Feb 23, 2024 NURS 8100 Discussion: Technology and Cost Containment
A Sample Answer For the Assignment: NURS 8100 Discussion: Technology and Cost Containment
A significant challenge to containing health care costs is the price of the equipment and medications needed to diagnose and treat patients and the lack of adequate reimbursement. Bodenheimer and Grumbach (2020), speculate that “the price of prescription drugs in the United States is 50% higher than that in other countries” (p. 94). IN my world the charge for delivering a baby is around $7,500.00.
Private insurance companies pay approximately 2/3 of the delivery fee compared to Medicaid covering on average about 20%. This is not sustainable if a hospital operates in a community with high Medicaid rates. Additionally, the quality of health care is directly tied to reimbursement. A hospital that operates with a low-profit margin makes cuts in staffing, replaces needed equipment, and struggles to attract physicians and care providers that provide high-quality care.
One way that Bodenheimer and Grumbach (2020), describe technology being utilized to decrease costs is a broader use of robotic surgeries. Gall bladder surgery, specifically described in the reading from this week can be performed in less time if robotics is used, is less invasive for the patient which decreases the length of stay, and requires less payout to providers who perform the surgery related to the decrease in time.
It is hard to say if I agree or disagree with the policymakers on reducing health care costs. I would say that it depends on how collaborative policymakers are with the individuals who provide healthcare. A few years ago Colorado tried to pass a bill (www.coloradoindependent.com) that was well-intended in the effort to provide broader coverage for the public but wanted to introduce the idea that all hospitals would be reimbursed at Medicare and Medicaid rates to accomplish this.
Struggling to Meet Your Deadline?
Get your assignment on NURS 8100 Discussion: Technology and Cost Containment done on time by medical experts. Don’t wait – ORDER NOW!
Meet my deadline
The governor was convinced that hospitals were price gouging and so in his mind reimbursing hospitals at a lower rate made sense. Fortunately, the bill lost momentum with the Covid-19 pandemic and has not resurfaced.
The concept of patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs) according to Rosenthal et al. (2010), continues to be a popular idea. The notion of a PCMH is to provide care to patients in a more coordinated fashion to reduce inefficiencies. One provider guides all of the care of the patients. Although specialists, subspecialties, and acute and long-term care may be needed, the overseeing provider organizes all of this.
References:
Bodenheimer, T., & Grumbach, K. (2020). Understanding health policy: A clinical approach. McGraw Hill.
The Colorado Independent. (March, 2020), Update: Colorado’s public/private healthcare option clears first hurdle. Retrieved at https://www.coloradoindependent.com/2020/03/12/colorado-public-option-healthcare/
Rosenthal, M., Beckman, H., Forrest, D., Huang, E., Landon, B., & Lewis, S. (2010). Will the patient-centered medical home improve efficiency and reduce costs for care? A measurement and research agenda. Medical Care Research & Review, 67(4), 476-484.
In the healthcare industry, nurses’ turnover is a significant challenge to contain health costs. It was ranked third of the top three industries with high turnover, with the nurses’ turnover becoming a rapidly growing human resource problem that affects the healthcare sector worldwide (Cohen, 2019).
NURS 8100 Discussion Technology and Cost Containment
Its world rate is considered very high, ranging from 15 to 44%, resulting in a significant impact on a hospital’s profit margin, with the average cost of turnover for a nurse ranging from $37,700 to $58,400, and hospitals losing $5.2 million to $8.1 million annually (Lockhart, 2020).
According to the 2019 National Healthcare Retention & RN Staffing Report, it costs between $40,300 and $64,000 to replace one clinical nurse, with the average hospital losing $4.4 million to $6.9 million each year (Lockhart, 2020). The turnover rate for RNs continues to rise, 43 percent of new nurses working in hospitals leave their jobs within three years, and additionally, 33.5 percent resign after two years, and 17.5 percent work only one year (Lockhart, 2020).
Nursing turnover is extremely costly for healthcare organizations, which struggle to keep experienced and novice nurses alike, but 18% percent of new nurses change jobs or even professions, within the first year after graduation, and an additional one-third leave within 2 years (Lockhart, 2020). Nationally, the nursing turnover rate averages 19.1% and rising, leaving a nursing vacancy rate of 8%, and the average period it takes to fill a nursing position is 85 days, with more than three months, for a specialized nursing position (Lockhart, 2020).
The hospital managers state that nurse turnover disrupts hospital service operations, staffing processes, managerial processes, hospital revenue, loss of experienced and trained nurses, nurse shortages, and an imbalanced composition of new and remaining nurses, which increases the costs for recruitment and training cost for new hires (Dewanto & Wardhani, 2018).
The turnover negatively affects hospital services, revenue is disrupted, due to the decreased work productivity of the new nurses, increased expenses related to new hires’ recruitment, mentoring training to placement, and, because the new nurses require an orientation process, as their skills do not meet the expected standards (Dewanto & Wardhani, 2018).
These staffing problems cause issues in setting schedules, necessitating increased overtime, low morale of existing nurses, the less-than-optimal service provided, because of communication, and, barriers between the senior and the new nurses (Dewanto & Wardhani, 2018).
The services are heavily impacted, leaving the patients frustrated with frequent replacements, mediocre treatment by a less competent new nurse leading to the patient’s decreased trust, satisfaction, and increased complaints about nursing service (Dewanto & Wardhani, 2018).
The advancements in technology and their implementation can alleviate some of the turnovers by improving workflows and making patient care easier. Technology use can reduce medical care costs. reduce the burden on nurses, motivate more clinicians into the workforce to mitigate the shortage, and improve the transparency of medical records between healthcare organizations (Cohen, 2019).
The development of innovative nursing practice models with increased computer technology, to be used for all documentation of patient care, and generation of the electronic medical records (EMRs) is an example (Moore, 2000). There are several other technologies which include including telehealth, artificial intelligence, texting, blockchain credentialing, mobile staffing apps staff augmentation, and artificial Intelligence being some of the tools, which make daily workflows easier for nurses and nurse practitioners amid a shortage of clinicians (Agbo et al., 2019).
These tools can help to alleviate the shortage’s effects on nurses and NPs, by improving efficiencies in their daily workflows and how they provide care for patients. Many providers and patients were initially uncomfortable with telehealth, however, the pandemic not only increased adoption but also led to a rise in comfort levels, for those using the technology, allowing nurses and NPs to see more patients in a day (Rojahn, et al., 2016).
Blockchain credentialing is an app that allows for a nurse’s credential data to be stored on multiple servers, rather than just a single server, allowing organizations to see entries in real-time, which creates a public electronic ledger, making it easier for healthcare organizations to look up a nurse’s credentials and speed up approvals (Agbo et al., 2019).
The mobile staffing apps and staff augmentation, modulate the staffing based on patient volume and acuity, allowing nurses and NPs to see the hospital’s schedule, sign in, swap a shift, or pick up holidays (Mayer et al., 2019). It also allows healthcare organizations to supplement their support staff, through third-party staffing to ensure operations run smoothly, with the clinicians being to able to focus better on patient care and complete their day-to-day tasks efficiently (Mayer et al., 2019).
Artificial Intelligence is often applied within healthcare to make sense of clinical data by identifying trends, that can lead to better patient outcomes, and can be used to assess fall risk, or detect tuberculosis in x-rays (Mayer et al., 2019).
Click here to ORDER an A++ paper from our Verified MASTERS and DOCTORATE WRITERS: NURS 8100 Discussion: Technology and Cost Containment
I agree with policymakers that technology needs to be more introduced as mainstream in health care because healthcare policies and insights, need to be revolved around a multifaceted approach to address nurses’ shortage and turnover. One insight is the introduction of the electronic medical record (EMR) and other technological advances, which can also affect nurses staying in or leaving the organization (Haddad et al., 2022).
Another insight is the electronic scheduling tool, which allows nurses to sign up for individual shifts they are qualified to cover, as well as trade shifts with other nurses with the same skill set when needed, this has the ability not only helps with work-life balance, flexibility but also makes scheduling easier for both nurses and management (Haddad et al., 2022).
Social media on job recruitment platforms have become major sources of information for nurses looking for jobs as they provide an opportunity for the organization to communicate, introduce and explain the kind of environment they have, through the reviews provided by both workers and patients (Haddad et al., 2022).
References:
Agbo, C. C., Mahmoud, Q. H., & Eklund, J. M. (2019). Blockchain Technology in Healthcare: A Systematic Review. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 7(2), 56. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare7020056
Cohen, J. K. (2019). Tech helping to alleviate nurse shortage, experience gaps. Modern Healthcare, 49(32), 14.
Dewanto, A., Wardhani, V. (2018). Nurse turnover and perceived causes and consequences: a preliminary study at private hospitals in Indonesia. BMC Nurs 17, 5. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-018-0317-8
Haddad, L. M., Annamaraju, P., &Toney-Butler, T. J. (2022). Nursing Shortage. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493175/
Lockhart, Lisa. (2020). Strategies to reduce nursing turnover, Nursing Made Incredibly Easy: March/April Volume 18 – Issue 2 – p 56 Doi: 10.1097/01.NME.0000653196.16629.2e
Mayer, M. A., Rodríguez Blanco, O., & Torrejon, A. (2019). Use of Health Apps by Nurses for Professional Purposes: Web-Based Survey Study. JMIR MHealth and UHealth, 7(11), e15195. https://doi.org/10.2196/15195
Moore P. (2000). Perspectives. How can we help to alleviate the nursing shortage? ONS News, 15(5), 14
The Challenge in Containing Health Care Costs
The success of health care reform depends on establishing a balance between health outcomes and cost containment. According to Dr. Gerald Kominski, the passing of the Medicare program providing insurance coverage to millions of Americans is a significant factor in the rapid increase of health care expenditure (Executive Producer, 2011).
He adds that some of the policy efforts by the federal and state governments to address the health care issue at the unit level are managing the price of services and overall expenditure (Executive Producer, 2011). However, integrating these solutions remains a challenge due to the hesitation to influence government power in regulating health care expenses or funding (Executive Producer, 2011).
In addition, rising health care cost is the by-product of current economic turmoil characterized by the inflation of prices such as prescription drugs, medical supplies, and additional tests (Bodenheimer and Grumbach, 2020). Relatively, extra costs and ineffective expenses place an additional burden and harm on the patients (Bodenheimer and Grumbach, 2020).
In the United States, physicians who provide excessive care through multiple and inappropriate procedures drive the costs of care (Deyo et a., 2009; Bodenheimer and Grumbach, 2020). In addition, the accelerated pace of technology in healthcare puts added pressure on providers and health care organizations to invest in new technology without looking at its actual efficacy (Avorn, 2007; Moynihan and Bero, 2017; Bodenheimer and Grumbach, 2020).
Technology and Cost Control
Innovation and technology are at the center of safe, effective, and efficient health outcomes ( Bodenheimer and Grumbach, 2020). In addition, nurses who have the sophistication to use innovation and technology have the unique position to enhance patient care through care coordination and patient education.
Nurses, nurse practitioners, and other advanced practice nurses can provide quality patient care who generally seek physician services (Bodenheimer and Grumbach, 2020). Another way that innovation and technology can eliminate wastes that drive health expenditure is through outpatient services such as infusion and diabetic centers managed by nurses and advanced practice nurses (Bodenheimer and Grumbach, 2020).
The Role of Information Technology in Health Care Reform
The meaningful use of health care information technology (HIT) provides health care providers, organizations, patients, and other stakeholders the ability to examine the relationships between care outcomes and costs (Bodenheimer and Grumbach, 2020). For example, in my practice, performing repetitive and unnecessary diagnostic tests for surgical patients before and after the procedure increases the length of stay and potential for patient harm such as infection and hospital bills.
The use of HIT benefits the patient and community across the continuum in disease management. Providing information and resources through HIT encourages the engagement of patients and their families in the process of health care delivery.
Dr. Walter Zelman explains that developing awareness among the public, care providers, and other stakeholders is vital in containing the costs of care (Executive Producer, 2011). Therefore, it is essential to develop a balance between achieving health outcomes and containing care costs by using available resources efficiently which HIT can facilitate.
References
Avorn, J. (2017). Keeping science on top in drug evaluation. New England Journal of Medicine.
https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMp078134?listPDF=true
Bodenheimer, T., & Grumbach, K. (2020). Understanding health policy: A clinical approach (8th
ed.). McGraw-Hill.
Deyo, R. A., Mirza, S. K., Turner, J. A., & Martin, B. I. (2009, January 1). Overtreating chronic
back pain: Time to back off? American Board of Family Medicine.
https://www.jabfm.org/content/22/1/62
Moynihan, R., & Bero, L. (2017). Towards a healthier patient voice: more independence,
less industry funding. JAMA, Internal Medicine. 177:350-351.
Walden University, LLC. (Executive Producer). (2011). Healthcare policy and advocacy: Cost
containment. Baltimore: Author.
Discussion: Technology and Cost Containment
NURS 8100 Week 5 Discussion: Technology and Cost Containment
In response to continually rising health care costs, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) provision was created to promote the meaningful use of health care information technology through numerous incentive programs for health care providers. By enhancing data collection, streamlining electronic medical records, and increasing transparency, it is believed that significant cost savings can be realized as well as other positive outcomes. What are some of the tradeoffs involved in this type of policy?
To prepare for the discussion, consider the following: Technology and Cost Containment:
Consider the issues of reducing health-care expenditures in the United States, as provided in the Learning Resources and discussed in the media by Drs. Kominski and Zelman.Consider how information technology can be utilized to address cost-related health-care challenges.Examine the provision for Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) and its objectives.By the third day of the discussion: Technology and Cost Containment
NURS 8100 Week 5 Discussion: Technology and Cost Containment
NURS 8100 Discussion: Technology and Cost Containment
Post a unified response that addresses the following points:
Briefly describe a key barrier to controlling health-care expenditures.How do policymakers envision technology being used to address the aforementioned challenge? Give at least one example to back up your response.Do you agree with the policymakers or disagree with them? Describe why you agree or disagree, and add one or more insights from this analysis relating to the subject of how information technology may or could not help reduce costs while supporting health care reform objectives.
Read a few of your coworkers’ postings.
By the sixth day of the discussion: Technology and Cost Containment
Hi Tonya,
It is true that the cost of medical equipment used in diagnostics, the cost of medicine and the lack of sufficient reimbursement poses puzzles to healthcare cost (Yan et al 2021). The overall coast of healthcare in the united states is higher than countries like Japan. The disparities in the medical coverage and reimbursements inform the difference in costs between the two countries.
Japan has a more robust healthcare coverage issued by the government compared to the Medicaid in the united states. This points to the overall high cost of healthcare in the united states where the cost of medicine and the cost of hospital equipment are relatively high. the application of technology in reducing the cost of healthcare may be subjected to individua cases as the initial costs of some medical equipment may be relatively high (Thokala et al., 2018).
the overall impact of policy such as the affordable healthcare act in healthcare may not be evaluated in one instance hence the need for continuous evaluation and adjustments.
References
Yan, K., Balijepalli, C., & Druyts, E. (2021). The Impact of Digital Therapeutics on Current
Health Technology Assessment Frameworks. Frontiers in digital health, 3, 667016. https://doi.org/10.3389/fdgth.2021.667016
Thokala, P., Ochalek, J., Leech, A. A., & Tong, T. (2018). Cost-Effectiveness Thresholds: the
Past, the Present and the Future. PharmacoEconomics, 36(5), 509–522. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40273-017-0606-1
Respond in one or more of the following ways to at least two of your colleagues:
Pose a probing question that is supported by further background information, facts, or research.Share an insight gained from reading your coworkers’ postings, synthesizing the information to bring fresh viewpoints.Use readings from the classroom or your own Walden Library research to offer and defend an opposing viewpoint.Use your own experience and further research to validate a notion.Make a recommendation based on further evidence gathered from readings or after synthesizing multiple postings.Expand on your colleagues’ posts by offering new insights or opposing viewpoints based on readings and evidence.
Note: Please see the Syllabus and Discussion Rubric for formal Discussion question posting and response evaluation criteria.
Return to this Discussion in a few days to read the responses to your initial posting. Note what you learned and/or any insights you gained as a result of the comments made by your colleagues.
Be sure to support your work with specific citations from this week’s Learning Resources and any additional sources.
ORDER NOW FOR ORIGINAL PAPER NURS 8100 Discussion: Technology and Cost Containment
In the healthcare industry, nurses’ turnover is a significant challenge to contain health costs. It was ranked third of the top three industries with high turnover, with the nurses’ turnover becoming a rapidly growing human resource problem that affects the healthcare sector worldwide (Cohen, 2019).
Its world rate is considered very high, ranging from 15 to 44%, resulting in a significant impact on a hospital’s profit margin, with the average cost of turnover for a nurse ranging from $37,700 to $58,400, and hospitals losing $5.2 million to $8.1 million annually (Lockhart, 2020).
According to the 2019 National Healthcare Retention & RN Staffing Report, it costs between $40,300 and $64,000 to replace one clinical nurse, with the average hospital losing $4.4 million to $6.9 million each year (Lockhart, 2020). The turnover rate for RNs continues to rise, 43 percent of new nurses working in hospitals leave their jobs within three years, and additionally, 33.5 percent resign after two years, and 17.5 percent work only one year (Lockhart, 2020).
Nursing turnover is extremely costly for healthcare organizations, which struggle to keep experienced and novice nurses alike, but 18% percent of new nurses change jobs or even professions, within the first year after graduation, and an additional one-third leave within 2 years (Lockhart, 2020).
Nationally, the nursing turnover rate averages 19.1% and rising, leaving a nursing vacancy rate of 8%, and the average period it takes to fill a nursing position is 85 days, with more than three months, for a specialized nursing position (Lockhart, 2020).
The hospital managers state that nurse turnover disrupts hospital service operations, staffing processes, managerial processes, hospital revenue, loss of experienced and trained nurses, nurse shortages, and an imbalanced composition of new and remaining nurses, which increases the costs for recruitment and training cost for new hires (Dewanto & Wardhani, 2018).
The turnover negatively affects hospital services, revenue is disrupted, due to the decreased work productivity of the new nurses, increased expenses related to new hires’ recruitment, mentoring training to placement, and, because the new nurses require an orientation process, as their skills do not meet the expected standards (Dewanto & Wardhani, 2018).
These staffing problems cause issues in setting schedules, necessitating increased overtime, low morale of existing nurses, the less-than-optimal service provided, because of communication, and, barriers between the senior and the new nurses (Dewanto & Wardhani, 2018).
The services are heavily impacted, leaving the patients frustrated with frequent replacements, mediocre treatment by a less competent new nurse leading to the patient’s decreased trust, satisfaction, and increased complaints about nursing service (Dewanto & Wardhani, 2018).
The advancements in technology and their implementation can alleviate some of the turnovers by improving workflows and making patient care easier. Technology use can reduce medical care costs. reduce the burden on nurses, motivate more clinicians into the workforce to mitigate the shortage, a
Order a similar assignment, and have writers from our team of experts write it for you, guaranteeing you an A
