Assessing The Problem Of Leadership Collaboration

Assessing The Problem Leadership Collaboration Commun

Define a patient, family, or population health problem that is relevant to your practice. Hypertension is the clinical term that is used to describe a consistent high level in a patient’s blood pressure. This is a quite common patient concern in the healthcare sector. Uncontrolled hypertension can cause serious health problems.

The risk for cardiovascular diseases, stroke, cardiac insufficiency, and death is also increased. To reduce the risk of such conditions, it is important to maintain blood pressure under control. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) argues that only one in four adults with hypertension has it under control and almost half of adults with elevated blood pressure are either not prescribed or do not use their medicine (2020). Biological, environmental and lifestyle factors are predisposing factors for hypertension. Study on diagnosis and treatment has made considerable strides, playing an important role in the dramatic decay of heart disease and stroke mortality in developed economies.

However, there are relatively low control rates for hypertension. Randomized control studies show a substantial reduction in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality risk in successful medication intervention. In addition to antihypertensive drugs, the consistency and risk of cardiovascular events for the treatment of hypertension patients, friends and families are also visibly affected. Observation research has showed that a stroke occurrence at any point in life, particularly for elderly adults, is indicative of a lack of adequate blood pressure management. A critical role in helping to demystify this hypertension puzzle is the mechanisms of treatment of hypertensives, healthcare providers and the healthcare system.

The failure of the health consultant and the non-observance of prescriptions lead to inadequate regulation of blood pressure. This subject is of particular interest to me because as a Medical-Surgical RN, it is a common occurrence to see patients in my unit with the diagnosis of hypertension. Of more interest is Mr. Shuabu who is a 76-year-old African American who is married to a Hispanic-American. He has a history of tobacco use, alcohol abuse, diabetes, borderline obesity, coronary artery disease, and stroke which left him with right-sided weakness.

In addition to pharmacological measures in reducing blood pressure, additional measures include lifestyle improvement and weight loss targeted for patients with hypertension. The combination of these has proven that blood pressure is declining. Changes to your lifestyle include loss of weight, exercise, diet, quitting smoking and alcohol, and stress reduction. Analyze evidence from the literature and professional sources to support decisions related to defining and guiding nursing actions related to a health problem. The integrative therapy for patients has increased the value of improving lifestyles as an effective hypertension control technique.

Changing lifestyles means changing traditional behaviors to accomplish health goals. Common behaviors that lead to the achievement of health goals include eating a balanced diet, increasing physical activity, weight loss, reducing stress, quitting smoking, and reducing alcohol consumption. A survey of 1139 people with hypertension conforming to lifestyle changes was carried out in an article written by Yang et al. (2017). The lifestyle of patients including smoking, alcohol, salt consumption, and physical activity was evaluated. In patients diagnosed with hypertension, the aim of this study was to identify and assess lifestyle changes linked to blood pressure monitoring.

Participants explored medication adherence, weight, physical activity, alcohol consumption, salt intake, and blood pressure readings in weeks 4, 8, and 12. At the end of the study, the performance group comprised 961 participants (84%). It was found that decreased salt intake and increased physical exercise were linked to successful blood pressure control. The study suggested that dietary improvements that help minimize hypertension include low sodium intakes, minimal or no alcohol, weight loss management, and consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, milk products with low-fat content, and saturated fat. After 18 months, the researchers also followed participants and observed a further pattern of reduced blood pressure (Yang et al., 2017).

Research indicates that physical activity is important to decrease blood pressure and enhance quality of life, as these are effects of lifestyle modifications (Magobe et al., 2017). The study indicates that 10-30 minutes of physical activity can be instrumental in controlling blood pressure at least three days a week. Participants aged from 41 to 80 years diagnosed with hypertension for up to ten years were involved in evaluating the efficacy of lifestyle medication in blood pressure control. The findings of the study reinforced that lifestyle improvements are a successful method for blood pressure control, reducing the risk of cardiovascular problems for patients with healthier lifestyles by 21 percent (Magobe et al., 2017). Evidence from the literature aligns with my nursing practice, as uncontrolled hypertension often results in patients being admitted to the Med-Surgical unit with hypertensive crises or stroke. It is discovered that many patients do not adhere to lifestyle modifications due to lack of awareness or access, which complicates evidence-based practice (Devkota et al., 2016). Health professionals should employ health belief models to encourage behavioral change, facilitating outcome improvements (Drevenhom, 2018).

How State Board Nursing Practice Standards and Policies Affect the Problem

The presence of various nursing boards across states strengthens the American Nursing Association’s efforts by enforcing policy provisions aimed at patient safety. For example, the Maryland Board of Nursing (MBON) aims to protect residents by ensuring licensed nursing staff deliver safe care in the region by adhering to the Nursing Practice Act (MBON, 2020). Skilled nurses are better equipped to provide quality care and protect patients from adverse outcomes. Ethical guidelines outline nursing actions, emphasizing the importance of autonomy and effective communication with patients to promote safe and effective hypertension management (Fischer, 2016). These standards influence how nurses assess, plan, and implement care, ensuring adherence to legal and professional requirements, ultimately impacting health outcomes for hypertensive patients.

Leadership Strategies to Improve Outcomes and Patient Experience

Effective leadership in nursing is crucial to improving hypertension outcomes and enhancing patient-centered care. Nurses must adopt a collaborative, patient-focused approach, engaging families and multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive management. A patient-centered, team-based approach, involving nurses, physicians, dietitians, and counselors, has shown success in controlling hypertension (Dennison-Himmelfarb et al., 2016). Nurses should stay informed of evidence-based practices, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and safety (Mansel & Einion, 2019). Leadership roles include advocating for policy changes, providing education, and ensuring adherence to treatment plans. Implementing shared decision-making and motivational interviewing techniques can empower patients, encourage better adherence, and improve overall outcomes.

Communication strategies such as regular follow-ups, culturally sensitive education, and feedback mechanisms are essential for addressing barriers and ensuring effective patient engagement. Change management strategies include creating a sense of urgency, utilizing data to motivate action, and implementing incremental changes to foster sustainable habits (Cummings et al., 2018). Addressing potential barriers such as resistance to lifestyle changes or medication adherence requires tailored strategies, including patient education, motivational interviewing, and social support systems. These leadership, collaboration, and change management approaches collectively contribute to improved health outcomes and a better patient experience.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Facts about hypertension. https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm
• Devkota, S., Dhungana, R. R., Pandey, A. R., Bista, B., Panthi, S., Thakur, K. K., & Gajurel, R. M. (2016). Barriers to treatment and control of hypertension among hypertensive participants: A community-based cross-sectional mixed method study in municipalities of Kathmandu, Nepal. Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, 3.
• Drevenhorn, E. (2018). A proposed middle-range theory of nursing in hypertension care. International Journal of Hypertension, 2018.
• Fischer, S. A. (2016). Transformational leadership in nursing: a concept analysis. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 72(11).
• Magobe, N. B., Poggenpoel, M., & Myburgh, C. (2017). Experiences of patients with hypertension at primary health care in facilitating own lifestyle change of regular physical exercise. Curationis, 40(1).
• Mansel, B., & Einion, A. (2019). ‘It's the relationship you develop with them’: emotional intelligence in nurse leadership. A qualitative study. British Journal of Nursing, 28(21).
• Maryland Board of Nursing. (2020). Nurse Practice Act. https://mbon.maryland.gov/
• Yang, M. H., Kang, S. Y., Lee, J. A., Kim, Y. S., Sung, E. J., Lee, K., Kim, J., Oh, H. J., Kang, H. C., & Lee, S. Y. (2017). Correction: The Effect of Lifestyle Changes on Blood Pressure Control among Hypertensive Patients. Korean Journal of Family Medicine, 38(5).