Advocacy Through Legislation |
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Nurses often become motivated to change aspects within the larger health care system based on their real-world experience. As such, many nurses take on an advocacy role to influence a change in regulations, policies, and laws that govern the larger health care system.
For this assignment, identify a problem or concern in your state, community, or organization that has the capacity for advocacy through legislation. Research the issue and use the “Advocacy Through Legislation” template to complete this assignment.
You are required to cite to a minimum of three sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be published within the last 5 years and appropriate for the assignment criteria and relevant to nursing practice.
While APA style is not required for the body of this assignment, solid academic writing is expected, and documentation of sources should be presented using APA formatting guidelines, which can be found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. Refer to the LopesWrite Technical Support articles for assistance.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Advocacy through legislation is an essential aspect of nursing practice in which nurses become motivated to advocate for change in regulations, policies, and laws that govern the larger healthcare system. It enables nurses to identify problems or concerns in their communities, organizations, or state that have the capacity for advocacy through legislation. In this assignment, nursing students are required to research the issue and use the “Advocacy Through Legislation” template to complete the assignment.
Answer:
In today’s world, electronic health records (EHRs) have become an essential part of healthcare, and there is a need to develop and implement standardized EHRs. In my state, there have been concerns about the interoperability and standardization of EHRs among healthcare facilities. Patients’ healthcare information is stored in a vast number of EHR systems across the state. This can make it difficult for healthcare providers to access complete patient records, resulting in delayed care, incomplete diagnoses, and affected patient outcomes.
Advocacy through legislation can help in addressing this concern by advocating for the development and implementation of standardized EHRs. The federal government can require all healthcare facilities to implement standardized EHRs. This would ensure that all healthcare providers can access complete and accurate patient information, resulting in improved patient outcomes, decreased medical errors, and reduced healthcare costs.
To advocate for this issue through legislation, nursing professionals can communicate with local, state, and federal policymakers and agencies responsible for healthcare reforms. Nurses’ active participation in healthcare policymaking processes can help to ensure that the policies established reflect patients’ best interests. Nursing organizations can also advocate for standardized EHRs and work with policymakers to ensure the implementation of appropriate legislation.
In conclusion, advocacy through legislation is critical in influencing change in regulations, policies, and laws that govern the larger healthcare system. Advocating for the development and implementation of standardized EHRs is essential in ensuring improved patient outcomes, reduced medical errors, and decreased healthcare costs.
