The utilitarian approach and ethical egoism are two ethical theories that offer different perspectives on how to determine the moral value of an action. In the context of euthanasia to free up hospital beds, the utilitarian approach would focus on the greatest amount of happiness for the greatest number of people, while ethical egoism would prioritize the individuals self-interest (Rachels, 2018).
From a utilitarian perspective, the decision to euthanize a patient to free up a hospital bed would depend on the impact on the well-being of all involved parties. Utilitarians would consider factors such as the patients suffering, the well-being of the family members, and the benefits of freeing up a bed for other patients. If the overall happiness gained from freeing up the bed is greater than the unhappiness caused by euthanasia, then utilitarians would support the decision.
On the other hand, ethical egoism would argue that the primary moral obligation is to act in ones self-interest. In this case, the hospitals administrators might be inclined to prioritize freeing up the bed for the benefit of other patients, even if that means euthanizing a patient against their will. This approach conflicts with the fundamental principle of medical ethics, which is to prioritize the patients well-being and autonomy.
Ultimately, the decision to euthanize a patient to free up a hospital bed is a complex moral issue that requires consideration of multiple ethical principles (Jeffery & Barlow, 2021). The authors state that in addition to utilitarian and ethical egoist perspectives, one must also consider the principles of autonomy, justice, and beneficence. Autonomy requires respect for the patients wishes and beliefs, while justice demands that medical resources be allocated fairly. Beneficence requires promoting the well-being of patients, which may involve providing palliative care rather than euthanasia (Jeffery & Barlow, 2021).
In conclusion, the moral value of euthanasia to free up hospital beds depends on the specific circumstances and ethical principles involved. While utilitarianism and ethical egoism offer different perspectives on this issue, neither can be applied universally without considering other ethical principles. Ultimately, the most moral decision would be one that considers the well-being of all involved parties and promotes the principles of autonomy, justice, and beneficence.
References
Jeffery, D., & Barlow, D. (2021). The ethics of euthanasia for medical futility: A narrative review. Journal of Medical Ethics, 47(2), 73-80.
Rachels, J. (2018). The Elements of Moral Philosophy (9th ed.). McGraw-Hill Higher Education (US). Web.
Numerous nursing theories applied in the healthcare sector are the achievements of individual professionals who have dedicated their careers to nursing development. One of such concepts that is still relevant today is Madeleine Leiningers culture care diversity and universality theory. Being not only an American nurse but also an anthropologist, she promoted the idea of transcultural care. In a broad sense, the concept involves patients themselves, who can guide nurses on the most appropriate care based on specific cultural backgrounds. The application of this concept is often accompanied by the Sunrise Model which defines people as inseparable from their cultural heritage and social structure. This work is aimed at describing the main provisions of Leiningers theory, highlighting its key themes and ideas, and assessing how this concept may be applied to modern nursing.
Overview of Madeleine Leiningers Theory
The theory formulated by Madeleine Leininger is based on the application of anthropology to nursing care. According to Sagar and Sagar (2018), intercultural care was defined by the author herself as the main area of nursing work. The idea focused on the comparative study and analysis of distinctive cultures and subcultures of the world in terms of values of care, beliefs, as well as behavioral patterns. Leiningers intention in developing her theory was to adapt nursing care to patients cultural and social characteristics. In doing this, she tried to improve treatment or provide suitable care for those who were close to death. Thus, transcultural nursing surpassed in its approaches the fact of applying formal nursing knowledge. Professionals had to possess certain knowledge of anthropology and apply it to their daily tasks. As Sagar and Sagar (2018) note, for Leininger, a transcultural nurse should receive regulated discipline training. In addition, she needs to be able to apply the concepts of transcultural to patient care. These factors are integral components of the theory under consideration.
The key factor that prompted Leininger to create her theory was her work in different countries. Sagar and Sagar (2018) remark that during her world practice, Madeleine Leininger began to notice that patients cultural peculiarities influenced their behavior and the effectiveness of treatment. Medical personnel, in turn, did not take these nuances into account. As a result, she raised the question of the need to change the approach by taking into account these cultural features. The substantiation of the problem from an anthropological perspective allowed her to develop the theory that later became a widely used nursing model. Thus, the comprehensive coverage of patients problems helped Leininger come to an awareness of patients individual needs from the perspective of their cultural distinctions.
Major Concepts of Madeleine Leiningers Theory
One of the main concepts of Leiningers theory implied engaging patients themselves as informants in care regimes. McFarland and Wehbe-Alamah (2019) argue that, in her work on theory, the author divided care into two large groups. The first was formed by the followers of transcultural care itself when specialists received special training in interacting with patients from different cultures. The second group, on the other hand, related to intercultural care without this training and the use of medical or applied anthropological knowledge. As a result, through practical analysis, Leininger concluded that appropriate training was a valuable factor in improving the quality of nursing care and in enhancing provider-patient interaction through productive communication. This concept of separation has proven the value of anthropological evidence and expanded the range of involvement of healthcare professionals in working with target patients.
Leininger insisted that people from different cultures could help nurses by offering the most appropriate care for their beliefs and customs. McFarland and Wehbe-Alamah (2019) state that the crucial concepts of the theory were the involvement of medical professionals in the knowledge of patients world and attention to individual opinions by maintaining adequate ethics. Leininger wanted the care offered to be consistent with patients cultural beliefs that, in turn, correlated with the quality of care positively and allowed people to respond better to the treatment they received.
Another concept of Leiningers broad theory is the Sunrise Model. In this concept, she tried to present some of the essential elements of her theory. McFarland and Wehbe-Alamah (2019) describe this model and give its structural components as parts of a circle symbolizing the sun. In the two halves, one can find the elements of social structure and cultural beliefs. They inevitably influence a persons concept of the world, thereby affecting beliefs about care and health. Nurses are in the central part of the model and, by connecting the two halves, represent a coherent system of effective interaction and acceptance.
Finally, one should also mention the concept of active modes. According to McFarland and Wehbe-Alamah (2019), the theory suggests that nurses can follow three types of patient care: culture care preservation and/or maintenance, culture care accommodation and/or negotiation, and culture care repatterning and/or restructuring (p. 545). All these modes differ in individual manifestations, but each of them is part of Leiningers theory and corresponds to the tasks set by the author.
Application of Madeleine Leiningers Theory to Modern Nursing
In modern nursing, Leiningers theory has not lost its relevance. Person-centered care promoted today is largely based on the assessment of patients individual characteristics, including their cultural background. Nurses who provide culturally competent care have the ability to give patients the attention they need. As Wehbe-Alamah and McFarland (2020) note, in todays reality, issues of medical bias arise, and affected participants in the care process are forced to face the other partys unethical behavior. However, Leiningers theory encourages the involvement of nursing staff in active interaction with target patients with an emphasis on individual cultural characteristics, and this type of communication minimizes the risks of inequality and bias. Modern principles of nursing education include a wide range of concepts that cover different areas of healthcare depending on a specific profile. Nevertheless, the theory under consideration is universal and can be applied to different conditions and environments, which makes it a widespread and valuable nursing concept.
Conclusion
Madeleine Leininger is the author of an outstanding nursing theory that considers care from an anthropological perspective and stimulates paying attention to patients cultural differences. The main idea is the target patients themselves are informants and help medical specialists choose the best ways of interaction. Among the concepts of the theory, one can highlight specific action modes, the Sunrise Model as a framework explaining the role of nurses, and the basic factors to take into account, particularly beliefs and cultural traditions. In modern nursing, Leiningers theory is a widely applicable and convenient methodology to follow the idea of patient-centered care and avoid bias or inequality.
To assign the proper treatment to the patient, it is necessary to analyze their complaints and symptoms carefully. In this case, specific rash (papules) and fever caused by inflammation can help define the primary nursing diagnoses. Among them are hyperthermia (body temperatures elevation above the normal limits), violation of the skins integrity related to mechanical factors, and risk of infection (high risk of contamination by pathogens) (Nanda, 2020). Other nursing diagnoses can be connected to perceptions, such as disturbed body image related to lesions on the skin, or knowledge, such as deficient knowledge about the condition and treatment needs (Nanda, 2020). All these diagnoses constitute the nature of chickenpox, also known as varicella.
As children are more susceptible to chickenpox than adults, nursing interventions should be adjusted for them. One of them is managing pruritus with cool compresses and regular bathing; warm soaks and oatmeal or cornstarch baths are helpful to minimize itching and provide comfort (Belleza, 2021). However, it is crucial to understand that this measure should be undertaken no sooner as the temperature returns to normal. Another advised nursing intervention is trimming fingernails to reduce scratching (Belleza, 2021). Otherwise, the patient is at risk of getting long-term scars in place of papules. Finally, it is recommended to take some dietary measures and provide a full and unrestricted diet to the child (Belleza, 2021). This is explained by the fact that some patients with varicella have reduced appetite and should be encouraged to drink enough fluids to stay hydrated (Belleza, 2021). All these nursing interventions are aimed at making the patient feel comfortable, eliminating the risk of secondary infection, and promoting the process of healing.
References
Belleza, M. (2021). Chicken pox (Varicella). Nurseslabs. Web.
After reviewing the patients medical records and conducting a physical examination, the diagnosis of ongoing asthma with worsening symptoms is determined. It appears that the patients asthma symptoms have intensified due to possible exposure to triggers and an increase in physical activity. The International Classification of Diseases tenth revision (ICD10) classifies asthma as chronic obstructive with acute exacerbation or chronic obstructive asthma with status asthmaticus ( ICD-9-CM to ICD-10-CM conversion , 2019). The ICD ten provides two types of asthma, of which Cynthias case is chronic obstructive.
Plan
Pharmacological Measures
To manage symptoms and prevent exacerbations, asthma treatment typically consists of a combination of medications, including bronchodilators and corticosteroids. Prescription medication consists of bronchodilator, such as albuterol, to use as needed to relieve asthma symptoms the dispensation is through inhalation whenever there is experience of an asthma attack ( Asthma medications , 2019). In addition, a prescription will be made for a long-acting bronchodilator, such as salmeterol, to take on a daily basis to control her asthma. In addition, fluticasone, an inhaled corticosteroid, is prescribed to reduce airway inflammation and prevent asthma exacerbations (Habib et al., 2022). Over-the-counter medication medications that can help the patient include ephedrine, racepinephirine, epinephirine (HealthMatch Staff, 2022). All of these medications are bronchodilators which means that relax the muscle bands responsible for tightening the airways.
Non-Pharmacological Measures
The patient is advised to avoid triggers that exacerbate her asthma symptoms and to regularly monitor her asthma control using a peak flow meter. Additionally, she should adopt a healthy lifestyle, including proper diet and exercise. Overall, with proper care and regular monitoring, patients with asthma can lead a healthy and active lifestyle. The patient is scheduled for follow-up appointments to assess the effectiveness of the management plan and ensure optimal asthma control (Song et al., 2019). The patient is advised to avoid known triggers such as pet dander, dust, and pollen. In addition, she should avoid exercising in cold or dry weather. She should use a peak flow meter to monitor her asthma control and adjust her medication as needed. To promote overall health and prevent aggravations, the patient is also advised to live a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet and engaging in regular exercise.
Health Maintenance and Counseling
During scheduled appointments, the patients asthma control is monitored, and medication is adjusted as needed, requiring asthma patients to schedule regular check-ups with their healthcare providers to ensure proper management of their condition (Licari et al., 2020). The healthcare provider will also instruct the patient on proper inhaler use and remind them to refill their prescriptions. It is also recommended to get a flu shot every year to avoid respiratory infections, which can trigger asthma attacks. As a result, regular check-ups and preventative measures are critical to effectively managing asthma.
Conclusion
The individual is taught about asthma management, which includes the importance of using inhalers correctly, tracking symptoms, and avoiding triggers. In addition, the patient is advised to use a peak flow meter and how to adjust medications based on readings. In addition, the individual is taught how to recognize signs of an asthma flare-up and when to seek immediate medical attention. Educating the patient on asthma management, symptom tracking, and recognizing signs of an asthma flare-up is emphasized as a crucial aspect of her care. The importance of adhering to medication schedules and seeking prompt medical assistance when needed is also stressed.
Song, D. J., Choi, S. H., Song, W., Park, K. H., Jee, Y., Cho, S., & Lim, D. H. (2019). The effects of short-term and very short-term particulate matter exposure on asthma-related hospital visits: National health insurance data. Yonsei Medical Journal, 60(10), 952.
Ullmann, N., Mirra, V., Di Marco, A., Pavone, M., Porcaro, F., Negro, V., Onofri, A., & Cutrera, R. (2018). Asthma: Differential diagnosis and comorbidities. Frontiers in Pediatrics, 6(2). Web.
Over the last few decades, nursing has increasingly become one of the most vital fields in education and practice, given the important roles that nurses perform for the betterment of society. Indeed, nurses are the main drivers of public health and without their services; society would face a critical health challenge (Carranza et al., 2021). Nurses are the individuals at the forefront of the provision of care to every citizen in the country. Indeed, the U. S. News & World Report has ranked nurse practitioner as the third-best career in the country (Carranza et al., 2021). As the field grows and the healthcare needs continue to increase, it has become necessary for nursing to have specialists in different subfields to meet the demands.
Over the last few decades, the field has seen an emergence of various specialties as the division of labor and specialization in nursing has become necessary. Currently, there are more than 20 different nursing specialties, with different schools of nursing providing multiple within their curriculums (Carranza et al., 2021). Aspiring nurses have the freedom to consider one or more specialties. Nevertheless, these specialties have different requirements, curriculums, registration bodies, regulations, opportunities, workplace environments, market demands, and advantages and disadvantages as well (Geller & Swan, 2021). For discussion and personal interest, this paper reviews the existing similarities and differences between FNP and CNM specialties in nursing.
Similarities and Differences between FNP and CNM Specialties
Specialization and Roles
A family nurse practitioner (FNP) is educated to treat a wide range of patients, ranging from infants to seniors. Consequently, FNPs provide care throughout the lifetime of a person. In most cases, they provide care for the entire family (Hassmiller & Pulcini, 2020). They are professional nurses with the ability to develop long-term medical relationships with patients and their families because they are qualified to treat people at different stages of life.
Part of the wide roles of the FNPs is to educate patients and their families about various aspects of medical care such as preventive care. For instance, an FNP can determine that such diseases as obesity, cancer, cardiac diseases, or hypertension could be an issue in a family (Hassmiller & Pulcini, 2020). Therefore, he or she can design a plan to work with the family and develop health strategies to prevent the identified disease (Geller & Swan, 2021). For example, the intervention can be better eating habits and nutrition as well as changing lifestyle or adopting active exercise schedules.
For patients with chronic diseases and conditions such as arthritis in seniors or cancer, it is the role of the FNP to offer pain management strategies to refer them to specialists in the specific condition. In some American states, FNPs are certified to provide prescriptions without the need for the oversight of a physician (Hassmiller & Pulcini, 2020). In other states, however, they must collaborate with physicians to design and develop medical plans and interventions for their patients.
On their part, nurses with certified nurse-midwife (CNM) qualifications are highly trained healthcare professionals whose role is to provide care for women. It is worth noting that they are not only trained to provide care to women only during pregnancy but from adolescence through the end of life (Geller & Swan, 2021). The specific area of specialization is womens reproductive health and childbirth (Geller & Swan, 2021). An array of roles falls under this area of specialization and includes attending births, performing annual exams, writing prescriptions, and providing counseling services.
In addition, CNMs perform gynecological exams, provide parent education, prenatal care, and family planning, and give primary care for reproductive health. Measuring fetal development, a very vital task in healthcare is within the large array of roles for CNMs (Geller & Swan, 2021). The increasing roles of CNMs also include educating expectant and new parents on matters of nutrition, offering training programs, maintaining records and collaborating with other professionals, and giving intrapartum, prenatal, postpartum, and newborn care.
It is also important to note that CNMs are increasingly being involved in keeping scientific breakthroughs in birth-related medical and reproductive procedures. About 53% of CNMs in the country identify womens reproductive care as their main area of specialization while about 33% work in the primary healthcare section (Geller & Swan, 2021). This is an important area of specialization within the nursing realm and in hospitals as more than 94% of all births occur in hospitals rather than homes. CNMs attend more than 300,000 births in the country every year and the number is rising, providing evidence of the important role than CNMs are continuing to play in the countrys healthcare sector (Geller & Swan, 2021). However, in five states New Jersey, New York, Missouri, Delaware, and Rhode Island, CNMs are yet to be recognized and only midwives perform these roles.
LACE
FNPs are specialized nurses who must possess more than one nursing certificate. First, one must obtain a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). After this, one must obtain the Registered Nursing License (RN) and practice as a nurse in a healthcare setting for at least one year (Hassmiller & Pulcini, 2020). This qualification requires the holder of the BSN to pass the NCLEX-RN exam offered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) (Geller & Swan, 2021). To qualify as an FNP, the RN must take a Masters Degree in Nursing (MSN), which must be accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
A similar path must be followed when one wants to become a CNM. First, one must have a BSN or an associate degree in nursing. The state nursing board also certifies this certificate. After this, the graduate must pass the NCLEX-RN exam to earn the RN certificate (Geller & Swan, 2021). Upon becoming an RN, the nurse must earn an experience of at least one year before seeking to become a CNM (Geller & Swan, 2021). A Masters or Doctoral degree in nurse-midwifery is the next certificate that the aspiring nurse must earn to become a CNM and takes about two to three years to complete (Geller & Swan, 2021). Finally, the nurse must attain certification from the American Midwifery Certification Board to become a CNM.
Work Environment and Salary/Wages
FNPs can work in a wide range of workplaces such as hospitals, public clinics, private clinics, schools, and colleges, and their practices. It is worth noting that this profession focuses on families, which means that an FNP nurse can work at the community level. According to the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS, 2020), FNPs have a median annual salary of about $109,820. However, they can command higher salaries with experience and expansion of their education in the field.
On their part, CNMs mostly work with women in hospitals, clinics, colleges, care homes, and at the community level. They are also free to start their services as long as they are licensed to do so in their states (Geller & Swan, 2021). According to BLS, CNMs have an annual average salary of about $96,800 (BLS, 2020). However, the salary can be expanded with experience and earning higher levels of education and qualifications.
Skill Set
Like many other professionals in the healthcare sector and particularly all nurses, FNPs and CNMs rely on common core skills that span the areas of communication, leadership, analysis, and technology. Both CNMs and FNPs must have strong communication skills, which are crucial when working with members of cross-functional or interprofessional teams, listening to patients concerns and problems, and explaining intervention plans. Both specialties also require analytical skills as the nurses must develop strategies and treatment plans designed to address their patients health issues (Carranza et al., 2021). They need to use analytical skills to monitor patient responses and assess intervention and treatment plans to determine their level of effectiveness. Leadership skills are necessary for both CNMs and FNPs because they must make informed medical decisions aligned with the patients healthcare goals (Geller & Swan, 2021). Furthermore, they must use leadership skills to educate and provide their patients, care providers, and families with guidance to help treat and manage health issues (Carranza et al., 2021). Finally, both CNMs and FNPs need to have knowledge and skills in the latest technology and trends that affect their work such as telehealth and electronic health records.
Career Prospectus
With a growing aging population across the country and the need for primary care providers in both rural and urban areas, there is a large demand for FNPs in the US. According to the BLS, employment for FNP nurses will increase by about 315 between 2016 and 2026 and probably beyond (BLS, 2020). In addition, BLS states that the average annual earning potential for FNPs and other nurses in the family care profession will exceed $110,000 (BLS, 2020). For CNMs, this is a relatively recent specialty within the realm of nursing. Indeed, only 10% of all births in the US are attended by midwives (BLS, 2020). Indeed, there were only about 11,470 CNMs in the country (BLS, 2020). However, there has been a growing interest among women to seek the services of CNMs and other types of midwives. For this reason, the employment of nurse midwives, including CNMs, is projected to grow by more than 45% between 2019 and 2029 (BLS, 2020). This growth is faster than the average of all other forms of occupations in the country.
Conclusion
This analysis shows that FNP and CNM specialties in nursing are vital to national healthcare because of the important work these professionals provide. Despite the differences, it is clear that both specialties are necessary for any hospital, clinic, and community setting. In addition, as the population grows and ages, both specialties will increase in terms of demand and remunerations for professionals (Geller & Swan, 2021). The LACE analysis shows that becoming an FNP or CNM is a long process that requires multiple academic, accreditation, and experience qualifications. Moreover, like many other professionals in the healthcare sector and particularly all nurses, FNPs and CNMs rely on common core skills that span the areas of communication, leadership, analysis, and technology (Geller & Swan, 2021). Furthermore, both specialties involve multiple roles and workplaces and nurses must apply their skills and knowledge to ensure that they provide the best possible care to their patients. This analysis provides evidence that no specialty in nursing is of less importance. Rather, the increasing healthcare needs of society and the aging population mean that nursing will continue to expand in specialties within its realm.
Carranza, A., Munoz, P. J., & Nash, A. (2021). Comparing quality of care in medical specialties between nurse practitioners and physicians. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 33(3), 184-193. doi: 10.1097/JXX.0000000000000394
Geller, D. E., & Swan, B. A. (2021). Recent evidence of nurse practitioner outcomes in a variety of care settings. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 33(10), 771-775. doi: 10.1097/JXX.0000000000000451
Hassmiller, S. B., & Pulcini, J. (2020). Advanced practice nursing leadership: A global perspective. Springer Nature.
The subject of cardiovascular disease (CVD) will serve as the focus of this particular assignment. Cardiovascular disease is used to describe a group of conditions that negatively impact the cardiovascular system. This system includes the heart and the arteries, veins, and capillaries. The field of epidemiology has made substantial advances in the awareness of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is among the main causes of death around the globe. Epidemiologists have assisted in enlightening the intricate dynamic between environmental exposures and lifestyle aspects that influence the course of CVD by analyzing disease prevalence trends and specifying the risk factors linked to cardiovascular disease. The aim of this task is to conduct an in-depth analysis of the input that epidemiology makes to the comprehension of cardiovascular diseases as well as the policy response to these conditions. This will comprise defining epidemiology, characterizing cardiovascular diseases (CVD), addressing various epidemiological methodologies, examining epidemiological findings and policy approaches, and giving criticisms where necessary.
Epidemiology
Epidemiology is the scientific study of the factors that contribute to health and illness in a population, as well as the prevalence and dispersion of these factors. It is a descriptive field that involves determining rates, such as estimating the frequency of sickness in a certain group (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023). In order to correctly evaluate the epidemiological data relevant to an illness, it is necessary to know the diseases history and current occurrence. Epidemiology is a scientific discipline concerned with the analysis of data gathered through surveys and other methods to draw conclusions about the health of communities, regions, and even whole organizations. One of the goals of epidemiologic research is to explain the features of a disease, such as the associated risk factors, and to design the most efficient techniques for disease control. Furthermore, epidemiology seeks to assess the efficacy of various approaches to disease prevention, management, and control by pinpointing potential cause elements in the etiology of a given illness.
Cardiovascular Diseases
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) include, among others, coronary heart disease, stroke, peripheral arterial disease, and deep vein thrombosis. Instances of cardiovascular disease include at least one of the following conditions: coronary artery disease, atrial fibrillation (AF), stroke, hypertension, transient ischemic attack, and congestive heart failure (Hinton et al., 2018). Assessing the risk of cardiovascular disease is essential for identifying preventative measures. Defining and monitoring the evolution of risk factors for CVD are the fundamental stages in assessing heart disease risk. The most significant behavioral factors associated with cardiovascular disease and stroke include a poor diet, physical inactivity, cigarette use, and excessive alcohol use (World Health Organization, 2021). The impacts of behavioral risk factors may manifest as elevated blood pressure, blood glucose, blood lipids, and obesity in people. Stroke, sudden cardiac arrest, and other outcomes may be predicted based on these risks, which can be evaluated in primary care facilities.
The underlying illness of the blood vessels often does not present symptoms in its early stages. A stroke or heart attack may have been the initial indicator of anything more serious. Pain or discomfort in the center of the chest, as well as discomfort or pain in the arms, are symptoms that might indicate a potential heart attack. Furthermore, the person may have breathlessness, dizziness, light-headedness, chilly sweat, and pallor. It is more common for women than males to experience shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, and pain in the back or jaw (World Health Organization, 2021). Consequently, it is very important for those exhibiting these symptoms to get medical attention as soon as possible.
The key to reducing cardiovascular disease is to include cardiovascular disease management therapies in proposals for universal health care. Worldwide, cardiovascular illnesses are the major cause of mortality (Deng, Leng, and Nie, 2022). In 2019, an approximated 17,9 million individuals died from CVDs, accounting for 32% of all fatalities worldwide. Eighty-five percent of these fatalities were attributable to stroke or heart attack (Deng, Leng, and Nie, 2022). Hinton et al. (2018) found that the prevalence and frequency of diseases rose with age. CVD was observed in fewer than 1 percent of adults younger than 50, 25 percent of those with at least one disease between the ages of 70-79, and over 40 percent of individuals over 80 (Hinton et al., 2018). In research by Al-Shamsi, Regmi, and Govender (2019), the incidence rate of serious CVD was 12.7 in every 1000 person-years, with rates of 16.8 and 9.0 per 1000 person-years for men and women, respectively. This research revealed that severe cardiovascular diseases are substantially more prevalent in males than in women.
Epidemiological Approaches
Nutritional Epidemiology
The field of nutritional epidemiology has significantly improved knowledge of the intricate connection between food and cardiovascular health. Unhealthy dietary habits such as excessive intake of salt and processed foods, lower consumption of vegetables, fruits, unhealthy fats, fiber, and legumes, along with a lack of exercise, obesity, stress, alcohol intake, or cigarette smoking, are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (Casas et al., 2018). According to a significant amount of scientific research, diet may be the most important factor in preventing mortality from CVD and might potentially cure cardiovascular diseases (Casas et al., 2018). Effective control of these lifestyle factors would benefit vulnerable groups. By 2030, it is anticipated that 43.9 percent of the US elderly population will have some CVD (Yin et al., 2022). Seventy-five percent of pre-mature Cardiovascular events are avoidable by early intervention, according to epidemiological research (Yin et al., 2022). A complete knowledge of the etiology and underlying processes of cardiovascular disease remains a top objective.
Social Epidemiology
Social determinants of health (SDoH), which include socioeconomic, environmental, and psychological variables that impact health, have a crucial impact on the advancement of CVD risk factors and CVD mortality and morbidity. These areas may be causes of chronic psychosocial stresses for people with low socioeconomic status, restricted access to healthcare, insecure housing, early childhood trauma, prejudice, food insecurity, and poor sleep quality, among others. Biologic consequences of adversity enhance the development of chronic inflammation (Powell-Wiley et al., 2022). These inflammatory mechanisms increase CVD risk factors, including obesity, high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis, which eventually contribute to major cardiovascular events and CVD mortality (Powell-Wiley et al., 2022). Furthermore, it is well-researched that psychosocial variables, or traits that influence persons mentally or socially, are highly related to cardiovascular health consequences (Powell-Wiley et al., 2022). Poor social ties were related to a 29 percent rise in the risk of heart disease and a 33% rise in the likelihood of stroke, according to a new meta-analysis of longitudinal studies (Bu, Zaninotto, and Fancourt, 2020). Nevertheless, there is limited evidence that social and solitary isolation are cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Discussion and Analysis of the Reports
In recent decades, research on CVD risk factors has been conducted; they have demonstrated that age, smoking, overweight, cholesterol levels, poor food patterns, level of education, hypertension, and diabetes all influence risk. Clinical trials and observational studies have explored the possible impact of antioxidant micronutrients and their safe dosage in preventing or treating cardiovascular disease (Yin et al., 2022). Epidemiology studies of specific micronutrients found that vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, zinc, iron, and copper in the diet were related to decreased cardiovascular disease risk and cardiovascular death (Yin et al., 2022). These connections were considerably more obvious in the deficiency stage of subsequent micronutrients, and serum concentrations are directly connected to the number of dietary metal micronutrients.
The efficacy of antioxidant micronutrients, either separately or in conjunction with the treatment or mitigation of cardiovascular disease, is debatable. This was confirmed in a cross-sectional study by Yin et al. (2022), where supplementation with the antioxidant vitamins C and E had no impact on the incidence of cardiac events, stroke, and cardiac-related fatalities, according to analyses of 15 clinical studies with 188,209 individuals. Some studies have also claimed that antioxidant supplementation may raise the risk of cardiovascular disease due to possible peroxidation (Yin et al., 2022). Regarding dose, length of therapy, and baseline micronutrient condition of people receiving treatments, research on the benefits of dietary antioxidants faces several obstacles; in particular, the interacting impacts between micronutrients cannot be neglected (Yin et al., 2022). There is a fast-developing concern in the health consequences of dietary exposure to mixtures of nutritional antioxidant micronutrients since mixed exposure more accurately reflects the diverse diets individuals consume in real life.
The field of social epidemiology, which focuses on the social factors that might affect an individuals health, has given insight into the disproportionate effect that SDoH has on disadvantaged communities. In the past, there has been a rise in concern over the psychological and behavioral risks that are associated with loneliness as well as social alienation as a risk factor. Prior research has highlighted loneliness and social seclusion as risk variables for all-cause and cardiovascular disease-specific death. Longitudinal research examining cardiovascular disease (CVD) in a broader context discovered that living alone was connected with an increased risk of CVD (Bu, Zaninotto, and Fancourt, 2020). Nonetheless, another research revealed that loneliness, but not social isolation, was independently related to a 27 percent increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease (Bu, Zaninotto, and Fancourt, 2020). There is a shortage of studies examining CVD beyond chronic heart disease and stroke, and it remains unclear if loneliness and social alienation have a comparable association with CVD.
Discussion and Analysis of Policy Initiatives
Epidemiological findings have significantly shaped policy approaches to CVD. A variety of programs have been put in place by policymakers to prevent and manage CVD focused on epidemiological studies. For instance, programs to lower smoking rates, encourage healthy eating, increase physical activity, and manage high blood pressure have been implemented in numerous nations. This collection of research identifies methods for community-based treatments that seek to lessen CVD disparities. For instance, an evaluation of three-year salt reduction strategies in three community meal services in Arkansas was conducted by Long et al. (2021). By customizing community-level techniques depending on a communitys available assets, stage of preparedness, and degree of involvement with the food service employees, Jordan et al. (2020) showed the varying benefits of salt reduction approaches in food service contexts. These studies demonstrate the value and long-term sustainability of implementing salt reduction programs to lower CVD in areas with high rates of hypertension, food shortages, and low incomes. The results show that community-based approaches are efficient in raising awareness of CVD-related risk indicators and providing minority communities with access to healthcare promotion tools.
In addition, attempts to address hypertension diseases have been launched as part of the management strategy. Sreedhara et al. (2020) investigated their prior experiences with self-measured blood pressure measurement as well as telemedicine in the context of the treatment of hypertension. The reader is encouraged to draw from these experiences in order to improve the hypertension treatment strategies and activities that they currently employ. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Abbas et al. (2022) conducted qualitative interviews with postpartum women who had hypertensive conditions during pregnancy. These women had been infected with the virus. This study explains why it is essential to improve both the consistency and the content of therapy in order to raise the percentage of postpartum women who engage in preventive behaviors that lower their risk of developing cardiovascular disease.
Collaboration innovations are advantageous for preventing, managing, and controlling cardiovascular disease and risk factors. During the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous medical professionals and health healthcare settings were able to expedite innovation and adjust services in order to sustain hypertension management among their high-risk clients, as recounted by Abbas et al. (2022). Hence, they were able to influence future coordinated hypertension management efforts both before and after the public health crisis. In addition, public health personnel must be revitalized and transformed in order to prevent and manage noncommunicable illnesses. This is accomplished via the unique Field Epidemiology Training Program in illnesses, which strengthens workforce competence in CVD epidemiology, monitoring, and assessment to support CVD control policies and initiatives. For instance, resident programs in India collaborate with local partners to examine the prevalence of hypertension and possible treatments for the condition (Ramalingam et al., 2022). These types of community-based interventions may help in the process of improving the environmental and socioeconomic circumstances of communities that have traditionally been disadvantaged and are impacted by cardiovascular diseases.
Critique of Epidemiological Research Studies on CVD
Despite the fact that epidemiology has made major contributions to the knowledge of cardiovascular diseases as well as the policy response to these diseases, there are various criticisms that may be made about this field. Concerns about the possibility of confounding variables and bias in observational studies are often raised in evaluations of epidemiological research on cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Although randomization is often seen as being better than observational designs, current randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of cardiovascular outcomes in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have indicated that there is frequently a large amount of bias in RCTs (Pack et al., 2020). Even if a randomized controlled trial (RCT) is carried out properly, it is still possible that the resulting estimation of the treatment impact would be skewed. Nevertheless, if the estimate is generated from the incorrect target group, it is not very informative.
Research needs to be carried out on patients from the real world. In addition, randomized controlled trials may bring about a balance in expectations; nevertheless, when used in small numbers, these tests often reveal residual discrepancies in baseline covariates. Propensity score designs are aimed to directly offset the selection bias that is inherent in randomized trials. This is accomplished by researching patients from the real world, including those who excessively sleep, and by carefully constructing a sample with balanced variables (Pack et al., 2020). As a result, propensity score designs may yield more relevant and less biased results than RCTs in many instances. If one acknowledges that randomizing these patients to no therapy over an extended length of time is unethical, then alternate randomization methods are necessary. Even if regarded as ethical, there remains the practical obstacle that symptomatic patients or their providers would reject participation in studies in which clients will be left untreated for an extended period (Pack et al., 2020). Techniques such as the propensity score are advantageous in this case to eliminate bias and produce causal predictions from observational data.
The validity of causative estimates derived from a propensity score design is contingent on the assumption that there are no unobserved confounding variables. The reliability of this claim is increased if the covariate list is extensive and multidimensional, as this increases the likelihood that unobserved covariates are partly connected with and indirectly accounted for by the collection of observable covariates. It is also possible to do sensitivity studies to establish the degree of relationships between a hypothetical unobserved covariate and the exposures and outcomes of concern that would be necessary to negate the observed therapy outcomes (Pack et al., 2020). If these magnitudes are relatively big, then the observational researchs findings are robust with respect to unobserved variables. Conversely, if only modest connections may reverse the outcomes, then propensity score designs do not provide strong results. Regular reporting of relevant sensitivity assessments has the potential to boost the scientific validity of the findings from observational research using this methodology.
Conclusion
Epidemiological research has made a substantial contribution to the knowledge and policy approach to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Epidemiology studies have assisted in uncovering the risk factors that lead to the onset of cardiovascular disease, such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, overweight, cigarette smoking, and poor diet. This study has also assisted in establishing the connections between these indicators associated and the onset of particular CVD, including stroke, heart attack, and hypertension. The establishment of policies and measures to prevent and manage CVD has been influenced by epidemiological studies. This contains suggestions for modifying ones lifestyle, like incorporating more physical activity and improving diet.
Epidemiology techniques such as dietary and social epidemiology have assisted in identifying risk factors for CVD and influencing preventative efforts. Many significant CVD risk factors have been discovered by epidemiological research, and policy reactions have included programs to encourage healthy lifestyles and avoid CVD. Epidemiology studies are susceptible to biases, which is an inaccuracy in a study design, execution, or analysis that might affect the findings. Critiques of epidemiological studies and policy measures stress the need for further study to comprehend the intricate relationships between obstructive sleep apnea and cardiovascular events, as well as the need for additional action to confront the magnitude of the issue. Community involvement and participation are required at all phases in order to design initiatives that offer vulnerable groups available, relevant, and affordable resources. Eventually, these effective multilevel initiatives directly affect CVD results and health equality, including reducing health inequalities, improving health habits and access, and diminishing the physiological impact of unfavorable circumstances.
Unfortunately, Bright Road Healthcare is facing challenges with its current patient record system, PRS. This system, which has been used for about a decade, is outdated and no longer meets the healthcare facilitys needs. PRS has limitations in terms of accessibility, administration, and ease of use, causing inefficiencies and inconsistencies in patient record-keeping throughout Bright Roads facilities. Bright Road has been exploring the possibility of implementing a new electronic health record (EHR) system to address these issues. Two potential options that have been researched are eTrail and Patient Data Systems. eTrail is a web-based system hosted in the cloud, while Patient Data Systems is software that would need to be installed on one of Bright Roads servers.
Discussion
As a healthcare IT consultant, I have gathered information from several healthcare professionals to identify Bright Road Healthcares needs better. The new EHR system that is ultimately chosen will need to meet several essential needs, including accessibility, customization, data integration, and licensing costs. While both eTrail and Patient Data Systems have their strengths, it appears that eTrail may be the better choice for Bright Road Health Care Systems. A system that will cost less and be easier to install on any device is preferred (Aguirre et al., 2019). Thus, the cost of personnel training and system maintenance will be lower.
The web-based eTrail system allows for greater accessibility, which can address the current systems deficiency in this area. Staff and patients can access this system from phones and tablets from any place, while Patient Data System requires installation on a server and is impossible to use on the go. Additionally, eTrail offers more extensive customization options, which can be particularly useful for Bright Roads unique needs, which healthcare professionals asked for.
Conclusion
Furthermore, eTrail does not have a per-license cost, which can save the company significant money in the long run. Patient Data Systems has a price per license which will add up in large numbers considering that all staff needs access to the system.
Nursing is a continuously evolving discipline, which changed its position from an occupation to a profession in the twentieth century. When thinking about nursing, one can imagine many different activities and ideas all of them can pertain to this discipline equally. For example, for some people, nursing is the direct act of caring about peoples health through physical examination, diagnosis, or procedures. For others, however, nursing is a science field in which academics conduct research to improve population health. Thus, it is vital to accept nursing as a multidimensional discipline that takes knowledge from a variety of sciences of health and society.
As a profession, nursing can be regarded as mostly practical, especially if the nurse works in a clinic and cares for patients. In this way, the academic discipline of nursing also includes the process of teaching future nurses the necessary skills to provide healthcare services. Nevertheless, many scholars also add the ideas of nursing leadership, management, and science into the disciplines view (McEwen & Wills, 2019). Finally, if one considers nursing as a science, the practice, while not disappearing, gives way to theory development and more prominent and more abstract questions.
Science and healthcare are inherently united in their use of the scientific method and the aim of discovery and evidence-seeking. Nursing, therefore, is also supported by science evidence-based practice is one of the main pillars of this profession. However, questions such as what science is or how a scientific method can be reliable and applicable are also essential. This exploration into the deeper meaning behind science is termed the philosophy of science (Gray et al., 2017). In my opinion, this branch of philosophy is vital for nursing, as the latter unites the research behind healthcare and the human, holistic aspects of it. The process of caring for another human and trying to improve their health cannot follow a single unified route supported by limited evidence. People have different worldviews that impact their perception of the world, including their health.
Thus, the philosophy of science in nursing shows that absolute truth does not exist, and nurses have to understand that to connect to patients and to understand their personal growth as well. My nursing philosophy is based on the fact that this profession encompasses more than disease treatment. It is a holistic discipline to support and improve the wellness and health of individual patients and communities. Treatment, research, and advocacy contribute to this objective equally, creating a multifaceted approach to population health.
Philosophy impacts scientific research and also influences how nurses acquire or develop knowledge. This means that ones beliefs or views of nursing and health can change how one interacts with information. Rega et al. (2017) explain that philosophy gives specific meaning to human life, illness, and health. By reviewing their philosophical approach to these ideas, nurses can acquire new knowledge, reject outdated or unsupported statements, or determine which knowledge path is more valuable in each particular situation.
Overall, nursing is widely understood as a combination of practice and theory. It unites actual perceived reality and the dimension of ethics that are difficult to measure or quantify. Therefore, each nurses philosophy influences how they interact with the field of nursing and their profession. My philosophy is based on holistic, patient-centered care that extends beyond treatment into advocacy and research.
References
Gray, J.R., Grove, S.K., & Sutherland, S. (2017). Burns and Groves the practice of nursing research: Appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence (8th ed.). Saunders Elsevier.
McEwen, M., & Wills, E. M. (2019). Theoretical basis for nursing (5th ed.). Wolters Kluwer Health.
Orthodontics is a department of dentistry that offers services of diagnosis, correction, and prevention of misaligned bite patterns and mal-positioned teeth and jaws. Science, mathematics, and art relate a lot with orthodontics for it to succeed. Dr. Buchanan has created a profession out of learning and identifying principles like the Fibonacci sequence, rules of thirds, and the golden rule. There is a reason why people view a particular work of art pleasing, music engaging, or another person as attractive. It has to relate with the golden percentage or the golden proportion. In orthodontics, this concept is defined as a mathematical analysis tool applied to analyze the smile and how it suits the proportions of other parts of facial appearance.
The principles are initially found in nature, where they are defined as the Fibonacci sequence. Its a mathematics formula where every number in the series is the total of the two numbers coming before it. This concept is located in things like the hurricanes swirl, artichokes flowering, and the humans facial structure. These things in nature can be pleasing to look at, even without understanding the reason for enjoying them. This information confirms why art, science, and mathematics are related to orthodontics. This concept is discussed below in detail to bring out a clear picture of it.
Golden Ratio in Orthodontics
Golden ratio proportions have an essential relationship with facial aesthetics in people who are experiencing adolescence. Various angles and linear figures in cephalometrics have served as great rules for understanding the planning of orthodontic procedures. The results of the golden relationship help Dr. Buchanan in identifying the region of balance and therefore determine the best method of achieving harmonic balance in aesthetics (Jang et al., 87). Dr. Buchanan uses this process which leads to operational unity and efficiency.
Fibonacci and Orthodontics
Everything in life and dentistry uses symmetry and balance to introduce what is attractive to mans eyes. Artists later understood that by balancing the characteristics of an image by thirds instead of limited centering them, their artwork had pleasing smoothness, making it so beautiful to mans eyes. These identical patterns have become a precious instrument in dentistry. Learning and identifying them aids a person in designing smiles that follow the inspiration, impartiality, and correspondence gotten in nature. The same rule of thirds is viewing the patients face in three different but professional regions to make a smile that is attractive within the equality of that unique face. All this process involves math, science, and art which result in a more beautiful complexion.
Cutting-Edge Care
Dr. Buchanan provides innovative cutting-edge orthodontic care and technology for children and adults. She was among the first people in this field to serve Insignia customized braces. Unlike the old ones that are produced to fit any teeth, this type of braces allows to calculate and use brackets to influence tooth movement in the most favourable way for every individual patient. Dr. Buchanans improved 3D technology allows her to show the patients the actual outcome to expect before braces are put on the teeth (Penning et al., 1498). She also majors in the Damon system that enables line arrangement of teeth without necessarily eliminating permanent teeth or use palate expander instruments. This procedure improves every patients general facial result for the smile with all the natural ten teeth. Additionally, Dr. Buchanan offers the in-office CAT imaging system for 3D images of every patients mouth without gummy, chaotic impressions.
One of the most excellent offers to gift a person, or even the individual himself, is a pretty, fully operating smile. Treatment that involves orthodontics by applying the golden ratio and Fibonacci guidelines can positively aid a person to have the best appearance. This look changes self-image and gives people a healthy, full-operating smile. This appearance is a result of applying math, science, and orthodontics in the same procedure.
Mathematical Application in Tooth Displacement
Orthodontic treatment is served worldwide for teeth extraction and alignment to change the arrangement of the remaining teeth. However, tooth displacement does not function directly with force applied. Therefore, biomechanical variables like the weight of the tooth, rigidity, and damping coefficient of the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone are engaged in the differential equation. When solving the inequality, tooth displacement, thereby, tooth velocity can be obtained for a specific force (Spingarn et al., 44). Also, based on the proportions of the design, Dr Buchanan would identify the entire tooth displacement required for every set of the treatment so that the complete process occurs.
Conclusion
It is evident from the discussion that art, science, mathematics, and orthodontics relate well. If they are applied in the same process, it leads to a successful and beautiful teeth alignment. In art, mathematics is also involved using the Fibonacci sequence, which has proved to offer quality artworks, hence glorifying great artists like DaVinci. Music also inter-connects with maths, as it is evident that people apply the golden ratio rule in designing and making musical instruments. Dr. Buchanan also confirms that the usage of 3D technology shows patients the natural outcome before putting braces on the teeth. This dental process improves a persons facial appearance, therefore, raising self-esteem. All these procedures are successful by combining art, mathematics, science, and orthodontics.
References
Jang, Kab Soo, et al. A three-dimensional photogrammetric analysis of the facial esthetics of the Miss Korea pageant contestants. Korean Journal of Orthodontics 47.2 (2017): 87.
Penning, E. W., et al. Orthodontics with customized versus non-customized appliances: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Journal of Dental Research 96.13 (2017): 1498-1504.
Spingarn, Camille, et al. Theoretical numerical modeling of the oxygen diffusion effects within the periodontal ligament for orthodontic tooth displacement. Journal of Cellular Immunotherapy 4.1 (2018): 44-47.
The problem reviewed in this paper is concerned with a worker, Sara, presenting to work with TB and increasing risks of contamination in the workplace. The issue illustrates misunderstandings regarding TB virality, which can lead to bias from other workers and the poor handling of employees information by HR. The problem was exacerbated because the company did not have an effective solution to the problem.
Importance/Relevance of the Problem
The issue needs addressing because when employees come sick to work, posing serious health risks. As more workers get sick, productivity can decrease, which may lead to additional expenses to address worker safety and implement safety procedures. It is crucial to raise awareness about the importance of trace investigation in cases of TB occurrence. In addition, the case shows that the existing workplace safety practices need updating.
Causes
The problem emerged as a result of TB being overlooked as a serious health risk while there was a clear lack of organizational policy on worker safety. The issue of presenteeism takes place when employees who fear being absent from work come to the workplace, risking infecting others. Besides, the organization did not have any ethical framework for addressing viral disease outbreaks, and the HR was not educated on how to handle information privacy.
Stakeholder Issues
Employers
On the part of the employer, its important to clarify whether any state laws on sick leave apply. The agency will have to determine the eligibility of workers for sick law benefits and determine the criteria for sick leave qualification. Besides, the impact of TB on sick leave practices should be identified because most of the current recommendations center around COVID-19. The employer will have to address presenteeism among employees by implementing health promotion programs, workload reductions, and firm-specific absence policies.
HR Managers
In this case, HR managers are among the key stakeholders who do not know how to handle TB cases among employees. The HR poorly managed employee health information while also failing to initiate a trace investigation on time. Besides, the manager should have considered the need for preventive care education. Sara should have been informed on which further steps should be taken, while employees should have been warned about information confidentiality.
CEO
The companys CEO did not adequately oversee the issue concerning Sara and did not provide instructions on TB handling. Because of the challenges that the organization faced, there was a clear lack of leadership on transparency and honesty, nor was there collaboration with healthcare organizations to initiate training. The CEO should have started considering a policy change and improved sick leave practices to prevent presenteeism.
Employees
In this case, employees were not aware of the required practices of communicable disease reporting. Because Sara came to work, she did not know about the risks of exposure and was not instructed on proper health practices. As a result, she experienced bias toward workers infected with TB because workers did not know how to handle information about others. Presenteeism is a problem since workers come to work sick to avoid using leave days.
Language Accommodation of Employees During Interview
In this case, interviews with multiple workers were conducted, which called for language accommodation of non-English language speakers. A translator was asked to translate interview questions into Spanish to provide the printed version to the employee, who was given enough time to answer them in written form, which was later translated into English. Notably, any issues were resolved with the help of an interpreter to maintain long-term language accommodation.
Third-Party Agency Issues (CDC)
The CDC plays an important role in facilitating best health practices at organizations through collaboration with the National Tuberculosis Controllers Association. The CDC can be helpful in providing general guidance on communicable disease procedures; however, it is focused mainly on TB prevention in the healthcare setting and governmental organizations such as correctional facilities, nursing homes, and others. At this time, not enough attention is given to private companies education.
Legal and Ethical Implications
Saras Perspective
From Saras perspective, the legal implications of the case limit her capacity to get enough sick leave days. She can use paid leave days allocated for holidays, which is an issue for employee productivity. From an ethical standpoint, the TB burden can take a toll on Sarahs mental health and adversely affect her physical well-being (Inoue et al., 2021). The misunderstanding of disease can negatively impact her relationships with employees.
Agencys Perspective
In general, there is no legal requirement for employers to pay sick leave even though an employee cannot be forced to come in sick to the workplace. Moreover, it may be beneficial to apply the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act developed for COVID-19, and TB is a communicable disease that can also apply. From an ethical standpoint, it is important to provide paid leave and show care for employees to boost workers satisfaction and retention. Consequently, the agency can enhance its reputation in the eyes of prospective workers.
Financial Implications
Saras Perspective
A crucial financial implication is that Sara can lose money when absent from work. Besides, she has a monetary burden of TB diagnosis and treatment. If she has no health insurance, the costs will be high, which means that Sara may go into debt to pay off healthcare costs. The monetary implications of the disease can affect her in the longer term, which can lead to her quitting their job if sick leave needs are unmet.
Agencys Perspective
It should be mentioned that the financial implications of the case are significant. US businesses pay around $530 billion per year on lost productivity. Some of them choose to support employees during health issues by investing in employee wellness programs for retention, encouraging preventative health care among workers, and providing health insurance at the company. To increase productivity, companies may consider incentivizing workers through an employee assistance program.
Possible Solutions
Possible solutions for the challenge include the need for a policy that addresses communicable diseases, HR training on handling TB among personnel, as well as a culture of honesty and transparency in the workplace. It is important that the agency caters to the sick leave needs of employees and implements a long-term educational program. Overall, Saras case can be used as an example for improvement.
Current Attempts
The agency attempted to implement a trace investigation by Interviewing workers to determine the risks of contamination. The employer will have to cater to the needs of employees affected by TB while also implementing efforts to preserve workers health information. It was recognized that preserving employees health information could eliminate any bias and misunderstandings. Through initiating a policy change within the facility, the leadership recognized that they lacked understanding of how to handle TB and other communicable disease cases.
Policy: Solution and Likelihood of Success
The recommended policy should entail that decisions regarding employees with infectious diseases are to be based on well-informed medical information. Notably, discrimination on health status is to be prohibited, while medical determination should be used to restrict employees access to the workplace. In case of a TB diagnosis, a trace investigation must be implemented, and the agency should comply with applicable regulations and statutes. A successful policy is one that is specific and reliable.
Education Program: Solution and Likelihood of Success
The education program implemented at the agency should be done in collaboration with healthcare specialists. The program should define the goals and scope of education about communicable disease prevention and support the as-needed education program that fits the organization. The key educational topics should include the modes of TB transmission and prevention, timely response to affected employees, expectations of reporting, as well as sick leaves and presenteeism risks.
The recommended communicable disease education program should be implemented consistently and adjusted to specific workplace needs, and healthcare personnel should be involved in sharing their expertise. Besides, HR training should be a part of the education and offer practical guidelines for workplace trace investigations. The programs success depends on the coverage of relevant issues, the inclusion of varied stakeholder categories, and consistent recommendations.
Conclusions
To conclude, presenteeism is can issue that can cause health risks in the workplace, which is why workers should feel secure not coming into work when sick. In Saras case, a trace investigation must have been initiated immediately while she had the duty to report on their health status. In the workplace, both honesty and transparency can avoid bias, while workers health information should be stored and protected from release.
To conclude, in order to solve the challenges identified in the case, both policy change and education are necessary. It is recommended that the company comply with applicable regulations and statutes while health-related decisions rely on verifiable information. Education should be carried out in collaboration with healthcare specialists, while both policy change and education should be implemented consistently. Any changes embedded in the agency should reflect the organizations needs.