Effectiveness of Risk Assessment in Preventing Pressure Ulcer Research Paper

Effectiveness of Risk Assessment in Preventing Pressure Ulcer - Research Paper Example The objective of the study will be as follows: To assess whether incorporating risk assessment in nursing practice can reduce the prevalence of pressure ulcers; Establish whether risk assessment can reduce the overall preventive measures used on a patient Investigate whether the detection of pressure ulcers in its early stages could reduce its severity and prevent other illnesses from developing. Background Pressure ulcers are local injuries to skin and/or underlying tissues due to pressure from an object pressing and/or rubbing against the skin. Pressure usually leads in insufficient blood flow and occurs mostly in bony areas such as the sacrum, coccyx, hips, and heels. Insufficient blood supply can lead to death of skin cells leading to the formation of an ulcer. In the US, the prevalence of pressure ulcers varies among states widely, with some states such as Ontario recording incidence rates of 53% in poorly managed healthcare institutions (Clarke, Bradley, & Whytock, 2005).... The staff will also be trained on early detection of the injuries. c) Comparison Data on patients at risk from developing pressure ulcer will be collected before and after training. The data will also include the number of patients who will develop ulcers over a four-week period before and after the training intervention. Data collected after nursing staff have undergone training will be compared to that collected before the training using various statistical analyses to determine whether there was a significant decline in the number of patients at risk of developing ulcers. d) Outcome Results of the analysis will also indicate whether training of nursing personnel in the assessment of pressure ulcer risk is effective in reducing the number of patients developing pressure ulcers. e) Time The study will run for a period of three months. Data on the number of patients developing ulcers and those at risk will be collected for a period of four weeks followed by training of personnel. Dat a will be collected again after training for a period of four weeks. Critique of Literature Clinical studies have shown that development of pressure ulcer during hospitalization can be alleviated by adopting appropriate mitigation measures (Severens, Hobraken, Duivenvoorden, & Frederiks, 2002; Vanderwee, Clark, Dealey, Gunningberg, & Defloor, 2007). These measures can include the development of methods and ways of determining risk factors. Early action can alleviate pain and improve quality of life among persons at risk or those already affected. Healthcare institutions can also benefit from early detection of pressure ulcers by reducing fiscal and time expenditure on the care and treatment of patients. Clarke et al. (2005) mention that pressure ulcers directly kill at least

Unions Recruit New Allies for Obama in Battleground States Case Study

Unions Recruit New Allies for Obama in Battleground States - Case Study Example Unions Recruit New Allies for Obama in Battleground States This article by Steven Greenhouse is very insightful and it gives a general overview and perspective of the role of the trade unions in the 2012 us presidential campaigns. The article gave an account of the role the labor unions have played in this campaign to ensure that Barrack Obama is re-elected the next president of the United States. It gave the opinion of the union leaders and event organizers whom they were very enthusiastic about how the unions are growing stronger and shaping the politics of the United States. The labor unions are more concentrated on the battle ground states of Ohio and Wisconsin. Teachers mainly from Chicago which is the election center for barrack Obama are very enthusiastic about this. The union members are large in number with a figure of 67, 176 knocking at the doors of residence of Wisconsin. Sandy and Elaine were just part of that 67, 176. The unions are trying to reassert themselves after realizing that they couldn’t influence much during 2010 election that were held in some states that include Ohio. This all effort is more of a strategy to regain relevance in the elections that they influence so much especially in 2008. The unions did play a big role in the election of 2008 and eight, when they campaign for election of Barrack Obama. They have seen that the re-election of the same candidate they campaign for in 2008 is not forthcoming so they have to quickly spring into action. They have for the past two years been actively involved in these campaigns mainly in Ohio and Wisconsin.... These have helped them a great deal because they can now reach out to more people. Given that union members account for only 12% of the population of the United States their constituency have now increased tremendously. Unlike in the past where they reach out to few people per hour they can now reach out to huge number of population in just an hour. They have also good strategy whereby they have been able to bring together members from different groups to join them. The republican side is however of different view and that the unions have lost the control it had in 2008. Sara Fagen, who worked under George W. Bush said that the members no longer fully support the union and no longer swayed by the union decision to support a particular candidate because they feel the have been pressed economically by the union who drew from them to run this campaign. The union according to the republicans is funding the campaigns at the expense of the workers. They claim also that Obama have not stood up to them by not actualizing the â€Å"card check† bill that could have helped them a lot. The union members have however fought for the union members especially by seeking the reversal of the law that deprives the employees of their bargaining rights. They were then to suffer another set back after their effort to oust the governor of Wisconsin proves futile. Scott walker the republican retains the seat as the governor of Wisconsin. The union have though rise with 30 unions joining the course. There are though regular setbacks and frustration on daily basis that often face the union members. They most of the times don’t find response from 2/3 of the homes they contacted so they are left with little to do other than to left notes urging the members of

Science and technology Essay Example for Free

Science and technology Essay Science and technology is a vital part of our societys world and how we function. Unless you happen to live out in the middle of the Sahara Desert and have sworn off all aspects of technology and science, then you are most likely exposed constantly to science in your daily life. While it is a big part of our world, there is a constant uneasy relationship between human beings and science. It is a common axiom that people dont trust what they dont understand. That is exactly what drives and causes this unsteady relationship people have with science. People never want to put full faith and confidence into the untouchable, comprehendible, or viewable. Trust is what really brings people to wonder about science and subconsciously fear it. Because we cannot reconcile some things science and technology give us, our immediate reaction is to set ourselves away or fear it. It is human nature to want to question and have some form of apprehension toward the thing we cannot fully reconcile. We see this is all forms of science and technology in our society. From the physical features of science such as technology and medicine to even scientific theories and cerebral and abstract parts of science, all forms in some way can make people uneasy. It makes you wonder however, why someone would fear something that is always attempting to be beneficial. Research and discoveries are usually made solely to help the individual and or society as a whole. So what are we as people so unnerved about? From even the most mundane actions and events in our lives to our moral beliefs and views, we see in every aspect of science the questioning and doubt by people. I had possibly the worst eye sight as a child. I basically could embody the clichà © phrase, blind as a bat. To make the situation worse for myself, I hated wearing glasses. I was unable to wear contacts due to some technical mumbo jumbo, so my parents decided to sign me up for Laser Eye Surgery. I had the procedure and can see quite fine to this day. You are probably sitting their wondering what exactly this heartwarming story of my now ability to see has anything at all to do with my thesis. We always can find risks in any type of procedure like the one I had. While the benefits are great, there is always the small chance that something could go terribly wrong. The doctors did in fact explain all the High tech procedures and steps they were taking during the operation, but did I really have a clue?  Walking into that surgery I was scared out of my mind, but why should I be? This is a proven technology that fixes your eyes and keeps you from wearing glasses. It isnt however done by the majority because the risk that science is wrong is too great. Is it better to wear glasses than to take even the slightest risk with my sight? These were all factors that I was feeling, but in fact I wasnt alone because everyone thinks like this with situations like this. Science cant be 100% on most things but that is what we as people require. Any person would find themselves feeling unsure about a foreign subject or in my case a medical surgery. That is why we have this problem with science. The idea of trust is there in the subconscious. It is sitting there in the back of our minds poking our conscience with a long finger saying, is this ok? Should I go through and get involved with this? I dont know if I should be doing this. While things like medical surgeries and such are obviously going to be a frightening part of science to most people what about other abstract parts of science. Unease becomes a major issue to people when they are unable to reconcile science ideals with their own moral and or spiritual beliefs. The discussion of Creationism versus Evolution has been a heated and raging debate in American culture for years. Creationism derived from the Book of Genesis denies all forms of science that says we as humans evolved over time to what we are today. Creationists insist that the universe and the earth were created in six days. Another common discussion in which Creationists reject is the major theory like the Big Bang theory. This argument is a perfect example of a moral/ mental discomfort with science. We looked before at the ways in which science can make us uneasy with physical interactions like medicines and surgeries, but what about the mental aspect of it? When science tests and challenges the morals and beliefs of others it makes the relationship very awkward. In this case we see evolution is the science. It doesnt fit the religious beliefs we know most Christians for example are taught. Even if your rational mind says science is factual, your faith and emotions are strong determiners of your beliefs. There in lies the uncomfortable pull and push relationship morally with people. I think we personally are uncomfortable with science because you avoid having to make a choice between the two. We know intellectually that science is proven, yet  some peoples hearts need to believe and have faith in a superior being. We need a way to make both work together, but that is hard. We like cafeteria religion, where we pick the parts that fit our world, but we know that probably isnt right. Whatever we chose and whichever side we take it still is a known controversy in our culture that is constantly questioned. In our class reading of Never Let Me Go we see a similar moral dilemma with science and human relationships involving Stem Cell research. The science and moral aspects will always be at t ug of war in our minds. This uneasiness of science we all come to recognize. So while some of you may not have gotten lasic eye surgery like me. Or maybe some of you listening dont have any type of faith based religion and find no controversy in science and faith. I am not asking you to totally connect with my examples and be able to relate to them. But like I said, everyone is exposed to science and technology everyday. You all know what its like to question aspects of science whether a distinct example or not. Trust is what plays the role in this controversy. So do we still believe the axiom People dont trust what they dont understand? To me it relates more to People in fact dont trust what they cannot have full resolve for.

Hearing Loss from Mobile Phone Use

Hearing Loss from Mobile Phone Use Discussion Mobile phones have become a part of modern life style. There has been rapid boom in the number of mobile phones in the recent decade. This rapid worldwide expansion of mobile telephones raises questions regarding possible effects of the emitted radiofrequencies on the health of the consumers. The electromagnetic waves can affect the human health ranging from increase the blood pressure, cause memory loss and induce migraines, hearing impairment to even cancer can also occur. Of all the anatomical structures, the ear is in the closest proximity to the mobile phones, hence most potential organ system to be damaged by the electromagnetic waves emitted from the mobile phones. Pure tone audiometry is a key hearing test for assessment of hearing threshold of the individual. It determines the degree of hearing loss and also type and configuration of hearing loss. Pure tone audiometry uses both air and bone conduction audiometry, the type of loss can be identified by the air-bone gap. In our study, while comparing the results of pure tone audiometry in controls (n=60) and total cases (n=60), it was found that in control group 51 individuals had normal hearing threshold, 08 had mild hearing loss and 01 had moderate hearing loss. Of the total cases, 39 had normal hearing threshold, 19 had mild hearing loss and 2 had moderate hearing loss. No individual in the cases or control group had severe or profound hearing loss. Chi square test with yates correction was applied for statistical analysis of the data, and difference was found to be significant (p value0.05). While comparing the results of distorted product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) in controls (n=60) and cases Group A (n=30), it was found that in cases group A, 19 individuals passed the test and 11 individuals failed the DPOAE test. Chi square test was applied for statistical analysis of the data, and results were not found to be significant (p value>0.05). On comparing the results of distorted product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) in controls (n=60) and cases Group B (n=30), it was found that in cases group B, 15 individuals passed the test and 15 individuals failed the DPOAE test. Chi square test was applied for statistical analysis of the data, and results were not found to be significant (p value>0.05). The European project EMFnEAR, was done to assess the harmful effects of short term electromagnetic waves emitted from UTMS mobile device over the outer hair cells. Functioning of outer hair cells was assessed by DPOAE. They concluded that short term exposure to EMFs of mobile phones does not cause measurable immediate effects on the human auditory system. Renzo R et al also conducted a similar study to assess the short term effects of mobile phone use on ear, assessed by transient evoked otoacoustic emissions and brainstem evoked audiometry response. The study parameters were similar to our study but they studied the short term effects of EMFs in contrast to our study where we tried to find the effects of long term exposure. They did not find any change in the auditory functions, before and after the short exposure to electromagnetic radiations. Ozturan et al assessed transient evoked OAE and distorted product OAE in adults exposed to 10 min telephone call using GSM mobile phones. The tests were done before and after the exposure. They concluded that otoacoustic emissions did not change after the electromagnetic waves exposure. Bamiou DE et al also reported that there was no change in the transient evoked otoacoustic emission, due to electromagnetic waves of mobile phones. S Bhagat et al, studied the effects of chronic exposure to EMF emitted from mobile phone on inner ear by using distorted product otoacoustic emissions. Individuals using mobile phones for more than 4 years were studied. It was concluded that long-term and frequent exposure to EMFs from mobile phone does not cause damage to outer hair cells of cochlea. P. Karthikeyan et al did a study on hundred students who were mobile phone users. They were divided into two groups of more than and less than two hours of mobile usage. DPAOE was done and compared to controls. Significant change in DPOAE was seen in cases, more so in group with more than two hours of cell phone usage. Alsanosi AA et al did a study to assess the immediate consequences of 60 minutes exposure to mobile phones on hearing function by determining changes in distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) and hearing threshold levels (HTLs). They concluded that sixty minutes of close exposure to electromagnetic fields emitted by a mobile phone had an immediate effect on HTL assessed by pure-tone audiogram and inner ear (assessed by DPOAE) in young human subjects. While in our study, on comparing DPOAE, we did not find any significant difference between the total cases and controls. On comparing the each sub group of cases to controls, no statistically significant difference was noted. This is in concurrence with most of the studies done in India and abroad. Though, P. Karthikeyan and Alsanosi have shown different results from those observed in our study. Though a lot of research publications are available in favour of and against the results observed in our study, but in all these studies studied the effects of electromagnetic frequencies of mobile phones on functioning of outer hair cells, but no criteria was taken as standard for comparison as different duration (in years) of exposure, different hours per day of use, and acute effect v/s chronic effects. The major limitation of epidemiological studies addressing the health effects of mobile phone use is related to exposure assessment. Also, other factors were not taken in account like exposure to noise, which is known to cause damage to outer hair cells much before any change in pure tone audiometry is seen (Anjali Desai et al, 1999) (RJ Salvi ea at, 2000). So, with all these factors nothing can be said with much certainty. Further research is needed to establish the effect of EMF on outer hair cells. The present scientific evidences are insufficient to support the belief that there will be no ill effects on human health and the present safety standards are enough to protect users from ill effects, if any. This present situation of scientific uncertainty calls for the requirement of both precautionary measures and further research. Ill effects of mobile phone use on health might be of the field of interest for future research. We conclude from our study that: mobile telephones should be used for short periods only, only for essential purposes, and unnecessary long conversation over mobile phones should be avoided.

War Between Political Parties :: Free Essays Online

War Between Political Parties Why can’t we all get along? â€Å"Time after time in our history, in the face of great danger, Democrats and Republicans worked together to ensure that freedom would not falter. But not today (Miller).† Today politics is all about who you know and how to obtain â€Å"the goal.† It isn’t about who is going to do the best job or informing the public about important stands on issues. On September 1, 2004 Senator Zell Miller of Georgia illustrated a great example of this. Zell Miller is a conservative democrat from Young Harris, GA. He is an ex-marine, a Methodist, and a family man. Senator Zell Miller gets way off track and begins using a very negative rhetorical approach during his speech at the National Republican convention. Senator Miller begins and ends his speech by relating to the audience. He refers to his family as his most precious possession. This is a good technique to get his audience, the registered voter, interested in his speech. He then uses key words and phrases to draw the audience in even further. â€Å"I know that’s how you feel about your family also.† â€Å"Like you, I think of their future, the promises and perils they will face.† â€Å"Like you, I believe that the next four years will determine what kind of world they will grow up in. â€Å"And Like you, I ask which leader is it today that has the vision, the willpower and yes, the backbone to best protect my family?† Senator Miller uses denotative language when making comments about his family. He gives examples to show Bush is a family man and a religious man as well. Miller says, â€Å"I am moved by the respect he shows the First Lady, his unabashed love for his parents and his daughters, and the fact that he is unashamed of his belief that God is not indifferent to America. Miller builds his credibility by stating that he was a Marine (patriotic). He tells the audience he's family oriented (just like everyone else). He also states that he worked with George Bush as a governor (knowing him on a personal level being able to talk of his character).

Dantes Inferno: The Theme of Anti-love in Canto XXVIII Essay -- Canto

Dante’s Divine Comedy is a multi-layered epic, containing not only a story about his incredibly difficult journey from earth to the depths of hell then up to the peaks of heaven, but it also contains many insights on theology, politics, and even his own life. Broken into three canticles—Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso—the work is written in the terza rima form. In Inferno—in 33 Cantos—Dante makes a vast journey through the nine circles of hell. In the Eighth Circle (specifically, the Ninth Pouch), Dante meets with those who â€Å"were, when alive, the sowers of dissension† (Inf. XXVIII.35-36). Dante encounters a myriad of characters in many realms of interest, including theological and political figures. This Canto adequately flows in the context of the rest of the work, but in order to understand why, the general trend of Inferno must be pointed out. The Bible states, â€Å"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love† (1 John 4:8, NIV). As Dante descends deeper into the realm of hell, he becomes closer to the center of the earth and farther away from God, or farther away from love. Each step down is a progressive step away from God. With Limbo, there are people who would love Christ if he existed; in the Second Circle, people are punished for love as a sin. But descend further, in the Eighth Circle, love is almost gone, for there are people who sin out of hate. Even in pouch one (where seducers reside), the love of person is still there. In pouch nine, the subject of Canto XXVIII, the people are sowers of schism and the scandalous—haters of someone else. At this point, Dante and his guide Virgil have essentially trekked the entirety of hell, as they are currently in the eighth of nine circles and the second to last... ...l of Achitophel, one of David’s advisors. The main difference between Bertran and Achitophel is that, while Bertran won, Achitophel lost. The punishment of Bertran is a worthy one: he is beheaded. The father is always seen as the head of the household, and when performing the holy cross after prayers, the head always represents the Father. By having Bertran beheaded, it symbolizes the separation between Father and son (The Godhead separated from the body of the Son). The theme of anti-love is prominent in this Canto, as by this point, Dante is already so close to the end of hell that love seems non-existent. From this trend, there is one thing to learn: love God with all of your heart, as this will prevent you from being far from Him. If one cannot love God for some reason, at least love others; this way, you will at least end up in a better circle of Hell.

Influence of Buddhism in the Catcher in the Rye Essay

J.D. Salinger, the author of The Catcher in the Rye, witnessed the atrocities of the Second World War firsthand as a soldier. In doing so, the horrors that he saw gave him concerns about his society. The fact that his native society could do such things repelled him. As a result, he began to read about Eastern Philosophy after the war. The eastern principles he learned about were appealing to him, so he decided to model Holden Caulfield, the protagonist in The Catcher in the Rye, after Siddhartha Gautama, who is commonly known as The Buddha. Siddhartha was a Prince whose father hid from him the atrocities of humankind, but when Siddhartha eventually did see poverty, he was dejected. He decided to become an ascetic, a lifestyle where one supplies himself with minimal materials. Eventually Siddhartha achieved enlightenment, and he created the principles of Buddhism. In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden is born into a wealthy family and attends a prestigious boarding school, although he is kicked out early in the novel. Salinger makes Holden’s life very similar to that of Siddhartha Gautama’s. Holden’s story mirrors that of the Buddha’s because poverty and sickness call them into action, they are displeased by the idea that people are not created equally, and they both veer of the path that has been set out for them. Holden and Siddhartha come across the unpleasant things in life for the first time in very different ways. Siddhartha is twenty-nine years old when he first sees an old man, after being sheltered for the early portion of his life, while Holden is just thirteen years old when his younger brother, Allie, grows sick and dies. When Siddhartha comes across poverty, it inspires him to devote the rest of his life to trying to end suffering. On the night that Allie died, Holden slept in the garage and, â€Å"†¦broke all of the goddam windows with my fist† (Salinger 39). Holden is irate because he couldn’t save Allie from death, the same way Siddhartha was displeased by the fact that he couldn’t save people either, the people that he was supposed to rule over someday, from poverty and suffering. Additionally, Holden, like the Buddha, enjoys helping out those in need. When Holden sees two nuns in Grand Central Station, he strikes up a conversation, and then gives them ten dollars as a donation. That amount of money is equivalent to around ninety-five dollars today. Later on, he says, â€Å"I started getting sorry that I’d only given them ten bucks for their collection†(Salinger 113). Instead of being happy in giving his donation, he is unhappy because he knows that what he has given is still not nearly enough to make a substantial dent in the poverty of the world. Nonetheless, Holden still strives to protect those who cannot protect themselves from the negative aspects of life, just as the Buddha endeavors to save humanity for suffering. One of the lessons that Siddhartha Gautama taught to his Buddhist followers was to reject the traditional class system. The Hindu people of India follow the belief of reincarnation, and that people are born into their social class based on how well they lived their previous lives, and thus those who are born into a low class deserve to be there. However, Buddha rejected that class system, preferring a society without classes, because he believed that all men should be treated as equals. Holden also believes that all men are created equal. In his conversation with his history teacher, Mr. Spencer, Holden says to himself in response to Mr. Spencer’s remark that life is a game that, â€Å"If you get on the side where all the hot-shots are, then it’s a game,†¦but if you get on the other side†¦then what’s a game about it† (Salinger 8). Holden doesn’t think that life should be better for some people than others just because they were born wealthy or have superior traits and abilities than others. He believes that no matter what someone’s social status is, he or she should be entitled to the same things as a wealthy person. When he sees the nuns in Grand Central Station, he is depressed when he sees what they are eating. He says â€Å"I hate it if I’m eating bacon and eggs or something and somebody else is only eating toast and coffee† (Salinger 110). Holden is from a wealthy family, and is saddened by the fact that not everyone can experience the same luxuries that he can. The Buddha was also saddened by the same thing; he could not provide his people with the same amenities that are given to him. For that reason both Holden and Siddhartha wish to find a better way to organize society than the traditional class system. Holden could easily choose to apply himself in school, go to college and get a well-paying job. However, the idea of following the path that society has set out for him displeases Holden, and he desires to create a new path for himself. Near the end of the book, Holden envisions himself hitchhiking out west and living in a cabin for the rest of his life. He exclaims, â€Å"I got excited as hell thinking about it† (Salinger 199). He falls in love with the thought of himself rebelling against society; the society that was the cause of so much poverty. Likewise, Siddhartha Gautama, a prince, chose not to live his life as royalty, which was expected of him, but rather become an ascetic, denying himself of worldly pleasures, as he strove to find a way to end suffering. Siddhartha found success, and he achieved enlightenment, as well as a way to end suffering, which is what Buddhism is. On the other hand, Holden found it to be difficult to break away from his path that is set before him. In response to Holden’s idea to run away, Sally, a friend of Holden, retorts, â€Å"You can’t just do something like that† (Salinger 132). Holden struggles to relate with fellow members of his society, and when they strike down his ideas, he finds it to be even harder to connect with them. Holden’s journey resembles the Buddha’s in three significant ways: he is inspired to end suffering, he believes that everybody should have the same opportunities in life, and he is determined to separate himself from his culture. But perhaps J.D. Salinger did not mirror Holden’s life after the Buddha’s, but after his own. Salinger also saw great suffering when he participated in World War Two. He refuted the values of Western Civilization, wondering how such great atrocities could be committed in it. Holden’s clash with his native land bears striking resemblance to that of Salinger’s. Salinger expresses his beliefs through Holden in the novel. Holden says, â€Å"I don’t think I could stand it if I had to go to war. I really couldn’t.† Salinger could not stand being in the war, just as Holden cannot stand the thought of being in it. Eastern philosophy influenced Salinger greatly after he served in the war, and in turn The Catcher in the Rye is influenced by that philosophy. Salinger subtly teaches his readers about Eastern philosophy as they follow Holden’s journey. Salinger attempts to push the reader into their own journey, in which he or she might wrestle between Western and Eastern thought in a similar way as he did.