Topic 8 Practicum Reflection

Topic 8 Practicum Reflection

Like the previous weeks, this week, I discussed with my preceptor about health policy. World Health Organization (WHO) defines health policy as plans, decisions, and actions that guide the access and delivery of care in a health setting (Annesley, 2019). Both patients and healthcare providers are guided by the various policies that protect patient rights and protect health workers. Such policies range from financing public health, pharmaceuticals, mental health, financing, insurance, healthcare services, and global health. Besides, policies help to clarify priorities, including expectations and roles of various groups, including doctors, nurses, and patients, while enhancing consensus between communities and health systems. Like other facilities, I am sure that my facility operates under the guidelines set by the health policy that ensures the best care is provided to ensure improved patient outcomes.

Because health policies are a vital part of health, nurses have an important to play a role in promoting policies. Nurses can participate in the implementation of health policies as well as influence organizations and health systems to ensure better health outcomes (Turale & Kunaviktikul, 2019). Additionally, nurses can analyze existing policies, propose new ones based on the encountered needs, and meet with policymakers to lobby for changes. Nurses also spend a lot of time interacting with patients, thus making them understand patient needs that can be included in the policies. Therefore, every nurse must understand their roles in health policies and enhance safety and access to care. As a nurse, I have utilized my opportunity to come up with a health policy to enhance patient safety and outcomes by using chlorohexidine to reduce ventilator-associated pneumonia. This week, I completed the implementation plan and the evaluation plan for my project change.

References

Annesley, S. H. (2019). The implications of health policy for nursing. British Journal of Nursing (Mark Allen Publishing), 28(8), 496–502. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2019.28.8.496