

. Peate, I. (2013). Health care technologies and working with rural communities. Journal of Paramedic Practice, 5(11), 610–611.

. Baird, L. M. G., & Miller, T. (2015). Factors influencing evidence-based practice for community nurses. British Journal of Community Nursing, 20(5), 233–242.

. Johansson, A. M., Söderberg, S., & Lindberg, I. (2014). Views of residents of rural areas on accessibility to specialist care through videoconference. Technology and Health Care, 22(1), 147–155.

. Carrington, J. M., & Tiase, V. L. (2013). Nursing informatics year in review. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 37(2), 136–143.

. Dykes, P. C., & Collins, S. A. (2013). Building linkages between nursing care and improved patient outcomes: The role of health information technology. Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 18(3), 19–32.

. Granger, B. B., Zhao, Y., Rogers, J., Miller, C., Gilliss, C. L., & Champagne, M. (2013). The language of data: Tools to translate evidence for nurses in clinical practice. Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, 29(6), 294–300.

Library Guides

For assistance when researching general nursing topics, refer to the Nursing (BSN) Library Research Guide.

In addition, a unique Capella University library guide has been created specifically for your use in this course. You are encouraged to refer to the resources in the BSN-FP4001 – Orientation to Baccalaureate Nursing Library Guide to help direct your research.

Internet Resources

Access the following resources by clicking the links provided. Please note that URLs change frequently. Permissions for the following links have been either granted or deemed appropriate for educational use at the time of course publication.

. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (n.d.). Electronic medical record systems. Retrieved from http://healthit.ahrq.gov/key-topics/electronic-medical-record-systems

. Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.ehnac.org/

. International Council of Nurses. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.icn.ch/

25. The ICN site includes information on the International Classification for Nursing Practice (ICNP), the unified nursing language system. Its numerous links provide background information, news, guidelines, and fact sheets.

. The Markel Foundation. (n.d.). Health. Retrieved from http://www.markle.org/health

26. You may use the search function to find relevant articles related to electronic health records and personal health records.

. National Academy of Science. (n.d.). Institute of Medicine. Retrieved from http://www.iom.edu/

. Rural Health Information Hub. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.raconline.org

Bookstore Resources

The resources listed below are relevant to the topics and assessments in this course and are not required. Unless noted otherwise, these materials are available for purchase from the Capella University Bookstore. When searching the bookstore, be sure to look for the Course ID with the specific –FP(FlexPath) course designation.

. Blais, K., & Hayes, J. (2016). Professional nursing practice: Concepts and perspectives (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

29. Chapter 16, “Technology and Infomatics.”

29. Chapter 17, “Nursing in an Evolving Health Care System.”

Assessment Instructions

Preparation

Search the Internet for scholarly and professional peer-reviewed articles on medical technology used to manage patients post-hospitalization. You will need at least three articles to use as support for your work on this assessment.

Directions

Assume you work in a rural health care center. The facility just received a generous grant from a health care foundation. The funds from this grant must be used to acquire new technologies to foster better health outcomes for residents who live in remote areas. The Director of Nursing has formed a committee to research types of patient care technologies that are available to manage and monitor patients upon their release from care. You have been asked to look into the different types of technologies available for patients who are discharged from the hospital and cannot travel hundreds of miles for frequent follow-up appointments. You were also asked to provide evidence-based research to support your selections.

Write a 3–4 page report for the committee that provides your findings:

. Summarize the issues facing rural health care providers’ efforts to deliver quality care.

. Explain the use of information management tools and technologies to monitor and improve outcomes.

. Recommend three new technologies that improve patient outcomes post-hospitalization, in rural settings.

. Support your recommendations for new technologies with evidence-based research.

Format this report following current APA style, paying close attention to headings and subheadings, paragraph structure, and proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation.

Additional Requirements

Your report should meet the following criteria:

. Contain between 750–1000 words (3–4 pages).

. Include a minimum of 3 references. (These must be recent, from within the past five years.)

. Be double-spaced in Times New Roman font, 12 point.