How the patient, family, or population problem impacts the quality of care

 


Explain how the patient, family, or population problem impacts the quality of care, patient safety, and costs to the system and individual.

Cite evidence that supports the stated impact.
Note whether the supporting evidence is consistent with what you see in your nursing practice.
Explain how state board nursing practice standards and/or organizational or governmental policies can affect the problem's impact on the quality of care, patient safety, and costs to the system and individual.
Describe research that has tested the effectiveness of these standards and/or policies in addressing care quality, patient safety, and costs to the system and individual.
Explain how these standards and/or policies will guide your actions in addressing care quality, patient safety, and costs to the system and individual.
Describe the effects of local, state, and federal policies or legislation on your nursing scope of practice, within the context of care quality, patient safety, and cost to the system and individual.
Propose strategies to improve the quality of care, enhance patient safety, and reduce costs to the system and individual.
Discuss research on the effectiveness of these strategies in addressing care quality, patient safety, and costs to the system and individual.
Identify relevant and available sources of benchmark data on care quality, patient safety, and costs to the system and individual.
The patient problem is obesity.

 

Sample Answer

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is a comprehensive request regarding the impact and management of obesity in the healthcare system.

 

Impact of Obesity on Quality, Safety, and Costs

 

Obesity, defined by a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher, fundamentally impacts the delivery of healthcare and patient outcomes.

Supporting Evidence and Consistency with Practice

 

Evidence Supporting the Impact:

A study published in the Journal of Health Affairs (often cited as a benchmark) found that obesity accounts for nearly 21% of all U.S. healthcare spending .

Data from the CDC and surgical risk models (e.g., the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program—NSQIP) consistently show that morbid obesity is a strong, independent predictor of surgical complications, including wound dehiscence and pneumonia.

Consistency with Nursing Practice:

The evidence is highly consistent with nursing practice. I've frequently observed:

Difficulty performing essential tasks, such as obtaining an accurate blood pressure reading with standard equipment, necessitating specialized bariatric equipment (e.g., wider beds, lifts).

Extended recovery times and delayed mobilization in bariatric surgical patients compared to non-obese patients, directly impacting length of stay and raising the risk of VTE.

Increased time and staffing required for safe patient handling (e.g., requiring a minimum of two nurses and a lift device), which impacts workflow and staff safety.