Digital Equity

Running head: Digital Age Grand Canyon University: With the increase of internet usage and the use of the digital technology consumers have impacted the way we look at health services and the health care delivery system. Because consumers are seeking health information online it makes use reevaluate the way we think of the medical information we receive from our primary care provider and the relationship between that provider and his patients. Many consumers seek information for themselves, for friends and family.Consumers seek health information via the web, phone, fax, email system, discussion boards, social networks, forums, and bulletin boards. The anticipated shifts in service are secondary to the lack of education, literacy skills, and mistrust of providers, poverty, and the lack of health coverage. â€Å"Consumers across all categories of age, education, income, race, ethnicity and health status increased their information seeking significantly, but education level remained t he key factor in explaining how likely people are to seek health information† (Tu, Cohen, 2008).A second reason for a change in service utilization is the high cost of medical treatment and the insurance premiums that patients must pay. With the increase of financial responsibility patients have an increase motivation to obtain health information and weigh in on their options for treatment and payment. By using the internet consumers have a valuable tool that empowers them, reduces social isolation, and helps consumers identify medical issues. One of the most critical ways in which the power of information can influence consumers is by finding ways to support the consumer emotionally.The District of Columbia and their federal government has released a new regional health information organization (RHIO) designed to improve the way health care is delivered. By encouraging the use of the Health information technology (HIT) they are improving care. The mission for the District of Columbia Primary Care Association (DCPCA) is to promote health care reform. The DCPCA accomplishes its mission by promoting the health equity of the poor, uninsured, and the underserved residents of the community. Through the mplementation of health reform the District of Columbia has worked to improve health care services through patient shared records, and clinical outcomes across the organization. â€Å"In 2009 health care reform asked us to do three things: (1) Improve the health of the population at large; (2) enhance the patient experience; and (3) reduce the per capita cost of care† (Baskerville ,S, 2011). With the recent improvement and emerging trends of advanced digital technology our older patients have the ability to research health information via the internet and web based technology.The web itself has changed the way our elderly population views diseases and conditions secondary to the way the information is displayed. By increasing what we view and how we view it, we as consumers turn to three major websites to seek medical information, Medline Plus, Health Finder, CAPHIS. Patients seek trust worthy health information for solutions and providing them with additional data in which to ask their medical provider. Medical websites are designed to enhance the ability of the disabled and the elderly through communication, social emotional support, and enhancing the patient provider relationship.The similarities of community health information network (CHIN) and health information network (HIN) is that they concentrate on helping services for a single community, while (RHIN) regional health information network concentrates on the social community. CHIN looks to improve efficiency, reduce care cost and enhance health care delivery. RHIN is considered a multi-stake holder organization. RHINO consist of hospitals, employers and payers, and small clinics. RHINO’s purpose is to encourage the adoption of health information technology.RHINOSâ⠂¬â„¢s main objective in the health administration is to improve quality of delivery patient care, network health information, patient customer service and reduce delivery care cost. References McGarth, N. (2010). Under pressure: The changing role of healthcare CIO. Retrieved from http://www. necelevateperformance. com/pdf/Healthcare/EIU_NEC_Whitepaper. pdf Tan, J. (2010). Adaptive health management info system. (3rd ed. ). Sudbury MA: Jones and Bartlett. Baskerville, S. (2011). Status of Health Care Reform Implementation in the District of Columbia. Retrieved May 13, 2012 from online article source:

ARTICLE SUMMARY - APPLYING LEAN SIX SIGMA METHODOLOGIES TO IMPROVE

SUMMARY - APPLYING LEAN SIX SIGMA METHODOLOGIES TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY - Article Example Moreover, certain methods like rapid cycle test to determine if the baseline of data collected is in accordance to the implementation of efficient clinic visits. Inclusive of the time-study, no- show data and physician-patient familiarity data were used during this study. The results of the study after their analysis showed that massive implication of workflow processes in internal medicine residency clinics can be a disaster if there is no arrangement that has been scheduled to curb difficulties in health care and disease management. When the Institute of Medicine came up with a report, To Err Is Human, in 1999, concerns on the quality of health care have emerged. The Institute of Medicine also came up with another report, Crossing the Quality Chasm, recommending that the quality of health care should be an issue patient encounter on federal regulations as per the overarching framework of patient to the government. When Berwick was presenting his finding he suggested that due to wid e areas of quality growth towards health care, the idea should not deviate from the real issue of patient interests and experiences towards attaining good health care. Literature reviews on this topic show the importance of major improvements required by the patients; for instance renowned author Atlas explained how patient’s mutual relation with their physician can influence the quality of medical care delivered. The presentation showed that this relationship between patient- physicians is of greater importance towards delivering quality health care than their personality’s backgrounds. Another author, Street RL also went further suggesting that the patient’s details sharing with the physician shows a strong bond of trust between the care providers and hence leads to patients following the instructions prescribed to them on treatment. A revelation also came up that most strong patient-physician relationship are as a result of past experiences and other historic mutual encounters over a period time (Atlas SJ, 2009). Joshi also suggested that a further related cultural identity among the patients and their provider can have great impacts towards results of disease management mostly in less populated areas with high occurrence of chronic diseases for example diabetes (Joshi R, 2010). This research, the Kline Internal Medicine Throughput Initiative (Kim TI), showed that the risk of a disease getting to its advanced stage is as a result the patient not presenting him or herself for checkups. Furthermore, another cause of no-show rates was said to be the long waiting time in the clinics that contributed to long medical services. Hence, a â€Å"Lean Six Sigma† methodology was adopted to determine the hindrance of efficiency and enduring health care in internal medical clinics with an aim of increasing the number of patients availing themselves for appointments and their adherence to treatment prescriptions and disease management procedure s. This ensures efficient and effective utilization of scarce health resources and personnel available per a given population. Methods In October 2008, KimIT team from Harrisburg Hospital Internal Medicine Residency program was formed to focus on the factors affecting the adherence of physicians’ treatment prescription plan using data from visits portrayed by patients for checkups in clinics. Their first role was to design a clear

Accounting coursework Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Accounting coursework - Essay Example In addition, it will explain how the companies have managed their working capital for the accounting periods. This will further analyse and explain the financing activities of the two companies. Task 4 will comment on the overall strategy being observed by the two companies based on their cash inflows and outflows based on analysis made on earlier tasks. A determination of which was able to manage its cash better will be made with reasons. The net profit generated from operations by the business may not be equal to the cash generated by operations by the same period because net profit includes non-cash items recognized as income and expenses but they do not necessarily involve cash. The reason for this is that revenues and expenses in the income statement are generally prepared under the accrual method of accounting (Kieso et, al, 2007) while Net Cash from operations, has taken this fact in consideration and this is the reason that certain items are added and subtracted to the net profit to arrive at the operating cash flow from operations. Thus there is need to add back to the net income, prepared under the accrual method, the non-cash deductions like amortizations and depreciations expenses. There is also need to deduct non-cash revenues like gains on sale of properties and investments and other adjustments. To illustrate, an example of the adjustments to the net income is shown in appendix A. Note that the net profit of $200,000 is lower than the net cash from operations of P246,700. An adjustment amounting $46,700 basically included added back depreciation, subtracted gains from sales and/or revaluation and change in working capital.

How would you reduce cost and overcrowding while maintaining a system Essay

How would you reduce cost and overcrowding while maintaining a system of justice Take into account faith-based prison ministrie - Essay Example A lot of prisoners remain inside the prison for years because they cannot afford lawyers to pursue the cases or because they leave prisons only to commit more crimes and re-enter the prison thus overcrowding it. Since â€Å"prison costs doubled to $24.6 billion over the past decade, and experts foresee substantial increases in the future† (Maginnis), it is important to build faith-based prisons where faith-based programs should be offered to the prisoners. This is not only beneficial for the purification of their souls leading to less recidivism when they leave prison, but is also helpful in reducing costs because faith-based programs tend to save the taxpayers millions of operating cost while ensuring frequent parole. Hence, building faith-based prisons and implementing faith-based rehabilitation programs will reduce costs while reducing overcrowding at the same time since the convicts will most probably be better human beings while leaving the prisons reducing the crime rate and hence reducing overcrowding in prisons.

Recruitment and Staffing Proposal Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Recruitment and Staffing Proposal - Coursework Example (Brown 56) Standards for quality staff include: A plan for systematic selection of a diverse company’s staff is critical to assuring the availability of quality personnel. Moreover, developing linkages with high schools and colleges, career and job fairs, and scholarship and mentor programs is a strategy that can be used to recruit a diverse group of career-focused personnel. (Lawlo 122) Training and staff development must be an on-going process that builds on the existing skills of each staff member. Training needs to be available to the junior staff members at different levels such as teachers, assistants, directors, and support staff. (Brown 88) To ensure proper selection of recruitment and retention of a qualified and competent staff, it is critical to develop and implement an equitable compensation system for childcare providers at all levels. An equitable compensation system offers salaries and benefits commensurate with the increase in knowledge and skills that staff members gain through taking courses, participating in a cohesive training program, or working toward a degree or credential. A plan for teamwork should be included. A staffing system that supports regular and frequent interactions with a wide range of multidisciplinary specialists will assure the availability of necessary skills and knowledge. Finally, Opportunities for career advancement should take into account the wide range of job roles and levels of training that providers currently have depending on the rank, staff should be given promotion in terms of the salaries paid and the position. This is an operative recruitment technique for obtaining from in a company. Workers often recommend friends, family and colleagues they trust could become important team associates in their association, which can result to highly skilled hires. This electronic gadgets provides a platform for candidates and

Concepts of safety, assessment, and communications Assignment

Concepts of safety, assessment, and communications - Assignment Example Another issue of concern in Mrs. Thomas’s case is that the administration of hydromophine has possible side effect of initiating respiratory depression whose impact is fatal. Chance of postoperative complications occurring is influenced by factors such as the general health status, age, the type of anesthesia, urgency and the surgical site. Incidences of these complications are high during the first three days after the operation. In this case, the occurrence of these complications is likely to result from the age of, Mrs. Thomas. Postoperative complications can be prevented through evidence-based interventions such as optimal nutritional status, weight control, anemia correction (Crile, 1925). In addition, technical aspects such as incision type, drainage can be used to prevent occurrence of these Complications. The pain that Mrs. Thomas is complaining about might be due to wound infection. There is a tendency of superficial wound infections to occur during the first week after the operation. Initial intervention may include performing surgical repairs on the painful locations and biosynthetic mesh. Surgical injury is another possible diagnosis, which can also be corrected through surgery. Disordered wound healing is another possible diagnosis in this case. Proper diet is the most appropriate intervention method that can be offered to, Mrs.

How Social Networks and Social Media Create and Support a Learning Organization Essay Example for Free

How Social Networks and Social Media Create and Support a Learning Organization Essay A Learning Organization is a culture that nurtures learning. As such, processes encourage interaction. The entire infrastructure is one that prioritizes interaction that facilities learning. Creativity and problem solving techniques are inherent in learning organization and the appropriate skills and motivation are available for the learning organization to strive (Background Information, Module 3). When we consider social networks and social media, we can be left wondering if communication can truly be at the optimal level through social networks and social media. The reality is that technology and the communication that is embedded in it is growing exponentially. The concept of social learning has roots in a social constructivist approach, where learning is a self-directed, problem-based, and collaborative process (Bang and Dalsgaard, 2006). Through involvement in activities, learners must attempt to solve a problem according to their own process. Now, this may seem simple if learners were physically amongst each other to share the processes. However, the social networks and social media do allow for a very supporting learning environment. One thing that should be understood is that although there is a plethora of technological resources available, individuals must be able to tap into these resources in order to make use of social networks and social media to then, support a learning environment. Resources are information assets: media, people, places, or ideas. However, such resources are not learning materials until learners actively use them (Hannafin, Land, and Oliver 1999, p. 119). The internet, as a technological platform is a prime example of collaboration at its’ best. In his Techlearning blog of March 5, 2008, Steve Hargadon identified trends spurred on by the â€Å"two-way† nature of the Internet. These are trends that have significant impact on learning and education. According to Hargadon, there is a â€Å"new publishing revolution† arising from a shift in content creation for the Internet. At first, the Internet was a one-directional presentation medium where users received and read passively. Now the Internet is becoming an interactive platform, also known as Web 2. 0, based on contribution and collaboration. Blogs, wikis, file sharing, social networking, and other forms are revolutionizing how we create online content. In his blog entry, Hargadon discussed how he replies to questions that people ask about content overload. His response reflects how social networking and social learning flow into one another naturally, as social constructivism suggests they will. He said, â€Å"It is in the act of our becoming a creator that our relationship with content changes, and we become more engaged and more capable at the same time. † In other words, by participating we learn to become. Touro University boasts the Threaded Discussion Forum, which allows at ones’ fingertips the ability to communicate in the convenience of one’s’ own time and place, as well as the response of back and forth communication of their classmates and professors. Students can then â€Å"blog† or communicate through other platforms like Skype. â€Å"Virtually† the only missing ingredient in all of the communication forums technology has to offer is the personal face to face where we are physically there to communicate with one another. One can argue that such spatial communication really do not add anything unique to what can be facilitated virtually. Other companies are likewise making strides in this direction. Microsoft offers its Office-based sharing technology, SharePoint. IBM implemented the use of blogs (26,000 registered), wikis (100,000 users), social bookmarking (DogEar), and social networking tools in their organization. IBM even owns 50 islands on Second Life for use in orientations, classes, and meetings! Change is inevitable. We see that technology continues to evolve, along with how people connect and contribute to the creation of content within virtual communities. We either adapt, or fall behind. In his January, 2008 paper, David Wilkins explores the importance of supporting social networks in the workplace, or â€Å"Workplace Communities. † Wilkins reviews social learning on the job in terms of improving employee development, performance, and growth, as well as its effect on workplace innovation. Wilkins shows a number of ways in which workplace communities support employee development, performance, and growth. They provide a mechanism for apprenticeship models, connecting less-skilled workers with their more experienced colleagues through social networking technologies. Communities can add an â€Å"Ask an Expert† feature to their network, to make it possible to leverage the expertise of individuals or groups. This forum echoes the Touro experience as professors respond to our Threaded Discussions, never in an evaluative manner, but in a way in which a professional and friendly dialogue is encouraged. Communities foster ownership of learning, according to Wilkins. The social aspect of communities can facilitate the â€Å"meeting† of content consumers with content producers through social networking. This social aspect of content provides an avenue for additional social networking and mentoring opportunities, and further empowers the workforce by providing opportunities for them [the consumers] to contribute, resulting in significant increases in the volume of content. This has the dual benefit of helping with both retention and productivity, while also moving the organization toward a deeper, more ingrained use of learning and knowledge. † (Wilkins, p. 6) Communities allow for the generation of a range of content types that appeal to different learning styles, levels, and objectives. Online resources include blogs and wikis, audio, and video. They may also include traditional learning courses and materials, and typical Office documents. Through sharing information, the workplace community provides access to immediate, relevant, and appropriate content suited to the needs of the individual. An extension of traditional training and development modes, communities offer a fluid way to support employee performance development and efficiency. Success requires free flow of ideas, and support by stakeholders, for communication between networks. It takes time to establish these conditions, and a carefully thought-out plan is essential. Indeed, a learning organization can thrive with the utilization of social networks and social media. These are convenient for everyone and are conducted in ways that are perhaps even more powerful, productive, positive, and as simple than face to face platforms. Certainly, the convenience and quality I have received within the on-line learning organization is top-notch, and great enough for me to dismiss any idea of traditional places of learning. Without the technology, individuals will truly be left behind as the technological race pushes forward. Reference http://www.ibm.com/blogs/zz/en/guidelines.html