Tools and Decision Making for Ongoing Performance Essay Example for Free

Tools and Decision Making for Ongoing Performance Essay In this presentation, Learning team B will discuss common problems encountered in the hospital, ways in which decisions are made dealing with risk and quality management issues. We will provide a scenario and give our advice on how to decrease the transmission of hospital acquired infections. Then we will discuss challenges the team faced while completing this assignment. Encountered problems with Hospital Decision Making (Felicia) Acquired Information for Decision Making (Felicia) Common Decision Making Tools (Felicia)Â  Challenges that may be encountered in risk and quality management (Mom) Waiting until the last minute and then not having enough time to make an informed decision is not only a risk in any organization; it is a quality issue also. When individuals are rushed they tend to make mistakes or overlook important information that may be needed to make decisions. If one misses important information the quality of service may be affected. Not using a well thought out method to when decision making may lead to the wrong action or measure being taken. For example, if a nurse has a patient with a pressure ulcer and the nurse has no guideline or routine that is enforced for this type of pressure ulcer then the treatment that the nurse gives may not be the best for the patient. When one makes a decision one must use the information available to make the best possible decision for the best outcome. If the information available is not accurate then the wrong decision could be made. This is not only a risk but it may decrease the quality of the organization as well. Strategies that should be adapted to improve ongoing performance (Sonya) One can measure the quality of health care by observing its structure, processes, and outcomes. Structure measures assess the accessibility, availability, and quality of resources, such as health insurance, bed capacity of a hospital, and number of nurses with advanced training. Process measures assess the delivery of health care services by clinicians and providers, such as using guidelines for care of diabetic patients. Outcome measures indicate the final result of health care and can be influenced by environmental and behavioral factors. Examples include mortality, patient satisfaction, and improved health status. Decision making process tools (Mar) FMEA- A step-by-step approach for identifying all possible failures in a product or service. Best used to take actions to eliminate or reduce failures. Flow Chart- A picture of separate steps of a process in sequential order. This is used to study a process for improvement. To communicate to others how a process is done. Cause–and-effect diagram- A tool that helps identify, sort, and display possible causes of a specific problem or quality characteristic. It graphically illustrates the relationship between a given outcome and all factors that influence the outcome. Helps determine the root causes of a problem or quality characteristic using a structured approach. Increases knowledge of the process by helping everyone to learn more about the factors at work and how they relate. Check sheet- A structured, prepared form for collecting and analyzing data. A generic tool that can be adapted for a wide variety of purposes. When collecting data on the frequency or patterns of events, problems, defects, defect location, defect causes, etc. Control chart- A graph used to study how processes change over time. When determining whether your quality improvement project should aim to prevent specific problems or to make fundamental changes to the process. Histogram: Most commonly used graph to show frequency distributions. Frequency distributions show how often each different value in a set data occurs. When analyzing whether a process can meet the customers requirements. When seeing whether a process change has occurred from one time period to another. When you wish to communicate the distribution of data quickly and easily to others. Pareto chart: A bar graph. The lengths of the bars represent frequency or cost (time or money) and are arranged with longest bars on the left and shortest on the right. The chart visually depicts which situations are more significant. When there are many problems or causes and you want to focus on the most significant. Analyzing broad causes by looking at their specific components. Run chart: Display process performance over time. Detect special causes of variations. * Scatter diagram: Graphs pairs of numerical data with one variable on each axis, to look for a relationship between them. If the variables are correlated, the points will fall along a line or curve. The better the correlation the tighter the points will hug the line. When numerical data is paired. When your dependent variable may have multiple values for each value of your independent variable. When trying to figure out whether two variables are related. Scenario (Sonya) ABC organization has noticed an increase in patients who have acquired infections while receiving care and service. In fact, there seems to be so many different types of infections that the organization does not know where to start. With your guidance, the organization will be able to identify infections and the number of infections per category throughout the facility to determine the vital few and focus their efforts on the few areas that will bring about the greatest return on investment of time and effort. The organization needs to identify which infections affect the most patients. Information needed (mom) This is a check sheet that shows what information is needed to identify the types of infections that are being acquired in the hospital. One the infection is identified then one must find the prevalence of the infection. Who is being infected, how are they being infected, how to treat the infection and so on and so forth. This check sheet will let the hospital know all the information needed to decrease the rate of infections. Why the process (MAR) The check sheet is one of the tools of choice because it enables the hospital to find out which patients are affected, when and where the infection may be coming from and other information needed to stop the spread of infection. A cause-and-effect diagram was chosen because it shows the cause of infections so that we can come up with a plan and enforce current plans to decrease the likely hood that the infection will occur. The Pareto Chart gives the hospital a way to tract the infection and how much the infections will cost the hospital. Decision (Mom) The reason that we have chosen each process is because these processes give the hospital a way to identify the types of infection and the ways in which the infections are being transported to the patients. They will identify which units are having the most infection rates so that we will know who needs reinforcement with infection control. This will track what infections are occurring so that infection control policies can be updated in a timely fashion to help minimize infection occurrence. Changes (MAR) Changes of the results that we are finding include but are not limited to the decrease of nosocomial infections. They will make the staff more aware of infection control. This will also give the hospital ample opportunity to retrain staff that are not up to par or are noncompliant with infection control policies. Explanation (Mom) Quality of service is a major issue in health care. The plans that are in place are meant to identify infections. Identify units that are most affected. The patients are our main priority. This will tell us what type of patients are more likely to get the infection. We want to decrease the number of infections that occur by reinforcing the infection control policies. This will increase patient safety and patient satisfaction which will save the hospital money in the long run. Challenges (Mar)Â  The challenges that our team faced while completing the assignment were time restraints. We all have different schedules and time availability. We have learned to adapt so that the assignment is completed in a timely fashion. We also realized that we need to communicate precisely what each of our parts in assignment should be. The most important thing that we found challenging was interpreting what exactly the assignment requirements were. We will be sure to make sure we ask questions if we need clarification in the future.

Is American Beef Safe to Eat?- Exploring the Quality of Agricultural St

as Americans we have to be conscious of the foods that we eat that come from the different livestock. Everything that is not a vegetable comes from some form or another of livestock and sometimes we have to wonder; where is the food coming from? If you asked any five year old he would say â€Å"the grocery store†, however as consumers we have to be knowledgeable of the foods we put into our bodies and have good faith that they are coming from quality sources. the cattle industry and government to safeguard the food that we eat. There are already many standards in place, but are they enough? How can we increase the quality of these standards What do we need to be mindful of that decreases the value of these standards What are some of the actions being taken by private industry to ensure quality? Is the government taken the same actions to keep the American consumer safe? United States Department of Agriculture Standards Within the United State there is only one set of standards to grade beef and beef products being distributed interstate. The USDA put these standards in place after the Wholesome Meat Act of 1967 which states that, â€Å"USDA has authority to control movement of unfit meat and meat products and to require poultry products in interstate and foreign commerce to meet Federal inspection standards.† There are seven standards in place for commercial beef sale in the United States; they are on a sliding scale. Excellent quality beef is labeled as prime, which has a high degree of marbling or fat throughout the back, loin, ribs, and rump. Prime beef is going to be mainly used in steakhouses and restaurants throughout the nation. The quality of this particular type of beef is superior to the next standard of beef, choice... ...he different vessels of marketing and production. There are also several options for vaccination depending upon if it is being done prior to weaning the calf or during the weaning process. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Program has gone through great lengths to ensure calves and cattle are being properly vaccinated. They have come up with a program that is conscious to the different financial and economical situations of the rancher. The most basic program is made up of only one shot per cow, and fails to cover the most common reproductive viruses, brucellosis, leptospirosis and campylobecteriosis. However, this basic vaccination is super cost effective, at only $3.11 per cow. The â€Å"best† program covers everything from 5-way leptospirosos, 8-way clostridal toxoid, to Pasteruella hemolytica. This program is almost ridiculous at a cost of $8.69 per cow.

Later Adulthood Development Essay

During our life time it is inevitable that we will grow older. People 65 an older are living longer lives. This age group has been increasing over the years with the help of new technology. During this stage in life we will go through many life transformations. First we will change not only physically, but mentally, and emotionally, and socially. Our roles in life will change drastically and if not prepared it will not be a smooth transition. If a person was once very independent in their younger years and now will need to be dependent on others for assistance it could become a big problem. They may need help with basic daily health needs such as bathing, cooking or may need help getting around town. There are many assistant living facilities that will assist them if needed. Another issue in aging is they may become victims of crimes. Elderly people have physical limitations that will make it harder for them to defend themselves. Discrimination will now become another issue that they will have to face. It may be hard for them to land a job at this age because many companies might be worried that they will constantly be out of work or can’t physically do the job. Compare living accommodations such as accessibility and the need for health care: There are numerous nursing facilities for the elderly to live in. In the past these facilities were ran like institutions and less like a home. The new facilities are well equipped with everything they would have in their own homes. Facilities provide entertainment, social gatherings, everything you would need to enjoy your elderly years. Many elderly people would prefer to live and maintain their own households with their spouses and not have to resort to facility living. Health care is important to the elderly generation because they are more apet to have health problems. Because of the increasing cost of health care Medicare and Medicaid programs were put in place to reduce the cost of health care for this age group. Another medical issue for the elderly is that Physicians are primarily  trained in treating young people and the elderly does not receive the quality care they need. In that age group medical care is crucial for their survival because they are more frail and sick than the younger generation. The transition from work to retirement is a major part in anyone’s life. Mandatory retirement was once created for people age 65 an older, it was meant to abolish the oversupply of available workers. Congress eventually stopped this law because it was discriminating towards the elderly. Retiring is a major adjustment in life for those who worked there whole lives. One of the many adjustments are living on a smaller income, and no interaction from fellow coworkers. Social Security benefits is a financial assistance program for retired people 65 and up but it was never intended to make a person financially independent. It is impossible to live comfortably just off of social security checks alone. About 95 percent of older adults receive Social Security; for 18 percent of them, Social Security is their only income. Americans who did not prepare themselves finically will need to work for the rest of their lives. Those who did not prepare themselves for retirement will have to worry about money and possible have to rely on government assistance. Those who did prepare themselves financially will not have to worry about money an can enjoy their leisure time and enjoy the many things that they weren’t able to do while working such as traveling, golfing, etc. Many people at this stage will get bored an unfulfilled without a job to go too. Volunteering their time and possible a part time job are a few ways an elderly couple can do to stay productive and be a contributing citizen. Older people volunteering their time can also lead to a higher feel of worth and self-esteem. Many changes go in in marriage, family, and peer relationships when we grow older. Older people are married they are happier than the non-married ones. When we age we will have to understand that one spouse will have to take care of their spouse. The caretaking spouse will get frustrated, angry, overwhelmed with caring for their spouse. When a spouse is ill this can drain the family savings and add more stress over finances. When a spouse dies it can be very emotional for the spouse that is left behind they will begin to experience loneliness’, depression and will have more things to take care of on their own. The surviving spouse will have to be emotionally ready to move on with life without their mate. Peer relationships will also change beca use  friends are sick and dying and reminds them that the end is near. This can lead to elderly people staying in the house and distancing themselves from other people and family. Some elderly begin to live with family and like the idea that they are around their loved ones. Others do not want to put a burden on to their family and decide to move into a nursing facility instead. Living with someone else can become a major shock because they are used to living on their own. The social policies that affect the older adults are Medicaid, Medicare, social security benefits, and the older Americans act of 1965. Medicare was created to assist older people with the cost of health care. Everyone 65 and older will be eligible for this service. Everyone in the United States is eligible for some sort of social security benefit after retirement age if they worked. This Money is paid into the social security system from taxes from employees and employers. It is a certain amount of money given every month to offset the cost of living. Some elderly people live off just social security alone because they did not plan correctly for the future. If a person does not have any pensions, savings and other income it will not be enough to live comfortable off of. . The Americans Act of 1965 is a law and its amendments and they are the basis for federal aid to states and local communities to meet the needs of the older generation. This law assists with an adequate income, physical and mental health, housing, employment opportunities. The final service made for the elderly is Medicaid. It provides services for low income families, and those who need public assistance. Each state is different with the Medicaid benefits. When we age we will all change mentally, physically, physically and socially it’s all a part of this life cycle. With proper planning and research growing older can be a smooth transition in life. Financial planning, family support, resources are all positive can contributions to everything an older adul t needs. References Dale, O., Smith, R., Norlin, J. M., & Chess, W. A. (2009). Human behavior and the social environment: Social systems theory (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

Portrait Of William Pitt The Younger Painted By George...

â€Å"Portrait of William Pitt the Younger painted by John Young, 1797 † â€Å"Portrait of William Wilberforce from a picture by George Richmond. Under the Superintendence of the society for the diffusion of useful knowledge. London Published by Charles Knight and company Ludgate Street. Engraved by E. Scriven.† The portrait of William Pitt the Younger, that hangs in the Center for Study of the Life and Work of William Carey, D.D., Museum and Research Collection. It was painted by John Young in 1797, while Pitt was serving as the Prime minister of Great Britain. William Pitt the Younger, is best known for, at the age of 24, serving as the youngest prime minister of Great Britain. His father William Pitt the Elder, also served as the prime minister†¦show more content†¦His portrait can also be found at the museum. It is from a picture painted by George Richmond, who under the superintendence of the society for the diffusion of useful knowledge painted it. The painting was engraved by Edward Scriven. Wilberforce, a strong abolitionist, was a member of parliament and supported the work of William Carey. Wilberforce and Pitt meet at Cambridge University. After Pitt became prime minister, Wilberforce supported him during the difficult months of transition. Wilberforce was not only an a bolitionist, he also was a philanthropist and a politician. In March of 1784, Wilberforce delivered a speech at the Yorkshire County meeting in the Castle Yard at York, in which he announced himself to the assembled freeholders. This brought him much public attention, in which he emerged as a compromise Pittite candidate. On April 6th, he won the election, and was a representative of Yorkshire, England’s largest county. He achieved all this at the young age of 24 years old! This position helped open his way to political weight which helped him later in his career. In 1785, Wilberforce because a Christian. Isaac Milner was the primary influence for his decision for Christ. He sought spiritual guidance from the foremost evangelical clergyman, John Newton. Through a variety of associations, Wilberforce started to gain a concern for the welfare of the slaves and for the abolition of the slave trade. In May