Abstract
The paper discusses how, as the requirements for nearly all occupations become increasingly competitive, the need for a college education is becoming more and more crucial. The paper focuses on the costs involved and relates that there are federal and state grants and loans that can help reduce the cost of a college education, but rarely do these government monies pay for the whole cost of a college education. The paper then relates that state subsidies have created public institutions for higher education that are affordable to low income families as well as families of greater means, but many question the quality of the education of public colleges.

From the Paper
"A college education is believed to be the key to a successful future. But what is the cost to families who want to send their graduating high school sons and daughters to college. College is thought to be a character building process in the course of a person's life--everyone benefits from an educated population. As the requirements for nearly all occupations become increasingly competitive the need for a college education is becoming more and more crucial. There are federal and state grants and loans that can help reduce the cost of a college education, but rarely do these government monies pay for the whole cost of a college education."

Tags:responsibility, cost, parent

Abstract
This paper explains that getting a product to the consumer is a linear process in which each step requires different production and cost considerations. The paper points out that the short-term issues of production and cost involves reducing the cost of individual components; whereas, the long term production and cost issues can redirect economics to improve production through various means while still attempting to reduce short-term production costs. The paper presents the just-in-time mode, developed by the Toyota Motor Corporation, in which suppliers provide just the required amount of a raw material or product in just the time that a manufacturer or market demands that item.

From the Paper
"Short-term concerns are those dealing with the procurement of raw materials and potentially repurposing manufacturing machinery to meet the needs of a new product. While long-term production costing involves reducing set up time and even specializing equipment to manufacture goods more effectively. Long-term production and cost issues can also more effectively focus on prevention expenditures as presumably a product outlook is healthier than it was at an earlier time and can absorb the short term costs of such applications to help avoid unforeseen costs in the future."

Tags:linear incremental, raw materials, just-in-time automation

Abstract
This paper examines ways to reduce Workers' Compensation claims. It makes recommendations to reduce compensation costs, which include a company safety and accident prevention program. It also discusses medical leave and return to work process.

From the Paper
"According to an essay published online by CCH Incorporated, the first step in reducing workers' compensation costs involves ensuring that your company has effective safety and accident prevention programs in place to reduce the amount and severity of workplace illnesses and injuries. In addition to those programs there are policies and procedures that should be implemented to help supervisors and Human Resources professionals in handling workers' compensation claims in the most expedient manner possible. Having an active safety program has a number of benefits."

Tags:workers compensation claims, fraud, prevention, lawsuit, insurance carrier, training

Abstract
This paper examines how institutions employing nurses may rely on mandated and coerced overtime in an attempt to save money. As shown by the vigilance study, it is more effective to have sufficient staff or monitoring systems in order to reduce the costs associated with accidents. The paper further notes that tired nurses cause errors, errors often lead to accidents, accidents lead to higher costs. The paper concludes by stating that further studies should be done to determine the costs to institutions when insufficient nursing personnel are present.

From the Paper
"For many, if not most nurses, shift work is an unavoidable part of the job. However, that shift work affects the vigilance that nurses must maintain during their scheduled work hours. For nurses, fatigue is often the result of the shortage of licensed nursing personnel. This shortage results in nurses being asked to, or demanded to, work long shifts or extra shifts in order to "make up" for inadequate coverage. However, in a position statement from the American Nursing Association, it is stated that "strong evidence" links "prolonged" work hours to 1) slowed reaction time, lapses of attention to detail, and reduced motivation" among other..."

Tags:nursing, vigilance, circadian

Abstract
The paper relates that the goal today is to reduce the cost of health care without compromising the patient's health and safety. The paper calls for a change that involves reallocating and redistributing funding in the system, but explains that at the same time, to make certain health and safety are not compromised, a program of quality assurance will be needed along with a process of continuous improvement and a health information management system.

From the Paper
"The goal today is to reduce the cost of health care without compromising patient's health and safety. Costs need to be reduced while maintaining effectiveness and efficiency. One change that would bring this about is to make the most of what is already in the health care system. This change involves reallocating and redistributing funding in the system. At the same time, to make certain health and safety are not compromised, a program of quality assurance will be needed along with a process of continuous improvement and a health information management..."

Tags:teams, leadership, roles

Abstract
This paper focuses on the ballooning cost of health care over the last several decades and its impact on employers who provide a plan for their employees. The rising cost and popularity of pharmaceuticals is cited as one of the primary causes for the growth in the health care industry and one of the leading reasons that health care has become such a financial burden on employers. The paper contends that employers need to have a long-term strategy in place in order to contain costs and provides several examples of innovative solutions that companies have used in the past in order to mitigate the high cost of providing a health care plan to their employees. Several graphs are used which provide statistical information about diverse points such as national health care expenditure and the rising cost of pharmaceuticals over the last few decades.

From the Paper
"Employers are not completely devoid of options in their attempts to manage rising health care costs. While the persistent up tick in overall health care expenditures over the last decade probably caught them off-guard, attempts to manage these costs through tiered plans, co-payments and mail-order pharmacies have yielded promising results. However, as these measures become widespread, and demand for prescription drugs slacken, pharmaceutical companies will fight back with measures to drive up demand."

Tags:pharmaceuticals, prescription, inflation, zoloft, toyota

Abstract
This paper presents a case study of Dr. Stephanie White, the chief administrator at the Uptown Clinic, who must reduce her budget. It discusses various methods for cutting costs as well as the implications of cutting costs for the clinic. The paper identifies areas of excess expenditure and discusses a possible positive solution for the clinic.

Table of Contents:
The Budget Situation
Identification of Excess Expenditures
The Solution

From the Paper
"Through the effective utilization of outsourcing, the company's budget may be substantially reduced. This outsourcing is done to only the non-intrinsic functions, primarily answering phones and providing accounting services, the alteration of which will in no way affect the business of the clinic. The clients will still come in and be greeted by the same person, see the same administrator in the same location, however may be routed to a different individual when calling in, probably faster than before, and may notice a slight difference in the brand of supplies, however quality will maintain. Human resource management contributes strategically to outsourcing by enhancing organizational learning and maintaining corporate culture. (Schlosser, Templer, Ghanam 291)"

Tags:expenditure, saving, costs, quality

Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that a full-scale health care benefits crisis appeared to loom as employers were reported to spend $300 billion annually on the health insurance of employees, their dependents and retirees. Further, the writer discusses that health care related costs and premiums were expected to adversely affect the U.S. economy and, therefore, these preferred strategies could not continue indefinitely without a proportionate and adverse impact on total employee compensation. The writer looks at how employers act to reduce health care costs.

From the Paper
"The mass media, major consulting groups and health care experts agreed that health care costs were a critical or significant concern to the vast majority of chief operating officers, chief human resource officers and other business leaders. As against the estimated 14% increase, employers said they could accommodate only an average annual increase of 9%. This difference meant that employer costs would increase by approximately 54% in the next five years. During that period, employee contributions could increase three times until all the involved parties resorted to some proactive approach to contain the rise. HR leaders agreed that better value and lower health costs at between 83% and 96% if they worked together with employees for this purpose."

Tags:crisis, HMO, insurance, premiums

Abstract
In this article, the writer examines the many causes of employee turnover and suggests key solutions, including flexibility, reassurance, and training. The writer discusses the costs associated with replacing existing employees.

From the Paper
"Employee turnover is on a continual increase in the business environment of today.
..."The costs of replacing exiting employees are substantial and include those related to recruiting replacements hiring lost productivity new-hire training and ..."

Tags:employee, flexibility, turnover, retention, reassurance, training

Abstract
This paper examines the problem of medication errors and how they affect nursing, citing the case of the Quaid twins and reporting on the cost effectiveness of a computerized medication management system in correcting the problem. Six questions for future research are included.

From the Paper
"Medication errors are largely the result of human error and it is primarily considered the responsibility of the nurse delegated to administer medication. Such was the case when an experienced hospital nurse administered potassium chloride to a patient after checking the vial three separate times to be sure it was the drug prescribed which was Lasix. The patient died and a subsequent investigation found that the vial was labeled correctly and that the nurse had no explanation for the error."

Tags:medication errors, medical errors, nurse, Quaid, MedCenter, Sabal, procedures