Examples of how Health Policy Impacts Patient Care

Understanding Health Policy: A Crucial Aspect of Nursing Practice

Health policy encompasses the plans, decisions, and actions that are undertaken to achieve specific healthcare goals within a society. It plays a significant role in shaping the healthcare system and directly impacts nursing practice and patient care. For nurses, who are frontline healthcare providers, understanding health policy is not only essential but also integral to ensuring that patient care is delivered in a safe, ethical, and effective manner. Health policies determine the scope of nursing practice, guide standards of care, and ensure access to quality healthcare. Nurses, by understanding and engaging with health policy, can advocate for changes that improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.

Impact of Health Policy on Nursing Practice

Health policy influences nearly every aspect of nursing practice, from the care provided to patients to the regulations that govern the profession. Policies related to nurse staffing, scope of practice, patient safety, and access to healthcare directly affect how nurses perform their roles. For example, policies that set minimum staffing ratios, such as those in California, have been shown to improve patient outcomes by reducing the incidence of medical errors, hospital-acquired infections, and patient mortality rates (Aiken et al., 2018). Inadequate staffing, on the other hand, can lead to nurse burnout, job dissatisfaction, and compromised patient care.

Moreover, policies surrounding the scope of practice, especially for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), are critical in determining the level of care they can provide. In states where APRNs have full practice authority, they can assess, diagnose, and treat patients without physician oversight, which has been shown to increase access to care, particularly in underserved areas (National Academy of Medicine, 2021). However, in states with restrictive practice laws, APRNs may face barriers that limit their ability to provide comprehensive care, negatively impacting patient access and overall healthcare delivery.

Health Policy and Patient Care

Health policies not only shape nursing practice but also directly influence patient care. For example, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), implemented in 2010, significantly expanded access to healthcare by providing insurance coverage to millions of previously uninsured Americans. This policy led to an increase in preventive care services, early diagnosis, and treatment of chronic diseases (Sommers et al., 2017). Nurses played a pivotal role in implementing this policy by providing care coordination, patient education, and chronic disease management, which ultimately improved health outcomes.

Similarly, health policies related to patient safety, such as the implementation of electronic health records (EHRs) and guidelines for reducing hospital readmissions, have enhanced the quality of care. EHRs, mandated by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, have allowed nurses to access comprehensive patient information, leading to better care coordination and reduced medication errors (Dykes et al., 2020). Policies that incentivize hospitals to reduce readmissions, such as the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP), have encouraged nurses to take a proactive role in discharge planning and patient education, helping to prevent avoidable readmissions and improve patient outcomes.

Nurses as Advocates for Health Policy Change

Nurses are uniquely positioned to advocate for health policy changes that improve patient care. With their firsthand experience in providing care and interacting with patients, nurses have valuable insights into the challenges and gaps in the healthcare system. By understanding health policy, nurses can participate in policy discussions, contribute to the development of regulations, and advocate for policies that promote patient safety, access to care, and health equity.

For instance, nurses have been instrumental in advocating for policies that address social determinants of health (SDOH), such as housing, food security, and access to transportation. These non-medical factors play a significant role in patient health, and policies that address SDOH can lead to improved health outcomes. Nurses who understand the importance of these factors can advocate for policy changes that ensure vulnerable populations receive the necessary resources to achieve better health (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, 2020).

Conclusion

Understanding health policy is crucial for nursing practice because it directly impacts the care nurses provide and the overall healthcare environment in which they work. Health policies influence nurse staffing, scope of practice, patient safety, and access to care, all of which affect patient outcomes. Nurses, by understanding and engaging with health policy, can advocate for changes that improve the quality of care, reduce healthcare disparities, and promote health equity. As frontline caregivers and patient advocates, nurses must remain informed about health policies to ensure they deliver the highest standard of care and contribute to a more effective and equitable healthcare system.

References

Aiken, L. H., Sloane, D., Griffiths, P., Rafferty, A. M., Bruyneel, L., McHugh, M., … & Sermeus, W. (2018). Nursing skill mix in European hospitals: Cross-sectional study of the association with mortality, patient ratings, and quality of care. BMJ Quality & Safety, 27(3), 314-322. https://www.rwjf.org