NR 512 Week 5 Assignment 

NR 512 Week 5 Assignment 

The HealthIT Topic of Week assignment must be submitted by Sunday 11:59 p.m. (MT) at the end of Week 5. The guidelines are listed below. The guidlines and grading rubric are also located in the course resource section. 

Purpose 

This assignment is designed to help students 

Develop an appreciation for informatics, basic skills and knowledge required in practice settings. Students will select a “hot” or popular topic of particular interest to their practice to discuss. The topic will be selected from the website using the link provided in the course Assignments section. 

Course Outcomes 

CO 6: Describe health information systems within healthcare setting and the profession of nursing in all practice domains and settings including electronic health records (EHR), their management and patient-care information technology (IT). (PO 3) 

CO 7: Explore trends and issues in NI and their impact on nursing practice in all domains, including cultural humility and person-centered care. (PO 1, 3) 

Due Date: Sunday 11:59 p.m. MT at the end of Week 5. 

Total Points Possible:  175 

Requirements 

Students will login to FierceEMR and FierceHealthIT using the link provided in the reading assignment module for Week 5 and select a   “current/popular” topic of the week that may impact their practice. Students, in a professionally developed paper, will discuss the rationale for choosing the topic, how it will impact practice in a positive or negative manner, citing pros and cons. Include a discussion of how informatics skills and knowledge were used in the process relevance to developing the assignment. In the conclusion, provide recommendations for the future. Submit completed FierceHealthIT   Topic paper for Wk. 5 to dropbox by end of Week 5. 

Preparing the paper 

The FierceEMR and FierceHealthIT Current/Popular Topic of the Week assignment must be a professional, scholarly prepared paper. See the guidelines for writing a professional, scholarly paper in the Course Resources. The professional paper will have an introduction, body of paper to explain what you are doing, summary/conclusion, and at least three scholarly references. 

Required texts may be used as references, but a minimum of three sources must be from outside of course readings. 

All aspects of the paper must be in APA format as expressed in the 6th edition. 

The paper (excluding the title page, introduction and reference page) is 4-6 pages in length. 

Ideas and information from professional sources must be cited correctly. 

Grammar, spelling, punctuation, and citations are consistent with formal academic writing. 

Rubric 

NR512 W5 (175 pts.) 

NR512 W5 (175 pts.) 

Criteria 
Ratings 
Pts 

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeIntroduction 

Introduction 

20.0 pts 

Introduction presents a brief overview all parts of the paper. 

18.0 pts 

Introduction presents one of the two required elements. 

16.0 pts 

Introduction does not include either of the two required elements. 

14.0 pts 

Minimal attempt at introduction. 

0.0 pts 

No introduction is present. 

 

20.0 pts 

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSelects relevant HealthIT Topic to discuss; provides rationale for selecting topic 

30.0 pts 

Successfully selects relevant HealthIT Topic to discuss; provides rationale for selecting topic 

26.0 pts 

Selects relevant HealthIT Topic to discuss; provides minimal rationale for selecting topic 

24.0 pts 

Selects HealthIT Topic to discuss; not related to practice; provides minimal rationale for selecting topic 

11.0 pts 

Selects HealthIT Topic to discuss; not related to practice; provides no rationale for selecting topic 

0.0 pts 

Does not complete assignment 

 

30.0 pts 

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeConvincing arguments of how topic will impact practice in a positive or negative manner citing pros and cons 

40.0 pts 

Provides convincing arguments of how topic will impact practice in a positive or negative manner -pros and cons presented. 

36.0 pts 

Some arguments of how topic will impact practice in a positive or negative manner -pros and cons presented, but are not convincing in nature. 

32.0 pts 

Minimal arguments of how topic will impact practice in a positive or negative manner -pros and cons presented. 

0.0 pts 

No discussion of positive or negative impact presented 

 

40.0 pts 

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeDiscussion of how informatics skills and knowledge were used in the process relevance to developing the assignment 

30.0 pts 

Discussion of how informatics skills and knowledge were used in the process relevance to developing the assignment is presented 

26.0 pts 

Some discussion of how informatics skills and knowledge were used in the process relevance to developing the assignment. 

24.0 pts 

Minimal discussion of how informatics skills and knowledge were used presented 

0.0 pts 

No discussion of how informatics skills and knowledge were used 

 

30.0 pts 

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeConclusion 

20.0 pts 

Concluding statements summarize insights about the key elements of the paper gained during the assignment. Recommendations for the future are provided 

18.0 pts 

Provides a summary of key points and a partial summary of insights gained during the assignment. Includes some recommendations for future related to topic. 

16.0 pts 

Concluding statements are present but do not address insights and/or includes minimal recommendations for future related to topic 

14.0 pts 

Minimal concluding statements present but no insight or recommendations for future are presented. 

0.0 pts 

No conclusion. 

 

20.0 pts 

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAPA Style 

20.0 pts 

0–1 APA format errors in text, title, body of paper, summary and reference page(s) are completely consistent with APA format. 

18.0 pts 

2-3 APA format errors in text, title page, body of paper, summary and reference page(s) are completely consistent with APA format. 

16.0 pts 

4-6 APA format errors in text, title page, in text, title page, body of paper, summary and reference page(s) are completely consistent with APA format. 

14.0 pts 

7-9 APA format errors in text, title page, in text, title page, body of paper, summary and reference page(s) are completely consistent with APA format 

0.0 pts 

10 or more APA format errors in text, title page, in text, title page, body of paper, summary and reference page(s) are completely consistent with APA format. 

 

20.0 pts 

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCitations 

8.0 pts 

0–1 errors in identifying ideas, and information from other sources are cited correctly. There are a minimum of three scholarly, current (5 years or less) references. 

7.0 pts 

2-3 errors in identifying ideas, and information from other sources are cited. 

6.0 pts 

4-6 errors in identifying ideas, and information from other sources are cited. 

4.0 pts 

7-9 errors in identifying ideas, and information from other sources are cited. 

0.0 pts 

10 or more errors in identifying ideas, and information from other sources are cited 

 

8.0 pts 

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWriting Mechanics 

7.0 pts 

0–3 errors in grammar, spelling, word usage, punctuation, and other elements of formal academic writing 

6.0 pts 

4–5 errors in grammar, spelling, word usage, punctuation, and other elements of formal academic writing 

5.0 pts 

6-7 errors in grammar, spelling, word usage, punctuation, and other elements of formal academic writing 

3.0 pts 

8-9 errors in grammar, spelling, word usage, punctuation, and other elements of formal academic writing 

0.0 pts 

10 or more errors in grammar, spelling, word usage, punctuation, and other elements of formal academic writing. 

 

7.0 pts 

Total Points: 175.0 

PreviousNext 

Submission 

Apr 1 at 9:21pm 

Submission Details 

Download NR512_fraud_risks_for_health_IT_WEEk_5_paper.docx 

Grade: 165 (175 pts possible) 

Graded Anonymously: no 

 View Rubric Evaluation 

Comments: 

Please see comments within the paper and rubric and assess changes/feedback to your week 6 power point presentation assignment. Please do not hesitate to connect with me with any questions. Dr. Barry 

Wandji,FrideNR512_fraud_risks_for_health_IT_WEEk_5_paper.docx 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fride Wandji 

The Impact of EHR Fraud Risks and Issues on Nursing  

Submitted to: Dr. Barry 

March 31, 2018 

  

Rationale for choosing this topic: 

Since the implementation of electronic records into the healthcare industry, billions of dollars have been spent trying to reduce EHR fraud and unethical documentation practices. The problem is EHR fraud significantly reduces provider revenue and creates issues with best practices and continuum of care standards. Duplicating EHR records is a big issue in nursing because nurses are tired and take short cuts (Balestra, 2017). The financial ramifications of this action are tremendous. Also, EHR fraud is closely tied to patient identity confidentiality issues (Balestra, 2017). The goal of the nursing industry to efficiently and consistently deliver a high standard of care is dependent upon reducing, and eventually eliminating EHR fraud.  

Pros and cons on nursing practice: 

EHR systems help reduce nurses work load and allow for a seamless sharing of clinical data and patient information (Balestra, 2017). Knowing that EHR fraud has legal and professional ramifications will cause nurses to become more attentive about protecting patient information. Secondly, since nurses are the main healthcare providers who access and update EHR records, these nationally publicized documentation issues will encourage nurses to develop their EHR documentation and informatics skill sets (Lavin et al., 2015). It goes without saying that EHR documentation issues sheds a bad light on the nursing industry (Balestra, 2017). It suggests preventable confidentiality breaches occur on all levels of the nursing industry. Also, continuous copying and pasting issues suggest nurses are either lazy or too overworked to be as detailed as they are expected to be. Copying and pasting has major legal consequences, as vital records that repeat information can be used by attorneys in malpractice cases (Balestra, 2017).  

Assignment development: 

Developing this assignment took a combination of a few key informatics skills. First, I had to use critical thinking, analysis, and problem-solving skills to determine the validity and relevance of the information I researched. My critical thinking skills helped me understand the technical terminology used to describe the legal and ethical issues surrounding improper EHR documentation. I then analyzed relevant statistics and quantitative information regarding cost factors and rate of abuse. I used my problem-solving skills to analyze the effects of EHR fraud in the nursing industry. I used technical/computer skills to gather the information I needed to write the paper. I had to be adept at researching, using a laptop and the Internet, and typing in MS Word. I also had to be comfortable with using email to submit my paper. None of these technical functions were difficult because I am familiar with their processes. I also used project management skills to plan, initiate, and execute writing this paper. Within the body of the paper, I incorporate the data from multiple sources and relate them to the nursing practice. Recommendations for the future: 

According to the OIG report findings (2017), EHR documentation issues will worsen if nurses and other medical personnel who deal with EHR records continue to view EHR records in the same way they view paper records. Nurses must be diligent about not using copy/paste or over-documenting. Medical records contain personal and time sensitive information, for nurses to take their role in protecting and safeguarding this information lightly, shows a lack of integrity (Levinson, 2017). Nurses must change their strategy or times in which they enter patient information into EHR records systems. As long as nurses update information within a 24-hour period, they can find time to accurately update EHR patient records. Overdocumentation also sheds a negative light on the nursing practice because it makes it look as if the provider is “padding” the bill to get more money from the patient or the patient’s insurance company. One recommendation is to use EHR audit log data to review their EHR records (Levinson, 2017). Additionally, the only way to eliminate the issue with copy/paste is to stop. Nurses have a standard of ethical care and confidentiality expectations they took an oath to preserve. Nurses should self-regulate and self-assess even when no one is looking and do the right thing.  

Another recommendation is for nurses who are members of nursing IT organizations to advocate to IT policy makers to create a fail-safe way to alert the system if any fraudulent documentation issues occur. Levinson (2017) wrote in his report that CMS must direct contractors to use audit logs for investigations, and CMS must provide additional guidance and training to providers on how to detect fraud in EHR records. Levinson (2017) also suggests nursing leaders and hospital administrators find strategies to encourage nurses and other staff who access and update EHRs to become partners in the OIG’s goal to lessen the risk of EHR fraud. To date, the OIG report (2017) shows that CMS and nursing organizations have not done enough to track, investigate, and penalize poor documentation practices. Levinson (2017) says CMS can set-up training sessions for nurses and other medical personnel who handle EHR records, which in the long run will cost much less than paying out EHR breach lawsuits and trying to be reimbursed from providers who were paid from submitting fraudulent claims. My personal recommendation is to restrict who can change patient records. For example, if a nurse wants to add or delete information from a patient’s record, the charge nurse must log in and authenticate the change. I also suggest creating a program that does not allow copy/paste. This feature has been added to many websites to guard against students copy/pasting for plagiarism purposes.  

Summary/conclusion: 

There are numerous electronic health record challenges that need to be addressed in order for EHR systems to run more efficiently and to minimize the risk of EHR fraud and abuse. Nurse play a major role in how this process will designed, implemented, and tracked. The accuracy of EHR records is important in nursing because it highlights ethical concerns in the nursing practice. The goal is to help nurses generate more accurate claims while meeting demands to improve patient care. Nursing professionals and leaders can advocate for EHR fraud detection measures and methods on a national level. Nurses can also stay well-informed about EHR regulations and changes, so they will not make the mistake of not adhering to the latest EHR documentation requirements. Providing a high standard of care includes safeguarding patient information and acting in an ethical manner. Confidentiality is a must as EHR records databases are under constant scrutiny for security breaches.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References 

Balestra, M. L. (2017). Electronic health records: Patient care and ethical and legal implications for nurse practitioners. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 13(2), 105-111. Retrieved from DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2016.09.010 

Lavin, M., Harper, E., Barr, N., (April 14, 2015) “Health Information Technology, Patient  

Safety, and Professional Nursing Care Documentation in Acute Care Settings” OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing Vol. 20 No. 2. 

Levinson, D. R. (2017). Medicare paid hundreds of millions in electronic health record  

incentive payments that did not comply with federal requirements (A-05-14-00047). Retrieved from Department of Health and Human Services website: https://oig.hhs.gov/oas/reports/region5/51400047.pdf 

 

 

 

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