PICOT Statement Grand Canyon University

PICOT STATEMENT 5 PICOT Statement Grand Canyon University July 1, 2018

PICOT STATEMENT 5 PICOT Statement Grand Canyon University July 1, 2018 PICOT Statement P- Elderly patients (aged 65 years and above) I.- Improving workflow and use of health information technologies C- Home-based care O- Improved quality of care and increased patient safety T- Two months Patient Population and Problem Elderly patients (aged 65 and above) face many health problems within the primary care setting. Consequently, nurses and other health care professionals normally grapple with the challenge of improving quality of care and patient safety for this population (Boltz et al. 2016). Elderly patients are often vulnerable to many health hazards that might affect the quality of care and their safety.

For instance, their cognitive functioning reduces as their age progress. In addition, they normally have a high propensity to avoid taking prescriptions and medications. Furthermore, elderly patients normally register high rates of allergic responses, coupled with falls and inability to request for assistance from nurses. Improving workflow within nurses’ working environments can help to reduce these health problems (National Council of State Boards of Nursing,2010). The work processes for nurse and physicians in primary healthcare settings might not be effective in taking preventive measures to ensure that elderly patients’ quality and safety are guaranteed.

These include protection form hazards such as immobility, muscle atrophy, falls, and contractures. Intervention The utilization of evidence-based practice can support nursing interventions to improve workflow and quality of care. The task of improving workflow should focus on integrating technologies into the existing nurses’ work environments such as people, roles, and work procedures. Nurses and other healthcare team should complete tasks by adhering to the appropriate work procedures. Healthcare institutions should introduce health information systems such as EHRs in order to optimize the benefits to nursing care (Grain et al. 2014). There is need to introduce systems that support nurses in the delivery of their duties and responsibilities. For instance, technological systems should be introduced to support nurses in their efforts to complete the tasks of documentation of vital signs of elderly patients, as well as ability to develop charts of vital signs and search functions (Isono et al. 2017). In addition, nurses who operate in busy environments should develop a work breakdown sheet that identifies the details of their tasks. Training programs should also be introduced to enhance performance and satisfaction.

Comparison As an alternative, home-based care can be provided to elderly patients. However, when compared to use of evidence-based practice in primary care, home-based interventions may be associated with various potential adverse effects. For instance, many health professionals are often inaccurate in presuming that home-based care does not come with economic and emotional costs. In most situations, home-based interventions are associated with considerable emotional and financial burden. Most caregivers are often women, and they have a propensity to have minimal access to or control of resources required to assume this responsibility. Sometimes, they are not often available to prevent patients from falling, or avoiding medications. Outcomes The utilization of technology and workflow process improvement initiatives can help to improve safety and quality of care among elderly patients. The outcomes of these nursing interventions are far and wide. This is because they result in reduced cases of falls among elderly patients. In addition, they help to constantly keep records of medications that are taken by the patients and quick detection of the potential problems that might hinder the patients from recovery. Improvements in workflow have the potential to enable nurses and physicians to get important information about patient disease status and healthcare processes. Healthcare agencies that embrace health information systems and improve workflow are able to keep track of progresses being made by many elderly patients within primary care settings. Time These evidence-based interventions can be implemented within a span of two months. Their successes can result in positive health outcomes for elderly patients immediately. In addition, workflow improvements can yield the desired fruits both in the long-term and long-run. In the short-run, nurses are most likely to improve their productivity. References Boltz, M., Capezuti, E., Fulmer, T. T., & Zwicker, D. (Eds.). (2016). Evidence-based geriatric nursing protocols for best practice. New York: Springer Publishing Company. Grain, H., Martin-Sanchez, F., & Schaper, L. K. (Eds.). (2014). Investing in E-health: People, Knowledge and Technology for a Healthy Future: Selected Papers from the 22nd Australian National Health Informatics Conference (HIC 2014) (Vol. 204). IOS Press. Isono, H., Suzuki, S., Ogura, J., Haruta, J., & Maeno, T. (2017). Improving the workflow of nursing assistants at a general hospital in Japan. BMJ Open Qual, 6(2), e000106. National Council of State Boards of Nursing. (2010). Nursing Pathways for Patient Safety E- book. New York: Elsevier Health Sciences.

Paper For Above instruction

The increasing aging population worldwide presents significant challenges to healthcare systems, especially in primary care settings where the elderly often require complex, coordinated, and safe healthcare. An effective approach to improving healthcare outcomes among elderly patients revolves around enhancing workflow processes and the integration of health information technologies (HIT). This paper explores the application of an evidence-based PICOT framework focusing on elderly patients aged 65 and above, aiming to improve workflow and the use of HIT within a two-month implementation period, ultimately enhancing the quality and safety of care delivered in primary care settings.

Introduction

The demographic shift toward an aging populace emphasizes the importance of optimizing care delivery for elderly individuals. Elderly patients face multifaceted health problems, including cognitive declines, fall risks, medication management issues, and the propensity for allergic reactions (Boltz et al., 2016). These vulnerabilities necessitate innovative strategies that ensure safety while maintaining or improving care quality. The PICOT question under consideration asks: In elderly patients (P), does improving workflow and integrating health information technologies (I) compared to home-based care (C), over a period of two months (T), lead to better quality of care and increased patient safety (O)?

Patient Population and Problem

Elderly patients, defined as individuals aged 65 years and above, are particularly susceptible to adverse health events in primary care settings. Their age-related cognitive decline increases the risk of medication mismanagement, fall hazards, and failure to communicate needs effectively (National Council of State Boards of Nursing, 2010). Additionally, social and emotional vulnerabilities often complicate their management at home, especially with limited caregiver resources. These challenges underscore the urgency of optimizing workflow procedures and leveraging health information systems to promote patient safety and improve the quality of care.

Intervention Strategies

Implementing evidence-based nursing practices entails standardizing workflows and integrating health information technologies such as Electronic Health Records (EHRs). EHRs facilitate efficient documentation, enable quick access to patient data, and support decision-making processes (Grain et al., 2014). For example, recording vital signs and medication regimens digitally reduces errors and enhances continuity of care. Moreover, workflow enhancement involves developing standardized work procedures, including checklists and task breakdown sheets, to streamline nursing and medical tasks (Isono et al., 2017). Training programs are pivotal, equipping nursing staff with skills to effectively utilize these technological systems, thereby boosting performance and job satisfaction.

Comparison to Home-Based Care

While home-based care presents a patient-centered approach that respects autonomy and comfort, it often comes with substantial emotional and financial burdens for caregivers, predominantly women, who may have limited resources (Boltz et al., 2016). Home care also carries risks related to inadequate monitoring, delayed response to emergencies, and potential medication errors. Conversely, technology-driven workflow improvements within clinical settings can systematically reduce these risks by enabling timely interventions, accurate recordkeeping, and seamless communication among healthcare providers. However, the feasibility of integrating such technologies depends on proper resource allocation and staff training.

Expected Outcomes

The primary anticipated outcome is a significant reduction in adverse events such as falls and medication errors, detected through meticulous electronic record management. Enhanced workflow fostered by HIT integration leads to increased efficiency, allowing nurses to devote more time to direct patient care and health education. Quantifiable improvements include decreased hospitalization rates for preventable conditions and improved patient satisfaction scores. These outcomes align with international guidelines emphasizing safety and quality in geriatric care (Boltz et al., 2016).

Implementation Timeline

Based on existing literature and clinical practice experience, the integration of technological tools and workflow processes can be effectively executed within approximately two months. Initial staff training, workflow redesign, and system testing can be completed within the first six weeks, while ongoing evaluations and modifications can be addressed in the subsequent weeks (Isono et al., 2017). Short-term gains include improved staff efficiency and reduced error rates, leading to immediate enhancements in patient safety. Long-term benefits encompass sustained improvements in care quality, staff satisfaction, and resource utilization.

Conclusion

Enhancing workflow processes through the integration of health information technologies represents a viable, evidence-based strategy for improving care quality and safety among elderly patients. While home-based care offers personalized benefits, it cannot substitute the systemic safety enhancements achievable within clinical settings using HIT interventions. Implementing these strategies within a two-month timeframe can produce immediate and sustained benefits, addressing the complex needs of the aging population while aligning with best practices in geriatric nursing care.

References

  • Boltz, M., Capezuti, E., Fulmer, T. T., & Zwicker, D. (2016). Evidence-based geriatric nursing protocols for best practice. Springer Publishing Company.
  • Grain, H., Martin-Sanchez, F., & Schaper, L. K. (Eds.). (2014). Investing in E-health: People, Knowledge and Technology for a Healthy Future: Selected Papers from the 22nd Australian National Health Informatics Conference (HIC 2014) (Vol. 204). IOS Press.
  • Isono, H., Suzuki, S., Ogura, J., Haruta, J., & Maeno, T. (2017). Improving the workflow of nursing assistants at a general hospital in Japan. BMJ Open Quality, 6(2), e000106.
  • National Council of State Boards of Nursing. (2010). Nursing Pathways for Patient Safety. Elsevier Health Sciences.
  • Harvey, G., & Kitson, A. (2015). Implementing Evidence-Based Practice in Healthcare: A Facilitation Guide. Routledge.
  • Mazurek Melnyk, B., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2011). Evidence-based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare: A Guide to Best Practice. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  • Boltz, M., Capezuti, E., Fulmer, T., & Zwicker, D. (2016). Evidence-based geriatric nursing protocols for best practice. Springer Publishing.
  • Harvey, G., & Kitson, A. (2015). Implementing Evidence-Based Practice in Healthcare: A Facilitation Guide. Routledge.
  • Grain, H., Martin-Sanchez, F., & Schaper, L. K. (Eds.). (2014). Investing in E-health: People, Knowledge and Technology for a Healthy Future: Selected Papers from the 22nd Australian National Health Informatics Conference (HIC 2014). IOS Press.
  • Isono, H., Suzuki, S., Ogura, J., Haruta, J., & Maeno, T. (2017). Improving the workflow of nursing assistants at a general hospital in Japan. BMJ Open Quality, 6(2), e000106.

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