Extra Credit

Despite contrary claims, that the flu shot does not cause the flu ("Vitals Finds the Flu Shot Is Still Divisive", 7-8).  This popular misconception stems from the fact that it takes up to two weeks for the vaccination to take effect in the body ("Vitals Finds the Flu Shot Is Still Divisive", 7-8).  Some people unfortunately contract the flu during this two week time frame before the vaccine becomes ready to protect the body ("Vitals Finds the Flu Shot Is Still Divisive", 7-8).  Another reason that explains why some people believe that the flu shot can cause the flu is due to misdiagnoses of side effects of the shot as the flu itself ("Vitals Finds the Flu Shot Is Still Divisive", 7-8).   For one to two after receiving the shot, some people experience flu-like symptoms, such as low fever and achiness ("Vitals Finds the Flu Shot Is Still Divisive", 7-8).   This is not the flu.  It is simply a rough response to the vaccine.  Most do not even feel these side effects. 

The only true threat facing hospital employees who receive the flu shot is the risk of an allergic reaction.  Unfortunately, allergic reactions are possible companions of any vaccine (“Got Asthma? et al.).  In a plan to mandate the flu vaccine, staff members who have previously responded to an allergic reaction because of the flu shot would be the only exemption.    By excusing those with allergic

SWA 23: outline for essay 4

Mandating the Flu Shot for Employees in Hospital Systems

I.                 Do you really know the about the facts behind the flu shot?

a.      Twenty present of Americans have a case of the flu each year. 

b.      Some hospital systems are moving toward making the flu vaccination mandatory for all employees, from janitors to doctors. 

                                                    i.     The goal is to better protect patients who may be negatively affected by an unhealthy staff. 

                                                   ii.     However, those who fight against making the flu shot mandatory argue that the shot is either too risky or ineffective.

II.               Any hospital employee who comes in contact with patients and any form of paid caregivers should be required to have the flu vaccine seasonally.  Support for the vaccination in the medical community, driven by making the flu vaccine mandatory for staff, would help the general public growth to understand that the flu vaccination is both safe and effective.  It would especially help better protect the health of those with asthma, pregnant women, and elderly. 

III.              A plan to make the flu shot mandatory for all hospital employees would be both safe and effective. 

a.      Despite contrary claims, that the flu shot does not cause the flu.

                                                    i.     This misconception stems from the fact that it takes up to two weeks for the vaccination to take effect in the body. 

                                                   ii.     Some misdiagnose side effects of the shot as the flu itself. 

1.      The shot can cause flu like symptoms for 1-2 days in some people. 

b.      Some believe that vaccines can lead to autism in children.  However, there is no evidence to support this idea.

c.      Others argue against mandating the flu shot because of the possibility of an allergic reaction. 

                                                    i.     Staff members who have previously responded to an allergic reaction because of the flu shot would be the only exemption from mandating plans.  An allergic reaction is the only serious risk of the flu shot. 

d.      Mandating the flu shot will ultimately have significant benefits for the surrounding population. 

                                                    i.     Requiring the shot will directly protect the health of the staff.       

1.      The flu vaccination will help keep the staff from getting the flu.    

a.      This result in less sick days.

2.      The vaccination will also prevent the staff from carrying the flu germs.

a.      If the staff is healthy, the patients are protected from germs carried by the staff. 

                                                                                                                i.     A healthy staff will especially benefit elderly, pregnant, and asthma patients. 

3.      Once the staff begins to trust the safety and effectiveness of the vaccination more strongly, trust for the vaccination will spread and trickle down. 

a.      Community members and other hospital systems will begin to see the vaccination as the standard norm. 

b.      Receiving the flu shot for a job is no different than the standard practice of school children receiving other vaccinations before starting school.  It protects the students and their peers. 

IV.              A plan mandating the flu vaccination in the employees of medical systems should be effectively implemented and enforced.           

a.      The vaccine needs to be received before the flu season. 

                                                    i.     On-site vaccinations should be offered at the cost of employers. 

b.      If employees refuse the vaccination, they must be terminated.

                                                    i.     Employees will be warned and offered a second chance to get the shot, but at their own expense if the first opportunity is missed.   

V.               Various plans of mandating the flu shot are taking hold in hospital systems, but the lack of stern enforcement are preventing their full development.  The shot is effective and safe; employees have nothing to fear concerning receiving the vaccination.  Ultimately enforcing a mandate of the flu vaccine could inhibit numerous flu-related deaths and prevent countless cases of the flu each year. 

SWA 22: Essay 4 Plan

As more and more hospital systems push their employees to get the influenza vaccination, the safety and effectiveness of the flu shot is being questioned again and again.  The decision of whether or not to mandate the flu shot is controversial for this reason.  The flu vaccine has become surrounded by several theories discrediting its effectiveness and horror stories of people who have experienced severe cases of its side effects.  On the other hand, medical experts claim that the shot is effective and completely safe. 

Thesis for paper four:

Any hospital employee who comes in contact with patients and any form of paid caregivers should be required to have the flu vaccine seasonally.  Support for the vaccination in the medical community driven by making the flu vaccine mandatory for staff would help the general public growth to understand that the flu vaccination is both safe and effective.  It would also help better protect the health of those with asthma, pregnant women, and elderly. 

General outline:

I.                 Intro

a.      Why matters- brief

b.      Thesis

II.               Outline of Plan

III.              How the plan would be beneficial

a.      build repute- Understanding of effectiveness and safety

b.      at risk groups

                                                    i.     asthma

                                                   ii.     pregnant

                                                  iii.     elderly

IV.              Conclusion

a.      Re-emphasis of plan

b.      Statement about prevention of deaths and number of flu cases per year

c.      Trying to enforce in some hospital systems already

SWA 20: Outline

Title: Conflicting Interest of the Influenza Vaccination

Introduction: Mandating the flu shot is controversial.  Who, if anyone, should be require to have the vaccine?  People especially impacted by this issue would include people with asthma and their families, pregnant women, and healthcare employees and caregivers, and those being cared for by these employees. 

Thesis: The flu shot is greatly beneficial in some groups of people, such as those with asthma, pregnant women, and hospital workers.  On the other hand though, mandating the flu shot is rivaled by the possibility of negative complications.  

I.                 People with asthma and their families should get the flu vaccine. 

a.      People with asthma face greater complications than the average person when they have the flu.

b.     The shot should be given before the start of flu season.

II.               Pregnant women should get the flu shot for the protection of themselves and the children they are carrying. 

a.      Pregnant women have weaker immune systems than non-pregnant women. 

b.     The vaccine is passed onto the developing children for their first few months of life.

III.             Hospital workers and caregivers should get the flu shot.

a.      The shot not only protects the employees, but also helps protect flu-prone patients.

                                                    i.     Elderly are very susceptible to the flu. 

b.     The best way to increase the rate of employees getting the shot is by making it mandatory.

c.      The vaccine in nothing to fear.  The idea that the shot causes the flu is a myth. 

                                                    i.     Employees who have had the shot before are more likely to get it again.

IV.            Flu vaccinations should not be mandated in anyone.  Because the vaccination does sometimes have negative complications, getting the vaccination should be a personal choice.  

a.      People do not get the shot because of fear of side effects.

                                                    i.     The shot can cause allergic reactions and flu like symptoms for 1-2 days in some people. 

                                                  ii.     Some people avoid medicine in general, no matter what form it is in.

1.     Some parents suspect vaccinations can cause developmental problems, such as autism.

2.     Others avoid the shot due to the poor view of vaccines in their religions.    

Conclusion: Although the flu shot comes with possible side effects and distrust, it is very beneficial in protecting those with weaker immune systems.  The flu shot should be mandated in healthcare workers, just as other vaccines are mandated for the protection of the larger population.  This topic is of interest to me because of my love for the medical field.  As I pursue a career in occupational therapy, the mandating of the influenza vaccine could one day impact me personally. 

I.                 Establish grounds for shot

a.      Safety

b.     Low risk side effects

II.               Benefits of shot

a.      Who would benefit most (elderly, athma, pregnant)

b.     Protects hospital staff while preventing spread

c.      Just like have to follow OSHA guidelines for safty, should follow these

SWA 21: Review

1)    What is the issue? Is its importance explained?

The issue is the negative and positive effects of increasing Internet and social media reliance.  The importance is explained well, especially in the introduction and conclusion.   

 

2)    Are four distinct perspectives easily identifiable? What are they? Is the thesis informative and concise?

The four groups are university professors and school officials, parents of students and young adults using these technologies, the students and young people, and the makers, marketers, and producers of gadgets.  The thesis is a worded a little awkwardly, but it is informative. 

 

3)    Do the introduction and conclusion offer effective leads to and out of the argument? How do you know?

The introduction leads into the argument well by providing thorough background information and using a nice hook.  The conclusion is effective in driving home the point that the issue is arguable and relevant, but could be improved  by revealing the author’s opinion  more clearly. 

4)    Is the essay effective? Explain? What would you have suggested to the student writer if you had been partnered for peer review?

The essay is effective in showing how the issue is multi-sided.  I would suggest that the writer work on the wording of his/ her thesis and add more of his/ her own opinion in the conclusion.  More information could also be incorporated into the body of the paper.  Other than that, the essay is very well done. 

SWA 19: Exploratory Paper Outline

Title: Conflicting Interest of the Influenza Vaccination

Introduction: Mandating the flu shot is controversial.  Who, if anyone, should be require to have the vaccine?  People especially impacted by this issue would include people with asthma and their families, pregnant women, and healthcare employees and caregivers, and those being cared for by these employees. 

Thesis: The flu shot is greatly beneficial in some groups of people, such as those with asthma, pregnant women, and hospital workers.  On the other hand though, mandating the flu shot is rivaled by the possibility of negative complications.  

I.                 People with asthma and their families should get the flu vaccine. 

a.      People with asthma face greater complications than the average person when they have the flu.

b.     The shot should be given before the start of flu season.

II.               Pregnant women should get the flu shot for the protection of themselves and the children they are carrying. 

a.      Pregnant women have weaker immune systems than non-pregnant women. 

b.     The vaccine is passed onto the developing children for their first few months of life.

III.             Hospital workers and caregivers should get the flu shot.

a.      The shot not only protects the employees, but also helps protect flu-prone patients.

                                                    i.     Elderly are very susceptible to the flu. 

b.     The best way to increase the rate of employees getting the shot is by making it mandatory.

c.      The vaccine in nothing to fear.  The idea that the shot causes the flu is a myth. 

                                                    i.     Employees who have had the shot before are more likely to get it again.

IV.            Flu vaccinations should not be mandated in anyone.  Because the vaccination does sometimes have negative complications, getting the vaccination should be a personal choice.  

a.      People do not get the shot because of fear of side effects.

                                                    i.     The shot can cause allergic reactions and flu like symptoms for 1-2 days in some people. 

                                                  ii.     Some people avoid medicine in general, no matter what form it is in.

1.     Some parents suspect vaccinations can cause developmental problems, such as autism.

2.     Others avoid the shot due to the poor view of vaccines in their religions.    

3.     Employees would be forced to bear the cost of the flu shot season after season.   

Conclusion: Although the flu shot comes with possible side effects and distrust, it is very beneficial in protecting those with weaker immune systems.  The flu shot should be mandated in healthcare workers, just as other vaccines are mandated for the protection of the larger population.  This topic is of interest to me because of my love for the medical field.  As I pursue a career in occupational therapy, the mandating of the influenza vaccine could one day impact me personally. 

SWA 18: An. Bib_ 2 sources

"Flu shot mandate in 1 in 4 hospitals." Hospital Employee Health 1 Jan. 2012. Academic OneFile. Web. 28 Feb. 2012.

This is a very new article on the topic of flu shots.  Fifty-six percent of hospitals in a study require employees to get the vaccine seasonally, but only one-fourth of these hospitals installed consequences for employees who refused the shot.  However, the current state of 25% of the hospitals with consequences for employees who refuse the shot is far higher than the mere 5% three flu seasons earlier.  Of these 25% with consequence, 75% require those who refuse to wear mask; only 3.9% of the hospitals fired employees who refused the shot.  Of the hospitals that mandate the vaccine, exemptions, such as religious reasons, were given out generously.  Despite this, mandates of vaccinations in hospital workers significantly increased the percent of employees who agreed to be vaccinated.  The article also mentions as a side note that the H1N1 pandemic resulted in a spike in employee vaccinations since the pandemic. 

"Department of Aging Stresses Importance of Getting a Flu Shot." Biotech Week 21 Dec. 2011: 316. Academic OneFile. Web. 28 Feb. 2012.

            This article got my attention by putting the statistic, “Ninety percent of flu-related deaths and more than half of flu-related hospitalizations occur in people age 65 and older” early on.  It goes on to say that 20% of Americans have a case of the flu each year.  The department supported getting to flu shot by funding influenza vaccine clinics and supporting pharmacies in the cause.  This article is reliable because it is very up to date. 

ICW 3-12

In his essay, “Immigrant Misappropriations: The Importance of Ichiro”, author Jay Caspian Kang attempts to make the point that baseball links people into social categories based on broad similarities such as background or skin color. This lends to lingering racism; he explains how fans match themselves to their idols based on misguided social stereotypes that they begin to mold to. The author realizes that he identified with Ichiro because he was also in a minority, but also because he himself had begun to view himself how many old generation Americans view him- as an Asian, not a Korean.

The title "Immigrant Misappropriations: The Importance of Ichiro" is misleading because it gives the impression of being a statistical based essay, but instead, it leans heavily on the author's personal experience and opinions.  In Kang's essay, he briefly talks about growing up in America as a first generation immigrant loving baseball, just like all of his peers. This reflects how Kang began to find his place in American society by relating to others in America through the shared love of "the American Sport." Later, as he matured, he realized that through baseball, he had begun he view himself with the stereotypes Americans viewed him with.

If I were to write about The View on Baseball as the American Sport, I would talk about how the author, Kang, alludes to baseball as being an American sport. I would talk about how it is often called "the great American pastime." With that in mind, Americans view themselves as most gifted in and familiar with baseball. It is considered a patriotic, family-friendly sport. The sport is still unpopular in most of the world, whereas it has been huge in American for decades. An American listing typical words dealing with America would likely include "baseball" just as sure as it would include "apple pie."

Even for Americans, like me, who are not sports fanatics, baseball sparks thoughts of patriotism and unity as a culture.  Because I am not a sports fanatic, I had no idea who Ichiro Suzuki was.  This made the essay less appealing and more difficult to understand for me.  After doing some research however, I had a greater appreciation for him as an athlete and for the essay.  By watching some highlights of Ichiro in play, I got to see his great level of athleticism.  The video also made me realize that I would quickly stereotype about Ichiro based on his appearance just as much as any American would.  To me, he just looks Asian.  Seeing this made me better understand Kang's argument in his essay.   

SWA 17

Heimberger, Tracey, et al. Knowledge and Attitudes of Healthcare Workers about Influenza: Why Are They Not Getting Vaccinated? N.p.: The University of Chicago Press , 1995. JSTOR. Web. 29 Feb. 2012. <http://www.jstor.org/
stable/30141897>.

A study was done to determine why many people working in a hospital (from doctors to non-health related jobs) works refused the flu vaccine.  The study found that the major reasons for not getting the shot, in both medical and non-medical personal, were fear of side effects and “avoidance of medication.”  The study also found that younger employees were less likely to get the vaccine than older employees, over the age of 50.  People who had had the shot the before were more open to getting it again.  Also, people with chronic diseases, such as heart-disease, were more likely to get the shot.  The one reason employees said they would get the shot was based on knowledge that doing so could not cause the flu.  The discussion suggest the following strategies for increased vaccination rates: letter, convenient vaccine locations/ times, forms of refusal, informative pamphlets and video.  

"March of Dimes Urges Pregnant Women to Get a Flu Shot." Vaccine Weekly 21 Sept. 2011: 23. Expanded Academic ASAP. Web. 28 Feb. 2012.

The article “March of Dimes Urges Pregnant Women to Get a Flu Shot” is likely writen from a somewhat bias perspective because it was published in Vaccine Weekly.  However, the source was published recently on September 21, 2011.  The article argues that all expecting mothers should get the vaccine for the protection of their unborn children and for themselves, whom have weaker immune systems while pregnant.  When an expecting mother has the shot, the immunization is passed on to the baby for a few months after birth as well.  The statistics presented in the article revealed that pregnant women are more likely to be hospitalized because of the flu, as opposed to other women.  The article also states that the shot reduces the chances of premature birth during flu season.    

SWA 16

"Vitals Finds The Flu Shot Is Still Divisive." Biotech Business 25.1 (2012): 7-8. Business Source Premier. Web. 28 Feb. 2012.

This current source, found through the library database, discusses a recent survey which found that many people do not get the shot due to misconceptions surrounding it.  The flu shot was developed in 1945, but recently, the shot has sprung myths.  A common myth is that the shot can cause the flu instead of preventing it in some cases.  This source shows that in reality, the shot’s side effects are often misinterpreted as the flu.  The shot can cause low fever and achiness for 1 to 2 days as a side effect- not the flu.  Another reason for this misconception is that it takes up to 2 weeks for the shot to take effect. 

May, David.  "Science friction." Modern Healthcare 05 Dec. 2011: 24. Business Source Premier. Web. 28 Feb. 2012.

This article is filled with opinion, as it is an editorial argument.  Never the less, it is backed by facts.  The author says that parents have begun choosing not to vaccinate their children for with the common childhood shots for reasons such as religion, the idea that vaccines are risky to other aspects of health and can cause autism, despite contrary data.  Adults do not get the flu vaccine for the same reasons.  Caregivers all too often put patients at risk by opting out of the shot themselves. 

Words to search:

Flu shot

Elderly

Flu myths

Flu Vaccine Risk

SWA 15: Exploring Topics

Questions of Flu Vaccinations

Source 1: Socioeconomic impact; global perceptive

Source 2: Ways to encourage getting the shot

Source 3: Emotional impact on the decision to/ not to get the shot

Source 4: Effect of myths on older patient’s decision

Finding these primary sources was not very difficult.  Picking out four perspectives with lots of support for each may be difficult though.  However, I am leaning toward this topic. 

Nursing Home Problems

 Source 1: Study of infection control policies

Source 2: Need for more staff training to recognize causes of behavioral problem in patients (development of mental illness)

Source 3: Lack of effective pain management

Source 4: dental/ oral health neglect

There are tons of article discussing a broad range of problems in nursing homes.   It may be too broad to work with, because there are so many different problems that could be discussed.

EBT Policies

Source 1: lack of solid research; proposal for how to begin evaluating policies

Source 2: economic implications of EBT; 1996 proposal for the program

Source 3: development of the program in AL

Source 4: Welfare Reform Act of 1996

There does not seem to be enough easily accessible information about this topic.  I am ruling it out as an option. 

SWA 12

Waters, Alice.  “A Healthy Constitution.”  The Carolina Reader.  TX: Southlake, 2012.  Print. 

          Alice Waters’ essay, “A Healthy Constitution” argues in support of an “edible education.”  By this

she means that she wants students to understand where food comes from and the values of

responsibility and cooperation that go along with it.  She says that taking responsibility for food

production builds American values of democracy in students.  Her argument for better food in schools

accompanied by understanding of food would likely be supported by Jamie Oliver.   

Questions:

Waters’ claim is that teaching students to produce food responsibly instills democratic values in the students.  She supports this claim by giving quotes of students she has worked with.  Waters also makes the link between health food and better success in classrooms due to more energy and less sick days.  She only briefly skims this topic.  A few more sentences of support would have easily inhanced her argument. 

SWA 13

·        Inner city school systems

§  Controversy: Public schools receive money based on the taxes paid in the area of the school.  Because inner cities are poor, less money is taken in, and therefore the schools suffer.  This creates cycle of poverty that the people in inner city schools are trapped in. 

§  Stand: Poorer school districts should receive a substance budget rather than budget cuts because of low test scores.  Test scores should not affect a school’s budget. 

§  Research interest:

o   Racial ratios in the schools

o   Effect of

o   Current problems in school districts

·        Flu shots

§  Some say that flu shots should be required.  Others say that the shots only lead to antibiotic resistance and stronger strains of the flu. 

§  Stand: I believe use of flu shots should be discouraged and carefully regulated. 

§  Research interest:

o   Effect of used of the short: short term vs. long term

o   Rate of people who get shot and flu

·        Nursing home solutions

§  Elderly are often neglected in nursing homes.  The staff is too then for the number of patience and families often have little time to visit, yet little is being done to improve the situation. 

§  Stand: Nursing homes should be required to have a higher staff to patient ratio.  Facilities should encourage the enjoyment of life through activities on the patients’ levels and proper facilities. 

§  Research Interest:

o   Hospice’s conditions vs. traditional nursing home’s conditions

o   Cost of care; impact of more staff on cost

o   Length of lives placed in nursing homes; what effects this