Abstract This paper discusses the hospital accreditation process as directed by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Organizations (JCAHO). The paper begins with a brief review of the strengths and weaknesses of the process. Then the paper cites criteria for accreditation, including standards and code of ethics.
Abstract This paper examines the impact of stigma on attitudes about HIV/AIDS. The author points out relating cultural norms and customs and treatment. The paper explores public health policies in various societies worldwide.
From the Paper "HIV is both a medical and societal problem. HIV attacks and breaks down the body's immune system weakening or destroying protection against illness often life-threatening. AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) occurs if people with HIV develop a badly damaged immune system or one of the serious infections connected with HIV. According to the United Nations, an estimated ...million people are living with HIV and two million are children. Three million people died of AIDS in with more than five million infected with the disabling disease. Clinton ..."
Abstract This paper explains the rapid growth of obesity statistics among U.S. minority children and adolescents. The author points out the serious consequences including related diseases. The paper relates ethnic attitudes and suggests interventions.
From the Paper "In the ...st century, obesity has become an epidemic and obesity in non-white non-European ancestry in the United States is a major problem. It is estimated that more than ...million Americans are obese with three million morbidly obese and childhood obesity is on the rise especially among minorities. The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey reveals that ethnic minority children in the United States are at particular risk for development of cardiovascular disease due to their disproportionate levels of obesity. Obesity is the most frequent ..."
Abstract This paper reviews the philosophies and frameworks of contemporary nursing theorists and various institutional philosophies of professional nursing. The paper defines the elements of philosophy development and how the author's philosophy supports professional practice.
From the Paper "Nursing philosophy refers to the concepts, notions, assumptions and postulates that underpin the practice of nursing. The purpose of this paper is to provide a brief overview of the philosophies and frameworks of contemporary nursing theorists as related to the institutions of nursing, the individual health care environment, health and illness and the nursing practice itself. The models selected were the Roy Adaptation Model of Nursing, Dorothy Johnson's Behavioral System Model, Betty Neuman's Systems Model, Dorothea Orem's Self-Care Model and Imogene King's..."
Abstract This paper presents an overview of the problem of burnout in nurses. The paper discusses burnout as related to age, gender, education and length of employment. In addition, the paper discusses psychological factors and work characteristics as they relate to the problem of burnout in nurses and reviews Maslach's Burnout Inventory Survey Instrument.
From the Paper "This review of the literature focuses on the topic of burnout in nurses. Burnout related to age and gender and education and length of employment are presented followed by a review of the Maslach Burnout Inventory survey instrument and a conclusion. Aiken Clarke Sloane Sochalski and Siber reported that hospital nurse shortages are due in part to nurse burnout. As a result research has focused on reasons for this burnout and how to retain nurses."
Abstract This paper examines the arguments concerning euthanasia and whether the practice of euthanasia can be considered ethical or even justified. The paper discusses and explains voluntary and involuntary euthanasia and looks at how the Utilitarian philosophy can be applied to this issue. The paper also looks at how arguments of Peter Singer apply to this topic.
From the Paper "The debate over euthanasia begins with the definition of the word itself. Today people distinguish between active and passive euthanasia as well as voluntary and involuntary euthanasia. The distinction between active and passive euthanasia would seem to be straightforward. Active euthanasia occurs when someone actively brings about someone's death as in through an injection of a toxic substance. Passive euthanasia, on the other hand, occurs when someone refuses to intervene actively in order to prevent someone else's death. For example, in a real life hospital setting a..."
Abstract This article examines Florence Nightingale's contributions to the nursing profession. The writer discusses how she transformed the whole practice of nursing into a profession. The writer uses different sources to demonstrate that Florence Nightingale's achievements produced many contributions to nursing theory in addition to the nursing practice.
From the Paper "Gorrell states that Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, transformed the practice into a respectable profession and set the standards for clean and safe hospitals throughout the world. The purpose of this paper is to review the multiple accomplishments of Florence Nightingale and their contribution to the nursing profession. Clearly one of the ways in which Florence Nightingale advanced the profession of nursing was in her concern for hygiene. Gillian points out that part and parcel of ... "
Abstract This paper integrates the nurse's role as teacher and educator with the Health Promotion Model. The paper addresses such issues as the client's need for health promotion, the professional nurse's role in teaching and learning, perceived barriers of the Health Promotion Model, and the integration of the nurse's role and the Health Promotion Model.
From the Paper "The role of the nurse is ever-evolving in today's health-care arena. Long seen as merely an assistant role, and one that did not necessitate responsibility, it has now become a role of being a teacher and educator. One of the main theories that is leading the way in health care today is that of the Health Promotion Model. This model envisions a way for those seeking health care to promote and better their own health and lifestyles. These two ideas, the nurse as teacher and the Health Promotion Model, converge."
Abstract In this paper, the writer presents her personal definition of the field of nursing, which includes the four main concepts of nursing, health, the patient, the nurse, and the environment. The paper also notes what personal and professional values are inherent in the writer's definition. In addition, the paper provides examples of how the writer's definition is reflected in practice in the ICU. These values are also looked at in relation to the overall Jesuit mission.
From the Paper "This paper is the statement of my personal definition of nursing. It will first discuss the four concepts of nursing and how I see them. These concepts are: health, the patient, the nurse, and the environment. Next, direct examples will be given that show how my personal definition is applied to actual nursing practice, in my case, in the intensive care unit (ICU). Finally, these ideas will be looked at in light of the overarching Jesuit values and mission. By looking at all of these aspects of my own definition of nursing and application of said idea, an overall picture of caring for others, for their health and their humanity, will be painted. The first concept that makes up my own personal definition of nursing is one of the main tenets of the field: health."
Abstract The paper discusses how it is well known that abuse of illegal drugs causes major problems for society. This is reflected by the fact that every country has laws that attempt to minimize such abuse. However, the paper contends that comparatively little attention is paid to the abuse of legal, prescription drugs. Yet these can also cause enormous harm. Millions of people in the USA are addicted to various prescription drugs. Many of these people lose their jobs, their families and even their lives because of this addiction. This paper highlights the problem of addiction to prescription drugs, showing that many people are addicted and that such addiction causes great harm.
Abstract This epidemiological paper represents a brief discussion on the web of causation. Definitions of epidemiology, causation and association are provided, as is a historical retrospective of how the web of causation developed. Model concepts are compared as is their relevance to community health, citing female health issues, coronary heart disease and commenting on "Healthy People 2000." The paper concludes with the web of causation as it relates to nursing practice. The paper cites current literature.
From the Paper "Epidemiology is a unique area of healthcare study in that it does not diagnose. Epidemiology represents the integration between social and natural sciences, but unlike many disciplines places greater emphasis on biological implications for population based findings (Vinels, 2003). This paper will discuss epidemiological implications in light of the web of causation model. After an initial review of relevant definitions, the web of causation conceptual model will be reviewed from an historical perspective. Components of the model will be defined along with a discussion of how this model applies to community health. Finally, the relevance the web of causation holds for nursing will conclude the paper. As appropriate for any technical discussion, definitions of key terms are provided."
Abstract This paper reviews a professional experience in which this writer was witness to an instance of poor patient care by a nursing care facility. The paper briefly outlines the sequence of events and describes the concerns of senior facility staff. Two separate incidents involving the same dereliction of professional duty were discovered. From there, the paper discusses the broader issues which this incident revealed and cites from outside sources to provide an illustration of just how serious health care problems can become if they are not addressed expeditiously.
From the Paper "As the North American population ages, concerns about the nursing care that elderly patients receive have become more pressing in recent years. The following paper explores a professional experience this writer had while assisting a nursing care institution three years ago. In the process of describing this incident, time will be taken to outline how this occurrence relates to the broader issue of quality care in America. As should soon become evident, while the American health care system has many things about which it can be duly proud, it also has many shortcomings which must be resolved as soon as possible. With that in mind, it is to a discussion of an important issue - health care in America - that this paper now turns."
A discussion of performance benchmarking during an online simulation of the Lenity Hospital for Advanced Care (LHAC) and the conclusions reached in the simulation.
1,350 words (approx. 5.4 pages), 3 sources, 2006, $ 53.95
Abstract This paper discusses performance benchmarking as it is applied in the Lenity Hospital for Advanced Care (LHAC) in an online simulation. LHAC has experienced several difficulties that can be addressed through benchmarking best practices and its executive management has acquired a consultant on staff to address these strategic solutions. One of the conclusions is the functional strategy of an organization should be based on business level strategies.
From the Paper "LHAC has experienced an increased rate of nosocomial infections that is simply not sustainable both from a quality perspective and from a liability perspective. The identified root cause was determined to be inefficient equipment practices within the hospital. Because hospital equipment is exposed to an enormous amount and variety of diseases and environmental pollutants within the context of a medical facility, proper maintenance and procedural care for equipment is essential. Failure to adequately address these concerns not only exposes the hospital or healthcare facility to a greater degree of legal and regulatory consequences but, most importantly, exposes patients, staff, and visitors to unnecessary levels of contaminants. The general conclusion from this particular circumstance was determined to be a lack of a proper tracking system for hospital equipment."
Abstract This is a short paper which identifies a specific objective from the Healthy People 2010 initiative by the US Department of Health and Human Services and states a policy which would help achieve the objective if properly implemented. The objective chosen was 19.3, the reduction of obesity in children, corresponding to the leading health indicator of Overweight and Nutrition. The policy formatted is to limit federal funding for school lunch programs to only those schools that allow healthy foods as part of the lunch program, banning sugar and fat rich vending products.
From the Paper "Healthy People 2010 is a program that continues the work initiated in the 1990s undertaken by the United Stated Department of Health and Human Services referred to as Health People 2000. There are 10 leading health indicators ranging from access to health care to immunizations and physical activity. One of the major leading health indicators is Overweight and Nutrition. Within this category, objectives relating to childhood diet and nutrition have been identified. One such objective, 19.3 is to "reduce the proportion of children and adolescents who are overweight or obese" ("Objective 19.3," 2000). This paper discusses the objective, suggests target goals and provides for a formal policy, that if implemented would help achieve the objective. Information on why the objective is important is included."
