NHS FPX 6004 Assessment 2 Policy Proposal

Policy Proposal

A policy proposal is a formal document that presents a recommended course of action for addressing a specific issue or problem. It typically includes a statement of the problem, a review of existing policies and programs related to the issue, and a proposed solution that is supported by evidence and analysis. The paper discusses the evaluation of benchmarks using the case study of Mercy Medical Center. It highlights the significance of early prevention of diabetes in ensuring patient safety and improving the quality of healthcare services. The study emphasizes the need for new guidelines for policies and practices, and the impact of environmental factors on diabetes risks. It also considers the involvement of stakeholders in implementing the policy for effective diabetes prevention (Gottesman et al., 2019).

Policy Practice Guidelines Need

It is important to develop a policy and practice guideline to tackle the issue of the HbA1c test shortfall in meeting the benchmark metric set by Mercy Medical Center. This is necessary for various reasons. First, having a policy practice guideline ensures that all healthcare providers within the organization or team follow a standardized approach to meet the benchmark metrics. This consistency in practice can help to ensure that patients receive the same level of care, regardless of the healthcare provider they see. Secondly, a policy practice guideline can help to identify the reasons for the shortfall in meeting the benchmark metric and develop strategies to address these issues. For example, the guideline could outline specific training or education programs for healthcare providers to improve their knowledge and skills related to HbA1c testing. It could also include recommendations for improving communication and collaboration between healthcare providers to ensure that patients receive comprehensive care (Li et al., 2020).

NHS FPX 6004 Assessment 2 Policy Proposal

Finally, having a policy practice guideline can help to ensure that the organization or team is compliant with regulatory requirements related to quality metrics and patient outcomes. It can also help to improve patient satisfaction, as patients are more likely to trust an organization or team that has clear policies and guidelines in place for providing high-quality care (Phelan et al., 2020).

Effects of Benchmark Underperformance 

Benchmark underperformance can have significant consequences for healthcare organizations and their stakeholders. In the case of Mercy Medical Center, the failure to meet the prescribed benchmarks for HgbA1c testing could result in a lack of adequate monitoring and management of diabetic patients, leading to poor health outcomes, increased healthcare costs, and decreased patient satisfaction.

Without a policy practice guideline in place to address the shortfall in meeting the benchmark metric, the organization may continue to struggle with providing effective diabetes care. This can impact various stakeholder groups, including patients, healthcare providers, insurers, and regulatory bodies. Patients may suffer from complications related to uncontrolled diabetes, leading to increased hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and healthcare costs. Healthcare providers may face legal and professional consequences for failing to provide appropriate care to diabetic patients. Insurers may face increased costs associated with diabetic complications, resulting in higher premiums and decreased profitability. Regulatory bodies may impose penalties and fines for failing to meet established quality metrics, leading to damage to the organization’s reputation and financial viability (Bevan et al., 2018).

Summary of Proposed Policy Practice Guidelines

There is a need for creating a policy practice guideline to address the HbA1c test shortfall in meeting the benchmark metric prescribed by Mercy Medical Center. The proposed organizational policy and practice guidelines aim to establish a structured approach for ensuring that all diabetic patients receive HbA1c tests at regular intervals, as well as providing training for healthcare professionals on how to use the results to adjust treatment plans. The policy also includes the implementation of patient education programs on the importance of HbA1c tests and the potential consequences of not regularly monitoring blood glucose levels.

NHS FPX 6004 Assessment 2 Policy Proposal

Environmental factors that may affect the recommended practice guidelines include access to healthcare services, insurance coverage, and cultural beliefs. Efforts must be made to ensure that underserved populations have equal access to necessary healthcare services, and education programs must be tailored to meet the cultural needs of diverse patient populations. Failure to implement these guidelines could lead to negative consequences for both patients and the healthcare organization, such as increased healthcare costs and poor patient outcomes (Coe et al., 2019).

Influence of Factors

The cause and effect relationship can be identified as the shortfall in meeting the prescribed benchmarks for Hgb1Ac tests and foot exams, which can lead to adverse consequences such as increased risk of complications and decreased patient satisfaction. The recommended policy and practice guidelines aim to address these issues by implementing regular patient education programs, promoting interdisciplinary teamwork, and increasing staff training on diabetes management. The environmental factors that may influence the effectiveness of these recommendations include resource availability, organizational culture, and external regulatory frameworks. For instance, the availability of funding and staffing may affect the feasibility of implementing regular patient education programs, while the organizational culture may impact the willingness of staff to collaborate across disciplines. External regulatory frameworks, such as national diabetes guidelines, may also influence the adoption and implementation of the recommended policies and practices (van Crevel & Critchley, 2021).

Ethical Evidence-based Practice Guideline

When developing evidence-based practice guidelines to improve targeted benchmark performance, it is important to consider ethical principles, such as autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice. These principles should guide decision-making and help ensure that the guidelines are fair, just, and in the best interest of patients (Abràmoff et al., 2020).

To improve the performance of HbA1c tests and foot exams, the following evidence-based practice guidelines are recommended:

• Patient Education: Patients should be educated about the importance of HbA1c tests and foot exams in managing their diabetes. This education should include information about the purpose of the tests, how they are performed, and what the results mean. Patients should also be informed about the risks associated with not performing these tests, such as nerve damage, foot ulcers, and amputations (Carmienke et al., 2021).
• Regular Monitoring: Patients with diabetes should receive regular monitoring of their HbA1c levels and foot health. This monitoring should be done at least once every three months for HbA1c levels and annually for foot exams. Patients with poorly controlled diabetes should be monitored more frequently (Embuai et al., 2019).
• Interdisciplinary Care: An interdisciplinary care team, including primary care physicians, endocrinologists, podiatrists, and diabetes educators, should be involved in the care of patients with diabetes. This team should work together to develop a comprehensive care plan that addresses the patient’s unique needs (Tan et al., 2020).
• Patient-centered Care: Care should be patient-centered and tailored to the patient’s individual needs, preferences, and values. Patients should be involved in the decision-making process and given the opportunity to ask questions and express their concerns (Tan et al., 2020).
• NHS FPX 6004 Assessment 2 Policy Proposal

Implementing these evidence-based practice guidelines can have a positive impact on patients, healthcare providers, and healthcare organizations. For patients, these guidelines can improve the quality of care, reduce the risk of complications, and enhance their overall health outcomes. For healthcare providers, these guidelines can improve communication and collaboration among interdisciplinary teams, increase job satisfaction, and reduce the risk of malpractice claims. For healthcare organizations, these guidelines can improve patient satisfaction, reduce costs associated with complications, and improve the overall quality of care.

However, it is important to acknowledge that environmental factors, such as resource availability, access to care, and patient compliance, can impact the effectiveness of these guidelines. Healthcare organizations must be aware of these factors and take steps to address them, such as providing additional resources, improving access to care, and implementing patient-centered approaches to improve patient compliance. It is also important to regularly evaluate the effectiveness of these guidelines and make adjustments as needed to ensure that they remain evidence-based and relevant to the needs of patients and healthcare providers (Basu et al., 2019).

Role of Stakeholders

Stakeholder engagement is essential for the successful development and implementation of the proposed policy and practice guidelines for diabetes benchmarks. Patients and their families must be included as stakeholders as they are directly affected by the outcomes of the guidelines. By involving patients, healthcare providers can better understand their needs and preferences, which will help to tailor the guidelines to best suit their needs. This will ensure that patients feel supported and heard, leading to increased trust in their healthcare providers and increased patient engagement in their own care (Jindal et al., 2019).

Healthcare providers, including doctors, nurses, and other members of the care team, should also be included as stakeholders. They are responsible for implementing the guidelines and ensuring that patients receive the appropriate care. By involving healthcare providers in the development of the guidelines, they can provide valuable insight into the feasibility of the guidelines and identify potential barriers to implementation. This will help to ensure that the guidelines are practical and can be implemented effectively. Finally, healthcare administrators and policymakers should also be included as stakeholders. They are responsible for allocating resources and implementing policy changes. By involving them in the development and implementation of the guidelines, they can provide the necessary resources and support needed to ensure that the guidelines are successful (Poger et al., 2020).

Engaging stakeholders and groups in the development and implementation of the proposed policy and practice guidelines will lead to increased buy-in and support for the guidelines. This will increase the likelihood of successful implementation and adherence to the guidelines, ultimately resulting in improved quality outcomes for patients with diabetes. It will also foster a culture of collaboration and shared decision-making, leading to better communication and teamwork among all stakeholders involved.

Strategies for Collaborating with Stakeholders 

Developing and implementing policy and practice guidelines can be a challenging task, especially when it involves multiple stakeholders. To ensure that the guidelines are effective and well-received, it is essential to have a clear communication plan that outlines the benefits of the guidelines, how they will be implemented, and how they will impact stakeholders. Engaging stakeholders early in the process is also critical to ensure that the guidelines are tailored to their needs and are more likely to be accepted and implemented. Using a participatory approach, such as workshops, focus groups, and surveys, can further involve stakeholders in the development and implementation of the guidelines. Additionally, providing stakeholders with training and support can help them understand and implement the guidelines effectively, such as training on how to conduct HgbA1c tests or foot exams and providing resources such as educational materials or equipment. Finally, monitoring and evaluating progress is necessary to ensure that the guidelines are meeting the desired outcomes, such as tracking HgbA1c test and foot exam rates and obtaining feedback from stakeholders on the guidelines’ effectiveness. By following these steps, policy and practice guidelines can be successfully implemented and have a positive impact on the stakeholders involved (Juntunen et al., 2018).

By collaborating with stakeholders in the development and implementation of policy and practice guidelines, healthcare organizations can ensure that the guidelines are tailored to their needs and are more likely to be accepted and implemented. This will lead to improved quality outcomes and better health for patients with diabetes.

Importance and Objections of Stakeholder Collaboration 

Stakeholder collaboration is crucial to the successful implementation of any policy and practice guidelines in healthcare. By involving stakeholders, we can ensure that the policy and guidelines are practical, relevant, and acceptable to those who will be impacted by them (Brown et al., 2019).

One possible objection to stakeholder collaboration is that it can be time-consuming and costly. However, the benefits of collaboration far outweigh the costs. Collaboration allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the issues and challenges facing the healthcare system, resulting in better solutions that are more likely to be effective and sustainable in the long run. Another objection may be that stakeholders may have competing interests that could lead to conflicts. However, by involving stakeholders early in the process and establishing clear communication channels, potential conflicts can be identified and addressed proactively. Moreover, involving stakeholders in decision-making processes can help to build trust and promote accountability (Loureiro et al., 2019).

To successfully collaborate with stakeholders, it is essential to engage them early in the process and to provide them with clear and concise information about the proposed policy and practice guidelines. Additionally, it is important to listen to their concerns and feedback and to address their questions and objections promptly and transparently (Kujala et al., 2022).

Conclusion 

The proposed policy practice guideline aims to improve the management of diabetes and meet the benchmark metric prescribed by Mercy Medical Center for HbA1c tests. It includes regular patient education programs, interdisciplinary care, and staff training on diabetes management. Factors such as resource availability and organizational culture can affect the effectiveness of the recommendations, and ethical principles such as autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice should be considered when developing evidence-based practice guidelines. The proposed policy is expected to improve patient outcomes and satisfaction, reduce healthcare costs, and ensure regulatory compliance, making it crucial for effective diabetes management.

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