Incident Response Essay

The emergency services (Police, Fire and Ambulance) have to respond to all emergency situations, but they have different roles and responsibilities and they have graded response policies. All emergencies are graded by the call handler according to the information from the caller and not by the way the incident is reported. If a caller dials 999 believing an incident is an emergency the call handler will assess the information and then decide whether it is top priority or if the incident does actually require an emergency response. Call handlers work under the supervision of team managers and incident managers. The standards of fire cover all fire services in the United Kingdom and were set originally in the 1930’s but were established in 1958 by the Home Office. They were more clearly defined and revised in 1974 and again in 1985. Fire risk assessment, until the current year, has been based upon this guidance, which consists of a prose description of the risk categories and a formula designed to determine a points rating or fire grading of premises. When the risk category of an area had been determined, the criteria set by the Home Office demanded that the fire service response to emergency calls, met minimum requirements in terms of speed and weight of attack. Grading of incidents by the Fire service is split into 5 categories: Category ‘A’ Built up areas in large cities containing large commercial and industrial premises or high rise property where there is a strong chance of fire spread. The recommended minimum first attendance was three pumps, two to attend within five minutes and one within eight minutes, to be achieved on at least 75% of occasions. Category ‘B’ Refers to large cities and towns with multi-storey buildings, including large areas of residential housing as well as industrial estates with high-risk occupants. The recommended minimum first attendance was two pumps, one to arrive within five minutes and the other within eight minutes, to be achieved on at least 75% of occasions. Category ‘C’ Refers to the outskirts of larger towns and the built-up areas of smaller towns and extensive areas of residential dwellings such as terraced houses  and semi-detached houses, blocks of flats as well as light industry/commercial properties. The recommended minimum first attendance was one pump within eight to ten minutes, to be achieved on at least 75% of occasions. Category ‘D’ Consisting of rural property, villages and farms and all areas that do not come under categories A-C. The recommended minimum first attendance was one pump within 20 minutes, to be achieved on 75% of occasions. Rural and remote is a separate category and has no pre-determined response time. The majority of Merseyside (91%) is classed as C or D risk. http://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/foi/Information%20Classes/Policies/item11547.pdf Grading of incidents by the police in England and wales are graded as ‘emergency ‘or ‘non-emergency’ in four grades. Grade 1 is the emergency response. An emergency contact will result in immediate police response. It involves circumstances where an incident is reported to the police which is currently taking place and there is a risk of danger to life, the use or immediate threat or use of violence or serious injury to a person or property. Criminal conduct will be dealt with as an emergency if the crime is going to be serious and is in progress, an offender has just been disturbed at the scene or the offender has been detained and there is a high risk that he is a threat to the general public. When the incident involves traffic collision it will be classed as an emergency if it involves or is likely to involve serious personal injury and also if the road is blocked due to the collision and if there is a dangerous or excessive build up of traffic. Also if the call handler who takes the call feels strongly that the incident should be classed as an emergency. The urban response time for this Grade is 10 minutes and the rural response time is 17 minutes. Grade 2 is classed as a Priority response. The call handler feels that the incident is important or urgent but does not need an emergency response. This could include incidents such as a concern for someone’s welfare, an offender has been detained but is not a threat to anyone, a road traffic accident that has injuries or has caused a serious obstruction, a witness may be lost or a person is suffering distress and is believed to be vulnerable. Resourses for a Grade 2 incident should be sent as soon as is safely possible and  within 15 minutes. Grade 3 is classed as a scheduled response. This is when the needs of the caller can be best achieved by scheduling a response. This could be when the response time is not critical when apprehending offenders or a better quality of policing can be given if it is dealt with by a scheduled response by a police officer or even by that person attending the police station. Incidents should be resolved to satisfaction level of caller as soon as possible and must be within 48 hours of first call. Grade 4 is classed as Resolution without deployment. This is used when an incident can be re solved through telephone advice, help desk, frequently asked questions or other appropriate agencies or services. The caller is advised of an agreed call-back time and to be as soon as possible and within 24 hours. Grading of incidents by the Ambulance Service are placed in three categories, this grading also applies to urgent calls from GPs and other health professionals, as well as calls from the general public. Category A is Priority. This is when an incident is considered to be immediately life-threatening examples are when a person is suffering with chest pains/cardiac arrest, unconscious/fainting or has breathing problems. The response time for a category A is within 8 minutes or less. Category B is where an incident is serious but not immediately life-threatening, examples are when someone has fallen or has serious bleeding, a sick person with no priority symptoms or overdose/poisoning. The response time for category B is within 14 minutes in urban areas and within 19 minutes in rural areas. Category C is when an incident is not serious or life-threatening, examples when someone has fallen over and assistance is required, and a sick person with a range of non-serious conditions such as d iarrhoea or someone with abdominal/back pains. In 2000 the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) became responsible for assessing the training and standards of all drivers who drive emergency response vehicles which are fitted with blue lights and sirens. When talking to other agencies the DSA drew up the Blue Light Users Working Party Expectations Document. This document contained a list of the expectations that drivers of emergency response vehicles should meet before being allowed  to drive these vehicles. This document was accepted by the three main emergency services (police, fire and ambulance). This document includes performance criteria and knowledge and consists of these three elements. All emergency drivers need to be over the age of 18 and in good health also must not have any motoring convictions against their name and this is checked every three years. Element one is the ability to assess the need for an emergency response. Element two is the ability to drive the vehicle safely to emergencies and element three is the ability to show the correct attitude when responding to emergencies. Police Service Drivers have to meet the standards set by the DSA but the police service also have their own driving centres. At the driving centres police are trained and graded according to National Training Standards, which is then approved by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO). The type of driver training depends on the job role of that police officer. Police drivers can be graded as Standard response drivers, advanced drivers or pursuit drivers. Advanced drivers and pursuit drivers have intense training and they use high powered vehicles and advanced techniques for responding quickly and safely to emergencies. Fire Service Drivers The fire service also has its own driver training centres where drivers are trained to the standards met by their Fire Authority. To drive an Emergency Fire Appliance drivers must hold a Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) Licence and have received the necessary training and assessments. Only then can they be allowed to drive when responding to emergency situations provided the vehicle is fitted with audible/visual warning devices. Ambulance Service Drivers need to hold C1 (medium sized vehicle) and D1 (minibus) licences and receive the appropriate training by the DSA. Although some Ambulance Services especially in London state that ambulance drivers must hold a LGV licence. Ambulance driver training and assessments are usually carried out by independent driver training centres and not the Ambulance Service. Drivers of emergency vehicles also have to understand that bad driving can cause accidents. Drivers of emergency vehicles are not above the law even when attending emergencies they have to show that whilst going to an emergency they drove with care and attention and did not drive in a dangerous way, if they were foun d to have driven dangerously then they can be prosecuted in the same way as a member of the general public can. Also if the driver is convicted of a  serious traffic offence they may be disqualified from driving both emergency and privately owned vehicles. To reduce the danger to themselves and the general public the drivers of emergency vehicles must use their sirens and blue flashing lights to warn other road users as well as pedestrians and cyclists that their vehicle is responding to an emergency. Flashing blue lights and sirens should only be used when attending emergencies although police drivers can use flashing blue lights and sirens when attempting to stop another driver. Drivers of emergency vehicles have to follow the same traffic laws as everyone else, but when using flashing blue lights and sirens they are exempt from a number of motoring rules which means they can go through a red traffic light, pass to the right of a keep left sign, drive on a motorway hard shoulder even against the direction of the traffic and not follow the speed limit. The Highway Code is a book of rules which all drivers have to abide by the Highway Code makes no special rules for the emergency services other than for members of the general public to listen for the sirens and look for the blue flashing lights and to let them pass safely but still taking notice of all traffic signs. During unsociable hours consideration is given to the use of sirens especially around residential areas, unless conditions are bad and they need to use their siren. Blue lights would only be used as they are visible to road users at night. When there is an advantage to a silent approach then driving is altered and speed reduced. Members of the Public service are often judged harshly from the public, when it comes down to the pursuing of stolen vehicles. Although the public services do a good job when they pursuing stolen vehicles or on their way to an emergency incident there have been cases where their have been incidents where it has affected the public services. Example At 11.20 on the 19th of May 2008, Haley Adamson a 16 year old school girl was struck by a police car going 70mph whilst she was crossing a road in a residential area in Newcastle which had a 30mph speed limit. Hayley died immediately from the impact of the police car. The police car was being driven in pursuit of a vehicle that had just been registered on the police number plate recognition system. At the time of the incident the driver Pc

A Case Analysis on Starbucks’ Mission Essay

Summary Named after the first mate in Moby Dick, Starbucks was founded in 1971 by three partners in Seattle’s renowned open-air Pike Place Market. Starbucks is now the third largest restaurant chain in the country, nearly 1,000 stores in 55 countries. It was the intention of director of retail operations and marketing Howard Schlutz to make Starbucks into â€Å"the third place† consumers frequent, after home and work. You can find a Starbucks in various settings including office buildings, bookstores, and university campuses. Starbucks promotes convenience by selling its products through retail outlets. In order to remain competitive, Starbucks has introduced many new products over the years. The recent global recession brought a change in policy, causing Starbucks to cut back on expansion in the US and focus more on international markets. See more:  Perseverance essay Taking necessary measures to remain relevant, Starbucks has come up with successful, â€Å"keep customers coming† methods such as, Breakfast pairings, VIA instant coffee, Starbucks card, even a mobile app. Another key part of the Starbucks image involves its commitment to ethics and sustainability, â€Å"people first, profit last†. Because of its strong corporate culture, Starbucks has been ranked Fortune’s â€Å"100 Best Companies to Work for† for nearly a decade as well as being voted â€Å"Most Ethical Company† Founder and chair Schlutz is a true believer that ethical companies do better in the long run. Starbucks is also actively involved with nonprofit organizations around the globe including but not limited to Bono’s Product RED who raise money for HIV and AIDS research. The company also makes $14.5 in loans t poor farmers around the world. Schlutz key to maintaining a strong business is â€Å"creating an environment where everyone bel ieves they’re part of something larger than themselves but believes they also have a voice.† The company’s efforts at transparency, the treatment of its workers, and its dozens of philanthropic commitments demonstrate how genuine Starbucks is in its mission to be an ethical and socially responsible company. Its reputation is built on product quality, stakeholder concern, and a balanced approach to all of its business activities. In spite of Starbucks efforts to maintain high ethical standards, the company has garnished harsh criticisms on issues such as lack of fair trade coffee, hormone added milk, Schlutz alleged financial links to the Israeli government and that the company’s relentless growth has forced locally run coffee shops out of business. The challenges that the company has experienced and will continue to experience have convinced it to focus on its strengths. And despite setbacks, allegations, and the recession, the future looks bright for Starbucks. Questions 1.Why do you think Starbucks has been so concerned with social responsibility in its overall corporate strategy? Starbucks has been so concerned with social responsibility for two main reasons, to investigate its negative impact on the company’s financial and nonfinancial rewards. According to our textbook, Starbucks has been engaged in responsible business practices almost from day one. Being socially responsible Starbucks has its financial and nonfinancial rewards say Schultz. â€Å"Whom is a firm believer of ethics, they do better in the long run. Because of Starbucks’ dedication to their employees and their suppliers, Starbucks had earned their loyalty. During the 2008-2009 recession, they decided to refocus their strategy. They closed several hundred underperforming locations in response to the economic downturn. They also introduced â€Å"breakfast pairings†, a Starbucks-styled value meal, for an affordable price. They even introduced an instant coffee consumers can brew at home. Due of their substantial growth over two decades, they have spent a considerable amount of time defending their image, due to their â€Å"clustering† strategy to many small coffee shops out of business and many consumers began to wonder if there really was a need for two Starbucks right across the street from each other. Finally Starbucks has been so concerned with social responsibility in its overall corporate strategy because it’s popular! Also it helps the company’s image, to care about the community and the environment. Those are positive standpoints that define the company’s self portrayal, it’s important how you look on the outside but in the end it’s all about sales! 2.Is Starbucks unique in being able to provide a high level of benefits its employees? Most companies, though they value their employees, have not been known to put them on the pedestal employees of Starbucks have been put on. Founder Schlutz key to maintain a strong business is â€Å"creating an environment where everyone believes they’re part of something larger than themselves but believes they also have a voice.† Nonetheless Starbucks benefits package is a key reason why it has remarkable low employee turnover and high productivity. 3.Do you think that Starbucks has grown rapidly because of its ethical and socially responsible activities or because it provides products and an environment that customers want? Both aspects have lead to the growth of the company. Its clean ethical nature has allowed for the company to be deemed trust worthy but all those involved with in it. The consumer friendly accommodations have kept the customers happy. Its community involvement has shown its concern for more than just profit. The company’s efforts at transparency, the treatment of its workers, and its dozens of philanthropic commitments demonstrate how genuine Starbucks is in its mission to be an ethical and socially responsible company. Thus far gaining growth.

Free Will Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Free Will - Essay Example So in an instance where a person is issued a threat his decision to act in a certain way need not necessarily be influenced by the threat and hence he holds moral responsibility since he was not deprived of alternatives. On the other hand, it is also possible that the person was profoundly impacted by the threat and his action was completely out of fear of dire consequences. But this impact was what compelled him to make his decision and therefore in relative terms his moral responsibility for his action still remains. Yet another possibility would be that the person’s choice of action was predetermined and any threat issued to him only coincided with his decision. Since the threat in this situation is irrelevant to the decision making process, he remains morally responsible for his action. The author’s argument is therefore a logical understanding of the principle’s plausibility and its failure as an a priori truth. His analysis concludes that there are various circumstances that could make a person morally responsible for his action with an exception being that he had done what he did only because he could not have done otherwise, even if that was what he desired to do.

The role of using first language and translation in young learners Essay

The role of using first language and translation in young learners classes - Essay Example The paper tells that the most appropriate way to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) or English as a Foreign Language (EFL) is a source of primary scholarly debate. Recently, more attention has been given to the use of translation and the native language (L1) in communicative English Language Teaching (ELT). Most of the theories inform us that young children's language development is influenced by many factors, including using their first language to explain concepts and express abstract reasoning. This is due to the presence of what some researchers call the cognitive window of development. This is often used in cognitive learning in association with the development of self-motivational strategies in children who are learning to use cognitive learning skills that focus on self-efficacy. Planning and goal-setting are involved with what is perceived by many to be an increasing amount of self-regulation in children who succeed in forming self-regulating meta-cognitive processes as they grow older through early to middle childhood (ages 7-12). This theory can exist comfortably alongside theories of the cognitive window, as these self-regulation methods also help children to assimilate knowledge, not intuitively through a window of cognitive functioning, but structurally in terms of cognitive awareness of the expectations of others in the learning process. This theory pertains directly to middle childhood, which is an age range that is currently and actively taking ESL in Oman.

Endocrinology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Endocrinology - Essay Example These are synthesized in the same cells. However, once secreted they interact with four adrenergic receptors such as 1, 2, 1, 2, and 3 that mediate the cellular effects of the hormones. Stress the predominant stimulus that leads to secretion of these hormones. More accurately stimuli such as injury, anger, pain, cold, strenuous exercise, and hypoglycemia as a result of stress response generate sympathetic impulses in the cholinergic preganglionic fibers that provides the neural impetus to the chromaffin cells, and this ultimately culminates into the release of catecholamines. Biochemically, however, catecholamines stimulate glucose production in the liver, lipolysis in the adipose tissue, and promotes anaerobic metabolism in the muscles leading to lactate production. Whereas, the adrenal medulla responds to predominantly neural stimuli, the outer adrenal cortex that literally encapsulates the medulla and forms the bulk of the gland, responds only to endocrine stimulation and releases a number of hormones which have steroid structures chemically. These hormones are glucocorticoids, aldosterone, and adrenal androgens. The cells of the three zones secrete different steroid hormones: the cells of the zona glomerulosa secrete the mineralocorticoids; those of the zona fasciculata secrete glucocorticoids, while the cells of the zona reticularis secrete sex steroids or androgens (Brook, C., and Marshall, N. 2001). Figure 1: Adrenal Cortex and Medulla Adrenal Cortex: Glucocorticoids act to counteract many effects of stress throughout the body. Stress is difficult to define, but it is known that it includes physical trauma, intense heat or cold, infections, mental or emotional trauma. The effects of glucocorticoids at the tissue level in order to neutralize the effects of stress include cardiovascular, neurological, and anti-inflammatory effects as well as effects on the immune system. Cortisol level responds within minutes to stress, whether it is physical such as trauma, surgery, or exercise; psychological such as anxiety and depression, or physiological hypoglycaemia or fever. The protective effect that glucocorticoids confer at the time of stress would be evident in the observed fact that such stresses may cause hypotension, shock, and death when there is glucocorticoid deficiency. The overall actions of glucocorticoids are directed at enhancing the production of glucose that can be readily utilised in the body to produce energ y and at the same time they reduce all other metabolic activities not directly involved in that process. Physiologic effects of glucocorticoids include regulation of protein, carbohydrate, lipid, and nucleic acid metabolism. These antagonize the secretion and action of insulin and raise blood sugar levels. At the same time, these also inhibit peripheral glucose uptake. This promotes hepatic glycogen content through hepatic glucose synthesis or gluconeogenesis (Berg, J.M., Tymoczko, J.L., and Stryer, L., 2002). Taking the example of exercise as a stress initiating event, as the epinephrine and nor epinephrine are released as a sympathetic response, the concomitant glucocorticoid release makes sure that the increased metabolic rate of exercise can

Management and Organisations Individual REPORT Essay

Management and Organisations Individual REPORT - Essay Example Through such cultures, the allowance of personal goals to subsume the team goals becomes rather difficult as they go against the core drivers for elements of self-preservation. The elements of team operation have a major effect on considering the different teams and elements types for team effectiveness. The major components of team effectiveness include viability and performance. Performance focuses on success in the delivery of several outputs (that is, services, products, information, or performance events) to the prospective consumers across the organization. The organization viability element has a future orientation and inclusion of continuity. The variability of viability is the ability towards maintaining the integral group membership while responsibility has to do with a shared group purpose. Cohesion refers to the responsibility of appreciating each of the team member’s contributions while capability describes the accomplishment of shared purposes (Cascio, 2006). For gaining success, teams have to focus on the integration of viability and performance. Researchers offer different explanatory models towards helping accurate conceptualization of team effectiveness. There is a pioneering development into input-process-output model in measuring organization effectiveness. Even with the age of the idea, most other models for work group effectiveness have a heavy reliance on it. Inputs have a key change driver for processes in case they mediate the effects of such inputs to their issues (Mullins, 2007). Inputs embrace all personal elements (such as experience, expertise, personality, and status) brought to teams when formation. The process variables engage the interaction of different team members of social information exchange, attempts leadership, and influence) as well as inherently dynamic outputs. They refer to yields from the group. From these, process variables

Marketing Gum Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Marketing Gum - Essay Example 02). History of Chewing gum In the late twentieth century, chewing gum was exported to the United States of America (USA) from south eastern region of Mexico, known as Yucatan Peninsula. Mexico’s relationship with the USA developed tremendously in relations with the chewing gum market. Apart from modernity and consumer culture, chewing gum also boosts a person’s sporty appearance. Most of the sportsmen were spotted chewing gum during matches, which became a popular concept among teenagers and youth (Redclift, 2004, p. 05). Market of chewing gum in United Kingdom (UK) The market for confectionery in the UK is huge. The per capita consumption of confectionery is 15 kg annually. The chocolate confectionery segment has a market share of 65 % (Gibson and Williams, 2000, p. 265). The sugar free chewing gums are a rage in the UK. Sales of sugar free chewing gums doubled during the period 1993 to 1998. Currently, the market share of sugar free chewing gums is 73 % (Gibson and W illiams, 2000, p. 266). The major reasons of increased sales of chewing gum were due to health factors, it was considered healthy for dental reasons and nasal congestion. The Chewing gum market has made interesting developments gradually. Initially, chewing gums were sold in some basic flavours like mint, vanilla and strawberry. Chewing gum has seen some major modifications. Vitamin and mineral enriched sugar confectionery items are being sold in the UK markets like hot cake (Gibson and Williams, 2000, p. 266). The target market of sugar free confectioneries is the diabetic patients. Sucrose filled confectioneries are being replaced with fructose ones (Gibson and Williams, 2000, p. 266). The following chewing gum brands are popular in the UK market: 1) "Big Red" (Wrigley UK ) 2) Big Babol (Perfetti Van Melle ) 3) Trident Halls and Dentyne (Cadbury Schweppes) Market leaders of chewing gum market- Wrigley’s and Cadbury Schweppes The market leaders of the chewing gum market in t he UK are Wrigley’s and Cadbury Schweppes (Plunkett, 2008, p. 21). Wrigley’s is a subsidiary company owned by the US company â€Å"MARS† it was founded in the year 1891 by William Wrigley Junior (McNamara and Brozyna, 2008, p. 125). Initially, the sales of chewing gum skyrocketed, but in the late 2005 there was a stiff competition from Cadbury Schweppes, who invested heavily in their chewing brands â€Å"Trident and Dentyne† (McNamara and Brozyna, 2008, p. 125). Wrigley’s had dominated the chewing gum market for more than 100 years, but the drastic slide in its sales due to increased competiveness from Cadbury Schweppes made them aware of consumers’ changing taste and preferences. Wrigley revamped its marketing strategy and introduced a variety of chewing gums which were tasty and healthy at the same time (McNamara and Brozyna, 2008, p. 126). Wrigley’s continues to devise new marketing strategy. Recently, it has filed a patent to laun ch a chewing gum that has the effects of mouth wash and the target market would be consumers of all ages (Nieburg, 2013).Wrigley’s has also appointed hollywood actor Antonio Banderas as their brand ambassador (Reynolds, 2013). Key Factors of the External Environment of Chewing Gum Market in UK Economic Factors –The chewing gum market has not been affected due to the recession. This is mainly due to the low price of chewing gums. The consumers have not compromised on their healthy lifestyle. The increase in sales of Cadbury diary milk

Organisational Design & the Transformation of Work Case Study

Organisational Design & the Transformation of Work - Case Study Example The Executives ensure that the clients have whatever they need and their accounts are closed eventually. Now in the current situation, specialists have been bypassing executives. The executives henceforth, have no idea, regarding the account given to him by the agency to take care of. If things continue to be like this, eventually the agency will be left without any executives. The goals of the agency and the specialist’s conflict. The goal of the in house specialist is to ensure that his/her idea is brought by the client. Consumer behavior governs product innovation according to changing times and trends. There is no warning before hand. Where technology is concerned, even technology is non routine at Aquarius agency. There is a lot of emphasis on creativity and art. This makes it perpetually impossible to keep updated with a routine stagnant technology. The goals of the agency are customer satisfaction in the long run and this can be done by engaging them as often as possible. The agency should capitalize on technological advances to come up with better ideas and to promote the ideas produce by its in-house specialists. New technologies should be used and capitalized upon to project better more creative ideas of the specialists. In this way the agency will be successful in building its clientele base and attract new clients in the process. It will demonstrate its commitment to the client and their willingness to appease them and work them to give them what they want. In the given case study, it specified that the agency intends to make it more flexible. They want to adopt a less rigid and a more adaptable approach to be able to tackle any changes and meet any eventuality. They also plan on increasing cooperation and communication between different departments responsible for giving the clients their desired advertising needs. All

Some Factors that Influence Language Development in Children Essay

Some Factors that Influence Language Development in Children - Essay Example This ability explains why very young children acquire the language of the environment that they live in faster than older ones. Following McCarthy (1960), the main stages that follow in early childhood can be summarized as babbling and cooing, pronouncing a variety of syllables (not complete words), imitating sounds and voices of others, and ending up with the pronouncement of a limited number of complete words. Knudtzon (1998) notes that in the second year the child can use two-word sentences. And in the third year he is a keen user of language. The progress continues by interacting with other members of the community, and by joining school, where speaking, reading and writing skills are developed. In the very early stage the children are mainly under the effect of their parents and siblings. Developments in their cognitive abilities affect them as they grow up. Interacting with the community and going to school may require the child to learn another language different from what he uses at home or in the community. It is the aim of this paper to report on the empirical findings by different researchers on family structure, cognitive abilities and second-language learning as factors that influence the child's language development either positively or negatively. These findings are mainly the result of observing samples of children of different ages over a specific period of time that may extend for months, and of conversations with parents. 2. Family Structure Families consist usually of two parents, but there are families of one parent only. There may or may not be siblings for the child whose development of language is considered. One parent or both may be working or not, and have different educational... According to the report findings families consist usually of two parents, but there are families of one parent only. There may or may not be siblings for the child whose development of language is considered. Some families assume an active role in their community, while others just keep to themselves. Family structure then, while taking into account parents work, education and relations to others in the community, surely has an immense effect on the child's language development. This effect can speed up the child's language development, or slow it down, depending on how many hours the children are close to their parents, the type of vocabulary the parents use, and the amount of talk input by them.This essay stresses that  the effect of siblings on a younger brother or sister is paramount. From the personal experience of some parents, it has been found that the first child will have slower language development, in terms of how many words that he or she can pronounce, and sentences t hat can be formed at a certain age; while the second or third will be faster in acquiring more words, and using them at the same age. In these cases, older siblings act as language teachers of a special kind. The same age range, the similar cognitive abilities, and the close ways of pronouncing will make it easier for the older and younger to get on well. In such an interaction, the transfer of skills, from the older to the younger, flows in a natural and smooth way and greatly enhances language development in both.

The principles of infection prevention and control Essay Example for Free

The principles of infection prevention and control Essay Outcome 1 Understand roles and responsibilities in the prevention and control of infections 1.The main roles and responsibilities of the employee in relation to prevention and control of infection are as follows: To use protective clothing when needed to stop cross contamination. This includes gloves, aprons and masks. To wash hands regularly and effectively. This needs to be done after handling food, personal care, toileting etc. To ensure your health doesn’t pose a risk to others. This can be if you have been vomiting, cold symptoms etc. To avoid cross contamination. To ensure your hygiene is good at all times as not to pose a risk to others by passing on germs and cross contaminating. 2.The main roles and responsibilities of the employer in relation to prevention and control of infection are as follows: To ensure protective equipment is available at all times, and that they have plenty in stock. To make sure the employees are aware of all health and safety aspects of the job. This can include having posters around, having files for the employees to read and putting the employees through training. Keep all records related to infection control using the appropriate documentation and keeping them in a safe place. The employer needs to ensure that the relevant standards, policies and guidelines are available in the work place. Read more: Outline potential risks of infection within the workplace Outcome 2 Understand legislation and policies relating to prevention and control of infections 1.The current legislation and regulatory body standards which are relevant to the prevention and control of infection are as follows: Health and safety at work act 1974 Health and social care act 2008 The public health (control of diseases) act 1984 Personal protective equipment (PPE) regulations 1992 Controlled waste regulations 1992 Management of health and safety at work regulations 1999 Food Safety Act 1990 The NICE guidelines COSHH RIDDOR Relevant codes of practice National Minimum Standards (CQC) 2.The following local and organisational policies relevant to the prevention and control of infection are The public health (control of disease) act 1984, The social care act, The NICE guidelines and also company policies and procedures that relate to infection prevention and control. Our company states that anyone suffering from and infectious disease must have clearance from a doctor or you should seek guidance from your manager. Outcome 3 Understand systems and procedures relating to the prevention and control of infections 1.Procedures and systems relevant to the prevention and control of infection are as follows: Hand washing Hand washing is important in the work place as it stops cross contamination with residents and other members of staff. You should wash your hands after touching anyone, after handling food, after being to the toilet and after using equipment. Using PPE PPE is important in the care home as it protects you and others from infection. You should always use PPE when dealing with food and when dealing with personal care. You should always dispose of PPE before leaving a room or dealing with someone else. This stops cross contamination, protecting yourself and others. Disposal of clinical waste The correct disposal of clinical waste is important. Clinical Waste should be disposed if in yellow bags and tied straight away. This stops cross contamination. 2.An outbreak of infection can effect the organisation and the individual. The impact it can have is as follows: Impact on organisation The impact on the organisation can be costly, this is due to staff being sick and cover being needed for them. There can be a loss of confidence from the public and the residents giving the home a bad reputation. There is also a risk of infecting family members and visitors. Impact on individual There is a big impact on the individual as their health deteriorates meaning they need time to recover. It can effect their eating and drinking habits leading them to lose weight and become more ill. It could be fatal resulting in death. Outcome 4 Understand the importance of risk assessment in relation to the prevention and control of infections 1.Risk is a situation, action or event that may cause harm or damage to an individual or to yourself. Risk of infection can be not hand washing, not cleaning equipment after use and not disposing of clinical waste safely and properly as not to cause cross contamination. 2.Infections are unavoidable in the care home as there are so many risks. Potential risks can include the poor hygiene of a resident. This can be caused by them refusing to wash or bathe. Food poisoning is a risk if the kitchen and food surface aren’t kept clean at all times. Another potential risk is not cleaning equipment after use, as this can cross contaminate others causing harm to them. You must also make sure you dispose of clinical waste in the correct way, in the correct bins and tie bags up straight away as this can lead to a risk of infection. 3. Five steps to risk assessment can be followed to ensure that your risk assessment is carried out correctly, these steps are as follows: Identify the hazards Hazards can be identified by using a number of different techniques. This can include walking around the workplace, asking employees and asking family members. Who might be harmed and how? Once hazards have been identified you need to understand who will be harmed and how. This could be the resident themselves, the staff or visitors. Evaluate Risks After identifying the hazards and deciding who may be harmed, you then have to protect the people from harm. This is done by removing the hazards or controlling the risk so an injury is unlikely. Record findings Recording your findings shows that you have identified hazards and shows how you plan on removing the hazards. It is a legal requirement to record your documents to prove you are stopping any harm to others. Your recordings should be stored in a safe and locked place. Re view and update regularly It’s important to regularly review risk assessments so you can update any changes immediately. This is so the risk assessment is always accurate. 4.It is important to carry out risk assessments as it’s aim is to make sure that no one comes to harm and that nobody becomes ill. Risk assessments will  not prevent accidents and illnesses but play a crucial part in reducing the likelihood of it happening. They should be reviewed by all members of staff and kept up to date at all times so all changes are documented. Risk assessments are essential for legal reasons, ethical reasons and for financial reasons. This is so nobody can sue you. Outcome 5 Understand the importance of using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the prevention and control of infections. 2.Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a term which covers all equipment intended to be worn, or held by employees that protects them against risks to their own and others health. There are different types of PPE used for different reasons. They are as follows: Gloves Gloves prevent self-contamination when dealing with bodily fluids, chemicals or to protect breaks in the skin. Once gloves are removed you should discard them immediately into a clinical waste bin and thoroughly wash your hands. Aprons Aprons should be worn whenever there is a risk of bacterial contamination. This includes bed making, toileting or barrier nursing. Aprons should be changed after every task. This includes resident contact, and between rooms. Masks Masks should be worn when there is an increased risk of blood splashing or an other bodily fluids splashing. They also provide resi dents protection from staff who have a respiratory infection. Eye Protection Eye protection (goggles, visors etc) should be worn when there is a risk of bodily fluid splashing to protect the eyes from infection. 3.Personal protective equipment is used to protect employees and residents from potential risk of harm. Everyone that uses PPE should be properly trained by the employer and follow all correct instructions and procedures. PPE should be used when handling contaminated items, to prevent cross contamination, to protect yourself from infections and to avoid diseases. 4.There are many relevant regulations and legislations relating to PPE. These should be read by everyone that uses PPE. They are as follows: Personal protective equipment at work regulations 1992 Control of substances hazardous to health (COSHH) regulations 2002 National institute for health and clinical excellence (NICE) guidelines The public health (control of diseases) Act The public health (infectious diseases) regulations 1998 Health and safety at work act 1974 The management of health and safety at work act 1994 The environmental protection (Duty of care) regulations 1991 Hazardous waste regulations 2005 5.Employees must wear personal protective equipment (PPE) while performing tasks to prevent themselves and residents from getting an infection and to prevent cross contamination between individuals. The employees responsibilities are as follows: To use PPE appropriately and as instructed by their employer Check PPE for damage before and after use Report any damage or wear to PPE Make sure PPE is stored in the right facilities 6.Employers must provide personal protective equipment (PPE) required by employees for free of charge, and must provide training to all staff. The employers responsibilities are as follows: To make sure PPE is available to staff at all times That staff know how to use PPE correctly That all staff know the correct application of PPE That all staff know the correct disposal of PPE That all staff know the correct preparations for use of PPE 7.Before putting on PPE, you must always thoroughly wash your hands. Different protective equipment should be applied and removed differently. Staff should be trained in all different types of PPE. Gloves Application Select the correct size of glove and correct type of glove (e.g. latex free) Wash hands thoroughly Pull over hands far enough that your wrists are covered Removal Grab the outside of the glove with the opposite gloved hand and peel off Hold the removed glove in the gloved hand Slot your finger under the lip of the remaining glove and peel it off carefully making sure not to touch contaminated surface of glove. Dispose of the gloves in the clinical waste bin Wash hands thoroughly Aprons Application Wash your hands thoroughly Pull the apron over your head carefully by trying not to come into contact with your skin Tie the straps around your back carefully not to rip it Removal Unfasten (or break) the ties around your back Pull the apron away from your neck and shoulders taking care to touch the inside only and not the outer side that is contaminated Fold the apron into a bundle with the inner side on the outside Dispose in the clinical waste bin Wash hands thoroughly 8.It is important that PPE is disposed of correctly to avoid contamination and infection to yourself and others. This is done as follows: Put on some medical gloves and place the PPE into a plastic garbage bag Tie the garbage bag tightly and securely to prevent dripping. If dripping does occur and touches your clothes or skin, make sure you wash them thoroughly to prevent infection. Place bag in the correct bin. These are normally labelled. Clean waste containers regularly to stop infection growing. Wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. Outcome 6 Understand the importance of good personal hygiene in the prevention and control of infections 1.There are many principles to maintain good personal hygiene. These help prevent infection and cross contamination. The main principles of good personal hygiene are as follows: Clothing Uniforms must be clean and free from contamination and washed separately from other clothing on a high temperature. Uniforms should be changed before  leaving the care home to avoid contamination. Nails Nails should be kept short and clean with no polish on and no extensions. This can cause contamination if polish flakes onto an individual or into food. Hair Hair should be kept clean at all times and tied up in a bobble out of the way. This is to prevent the risk of infection. Jewellery Jewellery should not be worn as they harbour dangerous bacteria. Jewellery can also cause harm to the resident by causing damage to the skin. 3. The correct hand washing sequence is as follows: Remove all jewellery Turn the water tap on making sure it’s at a comfortable temperature Wet both hands Apply soap from a dispenser and lather both hands palm to palm Rub each hand over the back of each other Interlock fingers and rub fingers thoroughly Rub thumbs Rinse hands to remove the soap Dry your hands with a paper towel or hand dryer 4.The purpose of hand washing is to reduce the risk of carrying infection on your hands which could be a risk to yourself or to others. Washing hands with soap and water is the most effective measure in the prevention of infection. Routine hand washing should be done after the following: After using the toilet After handling laundry or waste After handling a resident Before and after handling , preparing or eating food Before and after giving medication Before and after removing gloves Before starting work and after leaving work After touching animals 5.There are different types of products that should be used for hand washing. Soap, antiseptic gels and alcohol based hand rubs. Soap from a dispenser should be used in communal areas as bars of soap can carry bacteria that  will then be passed around to different people. Antiseptic gels contain chemicals that destroy pathogens and these are used when there is a higher risk of infection. Alcohol based hand rubs should be used as well of and no instead of hand washing as these add an additional protective barrier against infections. 6.It is important that hand cream is applied regularly to the hands as frequent hand washing can cause skin problems. It can cause them to dry out which can cause the skin to develop cracks, this itself causing bacteria. Allergies to washing preparations and gloves can sometimes occur and need reporting to your manager straight away, in order for them to get you the equipment to protect your hands. If there are any cuts or grazes of the skin, they should be covered by a plaster or bandage at all times to prevent infection into the wound and from the wound to others.

Analysis of the International Accounting Standards on Inventory

Analysis of the International Accounting Standards on Inventory This eassy mainly introduced the information about the International Accounting standards of Inventory(IAS 2). First, we introduced the background of the IAS 2; then we discussed the major requirements of the standards and the importance of these requirements; after that we critically evaluate the IAS 2. Background The IASs, International Accounting Standards, which issued with the IASC setting up in 1973, are the common standards followed by accountancy bodies. Then, the IASB with new accounting standards (IFRS) and more member countries was founded to replace the IASC. Both of the two committees concerned with the regulation improvement and global harmonisation of international accounting. Inventory valuation plays a vital role in the profit calculation and assets valuation process. However, method differences and controversy still exist in stock valuation among different companies. In terms of that, a consistent benchmark seems necessary to eliminate them and compare companies profit on the same basis. IAS 2 is such an international standard to offer regulation and method for inventory. Its first draft of Valuation and Presentation of Inventories came out in 1974, and was brought into the IAS one year later. The former standard of stock (IAS 2(1993)) set up in 1993 and it took effect on the date of January 1st 1995. Since IASB replaced of IASC, the modified version was published in 2003 and it took effect in 2005. Aiming to obtain the accurate calculation result of cost and subsequently expense of inventory, IAS2 mainly concern with the write-down to Net Realizable Value. In order to allocate cost to stocks, it provides cost principle as well. To be more specific, IAS2 classifies that the inventory includes finished products, goods in process and raw material. Furthermore, it also contains measurement of inventory, fundamental principle of IAS2, write-down to Net Realizable Value, expense recognition and the required disclosures as well. Requirements and importance of IAS 2 There are many requirements of the inventories in International Accounting Standard, in terms of IAS 2 regulate how to analysis the cost of inventories, how to measure inventories, how to assign inventories etc. The first requirement is that the cost of inventories is the total cost to deliver inventories to their present location and condition. According to IAS 2 (2005) cost of inventories shall comprise all costs of purchase, costs of conversion and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. The second requirement of IAS 2 is that inventories should be measured at the lower of net realisable value and cost on an item by item basis Once measured, the lower of net realisable value and cost must be used as an asset in the balance sheet. When the inventories net realizable value below its cost, it means that the future economic benefits will less than its carrying amount, which are brought to the companies by inventories. Therefore this part of the loss should be deducted from the value of assets, and included in accounting subjects of current profit and loss. Otherwise, there will be the phenomenon of virtual assets. Thus, we should use the lower of the net realisable value and cost in the stocktaking process. The third requirement of IAS 2 is that the cost of inventories should be assigned by using the First-in First-out (FIFO) or weighted average cost formula unless there are some special inventories. IAS 2 does not require that the fairest possible approximation to the cost should be reflected by the formula used. Therefore, the Standard gives the FIFO, as well as the weighted average cost formula for free choice. Accounting to Wikipedia (2009), FIFO is an abstraction ways of organizing and manipulation of data relative to time and prioritization. This method describes the principle of what comes in first should be handled first, what comes in next waits until the first is finished. FIFO is the formula, which is frequently-used, to bear the cost of inventories which are out and which are still in. Weighted average cost formula is easier than others, also when the market price rising up or falling down, this formula is easy to calculate the average unit cost of inventories, in order to s hare the cost of inventory is more trade-offs and objective. Options IAS 2 offers some optional rules for companies to choose. These options, to a certain extent, affect the internationally implement of IAS. The following essay will list three primary options. Firstly, IAS 2 stipulates two alternative formulas for measuring the cost of inventories, which are first in, first out (FIFO) and weighted average. FIFO assumes that goods sold are those produced earlier. That is to say, the cost of inventories is those produced later. This approach may lead to underestimate cost and overestimate gross profit in the year of inflation. Weighted average is the average cost of all units currently in stock at the time of reporting. (kcsi) IAS 2 is not mandatory for which formulas companies should choose. Obviously, these two optional formulas would measure different cost of inventories. Secondly, IAS 2 stipulates that normally expenditure incurred is not recognized as cost of inventories. Nevertheless, IAS 2 supplies option of including some expense of inventories or not in the cost. For example, it is appropriate that non-productive indirect expense could be part of the cost of inventories if they are for special projects. Apart from that borrowing cost of inventories could be included in the cost under special circumstances. Thirdly, there are two optional techniques in the inventories cost measurement, standard cost method and retail method. IAS 2 requests retail industry use retail method to measuring the cost of inventories. However, other industry could apply either retail or standard cost method, which may result in discrepancy between companies that use different methods. Applicability At present, IAS 2 is widely implemented in Asia and Europe, while US GAAP plays a significant role in North America. This becomes a critical restriction factor of the applicability of IAS 2 internationally. Most stock exchanges in the world incline that quote companies should treat IAS 2 as financial report benchmark. It could improve the transparency and reliability of inventories information if listed companies apply IAS 2. Besides, more and more multinational corporations apply IAS 2 on their own, such as Air France, Nestle and Adidas. Owning to multinational corporations have companies in more than one country, it would be convenient for parent companies to consolidate statement if parent and subsidiary companies all implement IAS 2. Although IAS 2 has been applied by most countries worldwide, during the process of applicability IAS 2 internationally, some deficiencies still have arisen inevitably. Take net realizable value as an example. IAS 2 prescribes it as the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated costs of completion and the estimated costs necessary to make the sale(Birzeit Consulting). With regard to costs of completion and costs necessary to make the sale, IAS 2 does not list exact items, which implies lacking comparability between companies. The defects cause that some countries apply their own national accounting standard which are related to their national conditions. Opportunities for creative accounting The item inventory plays a significant role in companies operation and financial performance since it is not only determines the computation of profit, but also impacts the valuation of assets which displayed on the balance sheet. IAS 2 probably is a comprehensive guidance which prescribes systematic accounting treatments for inventory in terms of the determination of inventorys cost, the recognition of correlative expense, and the formulas for assigning costs to inventory. Despite the constraint of IAS 2, it is acknowledged that there are several stratagems for those unethical companies to manipulate their valuation of inventory, thereby expressing a fictitious favourable performance to the authorities and public. A study from Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) described that there is no area of accounting provides more opportunities for subjectivity and creative accounting than the valuation of inventory. More precisely, because of the close relationship between the inventories and revenues, companies often tend to inflate their revenues by overstating the value of inventories which is a direct and effective measure. There are a number of approaches to manipulate the value of inventory and those methods are mainly categorized into three aspects which are time horizon, NRV and overhead. Firstly, because IAS 2 do not have detailed guidance in respect of time dimension, companies usually like to employ tricks at the end of fiscal year by utilizing cut-off procedures. Assume that goods are delivered to a company at the last day of fiscal year 200X but the invoice date is at the first day of next fiscal year. In this situation, the company probably takes the goods into inventory immediately but not records the purchase invoice. The premature recording of inventory leads to the automatic increase of revenue which displays a false boost on the financial report. Furthermore, companies can falsify a transfer of non-existent inventory at the year-end which is difficult to confirm by auditors. Thus, the overstated value of inventory will generate from these fictitious in transit inventories. Secondly, IAS 2 adopted a specific method which is use the lower figure of net reliable value and cost to measure inventory. This measurement concerned the true value of inventory in a large extent and let this valuation reflects the real market appropriately; on the other hand, it also provides opportunities for frauds because the calculation of NRV is largely depends on accountants anticipations. More specifically, it is obvious that the extent of provisions should be reduce to NRV are highly subjective and manipulative. Just like Barry Elliott argued that a provision is an effective smoothing device and allows overcautious write-downs to be made in profitable years and consequent write-backs in unprofitable ones. Thirdly, although IAS 2 provides guidelines for allocating appropriate overhead into the cost of inventory, the distinctions between diverse of overhead are still hardly to be distinguished exactly. Companies might find opportunities of manipulation and include those overhead which indirectly attributable to production in the inventory valuation, thereby differing the influence of overhead and so rising profits. Weaknesses and Improvement Overall, the statements about the inventory at the International Accounting Standards (IAS) are understandable and comprehensive. However, it seems that problems still obviously exist in the inventory standards. Firstly, the calculation methods for the same industry are not unified. Although IAS2 has cancelled LIFO method, two different methods are still available: FIFO and weighted average method. Different methods of calculation will produce different results. Thus, it makes no sense for the companies of the same industry to compare the ratio results. Therefore, the standard should be more detailed. First, it should select the most appropriate measurement based on the characteristics and nature of various industries. Second, it should be clearly defined that all the companies in the same industry should adopt the same measurement method. These two measures help to eliminate difference, and subsequently to promote development of harmonisation. Secondary, it offers the opportunities for creative accounting. There are many cases about listed companies involved in the stock fraud, and the most famous one is the U.S. Fallmos case. Its creativer Monas first get a pharmacy located in Ohio, and in the subsequent decades, he acquired another 299 stores, then he formulated a company called Fallmo. Unfortunately, all of these brilliants are fraud based on the overestimation of the inventory. Such a fraud ultimately led to the bankruptcy of Monash and his company as well. At the same time, the Big Five firm who provided audit services to it also lost millions of dollars. From these cases, it seems that fraud happened owing to the inadequate inventory management system. In order to prevent companies from cheating by inventory, the standards should require the audit firm to check the companys inventories regularly. The third one is that the International Accounting Standards failed to keep pace with the times process. With the development of enterprises, it generates a lot of new inventory management methods, such as the Just-In-Time (JIT) method. JIT originated from Toyoda in Japan, it was created by Sakichi Toyoda, the founder of Toyota, his son Kiichiro Toyoda and the engineer Taiichi Ohno. Toyota implemented the Kanban management which runs with the physical. For example, when an order which includes the requirements of the delivery time is proposed, Toyotas workers entered these information on the Kanban. The ordering department get the ordering information through Kanban and give the new order to the production department through Kanban, and so forth; all orders will be connected to the entire department. Aiming to eliminate waste, reduce costs and improve economic efficiency, its core is to seek a non-stock production system or to minimize inventory production system. In that case, it is the reverse order of the traditional mode which product first then looking for customers. Although the demands of JIT are high, many companies have adopted this approach, such as Dell Inc. In the JIT, the zero inventory is the main goal. Thus, the traditional methods such as FIFO and weighted average method lost the meaning of their existence, and the traditional fields of the closing stock inventory system and the perpetual inventory system also appears to be meaningless.