The first step in addressing healthcare disparities in acute care and outpatient is to identify and assess the specific healthcare disparities within the healthcare system and community. The nursing leaders can also implement culturally and linguistically appropriate care and develop and enforce custom-made medical interventions to deal with the specific needs of vulnerable populations. Additionally, they can advocate for policies and legislation that support reducing healthcare disparities.
Differences in healthcare availability, quality, and outcomes across different populations can be based on various factors, including race, ethnicity, income, education level, and geographic location. In particular, low-income individuals and communities have limited access to healthcare because they lack insurance coverage (Bowers & Goodyear, 2019). Other disparities emanate from the limited availability of healthcare providers in certain areas and cultural and linguistic barriers that make it difficult for some individuals to navigate the healthcare system.
In acute care settings, nursing leaders can intervene by developing and implementing culturally sensitive care plans for patients and working with community partners to improve access to care. In outpatient settings, they can provide patient education on self-management and coordinate with primary care providers to ensure continuity of care. The interventions in acute care settings are costlier and are typically focused on providing immediate access to care. Outpatient interventions are focused on long-term access to primary care services. Finally, both interventions aim to improve the quality of care for underserved populations.
Nursing leaders can identify and assess health disparities by identifying population groups that experience higher rates of illness, disability, or death. They then develop a plan of action to address the specific health needs of the populations experiencing disparities and implement the plan. Nursing leaders should regularly monitor and evaluate the progress of their programs. Community members should be involved to ensure that the services provided are culturally and linguistically appropriate.
The nursing management actions will vary depending on the specific situation and the patient’s needs. However, general actions include assessing and monitoring the patient’s vital signs and overall condition, administering prescribed medications and treatments, and educating patients on their condition, treatment plan, and self-care (Bowers & Goodyear, 2019). Additionally, nurses can collaborate with other healthcare practitioners to coordinate and ensure continuity of care and implement infection control measures to prevent the spread of infection.
Reference
Bowers, D., & Goodyear, C. (2019). Healthcare then and now. Nursing Management (Springhouse), 50(9), 26–29. Web.