AACN Essentials 1-IV: Evaluating Effect Of Compassion Fatigue On Blood Pressure

Evaluating effect of compassion fatigue on blood pressure among psychiatric technicians working at Patton State Hospital
AACN Essentials 1-IV
A study presented by
Name
Brandman University
Irvine, California
April 4, 2017
Introduction
The CSP topic is, “Evaluating effect of compassion fatigue on blood pressure among psychiatric technicians working at Patton State Hospital.” Health practitioners and mental health workers experience compassionate fatigue because of the nature of their work where they care for others and encounter patients/clients who suffer because of traumatic experiences (Harris & Griffin, 2015). This is particularly for those caring for the mentally ill patients, that the practitioners are left feeling overwhelmed by their experiences and sometimes they do not use self-care to reduce the risk of compassionate fatigue. Emotional distress is likely to increase blood pressure worsening their health and ability to provide optimal and safe health care. This is an analysis of the first four AACN essentials and their application to the project.
Essential I: Scientific underpinnings for practice
The DNP project sought to determine whether there is a relationship between compassion fatigue and blood pressure among Psychiatric Technicians, and there is transformation of knowledge when using an evidence base to determine how the two variables are linked. The EBP findings are compared to determine factors that increased the risk of compassion fatigue and affected the health outcomes of clients and mental health practitioners. Compassion fatigue is barrier a to practice, but few studies have looked into its effect on psychiatric technicians (Sorenson, Bolick, Wright & Hamilton, 2016). As such, the project is unique in focusing on health and psychology to address how the two fields explain the health and well being of patients.
Blood pressure is an indicator of physical health and wellbeing and even when providing care to mental health patients’ physical assessment is considered as this influences the ability to provide adequate care (De Gaudemaris et al., 2011). The psychiatric technicians ought to understand the factors that affect measurement of blood pressure and the DNP considered this. The evidence highlights that it is more beneficial to address concerns of the psychiatric technicians developing high blood pressure associated with compassion fatigue. Additionally, the health personnel who experience compassion fatigue / secondary traumatic stress are more likely to be distressed (Harris & Griffin, 2015).
The science underpinning practice is based on evidence from past research and is analyzed to determine the usefulness of the information in the DNP (Fitzpatrick & Kazer, 2009). The project further integrates nursing and psychosocial concepts, and this is consistent with the need to integrate knowledge from diverse is to improve nursing practice. In future I will consider knowledge that informs nursing practice to improve the quality of care. The clinical courses establish the foundation on how to integrate nursing science and other fields to further improve the ability to use evidence base to make informed decisions.
Consistent with the course objectives there is emphasis on using evidence base and research skills to apply new knowledge and analyze clinical outcomes. Evaluative research requires critical analysis and synthesis of evidence rather than merely understanding the application of the different research methods (DeNisco & Barker, 2013). In the project, blood pressure is the clinical outcome, and improving care delivery to reduce compassion fatigue and the risk of high blood pressure. The literature highlighted that the compassionate ability diminished when health practitioners experienced compassionate fatigue. In evaluating the outcome of CF on the health of psychiatric technicians appropriate nursing interventions will be identified to facilitate quality care.
Theoretical conceptualization of compassion fatigue reflects the scientific underpinning for practice, since changes in mental health settings are made depending on whether the practitioners report emotional and physical exhaustion. Understanding theories explaining compassion fatigue and health outcomes provided more insght on the link between nursing practice and mental health. This further informs change practice knowledge on science, social sciences and organizational behavior is associated with integrating scientific underpinnings for practice than relying on nursing alone to inform decision making.
Psychiatric technicians
Essential II: Organizational and systems leadership for quality improvement
The project incorporated other studies on compassion fatigue and health outcomes among nurses and mental health practitioners. Changes are to be implemented to determine the effectiveness of addressing compassion fatigue with blood pressure an indicator that the interventions are either effective or ineffective. Sustainable level change in mental health considers both the clients and psychiatric technicians to address the needs of the patients and improve care. The use of scientific evidence when identifying the most appropriate interventions is one aspect to use the system approach to reduce compassion fatigue the mental and physiological state of the psychiatrist technicians to manage health.
In the future I will seek to gain more knowledge in DNP practice to integrate evidence-based practice to improve the quality of care. Approaches to implementing integrative practice in health settings depending on the health situations and the, current practice, expert opinions and the evidence base (Im & Chang2012). Since the DNP essential prioritizes accountability for health care and quality of care, I will disseminate evidence to stakeholders where possible to ensure that the support he proposed changes that have been shown to have positive outcomes. The health care system depends on the patients, health care team, the organization, political and economic environment.
Ideally, the practice initiatives are evaluated for cost effectiveness and the extent to which they improve health care outcomes. This is consistent with the objective of ensuring there is accountability improving health safety and quality. In future, practice changes are to be implemented based on the evidence linking their effectiveness in achieving optimal care without imposing high costs on the health care system. In the DNP, compassion fatigue was identified as concern as it is associated with lower patient safety and care. Even as compassion fatigue is not the primary cause of low patient safety and quality of care, it is necessary to address the well-being of the health practitioners to improve their health and ensure quality healthcare (Beaumont, Durkin, Hollins Martin & Carson, 2016).
The demand of caring and showing empathy to patients/ clients increases the risk of compassion stress, which then results in compassion fatigue (Sacco et al., 2015). Efforts to evaluate cause of compassion fatigue are necessary to ensure that the health practitioners no longer feel isolated and helpless. The second DNP essential emphasizes the need for ensuring accountability of patient safety and optimal care (AACN, 2006). The way the psychiatric technicians respond to the suffering of mental health patients and use coping strategies affects their ability to cope with compassion fatigue. Being able to use communication skills to support quality improvement and implement changes is possible when it is necessary to enhance compassionate behavior.
Essential III: Clinical scholarship and analytical methods for EBP
Since fatigue and emotional distress is associated with worsening health outcomes for patients, carers and health practitioners, preventing compassionate fatigue is important (O’brien & Haaga, 2015). The case for this, is that the evidence points that health practitioners have improved resiliency and more likely to use positive coping strategies in the health settings. Additionally, implementing a compassion fatigue prevention program will reduce the risk of distress, and the stakeholders will likely support this since there are positive outc...