Inference Practice

Making an Inference Directions: Some of the questions following the passages ask you to make inferences from the passages. To infer means to arrive at a conclusion by reasoning from evidence. Synonyms for infer are deduce, judge, or conclude. If you are told to infer something from a passage, you are basically being asked what conclusions can be drawn from the content of the story. Tip: If you replace the word infer with conclude in a question, it may make more sense to you. In cities throughout the country, there is a new direction in local campaign coverage.Frequently in local elections, journalists are not giving voters enough information to understand the issues and evaluate the candidates. The local news media devotes too much time to scandal and not enough time to policy. 1. This paragraph best supports the statement that the local news media a. is not doing an adequate job when it comes to covering local campaigns. b. does not understand either campaign issues or politics. c. should learn how to cover politics by watching the national news media. d. has no interest in covering stories about local political events.The use of desktop computer equipment and software to create high-quality documents such as newsletters, business cards, letterhead, and brochures is called Desktop Publishing, or DTP. The most important part of any DTP project is planning. Before you begin, you should know your intended audience, the message you want to communicate, and what form your message will take. 2. The paragraph best supports the statement that e. Desktop Publishing is one way to become acquainted with a new business audience. f. computer software is continually being refined to produce high-quality printing. . the first stage of any proposed DTP project should be organization and design. h. the planning stage of any DTP project should include talking with the intended audience. The entire low-carbohydrate versus low-fat diet argument is so prevalent that one would thin k that these are the only two options available for losing weight and staying healthy. Some experts even feel that the low-carb/low-fat debate distracts us from an even more important issue—our culture's reliance on processed and manufactured foods. 3. The paragraph best supports the statement that i. xperts state that not all fats are equal, so we need not reduce our intake of all fats; just those that contain partially hydrogenated oils. j. important health concerns get overlooked when we focus exclusively on the low-fat versus low-carb question. k. low-carbohydrate diets lead to significant and sustained weight loss. l. processed foods can lead to many adverse health problems including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and obesity. Every year, Americans use over one billion sharp objects to administer healthcare in their homes. These sharp objects include lancets, needles, and syringes.If not disposed of in puncture-resistant containers, they can injure sanitation workers. Sharp objects should be disposed of in hard plastic or metal containers with secure lids. The containers should be clearly marked and be puncture resistant. 4. The paragraph best supports the idea that sanitation workers can be injured if they m. do not place sharp objects in puncture-resistant containers. n. come in contact with sharp objects that have not been placed in secure containers. o. are careless with sharp objects such as lancets, needles, and syringes in their homes. p. o not mark the containers they pick up with a warning that those containers contain sharp objects. Litigation is not always the only or best way to resolve conflicts. Mediation offers an alternative approach and it is one that can be quite efficient and successful. Mediation can be faster, less expensive, and can lead to creative solutions not always possible in a court of law. Additionally, mediation focuses on mutually acceptable solutions, rather than on winning or losing. 5. This paragraph best suppor ts the idea that q. there is too much reliance on litigation in our society. r. itigation is expensive, slow, and limited by its reliance on following the letter of the law. s. mediation is the best way to resolve a crisis. t. mediation can be an effective way to resolve conflicts. One of the missions of the Peace Corps is to help the people of interested countries meet their need for trained men and women. People who work for the Peace Corps do so because they want to, but to keep the agency dynamic with fresh ideas, no staff member can work for the agency for more than five years. 6. The paragraph best supports the statement that Peace Corps employees u. are highly intelligent people. . must train for about five years. w. are hired for a limited term of employment. x. have both academic and work experience. More and more office workers telecommute from offices in their own homes. The upside of telecommuting is both greater productivity and greater flexibility. Telecommuters produc e, on average, 20% more than if they were to work in an office, and their flexible schedule allows them to balance both their family and work responsibilities. 7. The paragraph best supports the statement that telecommuters y. get more work done in a given time period than workers who travel to the office. . produce a better quality work product than workers who travel to the office. {. are more flexible in their ideas than workers who travel to the office. |. would do 20% more work if they were to work in an office. Sushi, the thousand-year-old Japanese delicacy, started small in the United States, in a handful of restaurants in big cities. Today, sushi consumption in America is 50% greater than it was ten years ago and not just in restaurants. Sushi is also sold at concession stands in sports stadiums, university dining halls, and in supermarkets throughout the country. . This paragraph best supports the statement that }. sushi is now a fast food as popular as hot dogs, burgers, a nd fries. ~. more sushi is sold in restaurants than in supermarkets. . Americans are more adventurous eaters than they were in the past. . sushi wasn't always widely available in the United States. Today's shopping mall has as its antecedents historical marketplaces, such as Greek agoras, European piazzas, and Asian bazaars. The purpose of these sites, as with the shopping mall, is both economic and social.People not only go to buy and sell wares, but also to be seen, catch up on news, and be part of the human drama. 9. The paragraph best supports the statement that . modern Americans spend an average of 15 hours a month in shopping malls. . shopping malls serve an important purpose in our culture. . shopping malls have a social as well as commercial function. . there are historical antecedents for almost everything in contemporary society. Many animals hibernate during parts of the year, entering a state that is similar to a very deep sleep. But hibernation is more than simply a d eep sleep.The animal's body temperature drops well below its normal range, the animal does not wake up for a long period of time, and its metabolism slows to the point that the animal does not need to eat or relieve itself during that period. In order to prepare for hibernation, the animal must build up its body weight and increase its body fat. This is important, since the animal will be living off its own body fat during the months of hibernation. Of course, once the period of hibernation is over, the animal â€Å"wakes up† to find itself slim and trim once again! 10. How does an animal prepare for hibernation? . It exercises for two months. It gradually increases its sleeping habits. . It grows extra fur. . It eats more food than usual. 11. This passage best supports the statement that . all animals hibernate to some degree. . food is scarce in the winter. . hibernation is very different from normal sleep. . bears hibernate every year. Patrick Henry is considered one of th e great patriots of America's early history. He was a leader in every protest against British tyranny and in every movement for colonial rights, openly speaking against the unfair taxation and overly burdensome regulations imposed upon the American colonists by the British Parliament.In March 1775, Patrick Henry urged his fellow Virginians to arm themselves in self-defense. He spoke boldly in Richmond, Virginia, during the meeting of the state legislature. He closed that famous speech with the immortal words, â€Å"I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death. † 12. This passage best supports the statement that . Patrick Henry later became a governor of West Virginia. . the Virginia legislature was not listening to Henry's speech. . Patrick Henry was willing to lay down his life for his country. People in Colonial times faced harsh living conditions. 13. Which of the following would be the most appropriate title for this passage? . T he Speeches of Patrick Henry . Patrick Henry, American Patriot . Early American Patriots . History of the Virginia Legislature Ratatouille is a dish that has grown in popularity over the last few years. It features eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, peppers, and garlic chopped, mixed, sauteed, and finally, cooked slowly over low heat. As the vegetables cook slowly, they make their own broth, which may be extended with a little tomato paste.The name ratatouille comes from the French word touiller, meaning to stir or mix together. 14. Which of the following is the correct order of steps for making ratatouille? . chop vegetables, add tomato paste, stir or mix together . mix the vegetables together, saute them, and add tomato paste . cook the vegetables slowly, mix them together, add tomato paste . add tomato paste to extend the broth and cook slowly overlow heat 15. Ratatouille can best be described as a . French pastry. . sauce to put over vegetables. . pasta dish extended with tomato past e. vegetable stew. The competitive civil-service system is designed to give candidates fair and equal treatment and to ensure that federal applicants are hired based on objective criteria. Hiring has to be based solely on a candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities (which you'll sometimes see abbreviated as ksa), and not on external factors such as race, religion, sex, and so on. Whereas employers in the private sector can hire employees for subjective reasons, federal employers must be able to justify their decision with objective evidence that the candidate is qualified. 6. The paragraph best supports the statement that . hiring in the private sector is inherently unfair. . ksa is not as important as test scores to federal employers. . federal hiring practices are simpler than those employed by the private sector. . the civil service strives to hire on the basis of a candidate's abilities. 17. The federal government's practice of hiring on the basis of ksa frequently results in the hiring of employees . based on race, religion, sex, and so forth. . who are unqualified for the job. . who are qualified for the job. on the basis of subjective judgment. It is well known that the world urgently needs adequate distribution of food, so that everyone gets enough. Adequate distribution of medicine is just as urgent. Medical expertise and medical supplies need to be redistributed throughout the world so that people in emerging nations will have proper medical care. 18. This paragraph best supports the statement that . the majority of the people in the world have no medical care. . medical resources in emerging nations have diminished in the past few years. not enough doctors give time and money to those in need of medical care. . many people who live in emerging nations are not receiving proper medical care. Knitting has made a major comeback. People are knitting on college campuses, in coffee shops, and in small knitting groups throughout the United States. New kn itting stores, many with cafes, are popping up all over, and there are more knitting books and magazines being published than ever before. And not all of these knitters are women: As knitting continues to surge in popularity, men are picking up knitting needles in record numbers. 9. The paragraph best supports the statement that . joining a knitting group is a great way to make new friends. . some people knit because it helps them relax and release stress. . today's knitter is not the stereotypical grandmother in a rocking chair. . as is the case with all fads, this new obsession with knitting will fade quickly. Everyone is sensitive to extreme weather conditions. But with age, the body may become less able to respond to long exposure to very hot or very cold temperatures. Some older people might develop hypothermia when exposed to cold weather.Hypothermia is a drop in internal body temperature, which can be fatal if not detected and treated. 20. The paragraph best supports the stat ement that . cold weather is more dangerous for older people than warm weather. . hypothermia is a condition that only affects older people. . older people who live in warm climates are healthier than older people who live in cold climates. . an older person is more susceptible to hypothermia than a younger person. Whether you can accomplish a specific goal or meet a specific deadline depends first on how much time you need to get the job done.What should you do when the demands of the job exceed the time you have available? The best approach is to divide the project into smaller pieces. Different goals will have to be divided in different ways, but one seemingly unrealistic goal can often be accomplished by working on several smaller, more reasonable goals. 21. The main idea of the passage is that . jobs often remain only partially completed because of lack of time. . the best way to complete projects is to make sure your goals are achievable. . the best way to tackle a large proje ct is to separate it into smaller parts. the best approach to a demanding job is to delegate responsibility. Health clubs have undergone a major transformation that can be described in three words: mind, body, and spirit. Loud, fast, heartt-humping aerobics has been replaced by the hushed tones of yoga and the controlled movements of Pilates. The clubs are responding to the needs of their customers who are increasingly looking for a retreat from their hectic lifestyles and a way to find a healthy balance in their lives by nurturing their whole selves. 22. The main idea of the paragraph is that exercise is less important now than it once was. . health clubs are much less popular now than they were ten years ago. . many health clubs will go out of business because of the decline in traditional exercise. . people's desire to nurture all aspects of themselves has contributed to big changes for health clubs. For most judges, sentencing a person who has been convicted of a crime is a diff icult decision. In the majority of jurisdictions throughout the country, judges have few sentencing options from which to choose. Generally, their options are confined to a fine, probation, or incarceration.Crimes, however, cover a wide spectrum of criminal behavior and motivation, and a wide variety of sanctions should be available. 23. The main idea of the paragraph is that . there should be laws that dictate which sentence a judge should hand down. . someone other than a judge should be allowed to sentence a criminal. . judges should be given more sentencing options from which to choose. . more money should be spent on the criminal justice system. Before you begin to compose a business letter, sit down and think about your purpose in writing the letter.Do you want to request information, order a product, register a complaint, or apply for something? Do some brainstorming and gather information before you begin writing. Always keep your objective in mind. 24. The main idea of the passage is that . planning is an important part of writing a business letter. . business letters are frequently complaint letters. . brainstorming and writing take approximately equal amounts of time. . many people fail to plan ahead when they are writing a business letter. Keeping busy at important tasks is much more motivating than having too little to do.Today's employees are not afraid of responsibility. Most people are willing to take on extra responsibility in order to have more variety in their positions. In addition, along with that responsibility should come more authority to independently carry out some important tasks. 25. The main idea of the paragraph is that . variety and independence on the job increase employee motivation. . to avoid boredom, many people do more work than their jobs require of them. . today's employees are demanding more independence than ever before. . office jobs in the past have carried less responsibility.Managing job and family is not simple. Bo th commitments make strong demands on people and are sometimes in direct opposition to each other. Saying yes to one means saying no to the other, and stress can often result. Being realistic and creating a balance in life can help set priorities. 26. The main idea of the paragraph is that . most family responsibilities cause stress at home and at work. . because it pays the bills, a job must take priority over other commitments. . it is important to have a balance between job and family responsibilities. because they are so important, family duties must take priority over the job. Women business owners are critically important to the American economy, yet women still face unique obstacles in the business world. The U. S. Small Business Administration offers a variety of programs and services to help women-owned businesses succeed and to advocate for women entrepreneurs. 27. This paragraph best supports the statement that women business owners . have more success in the United State s than in other countries. . cannot succeed without outside help. . may find the Small Business Administration a useful resource. should not make any major decisions without seeking the advice of the Small Business Administration. Passages in this section can have one to six questions following. You must respond accordingly. Use of electronic mail (e-mail) has been widespread for more than a decade. E-mail simplifies the flow of ideas, connects people from distant offices, eliminates the need for meetings, and often boosts productivity. However, e-mail should be carefully managed to avoid unclear and inappropriate communication. E-mail messages should be concise and limited to one topic.When complex issues need to be addressed, phone calls are still best. 28. The main idea of the paragraph is that e-mail . is not always the easiest way to connect people from distant offices. . has changed considerably since it first began a decade ago. . causes people to be unproductive when it is u sed incorrectly. . is effective for certain kinds of messages but only if managed wisely. 29. Which of the following would be the most appropriate title for the passage? . Appropriate Use of E-Mail . E-Mail's Popularity . E-Mail: The Ideal Form of Communication . Why Phone Calls Are Better Than E-MailNative American art often incorporates a language of abstract visual symbols. The artist gives a poetic message to the viewer, communicating the beauty of an idea, either by using religious symbols or a design from nature such as rain on leaves or sunshine on water. The idea communicated may even be purely whimsical, in which case the artist might start out with symbols developed from a bird's tracks or a child's toy. 30. The main idea of the passage is that Native American art . is purely poetic and dreamlike. . is usually abstract, although it can also be poetic and beautiful. communicates the beauty of ideas through the use of symbols. . is sometimes purely whimsical. Answers 1. a. C hoice d may seem attractive at first, but the passage simply says that the local media does not adequately cover local politics—it doesn't discuss the reason for their neglect. 2. c. Sentence 3 indicates the importance of organization and design. The other choices, even if true, are not in the passage. 3. b. Both sentences in this passage support the idea that the emphasis on the low-carb/low-fat debate is misleading and might distract us from other important ideas.The other choices are not supported by or developed in this passage. 4. b. The other choices are wrong because the passage is not concerned with how sanitation workers should deal with sharp objects but with how everyone should dispose of sharp objects in order to avoid hurting sanitation workers. 5. d. See the second sentence of the passage. Choices a and b are not in the passage. Choice c might seem attractive, but the passage does not say that mediation is the best way to resolve a conflict, simply that it is an alternative way that might prove effective. 6. c. See the final sentence of the passage.The other choices might be true but are not in the passage. 7. a. The second sentence speaks of the greater productivity of telecommuters. The other choices may seem attractive on the surface because they contain words and phrases from the passage, but a closer look will show them to be incorrect or absent from the passage. 8. d. The first sentence indicates that sushi was once available only in a handful of eating establishments. 9. c. Choice b may seem attractive at first, but the passage doesn't offer the opinion that the purpose of the shopping mall is important, it simply tells us what the purposes are. 0. d. The second paragraph states that an animal prepares for hibernation by increasing its body weight and fat. The reader can infer from this that the animal eats more food than usual. 11. c. The passage states that hibernation is â€Å"more than simply a deep sleep,† then lists sev eral ways that hibernation differs from sleep. The other choices are not addressed in the passage. 12. c. Patrick Henry's famous words, â€Å"Give me liberty or give me death,† indicate that he was willing to fight for his nation's freedom—even if it cost him his life. The other choices are not addressed in the passage. 3. b. The passage is about Patrick Henry, and focuses on his patriotic activities. No other patriot is mentioned, nor is information given about his other speeches or about the Virginia legislature. 14. b. See the second and third sentences for the steps in making ratatouille. Only choice b reflects the correct order. 15. d. The main part of the passage describes how to cook vegetables. Only choice d indicates that vegetables are included in the dish. The other choices are not reflected in the passage. 16. d. See the final sentence of the passage. 17. c.See the second sentence, which defines ksa. The other choices are refuted in the passage. 18. d. This answer is implied by the statement that redistribution is needed so that people in emerging nations can have proper medical care. Choices a, b, and c are not mentioned in the passage. 19. c. This choice is the best answer because the paragraph indicates that the new knitters are of varying ages and are not just women. Choices a and b may be true, but they are not supported by the paragraph. Choice d is a prediction that is not made in the paragraph. 20. d.The paragraph specifically states that age makes a person less able to respond to long exposure to very hot or very cold temperatures. This would mean that older people are more susceptible to hypothermia. Choices a, b, and c are not supported by the information given in the paragraph. 21. c. The third sentence is the main idea. It is a general idea that answers the only question posed in the passage. The other choices are not in the passage. 22. d. The passage states that health clubs have undergone a major transformation due to people's interest in taking care of their minds, bodies, and spirits.Choice a is incorrect because the paragraph doesn't say exercise is less important. It simply says the focus and type of exercise have changed. Choices b and c are not supported by the paragraph. 23. c. This choice is closely related to all three sentences of the passage. Choice a is contradicted in the passage. Choices b and d are not in the passage. 24. a. The entire passage relates to this idea. The other ideas are not reflected in the passage. 25. a. This is the main idea of the passage because all the sentences relate to it.The other choices may be true but are not reflected in the passage. 26. c. This idea is expressed in the final sentence and wraps up the passage, speaking of the importance of creating a balance. The other choices are not in the passage. 27. c. The support for choice c is given in the second sentence. No support is given for choices a and d. Choice b is incorrect because the paragraph state s that women business owners face unique obstacles, but it does not say that they absolutely require outside help to succeed, just that it is available. 8. d. This choice encompasses the main information in the passage. Choices a, b, and c are not mentioned. 29. a. The title should express the main idea of the passage. The passage, as a whole, focuses on appropriate and inappropriate uses of e-mail. The other choices address more specific ideas expressed in the passage but are not its main idea. 30. c. The first and second sentences reflect this idea. The passage does not say that Native American art is dreamlike (choice a). Choices b and d are too limited to be main ideas.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Essay

Procedure Until recently it was not uncommon for patients admitted to an acute care facility to have an indwelling catheter anchored for unnecessary reasons. Patients that came in thru the emergency department typically were sent to the units with unnecessary indwelling catheters in place and it was not unusual for a surgery patient to have an indwelling catheter anchored before or during a procedure. Once a patient was admitted and was transported to the units nursing would also anchor indwelling catheters for multiple unnecessary reasons. These Catheters could be anchored for many unnecessary days and in some cases until discharge. In 2008 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) initiated a policy change to no longer reimburse hospitals for additional cost that were incurred due to catheter associated urinary tract infections or in another term CAUT’Is (Palmer, 2013). The CMS recognized that CAUTI’s are the most common type of hospital acquired infection. The CMS also determined that when evidence based practices are initiated and followed they can be highly preventable, leading to a change in practice. Current Practice Up until 2012 there were no policies pertaining to the anchoring or removal of indwelling catheters in the facility I work for. Nursing would complete their assessment of the patients and per their discretion they would determine if an indwelling catheter by their standards is appropriate. An indwelling catheter could be deemed appropriate according to nursing for multiple reasons including; urinary incontinence, retention, convenience, pressure ulcers, strict output recordings and in some cases per patient request. The nurse was required to obtain an order from the physician in order to anchor a catheter and most cases the physician would comply. After the nurse anchored a catheter it would most likely stay anchored until discharge or until and order was given by the physician to discontinue it.  These procedures lead to the unnecessary length of times catheters were kept in place and the need for change. Rational and Explanation Even though in 2008 Medicare and Medicaid changed their reimbursement policies it wasn’t unit 2012 when the Joint Commission added guidelines for the prevention of CAUTI’s and the facility I work for initiated change. Prior to the Joint Commission’s new guidelines management relied on nursing to make the proper decisions for their patients and supported nursing when they deemed it necessary to anchor a catheter. In 2012 when the guidelines were initiated management chose to follow them when evidence based research supported CAUTI’s were preventable when the appropriate protocols were followed. Hospital management initiated evidence based practices that were supported by CMS and the Joint Commission that would assist nursing on when anchoring a catheter was necessary. The team responsible for these changes included the clinical manager in charge of all medical surgical units, each medical surgical unit manager where these changes were to take place and the medical surgical educator. This team reviewed evidence based research and practices on how to improve CAUTI’s and thru this research came up with a plan to implement nurse driven protocols that would be beneficial to our facility. These protocols instructed nursing, thru protocols on the patient’s EMR to guide nursing when anchoring a catheter would be appropriated and it also gave nursing the ability to remove a catheter when it was deemed unnecessary. After the protocols were initiated management began to notice a decrease in the use of catheters and a decrease in CAUTI’s resulting in cost effectiveness and higher patient satisfaction scores for the hospital. References Bernard, Michael S, Hunter, Kathleen F, Moore, Katherine N. (2012). A Review of Strategies to Decrease the Duration of Indwelling Urethral Catheters and Potentially Reduce the Incidence of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections. Urologic Nursing, 32 (1): 29-37. Carter, Nina M, Reitmeier, Laura, Goodloe, Lauren R. (2014). An Evidence-Based Approach To the Prevention of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection. Urologic Nursing, 34 (5): 238-45. Hooton, T., Bradley, S., Cardenas, D., Colgan, R., Geerlings, S., Rice, J., Nicolle, L. (2010). Diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of catheter-associated urinary track infection in adults: 2009 international clinical practice guidelinges from the infectious diseases society of America. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 50(March): 625-663. Knoll, Bettina M.; Wright, Deborah; Ellingson, LeAnn; Kraemer, Linda; Patire, Ronald; Kuskowski, Michael A.; Johnson, James R. (2011). Reduction of Inappropriate Urinary Catheter Use at a Veterans Affairs Hospital Through a Multifaceted Quality Improvement Project. Clinical Infectious Diseases. Vol. 52 Issue 11, 1283-1290. DOI: 10.1093/cid/cir188. Mori, C. (2014). A-Voiding Catastrophe: Implementing a Nurse-Driven Protocol. MedSurg Nursing. 23 (1), 15-28. Clinical Implications An implemented change that would reduce the rates of CAUTI’s in acute health care facilities would be evidence based nurse lead protocols. The protocols would not only benefit the hospitals but they would also contribute to patient satisfaction scores. Approximately 80% of all nosocomial infections are contributed to CAUTI’s and are the most common form of nosocomial infections (Knoll, 2011). Some of the symptoms that contribute to the patients discomfort include hematuria, flank pain, fever and in some cases altered mental status. After a patient develops a CAUTI the patient receives the recommended treatment of antibiotic therapy. Antibiotic therapy could last up to 7 days which could result in an increase of stay (Hooton et al., 2010). Evidence supports that when nurse led or informatics led interventions are implemented CAUTI’s were decreased (Bernard, 2012). The interventions that assist in the prevention of  CAUTI’s are protocol bundles that include insertion policies, removal policies, maintenance policies and competency training (Carter, 2014). If the proper prevention measures are implemented patient satisfaction scores would improve, infection rates would improve leading to a decrease infection rate and shortening patient’s length of stay. Recommended Changes If the prevention protocols that are listed above were implemented changes would occur that would lead to multiple benefits for both the acute care facilities and the patients. Extended hospital days due to CAUTI’s has added to approximately 90,000 days per year and due to Medicaid and Medicare no longer paying the associated cost for CAUTI’s the hospitals out of pocket expenses are estimated at approximately 424 million dollars per year (Mori, 2014). The changes that are discussed and supported in this research paper would have a positive impact on decreasing this data. If the protocols are implemented not only would they benefit the patient’s but they would also benefit the hospitals. Patients would have a decrease risk in acquiring nosocomial infections and hospitals would have the opportunity to use the millions they are losing to benefit the patients. The hospitals could apply the money they are losing for research and/or other areas to improve overall satis faction, increasing hospital census. Stakeholders The stakeholders in implementing this change at the facility I work for would be the unit managers and the nurse educators in the units where these changes would take place. For the unit managers the increased costs that are acquired due to CAUTI’s would have a direct impact on them along with the patient’s overall satisfaction scores. The evidence based research that would be implemented would be presented to the unit managers and the nurse educators. The unit mangers would be the ones to determine if and when the new protocols would take effect. The nurse educators would be the ones educating staff on the new protocols and would be a vital part of evaluating the protocols along with suggesting and implementing changes if necessary. Change would happen in stages with the first stage being the unfreezing stage. This stage occurs when stakeholders receive the information on a change along with supporting evidence to why the change would be beneficial. The second step would be the moving stage. This is the stage when goals  and dates are set to when the change is to take place. The refreezing stage is the last stage. The refreezing stage is when the change is implemented and becomes hospital protocol. The end stage is when the nursing staff would need the most support until the change becomes the hospitals new standard (Cherry & Jacob, 2010). The steps listed will assist getting everyone on board with the change and complying with it. Barriers Anytime when new protocols or procedures are implemented barriers may occur. Not everyone is open to change and many may have a hard time adjusting. Many nurses have been following the same policies and procedures for many years and may be noncompliant due to habit. Another barrier may be the patients, â€Å"frequent fliers† or patients that frequent the hospital regularly have become accustomed to old protocols and may not be receptive to change. The frequent fliers are used to coming in and requesting catheters so they don’t have to get up to the bathroom or if they have incontinency issues. Management and the educators will have to work diligently with nursing to initiate change and nursing may have a difficult time adjusting to the change along with educating patients and enforcing the protocols. Strategies Strategies to overcome the barriers of change would include using Lewin’s Change Theory. This theory suggests that change should be initiated slowly and making the necessary changes with only the staff that would be involved (Cherry & Jacob, 2010). Management and the nursing educator should provide staff with the evidence based research as to why the change is being made so nursing can understand why the change is necessary. By following these strategies nursing may be more compliant with the change and can be better advocates for the patients. Application of Findings CDC guidelines recommend catheters to be inserted for necessary reasons which include urinary retention, strict intake and output, certain surgical procedures, healing for pressure ulcers in incontinent patients and in palliative care patients (Gray, 2010). As research has provided indwelling catheters should be placed only when deemed necessary and removed when they are unnecessary. The facility I work for along with quality control  and the nursing educator put together CAUTI prevention strategies using evidence based research practices. Protocols were initiated in the patient’s electronic medical record (EMR) that would assist nursing in making the right decision whether to cath or not and when it would be appropriate to remove an indwelling catheter. The charge nurses monitor the number of catheters each unit has and researches if they are deemed appropriate to keep anchored. All of these measures have decreased the occurrences of CAUTI’s in the facility I work for. Continued monitoring by quality control is still needed to insure assessments are completed properly and to monitor if the measure the protocols are working. References Bernard, Michael S, Hunter, Kathleen F, Moore, Katherine N. (2012). A Review of Strategies to Decrease the Duration of Indwelling Urethral Catheters and Potentially Reduce the Incidence of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections. Urologic Nursing, 32 (1): 29-37. Carter, Nina M, Reitmeier, Laura, Goodloe, Lauren R. (2014). An Evidence-Based Approach To the Prevention of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection. Urologic Nursing, 34 (5): 238-45. Cherry, B., & Jacob, S. (2010). Contemporary Nursing: Issues, Trends, and Management. (5th ed.) St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier. Gray, M. (2010). Reducing catheter associated urinary tract infection in the critical care unit. AACN Advanced Critical Care, 20(3), 247-257. Hooton, T., Bradley, S., Cardenas, D., Colgan, R., Geerlings, S., Rice, J., Nicolle, L. (2010). Diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of catheter-associated urinary track infection in adults: 2009 international clinical practice guidelinges from the infectious diseases society of America. Clinical Infectious Diseases, 50(March): 625-663. Knoll, Bettina M.; Wright, Deborah; Ellingson, LeAnn; Kraemer, Linda; Patire, Ronald; Kuskowski, Michael A.; Johnson, James R. (2011). Reduction of Inappropriate Urinary Catheter Use at a Veterans Affairs Hospital Through a Multifaceted Quality Improvement Project. Clinical Infectious Diseases. Vol. 52 Issue 11, 1283-1290. DOI: 10.1093/cid/cir188. Mori, C. (2014). A-Voiding Catastrophe: Implementing a Nurse-Driven Protocol. MedSurg Nursing. 23 (1), 15-28.

Argo case study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Argo - Case Study Example The frequency of their meeting after every three months is evidence that assessment was done appropriately. The change was thoroughly evaluated by the committee and found it right to restructure the client teams. They sought to embark on changing in order to achieve desirable results. In an effort to solve the issue, they deployed an external team of consultants for reviewing the policy. The team interviewed the managers and employees. The team of consultants was also tasked with the responsibility of recommending changes. This indicates that the capacity of the management to asses and review happenings in the organisation was at a good position. Assessment focuses on regular review of the activities and results of the organization to ensure adherence to the excellence model. Through the review, Argo ID was able to identify its strengths. Another area the organisation did well was in deployment. After the team of consultants administered the recommendations, the line manager and questionnaires administered on to the employees on their preferential positions in the new organisation did briefings. The success of deployment was evidenced by the ability of more than 80% of the total number of employees getting their preferred positions. In addition, the rest does not lose anything since they were interviewed for other positions. The Chief Executive Officer of the company, Bill Marshall made presentations that featured how the work was to be done and the scheduling thereof. 2. Argo Areas According to Subcategory (1e) of the Case Study Organizational and Management Review did a review on the way the operations were being conducted and went a step ahead to outsource for services of specialists in order to streamline the situation. The recommendations by the consultants helped reshape the organizational structure of the compa ny hence conserving it from the blink of failure. This time round the approach was rectified, hence changing the expected scenario. The results of the initial process were not right. They called for a reshuffle of the entire employment structure in order for it to deliver desirable results. The failure in achieving the results was expensive to the organisation since they had to re-embark on a new strategy that involved an overhaul of the entire system. Results are the ultimate goal of every organisation, it emanates from a wrong approach taken in implementing a good idea. Sometimes, the approach my be wrongly placed and may not be a making from the individuals involved leading to undesirable results. This was the case with Argo. 3. Site Visit Issues One of the main issues to check in the organisation is the staff interactions in the organisation. The questions are how the employees interact in the organisation at the different levels. The relationship between the juniors and seniors in the organisation is paramount; I would like to know why majority of the staff preferred a change in the place of work. Underlying issues in the organisation may cause a disparity and breakdown in communication. I would also like to know about the structure and the policies of Organizational and Management Review. It seems they play a very important role in the organisation, understanding their composition, the mandate and their way of operating is very important in the organisation. Part B 1. Comments on People Strategy Argo seems to be on a positive trend in achieving satisfaction for the employees. Considering

Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 7

Management - Essay Example To be precise, the model measures the extent of competitive advantages that a firm possesses within a particular industry setting (Pascal, Widiantoro, Nguyen & Sharief, 2011). Emphasising on this understanding, the discussion henceforth will intend to discuss about the competitive positions of services industry in Canada. The extent of competitiveness of this industrial sector will be ascertained with the assistance of Porter’s Diamond Theory. Determination of Competitive Position of Services Industry in Canada by Porter’s Diamond Theory ‘Porter’s Diamond theory’ has been devised with the motive of determining the conditions of local environment where a firm is operational. This model identifies both internal as well as external capabilities of a firm in order to determine its competitiveness. The theory has been devised with the intention of ascertaining the competitive position of a firm with the advancement of technological factors. Barragan (2005 ) also noted that companies improve competitiveness with increased productivity and acquiring innovation through the use of advanced technologies. Indigenous firms are identified to be the major contributor towards the development of the economic conditions of a country which mostly represent the service organisations (Barragan, 2005). Notably, there are six variables which are included in the model. Among the six variables, four factors are identified as the determinants of the level of competitiveness a firm possesses which include ‘the related and supplier industries’, demand conditions and ‘firm strategy, structure and rivalry’. The other two factors are considered as indirect factors or outside sources such as government and chance which are determined to be influencing the competitiveness as well as performance of a firm (Karacsony, 2008). The six variables of the model can be precisely identified from the graphical representation below. Porter's Diam ond model framework Source: (Markus, 2008) Factor Conditions Factor conditions comprise of numerous factors which include skilful labour forces, availability of natural resources and adopting advanced technologies. These factors are recognised to be necessary to drive enhanced performances as well as to compete effectively in the global market segments. In this regard, companies performing business operations with greater accessibility of natural resources as well as with ample labour forces at economically profitable rate will assist a company to attain competitive advantages. Moreover, companies adopt advanced technologies and Research and Development (R&D) facilities with the intention of creating better innovative and differential products for better competitiveness. The availability of these factors at a low rate is quite likely to aid the companies towards performing their business activities successfully within a competitive market environment (Bakan & Dogan, 2012; Cini & Nat er, 2010). Canada is demonstrated to excel in relation to services industry which has been currently reported to be accountable for a growth of over 70% in relation to Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Moreover, this industrial sector is also responsible for providing employment opportunities to around three quarter of the population of Canada. This business sector comprises of industries which offers intangible products as well as services. Furthermore, the companies which

No Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 4

No - Essay Example Benzene for negligence in his work especially if they knew of his omission to inquire about his true feelings concerning his suicidal thoughts because of the possibility that Mr. Johnson’s terrain of thought could lead him to cause harm both to himself and others. The plaintiff can sue for negligence on the part of Dr. Benzene. Negligence refers to a situation where a person does something wrong accidentally thereby causing one to get hurt. As such, a person involved in negligent behavior is likely to be held liable by way of damages. Basically, it involves an individual’s failure to take reasonable care in a situation that a person exercising ordinary prudence ought to take under similar circumstances (Ferrerra et al., 72). Dr. Benzene did not exercise reasonable care especially because it is expected that a doctor like him should have foreseen harm. Dr. Benzene should have inquired from Mr. Johnson whether indeed his findings and thoughts were an expression of his true feelings. Dr. Benzene has a legal issues to answer to because he had the duty to act but failed because of his omission to do so by taking necessary steps including inquiring the feelings of Mr. Johnson so that he could at least attempt to avert the foreseen danger. Doctor Benzene and his office can be sued for the violation of the law enacted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The law simply required medical practitioners such as Doctor Benzene to notify the office of the State Attorney regarding the homicidal or suicidal tendencies exhibited by Mr. Johnson. The policy had not made any provisions for exceptional cases where the defendant could not be held liable. As such, Doctor Benzene’s move to issue patients with forms in order to free himself and all the staff from any liabilities that may arise did not in any way protect or exempt him from facing the consequences of his actions. The legislation passed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts was supreme. Therefore, the potential law

2012 Olympic's impact on Sports management in London Essay

2012 Olympic's impact on Sports management in London - Essay Example Hence, Tennis Wimbledon Tournament or Football League Championship is mega-event known all over the world, which attracts millions of viewers. Also today there is no grown-up person who is not aware what the word â€Å"Olympics† means and who has not watched the greatest international complex sport competitions on television at least once. It is well-known that the famous symbol of Olympics, five colorful rings, can be identified by more than ninety per cent of planet’s population. This exceeds the recognition of such extremely popularized brands as Nike, Coca-Cola and McDonalds (Vigor, Mean, Tims 2004, pp. 4). Even in a far antiquity Olympic Games were the main sport event of all the times and nations. During the period of Olympics peace and consent were proclaimed on the Earth. The wars stopped and all dignified athletes competed in a fair fight for the top ranking. Olympic movement managed to overcome a lot of impediments, among which were: interruptions by World War s, attacks of terrorists, including bombing, kidnapping of sportsmen, murders, boycotts, and various diplomatic incidents. However, the Great Games have survived and currently take place every forth year, with interchange of summer and winter games with a difference of two years. Nowadays Olympics are spread on a large scale, being equipped with the latest techniques and recorded by numerous computers and cameras for defining the final results of the sportsmen with a high accuracy. Lately the cities that organize Olympics become the capitals of the world for the period of games holding. The place of the consecutive Games is announced beforehand for giving at least seven years to the country to get itself ready. Hence, London has been officially chosen for the Olympics 2012 on the sixth of July 2005, leaving behind such serious rivals as Paris, Moscow, New-York and

Informal interview Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Informal interview - Research Paper Example Other things are providing enough training to employees for the work they do, ensuring friendly atmosphere, ensuring adequate recreation, making the employees feel trusted by giving them decision making power, rewarding in group avoiding discrimination, regular meetings, and most importantly no favoritism in the organization discoursing backdoor tactics. The Details of the Interview Interviewer : How long have you been on this job, Mr. Ralph? Mr. Ralph : Well, I have been in the company for ten years now. Interviewer : Could you please tell me what the job of an HR Professional involves? Mr. Ralph : Broadly speaking, it is about proper staffing and proper employee relations. Interviewer : Fine. Would you explain the responsibilities assigned to an HR Professional in common? Mr. Ralph : Sure, the most common ones are coordinating the hiring process of new recruits, arranging orientation for new employees, developing and explaining HR policies, answering the queries of employees, perfo rmance consulting, ensuring safety at workplace, maintaining employee relations and so on. In fact, the list is too long. Interviewer : That is a fairly good explanation MR. Ralph. Actually, what is the qualification required to apply for a post in HR, say, in your company? Mr. Ralph : Well, the minimum qualification, as I generally observe, is a Bachelors Degree in Human Resource Management and certainly, work experience makes one more effective in the job. Interviewer : Fine, what qualities, in your opinion, makes a person a successful HR Professional? Mr. Ralph : I think, the very first quality required for this job is good communication skills. In addition, the person should possess good public speaking skills and writing skills. Good analytical and problem-solving skills are vital for the profession. Interviewer : Could you please explain the secret behind a successful new employee orientation program? Mr. Ralph : Sure, it starts with a welcome letter to the selected candidates . You know, it makes them feel welcomed. Then the orientation starts with giving the new employees a detailed description of the company’s procedures, history, target and work rules in the very beginning. The orientation is a one week procedure in which employees get familiar with the whole organization and the expected role they have to play. Interviewer : Well, Mr. Ralph, How do you make a new employee feel at ease? Mr. Ralph : It is very important to provide the new recruits enough time to become familiar with the organization, chances for open interaction and discussion in the beginning, clearing fears and doubts, encouraging friendship and providing respect. Interviewer : What advice would you give to someone who is going to become an HR Professional? Mr. Ralph : All employees are human beings. This is the basic thing all HR people should remember. Interviewer : Thank you Mr. Ralph for sharing your knowledge with me. The opinion that HR is mainly aimed at the welfare of the employees is shared by Jackson and Mathis (12) who opine the role of HR is to act as an advocate for the employees ignoring the success of the business to satisfy the needs of the employees. However, there are issues to be taken care of while handling employee issues. First of all, as Dessler and Varkkey (582) point out, it is necessary for managers to be familiar state and local statutes while handling em