Assessing The Problem Of Chronic Alcoholism
The chronic disease, alcoholism is manifested in the inability to manage alcohol consumption and has extensive negative implications on the medical, social, and psychological aspects of a person and their family. Chronic alcoholism poses excellent consequences on the quality of health care and patient safety, in addition to incurring high costs. In this assessment, the emphasis will be placed on the Bricker family, about Mr. Bricker, a 45-year-old construction worker who was diagnosed with AUD in the past ten years. This paper focuses on how the effects of AUD span across the various domains on the Bricker family, with the impact of this health issue on the quality of care, patient safety, and the financial aspects brought to light. These practices and consultation with subject matter experts guide this research at the practicum site Assessing The Problem Of Chronic Alcoholism.
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Impact on Quality of Care, Patient Safety, and Costs
Quality Of Care
Alcoholism significantly impacts the quality of care for both individuals and their families. In the case of Mr Bricker, the AUD manifests in recurring hospitalization owing to complications arising from the liver and hypertension. These medical conditions render the patient to require regular and frequent health care services such as ED visits and hospital admissions. For this reason, due to the chronicity of AUD, the patient receives inconsistent, disjointed, and exceptionally reactive care instead of proactive. This form of care delivery is ineffective and will also prove harmful to the patient’s general well-being. Also, AUD aggravates other disorders, meaning that patients will have worse health if they are diagnosed with a combination of AUD and other illnesses.
According to research on AUD patients, they experience inconsistent medical treatment since they present to health care services in some particular instances (MacKillop et al., 2022). This inequality further declines their general health condition and well-being. Looking again at Mr. Bricker’s medical history, one can see that the patient has undergone many acute-acuity episodes, but the patient has never had a comprehensive chronicity management plan. These fragmented forms of the care delivery system do not solve the problem, and health problems recur with the deterioration of life quality Assessing The Problem Of Chronic Alcoholism .
Patient Safety
The safety of patients like Mr. Bricker is severely compromised by the complications associated with chronic alcoholism. Excessive drinking hurts a consumer’s brain and body, including cognitive and motor coordination; this results in higher probabilities of falls, accidents, and medication mistakes (Chikritzhs & Livingston, 2021). The situations faced by the Bricker family expose all these critical safety issues. For example, we have seen in the case of Mr Bricker several episodes that have precipitated emergency medical attention, including alcohol-induced accidents and adverse effects of medications. Research indicates that patients with AUD are more prone to accidents and possible complications with medication, which increases their risk of developing more severe health complications (Jokinen et al., 2020)Assessing The Problem Of Chronic Alcoholism . This case shows that there needs to be a coordinated set of safety measures and ongoing surveillance to prevent such danger on the part of the Bricker family. Efforts to prevent the reoccurrence of these events should involve introducing effective measures like health examinations and individualized action plans.
Costs to the System and Individual
The cost of AUD is significant, bearing the brunt of expenses in health care and individuals’ pockets. The financial loss on hospital admissions and the requirement for the administration of medications implies that Mr Bricker’s older patient incurs significant healthcare charges. These are complemented by the hidden expenses, which can be proper wages due to employment insecurity. Mr Bricker’s health condition has led to the loss of jobs, which were the family’s primary source of income, hence increasing their economic problems.
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Moreover, research shows that AUD consumes a significant amount of healthcare spending, making it among the costliest chronic diseases. They are a result of multiple admissions, emergencies, and chronic conditions (Rautiainen et al., 2020). Economically, the Bricker family experiences a thorough loss of the AUD from Mr. Bricker’s viewpoint, starting with medical costs. The family struggles to come up with extra bills needed, especially in terms of wages due to illnesses and the costs of managing chronic illness. These forms of health issues demonstrate AUD’s overall financial stress, thus raising the importance of employing comprehensive support mechanisms to manage these costs. Such support systems could be health insurance for long-term treatment, financial assistance, or employment support services to cater to the economic effects of special needs health conditions experienced by families like the Bickers Assessing The Problem Of Chronic Alcoholism .
Influence of Nursing Standards and Policies
State Board Nursing Practice Standards
Nursing practice standards are crucial in addressing the challenges of alcohol use disorder (AUD). State board standards, such as those mandating screening and brief intervention (SBI) protocols, play a vital role in the early identification and management of AUD. The protocols open doors for early initiation of action, boosting patient care. Research reveals that the effectiveness of SBI, if standardized and integrated into primary healthcare settings, minimizes the severity of AUD and its outcomes (Green et al., 2022). Strict compliance with these standards enhances the quality-of-care delivery by a provider as well as the outcome of clients like Mr. Bricker. Green et al. (2022) also showed that those protocols pointed out that the identification of AUD was done earlier, so there was a more suitable way and an opportunity to work on that. One great preventive measure leads to the improvement of the health of the patient and the overall efficiency of the healthcare industry instead of worsening the number of patients who are inflicted with alcohol-related diseases and disorders. In formal practice, following these standards guarantees comprehensive and consistent minor services, which are paramount in managing chronic conditions such as AUD Assessing The Problem Of Chronic Alcoholism .
Organizational and Governmental Policies
Organizational and governmental policies significantly impact AUD management. The Affordable Care Act (ACA) exemplifies this by expanding access to substance abuse treatment services, thus improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs. In specific situations, such as in the case of Mr. Bricker, the ACA provides for required health insurance coverage for substance abuse treatment, and this will provide necessary care without the costs implied. Mullia et al. (2022) showed that the ACA’s Medicaid expansion helped enhance the treatment options for AUD, with subsequent positive impacts on health among affected populations. This policy indicates that although treating the affective component of AUD is possible, the most significant problem pertains to the system, which would require more supportive legislation. ACA’s insurance coverage ensures more individuals access to necessary treatments, enabling earlier interventions and better managing AUD.
These standards and policies provide a framework for evidence-based practice, guiding nursing actions. Implementing SBI protocols, as mandated by state board standards, equips nurses to effectively identify and manage AUD, aligning with preventive care and chronic disease management principles. Adherence to these guidelines reduces severe alcohol-related health issues, improving patient safety and lowering the financial burden on the healthcare system and individuals. By following these standards, nurses can deliver comprehensive and effective care.
Effects of Local, State, and Federal Policies
Local, state, and federal policies significantly influence the scope of nursing practice, particularly in managing AUD. Policies like the ACA and state mandates for SBI protocols directly impact care delivery. The ACA’s substance abuse treatment coverage requirement allows nurses to offer comprehensive care plans without patients worrying about financial barriers. State policies granting nurse practitioners (NPs) greater autonomy improve AUD management. States with expanded NP practice authority report better outcomes in managing chronic conditions, including AUD (Mulia et al., 2022)Assessing The Problem Of Chronic Alcoholism . These policies empower nurses to utilize their full practice scope, enhancing care quality and patient outcomes.
Strategies to Improve Care Quality, Enhance Safety, and Reduce Costs
Evidence-Based Strategies
Implementing evidence-based strategies is crucial for improving care quality, enhancing patient safety, and reducing costs associated with AUD. For the treatment of AUD, motivational interviewing (MI) family therapy is beneficial. Almansour et al. (2023) noted that there is a possibility of using MI to enhance behavioral change, especially among patients with AUD, to enhance compliance with treatment regimens. Further, family therapy has been recognized as effective for substance use disorder as it helps to change the family patterns related to alcohol use and dependence (McCrady, 2021)Assessing The Problem Of Chronic Alcoholism . MI aids the patient in finding the decision-making conflict in changing their behavior and encourages decision-making; therefore, it is a strategic tool for managing AUD. Family therapy, on the other hand, targets the patient and the family, as kinship relations are discussed about the disorder in question and how the loved one can help the patient throughout the process of rehabilitation.
Benchmark Data and Resources
Access to relevant benchmark data is essential for evaluating the effectiveness of interventions. Data on the readmission rate of patients, consumption of medication, and patients’ satisfaction scores can be used by organizations to enhance their quality improvement efforts. For example, it would be possible to assess how often Mr. Bricker undergoes hospitalizations and ED visits and how frequently changes have occurred in recent years to evaluate the success of the measures and notice improvements that should be made. Information from such sources as the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) helps compare the various key performance indicators and treatment outcomes against national benchmarks (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 2023)Assessing The Problem Of Chronic Alcoholism . This is because the methods for implementation are evidence-based. Hence, the interventions are updated periodically to meet the standards.
Practicum Experience and Reflection
Interactions and Learning
During the practicum hours, I met with the Bricker family and consulted with addiction specialists to understand the comprehensive impact of AUD. The discussions revealed the significant strain on the family’s emotional and financial well-being, emphasizing the need for holistic and family-centered care approaches.
Reviewing evidence-based practice documents and websites provided valuable insights into effective interventions for AUD. The literature review reinforced the importance of integrating family therapy and motivational interviewing into treatment plans, aligning with my observations from the practicum interactions.
Leadership and Collaboration
Exploring the influence of leadership, collaboration, communication, change management, and policy on AUD highlighted several barriers. The Bricker family initially resisted the idea of family therapy, viewing it as an intrusion. Employing leadership and communication skills, I created a sense of urgency by presenting data on the benefits of family-inclusive treatment plans, eventually leading to their agreement.
The practicum experience underscored the importance of leadership in driving change and fostering collaboration among multidisciplinary teams. Engaging stakeholders and providing continuous support were critical strategies for overcoming barriers and facilitating effective interventions Assessing The Problem Of Chronic Alcoholism .
Conclusion
To extensively treat the complex repercussions that it imposes, it is imperative to come up with a broad concept of practicing alcoholism treatment. In this assessment, I have employed the Bricker family to elaborate on concerns arising from AUD’s negligence and adverse impacts on the quality of care, patient safety, and costs incurred within the healthcare setting. Sustaining evidence-based practices, favourable policies, and exemplary leadership, as well as promoting the patient-centred care and progress of those humans and families challenged with AUD, is possible.
References
Almansour, M., AlQurmalah, S. I., & Razack, A. (2023). Motivational interviewing—an evidence-based, collaborative, goal-oriented communication approach in lifestyle medicine: A comprehensive review of the literature. Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences, 18(5). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtumed.2023.03.011
Chikritzhs, T., & Livingston, M. (2021). Alcohol and the risk of injury. Nutrients, 13(8), 2777. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13082777
Esser, M. B. (2024). Deaths from Excessive Alcohol Use — United States, 2016–2021. MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 73(8). https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7308a1
Jokinen, T., Alexander, E. C., Manikam, L., Huq, T., Patil, P., Benjumea, D., Das, I., & Davidson, L. L. (2020). A systematic review of household and family alcohol use and adolescent behavioral outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 52(4), 554–570. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-020-01038-w
MacKillop, J., Agabio, R., Feldstein Ewing, S. W., Heilig, M., Kelly, J. F., Leggio, L., Lingford-Hughes, A., Palmer, A. A., Parry, C. D., Ray, L., & Rehm, J. (2022). Hazardous drinking and alcohol use disorders. Nature Reviews Disease Primers, 8(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41572-022-00406-1
McCrady, B. (2021). The role of the family in alcohol use disorder recovery for adults. Alcohol Research: Current Reviews, 41(1). https://doi.org/10.35946/arcr.v41.1.06
Mulia, N., Lui, C. K., Bensley, K. M. K., & Subbaraman, M. S. (2022). Effects of Medicaid expansion on alcohol and opioid treatment admissions in U.S. racial/ethnic groups. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 231, 109242. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.10924
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National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. (2023). Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) in the United States: Age Groups and Demographic Characteristics. Www.niaaa.nih.gov. https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-topics/alcohol-facts-and-statistics/alcohol-use-disorder-aud-united-states-age-groups-and-demographic-characteristics
Rautiainen, E., Ryynänen, O.-P., Laatikainen, T., & Kekolahti, P. (2020). Factors associated with 5-year costs of care among a cohort of alcohol use disorder patients: A Bayesian network model. Healthcare Informatics Research, 26(2), 129–145. https://doi.org/10.4258/hir.2020.26.2.129 Assessing The Problem Of Chronic Alcoholism
