m

co
Assessment 2: Assessing the Problem: Quality, Safety, and Cost

s.
Considerations

ce
Student Name

Capella University

i
rv
Course Name
se
Prof Name
ng

FEB 25, 2024

i
rit
W
se
ur
N

Do you need Help to complete your Capella Uni BSN FlexPath Class in 1 Billing?
Call Us Now (612) 234-7670
Email Us Contact@nursewritingservices.com
Website: NurseWritingservices.com
For Free BSN Sample: NurseWritingservices.com/free-Sample
 m
co
s.
i ce
rv
Assessing the Problem: Quality, Safety, and Cost Considerations
se
In this capstone project, we will undertake a thorough examination of the case of John, a
10-year-old patient grappling with clinical obesity. The aim is to delve into the extensive
ramifications of obesity on healthcare quality, patient safety, and the economic burdens borne by
ng

both the patient and the healthcare system. Our primary objective is to scrutinize obesity through
various lenses, encompassing considerations of quality, safety, and economic impact.
i

Furthermore, we will explore how nursing practice standards and organizational or governmental
rit

policies influence the intersection of obesity with care quality, safety, and financial dimensions.
Understanding the ways in which these standards and policies shape the care provided to
W

individuals like John, along with the attendant challenges they pose, is imperative. Ultimately,
we will proffer deliberate strategies aimed at enhancing care quality, bolstering patient safety,
se

and mitigating costs for both the patient and the healthcare institution. Through these measures,
we endeavor to address similar cases more adeptly, with the overarching goal of furnishing
ur

comprehensive, evidence-based care to markedly improve the health outcomes and quality of life
for our patients.
N

Do you need Help to complete your Capella Uni BSN FlexPath Class in 1 Billing?
Call Us Now (612) 234-7670
Email Us Contact@nursewritingservices.com
Website: NurseWritingservices.com
For Free BSN Sample: NurseWritingservices.com/free-Sample
The Impact of Obesity on Care Quality, Patient Safety, and Costs

John's clinical obesity significantly affects the quality of care, patient safety, and costs associated
with the healthcare system and his personal expenses. A more detailed analysis reveals the
following.

Quality of Care

m
John's clinical obesity poses challenges for healthcare providers in delivering high-quality care.
Obesity often accompanies comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease,

co
necessitating a specialized care approach and comprehensive management strategies (Safaei et
al., 2021). This complexity can lead to inconsistencies or delays in care. Moreover, obesity is
linked to psychosocial issues, including depression and anxiety, which can hinder the

s.
effectiveness of medical care. Research also underscores barriers to accessing care for obese
patients, including stigma, discrimination, and inadequately equipped medical facilities (Talumaa

ce
et al., 2022). These factors can impede regular check-ups, early diagnosis, and preventive care
essential for optimal health.

i
Patient Safety
rv
se
Obesity significantly compromises patient safety. Individuals like John face a higher risk of
adverse events such as misdiagnosis due to physical examination limitations, inaccurate drug
ng

dosing, complications from surgeries, and an increased susceptibility to falls (Appeadu &
Bordoni, 2023). An example is the challenges around correct medication dosing, where
complexities related to body fat can result in inaccurate dosages, potentially leading to
i
rit

overdosing or underdosing.
W

System and Individual Costs

se

The economic burden of clinical obesity is substantial for both healthcare systems and individual
patients. Direct medical costs linked to obesity include preventive, diagnostic, and treatment
services (Ling et al., 2022). Obesity-related illnesses contribute to increased hospital admissions
ur

and extended hospital stays, straining healthcare resources. Individually, patients like John bear
the burden of high out-of-pocket expenses, including medication costs, additional co-pays, and
N

surcharges on premiums due to their increased risk status.

Nursing Practice Standards and Policy Impact on Quality of Care, Safety, and Costs: A Literature
Synthesis
Do you need Help to complete your Capella Uni BSN FlexPath Class in 1 Billing?
Call Us Now (612) 234-7670
Email Us Contact@nursewritingservices.com
Website: NurseWritingservices.com
For Free BSN Sample: NurseWritingservices.com/free-Sample
The Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) in California has established comprehensive standards
that significantly influence the quality of care, patient safety, and associated costs in healthcare.
BRN emphasizes the active involvement of registered nurses in preventing and managing
diseases collaboratively with other healthcare teams. For instance, in the context of obesity, BRN
recommends that nurses maintain ongoing education in nutrition and weight management. It also
highlights the need for competent detection of obesity-related complications such as diabetes or
cardiac issues (Backstrom, 2019). These standards aim to enhance the quality of care for obese
patients while ensuring safety by preventing or managing potential complications. Financial

m
costs can also be controlled, avoiding expensive procedures resulting from unmanaged
complications.

co
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) has significantly reduced the financial burdens associated with
obesity-related diseases by prioritizing preventive care and chronic disease management. It

s.
mandates insurance coverage for preventive services, alleviating patients' financial burden. The
ACA also promotes healthy living to prevent the development of severe conditions linked to

ce
obesity, directly impacting cost reduction by averting expensive treatments and hospitalizations
later (Rdesinski et al., 2023). Research supports the effectiveness of these policies; Mylona et al.

i
rv
(2020) documented a decline in obesity-related healthcare costs after ACA implementation,
highlighting the benefits of focusing on preventative care and management.
se
This policy shift has influenced nursing practice by providing a foundation for a more
comprehensive, cost-effective patient care strategy. In the case of a patient like John, this could
ng

involve regular health monitoring, mental health support, patient education on self-management,
and preventive measures to improve care quality and safety and reduce costs. The standards and
i

policies guide nursing practice by shaping patient relationships, enforcing competency standards,
rit

and regulating clinical decision-making. The Nurse's Practice Act dictates the scope of practice,
while federal laws like the ACA influence the delivery of preventive care, reimbursement rates,
W

and respect for patient rights, all significantly impacting the quality of care, patient safety, and
costs for both the system and the individual. These combined influences provide a direction for
se

nurses to offer patients efficient, preventive, and sustainable healthcare.

Effective Strategies for Enhancing Care Quality, Patient Safety, and Cost Efficiency
ur

Strategies to improve the quality of care, enhance patient safety, and reduce costs for John's
N

clinical obesity could include:

Do you need Help to complete your Capella Uni BSN FlexPath Class in 1 Billing?
Call Us Now (612) 234-7670
Email Us Contact@nursewritingservices.com
Website: NurseWritingservices.com
For Free BSN Sample: NurseWritingservices.com/free-Sample
Personalized Care

The concept of personalized care plays a critical role in improving patient care, safety, and
cost-effectiveness in the healthcare system. Addressing patient issues, such as obesity in John's
case, requires a multifaceted approach involving individualized weight loss goals, dietary
changes, a structured and safe physical activity plan, and psychological support. The American
Heart Association emphasizes that personalized care plans consider each individual's unique
health circumstances and requirements. For a non-communicable disease like obesity, this

m
approach could include recommendations for a dietary shift towards lower saturated fats and
higher fruits and vegetables. Regular and progressive physical activity recommended by a

co
physical therapist could be a crucial component of the care plan. This approach can target weight
loss without raising the risk of bodily injury. Recognizing that obesity often coexists with mental
health issues like depression and anxiety, involving a psychologist or a counselor in the care plan

s.
can be advantageous (Lavallee et al., 2021). For personalized care, studies reveal improved
patient engagement and adherence to lifestyle changes, as it considers individual preferences and

ce
capabilities. In obesity management, a customized approach could include tailored diet plans,
exercise regimens, and behavioral therapies, which can all lead to significant and sustainable

i
rv
weight loss (Wadden et al., 2020). This comprehensive approach embodies facets that enhance
patient safety, ensure the quality of care, and empower the patient toward better health outcomes.
se
Telehealth Services
ng

Telehealth services are becoming increasingly important in managing obesity, facilitating crucial
elements such as remote patient monitoring, nutrition counseling, mental support, and physical
activity strategies. In the case of John, an individual struggling with obesity, telehealth can
i
rit

deliver varied advantages. Frequent virtual meetings allow healthcare experts to remotely track
patients' weight and critical health indicators, adjusting treatment plans when needed. This can
W

lead to superior health management, decreasing the chance of complications associated with
obesity, such as diabetes and heart disease. In addition to monitoring medical conditions,
se

telehealth can offer John nutritional counseling services. Accredited dieticians can remotely
evaluate his eating habits, design personalized food plans, and provide nutritional education.
This guidance can be instrumental in helping John pick healthier food options and comprehend
ur

the relationship between nutrition and overall health. Comprehensive physical activity programs
can be accessible to John through telehealth, modifying workouts based on his capabilities and
N

likings. Exercise sessions or physiotherapy can be done virtually, which removes the need for a
gym membership or transportation. Additionally, telehealth can connect John with psychologists
or therapists to help him deal with any mental or emotional challenges linked with obesity.

Do you need Help to complete your Capella Uni BSN FlexPath Class in 1 Billing?
Call Us Now (612) 234-7670
Email Us Contact@nursewritingservices.com
Website: NurseWritingservices.com
For Free BSN Sample: NurseWritingservices.com/free-Sample
Telehealth presents itself as a feasible and adjustable approach to delivering personalized care. A
study by Houser et al. (2019) demonstrated that weight management programs via telehealth led
to weight reduction and improved health behaviors amongst obese individuals. Consequently,
telehealth provides a well-rounded approach to managing John's obesity, which can improve his
health results and enhance his quality of life.

Evidence is steadily growing support,g strategies such as personalized care and telehealth
services for managing obesity, guided by research and relevant benchmark data. Sources such as

m
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which offers information on obesity
prevalence and related health outcomes, and the American Telemedicine Association, which

co
provides data on the scalability and effectiveness of telehealth services, can serve as benchmark
data. Trends, products, and the impact of interventions can be gleaned from data collected over
time from these sources. Comparing John's progress with these benchmarks can provide

s.
invaluable insight into both his health journey and the effectiveness of the personalized telehealth
services he is using. Overall, evidence suggests that customized care and telemedicine services

ce
show promise in managing obesity, offering a multifaceted, accessible, and adaptable approach
to care.

i
Practicum Experience Hours
rv
se
To track the practicum hours spent aiding John with obesity management, I will meticulously log
data on Capella's Academic Portal Volunteer Experience Form. This will contain records of
ng

session dates and times, the nature of our interaction, interventions employed, and John's
progress. This will include changes in his weight, diet, exercise habits, and his response to
different strategies. I might also record changes in his mood, motivation, and commitment to his
i
rit

obesity management program. I would also document any challenges encountered during the
sessions and how they were addressed. If any consultations with the subject matter and industry
W

experts were done during these hours, those should also be documented. I demonstrate
accountability, commitment, and professionalism by meticulously registering these data.
se

Moreover, it allows for an objective review of the efficacy of interventions and helps inform
future approaches, making the overall process more evidence-based and person-centered.
ur

Conclusion
N

As we conclude our deep dive into assessing the quality, safety, and cost considerations within
healthcare, particularly in the context of John's clinical obesity, it is critical to reflect on the
complexity of this pervasive health challenge. Obesity is not just an individual problem; it goes
beyond touching every corner of our healthcare system. The downstream effect on quality of
Do you need Help to complete your Capella Uni BSN FlexPath Class in 1 Billing?
Call Us Now (612) 234-7670
Email Us Contact@nursewritingservices.com
Website: NurseWritingservices.com
For Free BSN Sample: NurseWritingservices.com/free-Sample
care, patient safety, and cost to the individual and the system is profound. In the face of it, strict
adherence to the standards set forth by entities such as the Board of Registered Nursing (BRN)
and legislation like the Affordable Care Act (ACA) can significantly mediate these effects. As
healthcare providers, we can take these as a guiding force, directing our approach towards
prevention, proactive management of complications, and fostering a more comprehensive care
system that is financially easier for everyone involved. Most importantly, let us not lose sight of
the human at the center, our patient John, and many others like him agitating under the burden of
obesity. Combining empathic, clinically excellent care, effective policies and standards, and

m
personalized preventive strategies can significantly improve their healthcare experience. Our
collective efforts should bend towards making their journey toward health not just a possibility

co
but a reality. It is about more than just our professional standards. Still, it is the very core of why
we became part of the healthcare system, to begin with – to help individuals like John live
healthier, happier, and more fulfilling lives.

s.
i ce
rv
se
i ng
rit
W
se
ur
N

Do you need Help to complete your Capella Uni BSN FlexPath Class in 1 Billing?
Call Us Now (612) 234-7670
Email Us Contact@nursewritingservices.com
Website: NurseWritingservices.com
For Free BSN Sample: NurseWritingservices.com/free-Sample
References

Appeadu, M., & Bordoni, B. (2023). Falls and fall prevention. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing.
[Link to the source]

Backstrom, L. (2019). Weighty problems: Embodied inequality at a children’s weight loss camp.
Rutgers University Press. [Link to the source]

Houser, S., Joseph, R., Puro, N., & Burke, D. (2019). Use of technology in the management of

m
obesity: A literature review. Perspectives in health information management, 16(Fall). [Link to
the source]

co
Lavallee, K. L., Zhang, X. C., Schneider, S., & Margraf, J. (2021). Obesity and mental health: A
longitudinal, cross-cultural examination in Germany and China. Frontiers in Psychology,

s.
12(712567.). [Link to the source]

ce
Ling, J., Chen, S., Zahry, N. R., & Kao, T. A. (2022). Economic burden of childhood overweight
and obesity: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Obesity Reviews, 24(2). [Link to the

i
source]
rv
Mylona, E. K., Benitez, G., Shehadeh, F., Fleury, E., Mylonakis, S. C., Kalligeros, M., &
se
Mylonakis, E. (2020). The association of obesity with health insurance coverage and
demographic characteristics: A statewide cross-sectional study. Medicine, 99(27), e21016. [Link
ng

to the source]

Rdesinski, R., Chamine, I., Valenzuela, S., Marino, M., Schmidt, T., Larson, A., Huguet, N., &
i

Angier, H. (2023). Impact of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion on weight loss among
rit

community health center patients with obesity. The Annals of Family Medicine, 21(Supplement
W

1). [Link to the source]

Safaei, M., Sundararajan, E. A., Driss, M., Boulila, W., & Shapi’i, A. (2021). A systematic
se

literature review on obesity: Understanding the causes & consequences of obesity and reviewing
various machine learning approaches used to predict obesity. Computers in Biology and
ur

Medicine, 136(104754). [Link to the source]

Talumaa, B., Brown, A., Batterham, R. L., & Kalea, A. Z. (2022). Effective strategies in ending
N

weight stigma in healthcare. Obesity Reviews, 23(10). [Link to the source]

Ufholz, K., & Bhargava, D. (2021). A review of telemedicine interventions for weight loss.
Current Cardiovascular Risk Reports, 15(9). [Link to the source]
Do you need Help to complete your Capella Uni BSN FlexPath Class in 1 Billing?
Call Us Now (612) 234-7670
Email Us Contact@nursewritingservices.com
Website: NurseWritingservices.com
For Free BSN Sample: NurseWritingservices.com/free-Sample
Wadden, T. A., Tronieri, J. S., & Butryn, M. L. (2020). Lifestyle modification approaches for the
treatment of obesity in adults. American Psychologist, 75(2), 235–251. [Link to the source]

m
co
s.
i ce
rv
se
i ng
rit
W
se
ur
N

Do you need Help to complete your Capella Uni BSN FlexPath Class in 1 Billing?
Call Us Now (612) 234-7670
Email Us Contact@nursewritingservices.com
Website: NurseWritingservices.com
For Free BSN Sample: NurseWritingservices.com/free-Sample