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As a professional nurse, you are expected to apply your expertise to patient care. On occasion, you will also be expected to share that expertise. With evolving technology and continuous changes to regulations designed to keep up these changes, there is usually a need to share information and expertise to inform colleagues, leadership, patients, and other stakeholders. In this Assignment, you will study a recent nursing informatics-related healthcare policy, and you will share the relevant details via a fact sheet designed to inform and educate.

To Prepare: Review the Resources on healthcare policy and regulatory/legislative topics related to health and nursing informatics. Consider the role of the nurse informaticist in relation to a healthcare organization’s compliance with various policies and regulations, such as the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA). Research and select one health or nursing informatics policy (within the past 5 years) or regulation for further study.

The Assignment: (1 page) Create a 1-page fact sheet that your healthcare organization could hypothetically use to explain the health or nursing informatics policy/regulation you selected. Your fact sheet should address the following:

• Briefly and generally explain the policy or regulation you selected.
• Address the impact of the policy or regulation you selected on system implementation.
• Address the impact of the policy or regulation you selected on clinical care, patient/provider interactions, and workflow.
• Highlight organizational policies and procedures that are/will be in place at your healthcare organization to address the policy or regulation you selected. Be specific.

Paper For Above instruction

Federal laws and policies significantly influence the implementation of health information technology (HIT) and nursing informatics in healthcare organizations. One of the most impactful recent policies is the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA), enacted in 2015, which has transformed strategies for quality reporting and reimbursement through the Promoting Interoperability programs. This policy aims to shift from volume-based to value-based care, emphasizing improved patient outcomes by incentivizing the adoption and effective use of electronic health records (EHRs) and data sharing across systems.

MACRA impacts the way healthcare organizations implement systems by requiring advanced EHR capabilities, interoperability, and provider participation in quality reporting measures. The policy mandates the use of certified EHR technologies that meet specific standards to qualify for merit-based incentive payment systems (MIPS) and advanced alternative payment models (APMs). Such requirements drive organizations to upgrade their IT infrastructure, invest in training, and establish ongoing monitoring processes to ensure compliance with federal standards. Failure to comply may result in payment penalties, thus emphasizing the importance of strategic system implementation aligned with MACRA guidelines.

On clinical care and provider-patient interactions, MACRA promotes real-time data access, streamlined documentation, and effective care coordination through interoperable systems. Improved data sharing facilitates more accurate diagnoses, personalized treatment plans, and continuity of care, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes. Clinicians can access comprehensive health records during visits, reducing redundant tests and minimizing errors. Furthermore, patient engagement tools integrated into EHRs, such as patient portals and telehealth capabilities, foster greater involvement in care management, enhancing communication and satisfaction.

Workflow enhancements are also a key component of MACRA-driven initiatives. By automating routine documentation tasks and incorporating decision support tools, healthcare providers can focus more on direct patient care. This shift reduces administrative burdens and supports a team-based approach to healthcare delivery. However, transitioning to MACRA-compliant systems necessitates organizational policies that address workflow redesign, staff training, and data security measures to protect patient privacy and ensure smooth integration of new technologies.

To comply with MACRA, healthcare organizations must establish specific policies and procedures. These include regular staff training on EHR functionalities and updated documentation practices, compliance audits to monitor reporting accuracy, and cybersecurity protocols to safeguard sensitive data. Leadership should also foster a culture of continuous quality improvement, encouraging staff to utilize data insights for clinical decision-making. Additionally, policies must outline procedures for interoperability, data sharing agreements, and the management of patient portal access to ensure compliance with federal standards while promoting patient-centered care.

In conclusion, MACRA has a profound influence on health informatics policies within healthcare settings by promoting interoperability, quality reporting, and value-based care. Its implementation affects technology systems, clinical workflows, and patient interactions, necessitating organizational policies that support compliance and optimize care delivery. As nurse informaticists, healthcare professionals must champion these changes, ensuring that technology enhances both clinical outcomes and operational efficiency.

References

• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2021). MACRA Overview. https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Quality-Initiatives-Patient-Assessment-Instruments/Value-Based-Programs/MACRA-MIPS-and-Advanced-APMs
• Blumenthal, D., & Tavenner, M. (2010). The “Meaningful Use” regulation for electronic health records. New England Journal of Medicine, 363(6), 501-504.
• HIMSS. (2019). Impact of MACRA on Healthcare Organizations. Healthcare IT News. https://www.healthcareitnews.com
• American Nurses Association. (2017). Nursing Informatics: Scope and Standards of Practice (3rd ed.). ANA.
• Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. (2022). Interoperability Standards Advisory. HealthIT.gov.
• Mehrotra, A., et al. (2020). The Future of Electronic Health Records. JAMA, 324(5), 427-428.
• Friedman, C., et al. (2019). Improving clinical decision support for a better healthcare. Journal of Biomedical Informatics, 94, 103183.
• McGinnis, J.M., et al. (2016). The Case for a National Digital Health Foundation. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
• Vest, J.R. (2018). Health Information Exchange and Its Impact on Patient Care. Journal of Healthcare Management, 63(5), 305-308.
• Kim, S., et al. (2020). Strategies for Successful Electronic Health Record Adoption. Healthcare, 8(3), 100582.