Healthcare Response on Opioid Addiction

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I believe opioid addiction is considered the most pressing issue in the United States. A national public health emergency has been declared as a result of the sharp rise in overdose deaths caused by opioid addiction. The US experienced over 93,000 drug overdose deaths in 2020, with opioids accounting for almost 70% of those fatalities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Opioid addiction has a detrimental effect on families, communities, and the economy. It has also contributed to the spread of infectious diseases like HIV and hepatitis C. In addition, opioid addiction has increased criminal justice involvement, lost productivity, and healthcare costs. Therefore, opioid addiction is a complicated and multifaceted problem that needs a thorough and well-coordinated public health response.
At the local level, I would be in charge of attending to a particular community's health needs. To do this, it would be necessary to identify and deal with regional health issues in collaboration with the community, regional health officials, and other stakeholders. Additionally, I would work to create and implement programs for disease prevention and health promotion that are specific to the needs of the local populace. At the state level, my role would be expanded to include collaborating with other public health professionals and stakeholders from all over the state to address issues that are unique to the state in terms of public health. Implementing statewide public health programs and policies may entail collaborating with state health departments, healthcare providers, and other organizations. Developing and implementing national public health policies and programs would be a part of my role at the federal level. Identifying and addressing national public health issues would entail collaborating with other public health professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders. Along with advocating for laws that advance the populace's health and welfare, I would also be involved in gathering and analyzing data on national public health trends.
Since public health nurses work at the intersection of healthcare and communities and frequently interact with community members, organizations, and other stakeholders to address public health issues, building and maintaining partnerships is an essential part of their job. In order to improve health outcomes, the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) identified collaboration as a critical competency for public health nurses. According to a study that appeared in the Journal of Community Health Nursing, public health nurses who formed partnerships with local organizations were more successful at addressing health disparities among vulnerable populations. To achieve population health objectives, public health nurses can increase their knowledge of community needs, make better use of available resources, and encourage community engagement and empowerment by establishing and maintaining partnerships.
Patient-Centered Care is one QSEN competency—Quality and Safety Education for Nurses—that relates to opioid addiction. Involving patients in decision-making and treating them as partners in their care is emphasized by this competency. Opioid addiction patients require a patient-centered strategy that considers their particular needs and preferences. This may entail addressing the social determinants of health that influence opioid addiction, educating patients about medication-assisted treatment options, and involving them in shared decision-making regarding their treatment strategy. Patient-centered care can promote safe and effective opioid addiction treatment as well as improve patient outcomes.
One BSN essential that applies to opioid addiction is Essential VII: Interprofessional Collaboration for Improving Patient and Population Health Outcomes. Opioid addiction is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires a collaborative approach involving healthcare providers, public health professionals, policymakers, and other stakeholders. The BSN nurse is well-positioned to collaborate with other healthcare providers and stakeholders to address opioid addiction and improve patient and population health outcomes. This essential emphasizes the importance of working in interprofessional teams to promote effective communication, shared decision-making, and collaborative practice.
References
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2021). The Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice. Retrieved on March 5, 2023, from https://www(dot)aacnnursing(dot)org/Education-Resources/AACN-Essentials
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Drug Overdose Deaths. Retrieved on March 5, 2023, from https://www(dot)cdc(dot)gov/drugoverdose/data/statedeaths.html
Fahrenwald, N. L., Belitz, C., Altman, M., & Coddington, J. A. (2013). Public health nursing Competencies for the 21st century, Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 19(3), E1-E14. doi: 10.1097/PHH.0b013e31825640cb.
National Association of County and City Health Officials. (2010). Retrieved on March 5, 2023, From https://www(dot)naccho(dot)org/uploads/downloadable-resources/A-Summary-of-the-
Core-Competencies-for-Public-Health-Professionals.pdf
QSEN Institute. (2022). QSEN Competencies. Retrieved on March 5, 2023, from http://qsen(dot)org/competencies/