510 Discussions
510 Discussions
510 Discussions
Discussion Prompt 1
CO LL AP SE
Discuss your position regarding access to and coverage for health care. Are we obligated to provide access to and coverage for health
care for all Americans as an entitlement (a right), or should health care be considered a commodity that is subject to the influences of
economic, social, and market demand (supply and demand)? Be sure to include the rationale for your position in your discussion.
Healthcare will always be a discussion in America. Healthcare should be provided to all Americans. I don’t believe that healthcare
should be free to everyone. People that are looking for employment or have jobs are looking for the best benefits for themselves and
their family. One of the most important benefits is healthcare. Many Americans cannot afford healthcare because they either can’t
work because of a disability or other reasons. They should still be given the opportunity to have healthcare. Poverty should not be the
reason that Americans should be turned away from receiving treatment because they cannot afford it. Everyone should have the
opportunity to take care of their health and receive the same treatment regardless of their social economic status. Prevention and
education are key in preventing many diseases. This will also reduce costs. As nurses it is important to educate and volunteer in
communities where there is need in order to help prevent preventable diseases.
Reference:
Austin, A. (2017). The United States Health Care System, 3rd edition. [Bookshelf online]. Retrieved
from https://vsaccess.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780134297927
Mason, D. J., Leavitt, J. K., Chaffee, M. W. Policy & Politics in Nursing and Health Care. [VitalSource
Bookshelf]. Retrieved from https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780323241441/
Discussion 2
What are the barriers to nurses' participation in the development of health care policy at the state or national level or in an organization
in the United States? Why do you think these are barriers? Support your opinion with a rationale or example.
Some of barriers to nurses’ participation in the development of health care policy is because of the lack of knowledge. Nurses have the
power to change health care policies due to working with patient care and knowing what needs to be done and what needs to be
change. Policy development is a time-consuming job and many of the nurses do not have time because of working long hours. Policy
development and the process is difficult to understand at times and nurses don’t want to get involved because of either fear or not
being knowledgeable in the legislative process. If nurses were more informed and educated in the process and participating in the
development of healthcare policies, this will create opportunities and more nurses would advocate for the rights they deserve as well
as their patients rights.
Mason, D. J., Leavitt, J. K., Chaffee, M. W. Policy & Politics in Nursing and Health Care. [VitalSource
Bookshelf]. Retrieved from https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780323241441/
Week 2
Discussion Prompt 1
CO LL AP SE
Evaluate and discuss clinical and business solutions for hospital improvement. Include in your discussion improvement of outcomes,
reduction in costs, optimization of payment, and improvement in the overall patient experience.
Remember to support your post with updated literature ( less than 10 years old).
It is important to look at clinical and business solution for hospital improvement. Patients should receive quality care because it leads
to positive outcomes. Nurses and staff should be able to have good communication with the patients in order for the patients to
understand their health conditions. One big way in reducing the cost is to start employing more practitioners and nurses. This will save
a lot of money because hiring two nurse practitioners can be the cost for one medical doctor. Hiring more nurse practitioners for the
cost of a medical doctors can create seeing more patients which can result in more money. Patients will spend less time waiting in the
waiting room and the nurse practitioners can spend more time with their patients. Hiring more nurses will lead to better ratios and
patient can receive better quality care and will lead to safer care. In order to avoid optimization of payment, it is important to avoid
mistakes. A clear list of cost of the services the patient is receiving is a good way for the patient to have a clear understanding what
they have to pay without any surprises. The overall patient experience is very important. A lot of facilities and hospitals have their
own electronic programs/portals where they can access their health information such as their medical records, lab results, diagnostic
tests and etc. Patient will have access of their results and have a better idea of how cholesterol or diabetes is doing.
Mason, D. J., Leavitt, J. K., Chaffee, M. W. Policy & Politics in Nursing and Health Care. [VitalSource
Bookshelf]. Retrieved from https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780323241441/
Hi Amalia,
Great post. I agree, a way to ensure payment is to make sure charting is done properly. Avoiding mistakes is important. Collecting
feedback from a patient is important to improve patient satisfaction and ensure patient care. Having online portals will give the patient
access to their health information and able to see their lab results and other diagnostic test. This creates patient satisfaction and they
are able to manage their health condition by having access to their information.
Mason, D. J., Leavitt, J. K., Chaffee, M. W. Policy & Politics in Nursing and Health Care. [VitalSource Bookshelf]. Retrieved
fromhttps://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780323241441/
Hi Mireille,
I agree, it is important to reduce and educate patients who are frequent fliers and are being readmitted because they are noncompliant.
It is important to educate and make sure they are following up with their health care providers in order to reduce costs. Patient
experience is also key because if they are satisfied with the hospital care and the providers play close attention to the patient, then the
patient will most likely comply with treatment and this will reduce recurrent visits.
Mason, D. J., Leavitt, J. K., Chaffee, M. W. Policy & Politics in Nursing and Health Care. [VitalSource
Bookshelf]. Retrieved from https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780323241441/
Discussion Prompt 2
Discuss the nurse's role in the policy development model. Additionally, talk about the policy meeting
you have attended or will be attending. What key points could a nurse bring to this meeting and
subject?
Nurse’s role in the policy development is important. Nurses have a voice and can provide and
influence healthcare policies. We make up a large portion in the healthcare workforce and we should
get involved and get informed in order to change and participate in the policymaking process. Having
high nurse-patient ratios is unsafe and as nurses we can change that. This will lead to safer quality
care for the patients.
I will be watching my policy meeting tomorrow, but I chose my topic on Autism spectrum disorder. It
will be discussing about autism awareness and treatments. Allison, who is the psychologist for the
center for autism will speak about how the disorder is diagnoses, treatments, resources, and support
groups. Nurses are key factors to provide this information to their families and educate on the
resources they are out there.
Mason, D. J., Leavitt, J. K., Chaffee, M. W. Policy & Politics in Nursing and Health Care. [VitalSource
Bookshelf]. Retrieved from https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780323241441/
Washington Journal: Julia Bascom & Allison Ratto Discuss Autism Spectrum Disorder. (2019, April 27).
Retrieved May 15, 2019, from https://www.c-span.org/video/?460139-5/washington-journal-julia-bascom-
allison-ratto-discuss-autism-spectrum-disorder
Hi Adelso.
I enjoyed reading your post. I agree. It is important for nurses to participate in public policy and
advocacy because they have a voice. We make up a large portion of the healthcare workforce and it
is our responsibility to get involved in order to make changes. Safe nurse ratios are important for
nurses in order to provide safe quality care. Nurses can make mistakes because of the workload and
taking care of a lot of patients.
Mason, D. J., Leavitt, J. K., Chaffee, M. W. Policy & Politics in Nursing and Health Care. [VitalSource
Bookshelf]. Retrieved from https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780323241441/
Hi Amalia,
Great post. I agree, a nurse needs to be knowledgeable in the health care system in order to make
changes. Nurses have a lot of power and their voices need to be heared. You chose an interesting
topic. Prescription drug prices is a big problem in America. Medication is really expensive, and people
cannot afford it and they are not able to take their medication. What bothers me the most is that some
OTC medication at a Walmart or Target is about $5-$10 but if you got to the 99 cents store or dollar
tree it is only a dollar. This is a problem and is something that needs to change.
Mason, D. J., Leavitt, J. K., Chaffee, M. W. Policy & Politics in Nursing and Health Care. [VitalSource
Bookshelf]. Retrieved from https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780323241441/
Week 3
Discussion Prompt 1
CO LL AP SE
Identify three components of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that went into effect in 2014 and discuss their impact or
potential impact on the practice of nursing and medicine. Be specific as to what the provision states, who it affects, and the impact that
it may have
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was amended by the Health and Education Reconciliation Act and became law on
March 23, 2010. The law was not implemented until early 2014 (Rosenbaum, S.). It is also known as Obamacare.
1. The act improves Americans health and also training health care professionals. This act invests in health care for people who
are medically underserved communities. The act helps cover clinical preventative services and improved public health.
Prevention services such as tobacco cessation programs for Medicaid for pregnant women, oral health care prevention, and
school-based health centers. Prevention of chronic diseases programs is another act that will help Americans. This will
decrease hospital visits. Preventable services will help lower the health care costs because treatment for diseases in the
beginning stage is much cheaper than treatment in the late stage of the disease.
2. The ACA adds $940 billion to the federal budget (Amadeo, K.). The act will help lower the budget and will reduce the costs
of lowering payment hospitals, which will help significantly for people that cannot afford it. It also will give penalties to
employers who do not offer health care insurance to their employees. It also reduces overhead by consolidating the higher
education loan program with the Pell Grant program which will help a lot of Americans with their loans(Amadeo, K.).
3. The act will also enhance health care workforce education and training. This will give nurses opportunities for more
education, practice, and retention grants to nursing schools and training programs to improve nurse rendition. There will be
more mental and behavioral training programs, social work programs, individuals with disability programs, direct care
workers providing long-term care services and supports and many more programs that will help the healthcare workforce.
The affordable care act implementations will have its challenges along the way, but it will benefit in the advancements in public health
and will change the coverage and care for Americans.
Amadeo, K. (2018, August 08). How the Affordable Health Care Act Affects You. Retrieved May 21, 2019,
from https://www.thebalance.com/2010-patient-protection-affordable-care-act-3306063
Rosenbaum, S. (2011, January). The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Implications for public health
policy and practice. Retrieved May 21, 2019, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3001814/
Hi Tanya,
Great post. The Affordable Care Act allowed for all employers to make sure their employees had
health care options or else they had to pay a penalty for non-compliance. This allows employees to
have the opportunity to have access to health insurance and also provide health care for their
families. The Act will also have a federal budget of $940, this will help lower the budget and will
reduce the costs by lowering payment hospitals.
Rosenbaum, S. (2011, January). The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Implications for public health
policy and practice. Retrieved May 21, 2019, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3001814/
Understanding the Small Business Health Care Tax Credit. (n.d.). Retrieved
from https://www.irs.gov/affordable-care-act/employers/understanding-the-small-busienss-health-care-tax-
credit
Hi Amalia,
Great post. Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act included improved insurance coverage of all
Americans. This included young adults to have insurance with their dependents until the age 26. The
act made insurance more affordable. The act also enhances health care education and training. This
will give nurses opportunities for more education, practice, and retention grants to nursing schools
and training programs to improve more nurse retention.
Rosenbaum, S. (2011, January). The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act: Implications for public health
policy and practice. Retrieved May 21, 2019, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3001814/
Discussion Prompt 2
Describe a type of health care spending that you consider wasteful or services that you consider have
little or no benefit. Explain why you find the spending wasteful, and if eliminated, what impact it may
have on the American public.
In order to reduced health care spending that I would consider wasteful or services that have little or
no benefit is to understand the sources of the problem. According to the Washington Health Alliance,
who are a nonprofit organization who are dedicated to making sure health care is safe and more
affordable, found out that more than 600,000 patients underwent a treatment they did not need,
treatments that collectively cost and estimated $282 million. I believe that over treatment is a big
problem and I would consider it being wasteful. Sometimes over treatment can provide no health
benefit and could even cause harm. One example is when children come to the doctor’s office for a
viral infection such as a cold and is prescribed antibiotics. Giving antibiotics for a viral infection is
unnecessary, this can cause antibiotic resistance and can cause problems later in the future. It is
important for Americans to talk to their healthcare providers and make sure if they really need
possible unnecessary medication or test/procedures.
Allen, M. (2018, February 01). Unnecessary Medical Care: More Common Than You Might Imagine. Retrieved
May 22, 2019, from https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/02/01/582216198/unnecessary-medical-
care-more-common-than-you-might-imagine
Hi Kyung,
Great post. I agree with you large amount of drugs are being wasted especially patients who stay in
nursing homes. A lot of the nurses I work with who work in nursing homes say they throw away so
much medication because their prescriptions change or condition changes that they no longer need
the medicine. It amazes be that $2 billion worth of drugs are being wasted or destroyed each year. It
is important to recycle or return the medication that has not been opened instead of throwing it away,
this will save millions of dollars.
Hi Stephanie,
Great post. I agree with you. Unnecessary or repetitive test that are done for patients who frequently
go to the emergency room is a wasteful spending. If seen plenty of patients who go to different
emergency rooms and get the same test done because they believe something is going on with their
health when the ER MD told them the tests were negative. Now electronic medical records are useful
because some hospitals have the same electronic system which they can see what other hospitals
they have been too and are able to see what tests have been done.
Week 4
Ethical Issues Debate Topic Approval
CO LL AP SE
Review the current literature and select an ethical issue (a problem) in health care and the resolution to the issue. You will be posting
two videos from both the supporting and opposing viewpoints. Post your chosen ethical issue here for approval. You must choose an
original issue - if your issue is already chosen your instructor may ask you to choose again. Post early in the week to secure your
chosen issue. Reply to this thread with your name and issue in the subject area
"Should some vaccines be required? This is not just limited to children, but society as a
whole."
All 50 states require vaccinations for children entering public schools, but about 47 states permit
religious exemptions. Parents want the best for their children, but there is a lot of confliction about
vaccinated their children or not.
Opposition: Vaccines can cause serious and sometimes fatal side effects. Government should not
intervene in personal medical choices. Mandatory vaccines infringe upon constitutionally protected
religious freedoms. Vaccines are unnatural, and natural immunity is more effective than vaccination.
Support: vaccines can save children’s lives. Major medical organizations state that vaccines are safe.
Adverse reactions to vaccines are extremely safe. Vaccines protect the community immunity.
Vaccines save children and their parents time and money. Vaccines protect future generations.
Five Important Reasons to Vaccinate Your Child. (n.d.). Retrieved May 29, 2019, from
https://www.vaccines.gov/getting/for_parents/five_reasons
Should Any Vaccines Be Required for Children? (n.d.). Retrieved May 29, 2019, from
https://vaccines.procon.org/
According to McWhinney, Medicare and Medicaid programs are two different components that cover
individuals: Medicare and Medicaid.
1. Part A = skilled nursing care, home health, hospice, and inpatient hospital care
2. Part B= outpatient care, durable equipment
3. Part D= prescription coverage, covers brand and generic drugs
Medicare is different because it does cover a lot of things. Individuals often have to pay deductibles
and co-payments, they usually have to pay for things such as acupuncture, dentures, and etc. other
gaps are that Medicare does not cover for long term nursing care and this affects the elderly people
that really need these long-term services.
Medicaid is an insurance that helps individuals with low-income and is controlled by the government.
A lot of people cannot afford private health insurance, and this will be a good option to help assist
these individuals. It also covers individuals who are pregnant and also a program for children.
Individuals have to go through a process and applying to make they have low-income and make sure
they need assistance.
Social security is vital for the elderly population because without it, the elderly population will continue
to work. Americans worked hard as adults and deserve to be able to retire and use their social
security and use it to pay their bills without working until they are 80 years old.I believe it should
remain the same and should not be changed.
Austin, A. (2017). The United States Health Care System, 3rd edition. [Bookshelf online]. Retrieved from
https://vsaccess.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780134297927
McWhinney, J. (2019, May 04). Medicare vs. Medicaid: What's the Difference? Retrieved May 28, 2019, from
https://www.investopedia.com/articles/pf/07/medicare-vs-medicaid.asp
Hello Jean,
Great post. You provided a great explanation on the difference of Medicare and Medicaid. Medicaid is
an insurance that helps individuals with low-income and is controlled by the government. It also
covers individuals that are pregnant and have special programs for children. According to Austin and
Wetle is that abortion is not covered due to the limit in use of federal funds.
Austin, A. (2017). The United States Health Care System, 3rd edition. [Bookshelf online]. Retrieved from
https://vsaccess.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780134297927
Hello Stephanie,
Great post. You provided a great explanation on the difference of Medicare and Medicaid. According
to Austin and Welte, Medicare was created as a part of the federal social security act in 1965.
Medicare has 3 major parts part A, B,D. The only thing that is important for individuals over 65 is not
covered by Medicare. Medicare does not cover dental, vision, and hearing.
Austin, A. (2017). The United States Health Care System, 3rd edition. [Bookshelf online]. Retrieved from
https://vsaccess.vitalsource.com/#/books/9780134297927
Week 5
Discussion Prompt 1
Select a state or federal law or regulation related to patient safety that has been implemented within the last five years requiring
hospitals or any other health care organizations to change the way they manage the delivery of care. Discuss the changes that have
occurred because of this law or regulation.
Additionally, discuss the technology associated with either your selected law/regulation or a similar one. Are there ethical dilemmas
that have resulted from technology changes when delivering care to patients or patient safety? Explain the dilemmas and how they
might be resolved.
I chose a bill that was passed in 2015 which amended the Public Health Service Act to establish direct care
registered nurse-to-patient staffing ration requirements in hospitals. This bill allows a nurse to refuse to
participate in any assignment where it would violate the minimum ratio. According to H.R 1602-114 Congress:
Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2015, if the nurse is not prepared by
education or experience to fulfill the assignment without compromising the safety of a patient or jeopardizing
the nurse’s license. This is important for nurses because it protects them and also protects the patient. Having a
high nurse-to-patient ratio can cause the nurse to be stressed and can also make mistakes. Mistakes are crucial
because it can cause their patient harm. This causes emotional exhaustions, job dissatisfaction, and fatigue.
Nurse fatigue can cause an individual to have depression, insomnia, headaches, and other conditions which can
affect the way they treat the patient. The nurse has the right to refuse high nurse-to-patients and the bill also
protects them from being discipline. This is bill is important and necessary because it ensures the safety of
patients and nurses. Appropriate staffing standards can reduce additional cost of supplemental nurses and
staffing agencies. A 2017 study published in the Annals of Intensive Care found that higher nurse staffing
rations were tied to decreased survival likelihood. The analysis of 845 patients found that patients were 95
percent more likely to survive when nurses followed a hospital mandated patient-nurse ratio. This bill allows
the nurse to spend more time with the patient, they are not fatigued, less mistakes, and gives the patient better
quality care.
H.R. 1602 (114th): Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2015. (n.d.). Retrieved
PatientEngagementHIT. (2018, August 13). How Nurse Staffing Ratios Impact Patient Safety, Access to Care.
safety-access-to-care
Schakowsky, & D., J. (2015, April 07). Text - H.R.1602 - 114th Congress (2015-2016): Nurse Staffing Standards
for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2019, from
https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/1602/text
Hi Hazeleen,
You chose a very interesting bill. I was not aware that maternity health care providers were only
accessible to mothers in certain areas and certain status in life. According to the bill, this will also see
input from relevant provider organizations, including medical societies, organizations representing
medical facilities, and other organizations with expertise in maternity care (Burgess, & C., M. (2018,
December 17). This is important because it will include maternity health services that will help during
labor care, birthing, prenatal care, and postpartum care.
Burgess, & C., M. (2018, December 17). Text - H.R.315 - 115th Congress (2017-2018): Improving Access to
Maternity Care Act. Retrieved June 9, 2019, from https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-
bill/315/text
Hi Antoinette,
Great post. I also wrote my discussion about HR 162 Nurse Staffing for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act. It
was introduced in 2015 it mandated direct care registered nurse-to-patient staffing ration requirements in
hospitals. This bill allows a nurse to refuse to participate in any assignment where it would violate the minimum
ratio (H.R. 1602 (114th). This act also protects nurses when they refuse an assignment when the nurse to patient
is violated. Nurses cannot be disciplined. This ensures quality delivery of health care services to the patient,
patient safety, and less stressful for the nurses.
H.R. 1602 (114th): Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2015. (n.d.). Retrieved
This week, you will write a problem statement and perform a literature review in preparation for your ethical issues debate
presentation. Share your problem statement in this discussion so that you can review each other’s work and provide peer-to-peer
feedback. Also, describe what you think are the most important learning takeaways from the literature review resources you reviewed.
In the United States, the law states that vaccinations are required for children entering school unless
they have a valid reason that prevents them from receiving the vaccinations. Vaccinations provide
acquired immunity to a specific disease. Starting at birth, they are given a regimen of vaccinations
that will continue throughout the adolescent and adulthood years. The immunizations will protect
them from illnesses. There are parents that refrain from their children receiving vaccines because of
personal beliefs, religious beliefs, and medical exemptions. Because many parents are refusing to
their children to receive vaccines, the number of outbreaks of preventable diseases have increased.
The problem is if children should be required to receive or forced to be vaccinated
Literature review : It was very informative reading the literature review. It focuses on only peer-
review literature. I found some articles that would be helpful and gives me evidence-based practice
articles.
Parental Refusal of Childhood Vaccinations
Role of the national regulatory authority for vaccines
Policy making, adult safeguarding and public health: a formula for change?
A randomized controlled trial to compare opt-in and opt-out parental consent for childhood vaccine safety surveillance using
data linkage
Baylor, N. (2017). Role of the national regulatory authority for vaccines. International Journal of Health
Governance, 22(3), 128-137. doi:10.1108/IJHG-04-2017-0017
Quigley, L. (2014). Policy making, adult safeguarding and public health: A formula for change? The Journal of
Adult Protection, 16(2), 68-86. doi:10.1108/JAP-04-2013-0015
Berry, J., Ryan, P., Gold, M., Braunack-Mayer, A., & Duszynski, K. (2012). A randomised controlled trial to
compare opt-in and opt-out parental consent for childhood vaccine safety surveillance using data
linkage. Journal of Medical Ethics, 38(10), 619-625.
Hi Jacqueline,
Great post. I agree individuals should have advance directives because it gives the patient the right to
express their wishes in case of a terminal illness or disability. It provides instructions of their wishes
and relatives or health care providers have to abide to them. It is important to respect and honor their
wishes, especially when they are terminally ill.
Hi Eunice,
Interesting problem statement. After I read the first sentence, it drew my attention. It is interesting that
the FDA approved the first digital pill that tracts the medication intake of patients of schizophrenia and
other mental illness. This can be beneficial to the patients who are not compliant and need to be
taking their medication on a regular basis, but it does breach their privacy. According to Rahman
2019, the nanodrugs have sensors that allow for the patient and clinician to track ingestion, activity
level data, and self-reported mood. It is amazing how we are starting to use technology.
Rahman, T. (2019). Should Trackable Pill Technologies Be Used to Facilitate Adherence Among
Patients Without Insight? AMA Journal of Ethics, 21(4), E332-336.
https://doi.org/10.1001/amajethics.2019.332Upadhyay, P. (n.d.). The First Digital Pill: Innovation or