Plan Proposal
Summary of the project
Hypertension is a lifestyle disease affecting millions of people around the world. Hypertension treatment includes monitoring and managing the condition through medication and lifestyle changes. Technological advancement in healthcare has helped to improve hypertension management and patient outcomes. In this paper, we will discuss the use of technology in hypertension management and its impact on patient outcomes.
This project plan focuses on the use of wearable devices to monitor blood pressure. The wearable blood pressure monitors are small, watch-like gadgets that can follow a patient’s physical activities such as the number of steps taken in a day, the number of calories burnt, The patient’s heart rate, and the blood pressure. These gadgets are used by patients to monitor their blood pressure throughout the day.
The use of technology to monitor and manage hypertension will improve patient care quality since it allows the patient to be in touch with their body and any changes that may require medical intervention. By using technology, patients can seek medical care early before the blood pressure becomes too high. Technology improves patient safety by reducing the amount of time the patient takes before seeking healthcare intervention. The gadgets also reduce the longterm cost of hypertension management by allowing patients to gauge whether they need medical help (Omboni, 2019). This reduces the number of hospital visits for monitoring, and in turn, reduces the cost. To implement this plan, we shall require collaborators such as government agencies, health organizations such as the World Health Organisation, medical technology companies, and healthcare workers, and community leaders.
Analysis of the Chosen Technology
The use of wearable gadgets for hypertension management can be implemented by introducing individual patients to technology during clinical visits. During these visits, healthcare providers should educate the patients on the use of the new technological devices and explain to the patients how these devices work and how they can help to reduce hospital visits and eventual patient outcomes. Patients can also be introduced to the use of technology through the media. Healthcare organizations, together with the government and tech companies, can join hands to advertise gadgets through mainstream media to educate more people on the advantages of technology in hypertension management.
Technology has impacted healthcare delivery, especially in the past decade, due to numerous inventions and the internet’s growth. Technology in healthcare has improved patient care by reducing patient wait time, improving patient outcomes. Technology has simplified patient monitoring. It follows up as well as reduces the number of hospital visits. The use of technology in patient care; however, a be overbearing for some patients. Patients may notice changes in their blood pressure, which may cause panic and higher blood pressure. Technology can also be intrusive, and patients may be worried about the use of private medical data for personal gain.
In my research on the subject, I notice that both authors provided evidence on the use of similar technology in patient care. Pellegrini & Parati (2019) highlights the use of home blood pressure monitoring as an effective method of hypertension management. Kario(2020) wrote about the use of digital health information in patient care. Both authors refer to existing technological solutions to hypertension management.
There are some barriers to the use of technology in hypertension management. For instance, some patients may not be aware of the existing technologies and how they work (Omboni, 2019). These patients need prior education on the use of technological gadgets before they are introduced to wearable gadgets. There are also economic barriers to the use of technology in hypertension management. Some patients may not be able to afford these gadgets unless they are provided in their insurance covers.
Policies that could Impact the Proposed Plan
While implementing the plan, it is essential for nurses to ensure that all health protocols are followed and that patients’ interest is upheld. One of the most critical healthcare policies to consider when implementing the plan is patient privacy. The use of technology in healthcare may compromise the safety of the patient’s medical records and information (Matthew, 2017). Therefore, the healthcare sector should work closely with technology companies to enhance patient safety while using wearable gadgets.
One of the organizations that have conducted extensive research on the use of technology in patient care is the HIPPA organization. Through the Hippocratic oath, healthcare workers are bound to keep patient information confidential (HIPAA, 2018). The organization helps to guide and monitor healthcare workers in their work and ensure that patient safety is guaranteed.
Nurses have a significant role in policymaking processes that can improve patient outcomes, reduce readmissions, and prevent illnesses. Through their unions and other advocacy groups, nurses can advocate for better healthcare facilities, funding, and affordable healthcare (Matthew, 2017). Nurses can also influence healthcare to deliver in their facilities by promoting better patient care and favorable working conditions for healthcare workers.
Communication Strategies
To implement the plan, I will need to communicate with different stakeholders in the healthcare sector. Some of the stakeholders I will approach are government health agencies, health organizations such as the WHO, the tech companies involved in the project, healthcare workers, community workers, community leaders, and the patients (Omboni, 2019). These stakeholders will help to give a better insight into the project and the expected outcomes.
While seeking support from stakeholders to implement the plan, one of the surprising things I noticed is the unwillingness to adopt new technology. Most stakeholders felt that the use of technology is intrusive to the patient’s privacy. Seeking stakeholder input is, however, beneficial since it can lead to funding as well as better execution of the idea. After the plan has been finalized, the most effective way of communicating the plan to patients is through patient education, where the patients are taught how to use the devices and are encouraged to use the tools.
References
Pellegrini & Parati, (2019). Communication technology for the management of hypertension: Benefits and pitfalls. Retrieved August 9, 2020, from https://www.escardio.org/Journals/E-Journal-of-Cardiology-Practice/Volume-17/communication-technology-for-the-management-of-hypertension-benefits-and-pitfalls
Kario, K., Kazuomi Kario Correspondence to Kazuomi Kario, & Kario, C. T. (2020, August 03). Management of Hypertension in the Digital Era. Retrieved August 9, 2020, from https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.120.14742
Matthews, J., Ph.D., RN, CNS, FAAN. (2017). Overview and Summary: Healthcare Reform: Nurses Impact Policy. Retrieved August 9, 2020, from http://ojin.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Vol-22-2017/No2-May-2017/OS-Healthcare-Reform.html
HIPAA. (2018, March 08). Why is HIPAA Important to Patients? Retrieved August 9, 2020, from https://www.hipaajournal.com/why-is-hipaa-important-patients/
Omboni, S. (2019, May 24). Connected Health in Hypertension Management. Retrieved August 9, 2020, from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2019.00076/full