Defense Date
7-18-2023
Graduation Date
Summer 8-5-2023
Submission Type
DNP Manuscript
Degree Name
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
Department
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program
School
School of Nursing
Faculty Mentor
Donna White
Keywords
Integrated medical care, coordinated care, interdisciplinary collaboration, behavioral health, acute care facilities, medical care with behavioral health, reduce readmissions, nursing turnover
Abstract
Background: Increased awareness of disparities for people with co-occurring medical and behavioral health disorders identified a gap in their individualized health care plan. This gap provides opportunities for hospitals and acute care centers to evaluate current care models for this specific patient population. Problem: Hospitals are challenged to meet the growing needs of patients while working to decrease operational costs. Patients with behavioral health disorders also have significantly greater spending for general medical conditions than patients without a behavioral health disorder (Chu et al., 2019). Methods: Hospitals are attempting to address this gap in care through interdisciplinary or collaborative care models. In this Integrated Medical Care Model program evaluation, the outcomes for calendar year 2022 (CY22) will be examined. Data used to evaluate the quality of care and decreased costs are the hospital readmission rate, RN turnover rate, and falls with injury. Interventions: Identified patients are admitted to one department and a multidisciplinary clinical team is assigned to meet the needs of both the medical and behavioral health diagnoses. Results: A one-year evaluation showed a decrease in hospital readmission rate, a decrease in nursing staff turnover, and a decrease in patient injury with falls. Conclusions: Integrated Medical Care supports a holistic approach for acute medical care for persons with both medical and behavioral health diagnoses. This approach also creates an environment of continued training and collaboration among care providers, reducing staff turnover and yielding safer hospitalization for the patient through decreased injuries with falls.
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Flanagan, Erin, "Evaluating Outcomes of an Integrated Medical Care Model in an Acute Care Hospital: A Program Evaluation" (2023). Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Manuscripts. 40.
https://dsc.duq.edu/dnp/40