Research State Health: Michael Vazquez And The S2467 Patient

Reply Research State Health1 Michael Vazquezthe S2467 Patient Safet

The S.2467 - Patient Safety Improvement Act of 2016 is aimed at addressing health care-associated infections (Carey & Lin, 2016). This law has resulted in better practices of hygiene among health care professionals when they work with clients, equipment, technical devices, etc. Hand hygiene targeting systems were then installed in many facilities (Carey & Lin, 2016). These systems turned out to be quite effective, and yet the most important aspect about these technologies is that they do not result in ethical dilemmas that have resulted from technology changes when delivering care to patients or patient safety (Singh & Sittig, 2016). Politics are always focused on minimization of spending and optimization of outcomes.

The political climate has thus affected the choice of policy tools and the behavioral assumptions by policymakers by making an emphasis on the need of quality health care services that are cost-effective and are not associated with additional spending (Singh & Sittig, 2016). Professional nursing organizations have been involved in this policy issue by emphasizing the growing problem of hospital readmissions due to hospital-acquired infections. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services require acute care hospitals to report antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance. Patient safety organizations may collect patient-reported information. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) must research best practices for enabling this collection of information and establish a public website to access data from the network of patient safety databases.

I believe this legislation is highly significant in addressing the worsening problem of health care-associated infections. It underscores the importance of infection control measures, data transparency, and accountability in healthcare settings, ultimately enhancing patient safety and care quality.

Paper For Above instruction

The Patient Safety Improvement Act of 2016, specifically targeted towards reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), marked a pivotal legislative step in advancing patient safety and hygiene standards within medical settings. HAIs are a major public health concern, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. This law mandated enhanced hygiene practices, including the installation of hand hygiene targeting systems in healthcare facilities, which have shown promising results in infection reduction and improved practices among healthcare professionals (Carey & Lin, 2016).

The technological interventions introduced through this legislation emphasize the integration of health information technology (HIT) to promote adherence to hygiene protocols while maintaining ethical standards. Unlike some technological advancements that pose ethical dilemmas, such as privacy concerns with electronic health records, hand hygiene systems generally do not infringe upon patient rights or cause ethical conflicts. They serve as a technological reinforcement of best practices without compromising ethical principles, which is crucial in healthcare policy implementation (Singh & Sittig, 2016).

The influence of the political and policy climate significantly shapes the effectiveness and scope of such health legislation. Policymakers often prioritize cost-effectiveness and outcomes optimization, especially in a politically fractured environment where healthcare costs are under scrutiny (Singh & Sittig, 2016). These political considerations affect resource allocation, enforcement, and the development of policy tools that balance cost-saving with patient safety. As healthcare agencies like CMS require hospitals to report antibiotic usage and antimicrobial resistance patterns, the emphasis on transparency and data sharing becomes integral to comprehensive infection control strategies.

Professional nursing organizations have played a vital role in advocating for policies that reduce HAIs, recognizing the direct relationship between nursing practices and patient safety. By pushing for standardized reporting and adherence to infection prevention protocols, these organizations help shape policies that improve healthcare outcomes. Moreover, the involvement of organizations like AHRQ in developing best practices and public data access underscores a trend toward transparency and accountability in patient safety efforts (Carey & Lin, 2016).

In addition to federal initiatives, state-level policies are crucial in addressing HAIs. For instance, Florida has implemented legislative measures aimed at controlling obesity, which also reflects broader public health strategies to improve population health outcomes. The state's use of data from the OneFlorida Data Trust illustrates how data-driven policy decisions are instrumental in understanding and tackling health issues at the population level (Bennet, 2018). Similarly, smoking bans and policies targeting secondhand smoke showcase how legislative interventions can produce significant behavioral and environmental changes that promote health (Lattimore, 2008).

State health policies extend their impact through laws that regulate environmental factors, such as tobacco control, and influence health behaviors in communities. Nurses and public health practitioners can influence these policies by advocating for standards that enhance the delivery of care and promote healthier environments (Burke, 2016). Geographic information systems (GIS) and mapping tools further enable policymakers to visualize the distribution of health-related laws and assess their effectiveness across different regions (Lattimore, 2008).

Overall, the integration of law, policy, technology, and community engagement forms a comprehensive framework for improving health outcomes. The legislative focus on infection control exemplifies how targeted policies can lead to safer healthcare environments, while broader public health policies, such as obesity control and tobacco regulation, demonstrate the importance of addressing social determinants of health. Nurses and health professionals play a critical role in advocating for effective policies and ensuring their implementation aligns with ethical standards and promotes equitable health for all populations.

References

• Carey, K., & Lin, M. Y. (2016). Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program: safety-net hospitals show improvement, modifications to penalty formula still needed. Health Affairs, 35(10), 1801–1807.
• Singh, H., & Sittig, D. F. (2016). Measuring and improving patient safety through health information technology: The Health IT Safety Framework. BMJ Quality & Safety, 25(4), 213-218.
• Bennet, D. (2018). Florida's obesity rate may be higher than originally thought, new study finds. Retrieved from https://www.healthdatainsights.com/
• Dietz, W. H., Benken, D. E., & Hunter, A. S. (2009). Public health law and the prevention and control of obesity. The Milbank Quarterly, 87(1), 215–227. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0009.2009.00553.x
• Lattimore, B. F. (2008). Tools for Developing, Implementing, and Evaluating State Policy. NCBI, 5(2), A58.
• Burke, S. A. (2016). Influence through policy: Nurses have a unique role. Reflection on Nursing Leadership. Retrieved from https://reflectionsonnursingleadership.org/
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2019). Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Policies. CDC.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/about.htm
• World Health Organization (WHO). (2018). Global report on effective access to assistive technology. WHO Press.
• National Institute of Health (NIH). (2020). Strategies for infection control in healthcare settings. NIH.gov.
• American Public Health Association (APHA). (2017). Policy Statement on Tobacco Control Legislation. APHA.org.