NURS FPX 5003 Assessment 2 Interview Of Health Care Professional

The gap between recommended healthcare best practices and the care provided to patients is known as a healthcare gap. If staff fail to adhere to any of the key aspects of the CLAS standards, such as treating all patients equally, acknowledging patients’ cultural health beliefs, or addressing language barriers, a gap may develop in meeting the standards. Medical errors and a lack of transparency can also contribute to gaps. Both patients and payers, such as self-insured employers, experience quality issues when care gaps exist (Yip et al., 2019). Through the concept of cultural competence, a deeper understanding of the interplay between identity, culture, and education can shed light on how diverse populations in West Virginia come to understand, embrace, and make informed decisions based on sound health information.

Challenges of Organization in Addressing National CLAS Standards

Challenges in implementing the National CLAS Standards include the need for additional resources and guidance on interpreting and applying the standards. Failure to implement the standards can lead to adverse patient outcomes and financial burdens resulting from errors and failures that the National CLAS Standards could mitigate. According to a study by Isoherranen et al. (2019), inconsistencies in accountability measures and communication issues within healthcare organizations are obstacles to effectively implementing the National CLAS Standards. If nursing staff are not familiar with the local language, significant communication difficulties may arise when dealing with local patients.

The organization may face difficulties and challenges if resources are lacking, and it cannot accurately assess the standards. The organization incurs additional costs when it seeks to recruit skilled professionals, collect data on different racial groups in the population, and train its existing staff (Think Cultural Health, n.d.). Addressing the National CLAS Standards may also be hindered by the lack of primary healthcare options in rural areas.

Organization’s Strategies, Strengths, and Weaknesses

Effective and direct communication is crucial in healthcare settings. Clear and accurate information exchange is essential for patient well-being. West Virginia College Hospital’s resources include empowering employees to voice their concerns and making necessary adjustments to meet the CLAS standards. This approach enhances effective communication between staff and patients. The staff actively listens to patients to improve communication by developing an internal communication strategy. According to Rangachari and Woods (2020), in-person meetings are essential for effective communication between patients and healthcare professionals.

Regardless of orientation, race, nationality, or religion, the organization’s staff listens to patients and understands the importance of incorporating their preferences into treatment decisions. This sets the organization apart. The staff understands how patients from diverse cultures perceive healthcare to address the needs of a diverse population like West Virginia’s. Consequently, the staff can tailor patient inquiries and treatment plans to meet the patients’ needs. Promoting diversity in healthcare can enhance providers’ cultural competence and enable them to provide services that meet their patients’ unique cultural, social, and linguistic needs in accordance with the Cultural and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) standards (Spitzer-Shohat and Chin, 2019).

NURS FPX 5003 Assessment 2 Interview Of Health Care Professional

Gomez and Bernet (2019) also discuss strategies used in the WVU hospital that can lead to a constructive dilemma. Embracing diverse cultures and using precise language are two of these strategies.

On the other hand, retooling is a weakness in meeting the CLAS standards because new staff may need additional training in using current tools and healthcare equipment. It is costly and impacts the organization’s budget. However, WVU Hospital takes advantage of the opportunity to educate healthcare workers on the latest medical technology and introduces new, cutting-edge services to enhance healthcare.

Conclusion

Identifying healthcare needs leads to prioritized needs, allocation of resources to address healthcare disparities, and improvements in healthcare. It also enables the target audience to participate and foster collaboration and creativity.

References

Alcayna, T., & O’Donnell, D. (2022). How much global climate adaptation finance is targeting the health sector? European Journal of Public Health, 32(Supplement_3).