NURS_FPX4900_Assessment 2-1 Technology, Care Coordination, and Community Resources Considerations

Technology, Care Coordination, and Community Resources Considerations

Worrying HIV prevalence rates highlights the need for increased focus on integrating technology, care coordination, community resources to optimize care outcomes. CDC (2022) indicated that there are about 1.2 million people living with HIV in the United States. A larger population is also unaware of their status, which increases the risk of transmission, increased morbidity, and mortality. Technology, care coordination, and access to community resources reinforce commitment to initiating evidence-based and tailored interventions that match patients’ values and preferences. The practices match the Healthy People 2030 emphasis on patient-centered practices that empower individuals to make informed decisions about prevention and treatment measures. The policy supports the use of technologies such as telehealth and flexible access to health resources to improve the quality of HIV management. The aim is to enable patients to overcome health disparities and other barriers associated with postponed, delayed, or discontinued care.

Technology to Support Proactive HIV Management

Innovative use of health information and communication systems helps improve the quality, cost, and safety of HIV management. The consideration makes stakeholders aware of high prevalence rates of HIV and the need for new and better ways of handling individuals living with HIV. Healthcare providers can take advantage of electronic media for HIV prevention and treatment. The powerful tools such as telehealth enhance access to health promotion and education, behavioral intervention, and support for people with HIV (Melissa et al., 2021). The flexible connection between primary care providers, specialists, and patients help individuals to live healthier lives. During telehealth sessions, a patient accesses information on drugs needed to sustain viral suppression (Melissa et al., 2021). The process promotes medication adherence by making patients aware of treatment guidelines across the continuum. Effective treatment means educating patients on the role of telehealth in enabling them to order tests and coordinate appointments. Patients pay attention to measures such as consistent measuring of viral loads and CD4 levels. Further, telehealth promotes interdisciplinary collaboration, where primary care providers and specialists utilize videoconference sessions to serve patients living with HIV. The approach makes it easier to manage complexities associated with HIV care. Notably, the care team tailors interventions that support adherence to ART.

Care Coordination for HIV Management

Care coordination is critical for facilitating patient engagement and suppressing viral load. The concept makes parties responsive to calls for evidence-based and patient-centered relevant for preventing transmission, morbidity, and mortality. Care coordination plan enhances access to long-term and comprehensive HIV case management (Irvine et al., 2021). Interdisciplinary teams of nurses, physicians, nutritionists, therapists, and others structure prevention, treatment, education, and patient navigation practices to improve care outcomes. The team initiates case management programs to meet diverse needs of people living with HIV. The focus is on facilitating retention in care through consistent delivery of psychosocial, cultural, and other services. The interdisciplinary team makes referrals and manage information flows to connect everyone with essential healthcare services in a timely manner (Watson et al., 2018). Patients benefit from improved access to medications, education, counseling, and other support programs designed to reduce health disparities. Nurses, community health workers, social workers, physicians, and other clinical and non-clinical professionals perform functions such as developing individualized care plans and monitoring to reduce morbidity and mortality rates. Including components such as home visits, medication adherence assistance, and clinical care coordination paves way for successful navigation of the healthcare system.

Community Resources for Successful HIV Management

Patients and families can benefit from multiple resources available to support successful HIV management. One community resource is Antiretroviral Treatment Access Network that links HIV positive individuals with HIV care. The resource keeps patients engaged where case managers build relationships, understand health goals, and help individuals feel comfortable across the continuum (Watson et al., 2018). The network also engages patients about necessary medical care and social services available to improve quality of life. Community Medication Program is another resource designed to reduce out-of-pocket costs associated with ART. Patients benefit from increased access to medical care to alleviate financial burden of HIV. Further, patients can benefit from the Hope and Help platform that enhances access to medical and non-medical case management. The resource facilitate access to counseling and food pantry services that improve medication adherence and increase access to services.

Nurse Practice Standards and Health Policy for HIV Management

Nurse practice standards remind nurse about their roles in coordinating care and improving quality of life. Complexities associated with HIV management call for clinical practices characterized by compassion, empathy, and respect (Nyati et al., 2020). The right practice standards make nurses aware of the need to manage, support, and care for a group of people at risk of severe complications and mortality. The nursing team designs holistic approaches, including proactive patient engagement necessary for promoting successful use of antiretroviral therapies. Nurses also understand medical complexities, socio-economic factors, and psychological aspects that influence the quality of care (Nyati et al., 2020). For instance, the nursing team understands financial challenges, family stressors, poor HIV education and promotion, depression, and cognitive issues. Similarly, nurses understand medication complications, and mental conditions that influence adherence to treatment and other initiatives associated with HIV management.

Nurses think about complexities associated with chronic conditions and the need for well-coordinated practices to enhance a patient’s access to essential health resources. The care team provide culturally appropriate services characterized by adequate knowledge of patients’ values and preferences. Adequate knowledge of a patient’s preferences enables nurses to assess and manage complex scenarios (Rouleau et al., 2019). Nurses communicate respectful to overcome challenges that come in form of stigma, racism, and intimidation. The care team’s thoughts and feelings reflect commitment to responding to patients’ priorities such as timely appointments, testing, and medication adherence. By looking at HIV management holistically, nurses tailor interventions and provide the desired degree of shared decision-making across the continuum (Rouleau et al., 2019). Individuals understand priorities such medication optimization, care optimization, symptoms management, and education necessary for navigating concerns around HIV management.

On health policies for HIV management, the Affordable Care Act is the right option for this project. The legislation promotes integrated care by addressing issues and challenges around ART and self-management adherence. Patients can access community HIV support, utilize technologies such as telehealth, and take advantage of educative platforms. ACA also advocates for active involvement of social workers, peer support, and community-based organizations committed to coordinating care (Ginossar et al., 2019). The emphasis on quality, safe, and affordable care facilitates seamless access to pain clinics, physiotherapies, and nutritionists responsible for preventing escalating symptoms. Further, patients can collaborate with healthcare professionals to identify behaviors, exercise, and lifestyle modifications such as tobacco smoking cessation appropriate for producing positive outcomes (Satre et al., 2020). In the end, patients benefit from continuity of care characterized by collaborations among qualified healthcare professionals committed to identifying and addressing issues that undermine effective navigation of the healthcare system. Enrolling for Medicare and Medicaid programs enhances access to integrated psychosocial, recovery oriented addictions and harm reduction strategies. Similarly, ACA improves access to patient-centered and interdisciplinary approach designed to facilitate consistent access to integrated healthcare and social support.

Part 2

The next experience was an extension of the conversation with a patient living with HIV. The patient’s higher levels of need due to old age reinforced the need for well-coordinated practices, risk assessment, and accessible social and health care systems. The patient acknowledged the relevance of technologies such as telehealth in promoting timely and consistent access to social support, medications, therapies, and other HIV management plans. However, the patient expressed concerns over connectivity issues witnessed in low-resourced settings. The patient also recognized care coordination as a concept that enhances access to personalized care plans. I encouraged the patient to take advantage of community resources and technologies that strengthen the framework for managing HIV and referring patients to qualified professionals. The patient also appreciated the roles of community resources in providing medical and social support. Patients adhere to ARTs and make choices based on accessible resources and information across the continuum. The conversation with the patient revealed the need for flexible access to HIV support services, clinical interventions, and other pathways necessary for improving quality of life.