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Why Building a Strong Corporate Reputation is Key for Business Success

Benefits of the research

Managers need to understand the implications of a good corporate reputation. The adoption of policies directed at ensuring a strong corporate reputation is the most likely path towards increased profit. Managers are often concerned with raising the quality of company products, ensuring efficiency and increasing responsiveness of clients. Corporate reputation can be taken like a panacea, a pill that can be used to resolve the majority of these issues. However, making the corporate reputation techniques work for the company can pose a significant challenge that calls for hard work and years of persistence by the managers. Managers may be required to increase demand for employees to achieve high performance. To achieve high reputations in a competitive environment, the operating system of an organization must respond to customer demands. The ability of an organization to satisfy the demands of its customers for quality products, lower prices, better features and all this leads to a positive reputation.

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Risks involved and solutions for the same

It is important to note that the study involves a sample of all corporations within the study area. This means that the results of the study cannot be generalized into all corporations. There is a need for the exclusive study of the characteristics and nature of the organization before attempting to apply the results. However, the researcher has included a variety of corporations from the main standing industries. This ensures that the results come from a variety of corporations facing different situations rather than a specific field of corporations who may endure the same challenges and operate in a similar field.

Some aspects of the primary data collection may draw ethical issues. Pimple[1] cites that business research may require sensitive information about a corporation. Such information is vital in measuring financial strength and policies of the organization. However, participants may feel that this information is too sensitive for the researcher and should not be given. Corporations often require their representatives to uphold a high standard of confidentiality. While this is beneficial to the organization, it will limit the scope of data required to enrich this study. The researcher has in response formulated a contract through which participants will be ensured on confidentiality. All information collected will be treated with the utmost confidentiality. Smith[2] notes that whereas individual participants may be satisfied with a confidentiality paragraph or even sentence on the questionnaire, corporations will need more assurance. A contract dictates formality, allows the representative to relax knowing that they have a formal agreement with the researcher and gives the research a much more formal and serious outlook.

The researcher has noted that informed consent is required for the study. There are cases were business research has been carried out without fully informing the participants on the nature of the study. However, such research often draws controversy when it comes to publishing results. These researchers justify the lack of informed consent by insisting that corporations and businesses would misinform and misrepresent the data in an attempt to look better than they are. Informed consent, however, is vital for the research. Participants need to feel they were not misled into participating. The researcher will include a section on informed consent in the research contract. This section will include information on the researcher, what is required from the participants and finally, the use of the information gathered from the participant.

References

Pimple, Kenneth D. 2008. Research ethics. Aldershot, England: Ashgate.

Smith Iltis, Ana. 2006. Research ethics. New York: Routledge. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=147628.

Pimple, K. D. (2008). Research ethics. Aldershot, England: Ashgate. ↑
Smith, I. A. (2006). Research ethics. New York: Routledge. ↑

5/5 - (1 vote)

Effectiveness of BERT in Reducing Risks of Injuries in Hospitals

Abstract

The paper examined whether having Behavioral Emergent Response Team (BERT) in a hospital settings, compared to not having one decrease the risks of injuries to patient and or staff among the adult inpatient hospital population. The first introduced the research topic and laid out its overview and background information which conveyed an accurate and broad perspectives on the topic, and a succinct summary of the past research, current application and the importance of the research topic. Different studies analyzed in the paper provided a comprehensive overview of the relevant literature that supports how BERT reduces incidences of potential harm, risks and violence to patients and the staff in the hospital. The paper also identified the strengths and weaknesses and gaps in the body literature. The identified strengths in the literature include boosting of confidence among staff members, reduction of violence or risks in non-psychiatry units in hospitals and increased collaboration among the staff in a hospital. On the other hand, the challenges identify lack of quick response from BERT team in preventing potential harm and inconsistency among the BERT members. The topic is clinically relevant and can be applied in different units in a hospital settings such as emergency, critical, pulmonary, surgical units. Recommendations for application of using BERT in hospital settings include having proper communication channels, BERT is readily available, having qualified staff members and working round the clock.

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Introduction

Behavioral emergencies often take place among the adult in patients when they are potentially harmful to herself/himself or others or is physically aggressive. Despite the fact that they may be very rare, Allen et al (2003) noted that behavioral emergencies are situations of high risk, and, therefore, untrained staff may feel uncomfortable when dealing with these situations or events. The adult patients with the underlying development or psychiatric disorders, those who have side effects of medication, those who have ingested substances are at the highest risk of being violent. Bogert indicated that the triggers of these events could be hospital’s physical environment, change of routine, isolation, hunger, or even pain. The early warning signs of behavioral emergency include yelling, verbal threats or even silence. Moreover, the physical signs may include throwing objects, furrowed brow, crossed arms and pacing.

In events of potential behavioral emergency, the first response is trying de-escalating the situation. The medical professional should speak in calm and quite voice, or even back off and provide personal space to the patient. Similarly, the healthcare professional should try to reduce the discomfort by using rewards or distractions (Delaney, 1994). In an event where de-escalation is unsuccessful, and the patients become violent, the first role of the provider is to be safe by trying to get help and getting away. Therefore, hospitals need to have or need to develop a response team for the violent patients, which may restrain the patient physically in case of emergencies. IHI (2004) asserted that medications can be used in treating medical issues but should not be used for chemical restraint solely.

Overview

Behavior of adult inpatient with psychiatric illness and are hospitalized on the non-behavioral health units according to Jamieson, Ferrell & Rutledge (2008) can be difficult addressing by the staff members. In a hospital set up, they may recognize that responding, assessing and implementing patients care to the individual in a non-behavioral health unit and experiences behavioral health emergency may be outside the scope of the protocol. Forming the rapid response team to de-escalate potentially violent and volatile situations proactively in non-psychiatric units in hospitals allows faster and earlier management and treatment of these behavioral issues in such patients. The hospitals may consider coming up with the Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT) to assist the medical staff in hospitals in de-escalating patients exhibiting potentially violent behaviors proactively. Jolley et al (2007) pointed out that BERT may comprise of the staff members such as the social workers, RNs, psychiatrists, security staff among others from the behavioral health unit. The staff members in BERT should be experienced in caring for the patients experiencing acute psychiatric disorders and assault behaviors management.

Psychiatric nurses and staff are trained professionals treating many different mental health diagnoses. It is a specialty that often requires de-escalation techniques. All staff working on inpatient psychiatric unit have all had Crisis Prevention Intervention training. They are skilled in specific techniques using little or no restraints to talk down an agitated or escalating patient. Crisis Prevention Intervention training focuses on four stages of escalation: anxiety, defensiveness, acting out and tension reduction.

Psychiatric nurses and staff are trained professionals treating many different mental health diagnoses. It is a specialty that often requires de-escalation techniques. All staff working on inpatient psychiatric unit have all had Crisis Prevention Intervention training. They are skilled in specific techniques using little or no restraints to talk down an agitated or escalating patient. Crisis Prevention Intervention training focuses on four stages of escalation: anxiety, defensiveness, acting out and tension reduction.

However, other nurses in other areas in the hospital where they may be dealing with an escalating patient do not have Crisis Prevention Intervention training and have to maintain their safety and the safety of the patient. Nurses in non-psychiatric settings are expected to provide care to patients with mental health and behavioral issues. One in four American adults suffers from a diagnosable mental disorder in a given year, with 1 in 17 suffering from serious mental illness (National Institute of Mental Health, 2010).

PICO

Among the adult inpatient hospital population, does having a Behavioral Emergent Response Team (compared to not having one) decrease the risks of injuries to patient and or staff?

Theoretical Framework

The paper used Lewin’s Change Management theory as basis for building the foundation for the project. Change is a common denominator applicable to all organizations regardless of the industry, age or size. World is rapidly changing, and therefore organizations must also quickly change. The change management concept is common in most organizations nowadays but how they manage the change varies enormously depending on the organization’s nature, people involved and the change itself. Kurt Lewin developed on of the cornerstone theories crucial in understanding organization change. This model is also known as Unfreeze-change-refreeze, which refers to a process of change in three stages (Shirey, 2013).

To easily understand Lewin’s theory, the simple example analogy is provided by a cube of ice and what is needed is a cone of ice. To get the cone of ice, the cube of ice is first melted to make it easier for change (unfreeze). The melted ice is then molded into the desired shape of the cone (change) and then solidified while in the desired shape (refreeze). By critically examining change process with stages, the organization is first prepared for what is coming and then plan is made for the transition (Shirey, 2013).

Unfreeze

This is the first stage in the process of change and involves preparation f the organization to understand that change is essential. This can be done by developing messages that are compelling that shows why the current ways of doing things should be changed. The attitudes, values, beliefs and behaviors currently defining an organization should be challenged (Shirey, 2013). For instance, the beliefs that non-psychiatric nurses cannot handle patients showing symptoms of psychiatric disorders must be challenged to incorporate them in the BERT.

Change

From the uncertainty created in the unfreeze stage, the next stage of change is where individuals will start resolving their uncertainties by looking for new and better ways of doing things. They may start believing and acting in ways supporting the new direction. For a change to occur, communication and time are keys to success. People need time to understand the changes better and also to feel being part of the organization (Shirey, 2013). In this case, health workers need to understand how BERT operates, its benefits, who are the members and how it assists in the organization.

Refreeze

After people have embraced new working ways and change has taken shape, the organization can start the refreezing process. Some of the signs of refreezing process include consisted descriptions of jobs, stable chart for the organization among others. This is also the stage where the organization needs to help the organization and the people to institutionalize and internalize the changes (Shirey, 2013). In this case, the nurses will ensure that the introduced changes of alerting BERT in cases of emergencies are used all the time and is incorporated in all units in the hospital.

Background

Nurses working in the non-psychiatric settings are expected to provide care frequently to the patients with issues of behavior management and mental health. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (2010), one in every four adults in America suffer from mental disorders yearly, with one in seventeen having serious mental illness. While reviewing the literature, Zolnierek (2009) observed that several studies suggesting people suffering from mental illness experience increased medical comorbidities that often necessitates hospitalization. Berren et al (1999) in their study indicated that people with mental illnesses tend frequently to receive care in acute/urgent care settings hat individuals without mental illness.

Several factors influence the abilities of the nurses to provide interventions to patients with issues of mental health effectively in non-psychiatric inpatient settings. Several studies have cited two factors that is presence of the negative attitude to the mental ill patients along with the perceptions of the nurses of lack of confidence and competence in identification and management of behavioral symptoms (Brinn, 2000; Ross & Goldner, 2009; Reed & Fitzgerald, 2005; Zolnierek, 2009; Sharrock & Happell, 2006). In addition to the fear of the nurses and lack of confidence, mental ill patients are often perceived as dangerous and unpredictable (Ross & Goldner, 2009).

Violence at workplace is a great matter of concern. The workplace prevention guideline for violence as outlined by Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) (2004) indicate that the healthcare workers face job-related violence risks. Guidelines of OSHA state that “lack of training of staff in managing and recognizing escalating assaultive and hostile behaviors” places the workers of healthcare at a greater risk for assaults that are related to work (OSHA, 2004p. 7). In defining workplace violence, American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) (APNA, 2008) include verbal, sexual and physical threats and abuse from the peers and the consumers. APNA then recommends establishment of comprehensive programs by the health organizations for prevention and management of workplace violence.

According to APNA (2008) and Roche et al (2009), the actual statistics of the number of injuries of health care workers related to patients’ assaults is unknown. The cases of violence against the healthcare workers may be underreported because of several reasons including the perception that it is part of their job. Roche et al (2009), pointed out that beyond the immediate possible injury, the effects of workplace violence instances can spread distress among the members of staff leading to increasing turnover of nurses and deterioration of the health of staff. The Joint Commissions (2010) sentinel event alert identified the need for the healthcare centers to reduce the risks of patients’ violence to staffs since there are increasing reported violence rates including assaults by the patients.

Different suggestions and solutions have been brought forward by experts in an attempt of addressing the fears of the healthcare workers, and for improving safety of staff and outcomes of patients when caring for the patients suffering from behavioral issues in the non-psychiatric settings. Some of the recommendations include exposing the nurses to patients with issues of mental health, additional nursing education and implementation of the specialised care units or consultative liaison services (Zolnierek, 2009; Atkin, Holmes, & Martin, 2005).

Another solution to the problem is the use of a team response that is modelled in line with the rapid response teams and is adapted to behavioral and mental needs. In United States, Rapid Response Teams have been introduced as a reassure of bringing specialized expertise to the bedside of a patient for earlier intervention and prevention of psychological deterioration of a patient (Donaldson et al, 2009; Scott & Elliott, 2009; Hatler et al., 2009; Wynn, Engelke, & Swanson, 2009). In the literature, the paper found only one team model to be responding to the behavioral issues that need emergent attention just like the Rapid Response Teams, which is behavioral emergency response team (BERT).

Literature Review

There are few research studies done on whether Behavioral Emergent Response Team in hospitals when compared to not having one, could decrease the risks of injuries to the patient and or staff among the patients hospitalized in non-psychiatric units. A search of literature using the database of CINAHL to look for descriptions of BERT teams showed only the result on Lester (2000). The study described BERT as providing psychiatric services for controlling control units of stress. In searching relevant studies and reaches done on the field, the researcher started the search with the most comprehensive database that is Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health (CININAH) (Kennedy, 2009). The search then continued to search engines such as British Nursing Index, MEDLINE. Moreover PubMed and NCBI were other major search engines which assisted some of the relevant articles for the capstone project. These search engines were used because they contained most of the peer review articles and books. Assessment of the search strategy used was done to ensure that some relevant studies that could be a great source of information were not left out by being too specific. In data extraction, the factors considered included the following; study design, performing year, publication years, and characteristics of the population of the study, the geographical setting, variance and risk estimates and assessment procedures. The dissertation used different sources in the search strategy which include electronic databases, conference abstracts, hand searching, and internet. Most of the literature identified were descriptive in nature with no quantitative study. Therefore, the literature review for this paper will be descriptive of the different research studies identified.

Approximately one in every four adults in United States in a year is affected by mental illness (National Institute of Mental Health, 2008).Moreover, Zolnierek (2009) indicated that the persons who are mentally ill severely suffer chronic medical illnesses at a higher rate compared to the population, in general. This makes it probably that individuals with severe mental illness will seek medical care and be hospitalized. However, when hospitalized on the non-psychiatric units, the behaviors of the individuals with dementia/delirium, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia may confound the medical nurses who are accustomed to dealing with the mental illness cases. Landers & Bonner (2007) suggests that medical or the surgical staff need resources to assist them in meeting the challenges of behavioral issues that are related to the patients’ psychiatric conditions.

In the studies done by Ross & Goldner (2009) and Zol­nierek (2009), the central themes discussed are discrimination, negative attitude and stigma towards the mentally ill persons among the nurses. The health care workers tend to label the mentally ill patients as “difficult” and this is influenced by the encounters of the nurse-patient and environmental factors in the hospital (Zolnierek, 2009).

According to Mackay, Paterson, & Cassells (2005) psychiatric nurses are very familiar with the mentally ill patients’ behavioral aberrations. The nurses in the acute psychiatric units commonly observe the patients for any escalating behavior predictors, and then intervene in any negative event. Moreover, these psychiatric nurses control their units’ environments such as activity level, pace and tone in an attempt of creating a therapeutic milieu which prevents the escalation of the patients’ behaviors (Delaney, 1994). Allen et al (2003) also stated that the psychiatric nurses are very familiar with the relevant medical treatments of the behavioral emergencies, and they can correctly report signs and signs warranting interventions pharmacologically.

Behavioral emergency response team (BERT) was created on the premise that these psychiatric nurses who are trained and experienced would transfer their skills to the non-psychiatric units in the hospitals where patients with psychiatric conditions which are demonstrating scary and risky behaviors. Lester (2000) described BERT as an adaptation of the RRT of the hospital for the patients that are medically ill. BERT involves proactive strategies for de-escalating situations that are potentially volatile with the behavioral health patients hospitalized in non-psychiatric units.

Behavioral emergency response team (BERT) is a consultative resource that can be used in non-psychiatric settings when there is the presence of psychiatrist behaviours. The behaviors targeted are those that are potentially threatening or disruptive actions of persons with psychiatric history or for the other patients compromising the wellbeing and safety of staff members, visitors, other patients and selves

Several studies support that having BERT decreases the risks of injuries to staffs and the patients among the adult inpatient hospital population (Loucks et al, 2010; Pestka et al, 2012). Activation of BERT is done when an inpatient unit nurse notifies the behavioral health service unit of a problem. Depending on the nature of the scenario in the unit, one or more team members of BERT will respond, assess the patient and put action strategies depending on the situation to defuse the problem and stabilize the patient (Karshmer & Hales, 1997). Moreover, when the situation has been defused, a team member of BERT debriefs the unit staff by conducting one-on-one teaching as required in such a situation.

In a study done by Loucks et al (2010), the researchers used Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice proposed by Titler et al (2001) to aid in their systematic approach of BERT. The model adopted directs decision making from identification of problems, through searching for evidence and appraisal to evaluation of the intervention or practice that is evidence based. The researchers were interested in learning the unit staff nurses responses in terms of their experience and knowledge with the BERT team and their level of comfort when taking care of the psychiatric patients in their units. The research used survey method, in which on-duty nurses were surveyed from the nine units. The survey was done on either short questionnaire or phone interview. From the 39 nurses interviewed, 54%stated they understood BERT clear, 31% reported high level of comfortability in caring for the psychiatric patients, and 36% or 14 nurses had been involved in BERT call and they all believed that the needs of the patients were met (Loucks et al, 2010). From their study, Loucks et al (2010) found that BERT allowed the nurses of the non-psychiatric units’ access the behavioral health nurses that are specially trained to assist in deleterious or potentially dangerous situations. Where previously the nurses approached the care for the mentally ill patients with fear and skepticism, they can now use the gained knowledge from the BERT team members and where necessary.

Summary and Conclusions of Review of Literature

Strengths of BERT

The BERT team in hospitals according to Pestka et al (2012), offered solution to the long-standing problem of the nurses engaged in direct care of patients, and created a valuable resource for the safety of both staff and patients. Apart from enhancing safety, BERT has also contributed to the satisfaction of nurses with their work. Most studies commented on the nurses knowing that their assistance request in management of emergent behavioral situations is addressed. Moreover, the psychiatry nurses reported satisfaction from the reports of affirmation of their psychiatry skills by their peers from no psychiatry following their interventions in situations of behavioral patients

Another strength of BERT is the broader collaborative efforts it creates between psychiatry and other medical areas in all disciplines (Pestka et al, 2012).

Challenges facing BERT

The biggest challenge to BERT is how to ensure that a physician responders and psychiatric nurse are readily available when requested. The role of response demand flexibility of the team members to be able to reach the location of the behavioural emergent need quickly. Another challenge is the anxiety the BERT team members have about the situations they are likely to encounter when called upon. Moreover, other lack consistency and not confident (Pestka et al, 2012).

Clinical Relevance and Application

BERT is relevant and can be applied in hospitals to avert potential harm, violence and keep the staff and patients safe. An example of clinical application of BERT is on the medical pulmonary unit since the unit often has high incidences of comorbid issues of psychiatry (Pestka et al, 2012). To begin, staff education should be done on specific guidelines for BERT team such as methods of identifying a patient, team members, communication methods, methods of activating BERT, responsibilities of BERT staff, Floor RN responsibilities.

Other relevant medical units that BERT can be applied include critical care and women’s health, medical-surgical units, and the emergency departments.

Conclusion

In conclusion, BERT is a resource for meeting the growing behavioral emergencies management and the increasing rate of reported patients’ violence. The paper examined whether having BERT compared to not having one decreases the risks of injuries to the staff and patients among the adult inpatient hospital population. The aim of BERT is to de-escalate the potentially violent or harmful situations when called upon. BERT should be formed by security staff, psychiatry nurses and the physicians among others. With the increasing cases of patient violence in non-psychiatry medical units, BERT is needed in every hospital. Many studies document improved safety for the staff in hospitals with BERT functioning than hospitals without BERT functioning. Despite its need in hospitals, BERT also has strengths and challenges. Some of the strengths include offering the long-term solution of safety to the health workers, boosting the confidence and satisfaction of the nurses, and lastly enhancement of collaboration between different departments. On the other hand, some of the challenges include ensuring faster response of the team, and availability of the team when needed. Lack of consistency and confidence is another challenge of the initiative. BERT can applied in different clinical set-ups such as pulmonary units, critical care and women’s health, medical-surgical units, and the emergency departments.
Recommendations

In applying or actualizing BERT in a hospital setting, the following recommendations are of great importance.

The BERT team should be structured in the hierarchyand with bettercommunicationlinesclearlyoutlined. Thecommunication from themedicalunit, to the Behavioral Health serviceleader, to BERT leaderandtotheteam
The BERT team should be readilyavailablewhencalled upon in cases of behavioral emergent issues
The team members should be qualified, have the proper education and understand their roles to avoid lack of confidence among team members.
The BERT team should also have an all-around team working in shifts, both at night and daytime, to ensure their availability anytime when needed.

References

Allen, M. H., Currier, G. W., Hughes, D. H., Docherty, J. P., Carpenter, D., & Ross, R. (2003). Treatment of behavioral emergencies: A summary of the expert consensus guide­lines. Journal of Psychiatric Practice, 9, 16-38.

American Nurses Association. (2001). Code of ethics. Retrieved February 24, 2009, from http://nursingworld.org/ethics/code/protected_nwcoe813.htm

American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA). (2008). Workplace violence position statement. Retrieved from http://www.apna.org/i4a/pages/index. cfm?pageid=3786

Atkin, K., Holmes, J., & Martin, C. (2005). Provision of care for older people with co-morbid mental illness in general hos-pitals: General nurses’ perceptions of their training needs. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 20, 1081-1083.

Berren, M., Santiago, J., Zent, C., & Carbone, C. (1999). Health care utilization by per-sons with severe and persistent mental illness. Psychiatric Services, 50(4), 559- 561.

Bogert, S., Ferrell, C., & Rutledge, D. N. (in press). Experience with family activation of rapid response teams. MEDSURG Nursing.

Brinn, F. (2000). Patients with mental illness: General nurses’ attitudes and expecta- tions. Nursing Standard, 14(27), 32-36.

Delaney, K. R. (1994). Calming an escalated psychiatric milieu. Journal of Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 7, 5-13.

Donaldson, N., Shapiro, S., Scott, M., Foley, M., & Spetz, J. (2009). Leading success-ful rapid response teams. The Journal of Nursing Administration, 39(4), 176-181.

Hatler, C., Mast, D., Bedker, D., Johnson, R., Corderella, J., Torres, J., … Plueger, M. (2009). Implementing a rapid response team to decrease emergencies outside the ICU: One hospital’s experience. MEDSURG Nursing, 18(2), 84-90, 126.

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Jamieson, E., Ferrell, C., & Rutledge, D. N. (2008). Medical emergency team implementation: Experiences of a mentor hospital. MEDSURG Nursing, 17, 312-316.

Jolley, J., Bendyk, H., Holaday, B., Lombardozzi, K. A., & Harmon, C. (2007). Rapid response teams: Do they make a difference? Dimensions in Critical Care Nursing, 26, 253-260.

Karshmer, J. F., & Hales, A. (1997). Role of the psychiatric clinical nurse specialist in the emergency department. Clini­cal Nurse Specialist, 11, 264-268.

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Landers, J., & Bonner, A. (2007). Evaluating and managing delirium, dementia, and depression in older adults hospital­ized with otorhinolaryngic conditions. ORL Head & Neck Nursing, 25(3), 14-25.

Lester, K. S. (2000). The psychologist’s role in the Garrison mission of combat stress control units. Military Medicine, 165, 459-462.

Loucks, J., Rutledge, D.N., Hatch, B., & Morrison, V. (2010). Rapid response team for behavioral emergencies. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 16(2), 93-100.

Mackay, I., Paterson, B., & Cassells, C. (2005). Constant or spe­cial observations of inpatients presenting a risk of aggression or violence: Nurses’ perceptions of the rules of engagement. Jour­nal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 12, 464-471.

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Pestka, E. L., Hatteberg, D. A., Larson, L. A., Zwygart, A. M., Cox, D. L., & Borgen, E. E. J. (January 01, 2012). Enhancing safety in behavioral emergency situations. Medsurg Nursing : Official Journal of the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses, 21, 6.)

Reed, F., & Fitzgerald, L. (2005). The mixed attitudes of nurse’s to caring for people with mental illness in a rural general hos-pital. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing, 14(4), 249-257.

Roche, M., Diers, D., Duffield, C., & Catling- Paull, C. (2009). Violence toward nurses: The work environment and patient out-comes. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 42(1), 13-22.

Ross, C. A., & Goldner, E. M. (2009). Stigma, negative attitudes and discrimination towards mental illness with the nursing profession: A review of the literature. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 16, 558-567.

Scott, S., & Elliott, S. (2009). Implementation of a rapid response team: A success story. Critical Care Nurse, 29(3), 66-74.

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Titler, M., Steelman, V. J., Budreau, G., Buckwalter, K. C., & Goode, C. J. (2001). The Iowa model of evidence-based practice to promote quality care. Critical Care Nursing Clin­ics of North America, 13, 497-509.

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5/5 - (2 votes)

Strategies for promoting health equity in mental health ARNP practice

 Provide a current and established definition of health equity. Includes 2 preference from within the past 5 year’s related to your definition of health equity. With your definition in mind, elaborate a strategy for promoting health equity that you, as future mental health ARNP practice could implemented

Improving the health of all individuals is vital Thus, health equity is perceived by Nisreen, Chaaban, and Raad (5) as the realization of the maximum health level by all members of the society. Health equity is associated with availabilities of opportunities to access quality health care to the highest existing standards that enable individuals to lead healthy lives without subjection to evitable, unfair and unjust discrimination. Health equity dictates that a group of patients under similar circumstances ought to be treated equally while those different should receive different care according to their level of requirement as indicated by Patti and Straehle (159). The focus is on individuals’ capacity to access qualified physicians, proper medication, and preventive measures should not be dictated by politics, social or economic status but on the fact that they are all human beings entitled to provision of health care.

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The uppermost level of health is rarely achieved as several people especially minorities find themselves stripped off that chance. Health equity is crippled by socioeconomic inequalities and health disparities. Mobilization of the public through education is an invaluable instrument for enhancing health equity. Study indicates that creating awareness regarding their rights to access equal quality care enables individuals to effectively defend those privileges as exploitation of the public’s ignorance has been the driving force of health inequity as explained by Patti and Straehle (170). Stressing the significance of fair treatment on the basis of ethics about human rights would aid in eliminating misconception relating human value to socioeconomic standards; which is the foundation of health inequity. Besides, education would increase participation in the establishment social and economic policies aimed at sealing the socioeconomic wedge that hampers the provision of equal health care for all members of the society.

What theories do you use in your current practice? Provide an example. Evidence based practice. Patient safety care, patent center care, effective delivery. Two references.

There are several concepts and theories whose application is significance in improving performance in healthcare. For instance, in improving patient safety high reliability and normal accident models are highly valuable as stated by Kathleen and Hayes (41). The models focus on minimizing physician errors using double checking mechanism and analyzing accidents’ root causes that occur during care to help come up with appropriate ways to prevent further similar misfortunes in future. For instance in diagnosing a patient, double checking helps minimize complication associated with misdiagnosis since some diseases share symptoms requiring extra care to distinguish.

Application of complexity theory aids in the establishment of strategies that contribute to effective health care delivery. Complexity theory promotes innovation in the health care sector such as the invention of suitably advanced equipment and new better treatment methods that improve the quality of care delivered (Kathleen 54). For instance, application of the theory has contributed to the establishment of better treatment therapies for mental illness.

Promoting patient-centered care is vital in enhancing the patient-physician relationship and most of the time helps to establish the most appropriate treatment method. The theory of human care is widely applied in the realization of patient- center care as indicated by Kathleen (65). The model requires physicians to involve patients and their families in decision-making regarding treatment options and pay attention to important factors that make a patient get and stay well by listening to them. For instance, in cases of mental disorders resulting from emotional stress, providing comfort, determining and using factors that gives the patients meaning to life plays a vital role in recovery just as much as medication.

Work cited

Blais, Kathleen, and Janice S. Hayes. Professional Nursing Practice: Concepts and Perspectives. Boston:Pearson, 2011. Print.

Lenard, Patti T, and Christine Straehle. “Exploring a sufficiency view of health equity.” Health Inequalities and Global Justice. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2012. Print.

Masters, Kathleen. Nursing Theories: A Framework for Professional Practice. Sudbury: Jones & Bartlett Learning, 2012. Print.

Saiti, Nisreen, Jad Chaaban, and Firas Raad. “Health Equity in Lebanon: a Microeconomic Analysis.” International Journal for Equity in Health (2010): n.pag. Print.

5/5 - (1 vote)

Understanding Political Management for Better Business Performance

To:                    DHL Management

From:             The Office the Ministry of Labour

Date:               July 15, 2014

 

This is to inform your organization that business politics are changing depending on the events that took place with the passing of time and how they are influencing performance in your company.   The management has a mandate to protect its employees from harm that may occur internally and between its boundaries. It also has a duty when its staffs are in danger beyond its borders to work in collaboration with the relevant authorities or states to ensure the safety of the people. In the above mentioned situation the state has a role to maintain peace by recognizing the validity of another independent state.

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In order to operate effectively and efficiently, the organizations require competent employees in their departments. Political management are the objectives that mainly control leadership positions and human resource, finances, the organizational structures along with the employee relations matters. They are also known to cover the overall employee needs along with the development goals of the organization. Political management’s objective is mainly set to reduce both internal and external conflicts by around 30 percent and in so doing there is an improvement of the whole company, employees and external environments.

Identification of political threats

Management of external business boundaries is the most critical for the control of external factors that may influence internal business politics. External influences are considered to be sources of deferent opinions pertaining on how recourses should be managed, human resources and financial operations of the business.  Firstly, there is a need that every manager or the leader to identify who the stakeholders are in the organisation job and in the on-going organisation projects, and then they will have to mark out their exact positions on the overall stakeholder map. The next important stage in political management is the control of communication process for how one will provide an insight to political trust and support.

The organization must be aware of their strengths and weaknesses and this will help them in formulating the required strategic plan for the company. They should know about their potential targets and how they will compete against them. These are the points which should be kept in mind while planning out the strategic approach towards anything. The company should be able to develop such a plan which will also help them in critical conditions also.

Threats to a business rise when external factors in a business environment compromise the profitability and reliability of the business. They create a vulnerability that is faced by a business when compounded to its weaknesses. They are peculiar external factors which cannot be controlled. For instance, the economic downturn of 2008 was factor that most businesses could not control. Political and social trends can also be possible threats to a business. A good example is the current social and political push for products that are more environment friendly as compared to those that are not.  An essential part in analyzing the threats of a company has to involve a look at the strengths of its competitors.

The political leader understands the political reality of organizations and can deal with it. He or she understands how important interest groups are, each with a separate agenda. This leader understands conflict and limited resources. This leader recognizes major constituencies and develops ties to their leadership. Conflict is managed as this leader builds power bases and uses power carefully. The leader creates arenas for negotiating differences and coming up with reasonable compromises. This leader also works at articulating what different groups have in common and helps to identify external “enemies” for groups to fight together.

This approach is appropriate where resources are scarce or declining, where there is goal and value conflict and where diversity is high.

Message from the Minister

As a ministry of labor, we are fully aware that all leaders and staffs will understand the need for changing our political understanding and at other time you might need time to discuss amongst colleagues and conclude with same opinions.  Through the support of this ministry, it is  great pleasure, other members of different organizations have past experience and will be available to share with us more details about the same.

The ministry is working with highly qualified professionals that assures that every information is handled and taken care of physically or through our ministries contacts number on a 24/7 basis.

Finally, we acknowledge your time and effort in reading this memo and hopeful that you may share our good news to your close colleagues.

Further contact details can be referenced from one of the ministries notice board or accessed through the labor website www.labour.gov .

I am grateful for your attention and interest in reading this Memo.

Sincerely

……………………………

 

Minister

Ministry of labors

5/5 - (1 vote)

The Friendliness and Love of Athena Towards Odysseus

The relationship between Athena and Odysseus can be specifically be described as friendly, devoted, full of love and close. Despite the fact that Athena was the goddess of wisdom and war, she appears to Odysseus frequently when he is alone to reveal to him her will. Friendliness and caring are shown when Athena talks to Odysseus as if they are old friends. Perhaps thus places Odysseus a little higher compared to the rest of the human race. Back to Ithaca, Athena and Odysseus have a conversation and Athena says “who always stands beside you, shield you in every exploit: thanks to me the Phaeacians all embraced you warmly” (Homer, Lombardo, & Homer, 2000 p, 341-343). This shows the friendliness, care, and the status level Odysseus was placed compared to other human race. Athena also provides inspiration to Odysseus clever ideas, for instance, the Trojan horse. Odysseus implies that the daughter of Zeus inspired him by asserting “some god breathed enormous courage through us all” (Homer, Lombardo, & Homer, 2000 p, 426).

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The relationship between Athena and Odysseus can also be described as that Athena was a patron goddess of Odysseus. She protects and defends him whenever he comes into danger. From the narration of Nestor, “so many met a disastrous end, thanks to the lethal rage of Athena” (Homer, Lombardo, & Homer, 2000 p, 149-150). Shortly after, he makes a comment on the relationship of the goddess with Ithaca king, Odysseus, making emphasis that “she lavished case on brave Odysseus. He has never seen immortals show much affection as Pallas openly showed to him (Homer, Lombardo, & Homer, 2000 p, 251-252). Additionally Athena likes Odysseus as the goddess of wisdom because he was a clever man. Athena also protects Telemachus, the son of Odysseus while disguising as his mentor and advisor. The assistance offered to Odysseus by Athena is indirect since she tends to appear in a dream or disguised as a mortal and direct Odysseus to the right path.

The relationship between Athena and Odysseus can also be described as filled with love from Athena. Athena’s intentions are unclear towards Odysseus throughout the odyssey. Despite the fact it is repeated continuously that Poseidon is preventing Odysseus returning home, one of the reasons why, Odysseus stayed away for twenty years from Ithaca might be because of Athena’s love for him. Evidence indicated that Athena is in love with Odysseus and this can be one of the reasons why she delayed the journey of the Achaeans from Troy (Homer, Lombardo, & Homer, 2000 p, 376), and the reason why she helped him to get home. Menelaus stated that the reason Odysseus was prevented from coming back home was because of the jealousy of Athena, “but god himself, jealous of all this, no doubt robbed that unlucky man of the day of his return” (Homer, Lombardo, & Homer, 2000 p, 201-203).Moreover, zees also seems to be aware of Athena’s feelings towards Odysseus and clearly show that he notices the intentions of her daughter by repeating throughout that “come now, wasn’t the plan your own?” in the epic (Homer, Lombardo, & Homer, 2000 p. 25-26).

Athena is seen complaining to Zeus, when Odysseus is in the calypso island that her “hear heart breaks for Odysseus” (Homer, Lombardo, & Homer, 2000 p. 57). She laments and emphasize that king Odysseus is in pain, and that Calypso is attempting to “spellbind his heart with suave, seductive words” (Homer, Lombardo, & Homer, 2000 p, 67) and that Odysseus is very far from his loved one. This portrayal of love in their relationship is further demonstrated when Athena never at any given time argues that Odysseus should be granted an opportunity to live happily with his wife or even mention the name of Odysseus’ wife, Penelope. It is clear that the heart of Athena is breaking because she loves Odysseus and she is jealous of calypso that one day she might win Odysseus’ heart, or that he may never accept the offer of calypso, which imply that Odysseus only loves Penelope

In conclusion, the relationship between Athena and Odysseus was friendly and full of love, care, devotion, and closeness. Throughout Odysseus’ journey, Athena stood and protected him out of love and friendship.

References

Homer, ., Lombardo, S., & Homer, . (2000). The essential Homer: Selections from the Iliad and the Odyssey. Indianapolis: Hackett.

5/5 - (1 vote)