POLICY/REGULATION FACT SHEET
As a professional nurse, you are expected to apply your expertise to patient care. On occasion, you will also be expected to share that expertise.
With evolving technology and continuous changes to regulations designed to keep up these changes, there is usually a need to share information and expertise to inform colleagues, leadership, patients, and other stakeholders.
In this Assignment, you will study a recent nursing informatics-related healthcare policy, and you will share the relevant details via a fact sheet designed to inform and educate.
RESOURCES
Required Readings
- McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2022). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge(5th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
- Chapter 8, “Legislative Aspects of Nursing Informatics: HIPAA, HITECH and Beyond” (pp. 161–181)
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2018). MACRA/MIPS: The transition from fee-for-service to quality-based reimbursementLinks to an external site.. Retrieved from https://www.aanp.org/legislation-regulation/federal-legislation/macra-s-quality-payment-program
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (n.d.). MACRALinks to an external site.. Retrieved January 18, 2019, from https://www.cms.gov/medicare/quality-initiatives-patient-assessment-instruments/value-based-programs/macra-mips-and-apms/macra-mips-and-apms.html
- gov. (2018a). Health IT legislationLinks to an external site.. Retrieved from https://www.healthit.gov/topic/laws-regulation-and-policy/health-it-legislationLinks to an external site.
- gov. (2018b). Meaningful use and MACRALinks to an external site.. Retrieved from
https://www.healthit.gov/topic/meaningful-use-and-macra/meaningful-use-and-macra - S. Department of Health and Human Services. (n.d.). Laws & RegulationsLinks to an external site.. Retrieved September 27, 2018, from https://www.hhs.gov/regulations/index.html
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
To Prepare:
- Review the Resources on healthcare policy and regulatory/legislative topics related to health and nursing informatics.
- Consider the role of the nurse informaticist in relation to a healthcare organization’s compliance with various policies and regulations, such as the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA).
- Research and select one health or nursing informatics policy (within the past 5 years) or regulation for further study.
The Assignment: (1 page not including the title and reference page)
Create a 1-page fact sheet that your healthcare organization could hypothetically use to explain the health or nursing informatics policy/regulation you selected. Your fact sheet should address the following:
- Briefly and generally explain the policy or regulation you selected.
- Address the impact of the policy or regulation you selected on system implementation.
- Address the impact of the policy or regulation you selected on clinical care, patient/provider interactions, and workflow.
- Highlight organizational policies and procedures that are/will be in place at your healthcare organization to address the policy or regulation you selected. Be specific.
- Use APA format and include a title page, in-text citations, and reference page.
- Use the Safe Assign Drafts to check your match percentage before submitting your work.
BY DAY 5 OF WEEK 11
Submit your completed Policy/Regulation Fact Sheet.
SUBMISSION INFORMATION
Before submitting your final assignment, you can check your draft for authenticity. To check your draft, access the Turnitin Drafts from the Start Here area.
- To submit your completed assignment, save your Assignment as WK11Assgn_LastName_Firstinitial
- Then, click on Start Assignment near the top of the page.
- Next, click on Upload File and select Submit Assignment for review.
Title: Healthcare Policy Fact Sheet: Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA)
Introduction: The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) was enacted to shift healthcare reimbursement from a fee-for-service model to a value-based reimbursement model. It aims to improve healthcare quality, reduce costs, and emphasize patient outcomes.
Impact on System Implementation: MACRA necessitates the implementation of electronic health record (EHR) systems capable of capturing and reporting quality data. Healthcare organizations must invest in interoperable systems and data analytics to comply with MACRA requirements.
Impact on Clinical Care, Patient/Provider Interactions, and Workflow:
- Clinical Care: MACRA encourages evidence-based practices and patient-centered care. Providers must focus on preventive services, care coordination, and population health management to optimize patient outcomes.
- Patient/Provider Interactions: MACRA promotes shared decision-making and patient engagement. Providers must communicate effectively with patients, educate them about treatment options, and involve them in care planning to achieve quality metrics.
- Workflow: MACRA introduces changes in workflow to accommodate quality reporting requirements. Healthcare teams may need to redesign processes, allocate resources efficiently, and streamline documentation to meet MACRA criteria.
Organizational Policies and Procedures:
- Quality Reporting Protocol: Our organization has established protocols for timely and accurate quality reporting to comply with MACRA. We utilize certified EHR systems and provide ongoing training to staff on data collection and submission.
- Performance Improvement Initiatives: We implement performance improvement initiatives to enhance care quality and patient outcomes. Our organization conducts regular audits, monitors key performance indicators, and implements corrective actions as needed.
- Patient Engagement Strategies: We prioritize patient engagement through education, shared decision-making, and health promotion activities. Our organization offers resources such as patient portals, educational materials, and support groups to empower patients in managing their health.
Conclusion: MACRA represents a significant shift in healthcare reimbursement and quality measurement. By aligning with MACRA requirements and implementing effective strategies, our organization aims to improve healthcare delivery, enhance patient outcomes, and thrive in the evolving healthcare landscape.
References: [Insert references here according to APA format guidelines]
Title: Fact Sheet on MACRA: Implications for Nursing Informatics
Introduction: The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) is a significant healthcare policy enacted to shift Medicare reimbursement from volume-based fee-for-service to value-based payment models. It aims to improve healthcare quality, promote patient outcomes, and enhance cost-effectiveness through incentive programs and payment adjustments.
Policy Overview: MACRA establishes two tracks for physician payment: the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Alternative Payment Models (APMs). MIPS assesses providers’ performance based on quality, cost, improvement activities, and promoting interoperability. APMs offer financial incentives for participating in innovative care delivery models.
Impact on System Implementation: MACRA necessitates the integration of robust health IT systems to collect, analyze, and report performance data accurately. Healthcare organizations must implement certified electronic health record (EHR) technology and interoperable systems to meet reporting requirements and support value-based care initiatives.
Impact on Clinical Care and Workflow: MACRA drives changes in clinical care by incentivizing quality improvement initiatives, care coordination, and patient engagement strategies. It influences workflow by prioritizing data-driven decision-making, outcome measurement, and performance monitoring to optimize patient outcomes and meet regulatory requirements.
Organizational Policies and Procedures: Our healthcare organization has established comprehensive policies and procedures to align with MACRA requirements:
- Adoption of certified EHR technology to capture and report performance data accurately.
- Implementation of clinical decision support tools to promote evidence-based practice and quality improvement.
- Training and education programs for staff to enhance health IT literacy and proficiency in using EHR functionalities.
- Collaboration with interdisciplinary teams to develop care coordination strategies and patient engagement initiatives.
- Regular auditing and monitoring of performance metrics to ensure compliance with MACRA reporting standards.
Conclusion: MACRA represents a pivotal shift towards value-based care and incentivizes healthcare organizations to prioritize quality, efficiency, and patient-centeredness. By embracing health IT advancements and implementing organizational policies aligned with MACRA requirements, our healthcare organization aims to enhance clinical outcomes, optimize workflow efficiency, and achieve sustainable financial performance.
References: