Saturday, December 28, 2019

The American Government is Retracting its Social Contract...

Alexis de Tocqueville, a well- known critic of democratic participation in government institutions, stated in his book, Democracy in America, that volunteerism â€Å"prompts [Americans] to assist one another and inclines them willingly to sacrifice a portion of their time and property to the welfare of the state† (Tocqueville 507). Although many members of American society still subscribe to the idea that sacrificing a part of their lives ameliorates â€Å"the welfare of the state,† many critics of volunteerism insist that the responsibility of â€Å"the welfare of the state† lies within the United States government, and not individual members of American society. Critics of volunteerism insist that the federal and state taxes that they pay†¦show more content†¦I argue this not only to call attention to the government’s deterioration of funding for social welfare programs, but also to bring attention to the need for direct relationships between th e United States government and non-profit organizations in order to resuscitate the nation’s less fortunate from denial of government assistance. I prove this argument by addressing Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal Policy because that was when social welfare programs became necessary for basic human survival. I then use John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address to note when volunteerism historically gained popularity. In addition, I analyze the Peace Corps, a federally-sponsored program that Kennedy created, by proving that presidents use volunteering as ulterior motives to gain political clout. Next, I show how Ronald Reagan transferred social welfare responsibility from federally-sponsored programs to non-profit organizations, and describe how that transfer created a distance in the relationship between the government and its citizens. Then, I connect how direct relationships between 2 By Americans, I am referring to all people living within the United States, not just citizens. 3 governments and non-profit organizations relate to the concept of volunteerism by using George W. Bush’s continued attempt to solicit freeShow MoreRelatedOne Significant Change That Has Occurred in the World Between 1900 and 2005. Explain the Impact This Change Has Made on Our Lives and Why It Is an Important Change.163893 Words   |  656 Pagesand Paul Buhle, eds., The New Left Revisited David M. Scobey, Empire City: The Making and Meaning of the New York City Landscape Gerda Lerner, Fireweed: A Political Autobiography Allida M. Black, ed., Modern American Queer History Eric Sandweiss, St. Louis: The Evolution of an American Urban Landscape Sam Wineburg, Historical Thinking and Other Unnatural Acts: Charting the Future of Teaching the Past Sharon Hartman Strom, Political Woman: Florence Luscomb and the Legacy of Radical Reform

Friday, December 20, 2019

Abortions Tug of War Essay - 1496 Words

In the last couple of decades, people have been constantly arguing if abortion is right or wrong. Whether a woman has the right to end her pregnancy or not has been debated a great deal lately. But what about men in this situation should they also have the same right to end a pregnancy or does that right belong to women. The woman is the one who carries the baby and has to struggle through the pregnancy. On the other hand, the man will have to sacrifice heaps in order to raise the child as much as the woman will. In the short story â€Å"Hills Like White Elephants† by Ernest Hemingway this debate is shown first hand. The American feels trapped, he knows it’s the woman’s decision and tries to desperately talk her into an abortion. A majority of†¦show more content†¦Religiously, culturally, and ethically most people have always been against abortions, but they still happen and most of the time the woman has the right to choose over the men. Women have alwa ys had the decision when it comes to getting an abortion. They are persuaded and intimated by various people, but are ultimately the ones who decide if they want to abort their child or not. Men on the other hand, are left out even though an abortion can affect them as much as it does to women. In this deadlock, most would agree the woman should decide on an abortion and not the men. The physical, emotional, and financial struggle women go through during a pregnancy is said to be unequal. As Erika Bachiochi (writer of How Abortion Hurts Women: The Hard Proof.) states, â€Å"Women who have had abortions suffer an increased risk of anxiety, depression, and suicide.† This shows that even after having an abortion woman can have long lasting complications. Bachiochi explains to us how women who go through pregnancies and abortions are more likely to succumb to anxiety and depression. She also states that â€Å"It is now common medical knowledge that a full-term pregnancy, especially before the age of 32, acts as a protective mechanism against breast cancer.† Further enforcing why women should choose if they want an abortion or not. An abundant women and men haveShow MoreRelatedEvaluate Essay on Abortion1497 Words   |  6 PagesWhether you are pro-life or pro-choi ce it is your responsibility as a person in a society and as a human to listen to the other’s opinion and respect that person regardless of your outlook on abortion. Today we see far too much fighting and waging war on our own people because of this â€Å"issue†, while we are fighting across seas why don’t we at least hear both sides of the story and maybe just maybe we can see through each other’s eyes for once. You never know, the one person you look up to more than

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Marketing Strategy Development

Question: What is the Market Issues in Strategy Development ? Answer : Introduction There is almost double digit growth wearable tracking device market; it is expected to grow further. Among all devices, wrist wear accounts for more than 70 percent of products. This is a marketing strategy development paper, prepared on Fitbit. Reason behind selecting this company is uniqueness of product, increasing popularity and ability to change healthcare and fitness environment positively. This paper discuss four major issues, first is 5 c of market, market research procedure of the company; based on market analysis segmentation and positioning strategy is given and marketing plan is presented. Fitbit has revolutionize the wearable technology industry and made its unique brand image. Company overview Fitbit is an American company that manufactures health tracking products. It was founded by Eric and James in the year 2007 (fitbit.com, 2015). It is a globally operating company that provides technology enhanced products to optimize health and fitness experience. Its mission is to empower and inspire to live a healthier and active life. Products Fitbit deals in wide range of health and fitness products such as activity trackers, wireless enabled technology that helps in measuring steps walked, heart rate, steps climbed etc. Various brands launched by the Fitbit include Zip, One, Flex 2, Alta, Charge 2, Blaze and Surge. It has divided its product range into everyday fitness that include four products, which are trackers; second is active fitness that include Fitbit charge2 and blaze; third is performance fitness that include Fitbit surge and finally the Wi-Fi weighing scale. Its products helps in calculating GPS tracking facility that help in understanding distance, speed, time, pulse rate, sleep, total day activities such as total steps taken, distance, calorie burned, activity minutes, hourly activity. Fitbit has a strong brand image in the market, it is a successful product in UK and USA, expanding its market reaches in Asia and other markets (www.fitbit.com, 2016). Fitbit is also making shift from fitness to fashion also. However, there is low brand awareness regarding such fitness products in many markets, enhancing the same which increase new scope for market development. Company Though Fitbit products are highly technological but there ease of use helps in making them user friendly. This was the first organization that launched such tracking device with strong health focus; it achieved first mover advantage that helped in high sales and revenues. However, problem with products of this brand include premium pricing strategy. Different market researches shows issues regarding plain and simple designing of Fitbit products, they are not stylish and fashion statements. Business growth rate for Fitbit is high, immense opportunity lies in various developing market where product is still at introductory stage; rising concern towards health issues and healthy living in market is also giving new opportunities for product development. It has 85 percent of share of tracking devices(McNew, 2015). Company try to offer broad range of products at various price levels to cater demand of various customer groups. However, tracking device business industry and economic conditio n has strong correlation, spending on such devices are seen in developed nation with high disposable income. Customers If persona of a Fitbit customer is to be analysed, it include a person who is doing a desk job, earning 100k+more annually; who is a the savvy person, uses smartphone, willing to purchase a product that receive positive feedback on social media on helping improving healthy living and habits, one who is willing and aim to work out regularly, lives in USA and of mid age. Therefore, it include target segment 25 + of age, is comfortable with technology, frequently uses social media, has an expendable income. Fitbit has built a very niche market to cater and try to serve best to its target segment. It target both male and female population with 25 and above age. However, it gives more stress on female segments, especially moms (Dumoriter, 2016). It operates in different markets such as USA, Dublin, Japan, India, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. On behaviour basis, its customers look for continuous motivation and support for workouts, it tries to give that technological support and sharing through data tracking, sharing etc. (Holm, 2006). Collaborators There is group of suppliers in china and Singapore who are responsible for manufacturing hardware for the company; however company keeps the name remain undisclosed. However, it did mention that Flextronics is its primary contract manufacturer of majority of devices. There is marketing, technology, innovation teams responsible for successful operations. Fitbit is encountering market problem in meeting total market demand, failing to meet demand impact business negatively (Marshall, 2016). Competitors Fitbit is encountering intense market competition from big market players such as Nike, Apple, and Microsoft and Pebble technology. Direct competitors include Nike Fuel band, 24 hour bodybugg, Jawbone UP2. Further, products from Fitbit are not water resistance, whereas Pebble corp. products are more stylish and provide water protection. There is intense indirect competition from substitutes like non-clinical weight loss programs(Stables, 2015). Apart from this category wise competition is from free health care items, low priced products, personal management etc. Market analysis shows rising trend in fitness wearable devices. According to Statista.com, in year 2018 the figure is expected to be worth $12,642m, total number of units expected to be shipped are 224 million. It is expected that almost 40 percent of customer will be from US market (statista.com, 2016). With increasing demand, tech giants such as Apple, Google are also launching such wearable gadgets. Further, there is also high market threat from new products and market entrants as still this industry lifecycle is at introductory stage. Context This section will present various other external factors impacting business of Fitbit. Political scenario has strong influence on business growth and advancement. Fitbit is a US based company, being a leading economy USA offer business opportunities, liberty. It has strong economic scenario, with GDP is over $16.760 trillion(tradingeconomics.com, 2015). However, there is reduction in corporate profits by 1.2 percent. Social environment of US shows total population of 321,418,820. There is concern towards ageing population, poor health and obesity in the economic; the nutrition curve is also downward sloping showing rising concern towards health issues. However, this shows favourable market opportunities for Fitbit as it can act as tool to overcome this problem. Market offers high technological opportunities for business; almost 85 percent of US population is tech friendly, providing scope for such products. There is large growing community of Fitbit users, which shows positive market trend for wearable tracking devices(McNew, 2015). There is presence of high tech companies such as Apple, Google, and Microsoft in the market. There is rising concern towards climatic changes, global warming issues; company need to make strong strategies in regards to waste management, Carbon emission to ensure low pollution(Silbert, 2015). Market research impacts the way data is collected and presented by organization, it influences the authenticity and reliability of presented information. Market research is conducted by organization to understand customer needs and demands; it is also conducted to evaluate competitors position to analyse potential market threat; it aims to evaluate changing environmental condition and prospective influence on company strategic growth. Market research is the key information collection strategy that impact overall strategic process. Customer data is collected through Fitbit app; whenever a customer activates a Fitbit device they download their software and install information regarding them. This information is used by the company to evaluate personalized fitness stats for customers; it also uses their activities track record to measure their development (fitbit.com, 2016). It also collects information regarding all visitors who visit its websites. Other ways of collecting data include contest, giveaways, community, social media, and participation in surveys. Internal market research is being conducted to evaluate market environment trends, competitors position and strategies. Tools such as project planning, troubleshooting are implemented to evaluate market trends. Market segmentation Fitbit does not go for mass marketing, rather it focuses on small group of customer, fulfil their needs better than anyone else in the market. Niche segmentation of Fitbit is based on demographics, geographic regions and behavioural patterns. According to demographic parameters, it aims to cater both male and female customers above 25 years of age, preferably working professionals from middle and upper income group. Geographically, it is present in six markets USA, Dublin, Japan, India, Hong Kong, and Shanghai; Asia is being projected as prospective market with huge market development scope(Stevenson, 2016). On behavioural grounds, Fitbit prefer to target customers who are tech savvy, well educated, involved in social networking, health conscious, seek for continuous motivation for health development. It aims to target different customer groups such as major market segment include athletes, individuals, hospitals and clinics, corporations, people who want to reduce weight (Dibi Simk in, 1996). Target market On the basis of segmentation, Fitbit tries to target customer group between 30 to 40 years of age, who is trying to reduce weight, suffering from health issues, looking for healthy options, motivation to achieve their health goals. It target customer group who have money but no time to give. It also target technology users who seek for tools that provide them quick and easy monitoring on their health without much effort. Fitbit provide an effortless experience to its users. Its direct target groups include office Oliver, person with heavy headed hobby, mothers, and health conscious personality. Value proposition Fitbit is helping those customers who are looking for a way to improve their activity level without a big commitment; it has successfully managed to implement short term attainable goals through its products and its technology. Fitbit differentiate its offering on the basis of product features and accurate technology. It has been able to redefine health to make measurable development towards detecting illness and make progress towards healthy life(McNew, 2015). Positioning statement Fit bit has positioned itself as a tool that help in living a healthy life, balanced by tracking all day activities, exercise, sleep and weight. It positions itself as digital healthcare company that is integration between social networking and hardware to achieve desired goals (Stevenson, 2016). It has made its distinctive market position on the basis of product quality and accuracy of measurement. It is easy to use, have more features than other brands. Recommendations On the basis of above analysis, Fitbit is performing well in its niche market segment; it has well defined its target and what it plans to offer them. Further, it is advised that due to increasing obesity in the market, Fitbit can also target teenagers and youth from 15to 25 years of age. It is also advised to add new design as Fitbit products are not fashionable; it can add new option of personalization of design. On the basis of analysis presented in issue one, two and three; it is clear that Fitbit aims to maintain its position of market leader; it aims to implement product and market development strategies as it will help in launching new product and enter new markets; finally it also aims to increase market awareness regarding tracking devices in developing markets. Product Presently company is offering almost nine different types of products in three key categories on the basis of fitness needs. Fitbit products have large number of features, ease of connectivity, robust packing with several motivational quotes above them to inspire the user. Further to achieve set objectives, it is recommended that Fitbit can opt for strategic partnership with insurance companies, healthcare organizations, fitness centres. This service will help Fitbit users to sign with their partnering insurer, fitness centre; it will help in sharing of data on large platform regarding each member. However, data sharing will be with due consent and voluntary basis only. It will help Fitbit in attracting new members, ability to sell products at different places, fitness clubs etc. Price Analysis shows that Fitbit products are priced premium, it might because low sales in certain market as purchase of healthcare products are strongly dependent on economic conditions. Above product will help in providing discount by Fitbit users; it will help in increasing sales and brand loyalty. Fitbit can also offer discounting cards for their partnering clubs; it will help in motivating customers to purchasing tracking bands. Skimming price causes low sales, in order to expand its market reach, Fitbit needs to provide different types of lucrative offers to attract and retain customers. Place Fitbit can sell its products globally through website and ecommerce. It sells through its own website in US market; it has also tied up with various e-commerce sites catering different local markets. Above stated product recommendation will enhance product reach of Fitbit, it can be sold at different fitness centre, through health insurance companies, and there will be more intermediaries and ease of customer reach. It will also facilitate in enhancing product awareness in the market. Promotion Promotional goals of Fitbit are to increase its market reach, product reach, create awareness. Its media objective is to make such advertisements that will help in making people realize that its easy to remain fit. Social media is being strongly used promotional tool for the company, Facebook activity is the most widely used tool that include various interactive sessions, workout reports, information sharing. Facebook can be used to interact with customers, inform them about various offers(Chaffey, 2008). There is need to create advertisements that create an emotional bond between customers and the product; it aims to make them aware regarding uniqueness of its possession and usage. Sales promotion tools will also help in tying up with various health care organizations, fitness centres and health insurers. With business development, Fitbit can also launch its offers through print media, magazines on health, fitness and healthy living(Czinkota Kotabe, 2001). Conclusion Fitbit is a successful name in wrist-bands to clip-type devices for health tracking but there is much scope left to be tapped. Market scenario shows positive trend of growth and future prospects for this business. Though there is intense market competition but innovation and quality customer service helped Fitbit to remain at the top. Fitbit is presently targeting a small customer segment but it can plan for further expansion to reach a larger group and market. It is advised that Fitbit can enhance its market reach by partnering with healthcare service providers, fitness centres and health insurers. References Entire News Link. (2016, March 1). Fitbit Blaze is a whole workout in a wearable. Retrieved September 16, 2016, from www.entirenewslink.com: https://www.entirenewslink.com/fitbit-blaze-is-a-whole-workout-in-a-wearable/ Chaffey. (2008). Internet Marketing: Strategy, Implementation And Practice, 3/E. New Delhi: Pearson Education India. Czinkota, M. R., Kotabe, M. (2001). Marketing management. Boston: South-Western College Pub. Dibi, S., Simkin, L. (1996). The Market Segmentation Workbook: Target Marketing for Marketing Managers. London: Cengage Learning EMEA, . Dumoriter, A. (2016, January 8). The Market Misunderstands Fitbit -- Here's Why. Retrieved January 24, 2017, from www.fool.com: https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/01/08/the-market-misunderstands-fitbit-heres-why.aspx fitbit.com. (2015). Who We Are. Retrieved January 24, 2017, from /www.fitbit.com: https://www.fitbit.com/in/about fitbit.com. (2016). Fitbit Privacy Pledge. Retrieved January 24, 2017, from fitbit.com: https://www.fitbit.com/en-ca/legal/previous-privacy-policy Holm, O. (2006). Integrated marketing communication: from tactics to strategy. Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 26-32. Hooley, G., Piercy, N., Nicoulaud, B. (2012). Marketing Strategy and Competitive Positioning. London: FT Prentice Hall. Kotler, P. (2012). Kotler On Marketing. New York: Simon and Schuster. Marshall, G. (2016, September 9). The story of Fitbit: How a wooden box became a $4 billion company. Retrieved January 24, 2017, from www.wareable.com: https://www.wareable.com/fitbit/youre-fitbit-and-you-know-it-how-a-wooden-box-became-a-dollar-4-billion-company McNew, S. (2015, September 15). FitBit's 7 Competitive Advantages Over Other Brands. Retrieved January 24, 2017, from /www.fool.com: https://www.fool.com/investing/general/2015/09/05/7-competitive-advantages-fitbit-says-it-has-over-o.aspx Rainmaker, D. (2015, January 20). Fitbit Surge In-Depth Review. Retrieved January 24, 2017, from www.dcrainmaker.com: https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2015/01/fitbit-surge-depth-review.html Silbert, S. (2015, December 10). Why Fitbit Is Still Winning Wearables. Retrieved January 24, 2017, from fortune.com: https://fortune.com/2015/12/10/why-fitbit-winning/ Stables, J. (2015, February 23). Basis Peak v Fitbit Surge: Battle of the super trackers. Retrieved January 24, 2017, from /www.wareable.com: https://www.wareable.com/fitness-trackers/basis-peak-vs-fitbit-surge-861 statista.com. (2016). Facts and statistics on Fitbit. Retrieved January 24, 2017, from statista.com/: https://www.statista.com/topics/2595/fitbit/ Stevenson, A. (2016, october 16). Fitbit CEO reveals hes transforming the mission and purpose of the company. Retrieved January 24, 2017, from cnbc.com: https://www.cnbc.com/2016/10/06/fitbit-ceo-reveals-hes-transforming-the-mission-and-purpose-of-the-company.html tradingeconomics.com. (2015). USA GDP. Retrieved January 24, 2017, from tradingeconomics.com: https://www.tradingeconomics.com/USA/gdp www.fitbit.com. (2016, September). Product. Retrieved January 24, 2017, from www.fitbit.com/: https://www.fitbit.com/in/surge?utm_source=Googleutm_medium=Search_utm_campaign=IN-Model-Surge-Exact#features

Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Hand Hygiene and Patient Safety

Question: Discuss about the Hand Hygiene and Patient Safety. Answer: Introduction Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs) have been defined as those infections that either the patient or hospital staff acquire within the care setting (for example, from same day surgery, hemodialysis unit, or inpatient admission at the hospital among others) with evidence lacking that the person had the infection present or the infection was in the incubation stage when the person entered the hospital setting (Horan, Andrus Dudreck, 2008). The increasing HAI rates along with evidence that suggests that infection control and active surveillance can help in the prevention of HAIs has resulted in the development of hospital infection and epidemiology programs. The role that these programs has continued to evolve even as HAIs and microbial resistance leads to increasing risks to patients and escalating costs of healthcare. The IOM has defined patient safety as protection of patients against any harm. More emphasis is placed on the care delivery system that enables prevention of errors, learns from any occurrence of errors; and is based on a safety culture that includes patients, organizations, and healthcare professionals. The AHRQ Patient Safety Network Web glossary expounds on what prevention of patients from any harm encompasses and defines it as freedom from preventable or accidental injuries that are as a result of medical care (AHRQ, 2007). The patient defining attributes include medical errors prevention and adverse events that are avoidable, protecting of patients from any injury or harm, and well integrated strong healthcare system and individual healthcare service providers collaborative effort (Kim, Lyder, Mc Neese et al., 2015). According to the RNs standards off practice (6.1 and 6.6), the nurse is tasked with providing quality, comprehensive, safe care to achieve expected outcomes and goals that are in response to the needs of patients. The nurse should utilize the processes that are most appropriate in identifying and reporting actual and potential risks as well as below par practice with regard to standards is identified. The most significant role when it comes to patient safety within any healthcare setting, is the ability to integrate and coordinate the multiple quality aspects within the care that the nurse provides directly, and across the delivery of care given by others within the same setting. This function of integration is a component of proper staffing (where the percentage of RNs is greater than that of other nursing staff) and is linked to lower mortality and fewer complications. In addition, when the significance of communication is put into consideration, or lapses in communication that result in error commission, the role that nurses play as links to communication within a healthcare facility, becomes obvious. The PSNet clearly defines the error chain where indications are given on the part played by communication and leadership in the event series that leads to patient harm. The errors' Root-cause analyses provides linked causes' categories and these include non-adherence to standard p rocedures of operations; poor leadership; teamwork or communication breakdown; ignoring or overlooking fallibility in individuals; and losing focus on objectives (AHRQ, 2007) Why Hand Hygiene improves patient safety Increasing attention to Healthcare Acquired Infections has been an issue among patients, regulatory bodies, governments, and insurers. This is not confined to the problem's magnitude with regard to mortality, morbidity, and treatment cost, but also because of the increasing awareness that majority of HAIs are preventable (Sharma Ahmed, 2010). The healthcare industry is observing in tandem, the unprecedented progress in pathophysiology of infectious diseases' understanding and the worldwide spread of infections that are multi-drug resistant within healthcare facilities. These factors, along with the paucity of new antimicrobials availability, have called for a re-focusing of the role played by basic prevention of infection techniques in today's healthcare facilities. Among the most critical activities of infection control, hand hygiene is regarded as a critical element (Lin, Tien, Sun, et al., 2010; Trick, Vernon, Welbel, et al., 2007). The increasing burden that is associated with Hospital Acquired Infections, the increasing illnesses severity, treatment complexity, which are compounded by multi-drug resistant (MDR) superimposed pathogen infections, staff in healthcare facilities are now reverting to infection prevention basics through simple measures such as hand hygiene (Saint, Howell, Krein, 2010). This approach is based on the evidence that supports hand hygiene where if implemented properly, can reduce infection cross transmission risk within healthcare facilities Grayson, Russo, Cruickshank et al., 2011). Evidence from a number of studies have shown that hand washing eradicates methicillin resistantS. aureus(MRSA) that may be present in an individual's hands and often occurs in most staffs providing care in ICUs( Miyachi, Furuya Umezawa et al., 2007; Grayson, Jarvie, Martin et al., 2008). Increasing compliance in hand washing has been shown to result in decreased rates of MRSA (Marimuthu, Pittet,, Harbarth, 2014). In addition infections from Klebsiellasp. have been shown to decline with increased compliance to hand hygiene (Sydnor, Perl, 2011). Further, studies have also shown that hand hygiene practice adherence minimizes the acquisition of disease carrying pathogens that may be present on the hands and which ultimately minimizes the Healthcare Acquired Infections rates (Magiorakos, Leens , Drouvot, et al.,2015; Kirkland, Homa, Lasky et al., 2012). The SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands WHO program puts more emphasis on the My 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene as a patient protection approach that is key within healthcare facilities, against spreading of pathogens and in reduction of Hospital Acquired Infections. This approach emphasizes and encourages healthcare workers to adopt a habit of cleaning their hands often: prior to touching a patient; prior to aseptic/cleaning procedures; after physical hand contact with a patient; after exposure or risk of exposure to body fluid; and after hand contact with patients' surroundings (Sax, Allegranzi, Uckay et al., 2007). Ways of maintaining hand hygiene Soap and water is used in hand washing when: hands are visibly dirty or have been in contact with blood, proteinaceous material, or any body fluids and when one suspects or can prove to have come into contact with Bacillus anthracis(the physical washing and rinsing of one's hands in cases of B.anthracis contamination is recommended as antiseptic agents such as iodophors, chlorhexidine, and alcohols do not act effectively against spores); after visiting a bathroom, hands need to be washed with water and an antimicrobial soap; prior to and after having a meal (Dettenkofer, Conrad, 2010). Alcohol based hand rubs are most effective in routine decontamination of hands when there is no visible dirt or contamination (Gould, Moralejo, Drey et al., 2010). The alcohol based hand rubs should be used prior to any direct contact that a healthcare worker will have with a patient; prior to putting on sterile gloves before insertion of a central intravascular catheter; prior to insertion of any peripheral vascular or indwelling urinary catheters, or other non-surgical invasive devices; after physical hand contact with a patient's skin for example when lifting a patient, after taking a patient's blood pressure or after checking the patient's pulse; after coming into contact with mucous membrane, body excretions or fluids, wound dressings, noon-intact skin, if hands are not soiled in a visible way; after coming into contact with objects that are within that patient's surroundings though inanimate such as medical equipment; when moving to a clean site form a contaminate site after c aring for a patient; and after removal latex gloves. When washing the hands, all jewelry needs to be removed prior to commencing and hands rinsed under warm running water. The soap should be lathered using friction with all fingers and hand surfaces covered adequately. The faucet should be turned off by using the elbow or wrist. The hands should be dried using a single use towel or hot air hand drying machine. The skin should be patted and not rubbed so as to prevent any cracking. If one uses disposable towels, they should be discarded immediately after use. Excoriation on the skin may result in colonization of bacteria and increased possibility of blood borne viruses and other microorganisms' infection spread. Compliance to hand washing may decrease when hands are sore, in such instances, an adequate amount of antiseptic rub should be dubbed on all surfaces and the antiseptic allowed to dry on its own (WHO, 2009). Conclusion The increasing HAI rates along with evidence that suggests that infection control and active surveillance can help in the prevention of HAIs has resulted in the development of hospital infection and epidemiology programs. Hospital Acquired infections are preventable and with adherence to hand washing protocols, the occurrence of HAIs can be reduced significantly. Nurses and other healthcare workers need to be compelled to follow strict hand washing guidelines as by doing so; the costs of patient care can be reduced. In addition, hand washing should be practiced regularly for the individual protection of the nurses and care staff from cross contamination resulting from contact with patients or the patients' surrounding environments. References AHRQ PSNet Patient Safety Network(2007).Error chain.[Accessed April 26, 2017]. https://psnet.ahrq.gov/glossary#E Dettenkofer, M., Conrad, A. (2010). Hand Hygiene for the Prevention of Nosocomial Infections. deutsches arzteblatt international, 107(8), 139-139. Gould DJ, Moralejo D, Drey N, Chudleigh JH (2010) Interventions to improve hand hygiene compliance in patient care Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Issue 9. Art. No.: CD005186. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD005186.pub3. Grayson ML, Jarvie LJ, Martin R, Johnson PD, Jodoin ME, McMullan C, Gregory RH, Bellis K, Cunnington K, Wilson FL, Quin D, Kelly AM, Kelly AM, Hand Hygiene Study Group and Hand Hygiene Statewide Roll-out Group, Victorian Quality Council(2008). Significant reductions in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia and clinical isolates associated with a multisite, hand hygiene culture-change program and subsequent successful statewide roll-out.Med J Aust.2008;188(11):633640. Grayson ML, Russo PL, Cruickshank M, Bear JL, Gee CA, Hughes CF, Johnson PD, McCann R, McMillan AJ, Mitchell BG, Selvey CE, Smith RE, Wilkinson I. 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