Assignment Assessing A Healthcare Program Policy Evaluation

Assignment Assessing A Healthcare Programpolicy Evaluationprogrampol

Assignment: Assessing a Healthcare Program/policy Evaluation Program policy evaluation is a valuable tool that can help strengthen the quality of programs/policies and improve outcomes for the populations they serve. Program/policy evaluation answers basic questions about program/policy effectiveness. It involves collecting and analyzing information about program/policy activities, characteristics, and outcomes. This information can be used to ultimately improve program services or policy initiatives. Nurses can play a very important role assessing program/policy evaluation for the same reasons that they can be so important to program/policy design.

Nurses bring expertise and patient advocacy that can add significant insight and impact. In this Assignment, you will practice applying this expertise and insight by selecting an existing healthcare program or policy evaluation and reflecting on the criteria used to measure the effectiveness of the program/policy. To Prepare: Review the Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation Analysis Template provided in the Resources. Select an existing healthcare program or policy evaluation or choose one of interest to you. Review community, state, or federal policy evaluation and reflect on the criteria used to measure the effectiveness of the program or policy described.

The Assignment: (2–3 pages) Based on the program or policy evaluation you selected, complete the Healthcare Program/Policy Evaluation Analysis Template. Be sure to address the following: Describe the healthcare program or policy outcomes. How was the success of the program or policy measured? How many people were reached by the program or policy selected? How much of an impact was realized with the program or policy selected?

At what point in program implementation was the program or policy evaluation conducted? What data was used to conduct the program or policy evaluation? What specific information on unintended consequences was identified? What stakeholders were identified in the evaluation of the program or policy? Who would benefit most from the results and reporting of the program or policy evaluation? Be specific and provide examples. Did the program or policy meet the original intent and objectives? Why or why not? Would you recommend implementing this program or policy in your place of work? Why or why not?

Identify at least two ways that you, as a nurse advocate, could become involved in evaluating a program or policy after 1 year of implementation. Learning Resources Note: To access this week’s required library resources, please click on the link to the Course Readings List, found in the Course Materials section of your Syllabus. Required Readings Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Chapter 7, “Health Policy and Social Program Evaluation” (pp. 116–124 only). Glasgow, R. E., Lichtenstein, E., & Marcus, A. C. (2003). Why don’t we see more translation of health promotion research to practice? Rethinking the efficacy-to-effectiveness transition. American Journal of Public Health, 93(8), 1261–1267. Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Shiramizu, B., Shambaugh, V., Petrovich, H., Seto, T. B., Ho, T., Mokuau, N., & Hedges, J. R. (2016). Leading by success: Impact of a clinical and translational research infrastructure program to address health inequities. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 4(5), 983–991. doi:10.1007/s

Williams, J. K., & Anderson, C. M. (2018). Omics research ethics considerations. Nursing Outlook, 66(4), 386–393. doi:10.1016/j.outlook.2018.05.003 Note: You will access this article from the Walden Library databases.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Healthcare policy evaluation is an essential component in determining the effectiveness and impact of health programs. It provides critical insights into whether programs meet their objectives, reach their targeted populations, and generate meaningful health outcomes. Engaging nurses in these evaluations enhances the process through clinical expertise, advocacy skills, and a focus on patient-centered outcomes. This paper examines the evaluation of a federal healthcare program aimed at reducing hospital readmissions among chronic disease patients, analyzing its effectiveness, stakeholders, and potential for future involvement by nursing professionals.

Program Description and Outcomes

The selected program is the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP), established under the Affordable Care Act to incentivize hospitals to lower readmission rates for conditions such as heart failure, pneumonia, and acute myocardial infarction. The program's primary outcome measures include the risk-adjusted readmission rates, hospitalization costs, and patient quality of life indicators. Success was primarily measured through reductions in readmission rates compared to baseline data, with hospitals receiving financial penalties or incentives based on performance metrics. According to CMS reports, hospitals participating in the HRRP saw a 17% decrease in readmission rates for targeted conditions over five years (CMS, 2021).

Reach, Impact, and Evaluation Timing

The program reached approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide, affecting millions of patients annually. The impact extended to improved continuity of care, increased focus on transitional care strategies, and reduced healthcare costs for managed conditions. Program evaluation was conducted annually, analyzing large-scale claims data, hospital reporting, and patient survey data. Data sources included Medicare claims, hospital discharge data, and patient satisfaction surveys. Unintended consequences, such as potential patient discharge delays to avoid penalties, were identified and addressed through policy adjustments (Berenson et al., 2017).

Stakeholders and Beneficiaries

Stakeholders involved in the evaluation encompassed hospital administrators, healthcare providers, policymakers, and patients. Hospitals benefited from reduced readmission penalties and improved patient outcomes; patients benefited from enhanced transitional care and reduced hospitalization risk. These insights informed ongoing adjustments to the program’s structure, aiming for equitable and efficient care delivery. The beneficiaries—especially vulnerable populations at higher risk of readmission—gained the most significant advantages from program implementation and subsequent evaluation.

Objectives, Effectiveness, and Recommendations

Initially, the HRRP aimed to improve patient outcomes while reducing healthcare costs through incentivized hospital efforts. While significant reductions in readmission rates were observed, critiques indicated that some hospitals might discharge patients prematurely to meet targets, risking adverse health events. Nonetheless, overall, the program met its objectives by fostering better discharge planning, patient education, and follow-up care. Given its success and potential for further refinement, I would recommend implementing this program in my workplace, especially with enhanced nurse-led transitional care protocols.

Nursing Advocacy and Future Involvement

As a nurse advocate, involvement in program evaluation after one year could include participating in data collection efforts focused on patient outcomes and advocating for patient-centered transitional care models. Additionally, nurses can contribute to analyzing post-discharge follow-up data and identifying areas for quality improvement. Long-term, nurses’ clinical insight can guide the development of tailored interventions to address identified gaps, ensuring sustainable improvements aligned with patient needs.

Conclusion

Effective healthcare program evaluation is vital for improving patient outcomes and refining health policies. Nurses, with their clinical expertise and advocacy skills, are integral to this process. The evaluation of the HRRP demonstrates how data-driven insights can lead to improved care quality, reduced costs, and healthier populations. Continued nurse involvement in evaluation efforts promises to further enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of healthcare initiatives.

References

• Berenson, R. A., et al. (2017). The Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program—Implications for Hospitals. New England Journal of Medicine, 376(13), 1195-1197.
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). (2021). Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP) Results. https://www.cms.gov/Newsroom/MediaReleaseDatabase/Fact-Sheets/2021-Fact-Sheets-Items/2021-02-24
• Glasgow, R. E., Lichtenstein, E., & Marcus, A. C. (2003). Why don’t we see more translation of health promotion research to practice? Rethinking the efficacy-to-effectiveness transition. American Journal of Public Health, 93(8), 1261–1267.
• Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Shiramizu, B., et al. (2016). Leading by success: Impact of a clinical and translational research infrastructure program to address health inequities. Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 4(5), 983–991.
• Williams, J. K., & Anderson, C. M. (2018). Omics research ethics considerations. Nursing Outlook, 66(4), 386–393.