To investigate & integrate knowledge of advanced nursing practice, scholarly inquiry, & leadership by examining a policy at the level of clinical practice, health care systems, or public/social health policy. Students are to submit a paper between 5-8 pages long excluding title page and reference pages. Paper must be organized according to the guidelines below and should include all the identified sections as required. Paper must be completed in APA format and contain current scholarly sources dated from .
Introduction:
Advanced nursing practice is a crucial component of healthcare systems as it involves the integration of knowledge, skills, and competencies to provide high-quality and evidence-based care. In addition to the clinical aspect, advanced nursing practice also requires a comprehensive understanding of policy, scholarly inquiry, and leadership. This paper aims to investigate and integrate knowledge of advanced nursing practice by examining a policy at the level of clinical practice, health care systems, or public/social health policy.
Policy Selection:
For the purpose of this assignment, the policy selected is the implementation of electronic health records (EHRs) in healthcare systems. EHRs have become increasingly prevalent in healthcare settings as they are believed to improve patient care, increase efficiency, and reduce errors. This policy has significant implications for advanced nursing practice as it influences the way nurses provide care, utilize information, and participate in interdisciplinary collaboration.
Impact on Clinical Practice:
The implementation of EHRs has a profound impact on clinical practice. It allows for standardized documentation, which enhances continuity of care and facilitates communication among healthcare providers. Nurses can access and update patient information in real-time, ensuring accurate and up-to-date data. This promotes evidence-based practice and enables nurses to make informed clinical decisions. Moreover, EHRs enable nurses to generate and analyze data, contributing to improved patient outcomes through evidence-based research.
However, the utilization of EHRs also presents challenges. Nurses may experience a learning curve in using the new system, requiring training and ongoing support. Furthermore, issues with interoperability and system integration may hinder seamless communication among different healthcare organizations. Despite these challenges, the overall impact of EHRs on clinical practice is positive, as it enhances patient safety, quality of care, and efficiency.
Impact on Healthcare Systems:
The implementation of EHRs has transformative effects on healthcare systems. For instance, it allows for the collection and analysis of large-scale data, facilitating population health research and promoting evidence-based policy decisions. Moreover, EHRs improve care coordination among healthcare providers, reducing duplication of services and enhancing patient transitions across different settings. This can result in cost savings for healthcare systems by preventing unnecessary hospital admissions and emergency room visits.
EHRs also enable the integration of clinical decision support systems, which provide nurses with evidence-based guidelines and alerts, promoting adherence to best practices. This can lead to improved clinical outcomes and increased patient satisfaction. Additionally, EHRs facilitate the measurement of key performance indicators and monitoring of quality metrics, supporting healthcare systems in assessing and improving the quality of care provided.
Despite these benefits, there are also challenges associated with the implementation of EHRs in healthcare systems. One major challenge is the initial financial investment required for infrastructure, training, and ongoing maintenance of the system. Additionally, concerns about data security and privacy have been raised, necessitating stringent protocols and policies to ensure the protection of patient information. Healthcare organizations must also address issues related to user satisfaction, workflow integration, and resistance to change among healthcare providers.
Impact on Public/Social Health Policy:
The utilization of EHRs has implications for public and social health policy. By collating and analyzing population data, EHRs contribute to the identification of health trends and surveillance of disease outbreaks. This allows policymakers to make informed decisions regarding public health interventions, resource allocation, and healthcare planning. Furthermore, EHRs enable the sharing of patient data across different healthcare organizations, supporting continuity of care and facilitating care transitions.
However, the implementation of EHRs also raises ethical considerations. Issues related to patient consent, confidentiality, and data ownership need to be addressed to protect patient rights and privacy. Policies must be in place to ensure that patient information is used appropriately and securely. Additionally, health disparities in the access and utilization of EHRs need to be addressed to ensure equitable healthcare delivery.
Conclusion:
The implementation of electronic health records has a significant impact on advanced nursing practice, healthcare systems, and public/social health policy. While there are challenges associated with this policy, the overall benefits in terms of improved patient care, efficiency, and evidence-based practice outweigh the obstacles. It is imperative for nurses to understand the potential of EHRs and actively engage in their implementation and utilization to enhance the quality and safety of healthcare delivery.