Y2k (3187 words) Essay Example For Students

Y2k (3187 words) Essay Y2kThis year, most of the world is preparing to celebrate the year 2000 and the coming of anew millennium. However, many businesses, manufacturers, banks and hospitals arequietly hoping for an uneventful new years transition. At midnight on December 31,many businesses will be anticipating what effects the millennium rollover will have oncomputer software and other equipment that contain a time sensitive chip called anembedded chip. Early computer programmers, in an effort to conserve limited memoryspace, programmed computers to read the year in only two digits. So computers read 15as 1915, and 02 as 1902, and so on. Thus, when the year 2000 arrives, many computerprograms might go from December 31, 1999 to January 1, 1900. Some computers willcease to function, or ?crash?. Needless to say, if these programs control functions such aselectricity, airline travel, or communications, the results could be disastrous. Manycompanies and governments have spent countless hours and untold dollars makingsoftware Y2K (year 2 thousand) compatible. We will write a custom essay on Y2k (3187 words) specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now The consequences of not preparing for the Y2K problem could spell disaster forthe company involved. For example, a small Midwestern manufacturer encountered asimilar date-related problem in 1996 (a leap year) when the company did not realize thattheir entire computer network would be affected by the extra day in the year. When theyear 1997 turned over, all systems shut down. This malfunction caused the liquidsolutions being produced to freeze, causing them to destroy the pipelines they ran through. This disaster cost the company over $1 million in new equipment. The catastrophe causedmassive delivery delays to their customers, and the company believes numerous customeraccounts were lost as a result. This is just a small example of what could happen whencomputer software and related equipment is not tested for Y2K compatibility. Now,imagine the confusion and disaster that could result from a similar incident occurring in ahospitalwhere lives, not inventory, are at stake. ?Code Blue 2000? is the term used to describe the possible breakdown of theworlds hospital software and related medical devices. Most hospital organizations haveprepared themselves for any problems that might occur with their software and medicalequipment. It is the organizations that ignore the potential problem that will most likelyloose valuable patient information, and in extreme cases, have their ability to furnishadequate health care reduced. Major Hospital in Shelbyville, Indiana, has a team of computer scientists currentlytesting the hospitals computer systems software for Y2K compatibility. First, mocksystems are tested to determine what will actually happen when the year changes. Then,obsolete software and equipment is replaced with Y2K compliant equipment. MajorHospital has spent over a half-million dollars on research of the Y2K problem. Thisresearch is extremely costly to an organization, but the alternativeignoring theproblemcould be catastrophic. This report will cover the numerous ways the Y2K problem could affect hospitals. The first and most important area that will be reviewed is the manner in which the Y2Kproblem could affect patients. The Y2K problem could adversely affect the biomedicaldevices some patients rely on for life-sustaining purposes. Then, the potential problemson the clerical side of hospital administration will be explored; focusing on patientsmedical records and accounts. Finally, the possible adverse effects on utilities such aselectricity, gas, and water will be discussed. A hospital is a place that a person should feelsafe and secure. This report will describe the steps being taken by hospitals to ensure thattheir patients peace of mind and sense of security is unaltered. The Y2K problem is a concern for hospitals worldwide for a variety of reasons. Perhaps the most pressing concern are the biomedical devices, which contain computersoftware, that many patients rely on. Some critical biomedical devices are pacemakers,fetal monitors, Magnetic Resonance Imaging machines (MRIs), and heart defibrillators. One of the most important biomedical devices that could be affected by the Y2K problem is the pacemaker. A pacemaker is a biomedical, electronic device implanted inthe wall of the heart designed to detect irregular heartbeats and provide regular, mild,electric shocks that restore normalcy to the heartbeat. The pacemaker then records thetime an electric shock was administered; this information can then be downloaded to acomputer system and analyzed by medical personnel. Cardiologists use this information todetect patterns and irregularities in the patients heart rhythms. If the software were torecord faulty times for the shock deliveries, the cardiologist could misinterpret the resultsand administer improper medical care. The results could be deadly for some patients. The Veterans Administration interviewed the top five pacemaker manufacturers togauge their awareness of the potentially hazardous Y2K problem. One company said theproblem would be corrected by mid-year; two companies stated the problem was alreadyunder control; and the final two companies were behind schedule in eradicate the problem. In addition to the pacemaker, there are several other biomedical devices that maycontain faulty software. One such type of device is an anesthesia monitor. An anesthesiamonitor regulates the anesthesias effect on the patient during surgery. Another criticalbiomedical device is a fetal monitor. A fetal monitor helps examine the condition of thebaby while it is still being carried by the mother. Incubators, critical to a newborn babyssurvival, could also be adversely affected by the Y2K problem. Other biomedical devices(and their functions) include MRIs (produce computer-generated views of arteries,nerves, tendons, and tumors), infusion pumps (used in intravenous drips), and heartdefibrillators (emergency method of establishing a heartbeat). All of the aforementioneddevices contain embedded microchips critical to their functions. There are also intensivecare monitors that may not be Y2K compliant; these include heart monitors, bloodpressure monitors, and machines that provide additiona l oxygen and physical support. Finally, dialysis machines (help remove waste from a patients blood) and radiationequipment (x-rays, chemotherapy, etc..) are other critical pieces of medical equipment thatcould fail if the software controlling their functions is not Y2K compliant. Major Hospital is currently working with all of their medical equipment vendors toensure that all biomedical devices are Y2K compliant. ?We are confident that outstandingpatient care will not be interrupted,? says Carol Hussman, information systems manager atMajor Hospital, ?and we are about 95 percent finished with all testing.?One may think that in this day and age, with all of our technological advancements,that the Y2K problem would not be of concern to even the average computer user with afairly new system; much less a vital institution such as a hospital where thousands of ourloved ones lives hang in the balance. However, this is not the case. There are stillhospitals in the United States that are not equipped to deal with the Y2K problem. Moreover, the U.S. is not the only place where the Y2K problem is causing difficulties. Infact, almost a third of computer-related equipment in Australian hospitals, includingcardiac monitors and drug distribution systems, have failed the mil lennium test. .u363113e89176df7f0ca21b140825223c , .u363113e89176df7f0ca21b140825223c .postImageUrl , .u363113e89176df7f0ca21b140825223c .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u363113e89176df7f0ca21b140825223c , .u363113e89176df7f0ca21b140825223c:hover , .u363113e89176df7f0ca21b140825223c:visited , .u363113e89176df7f0ca21b140825223c:active { border:0!important; } .u363113e89176df7f0ca21b140825223c .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u363113e89176df7f0ca21b140825223c { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u363113e89176df7f0ca21b140825223c:active , .u363113e89176df7f0ca21b140825223c:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u363113e89176df7f0ca21b140825223c .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u363113e89176df7f0ca21b140825223c .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u363113e89176df7f0ca21b140825223c .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u363113e89176df7f0ca21b140825223c .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u363113e89176df7f0ca21b140825223c:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u363113e89176df7f0ca21b140825223c .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u363113e89176df7f0ca21b140825223c .u363113e89176df7f0ca21b140825223c-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u363113e89176df7f0ca21b140825223c:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Reconstruction of the South EssayThe final aspect of patient care that may be affected is the mental health of thepatients. In a crisis situation, patients might panic; hospital staffs will have to be aware ofthis potential crisis. Major Hospital personnel are aware of this aspect of the Y2Kproblem and are focused on preventing any software problems that may lead to patientconfusion or panic. However, there are no specific strategies in place to handle possiblepatient disorder, other than by answering patient questions on an individual basis. The Y2K problem is not limited to biomedical devices, however. This dilemmaeffects non-medical devices such as the personal computers used in record-keeping andaccounting. If the programs that are used are not corrected, many problems could arise. Even though some patient records are kept in paper form as a backup, most patientinformation, such as test results, medical histories, registration, and insurance informationare kept in computer databases. These databases, if left unchecked for the Y2K problem,could malfunction. Patient information is important to physicians and other hospitalpersonnel using the databases. It is readily available to them at the touch of a keypad. Ifpatient information is inaccurate, it could result in detrimental care or incorrect medicationbeing administered to patients. This dilemma could be solved in one of two ways. One option hospitals have is toput all information on paper, which would be very time consuming and prone to causeerrors, or the database systems can be programmed to be Y2K compatible. In order toaddress the Y2K problem, President Bill Clinton signed into law the ?Year 2000Information and Readiness Disclosure Act.? In a statement by the president released bythe Office of the Press Secretary of the White House, this law requires the shared?necessary information tools needed to overcome the Y2K problem.? This will helphospital information systems departments acquire the knowledge necessary to reprogramnoncompliant systems. The personal computer problem not only affects the hospital records department,but also the purchasing, billing, and payroll aspects of the accounting department. The purchase of essential medical equipment and supplies could be delayed if clerical softwareis not brought into Y2K compliance. In addition to President Clinton signing into law requirements that hospitals andother businesses share information to help solve the Y2K problem, The Washington StateHealth Association (WSHA) also recommends steps for compatibility for insurance billing. According to Tom Byron, chief information officer of the WSHA, ?The Washington StateUniform Billing Committee (WSUBC) has adopted multiple resolutions concerningelectronic submission of Uniform Billing (UB-92) claims such as, (1) use of the MedicalFlat File, Version 5.0, (2) all plans should be ready to accept the recommended format byOctober 1, 1998, (3) providers should submit claims in the recommended format byJanuary 1, 1999, (4) all plans should allow for a period of October 1, 1998 to March 31,1999 for providers to submit claims in either the recommended format or the currentformat, and (5) electronic formats not Y2K compliant should cease beginning April 1,1999. If the laws enacted by the U.S. Congress and the president , and therecommendations made by the WSUBC are followed, the Y2K problem will likely havelittle or no affect on the clerical areas of hospitals. In addition to the patient care and clerical concerns facing hospitals with respect tothe Y2K problem, there is one other pressing concern for hospitals. Utilities are essentialto the everyday life most people are accustomed to. If the electricity goes out at home,most people just burn candles and wait, without much worry, for the lights to come backon. However, losing utility service in a hospital could be much more than aninconvenience. Imagine having to go to the hospital on December 31, 1999. It could be more of aproblem than you think. All hospitals rely on electricity, gas, and water for their everydayoperations. A spokesperson for Major Hospital states that all methods have beenexhausted to comply with state and federal guidelines and suggestions regarding the Y2Kproblem. The suggestions include, but are not limited to, obtaining a copy of the?Approach to the Y2K Problem?, distributed by the federal government. This approachsuggests a plan of attack and an inventory of all systems that might be affected. A teamshould be formed with a leader to assess the problems. This team should assess andprioritize possible problems. At that point, the team must prepare a list of all assessmentsmade. This leads the team to the testing phase of the operation. After testing, correctionsshould be made, and a reassessment needs to be done. Utilities are just a small portion ofthe testing that will be done. Utility companies are spending more than $2 billion to test and prepare theircomputers and replace software in order to successfully meet the Y2K challenge. At thistime, there is no evidence that the Y2K problem will create power failures within thenationwide electrical power-service grid. Electric companies plan to have a dressrehearsal in September, 1999, to gauge how utilities will react to a simulation of the Y2Kscenario. The inability of some equipment and computers with date-sensitive components todistinguish the correct year after the year 2000 has now become a widely recognized andaccepted problem. The utility company Cinergy began an active response to this dilemmain 1996 with a review of several million lines of computer software application code in acampaign to locate and correct date-sensitive fields. Most of that code has since beenexamined, corrected, tested, and returned to operation. All such remaining systems are onschedule for completion by March, 1999. Cinergy, like most owners of information systems, will be required to modifysignificant portions of its systems to accommodate new local, state, and federalrequirements brought about by the Y2K problem. During 1997, Cinergy incurred costs ofapproximately $8 million. Maintenance or modification costs will be absorbed as theyoccur, while the costs of new software will be capitalized and amortized over thesoftwares useful life. For example, at Hawaiian Electric Company (HECo), the Y2K project teamidentified significant problems with its energy management system (EMS). EMS is the?brain? of the power distribution system at all electric companies. This system is used toremotely control transmission system breakers, coordinate power generation schedules,compensate for large transmission line breaks, and provide protection against voltage, andcurrent and frequency transients. HECo and their EMS system vendor determined thatEMS would crash on the rollover to January 1, 2000. This would have, in turn, resultedin HECos transmission network crashing, and by default, a major power outage and lossof all generating capacity. .ub96f0bb0579a8f327b5f9a4c440d9025 , .ub96f0bb0579a8f327b5f9a4c440d9025 .postImageUrl , .ub96f0bb0579a8f327b5f9a4c440d9025 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ub96f0bb0579a8f327b5f9a4c440d9025 , .ub96f0bb0579a8f327b5f9a4c440d9025:hover , .ub96f0bb0579a8f327b5f9a4c440d9025:visited , .ub96f0bb0579a8f327b5f9a4c440d9025:active { border:0!important; } .ub96f0bb0579a8f327b5f9a4c440d9025 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ub96f0bb0579a8f327b5f9a4c440d9025 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ub96f0bb0579a8f327b5f9a4c440d9025:active , .ub96f0bb0579a8f327b5f9a4c440d9025:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ub96f0bb0579a8f327b5f9a4c440d9025 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ub96f0bb0579a8f327b5f9a4c440d9025 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ub96f0bb0579a8f327b5f9a4c440d9025 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ub96f0bb0579a8f327b5f9a4c440d9025 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ub96f0bb0579a8f327b5f9a4c440d9025:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ub96f0bb0579a8f327b5f9a4c440d9025 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ub96f0bb0579a8f327b5f9a4c440d9025 .ub96f0bb0579a8f327b5f9a4c440d9025-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ub96f0bb0579a8f327b5f9a4c440d9025:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: STUDY OF FAMILY INTERACTION LEAD TO NEW UNDERSTANDING OF ABUSIVE PAREN EssayBesides medical devices, embedded chips are ?hard wired? into other pieces ofequipment that may be critical to patient services or hospital operations. This equipmentis often the responsibility of the vendor, not the hospital. These systems include 1) firealarm systems, including detection, sending/ receiving, and suppression units, 2) securitysystems, including sending/receiving units, video and surveillance systems, and badgereaders, 3) telecommunications equipment, including telephone switching equipment,emergency call management systems, pagers, and cellular phones, 4) buildinginfrastructure, i ncluding HVAC, energy management and lighting controls, emergencygenerators and lighting, uninterruptible power supplies, and elevators. Major Hospital isamong a number of the worlds health care providers that will participate in every effort tominimize any and all malfunctions related to the Y2K problem. Gas companies are contacting their suppliers and service providers to determinethe status of their year 2000 compliance projects and will be developing contingency plansif their efforts do not meet certain goals. An inventory of computer systems, embeddedsystems, and resources has been developed and prioritized according to the importance tothe continuing operation of the companies. It is anticipated by gas companies that thistesting, and any required modifications to systems, will be completed by July, 1999. Major Hospital uses gas for heating and lab equipment. However, Major Hospital isunlikely to be affected by a gas outage because gasoline-powered electric generators willtake over in the event of an outage and run most systems. Wastewater and sewage treatment facilities are highly automated and contain year2000-vulnerable embedded chips. Also, emissions monitoring and control systems dependon year 2000-vulnerable embedded controls. Malfunctions due to Y2K problems couldlead to accidental pollutant-filled releases and emissions that could endanger localresidents. In August, 1998, a malfunctioning computer in Boulder, Colorado was blamedfor water main breaks that cut service to over 40 homes, flooded basements and garages,and turned city streets into raging rivers. A computer controlling water pressure gaveinaccurate readings, prompting a city worker to open the mains. Some residents andbusinesses were left without water for over a week. Major Hospital staff have preparedfor a water shortage. They have stocked up on bottled water, just as every other hospitalhas done. However, bottled water will only last so long. In the event of a prolongedwater shortage, such as the one in Boulder, Major Hospital personnel will be faced withpersonal hygiene and medicine issues. Patients must be bathed on a daily basis andwashed off completely. It is difficult to comprehend a hospital as an unsanitaryenvironment; where doctors must ?scrub? repeatedly to reduce the risk of infection andpatients must be kept free of germs. Medicines are sometimes mixed with water to formtheir completed structure. This crux could alarm the many patients who depend on thesemedicines. The sewage treatment plant in Shelbyille, Indiana that services Major Hospitalstates that the plant is already Y2K compliant. The faculty and staff at Major Hospital is extremely confident that when the newmillennium arrives, it will not be accompanied by any significant problems or catastropheswith regard to malfunctioning utilities. If any problems do surface, Major Hospital hasassured its community and its patients that the problems will be minor in scope and will bequickly and efficiently dealt with. As has been discussed in this report, the Y2K problem is a vast and complex issuethat must be dealt with by hospitals. Virtually every facet of hospital care is affected bythe Y2K problem. Patient care, clerical software, and utilities are three major aspects ofthe hospital organization that, if left unchecked for Y2K compliance, could causeconfusion, sickness, and even death among hospital patients. Worst case scenarios involvemalfunctioning pacemakers, improper medication being dispensed, and unusabledefibrillators in emergency situations. The Major Hospital staff, like most other hospitalstaffs, continue s to work diligently to ensure that whatever malfunctions occur are minor. It is difficult to predict the scope of the Y2K problem and the possible severity ofrelated malfunctions when the most knowledgeable computer experts disagree on theseverity of the problem. According to Alastair Stewart, a senior Year 2000 advisor withinformation technologies market watcher Giga Information Group, the Y2K computerdate bug will not cause an ?embedded systems Armageddon? as some have feared. ?Itmay rain, but the sky wont fall.? Giga recently called for a ?common-sense approach? tothe Y2K threat. Some projected scenarios have Y2K failures toppling civilization. Forexample, in one sequence of falling dominoes, embedded track switching controls willcause railroads to fail to deliver coal to power generation plants. As a result, electricutilitieswhich have Y2K problems of their ownwill shut down. As the power grid goesdead, telephones will stop working. Without communications the interlinked banks andinternational finance structures begin to fall and, ultimately, so does c ivilization. ?Can you hear the four horsemen galloping off in the distance remarked Stewart. ?Its easy to scare people with talk about The Great God Teowawki.? ?Teowawki?stands for ?the end of the world as we know it,? Stewart explained. Just as some downplay potential Y2K problems, others offer substantial evidencethat the Y2K problem is for real. Mike Wedland, a noted software expert and author ofnumerous computer software guides, produces the following examples for consideration:U.S. Social Security computer programmers have identified 30 million lines of codethat need to be changed to reflect the correct date after the year 2000. Some 400programmers have been working on this problem since 1991. As of June, 1997 theyhad corrected only 5 million lines. The Internal Revenue Service has identified 100 million lines of code that need to bechanged in their computers to fix Y2K problems. They have only found about 300programmers and they are just now getting started. An estimated 65 percent of the businesses in the U.S that need to correct the problemhave done nothing so far. Regardless of whether the Y2K problem is all hype or a catastrophe waiting tohappen, hospitals must prepare for the worst. While businesses deal in profits and stocks,hospitals deal in human beings. When peoples health and lives are at stake it is best to beaggressively cautious. It appears that most U.S. hospitals have a firm understanding of theconsequences of not being Y2K compliant, and are dealing with the issue accordingly. Technology Essays

Communication Skills of the Mental Health Nurse Essays

Communication Skills of the Mental Health Nurse Essays Communication Skills of the Mental Health Nurse Essay Communication Skills of the Mental Health Nurse Essay Abstract This work attempts to examine a number of issues generated by the discussion on the communication skills of the mental health nurse. Nursing actions are planned to promote, maintain, and restore the clients well-being and health. Clients and nurses alike come to the communication with unique cognitive, affective, and psychomotor abilities that they use in their joint endeavor of enhancing the clients well-being. Mental health nurses are responsible for encouraging this interchange of ideas, values, and skills. In an effective helping communication there is a definite and guaranteed interchange between clients and nurses in all three dimensions. The communicative role of the nurse is, thus, an important one. Communication Skills of the Mental Health Nurse Communication is a life-long learning process for the nurse. Nurses make the intimate journey with the client and family from the miracle of birth to the mystery of death. Nurses build assertive communication for this journey. Nurses provide education that helps clients change life-long habits. Nurses communicate with people under stress: clients, family, and colleagues. Nurses deal with anger and depression, with dementia and psychosis, with joy and despair. Nurses serve as client advocates and as members of interdisciplinary teams who may have different ideas about priorities for care. Despite the complexity of technology and the multiple demands on a nurses time, it is the intimate moments of connection that can make all the difference in the quality of care and meaning for the client and the nurse. As nurses refine their communications skills and build their confidence, they can move from novice to expert. Nurses honor the differences in clients with humility and learn and grow i n their ability to trust their intuition - the sacred moment of connection when we ac- knowledge the divine presence in each of us, the essence of each person. Communication involves the reciprocal process of sending and receiving messages between two or more people. This work will focus on the communication skills of the mental health nurse. Communication can either facilitate the development of a therapeutic relationship or create barriers (Burleson 2003). In general, there are two parts to face-to-face communication: the verbal expression of the senders thoughts and feelings, and the nonverbal expression. Verbally, cognitive and affective messages are sent through words, voice inflection, and rate of speech; nonverbally, messages are conveyed by eye movements, facial expressions, and body language. Senders determine what message they want to transmit to the receiver and encode their thoughts and feelings into words and gestures. Senders messages are transmitted to the receiver through sound, sight, touch, and occasionally, through smell and taste. Receivers of the messages have to decode the verbal and nonverbal transmission to make sense of the thoughts and feelings communicated by senders. After decoding the senders words, speech patterns, and facial and body movements, the receivers encode return messages, either ve rbally, through words, or nonverbally, through gestures.   Figure 1 illustrates this reciprocal nature of the communication process. At any point in an interpersonal communication we send and receive verbal and nonverbal messages about thoughts and feelings. The assertive nurse appears confident and comfortable. Assertive behavior is contrasted with nonassertive or passive behavior, in which individuals disregard their own needs and rights, and aggressive behavior, in which individuals disregard the needs and rights of others (Figure 2). The communication between mental health nurse and clients typology is divided into two broad categories: client–nurse communications and person-in-situation, or environmental, interventions. There are six intervention methods within the client–worker communications category: 1. Sustainment. Communications designed to convey interest, understanding, confidence, and reassurance constitute the bulk of sustainment. Frequently, these are nonverbal cues, such as attentive posture, minimal prompts (repeating a word the client has used ina questioning manner), nods, and smiles. Sparingly used supportive statements such as â€Å"You seem to be coping well with an enormous amount of pressure† or â€Å"It is to be expected that this would be difficult to deal with† reflect a level of understanding of the clients situation and sustain the communication. 2. Direct influence. This communication type is really a continuum of interventions that range from tentative suggestion through directive advice giving. Giving direct advice is seldom appropriate to the mental health nurse. Even so, suggestions such as â€Å"I wonder whether it might make sense to consider X strategy for handling this problem† or â€Å"Have you thought about trying to do X in that situation?† fall within the range of mental health nurse work interventions in health care settings. 3. Exploration, description, and ventilation. These communications are designed to promote client disclosures through questions and other techniques. Although using minimal prompts and nodding are also involved in sustainment, the goal differs when they are used in this context. The exploration of clients problems, motivations, and strengths, their descriptions of interactions and situations, and their opportunity to allow open expression of emotions are all goals of this type of intervention. 4. Person–situation reflection. Reflection of client communications is often a main goal of intervention. Burleson (2003) divides the types of reflection into six further categories: reflections of others (clients own health or other aspects of the exterior world); client behavior (including its effects on others or on self); the nature of clients behavior, thoughts, and feelings; the causes and provocations of behavior; self-image, values, and principles from an evaluative stance; and feelings about the nurse or the client–nurse relationship. 5. Pattern–dynamic reflection. Communication for the purpose of reflecting back general patterns in the clients behavior and the motivations behind the behavior are given a separate category. Much interpretive and analytic work is done with this type of communication. 6. Developmental reflection. Like pattern–dynamic reflection, this type of communication identifies patterns in client motivation and behavior; however, the focus is on historical developmental patterns. Framing reflections in terms of prior client development is a hallmark of this type of interaction. Acceptance, and its associated value of being non-judgmental, is extensively examined in communication skills. It involves ‘respect and concern’ and ‘an uncompromising belief in the innate worth of the individual human being’ (Atkinson 2002). It is essential not simply that the worker should have these beliefs, but that the client actually experiences himself being respected by the worker.   We do not display unconditional positive regard: there is an expectation by the worker that change will occur. Acceptance, however, requires humility. Indeed, it may go beyond simple refusal to judge, but actively to seek to understand can be a prerequisite to acceptance. A final element is the commitment implied by acceptance: that although the client may behave in ways disapproved of, the relationship will continue as far as the nurse is concerned. Atkinson (2002) stresses consciously attempting to suspend personal value judgments, opinions, attitudes and feelings ab out the issues raised, and concentrate on accepting the client’s values, feelings and opinions (p. 174). The nurse should accept the patient as he or she is, and in addition to accepting him/her as he is, the nurse should treat the patient as an emotionally able stranger and relate to him/her as such until evidence shows otherwise. Nurses must remain true to their values while accepting the patient’s right to follow his/her conscience, they must display tolerance of themselves and others and must be non-judgmental so the patient feels free to express his/her real feelings. To be accepting is, at base, to be friendly. Empathy, listening and individualizing are a closely related cluster of qualities. Empathy is perhaps the most widely discussed element in nursing communication skills. Atkinson (2002) suggests it is imaginatively understanding others: ‘the power to feel imaginatively the experience of the other person†¦to â€Å"get on the same wavelength† as them’. The nurses attempt to ‘put themselves in another’s shoes’. However, this should not overwhelm them. Burleson (2003) calls it controlled emotional involvement. Burleson identifies a continual movement between merging with the client and regaining an objective stance. We recognize that we are a separate person, and this is necessary to maintain a sense of proportion. There is a clear intuitive dimension. Jordan (1979, p. 20) considers ‘it requires the exercise of all her [the worker’s] intuitive and imaginative capacities’ to go beyond the detail of the message. It also has a more cognitive element. It involves ‘building up our knowledge’ (Atkinson 2002) and methods of reasoning†¦to make an objective analysis†¦ [and] the theoretical knowledge [to obtain]†¦a mental representation of the other (Burleson Planalp 2000). Listening is a closely associated practice element. Indeed, it would appear a prerequisite to any degree of accurate empathy. Although non-verbal cues may be used, the ability to listen significantly facilitates understanding of the client and the meaning for him of his circumstances. Listening, however, is not a passive activity. Atkinson (2002) emphasizes nurse involvement, and the active seeking for ‘information’: ‘a listener who is able to respond actively and appropriately to the messages he receives’. Riley (2000) considers likewise it is not a passive ‘hearing’. It is an active search for the meaning in and an active understanding of, the client’s communication. (p. 168) It is this active striving for meaning which links it to empathy, the attempt to understand. It is ‘listen and know what I mean’ (Worden 2003). Listening, though, has a further positive element: actually encouraging the client to express himself. It involves listening hard, not only to the words which the client is using, but also the overtones of what he is saying together with encouraging the client to formulate and express his worries. Individualization is also closely associated with empathy: for to empathize is to do so with an individual who has unique qualities. Individualization is the recognition and understanding of each client’s unique qualities based on the right to be treated not just as a human being, but as this human being with his personal differences. Individualization possesses two central characteristics: like others it involves recognition of uniqueness, but also one of value a valuation of an individual’s potential accomplishments. Barrett (2003) identifies three ways in which it occurs in practice: in the present through the current nurse-client relationship; in description of the past through which the client presents their biography; and discussing future actions contributing to his/her personal identity. Overall treatment should be geared to individual needs. Above all, individualization means being free from projecting stereotypes on to people. Communication skills of mental health nursing also discuss empathy. It is the ability to perceive accurately the feelings of another person and to communicate this understanding to him. It is the capacity for participating in a vicarious experience of another’s feelings, volitions or ideas. Atkinson (2002) considers it to be an absolutely essential element of interpersonal communication. Nurse authors recognize it goes beyond simply what another person says: it is the ability to perceive accurately the internal frame of reference of the other and involves the latent meaning of what has been said. It is necessary, though, to retain some separateness: it is the quality of objectivity which distinguishes empathy from sympathy. Overall seeing things through the other person’s eyes involves, first, responding to the words and reflecting them, and second, picking out the unspoken feelings behind what is said. A further cluster of related concepts are authenticity, genuineness and openness. Authenticity requires the nurse be real and human in the communication. It implies spontaneity, the willingness to share one’s own feelings and reactions. Genuineness on the other hand means that there is a striving towards congruence between the nurses’ feelings and their behavior. Authenticity, then, means retaining one’s essential ‘humanness’, while genuineness is significant in the generation of authenticity: the worker openly providing information requested, and when appropriate initiates information sharing. This involves being honest about the reality of the nurse’s position: that the nurse’s powers and limitations are stated clearly when appropriate. Authenticity and openness, therefore, involve being authentic as a professional and not just a private person. Congruence means that nurses bring honest matches the underlying value system and essentia l self as a professional person. At a personal level it motivates a warm and nurturing heart, on objective, open and disciplined mind (heart and head). It is the synthesis of personal and professional which is significant: without this there is a loss of spontaneity with the worker appearing as a guarded professional. How does the nurse demonstrate genuineness? The nurse should give time, be sincere and be consistent in the attitudes and behavior shown during the communication. However sincerity does not involve cushioning the patient inappropriately from reality. This work has examined issues relating to communication (or its likely effect) and client involvement in the process of intervention. The role of the mental health nurse in health communication bears both similarities and dissimilarities to that of the physician. The nurse is in a pivotal position on the patient care team. Often nurses claim that patients should be treated as people rather than cases, they do not communicate as they profess they should nor as they think they do. In summary, this work highlights the importance of practice and preparation in the development of mental health nurses communication skills. Changing and improving the way health care providers interact with patients is complicated for several reasons. First, many nurses have developed a style of communicating that they perceive to be effective and easy to use, especially if they have been practicing for a number of years. To diversify their communicative repertoire, nurses must believe in the need for change , learn new responses (e.g., open-ended questions, attentive listening), and identify and refrain from problematic behaviors. Because of these factors, it is unlikely that a single, brief intervention will lead to significant improvement in a health care providers communicative skills. Research to date indicates that the most successful communication skill interventions will be those that are intensive and employ diverse pedagogical techniques including expert and patient feedback, role playing, modeling, practice, group discussion, and watching ones performance on videotape. References Atkinson, Mary. (2002). Mental Health Handbook for Schools. Routledge/Falmer: London. Barrett, Sheila. (2003). Communication, Relationships and Care: A Reader. Routledge: New York. Burleson, B. R., Planalp, S. (2000). â€Å"Producing emotion(al) messages.† Communication Theory, 10. Burleson, Brant R. (2003). Handbook of Communication and Social Interaction Skills. Lawrence Erlbaum Associates: Mahwah, NJ. Riley, Julia Balzer. (2000). Communication in Nursing. Mosby: St. Louis, MO. Worden, J. William. (2003). Grief Counselling and Grief Therapy: A Handbook for the Mental Health Practitioner. Brunner-Routledge: Hove, England. Figure 1  Ã‚   The Human Communication Process Figure 2 Assertive and Nonassertive Style of Communication Characteristics Assertive Nonassertive Aggressive Attitude toward self and others Im OK Youre OK Im not OK Youre not OK Im not OK Youre not OK Decision making Makes own decision Lets others choose for him or her Chooses for others Behavior in problem situations Direct, fair confrontation Flees, gives in Outright, assaultive Verbal behaviors Clear, direct statement of wants; objective words; honest statement of feelings Apologetic words; hedging; rambling; failing to say what is meant Loaded words; accusations; superior, haughty words; labeling of other person Nonverbal behaviors Confident, congruent messages Actions instead of words (not saying what is felt); incongruence between words and behaviors Air of superiority; flip- pant, sarcastic style Voice Firm, warm, confident Weak, distant, soft, wavering Tense, shrill, loud, cold, demanding, authoritarian, coldly silent Eyes Warm, in contact, frank Averted, downcast, teary, pleading Expressionless, cold, narrowed, staring Stance Relaxed Stooped; excessive lean- ing for support Hands on hips; feet apart Hands Gestures at appropriate times Fidgety, clammy Fists pounding or clenched Pattern of relating Puts himself or herself up without putting others down Puts himself or herself down Puts himself or herself up by putting others down Response of others Mutual respect Disrespect, guilt, anger, frustration Hurt, defensiveness, humiliation Consequences of style I win, you win; strives for win-win or no lose solutions I lose, you lose; only succeeds by luck or charity of others I win, you lose; beats out others at any cost STUDENT NAME_________________ DATE___________________________ GRADING GRID / CRITERIA: FORMAL APA PAPER TOPIC SELECTION: (15%)_____  § Relevant to professional nursing  § Timely/current  § Appropriate for length and course STRUCTURE: (35%)_____  § Correct use of grammar and spelling  § Expression of ideas well organized, clear, and concise  § Appropriate length of paper and paragraphs  § Appropriate use of tables, graphs, etc.  § Correct use of APA editorial format CONTENT: (35%)_____  § Information generates interest  § Illustrations and examples used as needed  § Information is accurate  § Resources/references underpin structure of the paper and salient points  § Implications for nursing practice or research identified REFERENCES: (15%)_____  § Less than 4 years, unless nursing or other theory or supporting reference  § Scientific nursing, medical, or allied health journal or other scholarly Publication

PODCAST Using Self Branding to Grow Influence With Mark Schaefer

PODCAST Using Self Branding to Grow Influence With Mark Schaefer Do you have an idea that you haven’t told anyone about or a project that you want to work on but haven’t planned yet? Maybe you would like to become a leader in your niche but you haven’t done anything to make that a reality. Today we’re going to talk to the marketing genius Mark Schaefer. Mark is the author of several books, including The Content Code, KNOWN, and The Tao of Twitter. He also speaks at tons of marketing conferences and has podcast called Marketing Companion. Mark is going to give us tips on becoming known. He’s done it extremely well and has mentored others in doing the exact same thing. If you’re ready to overcome   your fear of failure to become known, you won’t want to miss today’s show. Information about Mark and his books, particularly his newest one, KNOWN. Mark’s story about leaving corporate work behind and becoming an entrepreneur. Mark’s thoughts on the power of personal branding and the importance of being known. How people can build their personal brand even when they are working for someone else. Mark’s framework for helping people find their places and their spaces. He talks about four steps you can take. How Mark’s book lays out a path for people to follow and begin to see instant results. Links: Mark Schaefer Marketing Companion Podcast Email us a screenshot of your iTunes review! If you liked today’s show, please subscribe on iTunes to The Actionable Content Marketing Podcast! The podcast is also available on SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Google Play. Quotes by Mark: â€Å"Either you’re known or you’re not. If you’re known, you will always have an advantage.† â€Å"In the future, a corporate brand may be less about the accumulation of ad impressions and more about the accumulation of human impressions.† â€Å"Starting and being consistent and not giving up is more important than being brilliant.†

Psychosocial interventions and cognitive behavioural therapy. A Case Essay

Psychosocial interventions and cognitive behavioural therapy. A Case Study - Essay Example The death occurred several months ago and Rita has been unable to get past her grief. Rita was personable to all staff and she took the assessments easily. She was assessed to have complicated grief, depression and anxiety. There are several challenges for Rita that as clinicians we will attempt to sort out so that she can receive the medical assistance that she needs. Rita was diagnosed with complicated grief as one of the first "symptoms" of her health needs. There are several issues that come about because of complicated grief. Wagner, Knaevelsrud and Maercker found that when a significant person dies it can leave a spouse with a variety of emotions from a post-traumatic stress situation to increased passion and optimism. They also cite that there is a larger body of evidence that shows complicated grief as a disorder that should be seen as different than depression (Wagner, Knaevelsrud and Maercker 2007: 157). Langner and Maerker argue that complicated grief is a disorder that shows "as a combination of sustained intrusion, avoidance and maladjustment symptoms" (Langner and Maerker 2005 cited in Wagner et. al. 2007: 157). They also suggest that this disorder can be related to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) because it usually is a reaction to having exposure to an event that was stressful. For Rita, the complicated grief is a result of her husbands death which was her traumatic event. His death was not expected when it happened and she was not prepared for it. She may have some responses that are similar to the PTSD symptoms but they do not seem to be the most prevalent in her diagnosis. As the psychiatric nurse part of the mental health team, it is important o notice that grief is always something that happens in life. Most people will have a healthy relationship with grief because they will go through anger ad other emotions naturally. Some may feel that the people who are attempting to help them have ulterior motives. The bereaved may also

Organizational Theory and Design Questions Coursework

Organizational Theory and Design Questions - Coursework Example 2. The top management of the organization is responsible for formulating the organizational vision and explicitly defining the purpose by setting mission goals. However, they act as torch bearers for the whole organization by designing a set of periodical goals to support the overall purpose of the organization or vision. 3. The employees of an organization are classified into hierarchies that determine their chain of command, report authority and job descriptions. And organizational structure defines who delegates tasks and who reports them to whom. The structure can be vertical or horizontal. A vertical structure implicates a number of levels of management and reporting trends that slows the decision making process. The horizontal hierarchy is less formal and promotes creativity and quicker decision making. 4. Environmental uncertainty is attributed to changing economic conditions and policies, changes in the social trends and the advent of disruptive technologies. The greatest impact is that of economic change as it impacts nearly every aspect of the organizational working. The environment represents the surroundings in which the firm operates in and hence the stability of this environment is necessary for organizational progress. 5. The business eco system implies that organizations work in collaboration with other businesses and value chain members in order to increase productivity and ensure survival. For example car manufacturers partner with other companies like tire makers and stereo manufacturers to come up with a wholesome car that is well equipped. 6. Global geographical structure is advisable when the organization has the capability to venture into multiple locations. Geographical structure also supports the product customization options by giving the local managers the opportunity to enhance the product according to the need of the market. The local managers also provide a better understanding of the location increasing

Intercultural Communication and Conflicts Essay Example for Free

Intercultural Communication and Conflicts Essay The communication between different cultures is very difficult. Intercultural communication can lead to misunderstanding and confusion. You may offend someone without even knowing it. Nonverbal communication is challenge as well such as handshakes, eye contact, hug, and etc. These problems happened so many times from my fiancee who is from America and me who is from South Korea. One day, my father visited to our place for holiday. When my father walked into our place, my fiancee was lying on the sofa and then he said â€Å"Hi. In Korean culture, when adults come to you, you need to stand up and bow to them. That moment, my fiancee’s behavior was disrespectful to my father. This tells us that we grew up differently since we have different culture background. However, we both have the attitude where we like to learn about each other cultures. It gives us a better understanding and respect more. To me, language barrier is one of issue with communication. When I moved to America, I barely spoke English and I was really afraid of speaking with other people, especially in English; however, time went by, as went to high school, college and join in the Army in America, I became more interactive in communication with people. Also, my fiancee helps me to learn and correct my English skill. Interpersonal communication Thousands of people use more online email, texting, Facebook, twitter, and etc. to communicate now, because it’s easier and faster to communicate to others. On the other hand, online communications can be bad. More likely, face to face communication can be avoided. I realized that most people use smart phone anytime and anywhere now. Sadly, it happens during class, meeting, dating, waiting, and dining. In fact, one of my nieces who is 6 years old refused to talk and listen to me when I discipline her. Instead face to face communication, she wanted to text me to say â€Å"sorry. † I didn’t accept her apologize because I believe in true meaningful interpersonal communication should be face to face communication.

Oedipus and his flaws :: Oedipus the King Oedipus Rex

Oedipus and his flaws   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Oedipus's Inextinguishable Flaws Flaws plague every man and woman on this planet. Flaws are what we have in common with each other, and all characteristics that make us human. Sophocles's Oedipus, shows that sometimes the combination of certain flaws and other human characteristics can have a tragic outcome. The caring King Oedipus was paranoid and short tempered, and these characteristics brought him to his downfall. From the beginning of the story Oedipus is depicted as a noble caring man. He is greatly distressed about the plague in Thebes. "My soul mourns the city..." (Sophocles 305) he tells the priest and the suffering people of Thebes. If Oedipus did not care for his kingdom, he never would have bothered to seek out Laius's murderer. Oedipus also mourned the death of his wife. As well, Oedipus proves himself a loving father towards his daughters, by asking Creon to take care of them. One of the main reasons for Oedipus's exile is his short temper. Oedipus loses his temper with Tireseas, because he will not tell Oedipus the truth.    After Tireseas speaks the truth, Oedipus grows even more short tempered, and taunts Tireseas for being blind. Oedipus then accuses Creon of sending Tireseas to make Oedipus think he is the murderer. After Oedipus accuses Creon he tells him, "I do not desire your banishment-- but your death."   (Sophocles 313) The death of Laius would never have occurred if it was not for Oedipus's short temper. Oedipus forced King Laius off the road because his procession wouldn't make way for Oedipus and his group. If Oedipus had thought things through he would have never have acted so irrationally and killed King Laius. Oedipus's short temper is triggered by his paranoia.    While he meets with Tireseas, Oedipus believes that Creon, his own brother-in-law and friend, is against him. "Was it Creon that planned this or yourself,"   (Sophocles 309) Oedipus says to Tireseas. Oedipus also thinks that his own   countrymen could be against him. Once Creon comes home and tells Oedipus that he must find Laius's murderer he proclaims, "...whoever slew Laius might turn a hand against me." (Sophocles 306) Oedipus has a certain paranoia around himself as the truth is being unraveled. His wife, Jocasta tells him to

Historical Figure in Nurse Anesthesia Essay

From time immemorial there have been operations or surgeries of very kind practiced by both medical doctors and traditional healers. Both major and minor surgeries were very painful because nothing had been discovered to relief the pain or cause numbness for these surgeries or operations to be less painful. (Karlet 2004) notes, â€Å"With time some pioneers on medicine tried everything and every way to find something or some drug that may relieve the pain. However, the most looked after drug was the one that will induce sleep or unconsciousness at the same time creates lack of sensation†. History has it that many early doctors tried many ways until one William Morgan discovered and introduced surgical anesthesia of its kind and it proved working even better than any other anesthesia of that time. This paper will focus on William Thomas Green Morgan, his achievements, challenges, controversies and successes. It will analyze the impact of his discoveries from his times to the modern times in nursing anesthesia. However, (D’Antonio 1999) notes that, â€Å"the discovery of anesthesia was dogged with controversy for the reason that many people at that time wanted to go to the books of history and to be known as the first to discover the most sorts after remedy in the world of medicine†. Impact Analysis. William Thomas Green Morgan was born in the year 1819 in Charlton Massachusetts. He attended Northfield and Leicester academies for his education. After school William T. G. Morgan was an enterprising young man of many interests as he tried his luck in everything that came on his way. He became a painter for a while, then worked as a clerk in Worcester County and later tried his hand in business as a salesman in Boston. William Morgan never showed interest in medicine or anything related to medicine. Nevertheless, when he tried all these ventures, he never found them satisfying and thus he was not settled. After all these adventures Morgan joined Baltimore College of Dental Surgery in eighteen forty (1840). This was the world’s first college of dentistry even though William Morgan was not the first student to go through this college. During his studies Morgan partnered in business with Horace Wells who was a dental doctor by profession in Hartford. Morgan found that the partnership was not promising and working the way he wanted and thought thereby dissolving their partnership after a few months. After this partnership dissolution, Morgan the dental student left the college midway and hence did not graduate (Wolfe 2001). In the year 1844 William Morgan joined college again and this time round it was the prestigious Harvard Medical School. His intention was to increase or advance his dental knowledge even though it was shadowed by trying to impress his girlfriend Rebecca by name who he married later. Unfortunately this time again he never completed his degree from Harvard medical school. However, he developed curiosity in the field of medicine and because he never completed his degree, he started attending chemistry lectures by Professor Charles Jackson. From this time on William Morgan developed great interest and liking in chemistry and medicine in general despite the fact that he was more business oriented than a medical practitioner. During his attendance in chemistry lectures that touched on ether and its properties Morgan felt to capitalize that opportunity of using ether to lessen pain or create lack of sensation during surgery. It was a horrendous experience especially when patients were recommended for amputations. William Morgan himself during his youth had undergone a very painful surgery but fortunately he survived. At last there was some promising remedy as the inhalation of ether caused or induced unconsciousness. William Morgan tried these ether properties while extracting a tooth of a patient and it was very successful and painless. He went as far as testing this ether on himself and animals which worked right. This showed how eager and curious he was to invent the proper anesthetic to help patients recommended to undergo surgery. The history of anesthesia was awakened. Before William Morgan many other remedies of painless surgery had been tried but they were not a success and some became poisonous. Some reduced the pain and some did not. Alcohol was used and it was not a success story. William Morgan used ether after keenly learning its properties and Professor Charles Jackson. This was the anesthetic that had been discovered because William proved it right after extracting a patient’s tooth painlessly in Boston. At last William Morgan was relieved but controversy started after claiming to have discovered an anesthesia which indeed worked. However, he continued practicing as a dentist and the money from this proceedings or practice supported his education (Wolfe 2001). Morgan was more a businessman than a dentist as controversies surrounding his discovery raged on as (Wolfe 2001) claims that â€Å"William Morgan was an unsuccessful businessman, an embezzler and a poorly trained dentist who saw in an anesthetic properties of ether an opportunity to become rich†. The controversy was among his competitors, among them Horace Wells the dentist and Professor Charles Jackson the chemist who was his lectures. But it was William Morgan who in 1846 became the first man to use ether to extract a tooth of his patient painlessly in Boston General Hospital. Early William Morgan had tried opium which only but relieved pain (Wolfe 2001). This and many other attempts aroused the eagerness to find anesthesia nevertheless ether became very popular not only in Boston and the United States of America but the discovery news spread around the whole world like wild fire. Communication during those years was extremely underdeveloped and poor but transport by water was in use and the sailors carried the good news of the discovery to Asia, Europe and Australia far down the Pacific. Many doctors and surgeons wanted to prove the good news as others criticized it. The discovery and the experimentation of ether by William Morgan was very controversial because even his teacher wanted to be recognized as the one who discovered the anesthetic properties of ether, but it was clear that all these people who claimed to be the first to make the discovery did not attempt to test and put it into practical use, only William T. G. Morgan dared and indeed he succeeded. In the United States the controversy raged on as who was who that was behind etherization as William Morgan continued to use it on his patients and it really worked. (Royal College of Anesthetists 2008), â€Å"Morton conducted various experiments on him and animals and afterwards he successfully performed a dental extraction in his office in Boston. † As time went by Morton’s experience with ether was a success, the horrible and noisy surgeries were past tense. William Morton went a step further to invent an ether delivery instrument which he called Letheon Inhaler which was used by patients to inhale ether. (The Royal College of Anesthetists. Internet source 2008). William Thomas Green Morton was a man to reckon with during the mid 19th century because his inner drive desire was to alleviate the pain and the suffering of patients recommended for surgery even though in the back of his mind he wanted to make profit out of it. This had caused controversy among historians. After all William Morton was open-hearted because he gave his discovery to the world without any restrictions. However, he was unsuccessful to patent his Letheon Inhaler. (Royal College of Anesthetists 2008) notes that, â€Å"Morton offered free rights to his innovation to all charitable institutions the country and undoubtedly he was ardently in favor of the abolition of surgical pain although with profit to himself†. Morton’s discovery was handy during the American bloody civil war as many injured soldiers were relieved of pain and operated on painlessly by the use of ether. Morton himself administered ether to thousands of the combatants in the civil war. (The Royal College of Anesthetists. Internet source 2008). These controversies dogged him for a long time until one time he met the then 14th president of the United States Franklin Pierce to highlight to him the controversies he was facing so that he can give a verdict on his case but all was in vain. Historians have generally agreed that Morton set the pace for ether and other subsequent anesthetics to be used (Wolfe 2001). He (Wolfe 2001) further says, â€Å"In history, controlling the pain caused by surgery had been a problem for a long for a long time, many chemical agents with pain relieving properties were recognized before they were used practically even though some like chloroform were harmful and dangerous. Morton started systematic studies on the anesthetic effects of ether convinced the medical world the importance of pain free operations through his demonstration of ether inhalation. The news of ether inhalation and anesthesia spread around the world very quickly and the first to be administered outside the USA was in Norway in the year 1847†. The good news spread to other parts of the world was published in magazines and newspapers as dental doctors and surgeons tried the new discovery which for them was a great and or tremendous success in history of painless surgery. (The Royal College of Anesthetists. Internet source 2008). Unfortunately, William T. G. Morgan died from cerebral hemorrhage due to the heat wave that New York in the year eighteen sixty seven (1867) after being dogged by controversies over his great discovery of ether and its administration during surgery. During the 19th century and there before surgery on the stomach and inside the skull was a no- go zone, some cases surgery speed was the only determinant of a successful surgery but many were unsuccessful. (Wolfe 2001). From that time of William Morgan, anesthesia has been revolutionalized and today it is very safe. There are no death cases from anesthesia with specially trained anesthetists who are only specializing in this field. There are no toxic and dangerous agents in the present anesthetics which have proven the advancement that has been marked in this field. In today’s surgery, for instance, a patient operated in the lower abdomen, nerves can be blocked near the lower part of the spinal cord and there is no need of inducing sleep as the operation goes on well while talking with the patient. (Taffe and Samuels 2003). Conclusion. The evolution of anesthesia has been very controversial from the side of William Morton but he achieved what his rivals were not near to achieve but only popped up when he (William Morgan) had made many sacrifices to achieve what was so important in the nursing world. Anesthesia has been one of the most advanced discoveries which was dangerous and today it is very safe.

Effects of Cell Phone Essay

Small wireless device that has at least the same functions of a standard wired telephone but is smaller and more mobile. A cell phone requires a subscription to a service provider and requires either a prepaid or monthly billing setup. Generally, they have more functions than traditional land lines and need to be charged after a period of time. Also called mobile phone or mobile device.—BusinessDictionary.com A mobile phone (also known as a cellular phone, cell phone and a hand phone) is a device that can make and receive telephone calls over a radio link while moving around a wide geographic area. It does so by connecting to a cellular network provided by a mobile phone operator, allowing access to the public telephone network. By contrast, a cordless telephone is used only within the short range of a single, private base station.—Wikipedia A portable telephone that uses wireless cellular technology to send and receive phone signals. This technology works by dividing the Earth into small regions called cells. Within each cell the wireless telephone signal goes over its assigned bandwidth to a cell tower, which relays the signal to a telephone switching network, connecting the user to the desired party.—Dictionary.com Cell phone increase in the Philippines The use of mobile phones in the Philippines has brought better information access for farmers, broader citizen engagement and link to traffic data for taxi drivers, according to a new World Bank report. The country also witnessed one of the first uses of text messaging as a medium for social change during the EDSA II revolt in 2001 that led to the ouster of then President Joseph Estrada, the study cited. According to the report â€Å"Information and Communications for Development: Maximizing Mobile,† which was released on Monday, there were 101 mobile cellular subscriptions for every 100 people in the Philippines in 2011, a jump from 41 subscriptions for every 100 people in 2005. The report defined mobile cellular subscriptions as subscriptions to a public mobile telephone service using cellular technology, which provided access to the public switched telephone network. Postpaid and prepaid subscriptions were included. But it said that mobile subscriptions did not reflect actu al mobile phone ownership since there could be multiple subscriptions. Worldwide, the number of mobile subscriptions grew from one billion in 2000 to more than six billion in 2011, of which nearly five billion were in developing countries, the report said. In 2011, 96 percent of the total mobile cellular subscriptions in the Philippines were prepaid. In 2010, mobile cellular network in the Philippines covered 99 percent of the population and 80 percent of households reported ownership of a mobile telephone. The World Bank cited the Philippines as an example in using mobile’s potential to strengthen accountability and transparency in public services and processes. In particular, it said that the Department of Education has worked with the Affiliated Network for Social Accountability in East Asia and the Pacific to set up a website that allowed the citizens to view significant statistics on local schools. The site, called checkmyschool.org, is a government-to-citizen online and mobile-based interactive tool that includes information such as budget allocations, teacher and textbook information and test scores for about a fifth of the 44,000 schools in the country, the report said. It is also an avenue for teachers and parents to express areas of concern that they feel should be addressed. The site, which seeks to improve education service delivery through transparent and accountable behavior by school staff, has improved community participation and vigilance and teacher behavior, the World Bank said. â€Å"These efforts are typically innovative because they often change the delivery or management of a conventional service or process,† the report said. Commercial farmers in the Philippines also benefited from accessing price information through mobile phones, reporting income gains and increase in trust of traders, the report cited. Prior to the expansion of mobile networks, agricultural producers were often unaware about prices and had to rely on information from traders and agents, the report said. â€Å"Delays in obtaining this data or misinterpretation of second-hand pricing information has serious consequences for agricultural producers, who may end up underselling their products, delivering too little or too much of the product, or having their products w ither away,† the World Bank said. The study also mentioned Cebu City where taxi drivers use mobile phones with global positioning systems to receive traffic data and dispatch information. The report added that social media, along with messages, videos and pictures sent from mobile phones, were useful tools for organizing protests and monitoring democracy and freedom. â€Å"Mobile communications offer major opportunities to advance human and economic development—from providing basic access to health information to making cash payments, spurring job creation, and stimulating citizen involvement in democratic processes,† said World Bank vice president for sustainable development Rachel Kyte. â€Å"The challenge now is to enable people, businesses and governments in developing countries to develop their own locally relevant mobile applications so they can take full advantage of these opportunities,† Kyte added. Positive Effects of Cell Phone The Positive Effects of Cell Phones on Society Written by chris joseph Cell phone can have positive effects on society. Ever since the early 1990s when cell phone use became widespread, the devices have had a major impact on society. While some effects have been negative, such as the practice of driving while talking on cell phones, they have also had many positive effects. Cell phones can facilitate communication and help family and friends keep in close contact. They have also played a positive role in the operation of businesses. Peace of Mind Cell phones offer parents the peace of mind that they can contact their kids at any time. They can also feel better knowing that their kids can either contact them or the authorities in the event of an emergency situation. People who travel for a living can feel better knowing that if their vehicle breaks down and they become stranded, help is just a quick phone call away. Keeping in Touch Friends and family members who live far apart can easily keep in touch via cell phone. You don’t have to worry about not being at home since the cell phone can go where you go. Kids who are away at college can keep their parents informed of their progress and spouses who are separated due to a lengthy business trip can stay in frequent contact. Business Cell phones can make a difference on how business is conducted. Salespeople can get back to customers more quickly and can conduct business from virtually anywhere. A manager of a fleet of commercial vehicles can easily stay in touch with his drivers and alert them to last-minute changes in a delivery schedule, even if they are in a hotel or have stopped for a bite to eat. Social Networking Cell phones can contribute to one’s ability to network and to broadcast a message to the masses. For example, you can use your cell phone’s text message feature to send and received messages via social networking websites such as Twitter, so you can communicate with large groups of people without the need to be near a computer. Information Exchange Much like the Internet, cell phones increase the ability to exchange and spread information. People with cell phones can spread the word about an important or newsworthy incident as it occurs, giving people the sense of always being â€Å"in the loop.† Camera phones can enhance this exchange of information by adding a visual element. Texting Although text messaging is potentially disruptive, it also contributes to positive changes in organizations. Clients can send quick updates while causing minimal distractions for your employees. As a business owner, cellphones allow you to communicate with employees without spending time talking on the phone, helping you and your employees to multitask with greater efficiency. If a reminder is particularly urgent, you can send your workers text messages along with the typical emails, increasing the chance they receive your message. On-Call Availability Employees who carry cellphones can be reached faster, improving your organization’s ability to respond to short-notice events. Without cellphones, you rely on your employees to be at home to receive messages. On-call availability is important particularly for employees with strict deadlines and unpredictable work schedules. In addition, employees who are on the road often can keep you up-to-date with greater ease. If you have a last-minute change of plans, you can call your employees’ cellphones to let them know. In this way, the on-call nature of cellphones helps your workers be more prepared for their jobs. More Direct Line of Communication The direct nature of cellphone communication provides convenience for your customers. Clients prefer calling a cellphone instead of navigating a front desk or automated answering system. Cellphones help your clients feel important because your employees are easily accessible. Frustrated clients may become angrier when they are forced to navigate a phone system. When your employees have cellphones, clients can reach them quickly, allowing conflict to be resolved faster. In addition, the lack of a middleman between your employees and clients may foster a more personal feeling toward your business. Multiple Lines Organizations lacking an expensive multiple-line phone system may find cellphones invaluable. Your employees receive voice messages from customers without needing a separate phone line at your office. They also don’t have to rely on front-desk notifications. This feature frees time for your front desk employees. At the same time, it decreases the risk of misunderstandings and lost messages as co-workers forward messages to one another.

Free Essays on How To Earn Money Quickly And Legally

, find an area where business is always busy such as, fast food restaurant, beauty salons, gas stations, supermarkets, and flea markets. The result of owning a car detailing company you are determined fast legal cash everyday; because some people like to shine like their car. Lastly, There are three ways that you can earn money quickly and legally. These are, servers, strippers, and car detailers. These three positions are an advantage for you making money, tips, busy days, and regular customers.... Free Essays on How To Earn Money Quickly And Legally Free Essays on How To Earn Money Quickly And Legally How to earn money quickly and legally Money is a great necessity. It’s one of these elements that one can’t live without. Some acquire it the fast and easy way and get involve in illegally activities. At the same token there are some who work long and hard for their money. Among those who are heavy-laden work hard to earn an honest day work are servers, strippers, and car detailers. Although, these occupations aren’t of the corporate scale, they’re heavily valued. First, being a server you earn money quickly and legally by the tips the customers leave plus wages. For example, a server working in a Diner during lunch time hours has an advantage to make money. But working in a restaurant you are guaranteed money everyday. Second, stripping is another way of making quick money. Stripping is when females expose themselves before a group of males to earn their money. Also, strippers make more cash depending on how much they are willing to show. Some strippers have regular customer so they are guaranteed money. But some strippers choose to go to different clubs and special event such as a bachelor party, and other party’s that they’re allowed in to get quick cash. Third, Owning a car wash company also brings fast cash. For instance, hanging poster boards or having someone advertise special offers for car detailing. To bring the money in quicker you must not be in a deserted area. In other words, find an area where business is always busy such as, fast food restaurant, beauty salons, gas stations, supermarkets, and flea markets. The result of owning a car detailing company you are determined fast legal cash everyday; because some people like to shine like their car. Lastly, There are three ways that you can earn money quickly and legally. These are, servers, strippers, and car detailers. These three positions are an advantage for you making money, tips, busy days, and regular customers....

Alaska Coffee Company

Sure Powell was given input by his retail managers, employees and customers, but he wasn’t given any advice from people that new the company inside and out. All the people that offered him advice had no knowledge regarding the financials or other intricate facets of the company. If he had a board of directors he might be able to make more informed decisions that better serve the company as a whole. It is clear he also didn’t have a clear process for managers to go through to implement changes and or suggestions. The chain of command was vague and rarely used except by going directly to or through him. His attitude of â€Å"let it rip† is great because it gives employees freedom to thing outside the box and make them feel like they are a major part of the company but does not give any structure to them. His marketing background is most likely a key contributor to the company’s success in implementing new products and keeping customers coming back but with no real experience in running a company before this he lacked the human resource skills necessary for a company to thrive which is clear in his passive leadership role. External Environmental Analysis Some of the key external forces with company were in the beginning not really having any competition which let the company grow and lock down a loyal customer base. Also with the Alaskan environment suiting coffee drinkers because of the mild to colder weather. Staying confined in one city also helped the brand name grow through word of mouth and helped lock down business opportunities. Having a roaster facility in the city also cut down on expenses and helped keep the coffee fresh which was one of their staple trademarks to serve the freshest coffee possible. Internal Environmental Analysis Some of the key internal forces for ACC were the fact that the company was built on loyal workers who stayed in the company due to chances for promotion and growth. Along with that and Powell’s leadership style it let employees act somewhat freely and have input into a company that strived to stay away from a corporate feel. The quality of the products that they offered also helped them since they were considered to have the top of the line products some of which were considered to be the best in the world. Having a small chain of command is also beneficial to the employees because it allows them to get things done relatively quickly without having to wait for it to go through many different levels of management. With most customers saying that the coffee was addicting and the atmosphere was very pleasant it leads to a happy environment for customers and workers alike allowing for the business to strive. Another problem of the external environment is that the shops were not strategically located. The areas that they were placed in were researched to some extent but not fully like a major company like Starbucks would do to make sure they can get the most out of the market. Not only that but they didn’t own all the building or locations that they were in having leased some of the spaces with only year contracts. SWOT Analysis The opportunities to grow for the ACC seemed to be limitless since they had already successfully competed with local competition and it did not affect their bottom line to a level of concern for them until, world conglomerate Starbucks entered the scene. Once they came on scene it became clear that competition would become a threat and opportunities could and would shrink. This was and is the biggest threat to ACC since Starbucks is already a well known product that strives to give customers the â€Å"Starbucks Experience†. This is where the customer can feel comfortable getting the same service and products at any store in the world compared to ACC’s differently styled shops and styles of running the stores. This is probably of the greatest concern since most of their stores have different layouts and feels you can’t go to one ACC store and then go to another and feel like it is just like the one you already visited. One strength that ACC has is that it is a local company built on staying small and having a non corporate feel. They also strive to employee young workers in a state that is economically stricken and worried about their young adults leaving the state to live elsewhere. One weakness I believe that they have is that their merchandise can be over priced and even though started to compete with lower priced items there were no real studies done on how well the products would do. One of their major weaknesses is their human resources department and their lack of technical support. They switched to new major software with no one that could fix a problem if one occurred. Business-Level Strategy Their strategy was to find a way to keep their customers loyal while offering the best possible choices in specialty coffees and to help contribute to the great state of Alaska’s economy. Their potential for success I believe is still quite good. As long as Powell can overhaul is leadership strategy and his chain of command, I think they could become even more profitable than they already are. He needs to make a lot of changes but he has the right idea and now he just needs to build on it. Even though it may not be the Alaskan way of doing things he needs to come up with written ways and policies to go about key things in his business. The communication chain also must be improved for the business to continue to be successful. Cooperative Strategy ACC has some key alliances in place already with major retailers already selling their products in wholesale as well as, disturbing them as needed. Having an alliance with an already established local produce market has obviously been key to their early success and I would guess that those are the stores that continue to post the most profits. Since they do not have a written agreement in place I would recommend that he do so because if he were to lose those locations to say Starbucks, it could be detrimental to his business. Even though some of the major retailers already offer Starbucks products to the public, it is important that ACC stays on good terms with them so as not to lose their business since they are solely confined to Alaska any lose of a major retailer could have vastly negative effects. It is also key that stay in good relationships with the companies that they do their major business with for the same reasons as above. Options and Recommendation In order for ACC to stay in the specialty coffee market, they will need to do some drastic overhauling. Starting with Powell, he needs to establish a direct chain of command and follow through with it. He already gives managers leeway with projects but he has to help them make more informed decision so that he will not have to cancel projects. He also needs to bring in a financial analyst to help teach his managers how to budget and be more open with the financials of the business. After that he needs to revamp his human resource department and definitely bring in an IT specialist to help deal with any software issues. While he also needs to bring in people to train all the essential employees on how to use the software adequately enough that they will be able to teach new employees. I would say he then needs to have a clear line of vision of where he wants the company to go and how he wants it to get there. In order to do that I believe he needs a committee or a board of directors to help weigh in on decisions and help spark new ways and ideas of innovating and implementing strategies. It is also apparent that he needs to upgrade his facilities so that they can operate at full capacity which will also help get rid of some of the overhead he has. Then he needs to establish one way that all stores will look and future stores will be laid out. The one thing that he may not want to do because it may seem like they are going corporate but there are too many uncertainties from one store to the next. They do not have to be identical but the way things are done internally and as far as customer service goes that should be. Overall I think ACC can last and be the main Specialty Coffee supplier in Alaska he just needs to do a little overhauling.

Creating a Policy Map Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Creating a Policy Map - Assignment Example The online tourism resources of Hadassa are being transformed and managed by the Internet California Resources. The business will focus primarily on the tourists in California and some other states in the U.S. Hadassa Tourism Website Company will be providing website development services to the vast tourism niches in California. Much as the company is still in the operational stages, the founders who are Martin, Janice and Rene have vast experience that is required to deal with the competencies in this industry. The company will have more than the required capital investment with an overflow of $310,000.The Company is dream is to provide clients with solutions to their tourism needs (Kaplan, 2012). However, the company will depend on a number of external vendors to advice and supply web hosting and implementation of the websites. The company would provide all the other services. The company will provide a turn-key solution to its clients. However, we will rely on multiple outside vendors to supply website implementation and hosting. The company will provide all other aspects of the service. The Californian Internet Resource Company will make uniform the language and technology required for the clients in the tourist destinations, so that all barriers and bottlenecks are removed. This would be done so as to reach out to most of the English-speaking tourists in various destinations around the world. Hadassa Tourism Website Company will provide a flexible, fun-filled and conducive environment that would explore numerous opportunities so as to provide state of the art exotic travel for the employees and also offer incentives and bonuses for all personnel (Kaplan, 2012). The project manager oversees the affairs of the organization and implements major policies in the organization. He also manages the resources of the organization. The project sponsor helps in sourcing of funds to manage various projects (Kaplan, 2012). The steering committee is