A Brief Note On Australian Industrial Relations Act

Australian Industrial Relations Name of the student Name of the university Contents Introduction 3 Fair Work Act (2009) 3 Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Act 2005 4 Comparative Analysis 4 Termination of employment 4 Employment standards 5 Elimination of redundancy 8 Adverse action 9 Conclusion 10 References 11 Introduction The industries in Australia have a number of organisations operating in them. These organisations have a large number of human resources which are involved in the various business functions of the organisations. The relationship between these human resources with each other and the management of the organisations is very important for the success of the business. This requires the establishment of a number of laws, legislations and regulations which manage the industrial relations in the various organisations operating in Australia. These laws and regulations are established in the country by the government and various other regulatory bodies in both public and private sectors. This report is a comparative analysis of such two legislations established in Australia which had a lot of impacts on the industrial relations in the country. The Fair Work Act passed in the year of 2009 and the Workplace Relations Amendment (Work Choices) Act passed in the year of 2005 are the legislations un der consideration. The report compares a number of elements of both the legislations and determines the comparative effect of both the legislations on theShow MoreRelatedPersonal Styles : Gordon Grace1225 Words   |  5 Pages______________________ ___________________ Grace Smith Gordon Jones (F) Would you keep a copy of the Notes? Give reason? No, as a Mediator I will not be keeping copy of the notes. Notes in agreement are typically destroyed. This helps protect the confidentiality of the mediation communications. In some instances, notes are kept because of; †¢ Parties may return for a follow-up session after a period of time, and notes will refresh the mediation †¢ May be used for further training or coaching (G) Would youRead MoreElectronic Surveillance in the Workplace6778 Words   |  28 PagesResearch Findings, Paper from Conference of the International Communication Association, June 2000 (Acapulco, Mexico) at 3. For Privacy NSW and its predecessor, the NSW Privacy Committee, In 1998, the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act (NSW) abolished the NSW Privacy Committee and replaced it with a statutorily independent Privacy Commissioner. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner is know as Privacy NSW. the issue of workers’ privacy has long been a concern. We have published threeRead MoreEssay about Regulating Prostitution4814 Words   |  20 Pagesinfection, including a 90% decline in gonorrhoea rates among sex workers for the period 1981-1989 (cited in Brothels Task Force, 2001, 23). During the debate, unsubstantiated statistics were also sometimes produced literally out of thin air, as when an Australian industry spokesperson remarked during an interview that the number of brothels in Sydney had increased by 400% since decriminalisation. When subsequently questioned about the source of this figure, she was unable to provide any means of substantiationRead MoreBsbrsk5018752 Words   |  36 Pagestargeting this unit of competency. The evidence is kept by the RTO and is required for audit purposes. The following table summarises the types of evidence students can generate as proof of competence. The table contains information based on the AQF (Australian Qualifications Framework) Level for the unit BSBRSK501A: Manage risk. Sample assessment tools have been suggested as a means of assisting students in generating the appropriate form of evidence for this unit. AQF Level Distinguishing Features (Source:Read MoreFinancial Reporting Council: the Use of a Sector Neutral Framework for the Making of Australian Accounting Standards49538 Words   |  199 PagesFinancial Reporting Council: The Use of a Sector Neutral Framework for the Making of Australian Accounting Standards Introduction The Australian Financial Reporting Council (FRC) was established on 1 January 2000 under section 225 of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 19891 (ASIC Act) for the purpose of overseeing Australia’s accounting standard setting process. One of the key functions of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) is to provide broad oversight of the processesRead MoreUnion Management Relations15863 Words   |  64 Pagesimpact of unions on management behavior. Demand for fairness leads the union to get into almost every area of day-to-day managerial decision-making at the workplace level. Slichter (1941) called the emergence of labour-management relations in the 1930s a system â€Å"industrial jurisprudence† in which the union gains a voice in almost all aspects of management decision-making in the workplace that 4 have consequences for workers. One possible response of management to an increase in wages is to substituteRead MoreInduction Training Essay1861 Words   |  8 Pagesdiscrimination and unfair dismissal claims. Read about keeping your workplace safe and your legal obligations when training staff. ïÆ'Ëœ Before dismissing a staff member you must ensure youve followed due process and are not breaching the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (PDF, 791KB). Supplier agreements ïÆ'Ëœ Getting your agreements with suppliers in writing will minimise misunderstandings and disagreements. Agreements may include creditor terms, supply conditions and any marketing and promotion support. Risk managementRead MoreMedia Law: Defamation, Copyright, Etc23627 Words   |  95 Pagesentirely uniform, there is much more consistency between the various Australian jurisdictions than had existed beforehand. South Australia introduced the Defamation Act 2005 (SA) which commenced on 1 January 2006. The new Acts do not affect the operation of the general law in relation to the tort of defamation except to the extent that the Acts provide otherwise (whether expressly or by necessary implication): Defamation Act 2006 (SA) section 6. It is important to ensure that factsRead MoreMedia Law: Defamation, Copyright, Etc23639 Words   |  95 Pagesentirely uniform, there is much more consistency between the various Australian jurisdictions than had existed beforehand. South Australia introduced the Defamation Act 2005 (SA) which commenced on 1 January 2006. The new Acts do not affect the operation of the general law in relation to the tort of defamation except to the extent that the Acts provide otherwise (whether expressly or by necessary implication): Defamation Act 2006 (SA) section 6. It is important to ensure that factsRead MoreFaculty of Law and Management: International Marketing10010 Words   |  41 Pagesbe required to repeat what is covered during lectures and tutorials to absent students. 3.3.2 Case Analysis and Presentation Students are required to analyse a case and make a presentation in a small group and provide supporting slides with a brief individual written analysis. Marking Guide – Assignment 1 | Case Study Oral and Written | Good presentation skills / supporting materials | up to 5% | Clear analysis of theory | up to 5% | Link theory into practice, well established

The Screwtape Letters and Subjective Relativism Free Essays

The Screwtape letters was written by C. S. Lewis in 1942. We will write a custom essay sample on The Screwtape Letters and Subjective Relativism or any similar topic only for you Order Now In this book, C. S. Lewis used 31 letters from a senior devil, Screwtape, to his nephew to describe how to corrupt a person’s soul. The most important idea is that when lower the standard of self-regulation step by step with subjective relativism, the self-regulation will be too low without any awareness, which means the victim does not even know his spirit was corrupted and he always think what he did is right. The key point is that subjective relativism, view that an action is morally right if a person approves of it, would be dangerous. When comparing this theory with the management environment in workplace, the situations are surprisingly similar. If a manager controls a big company or organization with subjective relativism-â€Å"all depends on the situation with settings†-the standard of the company or organization would be lowed step by step and finally out of control. As a result, managers don’t like a relativism management environment; they always use universalism or even absolutism to manage the systems. Subjective relativism is considered dangerous for a management system, and other people’s money, anonymity, and subjective relativism is a deadly combination. However, subjective relativism is not the core reason that makes the management system fail. Sometimes, it can benefit the management system. A New Examination of boiling frogs: we know where we are The boiling frog is a wide known story which is also very similar with the story of Screwtape. When putting a frog in a pot with boiling water in it, the frog will jump out of the pot immediately. However, when it was put in a pot of cold water and the pot was slowly heated, the frog would be boiled alive and die in the pot. However, this story is proved not true recently. According to Fast Company (2006), J. Debra Hofman did a new examination of the boiling frogs. â€Å"We placed Frog A into a pot of cold water and applied moderate heat. At 4. 20 seconds, it safely exited the pot with a leap of 24 centimeters. We then placed Frog B into a pot of lukewarm water and applied moderate heat. At 1. 57 seconds, it safely exited the pot with a leap of 57 centimeters. † Hofman commented, â€Å"The change myth assumes a very narrow view of people. If frogs can do it, people definitely can. † Just like the story of boiling frogs, the system doesn’t really out of control with subjective relativism. Relativism holds that there are no absolute moral principles, but the rules that truly guide them in each situation are to be â€Å"determined by their relation to something else: the willing of customs or culture of the group, or the desires of the workmates. † Gibb, J. R. (1991). Subjectivism means that â€Å"the sole source of knowledge or authority is in the perception of the individual. (Lisa Newton, 1995) When combining subjectivism and relativism, each person is his/her own authority in the business life, and is the source of his/her own guide. On this reasoning, each person has the right to decide on all matters of what is right and wrong. Subjective relativism can only lead people to do as they want, and the rules which guide them is depends on the environment, which means the relationships with others ar ound them are the core reason why they change. For instance, in the story of Screwtape letters, the true way of corrupting a person’s soul is the so called â€Å"influence of others†, not subjective relativism. Self-awareness can’t be lowed, what is changing is relationship with others. According to subjective relativism, what’s right for the employees may not be necessarily right for the company. However, the feeling of right or wrong is directly linked to the feeling of right or wrong from the group he/she lived in. As a result, when a manager is able to affect the employees by delivering his/her idea and value to the workplace (a group where employees are in), subjective relativism can benefit the company. Universalism vs. Relativism: Small business is perfectly fitful for relativism system Another quite different judgment system is universalism. Universalism and relativism are always compared in a national view point. â€Å"Universalism holds that more â€Å"primitive† cultures will eventually evolve to have the same system of law and rights as Western cultures. Cultural relativists hold an opposite, but similarly rigid viewpoint, that a traditional culture is unchangeable. In universalism, an individual is a social unit, possessing inalienable rights, and driven by the pursuit of self-interest. In the cultural relativist model, a community is the basic social unit. Concepts such as individualism, freedom of choice, and equality are absent. It is recognized that the community always comes first. †(Clemens N. Nathan, 2009) however, when talking about business systems, these concepts are a little bit different. Universalism refers to a system with â€Å"common rules with similar settings†, which means the system has the exactly same rules for all the employees. Looking at the top 100 multinational corporations, they are all using universalism. Universalism is needed today more than ever, especially in multinational corporations. â€Å"(David C. Wyld, 2011) As the world is becoming a smaller place because of globalization and Internet, universalism makes more sense in dealing with multinational issues. It can help the company to develop not only the standard of work environment, but also the reputation of the corporations. However, when focus on the most rapidly d eveloping type of companies, small businesses, universalism seems too general and unfriendly to the employees. Even though subjective relativism has great problems and has a potential for abuse the employees, universalism in its current state is not the ideal solution† Wole Soyinka (2008). Subjective Relativism can help the employees to be more interested in the work and maximize the innovation of them. Besides, managers are able to control the company since it just have relatively small amount of employees that they won’t be abused. Subjective Relativism in New Economy The new economy is  commonly  believed to start from the late 1990s, as computer and Internet was developing worldwide. Companies in the new economy are heavily involved in the  internet and biotech industries, but the ripple effects of new technologies has spread out to  all other industries as well†(Investopedia,2012) The networked organizations need a different kind of control. Employees are highly empowered. They can get access to as many works and customers as they can. Besides, employees are highly educated today, sometime they have really good ideas about what companies should do to improve. In this way, managers should be more careful when controlling the management system, and common rules with similar settings are not enough. Subjective relativism is more powerful in encouraging employees. The system gives the employees to be able to choose what they think is right to do, and the rules are relatively different but fit for each employee. â€Å"There is no logical connection between what you have a right to do and the right thing to do; but there is a psychological temptation to move from one to the other. Let’s say that again: In logic, there is no connection between â€Å"You have the right to think what you like,† and â€Å"Anything you happen to like to think is right. You have the right, after all, to contradict yourself; you have all the right in the world to think that â€Å"2+2=5. † That doesn’t make it correct. But psychologically, once you have told me that no one has the right to correct me when I claim certain sorts of opinions; you certainly seem to have told me that any such opinions are right, or at least as right as opinions can be. † As Lisa Newton (1998) said, with subjective relativism, empowered employees are able to show their opinions and discuss those opinions together with out shame. Meanwhile, managers can communicate with his group much better and active. However, a big concern is that subjective relativism really has a potential for abuse the employees, so it would be a big challenge for managers to use this method. One suggestion is to combine the subjective relativism with universalism. That is, using the universalism in the company or corporation, but authorizes some division managers to use subjective relativism among the most excellent groups. In this way, companies can not only gain the benefit from universalism system, but also maximize the efficiency of the most excellent employees. References David C. Wyld(2011) Southeastern Louisiana University in Philosophy, March 17, 2011,Rethieved from: http://socyberty. com/philosophy/the-top-10-things-you-need-to-know-about-ethical-universalism-an-analysis-of-how-what-is-right-and-wrong-transcends-most-cultures-societies-and-religions/#ixzz2BNEPJbOP Fast Company (2006) Next Time, What Say We Boil a Consultant†. Fast Company Issue 01. October 1995. Retrieved from http://www. fastcompany. com/26455/next-time-what-say-we-boil-consultant Gibb, J. R. (1991) Trust: A New Vision of Human, Relationships for Business, Family and Personal Living. North Hollywood, CA: Newcastle Publishing Company. 991. Investopedia (2012) New Economy. Buzz Word-economy. Retrieved from: http://www. investopedia. com/terms/n/neweconomy. asp#ixzz2BMsc3J3c Lisa Newton (1998a) Subjective Relativism as a Challenge to Ethics. Doing Good and Avoiding Evil Part I. Principles and Reasoning Lisa Newton (1998b) Moral Commitments and the Discipline of Ethics. Doing Good and A voiding Evil Part I. Principles and Reasoning Neumann Nathan (2009) the Changing Face of Religion and Human Rights by Clemens Wole Soyinka(2008) â€Å"The AVOIDABLE TRAP of CULTURAL RELATIVISM†, on the occasion of the second edition of the Geneva How to cite The Screwtape Letters and Subjective Relativism, Papers

Pressure Sore free essay sample

The purpose of this evidence-based research project was to determine if the use of a sacral mepilex, or like dressing, helps to prevent pressure ulcers in the intensive care unit (ICU) population. A pressure ulcer in the ICU can be life threatening. The PICO(T) question for this evidence-based research project was, â€Å" In adult intensive care unit patients, does the application of sacral mepilex, or like dressing, to the lower back/ coccyx/sacral area, lead to a decreased incident of pressure ulcer formation in the coccyx/sacral area throughout the patient’s intensive care unit stay? A literature search using the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) database, Google Scholar, and Journal of Critical Care Nurse was performed. The search was performed using key terms identified in the PICO(T). Results yielded five articles that were found to be applicable for this project and were then reviewed. Evidence from these five articles supports the issue of pressure ulcers in high risk patients. The prevention of pressure ulcers using different quality improvement projects while utilizing a multidisciplinary team approach and appropriate measuring tools was identified. Once a patient has been identified at risk for pressure ulcers, prevention methods should be put into place. While the use of repositioning, reducing friction and shear, pressure relieving mattresses, and appropriate skin care measure can reduce the risk of pressure ulcers, pressure ulcers may still develop (McCance Huether, 2010). Because of this, additional measures should be considered. In effort to reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers, select intensive care units in Midwest have recently begun placing sacral mepilex upon the lower back region of patients on admittance. This dressing provides a moisture proof barrier to the skin that does not allow bacteria or viruses to penetrate (Molnlycke Health Care, 2011), reducing the moisture component that promotes pressure ulcer formation. The purpose of this evidence-based project is to determine if Mepilex sacral border dressings successfully reduce the risk of pressure ulcers in the intensive care unit. Background description of topic Pressure ulcers remain â€Å"one of the five most common causes of harm to patients† (Elliott, McKinley, Fox, 2008, p. 29), and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality for patients. Furthermore, it is estimated that 5% of the total ICU budget is spent on the prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers, and that the nursing workload increases by around 50% once the ulcer develops (Compton et al. , 2008 p. 417). Pressure ulcers are staged depending on the levels of tissue involved. These levels include â€Å"‘Stage I: Non-blanchable erythema’, â €˜Stage II: Partial thickness’, ‘Stage III: Full thickness skin loss’, ‘Stage IV: Full thickness tissue loss’, ‘Unstageable/Unclassified: Full thickness skin or tissue oss-depth unknown’, and ‘Suspected deep tissue injury-depth unknown (National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel, 2009, p. 8-9). Because of the varying levels of tissue damage that can occur, prevention methods are essential. These methods may include turning the patient at least every four hours, floating heels with pillows under legs, using specialty sacrum padding (Mepilex) and utilizing a specialty mattress, which can prevent pressure ulcer formation. Furthermore the methods of prevention are largely the responsibility of nursing. Theory/model description and connection to PICO (T) Many models have been identified in order to assist with maintaining or improving a patient’s holistic care. For instance, Myra Levine’s Conservation Model can be used as a theoretical framework for wound management. A case study involving Levine’s model talks of personal integrity, which involves the patients worth, self-esteem and physical body being maintained (Alligood Tomey, 2010). When someone enters the healthcare system, they have come to terms that they are in need of help with a health disparity. Also, with this decision to receive assistance, some personal independence must be set aside as a patient. A collaborative approach between the patient and nursing will improve outcomes, while using Levines model to help understand the importance of interventions intended to promote adaptation and maintain wholeness. The primary focus of conservation is keeping together the wholeness of the individual (Alligood Tomey, 2010, p. 229). The nurse is challenged in providing the individual with appropriate care without losing sight of the individual’s integrity while respecting the trust that the patient has placed in the nurse’s hands. Levine’s conservational model contains four conservation principles; conservation of energy, conservation of structural integrity, conservation of personal integrity, and conservation of social integrity (Alligood Tomey, 2010, p229). Conservation of structural integrity relates to this evidence based research as according to the model a patient must heal. Healing is a process of restoring structural and functional integrity through conservation in defense of wholeness (Alligood Tomey, 2010, p. 229). Nursing role is to aintain or re-establish strong skin integrity to ICU patients by preventing physical breakdown to the body, in this case, the sacral area and help promote healing. Nursing can help to limit the amount of tissue damaged through detailed assessment and being alert to risk factors on admission (Alligood Tomey 2010). Evaluation tools, such as the Braden Scale, have been and are currently utilized in practice to determine a patient’s risk for impaired skin i ntegrity and developing a pressure ulcer (Braden Maklebust, 2005). The Braden Scale allows for identification of the patient’s risk level for pressure ulcer development based upon five subsets of the scale; â€Å"sensory perception, mobility, activity, moisture and nutrition† (Braden Makelbust, 2005, p. 70). The categories of the Braden Scale are scored based upon patient findings and allow clinicians to identify the amount of attention that should be focused upon preventative skin care measures for a patient (Braden Makelbust, 2005). Using the results of this scale, patients that may benefit from the application of sacral mepilex on admission to the hospital setting can be identified. Significance of the topic/Overall importance The prevention of pressure ulcers is essential in the hospital setting. Looking from a patient standpoint, pressure ulcers â€Å"increase a patient’s length of stay, morbidity, and cost,† as well as decrease a patient’s overall â€Å"quality of life† (Campbell, Woodbury, Houghton, 2010, p. 28). In October of 2008, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) no longer provided financial reimbursement to hospitals for any pressure ulcers that were not present upon admission (United States Department of Health and Human Services, 2011, Para 1). Nursing staff must document an existing pressure ulcer within 48 hours of the patient arriving to the facility or the cost for treating this wound will not be repaid to the facility (Meehan, 2009). Most pressure ulcers can be prevented when appropriate risk factors are recognized and actions are taken (Lavrencic, 2011, p. 6). Typical pressure ulcer prevention methods include adequate positioning, nutritional status, and repositioning. In addition, new techniques such as additional skin barriers are being examined for effectiveness. PICOT In an attempt to further reduce the incidence of pressure ulcers in Intensive Care Unit Patients, the following PICOT will be addressed. (P) In Adult Intensive Care Unit patients, (I) does the application of Sacral Mepilex (or like dressing) to lower back/coccyx/sacral area, (C) when compared to no use of Sacral Mepilex on the lower back/coccyx/sacral area, (O) lead to a decreased incident of pressure ulcer formation in the coccyx/sacral area (T) throughout the patient’s ICU stay. Setting(s) Discussion Patients in the intensive care unit are at greater risk for pressure ulcers than the general population (American Journal of Critical Care, 2008). This is due to the fact that many patients are weaker than the general population. These patients are not always immobilized, however they are sedated, lack proper nutrition, typically are of an advanced age, and lack appropriate sensation (American Journal of Critical Care, 2008). All of these risk factors can lead to an increased prevalence of pressure ulcers. Because of the increased risk of pressure ulcers in the Intensive Care Unit, the use of sacral mepilex will be examined as a method to prevent pressure ulcers. Stakeholders Discussion Numerous stakeholders can be identified for this question. The National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (1992) states â€Å"Responsibility for pressure ulcer prevention is shared by health care professionals, bedside caregivers, patients, and families (Para 7). † Patients are of primary concern and their skin should be protected with any method possible in order to prevent skin breakdown. Patients do not want to have an increased length of stay, increased medical cost, or the pain associated with the pressure ulcer. Nursing staff would also be prime stakeholders. Lovins and Boliek (2008) state â€Å"Never in the history of the profession have the basics of nursing care been more relevant to positive patient outcomes than now (Para 1)†. Nursing is responsible for assuring their patients are cared for appropriately. Additionally nursing has the opportunity to control numerous aspects of patients skin care. Physicians would additionally be major stakeholders. As patients develop pressure ulcers, the length of stay increases. With this the patient becomes more complicated, has an increased risk for infection and requires more personnel to attempt to heal the sore. Hospitals in general would be major stakeholders due to the funding aspect. Insurance companies that pay for pressure ulcer care could also be stakeholders, as they would prefer to not pay to treat the pressure ulcer but rather prevent it. Potential/Actual cost benefits/effectiveness The cost of treating a patient with a hospital acquired pressure ulcer is estimated to range from â€Å"$2,000 to $70,000 per wound† (Courtney, Ruppman, Cooper, 2006, p. 1). These numbers pale in comparison to the estimated national costs of, â€Å"$1. and $3. 5 billion annually† for treatment (Courtney, Ruppman, Cooper, 2006, p. 1). Since a pressure ulcer can range from an area of reddened skin that can be healed with a minimal intervention, to an ulcer that develops and causes septicemia and death, the price for treatments vary significantly. With effective interventions, such as the sacral mepilex costing only 22 dollars online, one can assume the benefit of seeking prevention far outw eighs the risk of pressure ulcer treatment (Metro Medical Online, 2011). Desired outcomes for specific (your) setting The desired outcome for this evidence-based project is to analyze the literature and determine if the mepilex can prevent pressure ulcers in the intensive care unit patient. Search Plan Method Search Methods Evidence based research and nursing practice relies heavily on the most accurate, current information available. Library databases, which provide current information and up-to-date research results, can be extremely helpful in finding appropriate research (Melnyk Fineout-Overholt, 2011). Textbooks can also be utilized to provide basic information; however the information may not be as current as journals nor are these a source for research. To supplement for this shortcoming, current journal articles should also be considered (Melnyk Fineout-Oveholt, 2011). Because numerous databases and sources can provide a diversity of information, various methods of obtaining evidence were utilized for the PICOT. The PICOT search was completed using a library computer search, a web-based search and a hand search of current nursing literature. The initial computer search was completed using of the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) Plus with Full Text database. As Melnyk Fineout-Overholt (2011) discuss databases such as CINAHL â€Å"contain the largest number and widest variation of articles describing clinical research† (p. 45). Once again to assure current information was obtained, a Google Scholar Internet search was also completed. This search was then complemented with a hand search of the 2011 journal Critical Care Nurse. This journal was identified because of the link to the population in this evidence-based research. These three methods were utilized to obtain the most comprehensive and current search on literature surrounding the PICOT. Database Search Terms and Strategy The search terms utilized in the CINHAL Plus with Full Text included: (P) Adult, intensive care unit, hospitalized patient, patient, inpatient, (I) mepilex, sacral dressing, coccyx dressing, pressure dressing, foam dressing, back dressing, (O) pressure ulcer and pressure sore (see Table 1). Table 1. PICOT Search Terms P |I |C |O | |Adult* |Mepilex* |(none entered) |Pressure Ulcer* | |OR |OR | |OR | |Intensive Care Unit* (and ICU) |Sacral N4 Dressing* | |Pressure Sore* | |OR |OR | | | |Hospitalized Patient Coccyx N4 Dressing* | | | |OR |OR | | | |Patient or Inpatient |Pressure N4 Dressing* | | | | |OR | | | | |Foam N4 Dressing* | | | | |OR | | | | |Back N4 Dressing* | | | * Truncation The search terms for the Population were first e ntered into the CINAHL Plus with Full Text database. The key words of â€Å"Adult,† â€Å"Inpatients,† and â€Å"Intensive Care Unit† were entered. The method of truncation was also used for each of the terms to include various endings for the search term. For example Adult* was expected to yield results of Adult or Adults. Next, a Boolean search was completed utilizing the word â€Å"or† to identify the possible population results. This Boolean search yielded 514448 results. The intervention was the next topic that was entered into the CINAHL database. The key terms of â€Å"Mepilex,† â€Å"Sacral Dressing,† â€Å"Coccyx Dressing,† â€Å"Pressure Dressing,† â€Å"Foam Dressing,† and â€Å"Back Dressing† were entered into the database. A proximity search was completed for the key words coccyx dressing, pressure dressing, foam dressing, and back dressing. The term N4 was entered between the two key words in each search. The results that were expected included any article in which the two words of the search were anywhere within four words of one another in an article. After these individual results were obtained, a Boolean search was completed using the operator â€Å"or† and yielded a total of 2279 results. The comparison group was not entered due to the nature of this PICOT. The outcome search was then completed. The key term â€Å"Pressure Ulcer† was searched as a main heading. Additionally the search term â€Å"Pressure Sore† was entered. A Boolean search was again completed using the Boolean operator â€Å"or. † This produced a total of 14952 results. A Boolean search was then completed to combine all of the search terms. The results from the Population, Intervention and Outcome search were combined utilizing the Boolean operator â€Å"and† to assure articles would be relevant to the PICOT. This allowed for 205 results. Limiters were then placed on the search. These limiters included articles published between 2000 and 2011, the articles must be peer reviewed, a research article, and in English. With the limiters set, 67 articles were identified that met criteria, while 138 articles were excluded due to being older than 2000, not peer reviewed, not a research article or in a language other than English. Appendix A provides a graphic of the results of this search. These results were further evaluated and excluded based upon irrelevance to the PICOT. Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria Inclusion criteria included articles for the CINAHL database search were those that were peer reviewed, research article, and English Language. Additionally, articles were examined from 2000 to present. Exclusion criteria included articles that were not peer reviewed those that were not research articles, and those in a language other than English. Articles older than 2000 were excluded from the search. Articles were further searched based upon relevance to the PICOT. Those articles that pertained to the PICOT were included while those that were irrelevant were excluded. Inclusion criteria for the Google Scholar search included articles from 2000 to present. Analyzing the Literature .Critical Appraisals Critical appraisals were completed on five articles that met the search criteria for the PICOT question. The level of evidence table established by Polit and Beck (2008) was used to analyze and rank each article depending on the strength of evidence. Critical appraisals were completed on these articles to identify the validity, reliability, adaptability and trustworthiness of the articles as well as the significance the studies may have to the PICOT. Each article has noted areas of strength and weakness. The articles appraised look at various factors related to pressure ulcer development. Critical Appraisals of Individual Studies Study One: Incidence, prevention and treatment of pressure ulcers in intensive care patients: A longitudinal study. Shahin, Dassen, and Halfens (2009) completed a level VI quantitative longitudinal study identifying the prevalence of pressure ulcers, the risk factors for pressure ulcer development, and the evolution of pressure ulcers in the intensive care unit (ICU). The study followed 121 adults admitted to two different intensive care units. Participants were assessed for pressure ulcers upon admission to the ICU and again upon discharge, death or two weeks as a patient in the intensive care unit. Tools used to collect data included an author-developed questionnaire, the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel grading system, the Braden Scale, and the APACHE II scale. The findings identified an overall pressure ulcer incidence of 3. % in the ICU population with the most common site for pressure ulcer development on the â€Å"sacrum, heel, ischium† (p. 416). Patients with Braden skin assessment scores between 14-18 were identified as higher risk of pressure ulcer development. Nursing care practices of skin inspection, repositioning the patient and massage were identified as methods to reduce the risk of pressure ulcers as well as facilitate healing of pressure ulcers in this particular setting. Study Two: Outliers to the Braden Scale: Identifying high-risk ICU patients and the results of prophylactic dressing use. Brindle (2010) conducted a Level VII, performance improvement to test the effectiveness of a prophylactic sacral dressing in preventing pressure