NURS FPX 4905 Assessment 2 Define and Analyze Your Healthcare Process Problem or Issue of Concern

Name

Capella university

NURS-FPX4905 Capstone Project for Nursing

Prof. Name

Date

Define and Analyze Your Healthcare Process Problem or Issue of Concern

The practicum experience at The Longevity Center provides an opportunity to gain exposure to integrative and regenerative medicine with an emphasis on natural interventions and patient-centered approaches. This placement allows for hands-on involvement in exploring how regenerative therapies can address chronic conditions by targeting underlying causes rather than just symptoms. The focus is on skill development, participation in clinical decision-making, and observation of how innovative medical models can enhance diagnosis, treatment, and long-term outcomes.

This assessment explores the practicum setting, clinical and operational decision-making processes, and a central process challenge—diagnostic delays—that affects both care quality and regenerative medicine outcomes.

Practicum Setting Overview

The practicum site, The Longevity Center, is an integrative medical facility combining traditional practices with advanced regenerative medicine. Its mission is to optimize wellness and restore health by using approaches such as stem cell therapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, and anti-aging strategies. The center serves a diverse clientele: some patients seek preventive and wellness-focused care, while others present with chronic health conditions requiring regenerative interventions (The Longevity Center, 2024a).

The clinical team consists of three full-time providers who operate in a collaborative, team-based structure. Despite its small size, the staff engages in personalized care planning, frequent case discussions, and troubleshooting of treatment responses. The center also emphasizes continuous learning, offering resources such as literature reviews, podcasts, and practical experiences. This supportive environment strengthens clinical judgment, critical thinking, and patient management skills.

Table 1

Overview of Practicum Setting

Aspect	Details
Facility Type	Integrative and regenerative medicine clinic
Patient Population	Preventive/anti-aging clients and chronically ill patients
Care Approach	Patient-centered, evidence-informed, natural and regenerative therapies
Clinical Team	Three full-time providers; collaborative treatment planning
Learning Environment	Access to podcasts, research, and experiential clinical training

Clinical and Operational Decision-Making at The Longevity Center

Clinical and operational decisions are intertwined at the center. Clinically, providers determine whether regenerative therapies such as PRP or stem cell treatments are suitable, the timing of interventions, and the dosage required. These choices depend on thorough diagnostics, including specialized blood panels and imaging technologies (The Longevity Center, 2024b).

Operational decisions, on the other hand, focus on patient flow, scheduling efficiency, supply management, and accurate documentation. As a practicum participant, I observed and contributed to case discussions, learning how providers balance diagnostic information with real-time patient responses. For example, ultrasound feedback during PRP injections may require immediate procedural adjustments to ensure accuracy (Majewska et al., 2025).

Clinical monitoring outcomes include reduced inflammation, faster tissue repair, and improved musculoskeletal function. Patient-reported outcomes, such as pain scores, mobility testing, and satisfaction surveys, guide treatment effectiveness and quality improvements (The Longevity Center, 2024a).

Identifying a Process Issue Related to Diagnosis and Outcomes in Regenerative Care

A major process challenge at The Longevity Center is the delay and inconsistency in diagnosing complex conditions—particularly those related to autoimmune disorders, chronic pain, and fatigue syndromes. Unlike conventional hospitals with structured diagnostic protocols, the center often treats patients who have already visited multiple specialists without success. These patients typically arrive without a definitive diagnosis but with persistent symptoms that significantly reduce their quality of life.

The issue is compounded by the fact that conventional care models often treat symptoms rather than root causes, leading to misdiagnosis or partial diagnosis. For example, a patient with chronic joint pain may have previously been prescribed long-term pain medication or advised surgery, overlooking regenerative alternatives such as PRP therapy that could restore joint function (Dutra et al., 2025).

Table 2

Diagnostic Process Issue at The Longevity Center

Problem Area	Description
Diagnostic Delays	Time-consuming intake and reassessment required for most new patients
Inconsistent Evaluations	Lack of standardized diagnostic protocols compared to conventional hospitals
Patient History Gaps	Many patients arrive without accurate or complete prior assessments
Impact on Care	Slower initiation of regenerative therapies, delayed relief, and reduced trust

This diagnostic gap is a critical concern because it leads to longer suffering, reduced mobility, higher psychological stress, and mistrust of the healthcare system. Slawomirski et al. (2025) highlight that misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis can consume up to 17.5% of healthcare expenditures in OECD nations. For The Longevity Center, resolving this process gap is essential to improving patient outcomes and ensuring efficient care.

Impact Analysis of Diagnostic Delays on Quality, Safety, and Cost

Delays in diagnosis significantly affect care quality, patient safety, and healthcare costs. Without standardized protocols, new patients experience delays that postpone regenerative interventions. This affects quality, as regenerative therapies must be precisely matched to patient conditions to be effective (Popescu et al., 2021).

From a safety perspective, delayed or incorrect diagnoses may result in untreated inflammation, worsening autoimmune conditions, or permanent tissue damage. Patients who have already undergone multiple failed treatments elsewhere may also be at higher risk for side effects and complications when entering regenerative care (Kvarnström et al., 2021).

Financially, the cost burden is high for both the clinic and patients. Additional diagnostics, prolonged care, and repeat assessments strain clinic resources. Patients also face high out-of-pocket expenses, as many regenerative procedures are not covered by insurance. PRP procedures can cost between \$707–\$1,797, while bone marrow–derived therapies can exceed \$4,000, creating significant financial stress (Charnoff et al., 2022).

Table 3

Impact of Diagnostic Delays

Dimension	Effect
Quality	Reduced accuracy in treatment selection; slower initiation of care
Safety	Risk of untreated chronic conditions, worsening inflammation, or damage
Cost	Higher expenses for repeat testing, prolonged treatment, and uninsured care

Addressing this issue requires streamlined intake processes, standardized diagnostic guidelines, and faster evaluation procedures. These changes would not only improve clinical efficiency but also reduce financial burden and enhance patient trust.

Conclusion

The practicum at The Longevity Center highlights the transformative role of regenerative medicine in providing patient-centered and minimally invasive care. However, diagnostic delays represent a significant process issue that negatively impacts care delivery, patient safety, and overall efficiency. Streamlining diagnostic protocols is essential to improving outcomes, lowering costs, and maintaining patient trust. By addressing these gaps, the clinic can better fulfill its mission of ensuring long-term wellness through innovative, natural interventions.

References

Charnoff, J., Rothman, R., Andres Bergos, J., Rodeo, S., Casey, E., & Cheng, J. (2022). Variability in patient-incurred costs and protocols of regenerative medicine procedures for musculoskeletal conditions in the United States. HSS Journal®: The Musculoskeletal Journal of Hospital for Special Surgery, 19(1), 77–84. https://doi.org/10.1177/15563316221105880

Dutra, S., Reigado, G. R., Santos, M., Sardinha, D., Hernandes, S., Marchi, B. L., Zhivov, E., Chambergo, F. S., & Nunes, V. A. (2025). Advances in regenerative medicine-based approaches for skin regeneration and rejuvenation. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1527854

NURS FPX 4905 Assessment 2 Define and Analyze Your Healthcare Process Problem or Issue of Concern

Kvarnström, K., Westerholm, A., Airaksinen, M., & Liira, H. (2021). Factors contributing to medication adherence in patients with a chronic condition: A scoping review of qualitative research. Pharmaceutics, 13(7), 1100. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13071100

Majewska, L., Kijowski, J., & Dorosz, K. (2025). Effect of patient age on Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and fibrin treatments for skin density and thickness: A single-center ultrasound study. Life, 15(2), 308–308. https://doi.org/10.3390/life15020308

Popescu, M. N., Iliescu, M. G., Beiu, C., Popa, L. G., Mihai, M. M., Berteanu, & Ionescu, A. M. (2021). Autologous platelet-rich plasma efficacy in the field of regenerative medicine: Product and quality control. BioMed Research International, 2021, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/4672959

Slawomirski, L., Kelly, D., de Bienassis, K., Kallas, K.-A., & Klazinga, N. (2025). The economics of diagnostic safety. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Health Working Papers. https://doi.org/10.1787/fc61057a-en

The Longevity Center. (2024a). Integrative and regenerative treatments. The Longevity Center FL – Nurturing Health at Its Source. https://www.thelcfl.com/

NURS FPX 4905 Assessment 2 Define and Analyze Your Healthcare Process Problem or Issue of Concern

The Longevity Center. (2024b). PRP Injections. The Longevity Center FL – Nurturing Health at Its Source. https://www.thelcfl.com/our-services/regenerative-therapies/prp-injections/