Practicum in Healthcare, Week 2

This is the second week of the implementation of my DNP project on hypertension management to address the issue of high blood pressure through a structured program focusing on lifestyle modifications, medication adherence, and regular monitoring. The goal of this project is to improve patient outcomes, reduce the incidence of hypertension-related complications, and improve patient satisfaction. The PICOT question guiding this project is: In adults diagnosed with hypertension (P), how does the implementation of a hypertension management program including lifestyle modification support, medication adherence strategies, and regular monitoring (I) compare to usual care (C) in reducing blood pressure levels, decreasing the incidence of hypertension-related complications, and improving patient satisfaction (O) within 12 months (T)?

Goals for the 2nd Week

During the second week, my main goals were to continue the education sessions for both staff and patients, collecting baseline data on patients' blood pressure levels and medication adherence rates, improving staff engagement by incorporating their feedback into the implementation process, and monitoring adherence to the newly established hypertension management protocol. These goals are important for the project's success in terms of making sure that all participants are well-informed and actively engaged.

Activities Conducted

Throughout this week, several activities were conducted to help the projects progression. One activity was the continuation of educational sessions for the staff, which focused on the AHRQ Teach-Back Method to improve patient education and adherence to treatment plans (Nickles et al., 2020; Talevski et al., 2020). These sessions conveyed the importance of accurate blood pressure measurement. They also discussed the value of lifestyle modifications and medication adherence. We also initiated the collection of baseline data from patients, which included blood pressure readings, obtaining medication adherence rates, and getting feedback on the educational interventions....

This data collection will help with tracking progress and evaluating the effectiveness of the interventions over time.

Another activity involved gathering feedback from staff regarding the new protocols. We held two meetings where staff members shared their experiences, discussed challenges, and we made suggestions for improvement. Collaboration in this manner helped us augment the implementation process and create a sense of ownership and commitment among the staff. We also implemented a system for regular monitoring of patients' blood pressure and adherence to their care plans, which involved setting up follow-up appointments and making sure patients understood their role in managing their hypertension.

Positive Elements

Positive elements could be seen in the high levels of engagement and enthusiasm from staff and patients, which was encouraging. The Teach-Back Method appeared...

…and patients, coupled with the successful collection of baseline data, will give us a good, strong foundation for the project's continued success (Janes et al., 2021). However, the unexpected challenges encountered this week also highlight the importance of flexibility, adaptability, and continuous improvement in the implementation process.

Moving forward, the focus will be on addressing any remaining technical and patient engagement issues that might still carry over from the week prior, and we will just focus on making sure that the project continues to progress smoothly. The adjustments planned for next week will focus mainly on continuing to develop additional patient engagement strategies, and adjusting staff schedules as needed, so that we can neutralize any challenges before they even arise and try to just improve the overall rollout of the project to improve the hypertension management program.

In conclusion, the second week of the DNP project implementation has been marked by both significant achievements and unexpected challenges. The continued education sessions, successful data collection, and high levels of engagement from staff and patients are positive indicators of the project's potential for success. If we can continue to address the unexpected events and make necessary adjustments, the project looks like it will be well-positioned to achieve its goals of improving patient…