According to General Colin Powell, “Great leaders are almost always great simplifiers who can cut through argument, debate, and doubt to offer a solution everybody can understand” (as cited by Harari, 2002).

Assignment Preparation

For this assignment, imagine that you are the manager of a health care organization confronting numerous issues potentially affecting the provision of safe, high-quality health care practices. You have decided to focus first on the issue that has particular relevance to your area of specialization or professional goals, or that presents a situation you might expect to encounter in your leadership role.

As you consider an appropriate course of action to address this issue, you have decided to begin by searching the case study literature with the intention of possibly gaining insight into the actions of other health care leaders who have dealt with similar issues and may have provided a sound solution to the problem or issues he or she faced.

A colleague with whom you have spoken about this has recommended the Buchbinder, Shanks, and Buchbinder text, Cases in Health Care Management as an excellent case study reference.

For your convenience, Appendix B lists all cases by topic (Leadership; Quality/Patient Safety; Finance; Healthcare Professionals/Human Resources; Health Disparities/Cultural Competence; Ethics/Law/Conflict of Interest; Crossing the Line/Fraud) and by primary and secondary settings.

In the Buchbinder, Shanks, and Buchbinder text, locate two case studies that are most closely aligned with the issue(s) you have decided to address. In addition, be sure that your selected case studies will enable you to

· Evaluate the effectiveness of different leadership approaches in facilitating collaborative professional relationships across disciplines.

· Evaluate health care leaders’ ability to communicate effectively.

· Analyze the role of communication in both creating and resolving a problem in health care leadership.

· Evaluate how effectively leaders address any issues involving ethical practice, diversity or inclusion.

· Evaluate health care leaders’ ability to manage and prioritize leadership responsibilities to resolve issues.

Note: The case studies in the text may not supply all of the information you may need. In such cases, you should consider a variety of possibilities and infer plausible conclusions.

Assignment Instructions

Complete the following steps:

1. Include a title page, abstract, and reference page.

o An APA Style Paper Tutorial [DOCX] and the associated APA Style Paper Template [DOCX] are linked in Resources to help you in writing and formatting your paper. Format your work per these documents.

2. Include on your cover page the titles of the case studies you have chosen. For example, your title could read: “Demonstrating Effective Leadership: Case 82 – When Yes Means No and Case 83 – Emergency Divert Status.”

o Include the case study in your references and use in-text citations when appropriate.

3. In the body of the paper, begin by briefly summarizing the facts surrounding the case studies. After you identify who the leaders are and the issues they are faced with, analyze the factors that you believe contributed to each issue.

o Note: In graduate level writing, you should minimize the use of direct quotes. Lengthy quotes do not count toward assignment minimums. It is your interpretation of the material and its application to practice that is assessed.

o Remember, the case studies may not supply all of the information you may need. In such cases, you should consider a variety of possibilities and infer plausible conclusions. However, please be sure to identify any speculations that you make as such.

o An excellent tool for analyzing factors that contribute to a problem is the Fishbone Diagram, linked in the Resources. Use of this tool is highly recommended, but it is optional, and you will not hand in your diagram with this assignment.

4. Compare and contrast the leadership approaches or styles these leaders use. Analyze how the approaches or styles make these leaders more or less effective in building interprofessional relationships across disciplines within the organization. Based on your analysis, determine how likely it will be that these leaders will be able to build and maintain such relationships with other communities and leaders outside their organization. Support your analysis with citations and appropriate APA references to peer-reviewed journals or scholarly sources.

5. Analyze how well these leaders communicate, verbally or in writing. Analyze the role of communication and communication strategies in both creating and resolving the issues presented in the case study.

6. Summarize and analyze how well the leaders managed professional responsibilities and priorities to resolve the issue in the case. What lessons could you take away from this case that could be applied by other leaders?

7. Summarize and evaluate how effectively the leaders addressed any issues involving ethical practice, diversity or inclusion in the case. What key lessons do these cases provide for leaders? Use examples to clarify and support your ideas.

Submission Requirements

Your paper should meet the following requirements:

· Written communication: Write coherently to support central ideas, in appropriate format, and with correct grammar, usage, and mechanics.

· Length of paper: 5–6 typed, double-spaced pages, not including the title page, abstract, and reference page.

· References: At least four different resources (peer-reviewed journals or other scholarly resource, assigned unit readings, and the like).

· APA formatting:

o Include a properly formatted title page, abstract, and reference page.

o An APA Style Paper Tutorial [DOCX] and the associated APA Style Paper Template [DOCX] are linked in Resources to help you in writing and formatting your paper. Format your work per these documents.

o Apply correct formatting to all in-text citations and references.

· Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.

Though electronic health records (EHRs) may provide an abundance of information at faster speeds than paper-based records ever could, the cost and challenges related to implementation have prevented many organizations from adopting EHRs. The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act aims to increase the adoption rate by providing financial incentives for health care organizations that demonstrate “meaningful use” of EHRs. In order to receive these funds, settings must meet a specific set of requirements identified by the HITECH legislation.

The adoption of an EHR can often be a frenzied process because of the incentives provided by the HITECH Act. In addition, the saturation of the technology market provides settings with an overwhelming amount of options from which to choose.

In this Discussion, you debate the effectiveness of the HITECH Act and Meaningful Use mandates.

To prepare:

· Consider the ways HITECH and Meaningful Use mandates have impacted a health care setting with which you are familiar.

· Conduct research in the Walden Library and through credible nursing organizations to assess how the nursing informatics community is addressing these mandates.

· Create a list that documents the pros and cons that mandates such as these have on health care settings. Reflect upon your list, and determine whether you believe these mandates are beneficial or harmful to health care organizations and nursing practice.

By Day 3

Post a brief scholarly commentary that describes your stance on issues related to HITECH and meaningful use. 

Include in your commentary your personal beliefs on the issue, your experiences in a health care organization, and/or the pros and cons surrounding these initiatives. 

Select at least one of the following to underscore your stance:

· Mandating change. Do the HITECH Act and Meaningful Use mandates help to drive and equalize change across all health care settings, or do they lead to rapid and sloppy implementations?

· The benefits or ramifications that stem from the use of incentives and disincentives.

· The influence of across-the-board mandates on patient safety, ethics, and quality of care. (I select this one)

· The allocation of funds specifically earmarked for HITECH and Meaningful Use. Is it worth it or wasted?

***APA style with reference, 600 characters minimum*** Due date 3/28/2017 6:00pm E.T***

Required Readings

Saba, V. K., & McCormick, K. A. (2015). Essentials of nursing informatics (6th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. 

• Chapter 5, “Open Source and Free Software”

This chapter introduces the role that open source and free software plays in informatics. The disruptive and beneficial effects of such software are also described.

• Chapter 16, “Nursing Informatics and Healthcare Policy”

Much debate has revolved around the health care policies of the Obama administration. This chapter highlights the impact these policies could have on health care and the nursing informatics discipline in particular.

• Chapter 18, “Establishing Nursing Informatics in Public      Policy”

Chapter 18 emphasizes the responsibility that nurse informaticists have in voicing their needs and concerns to public health care policy drivers. The chapter also stresses why informatics leaders need equal parts education, advisement, competencies, and support.

• Chapter 27, “Computerized Provider Order Entry”

In this chapter, the authors explore the intricacies of electronic health record vendor applications. The chapter examines integration of electronic health records (EHRs) in the practice setting, the possible impacts EHRs can have on medical errors, and how nurses can support successful EHR adoption.

• Chapter 43, “The TIGER Initiative”

This chapter assesses the TIGER initiative and its impact in the clinical setting. The chapter details how TIGER aims to integrate evidence and technology informatics into daily use to make health care safer and more effective.

Bolla, Y. (2011). Meaningful use 101. Nursing Management, 42(8), 18–22. 

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Meaningful use has the potential to impact all facets of the health care setting. This article defines meaningful use in its most basic terms and describes its stages in detail.

Hersh, W., Jacko, J. A., Greenes, R., Tan, J., Janies, D., Embiand, P. J., & Payne, P. R. O. (2011). Health-care hit or miss? Nature (London), 470(7334), 327–329.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

This article explains the HITECH Act and its origins and benefits. The article also details how the HITECH Act presents an opportunity to expedite the adoption of EHRs in the United States.

In this unit, you were introduced to electronic orders, problem lists, lab results, and body mass index. For this assignment, you will get to demonstrate the skills you have learned by completing exercises using the Quippe software in the MyHealthProfessionsLab located in Blackboard.

First, use the instructions for “Exercise 6G: Discharging a Patient with Deep Vein Thrombosis” on page 245 of your textbook and “Exercise 7H: Patient with Upper Abdominal Chest Pain” on page 298 of your textbook to complete these exercises in the MyHealthProfessionsLab. Note: You do not have to complete step 4 in Exercise 6G or step 7 in Exercise 7H because you are not actually submitting the work in the lab.

After completing the exercises, compose a reflection paper about your experience that applies what you have learned in this unit. In your paper, be sure to include the following:

How was your overall experience using the software to document the patient encounter? Did you experience any issues while using the software?

Were you able to successfully complete the hospital discharge instructions? What do you feel was most beneficial about this exercise?

How do you feel that using problems lists can help you determine the education needed for a patient? What specific skills do you feel you have mastered? What skills do you need to improve?

Why are electronic orders and results important? How will you use them in your career?

Your reflection paper must be at least two pages in length. You are not required to use any outside resources, but if you choose to incorporate information from outside resources including your textbook, you must cite and reference them in APA format.

Information about accessing the grading rubric for this assignment is provided below.

Reflect on your nursing practice for a moment. If you could wipe out one illness, what would it be? How would that impact not just an individual patient, but your entire patient population? What would be the long-term benefits of eliminating that one illness?

The eradication of smallpox by 1979 provides an excellent example of this scenario. This eradication came about as a result of global collaborative efforts involving many countries and organizations, as well as the application of epidemiologic methods. In spite of high initial financial costs, it is estimated that millions of dollars continue to be saved around the world each year as a result of the eradication of this disease.

The eradication of smallpox illustrates the rich history of epidemiology and demonstrates the cost/benefits and implications of improving health at the population level. The application of epidemiologic methods and principles to other critical population health issues continues to play an essential role in improving health and health outcomes.

For this Discussion, you will identify a current population health problem, and you will examine how, and if, the problem is being addressed through the application of epidemiologic principles. You will also discuss the cost-effectiveness of dealing with the problem at the population level.

To prepare:

• Review      the Learning Resources, focusing on the smallpox epidemic of the 1960s and      1970s and how health organizations applied principles of epidemiology to      eradicate this disease. (See attached file)
• In      light of this example, consider the cost effectiveness of addressing      smallpox at the population level.
• Using      the Learning Resources, research a current population health problem      (local or global). Select one on which to focus for this Discussion.
• Think      about how principles of epidemiology are being applied—or could be      applied—to address the problem.
• What      lessons from the use of epidemiology in the eradication of smallpox might      be applicable to this selected problem? What are the financial benefits of      addressing this issue at the population level as opposed to the individual      level?

By tomorrow Wednesday 02/28/18 by 12pm, write a minimum of 550 words in APA format with a minimum of THREE scholarly references from the list of required readings below. Include the level one headers as numbered below:

Post a cohesive response that addresses the following:

1) Briefly summarize your selected population health problem and describe how principles of epidemiology are being applied—or could be applied—to address the problem.

2) Are there any lessons learned from the use of epidemiology in the eradication of smallpox that can be applied to your selected problem?

3) Evaluate the cost effectiveness of addressing this health problem at the population level versus the individual level.

Required Readings

Friis, R. H., & Sellers, T. A. (2014). Epidemiology for public health practice (5th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett.

Chapter 1, “History and Scope of Epidemiology”

Chapter 2, “Practical Applications of Epidemiology” (pages 49–80 only)

Epidemiology is defined and introduced in Chapter 1. This chapter also presents an interesting historical overview that explains the emergence of the field. The assigned section of Chapter 2 addresses several uses of epidemiology.

Nash, D. B., Fabius, R. J., Skoufalos, A., Clarke, J. L. & Horowitz, M. R. (2016). Population health: Creating a culture of wellness (2nd ed). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Building Cultures of Health and Wellness (xxvii)

In the “Population Health Mandate” section of the course text, the authors provide an introduction to population health, noting that it has three core components: health outcomes, health 

determinants, and policies.

Chapter 2, “The Spectrum of Care”

In Chapter 2, the authors examine the purposes of the population health approach. Two key themes are introduced in this chapter: 1) population health as it relates to the challenges of quality and cost in health care, and 2) population health as an approach to not only reducing the burden of chronic illness but also to promoting wellness and increasing prevention.

Chapter 8, “Behavioral Economics”

In Chapter 8, the authors examine effect of social and cognitive function on an individual’s economic decisions. Reinforced by legislation, behavioral economics can be applied in population health to influence and change health outcomes. Compelling examples of incremental improvements (e.g., corporate wellness programs) are provided throughout the chapter.

Larkin, H. (2010). Managing population health. Hospitals & Health Networks, 84(10), 28–32. 

This article uses examples from a diabetes pilot program to demonstrate the value of population health management. The author discusses how the application of individual patient interventions can positively affect the entire target population, as well as improve the cost effectiveness of management programs.

Center for Global Development. (n.d.). Case 1: Eradicating smallpox. Retrieved March 5, 2012, from http://www.cgdev.org/doc/millions/MS_case_1.pdf

This reading presents the eradication of smallpox in the form of a case study. Many lessons can be learned from the successful global effort to eliminate smallpox.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Morbidity and mortality weekly report. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/

The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) is a weekly epidemiological report distributed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide, according to the MMWR website, “timely, reliable, authoritative, accurate, objective, and useful public health information and recommendations.” It is one of the most important sources of timely public health data published anywhere.

World Health Organization. (2001). Smallpox. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/topics/smallpox/en/

The World Health Organization provides a succinct overview of the eradication of small pox and its impact on population health.

Note: Explore population health issues presented at the websites below as you prepare for this week’s Discussion and Assignment:

American Public Health Association. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.apha.org/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/

Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/index_en.htm

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/

Healthy People 2020. (2011). Global health. Retrieved from http://healthypeople.gov/2020/topicsobjectives2020/overview.aspx?topicid=16

U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2011). Public health focus. Retrieved from http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/PublicHealthFocus/default.htm

Required Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2012). Epidemiology and population health: Introduction to epidemiology and population health [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 6 minutes.

In this week’s program, “Introduction to Epidemiology and Population Health,” Dr. Hull and Dr. Frerich introduce foundational concepts related to epidemiology, noting that this scientific arena focuses on the study of human populations rather than individuals.

Laureate Education (Producer). (2012). Epidemiology and population health: Epidemiology in nursing practice [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 4 minutes.

In “Epidemiology in Nursing Practice,” Dr. Rebecca Lee, Dr. Donna Shambley-Ebron, and Dr. Missie Willmarth discuss how epidemiology is utilized in nursing practice and, in particular, why it is salient for DNP-prepared nurses.

Optional Resources

Long, D. A., & Sheehan, P. (2010). A case study of population health improvement at a Midwest regional hospital employer. Population Health Management, 13(3), 163–173.

Oudin, Åström D., Bertfil, F., & Joacim R. (2011). Heat wave impact on morbidity and mortality in the elderly population: A review of recent studies. Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 69(2), 99–105.

Excite. (2004). An introduction to epidemiology. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/excite/classroom/intro_epi.htm