Quality Performance Measure in Health Sciences and Medicine Case Study

Quality Performance Measure in Health Sciences and Medicine - Case Study Example Overall service has declined by 19.78%, overall clinical 15.90%, the overall quality of service, food positively improved by 1.98% while overall cleanliness declined by 2.63 %. It is suggested that a fine balance between the quality performance measure and patient satisfaction should be created rather than focusing on one aspect alone like quality performance as is the case now. 2. It seems the CEO has not properly carried out her responsibility for educating the board. The board should have been in a position to satisfy the needs of the patients while at the same time upholding high standard performance measures if they have adequate knowledge about the new changes being implemented within the clinical set-up. With proper knowledge, at least positive results should be noticed in all sectors of the healthcare system after the implementation of the new changes. 3. It is recommended that human resources development through learning should be implemented in various departments of the healthcare institution. According to Robbins (1993), learning promotes the development of knowledge that in turn can improve the performance of the employees. Through learning, the employees can also share their ideas with others members and this can help them to improve their performance. This strategy will also help the employees to pull their efforts towards the same direction for the betterment of the organization as a whole. 4. The quality data that should be reported and utilized by this board of directors is related to employee satisfaction as well as patient satisfaction. These are the two major indicators that show that the organization operating within the right direction to fulfill its mandate. Essentially, an organization that is committed to its success should ensure that its interests, as well as those of the employees, are satisfied (Jackson and Schuler, 2010).  Ã‚  

Public Examination Should Not Be Abolished Essay Example for Free

Public Examination Should Not Be Abolished Essay While several states are implementing some form of standards-based reform, there is very little empirical evidence to prove that standards, assessment, and high-stakes accountability programs are effective in improving public schools. In many states, such as California, attempts to implement standards-based reform are inconsistently or carelessly aligned with quality research. The following are some of the shortcomings of standards-based reform. 1. Recent reports on the standards-based reform movement in New York suggest that in many schools the careless implementation of standards and assessment may have negative consequences for students. Vague and unclear standards in several subject areas in several states complicate matters and do not serve as concrete standards defining what students should know and be able to do. 3. Top-down standards imposed by the federal or state government are also problematic. They impose content specifications without taking into account the different needs, opportunities to learn, and skills that may be appropriate for specific districts or regions. Table 1: Advantages of SBA compared with external examinations Point Characteristics of SBA Characteristics of Exams Scope Extends the range and diversity of assessment collection opportunities, task types and assessors Much narrower range of assessment opportunities: less diverse assessment; one exam per year Authenticity Assessment done by students own teacher; less possibility of cheating as teacher knows student capabilities; assessments more likely to be realistic Removes assessment entirely from teaching and learning; stressful conditions may lead to students not demonstrating real capacities Validity Improves validity through assessing factors that cannot be included in public exam settings Limits validity by limiting scope of assessment, e. g. difficult to assess interaction skills in exam environment Reliability Improves reliability by having more than one assessment by a teacher who is familiar with the student; allows for multiple opportunities for assessor reflection/standardisation Even with double marking, examiners judgments can be affected by various factors (task difficulty, topic, interest level, tiredness, etc); little opportunity for assessor reflection / review Fairness Fairness is achieved by following commonly-agreed processes, outcomes and standards; teacher assumptions about students and their oral language levels is made explicit through collaborative sharing and discussion with other teachers Fairness can only be achieved by treating everyone the same, i. e. setting the same task at the same time for all students. Feedback Students can receive constructive feedback immediately after the assessment has finished, hence improving learning The only feedback is usually a grade at the end of the course; no opportunities for interaction with assessor; no chance to ask how to improve Positive washback (beneficial influence on teaching and learning) Ongoing assessment encourages students to work consistently; provides important data for evaluation of teaching and assessment practices in general Examination is purely summative, and does not serve any teaching-related purpose; effects on teaching and learning may even be negative; may encourage teaching to the test and a focus on exam technique, rather than outcomes. Teacher and student empowerment Teachers and students become part of the assessment process; collaboration and sharing of expertise take place within and across schools Teachers play little to no role in assessment of their students and have no opportunity to share their expertise or knowledge of their students; students treated as numbers Professional development Builds teacher assessment skills, which can be transferred to other areas of the curriculum Teachers have no opportunity to build their assessment skills; get little or no feedback on how to improve as teachers

E. E. Cummings Essay -- essays research papers

E. E. Cummings: A Man of Poetry   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The background of E.E. Cummings, who was a distinctive, American poet, greatly influenced his literary achievements in poetry. This can be seen in the experiences of his early childhood. “Cummings was born Edward Estlin Cummings in Cambridge, Mass., on Oct. 14, 1894';(Ulanov 565). He was born into wealthy and creative surroundings. “Dr. Cummings was a woodsman, a photographer, an actor, a carpenter, an artist – and talented in all that he undertook. Mrs. Cummings [however] was a shy woman who overcame conventional influences to respond joyously and effectively to life'; (Triem 2). He also grew up in a rich neighborhood. “He virtually grew up in Harvard Yard and was surrounded by the most traditional aspects of Cambridge culture'; (Smelstor 455). E.E. Cummings’s parents not only provided him with creative surroundings, but also provided him with the best of educations. “Educated at Cambridge High School and Latin School, he enter ed Harvard University in 1911 and remained there until 1916, when he received his Master’s degree'; (Ulanov 565). It was during this time that E.E. Cummings was publishing his first poems for the Harvard Monthly Journal (Smelstor 455). After earning his Master’s at Harvard, he then moved on to volunteering as an ambulance driver in France during WWII. “From his experiences in La Ferte’ Mace...

‘Pride and Prejudice’, ‘Tea in the Wendy House’, and ‘He said’ Essay

Pride and Prejudice is a novel of love and marriage and how people have prejudices about love. Pride is involved as it blurs the seeing of true love. Jane Austen displays this as she was part of society and she had first-hand experience of this. In Tea in the Wendy House and He Said, there is an visible change in the role of society and attitudes to love and marriage. This is because of the different times each novel was written. Jane Austen does not make the subject of marriage favourable, as she never writes about a completely happy marriage. For example Mr and Mrs Bennet’s relationship, this is not an example of a good marriage as Mr Bennet is always taunting Mrs Bennet. ‘Or you may send them by themselves, will be better, for you are as handsome of any of them’. Here Mr Bennet is ridiculing Mrs Bennet by saying she should go and visit Mr Darcy as she may end up marrying him, as she is just as beautiful. This was one of Austen’s intentions to show that the society she lived in was superficial. Another example of a bad marriage is of Charlotte Lucas and Mr Collins. Charlotte is only marrying Mr Collins, as it is her last resort because she is seen as a spinster at the age of 27. Usually girls are married off at young ages, as it is their only ambition. This is shown in Pride and Prejudice, but in Tea in the Wendy House, even though Lyn has an opportunity of marriage she is not hap py. She feels pressured into marrying Graham and doesn’t have the chance to vent her true feelings properly. She feels she is also trapping Graham into marrying her and becoming a father. ‘I didn’t say anything, because Graham was so enthusiastic’. She is worried about other people’s feelings and hers but does not get the chance to show them. Whereas in He Said there is no chance of Bev getting married to Errol, as he is too irresponsible. This is an example of the way society has changed drastically. In Pride and Prejudice it was expected for girls to get married straight away and the most important thing in their life. In Tea in the Wendy House there was some expectation but not as much. In He Said society has changed so much that Errol does not think he needs to propose to Bev, even though she is pregnant. This also shows the attitudes to sex before marriage. As Austen shows more bad marriages than good, there were a few happy marriages, as they contain an equality of character traits between the couple. Elizabeth was too prejudiced to realise her true feelings and Mr Darcy was too proud. Even though she does finally realise Darcy’s good qualities. ‘She began to comprehend that he was exactly the man, in disposition and talents, would suit her’. This is the opposite in He Said, as Bev finally realises that she is stronger than Errol, and how she can cope without him. ‘ I don’t care if I never see him again’. In Jane Austen’s novels the valuable marriage is usually because of chance. If Elizabeth did not read Darcy’s letter and witness the elopement of Lydia and Wickham, she would have realised how much she values him. This is the opposite in Tea and the Wendy House as Graham and Lyn had known each other since their teens and so had got to know each other better. ‘I was fourteen and Graham was fifteen’. As Errol and Bev’s relationship in He Said is just based on sex and so there was no previous acknowledgement of character traits. Intervention played its part in the prevention of Darcy and Elizabeth getting married. Elizabeth’s prejudices intervene and prevent the marriage at first. This does not happen to the main character of Tea in the Wendy House but there is some intervention from Lyn’s parents. In Pride and Prejudice Elizabeth’s mum is always pushing her to get the best man she can. She is very bossy and likes to get what she wants. In Tea and the Wendy House it is also Lyn’s mother that has an intervening nature as she is making the wedding dress. ‘She was busy, giving final touches to the dress’. There is a difference in He Said, as her parents do not intervene. Although her father does not want to get involved with her situation, he feels no way in abandoning her when she needs them most. As her father is a minister of a church, he has strict religious beliefs but as he does not want to help he comes across as a bully. ‘If that harlot crosses my doorstep, I will strike her down. Then he had gone to church’. This contradicts his religious views. Status is another problem in the prevention of the marriage of Darcy and Elizabeth. ‘Elizabeth’s astonishment was beyond expression. She stared coloured doubted and was silent. This he considered enough encouragement’. Darcy thought that Elizabeth would have said yes when he first proposed, as she may never get a better offer as that one as he is much higher in status than she was. Darcy has a lot more money than the Bennet’s. In this time it was seen as better if you could marry a man with a large house and very good income. This was so he could provide for his wife when she had children but also to show-off to others. In He Said money is still important to Bev as she is by herself without a husband, so she has to fend for herself. She is struggling and in a poor job. She has not got the financial support from her parents like Lyn in Tea in the Wendy House. Bev’s prospects are limited because of lack of money and there is a slight suggestion that th is will not change much. There is a similarity between pride and prejudice and Tea in the Wendy House. This is because Lyn and Elizabeth both have some financial support from their parents, although it was not the most important thing in Tea in the Wendy House. Lyn’s mother puts it across as a bonus to the marriage, but having a good job is quite important. ‘ And he’s got a job, and course there’s the house. You really struck gold there’. Mr Collins also demonstrates the status prevention, as he expects her to say yes but it comes across as quite pompous. ‘ I am to inherit this estate after the death of your father’. He is openly stating that he will own Elizabeth’s house, as if it was nothing. In the actual proposal of Mr Collins to Elizabeth it was quite formal as he asked permission, which was expected in those times. This differs in the proposal of Graham to Lyn. He seemed embarrassed, it was not very formal but still had the decency to propose. ‘I told you it was corny, but will you, will you marry me?’ There is n o proposal in He Said. Errol obviously does not believe he needs to propose; not formal or gentleman-like. Judgement plays quite a big part of pride and prejudice, as it was a very judgmental society. People are always being judged. Elizabeth prides herself on good understanding of what people are like generally. ‘ The extravagance and general profligacy which he scripted exceedingly shocked her’. This shows how she was wrong about Mr Wickham and Darcy made her realise this in the letter he wrote to her after he proposed. Good judgement is being to see past deception, pride arrogance and hypocrisy. ‘She tried to recollect some instance of goodness, some distinguished trait of integrity’. This shows Elizabeth frantically trying to have some recollection that Mr Wickham was not deceptive and devious. Like Mr Darcy explained in the letter. This is a bad judgement that Elizabeth has made, just like the bad judgement of Errol by Bev. She thought he was going to stand by her throughout the pregnancy, but he does not. ‘I don’t want anything to come between us†¦now he would not speak to her’. This shows how shallow and unreliable Errol is. Although she knows Errol is not going to face up to his consequences, it does not stop her from fantasizing about the way she would like things to be between her and Errol. ‘Imagining Errol holding her tightly, perhaps his voice breaking with emotion’. Elizabeth’s first meeting with Mr Wickham compared to her first meeting with Mr Darcy it was not surprised she preferred Mr Wickham. This made her very shocked at the proposal from Mr Darcy. This pitfall almost brings Elizabeth to lose her future husband, although she does come to terms with her mistakes and corrects them. ‘How despicably I have acted, I who have prided myself on my discernment and gratified my vanity, pleased with the preference of one and offended by the neglect of another’. This reveals that Elizabeth has recognised her mistakes and how she has treated both men. Darcy has also overcome his arrogance and pride. Austen believes that a happy marriage is built on good judgement and so introduces a genuine perception. So they see each other for who they really are. Tea in the Wendy House, Lyn’s perception of Graham was not clear, she was not being clear about her feelings. The writer used the Wendy House as symbolism to show that however perfect something seems, it may not make you happy. Although at the end with the last Wendy House reference, you are left wondering if Lyn will ever be happy, but also there is no mention of Graham being with her, in this ideal world. ‘The bright blue walls seem to be closing in around her, the ceiling is coming nearer and nearer. She is a mummy. It doesn’t matter that she can’t get out’. It is making her conform to the stereotypes of typical women. Bev in He Said has made a journey of self-knowledge, from hating Errol for not standing by her to realising she can cope without him, and go along with the pregnancy by herself. From the pressures of society, the doctor telling her it would be best to get an abortion, her father throwing her out, living in a gritty flat and working in a dead end job. Bev has made a miraculous journey from where she was, to feeling confident of having the baby by herself. Elizabeth goes against her time by refusing two marriage proposals, and marrying for true love. In her society a sexual relationship before marriage was seen as unacceptable and shame would be brought onto the family. This is a contrast between our time and Jane Austen’s time. Lyn is pregnant before she is getting married, this is also the case in He Said apart from Bev is not getting married, and so has to cope on her own. This indicates the age and time Elizabeth lived in. Wickham was this type of person who would deceive women into thinking he loves them but then leaves them. This is what he did with Lydia Bennet. This was not the first he tried; he also tried with Darcy’s younger sister. He gambles and lives loosely and does not give a second thought to his sexual immoralities. Sex before marriage is seen as the main corrupt. Wickham’s character is similar to that of Errol. He does not give a second thought to the consequences of his action. ‘ With the faint smell of urine around her realising that probably some man had walked away from relieving himself without a backward thought about the results. Just like Errol’. Lydia’s relationship with Wickham has effected her reputation because of the elopement. Wickham’s love for Lydia is not true. This is the opposite with Lyn and Graham’s relationship. Graham is truly in love with Lyn, but it is Lyn that has the insecurities and does not feel true love. ‘ There is no one in the Wendy house except Lyn. Mandy isn’t there. Graham isn’t there’. This shows how maybe in the end she will be by herself without no one. In Elizabeth’s time courtship between two people would not have lasted quite long, so Wickham and Lydia were not truly in love, it was most probably infatuation. ‘His belief that Wickham never intended to go there or to marry Lydia at all’. Jane Austen was a person in this society and time, which believed marriage, was the most important thing for a young girl. This would lead to prejudices about how much money did the husband have and of what status was he. Jane Austen shows through pride and prejudice that she would not have married because it was convenient but because of love much like Elizabeth. Society has changed, as evident in He said. From wanting marriage as an ambition, to Errol not needing to propose, it does not mean the society has got any better. Society and other people’s thoughts all contribute to prevention of some marriages, even nowadays.

Age discrimination

Gus Atavist and the other candidates that were over the age of 40 were not consider for the new positions, therefore, showing that these antedates were being age discriminated against (He-man, Judge, Icemaker- Mueller, 2012). EPIC did not follow protocol on the listing the new position, interviewing or selecting the employees for the new CSS positions. EPIC did not post the position with the Job descriptions, therefore, not allowing candidates to know what the duties of the new positions were or allowing them to figure out if they met the qualification of the Job.In the past Gus has always received outstanding remarks on his appraisals, therefore, should be consider for the new CSS position. He was overlooked because they stated that he lacked technical and communication skills that are needed for the position. However, there was not any written comments or suggestion in his personnel file that stated that he lacked technical or communication skills. Thus, there was no documentation of why he did not receive the position.Past appraisals and personnel files of the candidates were not used until after the candidates were given the Job, therefore, the senior vice president of corporate claims (SPEC) and managers of corporate claims (MAC) did not know what the work ethics, skills and communication of the candidates were. The vice president of regional claims was not allowed to give any input on any of the candidates that worked under him. Thus, the candidates were not selected based on their qualifications or communication skills (He-man, Judge, Icemaker-Mueller, 2012).The SPEC and the MAC took the list of the candidates, discussed the candidate with each other and evaluated them. The candidates were never evaluated based on qualifications technical or communication skills because the personnel files, appraisals and the input of the VRRP or human resources were never used. Job description was not posted or wrote up to describe the details of the positions, therefor e, the SPEC and the MAC could not evaluate if the candidates were qualified for the Job. However, the only candidates that were offered position were the young candidates.These candidates did not have more skills, education, and qualification than the other candidates because the SPEC and the MAC did not follow human resource protocol (He-man, Judge, Icemaker-Mueller, 2012). Age discrimination involves treating a person/candidate unfavorable because of his or her age. For an example, not hiring or promoting a candidate because of their age (Sheen & Klein, 2001). Thus, the only conclusion is that Gus and the other candidates who are over the age of 40 were discriminated against because of their age.Rebuttal from the Viewpoint of EPIC Best Protection Insurance Company is in the process of restructuring. They have to eliminate regional center manager positions, however, they are increasing five new corporate claims specialist positions. Unfortunately, there are more position that are b eing eliminated than they are creating. Therefore, the ARC have to apply for the ewe positions if they want to stay with the organization. The SPEC and the MAC reviewed all the candidates. They looked at all the candidates' qualification, technical and communication skills.They selected those candidates who was the best candidates for the CSS positions and best for the organization to grow into the future. The personnel files, appraisals and the input from the VRRP were not needed in the first phase of promoting. The decision was made based on the experience that the SPEC and the MAC has working with the candidates. Based on the decisions the five candidates were offered the positions. After, the candidates were offered the positions the SPEC and the MAC did review the personnel files and the appraisals to make sure there was not discrepancy.Unfortunately, Gus Atavist and the other candidates were not the best candidates for the position. Gus lacks the technical and communication sk ills that EPIC need to grow into the future. Gus and the other candidates were not discriminated because of their age. Thus, their age was never consider or evaluated during the entire process. If they did meet the requirements their age could have been an added value because of their experience. The CSS position is an established position within the EPIC Company.Therefore, EPIC did not write a new Job description and qualification, since the positions was already created. The company is not creating a new Job, new Job description and new job qualifications. They are Just increasing the amount of CSS that they already have, therefore, a new Job description is not needed. Thus, the reason that the position was not posted, Job duties described and qualifications (He-man, Judge, Icemaker- EPIC is an equal employment opportunity employer and they do not discriminate against race, sex, or any other characteristics.The company has not been accused of discrimination until now when not all the candidates did not receive the promotion to the CSS position. Gus Atavist and other candidates that were not chosen could not give examples of the younger employees being favored over them before in the past. Thus, EPIC does not discriminated against anyone, the only reason that age discrimination is being brought up is because Gus and the other candidates were not qualified and did not receive the promotion (Age Discrimination, 2014).In conclusion, the candidates were reviewed and evaluated based on their lubrication, technical and communication skills. The SPEC and the MAC did their evaluation based on the past work experience. After the selection the personnel files and appraisal were review to make sure the candidates were the best candidates. Unfortunately, there was only five positions that were added and some employees were going to have lose their positions. Gus Atavist and the other candidates were not discriminated because of their age. They were not selected because t hey did not meet the requirements for the position. Age discrimination Gus Atavist and the other candidates that were over the age of 40 were not consider for the new positions, therefore, showing that these antedates were being age discriminated against (He-man, Judge, Icemaker- Mueller, 2012). EPIC did not follow protocol on the listing the new position, interviewing or selecting the employees for the new CSS positions. EPIC did not post the position with the Job descriptions, therefore, not allowing candidates to know what the duties of the new positions were or allowing them to figure out if they met the qualification of the Job.In the past Gus has always received outstanding remarks on his appraisals, therefore, should be consider for the new CSS position. He was overlooked because they stated that he lacked technical and communication skills that are needed for the position. However, there was not any written comments or suggestion in his personnel file that stated that he lacked technical or communication skills. Thus, there was no documentation of why he did not receive the position.Past appraisals and personnel files of the candidates were not used until after the candidates were given the Job, therefore, the senior vice president of corporate claims (SPEC) and managers of corporate claims (MAC) did not know what the work ethics, skills and communication of the candidates were. The vice president of regional claims was not allowed to give any input on any of the candidates that worked under him. Thus, the candidates were not selected based on their qualifications or communication skills (He-man, Judge, Icemaker-Mueller, 2012).The SPEC and the MAC took the list of the candidates, discussed the candidate with each other and evaluated them. The candidates were never evaluated based on qualifications technical or communication skills because the personnel files, appraisals and the input of the VRRP or human resources were never used. Job description was not posted or wrote up to describe the details of the positions, therefor e, the SPEC and the MAC could not evaluate if the candidates were qualified for the Job. However, the only candidates that were offered position were the young candidates.These candidates did not have more skills, education, and qualification than the other candidates because the SPEC and the MAC did not follow human resource protocol (He-man, Judge, Icemaker-Mueller, 2012). Age discrimination involves treating a person/candidate unfavorable because of his or her age. For an example, not hiring or promoting a candidate because of their age (Sheen & Klein, 2001). Thus, the only conclusion is that Gus and the other candidates who are over the age of 40 were discriminated against because of their age.Rebuttal from the Viewpoint of EPIC Best Protection Insurance Company is in the process of restructuring. They have to eliminate regional center manager positions, however, they are increasing five new corporate claims specialist positions. Unfortunately, there are more position that are b eing eliminated than they are creating. Therefore, the ARC have to apply for the ewe positions if they want to stay with the organization. The SPEC and the MAC reviewed all the candidates. They looked at all the candidates' qualification, technical and communication skills.They selected those candidates who was the best candidates for the CSS positions and best for the organization to grow into the future. The personnel files, appraisals and the input from the VRRP were not needed in the first phase of promoting. The decision was made based on the experience that the SPEC and the MAC has working with the candidates. Based on the decisions the five candidates were offered the positions. After, the candidates were offered the positions the SPEC and the MAC did review the personnel files and the appraisals to make sure there was not discrepancy.Unfortunately, Gus Atavist and the other candidates were not the best candidates for the position. Gus lacks the technical and communication sk ills that EPIC need to grow into the future. Gus and the other candidates were not discriminated because of their age. Thus, their age was never consider or evaluated during the entire process. If they did meet the requirements their age could have been an added value because of their experience. The CSS position is an established position within the EPIC Company.Therefore, EPIC did not write a new Job description and qualification, since the positions was already created. The company is not creating a new Job, new Job description and new job qualifications. They are Just increasing the amount of CSS that they already have, therefore, a new Job description is not needed. Thus, the reason that the position was not posted, Job duties described and qualifications (He-man, Judge, Icemaker- EPIC is an equal employment opportunity employer and they do not discriminate against race, sex, or any other characteristics.The company has not been accused of discrimination until now when not all the candidates did not receive the promotion to the CSS position. Gus Atavist and other candidates that were not chosen could not give examples of the younger employees being favored over them before in the past. Thus, EPIC does not discriminated against anyone, the only reason that age discrimination is being brought up is because Gus and the other candidates were not qualified and did not receive the promotion (Age Discrimination, 2014).In conclusion, the candidates were reviewed and evaluated based on their lubrication, technical and communication skills. The SPEC and the MAC did their evaluation based on the past work experience. After the selection the personnel files and appraisal were review to make sure the candidates were the best candidates. Unfortunately, there was only five positions that were added and some employees were going to have lose their positions. Gus Atavist and the other candidates were not discriminated because of their age. They were not selected because t hey did not meet the requirements for the position.