Introduction to Training Session for Policy Implementation NHS FPX 6004 Assessment 3 Training Session for Policy Implementation

NHS-FPX 6004 Health Care Law and Policy

Prof. Name

Date

Introduction to Training Session for Policy Implementation 

Good morning, everyone! My name is ________ and I would like to welcome you all to the training session for the implementation of the policy that we have established for the improvement of benchmark underperformance as noticed in the Mercy Medical Center (MMC). As healthcare professionals, you all are primarily responsible for bringing reforms within the organization to improve pre-diabetes and diabetes screening for the population we provide healthcare services. The focus of the developed policy is on increasing the frequency of HBA1c tests and foot examinations to prevent, manage, and treat diabetes mellitus eventually reaching the benchmarks set by AHRQ national databases. 

Need for the Development of Policy 

Let me first share with you the policy that we have created and how did we identify the need for this policy. So initially, the data was collected from Mercy Medical Center related to eye tests, foot examinations, and HBA1c tests in the years 2019 and 2020. The results from both years were compared to the benchmarks set by National Healthcare Quality and Disparity Report (NHQDR). The compared data showed a significant difference in HBA1c tests and foot examinations, which kept a foundation for developing this policy within the organization. 

According to the literature, the HBA1c test is an ideal biomarker that is used to diagnose pre-diabetic and diabetic conditions in the human body. It is also concluded that patients who undergo regular HBA1c checkups are most likely to experience positive patient outcomes and have high satisfaction levels (Kaiafa et al., 2020). On the other hand, foot examinations are also considered important in terms of diabetes management as it prevents one of the major complications of diabetes – diabetic foot ulcers.

Diabetic foot can lead to disability, systemic infections, and even death if the signs are not identified early (Zhao et al., 2023). This literature evidence and the underperformance of benchmarks at MMC present a need for healthcare organizations to develop standard policies and practice guidelines to improve the benchmarks, consequently, enhancing patients’ outcomes and well-being. 

Policy Established for Mercy Medical Center 

The policies and practice guidelines that were proposed for MMC are focused on the timelines of performing these tests. These timelines are suggested by official bodies and must be applied at Mercy Medical Center. The purpose of sharing the policy with you all is to prepare a foundation for this training session. The International Working Group on Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) states that foot screening must be done in the following timelines according to the health condition: 

1. Once a year for patients with no incidences of peripheral neuropathy. 
2. Every six months for patients with peripheral neuropathy. 
3. Patients with peripheral artery disease, or foot deformity should get it checked every three to six months 
4. Those with a leg amputation or pedal ulceration should visit every one to three months (Song & Chambers, 2022). 

Similarly, for the HBA1c, MMC should follow the guidelines suggested by CDC which are as follows: 

1. A baseline HBA1c test is necessary for adults over 45 years of age. For people below 45 years but are overweight and have risk factors for developing diabetes, the same is recommended.  This test must be repeated every 3 years for the same population.
2. The test must be repeated every 1 to 2 years if people fall in the range of prediabetes. 
3. For patients already diagnosed with diabetes, tests should be performed at least twice a year (CDC, 2022). 

Evidence-based Strategies to Work with the Selected Group

Evidence-based practices and strategies are essential for healthcare professionals to buy into these policies and effectively implement them in their healthcare practices. These strategies are as follows: 

• Training and development: bringing new reforms within the organization requires extensive efforts in terms of training the existing healthcare professionals accordingly. This training and development program is essential for addressing the audience’s concerns, improving behaviors, and eventually helping in the effective implementation of the policies (Oh et al., 2021). Training healthcare professionals will also boost their confidence to disseminate the knowledge to their patients about the importance of foot examinations and HBA1c tests, subsequently, improving the underperformance of these be