NUR 545 PNUR 545 Population Health: Analysis and Evaluation week 2 Assignment

Week 2: Identifying Outcomes in Population-Based Nursing

Epidemiological Methods and Measurements in Population-Based Nursing Practice: Part II. he American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essential II: Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Improvement and Systems Thinking identifies that graduates of a DNP program have competency to address “the needs of a panel of patients, a target population, a set of populations, or a broad community” (p. 10).

Using Table 2.2 from your text, select one topic pertinent to your practice or community. Research the statistics, develop one outcome and discuss 1-2 interventions you would implement to achieve your outcome goal.

At the end of the week, the student will be able to:

• Further identify components of studies.
• List potential impact of errors in measurement.

  Asthma, a chronic obstructive inflammatory disease of the lungs affecting the airway, was once viewed as a minor ailment affecting only a small portion of the population, is now one of the most common chronic disorders in children of all ages and adults. According to Mass.gov 2020, about one out of every eleven people in Massachusetts currently has asthma, with 10.2 % being adults and 12.9% children, consequently, causing asthma to be a significant public health problem in the United States and Massachusetts. Statistically, over 25.7 million people currently diagnosed with asthma were reported in 2010, which included 7 million children and 18.7 million adults (Mass.gov, 2020).

       In addition, the individual impact of asthma is increasing not only within the local population, but also on national, and international levels. According to Mass.gov (2020), “nationally, the prevalence of asthma has been increasing since 1980 across all age, sex, and racial groups. The disease process of asthma has a significant impact on patients and families living in developing countries. According to the Global Asthma Network (Links to an external site.) (2014), the global burden of asthma seems to be increasing rapidly as the world becomes more westernized. Internationally, as a result of poverty, the effects of asthma can be detrimental to the quality of life of children and adults. The rate of asthma-related deaths in low and middle-income countries is more prominent. The health systems in these countries are not prepared to deal with the progression of this disease. This results in the improper management of care, inadequate asthma medical treatment, and increase patient hospitalization. 

     According to Mass.gov (2020), in Massachusetts, the prevalence of asthma is among the highest reported in the state. In 2015 approximately 10.5% of people in Massachusetts, 10.2% of adults, and 12.9% of children had asthma. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (2015), “the fact that asthma runs in families suggests that genetic factors play an important role in the development of the disease; however, environmental factors also contribute to the disease process” (para. 1).

       According to Cupp Curley (2020), “health outcomes are usually defined as an end result that follows some kind of health-care provision, treatment, or intervention and may describe a patient’s condition or health status” (p.27).  In contrast, using a population perspective, a health outcome would be measured using public health metrics, such as mortality and life expectancies Cupp Curley, 2020). Although the current pharmacological treatments for asthmatics in the state of Massachusetts are individualized, there is a standardized group of medications established to assist with the plan of care.  According to National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (2014), “Medications for asthma are categorized into two general classes: long-term control medications used to achieve and maintain control of persistent asthma and quick-relief medications used to treat acute symptoms and exacerbations” (p.213).  The combinations of both these classes of drugs are the pharmacological treatment used in the state of Massachusetts.  According to Dr. Kaslovsky (2010), “Asthma drugs are divided into controller medications and reliever medications” (p. 17).   Patients that are diagnosed with persistent asthma may require both classes of medications. 

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        Although the majority of health care providers in the state of Massachusetts are aware of the national pharmacological guidelines and make active attempts to adhere to them, several individuals in Massachusetts do not receive all of the recommended elements of proper asthma management.  The standard of practice for asthmatics indicates that clinical decisions on the appropriate medications and other therapeutic interventions should be individually determined based on their severity level.  Once this is determined, therapeutic interventions are initiated, with an emphasis on the assessment of asthma control and no longer on clinical management.  Individuals diagnosed with asthma are required to receive the proper treatment, and the treatment should be adjusted accordingly.  Therefore the appropriate use of medication within asthmatics would be a significant outcome, which will require adequate monitoring and management of the disease process within patients.

        Asthmatics often have inadequate knowledge and management skills of their disease.  Patient educational intervention, consisting of proper asthma management, including the use of medication, can assist with adherence.  According to New York State Department of Health (2005), asthma education should include basic facts about asthma, functions of medication and how to use medication devices, environmental control measures at home, school, and work, and a self-management plan.  Providing patients with self-management education will ultimately improve asthma knowledge, their skills, and reduce asthma exacerbations.  For self-management education to be effective, health care providers are responsible for developing patient self-management plans. 

       In addition, the second intervention deemed appropriate in assisting with the achievement of the medication compliance/ management outcome would be a written action plan.  This action plan will assist clinicians in monitoring the effectiveness of the current treatment plan and adjust cordially. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (2014), “Most people who have asthma can successfully manage their symptoms by following their asthma action plans and having regular checkups” (para. 4).

        The overall outcome or prognosis for patients diagnosed with asthma that has successfully managed the disease process is quite good. The control of asthma is achievable with the proper treatment plan.  Although individuals with severe asthma conditions may need aggressive treatment, managed care is still feasible. 

 References

Cupp Curley, A. L. (2020). Population-Based Nursing Concepts and Competencies for

            Advanced Practice (3rd Ed.). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Co.

Global Asthma Network. (2014). Asthma as a lung health priority in low-and middle- income

 countries.  Retrieved from http://globalasthmareport.org/priority/priority.php (Links to an external site.)

Kaslovsky, R. (2010). Wheezes, sneezes & wheezes, sneezes & triggers too! Triggers Too!

 [PowerPoint slides]. Retrieved from

http://www.springfieldpartnersinc.com/ourprograms/asthmaoutreach (Links to an external site.)

Mass.gov. (2020).  Statistics about asthma.

Retrieved from https://www.mass.gov/service-  details/statistics-about-asthma (Links to an external site.)  

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2014, August 4). Living with asthma. Retrieved

            from http//www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-/health-topics/topics/asthma/livingwith

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. (2015, June 3). Asthma. Retrieved from

            http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/asthma/index.cfm (Links to an external site.)

New York State Department of Health. (2005). Clinical guideline for the diagnosis,

            evaluation, and management of adults and children with asthma. Retrieved from

https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/asthma/pdf/2005_asthma_guidelines.pdf