Healthcare Problem

The healthcare problem I propose to change is the high rate of hospital readmissions. Hospital readmissions are when a patient is admitted to the hospital within 30 days of being discharged. This is a major problem because it is costly, inconvenient, and can be harmful to patients.

Impact on the Patient

Hospital readmissions can have a significant impact on patients. They can lead to longer hospital stays, increased costs, and a decline in quality of life. Patients who are readmitted to the hospital are also more likely to die within a year.

Impact on the Community

Hospital readmissions also have a significant impact on the community. They can strain hospital resources, increase healthcare costs, and contribute to the spread of infection.

Impact on the Cost of Care

Hospital readmissions are costly. The average cost of a hospital readmission is $15,000. This cost is borne by patients, insurance companies, and taxpayers.

Impact on Quality of Life

Hospital readmissions can have a negative impact on quality of life. Patients who are readmitted to the hospital are more likely to experience pain, fatigue, and anxiety. They are also more likely to have difficulty returning to their normal activities.

Impact on Readmissions

There are a number of factors that contribute to hospital readmissions. These include:

• Patient factors: These include chronic conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, as well as social factors, such as poverty and lack of social support.
• Hospital factors: These include poor communication between providers, lack of discharge planning, and inadequate follow-up care.
• System factors: These include the fragmented healthcare system and the lack of coordination between care providers.

Setting

The setting for my capstone project is a large urban hospital. This hospital has a high rate of hospital readmissions, particularly among patients with chronic conditions.

Nursing Theoretical/Change Theory

The nursing theoretical/change theory I will use for my capstone project is the Diffusion of Innovation Theory. This theory was developed by Everett Rogers and it explains how new ideas and practices spread through a population. The theory has five stages:

1. Knowledge: This is the stage where people become aware of the new idea or practice.
2. Persuasion: This is the stage where people form an opinion about the new idea or practice.
3. Decision: This is the stage where people decide whether or not to adopt the new idea or practice.
4. Implementation: This is the stage where people put the new idea or practice into use.
5. Confirmation: This is the stage where people evaluate the new idea or practice and decide whether or not to continue using it.

I will use the Diffusion of Innovation Theory to understand why patients are readmitted to the hospital and to develop interventions to reduce readmissions. I believe that this theory is a good fit for my capstone project because it is a comprehensive theory that can explain the complex factors that contribute to hospital readmissions.

I will use the following strategies to reduce hospital readmissions:

• Educating patients about their chronic conditions and how to manage them.
• Encouraging patients to participate in self-management programs.
• Providing patients with discharge planning and follow-up care.
• Improving communication between providers.
• Reducing fragmentation in the healthcare system.

I believe that these strategies will be effective in reducing hospital readmissions and improving the quality of care for patients.