Student Name
Capella University
NURS-FPX4005 Nursing Leadership: Focusing on People, Processes, and Organizations
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Date
The delays in implementing an integrated diabetes education program at St. Paul Regional Health Center (SPRHC) are significantly affecting patient adherence to self-management. The fragmentation of care coordination and inconsistent communication between healthcare teams hinder real-time collaboration, negatively impacting diabetes management outcomes. This assessment proposes an interdisciplinary care plan to improve communication, enhance patient education, and optimize diabetes care coordination at SPRHC.
SPRHC is experiencing notable delays in the implementation of a comprehensive diabetes education program, which is adversely affecting patient adherence and clinical outcomes. These delays are primarily caused by fragmented care coordination, inconsistent communication among interdisciplinary teams, and a lack of standardized workflows. Without real-time collaboration between primary care providers, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, and behavioral health specialists, treatment plans become misaligned, leading to poor glycemic control and higher rates of hospital readmissions. Furthermore, ineffective interdisciplinary coordination contributes to staff burnout due to unclear roles and inefficient workflows. These issues not only affect patient health but also risk SPRHC’s reputation, as poor diabetes management may discourage potential patients and hinder the recruitment of top healthcare professionals.
A systematic review by Tandan et al. (2024) examined 54 studies on team-based interventions for chronic disease management in primary care. The review revealed significant improvements in outcomes, including reductions in systolic blood pressure (−5.88 mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (−3.23 mmHg), and HbA1C (−0.38%), especially when multiple teamwork components were integrated. These findings underscore the importance of a structured, interdisciplinary approach to diabetes education at SPRHC, which could enhance collaboration, improve patient outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs.
Addressing the gaps in diabetes education and interdisciplinary practice at SPRHC is vital for delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. A formalized diabetes education program would establish standardized protocols, promote shared decision-making, and incorporate common electronic health record (EHR) templates to allow real-time treatment adjustments. Weekly interdisciplinary rounds will be implemented to enhance coordination among primary care providers, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, and behavioral health professionals, thus improving patient outcomes while fostering a collaborative environment.
By improving communication and reducing variability in treatment plans, healthcare providers can deliver evidence-based care more effectively, thereby increasing job satisfaction. This initiative aligns with SPRHC’s mission to provide comprehensive diabetes management, strengthen patient trust, and encourage long-term engagement in care. Additionally, it will help reduce hospital readmissions, lower healthcare costs, and improve organizational efficiency, ensuring long-term sustainability and excellence in diabetes care.
Category | Details |
---|---|
Interdisciplinary Team Approach | Enhances care coordination among primary care providers, endocrinologists, diabetes educators, dietitians, pharmacists, and behavioral health professionals. |
Standardized Communication Protocols | SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation) will be used for patient handoffs to ensure consistent and effective communication. |
Real-Time Data Sharing & Integration | EHR systems will be integrated with a dedicated diabetes management platform for real-time access to patient data, lab results, and medication adherence. |
Collaborative Decision-Making & Care Pathways | Development of interdisciplinary care pathways for personalized insulin management, lifestyle interventions, and behavioral support. |
Training & Cross-Disciplinary Education | Regular training on diabetes management, motivational interviewing, and shared decision-making will improve collaboration and patient education. |
The successful implementation of the interdisciplinary diabetes education program at SPRHC requires a well-structured approach and careful resource allocation. The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycle will be employed to ensure continuous improvement and sustainability.
Strategic financial planning is critical to the program’s long-term success. Initial costs for training, technology, and patient education are estimated to range from $250,000 to $450,000 annually. However, this investment is projected to reduce long-term healthcare costs by improving glucose control, reducing hospitalization rates, and minimizing diabetes-related complications (ADA, 2024). Effective resource allocation, including optimized staffing and EHR integration, will further enhance care coordination (Tamunobarafiri et al., 2024).
American Diabetes Association (ADA). (2024). About diabetes. Diabetes.org. https://diabetes.org/about-diabetes
Colvin, C. L., Akinyelure, O. P., Rajan, M., Safford, M. M., Carson, A. P., Muntner, P., Colantonio, L. D., & Kern, L. M. (2023). Diabetes, gaps in care coordination, and preventable adverse events. The American Journal of Managed Care, 29(6), e162–e168. https://doi.org/10.37765/ajmc.2023.89374
Dhediya, R., Chadha, M., Bhattacharya, A. D., Godbole, S., & Godbole, S. (2022). Role of telemedicine in diabetes management. Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, 17(3), 193229682210811. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10210114/
Nurchis, M. C., Sessa, G., Pascucci, D., Sassano, M., Lombi, L., & Damiani, G. (2022). Interprofessional collaboration and diabetes management in primary care: A systematic review and meta-analysis of patient-reported outcomes. Journal of Personalized Medicine, 12(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm12040643
Tamunobarafiri, G., Aderonke, J., Cosmos, C., Ajegbile, M. D., & Abdul, S. (2024). Integrating electronic health records systems across borders: Technical challenges and policy solutions. International Medical Science Research Journal, 4(7), 788–796. https://doi.org/10.51594/imsrj.v4i7.1357
Tandan, M., Dunlea, S., Cullen, W., & Bury, G. (2024). Teamwork and its impact on chronic disease clinical outcomes in primary care: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Public Health, 229, 88–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2024.01.019
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