NURS FPX 4900 Assessment 2 Assessing the Problem Quality Safety and Cost Considerations NURS-FPX 4900 Capstone project for Nursing ​​​​​​​Assessing the Problem: Quality, Safety, and Cost Considerations

Obesity is becoming a crucial risk factor for several chronic, non-communicable diseases. It is a persistent medical condition manifest by the increase of excess fatty tissue, leading to an elevated vulnerability to coexisting health issues such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and cancer. The probability of being obese among Hispanics in the United States (US) was 1.9 times higher than that of Caucasian people (Basu et al., 2023). I assessed the effects of obesity on patient care quality, safety, and healthcare costs for both the patients and the healthcare system during a two-hour practicum with Oliver. Oliver is an adult who struggles with obesity-related health issues that impact both his personal and professional life.

Problem’s Effect on Care Quality, Patient Safety, and Care Costs

Obesity disturbs healthcare quality, safety, and costs at individual and organizational levels. The prevention and management of obesity pose complex challenges in the global health systems that considerably influence patient safety, care quality, and costs. People with obesity frequently need complex, long-term interventions, and the rising prevalence of this condition puts a strain on healthcare resources. For instance, adults who are undergoing obesity comorbidities such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol levels have a high influence on the healthcare system (Wolfenden et al., 2019).

Impact on Care Quality

Healthcare professionals must discuss the complexities of managing obesity-related comorbidities and modify treatment regimens to meet the needs of a wide range of patients. People who are obese face partiality and stigma in medical settings, which have an impact on the standard of care they receive. Weight-based categorizes accidentally cause doctors and nurses to display negative attitudes, which results in poor communication and understanding (Tak & Lee, 2021). This bias leads to treatment adherence issues, delayed diagnostic evaluations, and a general decline in the patient-provider relationship. These differences impede fair, patient-centered care delivery and exacerbate health disparities (Flint et al., 2021). This stresses Oliver’s quality of care, resulting in unsuccessful cures and poorer health results.

Impact on Patient Safety

More significant risks involve medical and surgical procedures for Oliver’s safety. People who struggle with being overweight are at risk for a series of negative consequences, such as social stigma as a result of poor health advice approach. Lack of direction causes detection and intervention to be delayed, which increases the risk of obesity-related complications like diabetes, musculoskeletal problems, and cardiovascular diseases (Ross, 2021). In addition, Oliver becomes unsatisfied with unsuitable treatments due to a lack of nuanced and patient-centered approaches. This creates a terrible cycle of reduced safety by impeding patient participation and adherence to medical advice. There are inequalities in the way health education is provided, with obese people receiving inadequate information and encountering obstacles in their search for accurate knowledge (Walsh et al., 2019).

Impact on Care Costs

Healthcare expenses linked to obesity rise in correlation with Body Mass Index (BMI) and obesity classification. The United States (US) revealed that per-person direct medical costs associated with obesity exceeded those for overweight individuals by more than six times, with total costs estimated at nearly $114 billion. In a study involving adults aged 53-68, costs were twice as high for individuals with a BMI greater than 39 kg/m2 compared to those with an average weight (Cawley et al., 2021). Additionally, the health services related to obesity set an incredible economic load on healthcare systems, compelling up the cost of care. Medical checkups, testing, and treatment are essential to treat obesity-related diseases like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and problems with reproduction, resulting in more significant costs. The financial burden also includes lost productivity because obesity is a crucial factor in decreased productivity and absences from work. Pregnancy-related obesity increases the risks associated with it, which drives up costs for maternal healthcare (Link et al., 2021).

State Board of Nursing Practice Standards

Guidelines for advanced practice nursing are usually established by the state board of nursing organizations like the American Nurses Association (ANA), which sets state board nursing standards that shape healthcare delivery. These guidelines take a broad approach, evaluating, diagnosing, and applying interventions for obese people. Advanced practice nurses must uphold ethical principles in managing obesi