The legalisation of drugs (Class C) will benefit society as a whole by Essay

The legalisation of drugs (Class C) will benefit society as a whole by reducing crime - Essay Example Several countries throughout the world are working to decriminalize or legalise less harmful drugs such as marijuana, currently classified as a Class C drug, as a means of addressing the growing problem of the war on drugs. Rather than providing the United States and other countries with the elimination of undesirable drugs as was anticipated, the war on drugs has instead served to heighten violence, contribute to the development of organised crime, fill the prison system past capacity, consume large amounts of capital and has still had very little effect on the availability of these drugs or the numbers of individuals who use them. It has been suggested, and in some cases demonstrated, that legalizing or at least decriminalizing less harmful drugs, such as marijuana, can help to reduce the violence, significantly decrease the numbers of people incarcerated for drug use, allow more individuals to remain a contributing member of society and free up funds and manpower to combat against more harmful substances. To understand these various effects, this paper seeks to evaluate the available literature on the topic, comparing instances such as the Netherlands and England, where marijuana has been decriminalized and regulated to some degree, examine the economic theory that led to the development of the war on drugs as well as its effectiveness and net results and finally explore the types of crime that have been associated with drug trafficking and possible alternative measures to address some of these related concerns without actually legalizing marijuana. Current trends in public opinion suggest a growing interest in the decriminalization of Class C drugs, such as marijuana, as an alternative approach from the war on drugs that has proven ineffective.

Differences Between Pediatric and Adult Patients

Differences Between Pediatric and Adult Patients Sabrija Cerimovic Introduction The primary focus of this essay will be based upon the unique anatomical and physiological differences between a pediatric patient and an adult one, and how these differences may affect the treatment and/or presentation of a child in a pre-hospital environment. Furthermore, this essay will include and explore how these differences can affect the A-E assessment most importantly the underlying airway and breathing differences. Although one may think that treating a child is the as treating a grown adult, it is not. They differ in weight, shape, anatomical size and major bodily systems such as cardiovascular and respiratory. Similarly another aspect to consider is that children are often psychologically different to adults in many ways. For example, in interpreting pain; all which play a critical part in providing the best care for the patient. One of the biggest priorities and challenges when it comes to treatment as a paramedic is being able to maintain and control the airway of the individual regardless if its pediatrics or not, due to the anatomical challenges that are more prevalent in pediatric patients. Therefore, it is essential to understand and recognize these differences as they will have a direct impact towards the treatment/management of the patient. Respiratory failure is a frequent cause of cardiac arrest in children, regardless if it’s pre-hospital or not, consequently being able to r ecognize early respiratory compromise from airway obstruction is critical to prevent respiratory failure thus reducing the chance of cardiac arrest. The goal of airway management is to predict and recognize potential respiratory compromise and to provide support and stabilization of the airway in a timely manner. (Derek, 2007) Young infants/children have a relatively large occiput (back of skull); which when lying supine on a flat surface results in neck flexion and potential airway obstruction. Even a small degree of obstruction can significantly affect the pediatric patient’s oxygenation and ventilation (Seid, 2012). Along with this, neonates naturally breathe through their nose for the first 6 months, thus their narrow nasal passages are easily blocked by secretions or congestion and can be damaged by treatment methods such as a nasogastric tube (Macfarlane). Furthermore, pediatric patients have a smaller internal diameter when it comes to the upper and lower airways which in return predispose children to have a higher airway resistance. An example of this is described by Ponselle’s law where it is explained that if the radius is decreased by half the resistance is increased by sixteen times, this in its self is an example of how delicate the pediatric airway/breathing system is, where mild airway obstruction or even inflammation can present moderate or severe respiratory distress. (Weathers, 2010) Infants are largely reliant on a functional diaphragm for proper ventilation as opposed to the accessory muscles compared to adults which depend more on accessory muscles than infants. Therefore, a non-functional diaphragm often leads to respiratory failure.Additionally, the probability of respiratory difficulties in infants and younger children can be attributed due to infants having a relatively lower percentage of type 1 muscle fibers or slow-twitch skeletal muscle in their intercostal muscles and diaphragm; these fibers are much more unlikely to fatigue. (Santillanes, 2008) The position of the larynx can play a vital role of visualization of the airway, compared to the larynx of an adult which sits between 6th -7th cervical cerebrate. A young child’s larynx sits higher than an adults around the 2nd–3rd cervical veritable, making intubation much more difficult compared to an adult. (Adewale, 2010) Breathing differences not only vary between adults and young children but can vary greatly between different age groups of children. This is presented by the following example where the breathing rate for an infant of 1-3 years old can be between 30 to 60 breaths per minute compared to an adolescence teenager who has a breathing rate close to adult’s 12-16 breaths per minute (Anatomical and Physiological Differences in Children, 2012). Furthermore children have a much higher metabolic rate compared to adults, by body surface area children have much higher oxygen consumption in relation to their body size which can result in rapid hypoxia if respiratory distress is present. Pediatric patients breathing can account for up to 40% of the cardiac output, particularly in stressed conditions (Kache, 2013). Along with this smaller children are also at risk of developing acute hypoglycemia due to their livers being unable to store glycogen and usually have a reduced supply of glucose, coupled with the fact that the metabolic rate is typically higher in children puts the children in a much higher risk of hypoglycemic. Compared to adults and older children, infants produce approximately twice as much carbon dioxide and consume twice the amount of oxygen relative to body weight.(Davey, 2012) In some situations the simplest factors can be over looked if you are not aware of the differences between adults and pediatrics. For exa mple, pediatrics patients can develop hypothermia much easier compared to their adult counterparts due to pediatric bodies having a surface area to volume ratio four times higher than adults and only one and a half times heat production compared to adults. This difference in ratio can leave children much more predisposed to hypothermia. Pediatric patients may have not fully developed the muscular system to deal with this drop in temperature, such as having the ability to shiver or vasoconstriction which is essential to produce muscular heat in such a situation. Furthermore children have smaller amounts of adipose tissue stored which is essential for insulation which results in the core body temperature dropping further.Interesting anatomical difference in children is that the head is comparably larger than the rest of the body and tend to balance out around the type of adolescence; this in return causes an unbalanced weight distribution between the body and the head, which can cause the head to act as a projectile and due to the larger head its prone to head larger head loss (Pediatric Assesment, 2012). Conclusion When it comes to the presentation of a pediatric patient in comparison to an adult patient, it is essential to be able to differ between the two. Although more can be said about the anatomical and physiological differences and how these affect further treatment, it is quite clear from a paramedic point of view that just from the airway and breathing aspect that pediatric patients are not like miniature adults. References Anatomical and Physiological Differences in Children. (2012). Retrieved 4 1, 2014, from Emergency Medical Paramedic: http://www.emergencymedicalparamedic.com/anatomical-and-physiological-differences-in-children/ Pediatric Assesment. (2012). Retrieved March 30, 2014, from Long Beach Regional Fire Training Center: http://www.lbfdtraining.com/Pages/emt/sectiond/pediatricassessment.html Adewale, D. L. (2010). Anatomical Considerations of the Paedatircs Airway. Retrieved 4 1, 2014, from Europian Society for PAediatric Anaesthesiolgy: http://www.euroespa.org/klant_uploads/berlinlectures/ANATOMICAL CONSIDERATIONS OF THE PAEDIATRIC AIRWAY.pdf Davey, A. J. (2012). Wards Anaesthetic Equipment. Elsevier. Derek, S. (2007). Pediatric Critical Care Medicine: Basic Science And Clinical Evidence. Springer. Kache, S. (2013). Pediatric Airway Respiratory Physiology. Retrieved 3 28, 2014, from Standford School of Medicine: http://peds.stanford.edu/Rotations/picu/pdfs/10_Peds_Airway.pdf Krost, W. (2006). Beyond the Basics: Pediatric Assessment. Retrieved March 30, 2014, from EMS World: http://www.emsworld.com/article/10322897/beyond-the-basics-pediatric-assessment?page=2 Macfarlane, F. (n.d.). Paediatric Anatomy and PHysiology and the Basic of Paediatic Anaesthesia. Retrieved 4 1, 2014, from Anaesthesia UK: http://www.anaesthesiauk.com/documents/paedsphysiol.pdf Santillanes, G. (2008). Pediatric Airway Managment. Retrieved 4 1, 2014, from Departments of Emergency Medicine and Pediatrics,: http://blog.utp.edu.co/maternoinfantil/files/2010/08/V%C3%ADa-a%C3%A9rea-en-pediatr%C3%ADa.pdf Seid, T. (2012). Pre–hospital care of pediatric patients with trauma. International Journal of Critical Illness and Injury Science, 1-2. Weathers, E. (2010). The Anatomy of the Pediactic Airway. Retrieved 4 1, 2014, from Respiratory Care Educational Consulting Service, Inc: http://www.rcecs.com/MyCE/PDFDocs/course/V7110.pdf

The Debate Over the Origin of Modern Homo Sapiens Essay example -- Ant

The Debate Over the Origin of Modern Homo Sapiens There has been a great deal of heated debate for the last few decades about where modern Homo sapiens originated. From the battle grounds, two main theories emerged. One theory, labeled â€Å"Out-of-Africa† or â€Å"population replacement† explains that all modern Homo sapiens evolved from a common Homo erectus ancestor in Africa 100,000 years ago. The species began to spread and replace all other archaic human-like populations around 35,000 to 89,000 years ago. The rivaling opinion, entitled the â€Å"regional continuity† theory or â€Å"multiregional evolution† model refutes this theory and states modern humans evolved from various species of Homo erectus who interbred with others that lived in places such as Asia, Africa, and Europe. These scientists believe this theory would explain why there are differences among races around the world. As sound as the regional continuity theory appears, it seems to be slightly lacking in genetic support. It appears that most of the support of this theory depends on fossil record which is important information but not stable evidence. The Out-of-Africa theory relies on more than just fossil evidence but a combination of fossils and genetic studies. It is important to use this information as well as the fossil records because â€Å"various interpretations of the transition are possible if researchers concentrate on only fossil evidence, while the mtDNA studies more strongly support replacement†¦.the best approximation of the process still appears to be an African-based spread† (Nitecki and Nitecki, 1994). In a time where technology is becoming an integral part of society, it is easier to discover information that did not seem possible before. ... ...and Matthew Nitecki, eds. (1994). Origins of Anatomically Modern Humans. Plenum Press, New York. Noble, Ivan. (2001). Boost for ‘Out of Africa Theory [online]. BBC Available from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/1323485.stm [Accessed 24 March 2001]. O’Hanlon, Larry. (2002). New Out-of-Africa Theory Unveiled [online]. News Brief Available from: http://dsc.discovery.com/news/briefs/20020225/eve.html [Accessed 1 April 2004]. Reuters. (2001). Scientists Challenge Evolution Theory [online]. ABC News Available from: http://abcnews.go.com/sections/scitech/DailyNews/evolution_ outofafrica010109.html [Accessed 24 March 2004]. Roach, John. (2002). Skull Fossil Challenges Out-of-Africa [online]. National Geographic News Available from: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2002/07/0703_020704_georgianskull.html [Accessed 24 March 2004].

The Primary Care Clinic

Discuss the key political, economic, and social forces that may have influenced the development of the clinic. Economic and social conditions that affect people’s lives determine their health. People who are poor are less likely to seek proper medical care, as opposed to people who are of middle-class status and above. Citizens with more social status, money, and education have a plethora of choices and control over things, such as the neighborhoods, their salaries, occupational opportunities, etc. Jin, Shah, & Svoboda, September, 1995, 153(5)) Dennis Raphael of the CSJ Foundation for Research and Education, reinforces this concept: â€Å"Social determinants of health are the economic and social conditions that shape the health of individuals, communities, and jurisdictions as a whole. Social determinants of health are the primary determinants of whether individuals stay healthy or become ill. † (Raphael, 2008) The development of clinics has become increasingly more imp ortant since the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. Politics influence clinics because when laws such as these are put in place, federal funds will follow. These acts will make healthcare more accessible to millions of people in the United States. (Hobbs, Morton, Swerissen, & Anderson, 2010) What would be a good mission statement? â€Å"To provide exemplary medical care to our patients, thus improving the health, wellness, and productivity of our community as a whole. Expect to receive the same level of service and dedication that we would provide for our own families. † At our clinic, we offer these tips for better health. We believe in empowering our patients with the knowledge to enable them to make better lifestyle choices. (Donaldson, 1999) 1. Don’t smoke. If you can, stop. If you can’t, cut down. 2. Follow a balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables. 3. Keep physically active. 4. Manage stress by, for example, talking things through and making time to relax. 5. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation. 6. Cover up in the sun, and protect children from sunburn. 7. Practice safer sex. 8. Take up cancer-screening opportunities. 9. Be safe on the roads: follow the Highway Code 10. Learn the First Aid ABCs: airways, breathing, and circulation. Identify three (3) performance measures you would use to measure the clinic’s effectiveness and provide the rationale for each performance measure. The three performance measures that I would use are customer-client surveys, outcomes and efficiency, and operations. (L, B, & Xu, 2001) (R. & Griffith, 2010) Customer-client surveys are important, because we need to know if patients are happy with the care they are receiving from us. If they are not happy, it could hurt our bottom line. Word-of-mouth travels fast, negative or positive. Every tenth patient should receive a survey, since randomness yields better results. Bryant) I would ask questions, such as: * Was your appointment time adhered to? If not, how many minutes late? * Do you feel that you had enough time to express your concerns with your healthcare professional, or did you feel rushed during the appointment? * What are your thoughts on our check-in process? The outcomes and efficiency performance is extremely critical , because our goal is to decrease hospitalizations, and to manage illnesses. This will decrease healthcare costs overall. If too many of our patients are being hospitalized, then that means something needs to be fixed. The patients are either not following clinician directives, not coming for follow-up appointments, or we may not have enough physicians on staff. (R. & Griffith, 2010) There is a critical shortage of primary care physicians in this country, due to the lure of more financially lucrative specialties. (Herrick, 2010) Last, but not least, is operations. In order to know what is really going on in the organization, you must speak with the employees that are on the forefront. They can offer suggestions for streamlining tasks, such as customer check-in. They are usually the first people that hear raise or complaints from the patient, so their feedback is invaluable. How would you approach decisions regarding clinic expansion and annual plan approval? Due to the healthcare reform laws that were passed during the Obama Administration, there is a very real possibility that many people will be dropped from their employer-sponsored healthcare to the increased costs in 2014. (Diamond, 2010) Four major U. S. firms have come to the realization that millions, possibly, billions of dollars can be kept in the company coffers if they decide to cease healthcare benefits for their employees. The companies–AT&T, Caterpillar, Deere, and Verizon Communications—made announcements in March and April of 2010 that it would less costly to pay the government-imposed fines, as opposed to absorbing the increased costs of the overhaul. The bill reduces employers’ tax deductions. To accommodate these patients during their transition from traditional employer-sponsored plans to government-based plans (including, but not limited to, Medicaid, insurance through the exchanges, etc. ), more clinics need to be opened to handle the impending influx of people who will be seeking care. The federal government will provide funding to clinics as part of their primary care initiatives, which will provide capital to help cover the costs of expansion. We need to expand our practice, and have these additional clinics up and running before this legislation takes effect. We need to keep the continuity of care momentum going strong in our communities. How would you describe the role of the clinic as a component of the healthcare delivery system in your community? The clinic’s role in the community is of the utmost importance, especially in today’s financial climate. Many of our citizens are uninsured or underinsured. Due to the deterioration of the American economy, many people put cut healthcare from their tightened budgets. There have been reports of a decline in office visits since we have been in this recession. Clinics are needed to provide preventative and illness care, at an affordable cost, to the people. Due to the health reform legislation, which stresses preventative healthcare as one of its focuses, clinics will play a major role in the delivery of healthcare in this country, as they should. It is more cost-effective to utilize a clinic to manage chronic illnesses such as diabetes, instead of going to the emergency room due to uncontrolled diabetes. How has public healthcare policy influenced the formation of outpatient clinics in the healthcare system? The clinic’s role in the community is of utmost importance, especially in today’s financial climate. Many of our citizens are uninsured or underinsured. Due to deterioration of the American economy, many people cut medical services from their tightened budgets. There have been reports of a decline in office visits during this recent recession. Smith, 2010) Clinics are needed to provide preventative and illness care, at an affordable cost, to the members of the community. Due to health reform, which focuses on preventative care as a way to cut medical costs, clinics will play a major role in the delivery of medical services in our country. For example, it is more cost-efficient for patients to utilize a clini c to manage chronic conditions, i. e. diabetes, high blood pressure, etc, as opposed to going to the emergency room when symptoms escalate to dangerous levels.

Policies and Procedures Essay

Policy: A person requesting a release of patient information other than him or her self, needs to correctly identify the reasoning for the information and proper legal documents need to be completed, such as an authorization form signed by the patient. Under certain circumstances, the release of information would not need authorization due to certain federal and state statutes; these are explained in the measurement standards. Objective: To protect patient’s individual rights to the privacy, security, and confidentiality of medical information being released to others by recording authorization information into the database with accuracy and in a timely manner. The patient’s specific authorization forms must be filed within 24 hours of admission. Measurements: 1. The patient must disclose their written authorization by completing an authorization form prior to the release of patient information to a health care provider, an individual who assists a health care provider in the delivery of health care, or an agent of the health care provider. 2. If the patient decides to complete an authorization form, we are required to honor that authorization and, if requested, provide a copy of the recorded health information unless the health care provider denies the patient access to health information. 3. To be valid, a disclosure of authorization must be in writing, dated, and signed by the patient. Identify the nature of the information to be disclosed, identify the name and institutional affiliation of the person to whom the information is being disclosed, identify the provider and the patient, and contain an expiration date that relates to the patient. 4. A patient may revoke in writing a disclosure authorization to a health care provider at any t ime unless disclosure is required to effectuate payments for health care that has been provided or other substantial action has been taken in reliance on the authorization. 5. A health care provider or facility may disclose patient health information without the patient’s authorization in the event of the recipient needs to know the information because the provider or facility reasonably believes the person is providing health care to the patient. 6. Disclosure without authorization may also be made to federal, state, or local law enforcement authorities upon receipt of a written or oral request made to a nursing supervisor, administrator, or designated privacy official, in a case in which the patient is being treated or has been treated for a bullet wound gunshot wound, powder burn, or other injury arising from or caused by discharge of a firearm. 7. A health care provider shall maintain a record of existing health care information for at least one year following a receipt of an authorization to disclose that health care information under RCW 70.02.040, and during the pendency of a request for examination and copying under RCW 70.02.080, or a request for correction or amendment under RCW 70.02.100. 8. The authorization must be entered into the database within the first 24 hours of completion; therefore, other staff members in the facility such as providers and other members of the ROI department will know the limits to the release of that patient’s information if requested upon. State and Federal Statutes: RCW70.02.020, RCW 70.02.030, RCW 70.02.040, RCW 70.02.050, RCW 70.02.160.