Examines what constitutes appropriate care when assessing a patient's need for services after being discharged from hospital, with a focus on newborns.
Abstract Dischargeplanning is a process of assessing a hospital patient's need for care or other services once he or she is discharged from the hospital. The paper shows that the trend toward early discharge of newborns and their mothers grew at such a rate and was accompanied by such serious consequences for some, that the American Congress took note, passing the Newborns' and Mothers' Health Protection' Act of 1996 which allows mothers the option of requesting a longer stay if she feels she and/or her child require it. Despite this act, most women elect the shorter hospital stay. The paper shows that the problem that needs to be addressed, however, is to determine, as precisely as possible, what constitutes effective early dischargeplanning for newborns and their mothers. The paper delineates effective practices and then applies the obtained information to midwifery concerns and practice.
From the Paper "One of the more interesting findings regarding early discharge planning is that there are some indications that certain factors allow for earlier release than others, and one of these is delivery by a midwife. In this regard, Margolis, Kotelchuck and Chang (1997) examined if mothers discharged from the hospital and one night's stay differed in any ways from mothers discharged after two or three nights stay. Specifically, it was found that mothers whose babies were delivered by midwives were more fit for early discharge than mothers whose babies were not delivered by midwives."
Abstract This paper evaluates hospital discharge procedures. The author cites a number of empirical research studies which look at caregiver and patient attitudes toward discharge practices. The author also discusses the legal, moral and procedural considerations a hospital must take in determining its dischargeplan. The paper concludes that while systematization is important, flexibility is also crucial to ensure that the individual patient's needs are met.
From the Paper "There have been a number of studies concerned with the issue of patient discharge practices. Studies on decision making in discharge planning have investigated patient participation (Coulton, Dunkle, Chow, Haug, & Vielhaber, 1988; Coulton, Dunkle, Goode, & MacKintosh, 1982) and social workers' perceptions of patient participation (Abrahamson, 1988). To date, no studies have conceptualized discharge planning as a social process of small-group decision-making by elderly patients, family caregivers, and discharge planners. Participants' perceptions of the process are unknown."
Abstract This paper presents a research proposal for showing how an effective hospital-based dischargeplanning program can reduce the rates of hospital readmission in elderly patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). The paper shows the need for more effective dischargeplanning programs that will optimally reduce the rate of hospital readmission for elderly patients (clients aged 65 and older) with CHF. The proposal follows a format in which the narrative is put forth, including the problem statement regarding CHF and readmission, research questions that are relevant to these issues, and the background and significance of the issues. The report also includes a limited literature review on the topic, culled from extensive literature available on both effective dischargeplanning and CHF incidences. The rationale of the study is also addressed, before the report proposal concludes by stating the research methodology that will be chosen for the conducting of actual research, along the lines of having the ultimate goal of improving community health outcomes.
Table of Content
Problem Statement
Research Questions
Background
Literature Review
Rationale
Proposed Methods
From the Paper "At the same time, from this cost-effectiveness standpoint, hospitals must also realize that cutting corners in regards to effective discharge planning, particularly for CHF patients, can mean short-term gains bringing vastly increased future costs. "Hospital admissions among patients with CHF are a major contributor to health care costs...The program's aims were to make up deficits in health care delivery, improve quality of life, and reduce costs for the health insurance companies (e.g., by reducing the hospitalization rate [Stewart, Marley, and Horowitz, 1999; Whellan et al., 2001; Cline et al., 1998])" (Kottmair et al., 2005). Therefore, from either perspective externally, the importance of effective discharge planning for elderly patients with CHF is underscored in the current healthcare environment, to ensure the continued provision of quality care across the lifespan."
This paper is a comparative critical review of the literature concerning the problems following discharge directly to a patient's home after intensive care in the hospital ICU.
2,930 words (approx. 11.7 pages), 17 sources, APA, $ 86.95
Abstract This paper compares two articles, both indicating problems after discharge to the home from the ICU, with each other and with an additional review of the literature, "Problems Following Discharge after Intensive Care," written by Daffurn et al (1994) and "Intensive and Critical Nursing Care," written by Scraggs et al (2001). The author points out that the condition, disease, illness, or injury of the patient is most likely one of the two most predominant factors in the experience of the recovering patient upon discharge home from the ICU. The paper stresses the importance of the proper provision of both verbal and written instructions to the patient and the patient's caregiver, since this greatly impacts the patient in terms of well-being, as well as the overall experience of discharge to home from ICU, thus reducing the need for returning to the hospital.
Table of Contents
Objectives
Review of Articles for Comparative Critical Review
Article One
Article Two
Review of Available Literature
Review Comparison and Contrast of Findings
Conclusion
From the Paper "Results of the study found that of the 54 patients 34 of the patients experienced normal sleep patterns after discharge while 15 reported that they were unable to remain asleep due to disturbances and 5 patients were unable to fall asleep. 41 patients reported a normal appetite while 11 reported that their appetite was reduced and 2 patients reported a controlled appetite. Of the 54 patients 17 were not on medications at al while 14 of the patients were n Cardiac medications, 9 patients were taking multiple meds and four patients were taking analgesic medications. In relation to the memory of the patient in relation to the ICU stay 16 of the 54 patients had no memory of the stay whatsoever while 7 had a pleasant recall of the ICU stay and 9 patients claimed an unpleasant recall of their stay in the ICU. Reporting nightmares during the ICU stay were 7 patients while 15 of the patients had complaints of a minor nature. Home support was reported to be "none" by 4 of the 54 patients, while 40 of the patients reported "good" home support and 10 patients reported inability to sleep due to interruptions from home help support."
Abstract This comprehensive business plan includes all aspects of a start-up business plan including: marketing plan, human resource plan, operations plan and financial plan.
Table of Contents:
Executive Summary
Vision and Mission
Marketing Plan Operations Plan Financial Plan Marketing Plan Product Concept
Target Market Analysis
Evidence of Market Need
Competitor Analysis
Pricing Strategy
Marketing and Communications Plan Sales and Marketing Channel Plan Operations Plan Facilities and Equipment Plan Operating Strategy and Execution
Human Resources And Management Plan Financial Plan Overview
Sales Forecast
Income Statement
Projected Cash Flow
Industry Norms
Required Investment
Company Valuation
Investor Exit Plan Appendix A
Appendix B - Tables
Appendix C - Charts
From the Paper "Little Bohemia is a charming bistro located in Greenwich Village, New York offering an American cuisine menu that uses only the finest organic ingredients and the most modern healthy cooking techniques, without sacrificing great taste. Little Bohemia is perfectly situated in one of New York's oldest neighborhoods known for its uniqueness, diversity, and most importantly high traffic of people with a healthy appetite. Little Bohemia will set the standard for healthy, delightfully delicious food. The business model illustrated in this business plan will demonstrate how Little Bohemia will have a high return on investment and business longevity."
Abstract This paper outlines the critical elements of treatment planning in psychotherapy. It also provides a hypothetical case and proposes a treatment plan for the incumbent. Issues addressed include the importance of treatment planning and vital aspects of a quality treatment plan. The author concludes that ultimately a good treatment plan can be evaluated by examining the patient's response to treatment goals and outcomes.
Outline:
Treatment Planning Defined
Relevance of Treatment Planning in Psychotherapy
Treatment Plan Overview
Stages of Treatment Planning Characteristics of a Good Treatment Plan Hypothetical Treatment Case - Depression
Conclusions
From the Paper "Bray, Falvey & Hebert (2005) define treatment planning, as a "frequent and universal judgment task" often required of mental health practitioners interested in promoting positive patient outcomes. During the treatment planning and conceptualization process, clinicians work to help problem solve and predict outcomes for patients using various clinical judgment strategies (Bray et al. 2005). This process while complex allows favorable outcomes for a majority of patients and improves clinical performance thus is vital to the success and well being not only of patients but also of the caregivers working with them (Bray, et al. 2005). "
Abstract Strategic planning is important in the organizational environment, so it is equally important to understand the nuances of, and differences between, different models of strategic planning. It is also important to distance strategic planning from other associated issues such as strategic decision-making in terms of providing a definition and analyzing current issues. Some of the theoretical framework for this paper, which examines strategic planning in the organizational environment, comes from previous theories as well as present voices, including Maslow's 'Hierarchy of Human Needs' and Porter's 'Five Force Analysis'. This paper primarily serves to illustrate strategic planning from an introductory standpoint and moves on to discuss the meaning of strategic planning (illustrated through example and through the theoretical connections mentioned above), the models of strategic planning that are most often used (qualitative and quantitative models included in the analysis), and, finally, the lessons that can be learned from the application of these concepts of strategic planning.
From the Paper "In formulating a strategic plan, it is also important for the organisation to consider ?speed and agility in responding to new market trends and changing competitive conditions; know-how in creating and operating a system for filling customer orders accurately and swiftly; and expertise in integrating multiple technologies to create families of new products.?(Thompson and Strickland, 1997, p. 128). Coming from this
initial perspective of core competency, one can also assess the strategy of possessing first mover advantage. "While a core competence is something a company does well internally, what makes it a core competence, as opposed to just a competence, is that it is central to a company's competitiveness and profitability rather than peripheral"
(Thompson and Strickland, 1997, p. 128). First mover advantage is also about centralizing competitiveness and adopting a strategic plan that is based on a real-world competitive environment."
Abstract The paper describes a study to determine the impact of strategic planning on the performance of training companies in US and to correlate the use of strategic planning with the company's performance and the use of planning with the international activity; to correlate the use of planning with the intensity of high tech methods; to correlate the use of planning with the company's age and the managers' experience. The paper puts forth that these objectives should be useful in determining what the impact of strategic planning is on the companies that choose to to participate in this study.
Outline:
Introduction
Statement of the Research Project
Literature Summary
Methodology
Problems and Constraints
Required Resources
The Research Plan
From the Paper "The strategic plan is different than a business plan. The specialists say that the strategic plan is actually a leadership tool, whereas the business plan is a management tool. This implies that the business plan is more operational and the strategic one is more conceptual. The first one is concerned by how to run the business in the present given the current constraints and the second one is concerned of how the business will be ran in 5 years and how to get there."
Tags: strategic, plan, leadership, research, information, systems
Abstract The paper presents the business plan for the proposed Shells Fine Dining establishment that includes a product profile, marketing plan and overview of legal requirements. The paper outlines the human resources department, the operational and financial plans and the positive future prospects of the restaurant. The paper includes an organizational flow chart as an appendix.
Outline:
Executive Summary
Product Profile
Marketing Plan Legal Requirements
Human Resources Plan Operational Plan Financial Plan Future Prospect
From the Paper "Shells Fine Dining is an 80 seat fine-dining establishment with an attached 30-seat lounge. Shells Fine Dining focuses on fine dining in an elegant and relaxed style. The establishment offers a diverse selection of fine dining including seafood, steaks and catering services. Indoor and outdoor seating add to the beauty of the Riverfront, making Shells truly a place of visitor's and locals dreams."
Abstract This research paper provides an answer to the question of whether strategic planning is even needed by training companies. The paper does this by looking at management personnel in these companies in regard to best practices in the area of strategic planning. The paper explains that this will help to determine whether or not these training companies are well prepared for the future. To accomplish the objectives of this research, questions were developed from the literature review and these questions were asked of personnel in training companies within the geographic area to get their views on strategic planning
Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 - Introduction
1.1 Values of the Organisation
1.2 Successful Organisational Planning - An Analysis is Required
1.3 Aims and Objectives Statement of the research question Chapter 2 - Background of the research
2.1 Planning to Plan 2.2 Identifying Mandates and Standards
2.3 Strategic Decision Making
3 Chapter 3 - Literature Review
3.1 The Beginning of Strategic Planning 3.2 A Mission and a Vision
3.3 Creating a Philosophy
3.4 Threats to the Community
3.4.1 Internal Threats
3.4.2 External Threats
3.5 Identifying Strategic Concerns
3.6 Creating the Ideal Future
4 Chapter 4 -Methodology
4.1 Research strategy for primary research
4.2 Limits and Restrictions to the Study
4.3 Discussion - Importance of the Proposed Methodology
References
Theoretical
Empirical 5Appendix 1: The Interview
Appendix 2: The List of Participating Companies:
Appendix 3: The Selection Criteria for the Companies in the Sample
From the Paper "There are many different areas involved when it comes to strategic planning, and many of them can be accidentally overlooked by companies in the desire to create a plan and complete it. In theory, a plan that is well thought out and defined is complete when it is approved and printed, but in reality it is always changing. There are areas of concern that are sometimes not addressed in the original plan, and there are also times when something that was thought to work well does not actually work as well in real life as it does on paper. During times such as these, the strategic plan must then be amended, added to, or changed in order for it to do the job it was designed for and hold to the values and goals that the organisation has created .This is especially true of training companies, since it is such a vital business and there is much more at stake than profit and loss of cash."
Abstract This paper examines the viable options for personal retirement saving: Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA) and the Roth-IRA. The paper describes the tax benefits of the funds and the annual contribution limits. It provides complex information on stock option plans and stock ownership plans. The paper is packed with statistics and charts on the financial benefits for these plans.
Table of Contents
1. Individual Retirement Arrangement (IRA) and Roth-IRA
2. Traditional and Roth IRA
3. Annual Contribution Limits
4. Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and 401(k) Plan 5. Incentive Stock Option Plan 6. References
From the Paper "Generally called an Individual Retirement Account is a personal retirement savings plan that is available to anyone during the year who receives taxable compensation. For contribution purposes of IRA, compensation includes salaries, alimony, fees, wages, bonuses, commissions, tips, taxable and separate maintenance payments (Quinn. 1998)."
Abstract The paper shows that currently the New York City Emergency Plan is solid and has been tested and re-tested many times over. The World Trade Tower bombing of September, 11, 2002 put the plan to the ultimate test. The paper discusses that, overall, the emergency plan worked very well, considering the size and scope of the emergency. However, it also brought out some areas in need of improvement. The paper shows that the key issues which need to be addressed are the need for secondary and tertiary backup plans for the command control center and hospital scheme. Also, it shows that it has become painstakingly clear, that even though the plan is in place, when the actual emergency occurred, police officers and other key authority figures did not know where to tell the public where to go or what to do. The paper discusses the potential disasters N.Y.C. might face and the steps taken to plan for them.
From the Paper "The theme of the program will be a simple question, "What would you do"? This question will be followed by a scenario involving a disaster. All ads will be designed to spark thoughts of the possibility of the occurrence suggested and evoke thoughts of what they would do if the same disaster struck right now. Information on certain disasters, such as hurricane and storm safety, fire safety, and other safety issues will be an integral part of this program. The ads are not supposed to invoke panic, but rather to alleviate it. Panic occurs when there is a lack of a plan of action. This advertising campaign is aimed at getting people to develop plans, where-ever they happen to be. People who have a plan do not panic as easily and will respond in a more efficient manner to unexpected events."
Abstract The paper explains how a crisis communications plan is a vital aspect of virtually any business. The paper discusses that this plan is a companion to the crisis plan that is put into effect after a crisis has taken place; therefore, one aspect of this plan is to calm a heightened situation with reasoned thinking. The paper adds that a second aspect of the plan, however, is to strategize a process that will be put into force when such an event occurs. The paper shows how a crisis communications plan in that aspect can provide access to critical thinking and swift action at a time when such things are difficult, if not impossible.
Abstract This paper presents a business plan for a precision tool shop in Los Angeles. It includes the company's mission, an overview, products, marketing plan, management plan, operational plan and financial plan.
From the Paper "The company is a precision tool shop also known as a machine shop. This type of company manufactures tools and machine parts to fit custom requirements on a project-by-project basis ..."
Abstract The paper discusses how in an era when terrorist attacks are a reality, it is a matter of practicality to identify possible terrorist planning strategies. The paper explains that the purpose of such exercises is not to promote the planning and operations of such plans--doing so would be a felony in addition to the obvious moral and ethical issues raised--but to help conceptualize how such attacks could come to pass. The paper discusses that ideally, the outcome of proposing hypothetical terrorist operations plans, is to call awareness to vulnerabilities in local state and federal security systems and to minimize the possible eventuality of such plans coming to fruition.
