Student Name
Capella University
NURS-FPX 6616 Ethical and Legal Considerations in Care Coordination
Prof. Name
Date
Executive Summary on Rural Health Care and Affordable Solutions
This report seeks to assess the existing inter-professional team providers and resources within Potter County, Pennsylvania, with a focus on addressing the elevated mortality rates resulting from opium overdoses. The analysis encompasses the cultural competencies essential for the evidence-based support of the team, taking into account ethical considerations aligned with legal issues at the organizational level.
Distinct Population Needs and Community Dynamics
Potter County, with a population of less than 17 thousand people, predominantly comprises non-Hispanic whites, accounting for 97% of the populace (Pew Research Center, 2018). Notably, 22% of the residents are over 65 years old, and 14% fall below the poverty line. The predominant health concern in the county is opium use disorder (OUD), prevalent for the past two decades. International literature underscores the need for medication treatment accessibility and opioid overdose reversal medications. The Pennsylvania Overdose Information Network (ODIN) reveals a concentration of drug overdose incidents among individuals aged 20-39 (Barboza & Angulski, 2020).
Factors contributing to drug overdoses encompass poverty, illiteracy, and insufficient resources. Opium usage patterns, such as prescription drugs and injections, exhibit consumer-based and provider-based reasons for accessibility, availability, and acceptability challenges. The overarching issue is multifaceted, necessitating comprehensive solutions, including opioid overdose reversal medication and enhanced medication accessibility.
Current Inter-professional Team Providers and Resources
Avera Gettysburg Hospital, serving Potter County, employs an interdisciplinary team approach, integrating specialized professionals, primary care providers, advanced technology, and cutting-edge research. A Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) informed the hospital’s expansion of services, incorporating wellness programs and improvements in hospice and home care services.
Existing resources encompass remote health services, awareness initiatives, and systemic changes, fostering enhanced health and medication outcomes. Inter-professional Education and Collaborative Practice (IPECP) have contributed to improved healthcare outcomes (Martin et al., 2021).
Interventions for opioid overdose operate at micro, meso, and macro levels, addressing attitudes, resources, and policies for comprehensive care (Qudah et al., 2022).
Cultural Competency Considerations
Cultural competency is crucial for the diverse interdisciplinary team addressing communities with varied cultural backgrounds. Nurses are mandated to cultivate cultural competency skills, respecting and acknowledging differences in values and choices. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) advocates for CLAS (Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services) to guide healthcare providers in this regard (Hilty et al., 2020).
Given the majority of non-Hispanic whites in Potter County, the team must be well-versed in cultural elements influencing practices and beliefs. Understanding language skills and values enables the development of patient-centered health plans, facilitating psychosocial interventions and medical care.
Technology-Based Outreach Strategies
To overcome barriers of availability and accessibility, technology-based strategies are integral. Telehealth and telemedicine emerge as key solutions to bridge gaps, catering to both consumers and providers. These strategies include video consultations, wearable devices, and remote monitoring, especially beneficial for older adults and those with limited access to healthcare services.
Potential Telehealth Legal Issues
While Telehealth addresses various challenges, legal issues may arise, necessitating careful consideration. Licensing, patient-physician relations, tele-prescribing, fraud, abuse, and privacy concerns are potential legal challenges that require attention to ensure ethical and legal Telehealth practices (Panter, 2021).
Continuation of Ethical Care in the System
Despite technological advancements, ethical care remains paramount. The interdisciplinary team emphasizes ethical principles—autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice—ensuring patient involvement in treatment plans. Telehealth services, aligned with ethical norms, aim to provide affordable and accessible care to diverse populations, including disabled, low-income, and pregnant women.
Conclusion
Potter County, with its predominantly non-Hispanic white population, grapples with opioid use disorder. The interdisciplinary team at Avera Gettysburg Hospital, supplemented by Telehealth strategies, seeks to address accessibility issues while upholding ethical standards. Cultural competencies, technology integration, and adherence to legal considerations collectively contribute to comprehensive and sustainable healthcare solutions.
References
Barboza, G. E., & Angulski, K. (2020). A descriptive study of racial and ethnic differences of drug overdoses and naloxone administration in Pennsylvania. International Journal of Drug Policy, 78, 102718.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2020.102718
Butzner, M., & Cuffee, Y. (2021). Telehealth interventions and outcomes across rural communities in the united states: Narrative review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 23(8), e29575.
Hilty, D. M., Gentry, M. T., McKean, A. J., Cowan, K. E., Lim, R. F., & Lu, F. G. (2020). Telehealth for diverse rural populations: Telebehavioral and cultural competencies, clinical outcomes and administrative approaches. MHealth, 6(6), 20–20. https://doi.org/10.21037/mhealth.2019.10.04
NURS FPX 6616 Assessment 2 Summary Report on Rural Health Care And Affordable Solutions
Martin, P., Pighills, A., Burge, V., Argus, G., & Sinclair, L. (2021). Promoting interprofessional education and collaborative practice in rural health settings: Learnings from a state-wide multi-methods study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(10), 5162.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18105162
Opioid Epidemic. (2019). Department of Health. https://www.health.pa.gov/topics/disease/Opioids/Pages/Opioids.aspx
Panter, M. (2021, January 25). Potential Legal Implications of Telemedicine and Telehealth. Law Technology Today.
https://www.lawtechnologytoday.org/2021/01/implications-of-telemedicine-and-telehealth/
Pew Research Center. (2018, May 22). Demographic and economic trends in urban, suburban and rural communities. Pew Research Center’s Social & Demographic Trends Project. https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2018/05/22/demographic-and-economic-trends-in-urban-suburban-and-rural-communities/
NURS FPX 6616 Assessment 2 Summary Report on Rural Health Care And Affordable Solutions
Qudah, B., Maurer, M. A., Mott, D. A., & Chui, M. A. (2022). Discordance in addressing opioid crisis in rural communities: Patient and provider perspectives. Pharmacy, 10(4), 91. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmacy10040091
Solimini, R., Busardò, F. P., Gibelli, F., Sirignano, A., & Ricci, G. (2021). Ethical and legal challenges of telemedicine in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. Medicina, 57(12), 1314.