Planning Facilitating Supporting and Evaluating Learning Assignment

Planning Facilitating Supporting and Evaluating Learning - Assignment Example These are an ability to: (1) demonstrate accuracy in handling hemodynamic equipment; (2) analyze and interpret trends from the data output; and (3) apply knowledge of minimum standards for patient safety while on hemodynamic monitoring. A combination of available paper or cardboard charts and diagrams in the nursing school library was used with mentor-prepared tarpaulin charts including: (1) 8 ft x 8 ft size of the complete haemodynamic monitoring equipment set up; (2) arterial pressure waveform chart; (3) haemodynamic pressures chart; (4) normal haemodynamic values; (5) diagram of pulmonary artery catheter and parts; (6) pulmonary artery pressure and wedge waveforms chart, and (7) swan Ganz, catheterization. Charts are expected to facilitate students comprehension of the subject matter through clear visuals. Videos pertaining to practice-based skills were prepared to facilitate synergy of learning and skills gained through classroom instruction and clinical setting observation and practicum. Videos also reinforce knowledge gained during lecture. Since a textbook was assigned, only handouts of lessons from reference books not available in the nursing school library were provided. Aside from this, handouts of prepared reading materials were also provided. Articles from journals regarding recent research on hemodynamic monitoring were also provided as handouts. Memory cards or handy tips about nursing responsibilities during hemodynamic monitoring were printed in board paper and laminated in the form of bookmarks. At the back of the tip is a personal message from the mentor regarding her desire to be a mentor, friend, and confidant of the student. These were distributed to students in the course of the module. Figure 1 shows one of such handy tips given out to students. Powerpoint presentations pertaining nursing responsibilities in hemodynamic monitoring were prepared. With the use of figures and other visuals, retention of important nursing.

HR1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

HR1 - Essay Example The recruitment policies, training and development, reward management, performance management and employee involvement in Nando’s are centered upon in order to recommend appropriate HRM strategies (Carpenter, Sanders and Gregersen, 2001). Moreover, the host country’s economic drivers, the organizational issues, cultural issues also effect effective strategy implementation. Various models have been implemented for evaluation of international business environment in China. By examining all these factors, the HRM strategy is linked with the overall business strategy of Nando’s. After a detailed analysis appropriate recommendations are provided to Nando’s that will support the strategic human resource plan of the company for establishing joint venture with Tricon Global Restaurant, Inc. in China. The renowned chicken chain Nando’s has expanded their business further across the country in the past few years with increasing revenues. Nando’s international is a fast food chain first created in South Africa, had a rapid development worldwide but was not successful everywhere (Datta, Guthrie and Wright, 2005). In a continuous complex trading environment, the company has been performing satisfactorily. Despite of its long success history the company is facing expansion problems and are striving to overcome them. The organization has decided to expand its business through joint venture and which will require more staff to be hired. In their recruitment process, Nando’s face challenges that their new staff may not have any experience of working as a family and may lack commitment to their tasks. Proper training and human resourse management is crucial to effective manage their culturally diverse employees. South Africa which is the parent location of Nandos is f acing an economic downturn (Wright, Dunford and Snell, 2001). The recent phase of capitalism that can be referred to as globalization has a complex impact on

Article Analysis Essay Example for Free

Article Analysis Essay In The part of me that you bring out: Ideal similarity and the Michelangelo phenomenon, Rusbult, Kubacka, Kumashiro and Finkel (2009) explore the effects of close relationships and ideal similarity to growth and pursuit of ideal self. The authors also explore how ideal similarity of partner traits promotes the Michelangelo phenomenon and contributes to relationship well-being. The authors explain that ideal self relates to a person’s individual aspirations and goals. Although ideal self has previously been investigated as an intrapersonal activity, this research suggests that pursuit of ideal self is also greatly influenced by close personal relationships. Ideal similarity is defined as the occurrence and degree to which a partner possesses elements of a person’s ideal self. On the other hand, the Michelangelo phenomenon is explained to be the phenomenon where in a person shapes the personality of another person. Hypothesis of the Study Rusbult, Kubacka, Kumashiro and Finkel (2009) theorize that ideal similarity directly affects positive affirmation, influencing a person to move toward personal goals in their efforts to achieve relationship harmony. They also theorize that ideal similarity promotes relationship well-being through the Michelangelo phenomenon. Real World Application This study explains that the pursuit of ideal self is not a wholly intrapersonal pursuit. External factors, in this case close relationships, affect the process of growth. As such relationships where in ideal similarities exist between partners promotes personal growth and improved relationships, the opposite can also be claimed. The importance of forming relationships where ideal similarities exist is therefore highlighted in this study. Because this study establishes that close personal relationships plays a role in shaping a person’s pursuit of their ideal, it also emphasizes the need to form relationships with person’s whose personality traits align with one’s ideal. Study Methodology The research was formed by a four-part study that analyzed couple relationship through self-report and friend-report questionnaires, reactions to video taped conversations and a an 8-day daily dairy. Throughout the studies the independent variable was the study of partnerships between committed individuals. Study 1 focused on newly committed individuals while Study 2 focused on individuals who have been committed, either married or living together, for a long period of time. Study 2 also included the interview of friends of the couple. The dependent variable that was being measured was the amount of affirmation individuals in the committed relationships received from their partners. Study Findings Based on Study 1, it was affirmed that ideal similarity has an observable effect on affirmations and growth toward ideal self. Study 2 revealed that the greater amount of affirmations received between individuals with ideal similarity, the couples experience greater adjustment and better relationships. Study Limitations Early in the discussion of the paper, the authors remind the reader that this study was first in studying the effects of ideal similarity on the Michelangelo phenomenon. Although the study shows that close relationships influence individuals, there is little to show that it is ideal similarity and not actual similarity that causes the positive affirmations. Also, most of the research conducted was done through questionnaire form, which does not present an in-depth study of the effects of ideal similarities. Reference List Rusbult, C. E. , Kubacka, K. E. , Kumashiro, M. and Finkel, E. J. (2009). â€Å"The part of me that you bring out: Ideal similarity and the Michelangelo phenomenon†. Journal of Psychology and Personal Sociology 96(1), p. 61-82. American Psychological Association.

An Electronic Medical Record

An Electronic Medical Record An Electronic Medical Record (EMR) is a digital record of a patients medical history and test results. A record which is kept digitally allows for ease of transfer between physicians and readability, not relying on the old system of papers which need to be physically transferred, or at best, faxed between offices. EMR systems have existed for a number of years already, yet many hospitals and physicians still rely on paper records. However, a complete EMR system is complex, facilitating transfer of information between connected systems whether or not they are part of the same organization rather than being simply a flat file on a desktop with data entered. Many employees and physicians resist change and privacy issues are often at the forefront of concerns dealing with electronic media. This paper discusses the impacts of implementing and operating an EMR and some of the difficulties which may arise that health care providers cite as reasons not to go digital. Introduction The world of medical technology today abounds with news of breakthroughs and innovation using the latest science and techniques. Technology allows us to perform operations and treat patients in ways not thought possible just 20 years ago. The field of medical information systems however is lagging far behind the rest, with many medical records and communications between physicians still accomplished via paper. Why is there such a disparity between the procedures of performing medicine on patients and the way the records of the procedures on those same patients are kept? In this world of international travel where one can travel halfway around the globe in less than a day, should the medical records of the traveler not be able to arrive digitally if he or she needs it while out of the country? Implementation of Electronic Medical Records (EMRs) across the country and interconnecting them with the rest of the world, unfortunately, is a long and intensive process. Converting over to an EMR may adversely affect daily operations and increase risk if the proper steps are not taken. The cost may be prohibitive, costing up to $7 million for a 200 bed hospital. However, long term benefits outweigh the investment. Estimates show that implementation of an EMR system could save hospitals from $142 to $371 billion a year, increase the efficiency and reduce errors (Venkatraman, Bala, Venkatesh Bates, 2008, p.141). The planning and execution of the plan requires the support of both the management and the doctors and nurses who will be using the system on a daily basis. Accessibility For a system to be considered useful, the various components and interfaces must be accessible. In a study by Ilie, Slyke, Parikh and Courtney (2009), individuals often select the method of information entry and retrieval which is most accessible. The basis for these actions can be described using the least-effort model (p.218). Essentially whichever method is easier or more familiar is the method preferred. Hospitals and doctors offices have, for years, used a paper records system. The advantages of paper charts are that the charts are placed near each patient and allow for free form notation. Converting over to an EMR system requires training and convenient placement of terminals for physician and nurses. The most convenient may be placing a terminal in each office and station, in or just outside each patient location, or allowing portable units for information entry and retrieval; but implementation of this may not be within the budget or timetable. In instances where accessibilit y of terminals were not convenient, it was found that physicians and nurses fell back to documenting on paper charts and then later on reentering the data online (Spetz Keane, 2009, p.342). To reduce the tendency of users falling back on paper, strategic planning is required in choosing a system which is user-friendly and in placement of units for retrieval and entry of data. Accessibility also means the ability to retrieve needed information about a patient from locations where he or she does not have a previous record. In a world where EMR systems (which can interface with each other) are the norm, travelers would not have to worry that something may be overlooked simply because previous medical records were not available. In addition, cases where medical records were wiped out due to disasters and backups were not available, treatment of patients can become very difficult. After Hurricane Katrina, many physicians did not have medical records for patients needing emergency treatment; often the patients were themselves in no condition to answer questions or simply did not know enough to give meaningful answers (Brooks Grotz, 2010, p.73). Even when a hospital or doctors office installs an EMR system, thought should be given to how portable the data is. Due to the many different vendors available, EMR systems may or may not be able to transfer data effect ively. If a patient moves and requires treatment in another location, an incompatible EMR interface may require that the records be printed out and manually transferred to the new location, effectively negating one of the primary benefits of storing the information electronically. Benefits There are many benefits to implementing an EMR system, both tangible and intangible. One benefit, as mentioned above, could be the ability to share the information between different locations easily. Another benefit which is important to management but often takes time to realize is monetary, in the form of savings from increased efficiency and reduced errors. Increased efficiency also may translate to increased patient satisfaction, leading to increased business and reputation. Most people think of reducing the amount of paper used when a system migrates to going digital, but paper is a comparatively cheap medium though it takes up a large amount of space. On the other hand, take the case of the radiology department. The film used has to be specially prepared prior to use and it requires special equipment both to take the image and to process for viewing. Moving from hardcopy radiological images to one produced and stored digitally reduces both costs and facilitates transfer of images (Ayal Seidmann, 2009, p.45, 47). In the case study of the rural hospital, a number of systems were implemented to try and improve efficiency. The vision was to create an integrated IT system with an electronic medical record (EMR) and computerized physician order entry (CPOE). (Spetz Keane, 2009, p.338). Combining these two would make it possible for the patient to receive tests and treatments by the hospital, then the prescription would be relayed to the pharmacy electronically. The nurse would be able to scan the wristband of the patient and the labels on the prescriptions to verify the correct medicine goes to the correct person. A part of the system which had been implemented in the first month was a bar-coding system for supplies resulting in a decrease of patient care units running out of supplies due to improved inventory control (Spetz Keane, 2009, pp.338-340). The reduction of errors is also a key concern and the use of electronic records and a central database reduces the chances of duplication and mid-identification. As cited by Venkatraman, Bala, Venkatesh and Bates (2008) in their introduction to their paper, The Institute of Medicine (IOM) in 1999 shocked the nation by reporting that as much as 98000 people die in hospitals every year due to medical errors. These errors are also said to cost hospitals as much as $29 billion every year. Many costly mistakes might have been prevented if physicians had better information available or were not mislead by incorrect information, for example getting the wrong charts for the wrong person. In the process of proposing an EMR solution, the most common way is show benefits using monetary values and time/productivity savings. However, there are intangible benefits which are not so easily identified or measured. A desirable factor sometimes overlooked is increase in satisfaction, both for the customers and for the physicians (Ayal Seidmann, 2009, p.49). The ability to process results quickly affects the views the public has of the hospital or office and faster processing allows physicians to accomplish more. One of the most frustrating parts of health care is the wait necessary: patients waiting to be seen or waiting for doctors to diagnose the tests, doctors and nurses waiting for tests to be run or film to be developed. A byproduct of increasing the efficiency of processes is reduced frustration and improved satisfaction. After all, a patient at a hospital with an unknown problem should not have to wonder what is taking so long in addition to whats wrong with me? Implementation Once the decision has been made to acquire an EMR system, the next step is to decide which to use. Many medical technology and software companies are offering EMRs with many different specifications. Would a complete integrated system be better than a modular system? Are there partners requiring the ability to interface with the system? What is the degree of technological sophistication of the users? These questions and many other need to be addressed in deciding what type of EMR system would be the best fit. One key note in the implementation of a EMR system is that there is always a learning curve involved. Expect productivity to fall upon initial deployment with an increase in productivity once users are familiar with the system. A temporary decline of as much as 50% could be expected initially with productivity ramping back up to pre-implementation levels by six weeks, although some organizations required at least a year (Brooks Grotz, 2010, p.81). Often this period of decreased efficiency is what many users complain about: they cannot document as fast as they used to, they have to stop often to respond to system alerts, equipment is not working (possibly due to incorrect settings or improper use). Training for users of the system is thus an important part of the implementation plan. Enough time must be set aside for learning the system and support must be available if needed. Privacy Where terminals were placed is often important to the privacy of patients. In a case where an EMR system was implemented in a rural hospital, nurses and their managers had given input on locations for installation of computers and scanning cabinets. Once the nurses started using the system, however, issues of privacy came up. Some of the rooms were multi-bed and with only one computer, the nurse sometimes had to talk across one patient to get information from another (Spetz Keane, 2009, p.341). Obviously another method needed to be implemented to prevent violation of patient confidentiality; however such changes are not easily accomplished, especially if the system is already in place. Developing a policy for accessing the system is also paramount to protection of patient privacy in addition to business and financial records. There are several types of access levels available to a system as potentially complex as an EMR. The most obvious are access to medical and financial information. Also included are access to configure the hardware and software, especially the granting of permissions for other users to access various parts of the system. Imagine for example, the nurse who may need to collect financial or insurance information and enter it such that the billing department can access it. What if this same privilege inadvertently gave access to hospital financial records also? Also if an extranet is setup to interface with insurance companies for billing, how much access should they have? If policies are not set up correctly, insurance companies may be able to access records on patients under other insurance companys policies (Wilcox Brown, 2005, p.47). Past employees also need to have access to the system terminated and a policy should be in effect as to what a reasonable timeframe for access termination. Wilcox and Brown (2005) suggested that normal terminations, such as retirement, resignation and employee transfer, should be within one day and urgent terminations, such as a status change of an employee under hostile circumstances such as a firing, suspension, or other disciplinary action or any time there is reasonable cause to suspect that a user may try to harm or misuse data or system resources, should happen within an hour. Medical identity theft is now becoming more of a concern due to the abilities of hackers to access electronic systems. Just as someone could park outside a store and wirelessly tap into the credit card authorization process, someone could attempt to intercept communications between hospitals or even between departments within a hospital. Kieke cites a study by the Federal Trade Commission that states that medical identity theft accounts for 3 percent of identity theft crimes (Kieke, 2009). The theft may be used to fraudulently obtain health care services, file false claims, or attempt to secure drugs (Kieke, 2009, pp51-52). Once the identity has been compromised, it may be sold and resold multiple times, costing the patient time and money to clear the claims and establish their own identity again. Conclusion In many ways, implementation of an EMR system will be beneficial to hospitals and doctors offices. The degree of implementation is dependent on the requirements of the particular establishment. Specialized hospitals and many doctors offices do not require the whole gamut of software to run, often a subset or certain key modules would suffice. However, the ability to organize and display medical data in a meaningful way which follows some type of standardization and the ability to transfer records to other locations in times of need should be a requirement of any EMR implementation. Along with the technology needed comes a need to look at the human requirements behind using the system. The users, doctors and nurses in particular, are important to the overall success of any implantation. Not addressing issues which arise from this set of users may render the whole implementation moot.

American and Hong Kong Action Films Essay -- Movie Film Essays

American and Hong Kong Action Films When comparing the action films of Hong Kong to the typical action films of America, certain differences are clearly visible. The films from Hong Kong feature more melodrama, more fast-paced action scenes, and most noticeably, more graphic violence, than the action films released in the US. When looking at what these Hong Kong films were influenced by, especially the films of John Woo, it is surprising to see that many of these differences from American cinema are, in fact, inspired by American cinema. In John Woo's most critically acclaimed and popular films in both Asia and the US, he has drawn aspects from other works of fiction across the globe. He then takes these aspects and adds his own touches to them to make them something distinctly Hong Kong. John Woo first made his mark as a director on Hong Kong audiences in 1986, with the epic crime-drama A Better Tomorrow. The film tells the story of two brothers, one an ex-con, the other an undercover cop, and how they eventually team-up to fight a common enemy. The film is foremost a drama about the love of family (both of blood and crime), but there are two scenes involving gunplay that helped redefine not only John Woo's career, but also the action genre itself in Hong Kong. It is interesting though, that both of these scenes draw heavily from scenes found in other films from other countries (Logan 124). The first scene occurs early on in the film as mob enforcer Mark Gor (played by Chow Yun-Fat) kills a gang of criminals for revenge of a comrade's death. What made this scene so original and groundbreaking when compared to other action films in Hong Kong at the time was the way John Woo directed this gunfight, and the fact that it wa... ... drawing upon. Now the same phenomenon is happening in America. The Wachowski brothers appropriated Woo's stylized shoot-out and added martial arts to it to make something entirely new for The Matrix. And even Tarantino had something new to give the genre, with his inclusion of quickly-delivered pop-culture referencing pastiche dialogue, something that is continually used today. This combination of appropriation and originality ensures the action and crime genres will constantly be able to reinvent itself, on both sides of the Pacific. Works Cited Logan, Bey. Hong Kong Action Cinema. Woodstock: Overlook, 1995. Rodham Stokes, Lisa and Michael Hoover. City On Fire: Hong Kong Cinema. London: Verso, 1999. Dannen, Fredric, and Barry Long. Hong Kong Babylon. New York: Hyperion, 1997. Teo, Stephen. Hong Kong Cinema: The Extra Dimensions. Suffolk: BFI, 1997. Â  

All Quiet on the Western Front :: All Quiet on the Western Front Essays

  Whenever one reads or hears about World War I or World War II, you hear of the struggles and triumphs of the British, Americans or any of the other Allies. And they always speak of the evil and menacing German army. However, All Quiet on the Western Front gives the reader some insight and a look at a group of young German friends who are fighting in World War I. â€Å"This story is neither an accusation nor a confession, and least of all an adventure, for death is not an adventure to those who stand face to face with it. It will try simply to tell of a generation of men who, even though they may have escaped its shells, were destroyed by the war.....† The soldiers of this war felt they were neither heroes nor   did they know what they were fighting for. These soldiers were pulled from the innocence of their childhood, and thrown into a world of rage. Yet somehow they still managed to have heart and faith in man kind and could not look the opponent in the eye and kill him . For he was man too, he too had a wife and children at home, he too was pulled out of his home to fight for a cause he didn't understand.   The comrades were taught to fight. They were taught to kill the British and their allies. The comrades had no personal reason to fight with the other, except that it was an order and must be done. They were not fighting because they held a strong passion for their country, or felt deeply for the cause of the war. Albert simply states,   â€Å"...almost all of us are simple folk. And in France, too, the majority of men are laborers, workmen, or poor clerks. Now just why would a French blacksmith or a French shoemaker want to attack us? No, its merely the rulers. I had never seen a Frenchman before I came here, and it will be just the same with the majority of Frenchmen as regards us. They weren't asked about it any more then we were.†   These soldiers lacked passion for the war. They didn't feel heroic because they did not hate the French nor the British. Therefore they lacked zeal to fight the war and did not fit the title of hero, they clung on to their life at all times.

Peace Cultures in Action Today Essay

In â€Å"Peace Cultures in Action Today†, the author argues that some small isolated societies manage to create a culture of peace that often ends or is severely modified when they begin interacting with outside cultures. The argument then is that the greater society of the world is less peaceful than these small isolated societies. This theory warrants further study, especially in the area of how these societies react when confronted with societies that do not have the same values. For example, when the Zuni and Inuit are confronted by the larger populace of the United States, do they become more competitive? The interesting question here then is, â€Å"Is competititiveness and aggression a learned behavior? † In the piece, â€Å"To Construct Peace† , Elise and Kenneth Boulding too argue that peaceable existence is a learned behavior and that it can be taught. Elise was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for this theory, but it does not seem particularly sound. Even their own pacifist leanings led to conflict. Though the conflict was in the court systems over the right to become a citizen without an oath to bear arms for the country and a battle over their refusal to sign anti-Communist statements during the McCarthy era, it was still a conflict based on their moral standing. Therefore, it is safe to believe that even in people who believe in and are taught to live in peace, conflict may be inevitable when dealing with the real world. Later the same peace cites Thomas Merton and his poetry and meditations against war and his disappointment that the church could support a â€Å"just war† theory. This again is an interesting position that requires more exploration. Should society allow tragic events to continue because of a belief in peace or should war become a tool of peace? The moral and social ambiguities are clear. If a person is being oppressed and his pacificits nature is being used to subjugate or eradicate him, isn’t there some point at which man must fight for his own survival? This is the point that all of the essayists seem to miss. Peace for peace’s sake is a good thing and being taught to attempt peaceful coexistence before immediately turning to aggressive behaviors may be appropriate. However, if the species is to survive, at some point base instincts overcome learning and the fight for survival becomes more powerful that the desire for peace.