Is Retaking the MCAT a Good Idea

Losing sleep about whether to retake the new MCAT? You’re not alone. Retaking the MCAT can be a big commitment in terms of money and time, so it’s important to think carefully about whether it’s worthwhile. To help you make the decision, we’ve compiled a number of things to consider. MCAT2015 scores are an admissions wildcard. This is the first year admissions committees are evaluating the new MCAT scores. Because the exam has a completely new section and scoring scheme, the only standard schools can rely on is the percentiles. Specifically, most admissions committees are focusing on the overall score and percentile rather than the individual subscores. To get a sense of the scores schools might look for this year, take a look at the percentiles they’ve accepted in recent years. It’s more of a commitment than ever. Admissions committees are likely going to be de-emphasizing the importance of the MCAT overall this year, so a retake might not pay off as much as it has in the past. Since you’re being evaluated more on things like your GPA and your extracurriculars, it might not be worth your precious time focusing on restudying for the MCAT when you could be spending that time volunteering, participating in other extracurriculars, or studying for midterms/finals. You (probably) don’t need a 520. Based on AAMC data, above a 33 (~512 on the new exam) you get rapidly diminishing returns on a higher score in terms of admissions; above a 38 (~519 on the new exam) you get almost no benefit at all. A comfortable range for competitive MD programs will likely end up being ~508+. Remember that the average scores schools report are averages. That means a lot of people they accept scored below that number. Premeds have a tendency to be hypercompetitive and want to beat the average. Truthfully it might not be worth your time and energy to retake if that’s your goal. Raising your score is tough, depending on your first score. For this we’ll have to examine some of the old AAMC data and make some assumptions. First, we’ll have to assume that it’s just as hard to raise your score on the new MCAT as it was on the old MCAT. Is that actually true? Nobody knows yet. But it’s probably relatively safe to assume. It will help to have a rough score conversion chart. Now, I’ll be very unpopular for providing this, because the two exams are not meant to be comparable, but the numbers won’t make sense otherwise. Let’s also assume that percentiles from the two exams are comparable. Table 1. Rough score conversion chart between old and new MCAT. As much as the MCAT alone matters, the MCAT-GPA combination matters more. Thankfully the AAMC published aggregate data from the 2012 2014 admissions cycles that give us all the info we need to correlate MCAT-GPA to acceptance rates. The thing to note is that we’re looking at data from tens of thousands of applicants. Everyone is different, so take this with a grain of salt for evaluating your own situation. Figure 1. AAMC data correlation of GPA, MCAT Score, and Acceptance Rate from aggregated 2012 to 2014 data. Red circles indicate acceptance rates of greater than 50%. Note that the smallest dots do not distinguish between a 0% acceptance rate and a lack of applicants with that combination of scores. Credit: M Prep. Looking at the red region, we see the top-left corner has generally lower acceptance rates than the bottom-right corner. This means there’s a GPA bias in admissions; it’s better to have a high GPA with a low MCAT score than to have a low GPA with a high MCAT score. No GPA-MCAT combination will guarantee admission, but you can triangulate the scores you’ll need based on your GPA. How does this affect a retake? Well, the AAMC published data on that as well. Unfortunately the data are much harder to parse for retakes because your chances of score improvements vary depending on your past score, and this all impacts your chances of admission along with your GPA. Your best bet is to plug in your GPA/MCAT combo (converted from the new MCAT scoring scale) into our MCAT retake calculator. For example, students with a 3.5 GPA and an MCAT score of 24 (~500 on the new MCAT) had a 22% chance of admission. Figure 2. The chances of admission and score improvement upon retake for a student with a 3.5 GPA and MCAT score between 24 and 26. The blue line plots the chances of admission while the red line plots the chances of achieving a particular score range on a retake. Uses AAMC aggregate admissions data from 2012 to 2014. Credit: M Prep. Students with that GPA-MCAT combination more than doubled their chances of admission by raising their MCAT score to 30-32, but their chances of achieving that score range on a retake were 8%. Still, there’s almost at 50% bump in chance of admission by just raising the score to a 27-29 range, and 39% of students achieved that increase. For a student like this, it would be worth considering a retake. The story looks very different for someone with a 3.7 GPA and MCAT score of 30 (~508 on the new MCAT): Figure 3. The chances of admission and score improvement upon retake for a student with a 3.7 GPA and MCAT score between 30 and 32. The blue line plots the chances of admission while the red line plots the chances of achieving a particular score range on a retake. Uses AAMC aggregate admissions data from 2012 to 2014. Credit: M Prep. These students benefit much less from a retake even though their MCAT score isn’t stellar. There is less than a 20% boost to their chances of admission with the next score range. Just over 1 in 3 students are able to achieve that boost. Again, you probably don’t need a 520. Making the decision to retake the MCAT should be based on the scores you need and not the scores you want. At the end of the day, the opportunity cost can be greater than the return. ; Alec Lee is the Co-Founder of M Prep, an online MCAT test prep company. He is an experienced MCAT coach, having logged 2000+ hours of working with premeds since 2008. Related Resources: †¢Ã‚  Medical School Reapplicant Advice: 6 Tips for Success †¢Ã‚  MCAT Scores, MCAT Prep, and MCAT2015 †¢Ã‚  MCAT 2015: What You Actually Need to Study [Infographic]

Aerobic Training Strategies Are Used For Training - 806 Words

Figure skating requires the athletes to use precise and nearly perfected executed moves during a routine. Aerobic Training strategies are used for training figure skaters. Normal practice times run as long as two hours, two times a day totaling at least four hours on ice. â€Å"During a two hour training session roughly 2,200 kcal/day are burned† (Bozeman, 1998). While a two hour training session, 250-300 kcal/hr are used. In order to keep a balanced diet skaters are recommended to primarily intake carbohydrates. A normal calorie distribution consists of â€Å"60% Carbohydrate, 16% Protein, 24% Fat† (Bozeman, 1998). This balanced diet targets the certain energy systems used for this sport. As mentioned before, coaches use an aerobic training†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"Skating combines elements of athleticism and artistry, requiring strength, flexibility, power, endurance, and grace† as stated by the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Perform ance ( 2007). Skaters much have adequate aerobic endurance for performances, which can last up to 10 minutes as well as anaerobic capacities that can sustain bursts of energy for the many different types of jumps they present. These athletes commonly incorporate interval training into their programs as it alternates activities between high and moderate intensities, similar to what they will encounter during a performance. Considering that the sport requires an increased aerobic fitness, in order to provide the muscles with enough oxygen throughout a performance (to supply the muscles to move properly) the athlete must either increase the total amount of time the body is under stress or the intensity of the activity. Longer workouts targets the aerobic endurance where as the shorter and higher intensity workout increased the speed and power. For instance, working with increased intensity will heighten the muscular and aerobic endurance. Intensity by pushing to the point of volitiona l muscle fatigue creates an overload on the muscle tissue, which if repeated over time, will build a tolerance for it (pushing the threshold higher). If the strength threshold is higher than being used, the lesser activity can be endured a longer period ofShow MoreRelatedSymptoms And Treatment Of Fibromyalgia1267 Words   |  6 Pagesbeneficial in decreasing symptoms of multiple disease processes such as Fibromyalgia (Damush, Wu, Bair, Sutherland, Kroenke, 2008). As society continues to see an increase of obesity and overweight populations, including in childhood, a preventative strategy at a primary care level showcases the benefits of this important health behavior change. Background Idiopathic pain is the hallmark symptom of Fibromyalgia (Lewis, Dirksen, Heitkemper, and Bucher, 2015, p. 1590). 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Effective training protocol that elicits a high rate of compliance will produce positive outcomes. Although moderate intensity continuous training has been the main training regimen recommended in cardiac rehabilitation guidelines, Ito, Mizoguchi, and Saeki (2016) found high-intensity interval training reported to be more effective in the clinical and experimental setting from the standpoint of peak oxygenRead MoreThe Benefits Of High Intensity Interval Training On Obese And Obese Women1741 Words   |  7 Pagesof High Intensity Interval Training on Obese and Overweight Women Jamela Rabino San Francisco State University  The Benefits of High Intensity Interval Training on Obese and Overweight Women Obesity is a prevalent and life-threatening health condition among our nation as a majority of individuals become3 more sedentary, exercise programs such as high intensity interval training (HIIT) have been developed. HIIT has become a widely known form of training that consists of alternatingRead MoreSample Resume : Training Program Essay1800 Words   |  8 Pagesresistance and aerobic training. The female is a full time cashier and has limited experience to physical training. Aside from the daily walking and standing from her full time job the female gets little to no resistance or aerobic exercise. In younger years the female would travel by foot most of the time, so there is a part history as it comes to â€Å"training† aerobically. She is known to experience some pain in her bones but has been cleared to do moderate, low impact, resistance and aerobic exercise.Read MorePhysical Activity Level And Health Status3590 Words   |  15 Pagesshowing that regular exercise is an effective strategy to prevent and treat several chronic diseases (e.g., cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, depression, and osteoporosis) [29]. It has been demonstrated that the current CPAG is sufficient to elicit health benefits, especially in people who were previously sedentary [30]. Generally, a positive linear relationship exists between physical activity level and health status [31]. Both aerobic and resistance exercises have been shown to

Taking a Look at the Cold War - 1676 Words

The Cold War was a very scary and very horrible time between two countries after post war and each side was a very strong and had a lot of power:the USA and the USSA .At that time when everything was in tense there were some things,which they wanted to increase pulses between both the East and West but none of them where affect weapons of mass distractions was involved. In most tense moments of the Cold War was time when were due to the associate nuclear weapons.The fears of the new nuclear weapons of huge destruction which caused the Cold War which almost increased to boiling point and which changed into a hot war.The main task of the essay to investigate what affects nuclear weapons had on the Cold War.To answer this question i will be researching such areas as the development of nuclear weapons and how did nuclear weapons affect the dynamics of the Cold War. Nuclear Weapons first exploded into world of both sides military and politics world in 1945when the United States explore the first atomic bomb on Japanese ground into the city Hiroshima,after Hiroshima city United States explored another bomb on Nagasaki to say that WWII had become. Japanese government after bomb they did not had a choice,only one choose to surrender to the strong of the West.From Japanese situation the wold can see now the power and devastating affect of nuclear weapons and how is it strong and powerful. According to one author Lundestad (1999:149) saying that the use of nuclear weaponsShow MoreRelatedTaking a Look at the Cold War996 Words   |  4 Pagesof World War II in the summer of 1945. The Soviet Union and the United States, having been on the Allies fighting against the Axis, were both victorious world superpowers at the end of WWII. 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Emily The Fallen Rose Essay Example For Students

Emily The Fallen Rose Essay Emily the Fallen RoseSetting is place and time, and often provides more than a mere backdrop for the action of a story. William Faulkner uses this device in his complex short story ?A Rose for Emily? to give insight into the lonely world of Miss Emily Grierson. Faulkner portrays the townspeople and Emily in the southern town of Jefferson during the late 1800s to early 1900s. The town is more than just the setting in the story; it takes on its own characterization alongside Emily the main character. It is the main reasoning behind Emilys attitude and actions. It gives the reader an easier understanding unto why Emily makes the decisions she does as the story unwinds. The town of Jefferson was deeply indirectly involved in the life of Emily Grierson. They watched and debated her every move, being her analyst, they wondering why she did certain things. They had their own idea of who she was and what they wanted her to be. The reason being was that the aristocratic Grierson family that her father headed was very highly recognized in the past era of the Confederacy. Her father had much power and was close to a past, very popular mayor named Colonel Sartoris. His power over Emily can be seen in a portrait of the two that the narrator describes: ?Emily a slender woman in white in the background, her father a spraddled silhouette in the foreground, his back to her and clutching a horsewhip.? (141) He does in fact control her like a horse, never allowing her to date anyone. And until his death she indeed does not. After Emilys father dies, we find her becoming involved with a gay man named Homer Baron who she probably believes she will eventually marry. It is her continual relying on a male figure that gets Emily in this situation. It is the setting in which she lye that has this impact on her thought and understanding. We eventually find out in the end that Emily kills Homer. She does this not do this out anger or hatred toward this man. It is the belief on her part, that a man has to play a significant role in her life that drives Emily to do this unbelievable act of violence. In her mind this was not a crazy thing to do either. Her intention was to be able to hold on to the male figure that she needed in her life. One critic, Celia Rodriquez, believes that Emily is trapped in the world of the past. She thinks that Emily has no recognition of fallen figures like her father and Colonel Sartoris. Celia backs this belief when she says that Emily believes she has no taxes in Jefferson because of verbal agreement with the Colonel ?who had been dead for ten years.? (1) A time when her family had power in the South and when the Grierson name meant something. Rodriquez talks of Emily saying ?She was a ?monument? of Southern gentility, an ideal of past values.? (1) She gets the feeling that Emily is at constant battle with the present era. Another critic Mary Ellen Byrne, a teacher at Ocean County College, also sees the town as a character in the story. Byrne believes that a reader comes to understand Emily by what the town thinks of her. This can be easily understood because in fact the narrator is a member of the town. Byrne says that ?We can posit that the narrator constructs this story-telling as a stream of associations, a mesh of dramatic scenes and images.? (1) These images that the narrator gives us curves a readers thought of Emily. We at one point pity her because of her loneliness and at another despise her because of her grossness. Just as the narrator does in the telling of the story with his or her great use of words. .u4f04e45e70d98d371a66714d60d300da , .u4f04e45e70d98d371a66714d60d300da .postImageUrl , .u4f04e45e70d98d371a66714d60d300da .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u4f04e45e70d98d371a66714d60d300da , .u4f04e45e70d98d371a66714d60d300da:hover , .u4f04e45e70d98d371a66714d60d300da:visited , .u4f04e45e70d98d371a66714d60d300da:active { border:0!important; } .u4f04e45e70d98d371a66714d60d300da .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u4f04e45e70d98d371a66714d60d300da { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u4f04e45e70d98d371a66714d60d300da:active , .u4f04e45e70d98d371a66714d60d300da:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u4f04e45e70d98d371a66714d60d300da .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u4f04e45e70d98d371a66714d60d300da .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u4f04e45e70d98d371a66714d60d300da .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u4f04e45e70d98d371a66714d60d300da .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u4f04e45e70d98d371a66714d60d300da:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u4f04e45e70d98d371a66714d60d300da .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u4f04e45e70d98d371a66714d60d300da .u4f04e45e70d98d371a66714d60d300da-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u4f04e45e70d98d371a66714d60d300da:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Can Money Buy Happiness EssayAt last, another critic explains ?A Rose for Emily? as a terrible tragedy of how the societal roles of women can lead them to do intolerable acts. As is the case when Emily kills Homer in this story. This critic describes Emilys relationship with her father as the ?patrimony of a man.? (1) Emily find her happiness by having a man in her life, and after her father dies she has no one. This indeed is why she seeks out Homer Baron. The critic says ?Emily is determined to have her man, her only chance for happiness.? (2) She was so determined to have a man that she does not take notice when she picks Homer who is gay. By understanding ?A Rose for Emily? one can see how much of an impact setting can have on the life of a person. The way it can mold ones thought is incredible and sometimes unbearable to believe. It can cause one to do terrible things as is seen in this story. The town of Jefferson causes Emily to do the things she does. In the end, they really got what they wanted. BibliographyWorks CitedFaulkner, William. ?A Rose for Emily.? Discovering Literature: Stories, Poems, Plays. 2nded. Ed. Hans P. Guth and Gabrielle L. Rico. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 1997. 140-147 Author Unknown. ?From Loneliness to Lunacy: ?A Rose for Emily? and ?The Yellow Wall-Paper.? website unknown Byrne, Mary Ellen. ?Town and Time: Teaching Faulkners ?A Rose for Emily.? http://www2.semo.edu/cfs/rose.html. (October 19, 2000). Rodriquez, Celia. ?An analysis of ?A Rose for Emily.? http://www.cwrl.utexas.edu/~daniel/amlit/reader/south/` rodriquezrose.htmlEnglish Essays

Woman Secrets Essays - Classified Information, Secrets, Secrecy

Woman Secrets Contrary to popular belief intimacy and honesty doesn't mean you should tell all to your partner or potential partner. Sharing too much information can be destructive to a relationship. You might feel better if you spill your guts, but your partner most times ends up feeling much worse. Let's take a look at sexual secrets. Tell only on a need to know basis. You needn't tell your lover how many other partners you have had before he came along, and certainly don't give any details of past experiences. It won't help your relationship and if something happened that has profoundly affected you and/or will continue to have an impact on your life, you should tell your partner. He doesn't have to know that you have dated someone once or twice, but he should be told of a long term or otherwise serious relationship, especially if you were married or engaged before. Withholding information can hurt a relationship if there are serious or ongoing issues between you and your partner. Money is always a touchy subject for couples. Couples should talk with one another about money issues; there should be no secrets when it comes to finances within a serious relationship. When it comes to family secrets, you may want to tell all in a new relationship, but, don't tell how uncle Lou dresses up like Cinderella at the family New Years party after 2 drinks, and sings there's no place like home. The relationship between you and your partner might not last, and how would you like everyone in your Sociology class to know that about dear old Uncle Lou? Keep it to yourself until they are officially in the family. I know you want "no secrets" between you two from the start, but think first before you turn out your family. Only tell secrets that are pertinent to the situation at hand. Let's move on to personal secrets. If there are any secrets, he should hear them from you. You must use your own best judgment as to how much and how far back you should go when spilling those little secrets. Don't tell him secrets just to get them off your chest, which is not fair to him or yourself. If the secret is a life or death piece of information, he or she certainly has a right to know. If the secret is going to come out eventually, your partner should hear it from you. Revealing secrets can make the two of you closer, but do so slowly and with caution. Trust is something a couple builds over time.

Organizational Quality Improvement Plan

Organizational Quality Improvement Plan Free Online Research Papers Executive Summary Health care is an imperative service that touches the lives of millions of Americans on a daily basis at considerable and susceptible times from birth to death. In recent decades, knowledge and skills, pharmaceuticals, and proficiency have significantly enhanced how care is delivered and the projection for recovery. American markets for innovation in pharmaceuticals and medical devices are the best in the world. The miracles of recent medicine have become more or less routine. The healthcare that is provided within the United States is the best in the world. Despite these amazing achievements, the cost, quality, and convenience of American health care have become major governmental and procedure issues. Health care quality varies extensively, even after calculating for cost, source of payment, and patient preferences. A lot of Americans find themselves without health insurance coverage at some point during any given year. The expenses of providing uncompensated care are a large burden for many health care providers, other Americans, and tax payers. Hospitals across the Country are always searching for ways to improve their quality of care and promote effective quality improvement strategies. The findings of this quality improvement plan will offer guidance and steps for Memorial Healthcare System move in the right direction. To promote greater use of practices and policies that enhance quality in their facilities, this plan identifies and describes the key ingredients to the success of their organization. This plan examines the issues that are made with dispensing medication to patients. Imperfections in the health care system have impeded the competition from reaching its full potential. This plan will discuss the current procedures that are in place for dispensing medication to the patients, what can be done to improve this issue and how it can increase the patients care and satisfaction. Introduction/Purpose Memorial Healthcare System has been servicing the South Florida residents for the past 55 years. It is the fifth-largest public healthcare system in the nation and is highly regarded for its exceptional patient and family centered care (mhs.net). Their organization has been recognized as a national leader in quality care. They have several facilities located in Broward County that offers extensive and diverse services that include Memorial Cardiac and Vascular Institute, Memorial Cancer Institute and Memorial Neuroscience Center (mhs.net). The organization also provides a comprehensive array of pediatric services and is the leading children’s hospital (Joe DiMaggio Childrens Hospital) in Broward and Palm Beach Counties (mhs.net). Their mission statement provides safe, quality, cost-effective, patient and family centered care, regardless of one’s ability to pay, with the goal of improving the health of the community it serves (mhs.net). The organization’s vision is to improve the health of the community by becoming a world-class model of safety, quality, serve and efficiency (mhs.net). Goals/Objectives Memorial Healthcare System is dedicated to surpassing customer expectations by applying a Patient First philosophy to all aspects of its operations. Every decision is based on the best interest of patients and their families. Through excellence in safety, quality and service, they strive to ensure that their patients and families receive the care, information, access, collaboration and support they need (mhs.net). They are committed to treating their patients and families with compassion, dignity and respect. With this commitment they are dedicated to improving the health, well-being and, most of all, quality of life to all of their patients. The organizations values are focused on improving their patients care one step at a time and by providing extraordinary patient care. All employees who work with Memorial Healthcare System is responsible for helping provide superior patient care. They have set high standards and consistently challenge them to provide the highest levels of safety, quality and service at all times (mhs.net). Scope/Description/QI Activities To continue achieving the goal of providing high quality of care to all patients, Memorial Healthcare Systems believes that all of their employees need to be part of the quality improvement plan to reduce/eliminate the errors currently being found when dispensing medication to their patients. All of their employees will be given a Quality Improvement Program that will describe their responsibilities. The Quality Improvement Program will include a number of activities which include: Seminars on all patient services that affect patient health and safety Medication therapy and medication error prevention Patient, staff and physician surveys National Patient Safety Goals Medical Record Reviews The organization will have a Quality Improvement Committee that will oversee the implementation of this quality improvement plan. The committee will consist of the CEO, the Chief of Staff, the Director of Nursing, the QI Manager, the head Pharmacist from each facility, Infection Control nurse, Utilization Manager, a representative from the organization’s Board of Directors, one physician and one nurse from each of the following departments: Bariatric/Weight-Loss Surgery Behavioral Health Center Cancer Institute Cardiac Vascular Institute Diabetes Centers Family Birthplace Fitness Rehabilitation Centers Geriatric Care Program Home Health Services Lymphedema Program Neuroscience Center Outpatient Services Pediatrics Pediatric Cancer Pediatric Cardiac Center Pediatric Cleft Craniofacial Center Pediatric Cystic Fibrosis and Pulmonary Center Pediatric Endocrinology Pediatric Neonatal ICU Pediatric Neuroscience Pediatric Nephrology and Hypertension Pediatric Orthopedics Robotic Institute Sickle Cell Sleep Study Program Spine Center Womens Services (mhs.net). The members of this Quality Improvement Committee will have many responsibilities which will consist of: Assuring that the functions of this plan are completed Prioritizing issues referred to them for review Ensuring that the data that they receive are analyzed, recommendations made, and follow up is completed Incorporating internal and external sources of benchmarking data utilizing (COMS) Clinical Outcome Measurement System, and JACHO’s National Patient Safety Goals. Identifying any other resources they see fit for the incorporation into the organizations overall quality improvement efforts. Reporting on findings, studies, recommendations, and trends to the Governing Board quarterly and annually; reporting to the QI Committee and Medical Staff monthly; and reporting all of the employees when appropriate. Identifying any educational needs and assuring that staff education for quality takes place. Appointing sub committees or teams to work on specific issues as necessary Coordinating activities for all of the employees within the Memorial Healthcare System (nhanet.org). Data Collection Tools The ability to develop, test, and implement changes is essential for any individual, group, or organization that wants to continuously improve (IHI.org). Memorial Healthcare System will use flowcharts to draw a picture of the processes they currently have for their medication dispensing and for their patient medical documentation. By using a detailed flowchart it will allow the organization to identify rework loops and complexity in a process. Using a flowchart will help them to identify and clarify any complex processes they might have, identify steps that do not add value to the internal or external customer, including: delays; needless storage and transportation; unnecessary work, duplication, and added expense; breakdowns in communication (IHI.org). It will also provide team members a shared understanding of the process and use this knowledge to collect data, identify problems, focus discussions and identify resources (IHI.org). Using the flowchart will also provide the basics needed to creating their new processes that need to be put in place. The organization will also use the cause and effect diagram to help them with displaying the possible causes as to why their current system isnt working. It will show possible problems within each step of their current process. By using this tool, Memorial Healthcare System will be able to graphically display the relationship between the causes to the effect and to each other. They will be able to see how each problem is linked to each other and identify areas that need to be improved. Another tool that will be used is the Pareto Diagram. This diagram is a type of bar chart in which the various factors that contribute to an overall effect are arranged in order according to the magnitude of their effect (IHI.org). By using this tool Memorial Healthcare System can visualize the different areas within each of their QI initiatives that will have the greatest impact on their success. It will allow the organization to focus on the different parts of each initiative that needs the most attention and the rationale for focusing on these areas. QI Processes and Methodology Customer-Inspired Quality (CIQ) is the methodology that will be used to focus on this organizations performance improvement area. It is best suited for success in the healthcare industry because it defines all patient care and administrative processes and it is hospital/service organization friendly and understandable by all stakeholders which encourages a broad cross section of staff input and involvement. Its administrative and quality measures are implemented to monitor work process changes, and, takes quality methods used in manufacturing and adapts them into the healthcare industry that can provide successful short and long-term improvements in quality, safety, and customer satisfaction (Moyer, H., New, W., Shaw, J.G., 2004). Memorial Healthcare Systems will use Electronic health records known as EHR which can reduce several types of errors, including those related to prescription drugs, to preventive care, and to tests and procedures (Carter, J.H., 2004). This software can provide automatic drug-drug/drug-food interaction checks and allergy checks, standard drug dosages and patient education information. Alerts can remind clinicians of intervals for preventive care and track referrals and test results. This software has demonstrated benefits during the process of treating patients. The staff will electronically document the medications being given to the patients by using the Barcode Technology, (mhs.net). Before delivering each medication, the medication’s bar code and patient’s identification bracelet are both scanned. Computerizing this process alerts healthcare providers to possible drug allergies and potential risks, and helps to ensure what is known in the healthcare industry as â€Å"The Five Rights of Medication Administration (mhs.net). These rights include the right patient, right drug, right dose, right route of administration and right frequency (mhs.net). The organization will also use Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE). This can reduce total medication error rates by 80% and adverse errors by 55% (Bates, D.W. MD, et al. 1998). Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) allows physicians to enter orders for treatment, tests and consultations directly into computer software that captures and transmits the information. This helps prevent medical errors that occur from verbal or handwritten orders that are inaccurate or hard to read. Successful use of CPOE leads to safer, more efficient, higher-quality care. Comparative Databases, Benchmarks, and Professional Practice Standards Memorial Healthcare will use comparative databases to integrate a process for constant evaluation with similar organizations, values and best practices. Constantly implementing leading-edge initiatives will assist the organization with providing the best care to their patients. It is extremely important that the organization continues to benchmark local hospitals and facilities within the Broward and Palm Beach Counties of Florida so that they will be able to continue being one of the nation’s best medical facilities. Authority/Structure/Organization The Governing Board of Memorial Healthcare System maintains ultimate authority and responsibility for the quality of care received by their patients and will oversee the development and implementation of this QI plan. The CEO is employed directly under the Governing Board and will be in charge of ensuring that the QI plan maintains a meaningful and effective quality improvement program. The Medical Director in conjunction with the Quality Improvement Committee will be responsible for the direction and management of all the QI activities. The Medical Director will report directly to the Governing Board on any medical issues and to the CEO for any administrative issues. The Quality Improvement Committee’s main function will be to oversee the medical and operational systems as they affect the patients and the employees. Every department within the Memorial Healthcare System will be responsible for ensuring that all quality improvement activities are taken place with every employee. All of the quality improvement initiatives must be conducted as a part of the organizations Quality Improvement Committee activities (nhanet.org). Every manager within each department will be responsible for identifying quality indicators, collecting and analyzing data, developing and implementing the changes to improve the care that is being provided to the patients when medication is dispensed. This will also include monitoring their employees to ensure that improvement is made and sustained. Communication The Quality Improvement Committee provides oversight and functions as the central clearing house for the quality data and information collected throughout the Memorial Healthcare System. This committee will track, trend, and aggregate the data received, create reports and communicate the findings to the Governing Board. The Governing Board will then communicate the findings to all of the appropriate staff members. Education The entire staff population within the Memorial Healthcare System will be responsible for attending all activities implemented for the quality improvement plan. Each employee will receive education regarding this plan during an initial orientation and on an annually basis thereafter. Any new developments or changes that might arise, each employee will receive updated documents for educational purposes. The material received will include a description of the QI plan and how their ownership fits into the plan depending on their job responsibilities. Annual Evaluation This Quality Improvement Plan will be evaluated on an annual basis for effectiveness in achieving the organizations goal of assuring that the best quality of care is being provided to all of their patients. A summary of all activities taken place, improvements that are made, the modification of care delivered, projects that are in process, and any change recommendations for this QI plan will be compiled and forwarded to the board for action to be taken. References: Bates, D.W. MD, et al. (1998). Effect of Computerized Physician Order Entry and a Team Intervention on Prevention of Serious Medication Errors. JAMA 280: 1311-1316. doi:10.001/jama.280.15.1311. Retrieved on December 20, 2009 from http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/280/15/1311 Memorial Healthcare System Services (2009). About Us. Retrieved online on December 20, 2009 from http://mhs.net/aboutus/aboutus.aspx Memorial Healthcare System Services (2009). Commitment to Patients First. Retrieved online on December 20, 2009 from mhs.net/aboutus/patientfirst.aspx Memorial Healthcare System Services (2009). Our Mission, Our Vision. Retrieved online on December 20, 2009 from mhs.net/aboutus/MissionandVision.aspx Model Quality Improvement Plan (2009). Retrieved online on December 20, 2009 from nhanet.org/pdf/quality/model.qi.pdf Moyers, H., New,W., Shaw, J.G (2004). Choosing a Quality/Performance Improvement Methodology. Shaw Resources. Retrieved on December 7, 2009 from https://www.shawresources.com The Institute for Healthcare Improvement. (2009). Tools. Retrieved online on December 20, 2009 from ihi.org/IHI/Topics/Improvement/ImprovementMethods/Tools Strategic Technologies Inc. (2004). Improvement Approaches Comparison Table. Retrieved on December 20, 2009 from https://www.strategictechnologiesinc.com Research Papers on Organizational Quality Improvement PlanArguments for Physician-Assisted Suicide (PAS)Marketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever ProductThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesTwilight of the UAWThe Fifth HorsemanThe Project Managment Office SystemAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into AsiaRiordan Manufacturing Production PlanOpen Architechture a white paper

Course work Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Course work - Essay Example In regard to the NEC contracts, the issues that arise between parties involved in the contract are handled by the adjudicator (clause 91.1). The adjudicator will give his ruling after a maximum period of 4 weeks (Bennett 2001). During this time the parties must go on with their obligations as if nothing has happened as they wait for the ruling. Reasons for termination are outlined in clause 95(95.1 -95.6) that show the grounds that can be used by either party to terminate the contract. Sacking of a contractor is the termination of the working agreements between them. The contract becomes null and void and the parties lose the working relationship they once had. Removal of a contractor is usually an extreme method of dealing with non-performance. This is despite the fact that it might lead to less headaches in regards to the particular contractor it has certain adverse effects (Rowlison, 2011). It is advisable to have the contractor on board until a particular project is finished then seeking legal redress thereafter. This protects the project manager from some legal hurdles. To begin with, it is very difficult to fire a contractor. Once a contractor is fired, there is the issue of the unfinished work which is on a certain timeline. Getting a different contractor to finish the work can be a hassle given that other contractors will be wary of working with such a project manager (Bennett 2001). The project manager will have limited bargaining power and might not get the best that the market has to offer. This will therefore compromise the quality of the project. Termination of a contract can be by two ways. This can be by using the terms of the contract or claiming that the behavior of the contractor is appalling and this behavior may imply that the contract does not exist. Termination by using the terms of the contract involves giving notice to the contractor as per the set guidelines in the contract (Rowlison, 2011). Contract termination due