Capella 4900 Assessment 2: Assessing the Problem: Quality, Safety, and Cost Considerations Name

Capella 4900 Assessment 2: Assessing the Problem: Quality, Safety, and Cost Considerations Name

Capella 4900 Assessment 2: Assessing the Problem: Quality, Safety, and Cost Considerations

Name

Capella university

NURS-FPX 4900: Capstone Project for Nursing

Prof. Name

Date

Introduction

This assessment is based on the selected patient’s health problem as mentioned in assessment one. Brian, a 52-year old went through hypertensive crises but was prevented from facing major health consequences including heart attack, stroke, etc. This assessment is a continuation of Brian’s case of hypertension with a view to its impact on quality of care, patient’s safety, and associated costs. These main concerns are brought into consideration in this paper. Furthermore, the strategies which can improve the quality of care, enhance patient safety, and reduce costs are detailed. 

Impact of Hypertension on Quality of Care, Patient Safety, and Costs

Hypertension or high blood pressure is when the patient’s blood pressure level elevates from the normal range of 120/80 mmHg. It is often called a “silent killer” as the patients are mostly asymptomatic. Therefore, it requires regular blood pressure monitoring in routine medical checkups.  Moreover, hypertension treatment requires long-term management in terms of less salt intake in the diet, regular physical activity, weight management, and stress reduction. These lifestyle modifications are often challenging for patients to implement and sustain them. Limited resources such as healthy food, exercise facilities, and professional support are obstacles to acquiring adequate care and hence result in poor outcomes in terms of quality of care (Kebede et al., 2022).

As hypertension requires chronic care treatment, any events of uncontrolled hypertension increase the risks of cardiovascular complications such as heart attacks, strokes, aneurysms, and heart failures. These life-threatening conditions impact negatively patient’s safety if the timely management of hypertension in not ensured. Moreover, hypertension requires ongoing treatment and management adherence. If medication adherence is compromised, the patient may confront hypertension crises as happened in the case of Brian, which may lead to death in case timely medical attention is not provided. This results in reduced patient safety as a result of hypertension (American Heart Association, 2022). 

Capella 4900 Assessment 2

 The ongoing treatment and self-management of hypertension require a large amount of money. According to CDC, the costs incurred by hypertension on a national level are about $131 to $198 every year (CDC, 2021). Furthermore, regular monitoring of hypertension requires a blood pressure monitoring device such as a sphygmomanometer which adds additional cost to the patient. Hypertension not only impacts patient in terms of cost but also impacts healthcare systems as preventive measures for hypertension like preventive screenings, public health campaigns, patient educational programs, and patient-centered care requires financial resources.

Moreover, the increased number of hospital readmissions and emergencies due to uncontrolled hypertension requires immediate and extensive care services which pose further financial crises to healthcare systems (Wierzejska et al., 2020). As in the case of Brian, his emergency admission to the hospital due to hypertension crises impacted both the patient and the healthcare systems in terms of cost due to heavy bills, immediate supply of care services, and further related interventions.

State Board Nursing Practice Standard and Policies’ Impact on Quality, Safety, and Cost

The Preventive Cardiovascular Nursing Association (PCNA) has provided various standard tools for nursing practices to assist and improve the quality of care to hypertensive patients. These valuable practice standards and resources include patient education brochures and handouts on hypertension to promote education on hypertension Moreover, PCNA provider tools are helpful for nurses in better implementation of proper guidelines to treat hypertensive patients and associated heart diseases (PCNA, n.d.).

Nurses can utilize resources and practice guidelines that will improve the quality of care delivered to hypertensive patients like Brian. These standard practices and guidelines will enhance patient safety as hypertension is managed by adequate and timely interventions like screening and assessment, patient education, medication management and manage hypertensive crises. Improved quality of care delivered to patients by nurses will ensure patient safety and improve quality of life by managing and controlling blood pressure within limits. 

Capella 4900 Assessment 2<