NURS 499 Capstone Project Progress Report #4
Introduction/Overview
Goals for project development and implementation within the two-week period:
Communicate, educate and engage senior center’s activity consultants in promoting hypertension management during their respective activities.
Identify the cost estimates of project implementation activities
Explore patient materials to be utilized as part of project implementation activities
Progress Goal #1: The contribution of activity consultants Mr. McNiff (Strength & Stretching), Ms. Arenaza (Painting) and Ms. Mimi (Yoga) is helpful in disseminating information regarding hypertension management. Also, the activities they are facilitating such as physical activity and stress reduction activities are part of non-pharmacologic interventions to manage HTN. “Behavioral therapies including yoga have known effect in decreasing BP” (Oliveros et al., 2020).
Progress Goal #2: The cost estimates of the project will focus on patient materials and indirect costs inherent in conducting a presentation such as electricity consumption, use of equipment, use of space and staff labor. However, the costs are not substantial as available resources will be utilized.
Progress Goal #3: The Hypertension Action Kit by NYC Health acknowledges the critical role of health care providers such as nurses in promoting self-management and medication adherence to achieve blood pressure control. It provides provider resources and patient education materials to optimize hypertension management (nyc.gov). Most of the materials were requested and ordered in both English and Spanish through NYC Health and will arrive in 2 weeks.
Challenges
One of challenges experienced within the two-week period is exploring available resources that can be utilized to avoid unnecessary costs in implementing the project. Patient education materials in both English and Spanish can be expensive to produce. NYC Health was contacted and through their program, the Hypertension Action Kit, free clinical tools and patient education materials regarding promoting HTN self-management were secured for the project implementation.
Utilization of Coaching/Mentoring
“Coaching provides support needed to excel in current roles, access self-awareness, and improve relationships, which ultimately brings greater effectiveness to the individual and organization” (Roussel, Thomas & Harris, 2020, p. 66). The influence of activity consultants in health and wellness is instrumental in the success of the project. Coaching is utilized by encouraging their involvement in reinforcing the importance of physical activity and stress reduction activities in managing HTN.
Capstone Project Plan Progress
The capstone project plan is progressing well within the two-week period. The estimate of costs required is detailed. Taking advantage of available resources by acquiring free patient education materials cut expenditure for the project. Collaboration is fostered by maximizing team members’ attributes and expertise to achieve the goals of the project.
Leadership Lessons Learned
As a leader, communication and building trusting and collaborative relationships bring together the team that can lead to improved outcomes (p. 90). This can also be an opportunity to develop leadership skills among the team members by setting a good example and challenging their problem-solving and decision-making skills with respect to the expertise of each member.
Outcomes Achieved
Project budget that is based on goals and needs is developed to ensure that project is wise and efficient.
Available resources to avoid unnecessary costs is explored and obtained.
The participation and expertise of activity consultants facilitated the progress of the project planning and implementation.
Clinical Hours
Over the past 2 weeks, a total of 10 clinical hours, 4 hours allotted to research and 2 hours assigned to leadership meeting were achieved. Activities carried out include attending a leadership meeting, ongoing needs assessment, developing business case, obtaining patient education materials, interaction with activity consultants, blood pressure monitoring activity and patient teaching regarding importance of adherence to medication regimen, routine PCP visits and lifestyle modifications including diet, exercise and stress reduction activities.
References
NYC Health (n.d.). Hypertension Action Kit. Retrieved from https://www1.nyc.gov/site/doh/providers/resources/public-health-action-kits-hypertension.page
Oliveros, E., Patel, H., Kyung, S., Fugar, S., Goldberg, A., Madan, N., & Williams, K. A. (2020). Hypertension in older adults: Assessment, management, and challenges. Clinical cardiology, 43(2), 99–107. https://doi.org/10.1002/clc.23303
Roussel, L., Thomas P. & Harris, J. (2020). Management and leadership for nurse administrators (8th Edition). Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett Publishers.