Answer 2 for DNP 810 What is the impact of the aging population on both increased health care expenditures and wasted resources?
Within the emergency department (ED) setting, the aging population are commonly the highest visitors and are the most acute. Li, Du & Hu (2020) report that the health expenditure of the population over the age of 65 is the most significant. The United Nations Report on Population Aging has shown an increase in life expectancy. This is a challenge due to the need for more health resources. It is noted that life expectancy may have increased due to advancements in medical technology, health reform, drug policy, health insurance policies, and supplier behavior (Li, Du, & Hu, 2020). Wasteful healthcare spending refers to patients who may receive low-value or unnecessary care that does not impact their health outcomes. Although the aging population requires in-depth testing, screening and treatment based on their disease process, wasted resources such as unnecessary surgeries and procedures should be reviewed (OECD, 2017). A recent occurrence of an incident such as this that I have encountered, included a 90-year-old male who received a hip replacement. Due to this patient’s age, prognosis and postoperative complications, it was identified that he should not have had this surgery as it was not an emergent scenario.
Genetics may or may not play a role in life expectancy. Pacarino, De Rango & Montesanto, (2016) report that 25% of human longevity is due to genetic factors. The genetic factors that can favor life expectancy include the cell’s maintenance and the basic metabolism. This can also be related to one’s diet and lifestyle. The city of Loma Linda, California is called the “blue zone” as some of the oldest people live in this area. Many of the occupants of Loma Linda are over 90 years of age and are noted to have this life expectancy due to a vegetarian diet, lifestyle, and rest based on the Seventh Day Adventist religion.
The doctoral-prepared nurse can apply this information to every situation and patient he or she encounters. The DNP nurse is an advocate for patient safety and quality and therefore should advise the best plan of action for the patient. Furthermore, the DNP nurse can also identify the severity of a patient’s illness based on age, medical history, symptoms and assessment in order to allocate needed resources in a timely manner in collaboration with the physician.
Li, L., Du, T., & Hu, Y. (2020). the effect of population aging on healthcare expenditure from a healthcare demand perspective among different age groups: Evidence from Beijing City in the People’s Republic of china. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, Volume 13, 1403–1412. https://doi.org/10.2147/rmhp.s271289
Passarino, G., De Rango, F., & Montesanto, A. (2016). Human longevity: Genetics or lifestyle? it takes two to Tango. Immunity & Ageing, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12979-016-0066-z
Tackling wasteful spending on Health. (2017). OECD. https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264266414-en
