Using a Logic Model to Focus Interventions and Achieve Desired Outcomes

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Discussion 1: Using a Logic Model to Focus Interventions and Achieve Desired Outcomes
In social work practice and in program development, it is possible to make faulty assumptions about what clients need and what social work activities will lead to. Consider the following:
A team of social workers meets to discuss their services to low-income young mothers. One social worker states that what the young mothers need most is information about community resources. She proposes that the social workers’ activities consist of making referrals to programs for public assistance for income support, food stamps, medical insurance, employment agencies, and educational resources. However, another team member points out that most clients are referred to their program from the public welfare office and health care programs. This suggests that the clients tend to possess knowledge of these common resources and have been able to access them.
How might the team explore what problems bring the clients to their agency? What might the team learn from client assessments? How can the team verify the desired outcomes of their services? Developing a logic model will help the team see a logical connection between problems, needs, intervention activities, and corresponding outcomes. This series of logical connections leads to formulating a theory of change, that is, a theory about how our work leads to the outcomes for clients.
To prepare for this Discussion, imagine that you are part of a work group charged with creating a logic model and generating a theory of change. Select a practitioner-level intervention for which you are interested in analyzing connections. Consider how a logic model might be applied to that practice.
· Post a logic model and theory of change for a practitioner-level intervention.
· Describe the types of problems, the client needs, and the underlying causes of problems and unmet needs.
· Identify the short- and long-term outcomes that you think would represent an improved condition.
· Then describe interventions that would lead to a change in the presenting conditions.
Be sure to search for and cite resources that inform your views.
References (use 3 or more)
Dudley, J. R. (2014). Social work evaluation: Enhancing what we do. (2nd ed.) Chicago, IL: Lyceum Books.

Evaluating Nutrition Information

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Discussion 1: Evaluating Nutrition Information

For this discussion, conduct an internet search for a nutrition question that interests you.  It could be about a particular food or a diet or how food might be beneficial for certain conditions.  Choose an article from your “search”.  Then evaluate the article based on the following criteria:

On what kind of website does the information appear?  (.gov, .com, .net, .edu, etc)
Is the author listed?  If not, can you determine who might have written it?  If so, is there any evidence that the author has some authority in the field of nutrition or health?  (qualifications, credentials [RD/RDN, MD, PhD, MS, etc]
Who is the intended audience for this information?  General public or scholarly?  If scholarly, does it provide a bibliography or reference list?
Are there any clues that the author might be biased?  (selling or promoting a product?  taking a personal stand based on social or political issues? other?)  If so, describe how the article is biased, if not, provide evidence that it is unbiased (ex. they offer both pros/cons; you can find related information from credible sources agreeing with the author, etc).

In your discussion post provide the question you asked in your search, the title of the article you chose, the link to the article, and a brief summary and explanation of your perception of the validity and credibility of the information you found.  Your response should be at least 250 words.
After posting your response, read the responses of your classmates and respond to at least one in 150 words.

Examine epidemiology as it relates to population, environment, transmission, and prevention

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Propose at least six (6) questions for the health care administrator at Good Health Hospital, regarding potential litigation issues with infections from the nosocomial diseases. Rationalize, in your report, the logic behind your six (6) questions.
Identify a targeted audience within Good Health Hospital, and prepare an implementation plan based on your hypothetical meeting with the hospital health care administrator. Propose four (4) steps that will be useful in the final implementation plan.
Suggest at least five (5) recommendations to your department head based on the steps taken in the implementation plan. Provide rationale for your suggestions.
Using these approved recommendations, design a safety protocol itinerary that must be placed in public access areas of the hospital.
Use at least four (4) peer-reviewed academic resources in this assignment. These must come from journal sources. Note: Fact Sheets, Wikipedia, and non-academic Websites do not qualify as academic resources.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

Examine epidemiology as it relates to population, environment, transmission, and prevention.
Examine the application of epidemiology to specific diseases.
Use technology and information resources to research issues in managerial epidemiology.
Write clearly and concisely about managerial epidemiology using proper writing mechanics.

Analyze Good Health Hospital’s records and itemize recent nosocomial infections that occurred within the past year

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Assignment 1: Applications of Epidemiology – A Case Study
The situation at Good Health Hospital has become a bit overwhelming ever since the outbreak of E. coli in Ward 10 on the second floor. It appears that there are six (6) cases of the disease. To better understand the situation, communication with the CDC has revealed that this particular bacterium can be found in many everyday items. The CDC recommends that investigation begins in the hospital kitchens, since E. coli can be transmitted via contaminated vegetables, as well as delicatessen meats such as salami and other cold cuts. The following table shows the number of cases identified so far:CaseAgeGender123M221F315M442FAfter meeting yesterday with chief administrator Joe Wellborn, it has been decided that the litigation issues with one (1) of the patients may need further information to determine if the patient was already symptomatic with the bacteria prior to admission.Research has indicated that hospitals operating in the Tampa Bay area have been known to have cases of E. coli contamination. This substantiates the need for further investigations by the County Health Department.Due to the severity of the cases, and the potential for further spread, it is recommended that the hospital seek alternate vending services since the present suppliers cannot verify sanitation protocols for their products.In conclusion, the study done at Good Health Hospital has indicated that the E. coli outbreak was in fact caused by spoil food from the cafeteria.As a social science researcher working for a regional hospital, you are placed in charge of contacting the DOH from your home state, as well as the CDC for statistical data on nosocomial diseases that frequently cause illness at your health care facility. Using information from both agencies, evaluate the data on common nosocomial diseases and compile a treatment contingency plan for dealing with the hospital infections.Write a five to six (5-6) page evaluation report in which you:

Analyze Good Health Hospital’s records and itemize recent nosocomial infections that occurred within the past year. In your report, categorize the different parameters (i.e., person, time, place, ethnicity, and gender) used in the compilation of data into the information summative.
Propose at least six (6) questions for the health care administrator at Good Health Hospital, regarding potential litigation issues with infections from the nosocomial diseases. Rationalize, in your report, the logic behind your six (6) questions.
Identify a targeted audience within Good Health Hospital, and prepare an implementation plan based on your hypothetical meeting with the hospital health care administrator. Propose four (4) steps that will be useful in the final implementation plan.
Suggest at least five (5) recommendations to your department head based on the steps taken in the implementation plan. Provide rationale for your suggestions.
Using these approved recommendations, design a safety protocol itinerary that must be placed in public access areas of the hospital.
Use at least four (4) peer-reviewed academic resources in this assignment. These must come from journal sources. Note: Fact Sheets, Wikipedia, and non-academic Websites do not qualify as academic resources.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.