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 a unique opportunity to engage in integrative and regenerative medicine practices, emphasizing patient-centered care and natural treatment modalities. The practicum aims to develop clinical competencies and a deeper understanding of how innovative therapies, such as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) and stem cell treatments, can address chronic conditions at a fundamental level. This assessment evaluates the practicum setting, clinical and operational decision-making processes, and a key process issue impacting diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes in regenerative medicine.

Practicum Setting Overview

The practicum is conducted at The Longevity Center, an integrated and regenerative medical clinic that blends conventional medicine with modern alternative therapies. The center prioritizes patient-centered care, utilizing regenerative medicine to optimize wellness. Its patient population ranges from individuals seeking preventive and anti-aging interventions to those with chronic illnesses requiring regenerative recovery strategies (The Longevity Center, 2024a). This diverse patient base allows for exposure to a wide spectrum of health conditions, fostering comprehensive learning.

The clinical team consists of three full-time healthcare professionals operating in a collaborative environment. Decisions are made based on individualized treatment plans, therapy response monitoring, and long-term management strategies. As a practicum participant, active engagement in clinical and operational discussions provides hands-on experience in improving patient care. The center emphasizes continuous education through podcasts, literature, and practical experience, fostering professional growth, critical thinking, and effective patient management (The Longevity Center, 2024a).

Clinical and Operational Decision-Making at The Longevity Center

Clinical and operational decisions are central to daily practice at The Longevity Center. Key clinical decisions involve selecting the appropriate regenerative therapy (e.g., PRP or stem cell injections), determining treatment timing and dosage, and assessing patient eligibility based on comprehensive diagnostics, including the Longevity blood panel (The Longevity Center, 2024b). Operational decisions include scheduling procedures efficiently, managing patient flow, ensuring accurate documentation, and maintaining adequate inventory of biological materials and medical equipment.

Practicum participants observe and contribute to these processes. For example, lab results guide treatment adjustments, while ultrasound cues help troubleshoot patient responses such as inflammation or delayed healing (Majewska et al., 2025).

Outcomes of Clinical Decisions Include:

Reduced inflammation
Accelerated tissue repair
Improved joint and muscle function
Enhanced overall quality of life

Follow-up assessments, pain scoring, range-of-motion testing, and patient satisfaction surveys monitor these outcomes, ensuring evidence-informed, patient-tailored care (The Longevity Center, 2024a).

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

A primary process challenge at The Longevity Center involves delays and inconsistencies in diagnosing complex conditions, particularly chronic pain, autoimmune disorders, and fatigue syndromes. Unlike conventional treatment centers with standardized diagnostic approaches, patients at The Longevity Center often arrive after consulting multiple specialists without receiving a clear diagnosis.

Traditional models tend to focus on symptom management rather than identifying root causes, which contributes to diagnostic gaps (Dutra et al., 2025). Patients may receive medications or undergo invasive procedures without exploring regenerative options such as PRP therapy, which can restore tissue function effectively.

The diagnostic process at The Longevity Center, while comprehensive, can be slow. This delay hinders timely treatment initiation and negatively impacts patient outcomes, potentially leading to prolonged suffering, functional loss, psychological distress, and decreased trust in the healthcare system (Slawomirski et al., 2025). Intake data reveal that 60–70% of new patients arrive after failed treatments in conventional healthcare, highlighting the need for a streamlined diagnostic workflow.

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

Diagnostic delays at The Longevity Center affect quality, safety, and financial aspects of care:

Table: Impacts of Diagnostic Delays

Domain	Description	Example / Evidence
Quality	Delays in treatment initiation; therapies may lose efficacy	PRP and stem cell injections are less effective if not correctly timed (Popescu et al., 2021)
Safety	Risk of chronic inflammation, autoimmune dysfunction, or tissue damage	Delayed or incorrect diagnoses may require radical interventions later (Kvarnström et al., 2021)
Cost	Increased expenses for both clinic and patients due to repeated diagnostics and prolonged care	PRP: $175–$4,973; BMA/BMC: $3,688–$4,379 (Charnoff et al., 2022)

The root cause lies in incomplete diagnostic workups prior to patients’ arrival, often leaving clinicians to redo assessments. Standardizing and simplifying the intake and diagnostic procedures can improve care quality, enhance patient safety, reduce costs, and improve patient satisfaction (The Longevity Center, 2024a).

Conclusion

The practicum at The Longevity Center highlights both the strengths and limitations of regenerative healthcare. While personalized, non-invasive treatments are highly effective, diagnostic delays present a significant process challenge. Addressing this issue through streamlined, standardized diagnostic procedures can enhance patient outcomes, optimize operational efficiency, and reduce costs. Improving the diagnostic workflow aligns with the clinic’s mission of promoting long-term wellness through advanced, 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

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