In a paper of 900-1,000 words, describe the relationship between health care cost and quality. Address the following:
1. Select one public agency and one private agency and differentiate their roles and major activities in addressing cost and quality in health care. See Topic 4 Readings for sources regarding health care agencies.
2. Analyze current and projected initiatives to improve quality while simultaneously controlling costs. Describe any unintended consequences.
3. Synthesize implications for staff nurses and advanced practice nurses, including evidence-based practice, relative to cost and quality.
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Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Health care cost and quality are interdependent variables in the provision of healthcare services. The cost of healthcare affects the quality of care and vice versa, while both factors impact patient outcomes. Healthcare organizations face the challenge of providing high-quality patient care while simultaneously reducing costs. This paper will address the relationship between healthcare cost and quality by analyzing the roles and activities of one public agency and one private agency in addressing cost and quality in healthcare. It will also examine current and projected initiatives to improve quality while controlling costs and their unintended consequences. Finally, this paper will discuss the implications for staff nurses and advanced practice nurses regarding evidence-based practice, relative to cost and quality.
1. Public and Private Agencies in Addressing Cost and Quality in Healthcare:
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Kaiser Permanente are two healthcare agencies that address cost and quality in healthcare from different perspectives. CMS is a public agency that focuses on managing healthcare financing and implementing healthcare policies that affect the entire population. The agency aims at improving the quality of care and patient outcomes while reducing healthcare spending. It achieves this by developing and implementing payment models that reward healthcare providers for high-quality care and reducing costs. In contrast, Kaiser Permanente is a private agency that manages its health plan that provides healthcare services to its members. The organization is committed to delivering high-quality, affordable healthcare to its members by using advanced technology and evidence-based practices. Kaiser Permanente uses electronic medical records as a tool to improve care coordination and communication between healthcare providers, thus reducing errors and improving patient safety.
2. Current and Projected Initiatives to Improve Quality while Controlling Costs:
Healthcare organizations are implementing various initiatives to improve quality while controlling costs. One initiative is the use of value-based healthcare, which focuses on delivering high-quality care at lower costs. Value-based care encourages healthcare providers to focus on patient outcomes and invest in preventive health care to reduce overall healthcare costs. Another initiative is the use of technology to improve care delivery processes, which includes using electronic medical records, telehealth, and remote monitoring devices. Additionally, healthcare organizations are implementing payment models that incentivize healthcare providers to consider the impact of their treatment on the overall cost of care while maintaining the quality of care. However, some of the unintended consequences of these initiatives include patients experiencing longer wait times, increased administrative expenses, and provider burnout.
3. Implications for Staff Nurses and Advanced Practice Nurses regarding Evidence-based Practice, Relative to Cost and Quality:
Staff nurses and advanced practice nurses play a critical role in delivering high-quality patient care while controlling costs. Evidence-based practice (EBP) helps to ensure that healthcare interventions are safe, effective, and cost-effective. Nurses should incorporate evidence-based interventions into their practice to enhance patient outcomes while reducing costs. Advanced practice nurses should engage in cost-benefit analyses to identify interventions that provide the greatest value to their patients. They should also collaborate with other healthcare providers to develop and implement care plans that are evidence-based and cost-effective.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, healthcare cost and quality are intertwined, and organizations are striving to provide high-quality care while controlling costs. The use of evidence-based practice, technological innovations, and payment models that incentivize quality patient outcomes can help healthcare organizations achieve this goal. Nurses play a crucial role in improving the quality of care and reducing healthcare costs. Therefore, it is essential to support nurses in incorporating evidence-based practice principles into their practice to enhance patient care outcomes while controlling healthcare costs.
