Assignment Task: Payor in Patient Care and Telehealth
Question #1: Case Scenario
A bedside nurse may not immediately recognize the differences in payor arrangements between the two patients, as they focus on providing direct care rather than administrative aspects (Wang et al., 2024). The intricacies of payment models are often handled by administrative staff, and bedside nurses may not routinely have this knowledge. Moreover, nurses should maintain an awareness of payor arrangements because they impact discharge planning and patient resources. As patient advocates, nurses should understand how these factors influence care coordination and follow-up services, ensuring that each patient receives appropriate and equitable support (Nsiah et al., 2019).
On the other hand, education is crucial for both patients. Despite differences in payment models, patient education on disease management is a universal responsibility of nursing (Leao et al., 2023). Proper education can improve health behaviors and disease management and reduce hospitalizations, benefiting RT and FS. Likewise, if RT and FS were in the same unit, concerns could arise regarding fairness in post-discharge support. FS receives additional services through the Accountable Care Organization (ACO), while RT may not have equivalent resources (Huber et al., 2023). Nursing staff must ensure that both patients are offered similar opportunities for support despite their differing insurance arrangements.
In this sense, the best clinical care emphasizes continuity, education, and long-term management, as seen with FS. However, RT's care is more reactive and fragmented due to the fee-for-service model (Sturmberg & Bircher, 2019). Thus, FS's care aligns more with optimal clinical management, while RT's care suffers from disjointed payment systems that do not fully support long-term outcomes.
Strategies for Nursing Staff Engagement in Telehealth
To effectively engage nursing employees in telehealth, it is important to integrate telehealth into their daily routines by showing how it complements traditional care. Creating a supportive environment where staff can share best practices and discuss challenges helps foster a collaborative spirit (Bulto, 2014). Nursing leaders should also implement mentorship programs where experienced telehealth practitioners can guide those new to the system. Additionally, highlighting success stories where telehealth has led to positive patient outcomes can reinforce its value. Offering incentives such as professional development credits for completing telehealth training modules can motivate staff to participate (Casillas et al., 2022). Open dialogue sessions where nurses can express their concerns and suggestions regarding telehealth also help create a culture of engagement.