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NURS FPX 6004 Assessment 2 - Policy Proposal

In this paper, I want to talk about a problem I noticed while going through diabetes care reports at Mercy Medical Center. In the reports, I noticed an issue that needs attention and should be addressed properly, which is about HbA1c test. The test is for patients with diabetes, to check the average blood sugar of a patient over the past few months. The HbA1c test is very common and important for patients who have diabetes.

According to the data from 2020, only 48 percent of diabetic patients at Mercy received the test. While the national average is 79 percent. This shows an obvious gap. This further means that many patients are not getting the appropriate checkups and treatment on time.

When this kind of test is skipped or delayed, it can lead to health problems. Diabetes can quietly damage the body if it’s not tracked properly. Problems like kidney trouble or nerve pain might not be caught early. That’s dangerous for patients. Another thing is that the hospital might get more emergency visits and readmissions, which adds stress and cost.

This might be due to some reasons. Maybe the hospital doesn’t have a clear rule about when to do the test. Maybe the staff are too busy or don’t have reminders. Moreover, some patients do not even know how important the test is. Whatever the reason, it’s a problem that should be fixed.

This proposal is meant to address those issues and examine the key factors behind the low testing rate, and recommend steps to address the issue. The goal is to improve testing consistency at Mercy Medical Center and strengthen the overall quality of diabetes care.

Policy and Guidelines Needs

Looking at the low HbA1c testing rates at Mercy Medical Center, it’s clear there’s no consistent policy in place. When there’s no standard system, care ends up depending on who’s available or what they remember. That’s probably part of the reason why only 48 percent of diabetic patients got tested in 2020. It’s much lower than the national average of about 79 percent, and that gap can’t be ignored.

A proper policy could help solve this. It doesn’t have to be complex. It can simply say when the test should be done and who’s responsible for ordering it. Staff would have something to follow instead of making their own decisions each time. If reminders were also added to the hospital’s system, that would make it even easier.

Some patients might miss the test simply because no one explained why it matters. That’s why nurses and doctors should take a minute to explain what the HbA1c test does and how it helps. It’s not always about reminding staff — patients need to be part of it too. Research shows that when patients and care teams work together and follow the exact testing schedule, the chances of serious complications go down. (Stark Casagrande et al., 2021).

Overall, a simple policy that sets expectations for both staff and patients could help improve testing rates at Mercy. It would also move the hospital closer to national standards and improve patient safety.

Policy Actions for NURS FPX 6004 Assessment 2 – Policy Proposal

As part of the NURS FPX 6004 Assessment 2 – Policy Proposal, it is important to outline realistic actions that Mercy Medical Center can take to improve HbA1c testing. One of the first steps is to create a written policy that clearly states when this test should be ordered. For example, if a diabetic patient hasn’t had an HbA1c test in the last three months, the system should prompt staff to include it automatically.

Another feasible and effective strategy is that the hospitals should use the existing computerized system for alerts. In busy shifts, it is easy for nurses and doctors to forget anything important. So the system should remind the nurses and doctors when a particular test is due. This would make the tests less likely or never to be missed.

It would also help to offer a short training to staff. It might not be either too long or too formal. Even a brief session or simple checklist can help remind providers why the test is important and how often it should be done.

Patients should also be part of this plan. Many may not know what the test means or why it matters. A short explanation during their visit — or a printed handout — could improve patient understanding and encourage follow-up.

These small steps support the overall goals of the NURS FPX 6004 Assessment 2 – Policy Proposal and can help Mercy Medical Center improve its testing rates and deliver better diabetes care.

Stakeholder Involvement

To make this policy work, Mercy Medical Center will need help from everyone involved in patient care. This includes not just the nurses and doctors, but also admin staff, IT workers, and even patients.

On the front page, there are of course doctors and nurses who talk to and treat the patients. They need to know when the HbA1c test is due and make sure it’s done. If they don’t follow the same steps, the testing might be skipped. Giving them a short guide or checklist could help.

Admin staff also deal with patient records and appointments. If the admin team notices a patient who has not had their HbA1c for a while, they can mention it to the care team, and they will proceed accordingly.

The IT team is important because the policy depends on alerts in the hospital system. These reminders need to be set up and updated. Without that, some staff might not even know when a test is overdue.

Patients should be involved too. If they know what the HbA1c test is for, they’re more likely to ask about it or expect it during visits. That helps catch missed tests.

This part of the NURS FPX 6004 Assessment 2 – Policy Proposal needs teamwork. Everyone plays a role in helping the hospital meet better standards.

Conclusion

The gap in HbA1c testing between the national rate (79 percent) and Mercy Medical Center(48 percent) is not just a small issue. It affects the quality of care for patients with diabetes. When nearly half of the patients do not get a test that is supposed to be routine, it means the hospital is falling behind. The national average shows what is possible, and Mercy should try to reach that level.

This NURS FPX 6004 Assessment 2 – Policy Proposal gives a plan to help fix that. The hospital can improve the testing to the average national rate by defining clear policy, using simple tools for reminders like software, and support from all the relevant entities.

If Mercy adopts these steps and implements them accordingly, patients can be diagnosed and treated more effectively. This shows that the hospital is making a real effort to improve how care is delivered, not just to meet numbers. What matters most is making sure diabetic patients get tested on time so they can be treated early and avoid serious issues.