Student 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 at The Longevity Center provides an enriching opportunity to engage in integrative and regenerative medicine practices that emphasize natural therapies and holistic, patient-centered care. Through this experience, the focus is on advancing clinical skills, understanding novel therapeutic interventions, and examining how regenerative medicine addresses chronic conditions at their root. This assessment highlights the practicum environment, the clinical and operational decision-making process, and a key issue within the diagnostic system that significantly influences treatment outcomes in regenerative healthcare.
Practicum Setting Overview
The Longevity Center is an integrative and regenerative medical clinic combining evidence-based conventional medicine with alternative healing practices. Its mission revolves around optimizing wellness and promoting longevity through patient-centered treatment models. The clinic attracts a varied patient population: some are generally healthy individuals seeking preventive and anti-aging interventions, while others struggle with chronic illnesses requiring regenerative approaches (The Longevity Center, 2024a). This diversity allows exposure to a wide range of health challenges, enriching the practicum experience.
The clinical team comprises three full-time healthcare professionals who work collaboratively to deliver individualized care. Despite the small team size, clinical decisions are highly personalized, involving detailed diagnostics, adjustment of therapy protocols, and long-term management strategies. The practicum participant is actively included in decision-making discussions, which fosters learning in both clinical and operational aspects. Furthermore, The Longevity Center prioritizes education by offering access to resources such as literature reviews, podcasts, and immersive clinical learning experiences (The Longevity Center, 2024a). This educationally rich environment cultivates critical thinking, professional growth, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Clinical and Operational Decision-Making at The Longevity Center
At The Longevity Center, clinical decisions revolve around tailoring regenerative treatments to meet each patient’s needs. These include selecting appropriate therapies—such as Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections or stem cell therapies—determining dosage and timing, and evaluating patient eligibility through specialized diagnostics like the Longevity blood panel (The Longevity Center, 2024b).
Operationally, the clinic must manage patient flow, schedule procedures efficiently, ensure accurate documentation, and maintain sufficient medical and biological supplies. Practicum participants are directly involved in observing and contributing to these processes, particularly in troubleshooting patient responses such as unexpected inflammatory reactions or slower healing rates (Majewska et al., 2025).
The impact of well-coordinated decision-making is visible in patient outcomes, including reduced inflammation, improved tissue repair, enhanced joint and muscle function, and higher quality of life. These improvements are monitored through follow-up visits, pain scoring, mobility testing, and patient satisfaction surveys (The Longevity Center, 2024a).
Identifying a Process Issue Related to Diagnosis and Outcomes in Regenerative Care
One significant issue identified at The Longevity Center is the delay and inconsistency in diagnosing complex chronic conditions. Many patients arrive after unsuccessful consultations with multiple specialists, often without a definitive diagnosis but with persistent symptoms such as fatigue, chronic pain, or autoimmune concerns. Unlike conventional healthcare facilities that follow structured diagnostic pathways, The Longevity Center often needs to restart the evaluation process, which delays treatment initiation.
This gap stems from systemic issues in traditional medicine, where care tends to focus on symptom management rather than addressing root causes (Dutra et al., 2025). Regenerative medicine offers solutions—such as stem cell therapy and PRP injections—but these treatments are costly, technologically advanced, and sometimes delayed by inadequate diagnostic groundwork. For example, a patient with chronic joint pain may have been prescribed pain medications or recommended surgery, bypassing less invasive regenerative interventions.
The slow intake process at the clinic further compounds the issue. Although regenerative tests and blood paneling are available, they are not streamlined, leading to frustration for patients and delays in care. This creates long-term consequences, including worsened physical symptoms, increased psychological stress, and reduced trust in healthcare systems. Research shows that misdiagnosis and diagnostic delays cost OECD countries approximately 17.5% of healthcare expenditure annually, with half of these costs preventable through more efficient diagnostic practices (Slawomirski et al., 2025).
Impact Analysis of Diagnostic Delays on Quality, Safety, and Cost
Delays in diagnostic processes at The Longevity Center affect multiple aspects of care:
Quality of Care
- Regenerative therapies require precision in patient selection and timing. A misaligned or delayed diagnosis compromises treatment effectiveness (Popescu et al., 2021).
- Patients often lose confidence in the care process, especially if they have already faced repeated diagnostic failures in traditional healthcare.
Safety of Care
- Prolonged or inaccurate diagnoses increase risks of chronic inflammation, worsening autoimmune dysfunction, and potential long-term complications requiring invasive interventions.
- Patients often arrive after undergoing multiple medications or surgeries, heightening the risk of adverse effects (Kvarnström et al., 2021).
Cost of Care
- Both patients and the clinic face financial burdens from repeated diagnostic testing, extended care timelines, and procedures not covered by insurance.
- Regenerative procedures themselves are costly. For example, PRP injections may cost between $707–$1,797 on average, while bone marrow aspirate (BMA) procedures range from $3,688–$4,379 (Charnoff et al., 2022).
- The need to re-assess and redo tests increases overall clinic workload, lowering efficiency and increasing operational costs.
Table: Impact of Diagnostic Delays at The Longevity Center
| Aspect | Impact on Patients | Impact on Clinic |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Reduced treatment effectiveness, delayed recovery, loss of trust in healthcare | Challenges in delivering consistent evidence-based care |
| Safety | Risk of worsening chronic conditions, side effects from prior treatments | Increased liability and complications in treatment outcomes |
| Cost | High financial burden due to repeat diagnostics and costly regenerative procedures | Increased operational expenses, reduced efficiency, and limited patient throughput |
Conclusion
The practicum at The Longevity Center highlights the strengths of regenerative healthcare in delivering personalized, non-invasive therapies. However, diagnostic delays present a significant challenge to both clinical effectiveness and patient satisfaction. By streamlining the intake and diagnostic process, the clinic can improve treatment timeliness, reduce costs, and enhance patient safety and trust. Addressing this process issue is essential to fulfilling 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
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. 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
NURS FPX 4905 Assessment 2 Define and Analyze Your Healthcare Process Problem or Issue of Concern
The Longevity Center. (2024a). Integrative and regenerative treatments. The Longevity Center FL – Nurturing Health at Its Source. https://www.thelcfl.com/
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/