Needle stick injuries Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Needle stick injuries - Research Paper Example These injuries pose a risk for development of various infectious diseases to the injured threatening their employment, health morbidity and mortality. More than 20 different pathogens have been identified to be transmitted through exposure to body fluids or sharps injury. Injuries by sharps and splashes of body fluids are the main routes of transmission for occupational acquisition of blood-borne pathogens among health care workers (Bi et al, 2008). Despite these injuries being common, they are often under reported and in many places, both health care and non-health care workers are unaware of safety methods to prevent these infections. Globally, needle stick injuries are the most common cause of blood-borne infections among health care workers (Wilburn and Eijekamans, 2004). More than 35 million people worldwide constitute health care work force and they represent 12 percent of the working population in the world (Wilburn and Eijekamans, 2004). It is estimated that people working wi th them as non-health workers are even more in numbers (NHS, 2008). ... In this essay, various concerns pertaining to needle stick injuries will be discussed along with current and best practices and strategies to change. Needle stick injuries: causes, risks and concerns According to the Health Protection Agency report (2008), the most common type of exposure that has been reported among health care workers is the percutaneous injury which accounts for 45 percent of exposures. These exposures contributed to significant seroconversion for HCV, HIV and other diseases. The HIV seroconversion rates reported were high, 0.8 percent. In the NHS, needle stick injury continues to be the most commonly reported adverse incident among healthcare workers, which are a potential source for transmission of various diseases like Hepatitis B and C and human immunodeficiency virus. These injuries are also a potential source of transmission of prion-related diseases. The risk of transmission of hepatitis C with needle stick injuries is 3 percent, for hepatitis B is 30 perce nt and for HIV is 0.3 percent (Elmiyeh et al, 2004). The transmission from the patient to the healthcare worker through the injury depends on the viral load of the patient and also on the amount of blood that passes from the patient to the healthcare worker. Other infections which are transmissible through needle stick injuries are malaria, syphilis and herpes (Wilburn and Eijekamans, 2004). Needle stick injuries: current practices There is uncertain information about the prevalence of the diseases among hospital population and health care workers and non-health workers (Elmiyeh et al, 2004). According to a study by Elmiyeh et al (2004), 38 percent of health care workers had atleast one needle

The death penalty Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The death penalty - Research Paper Example Retribution and deterrence are often cited as the major objectives aiming to achieve by giving death penalty in America; however, these objectives are difficult to achieve under present circumstances. America is often accused for showing double standards while deciding capital punishments for the Whites and Blacks. It is a fact that some hard core criminals may repeat the crimes if they released from the prison. Some people argue that capital punishment will force people to think in terms of the value associated with human life. However, capital punishment will eliminate the differences between a civilized and uncivilized society. The secrets behind life and death are unknown to science and technology yet. In short, death penalty is a complex topic and is difficult to either support or criticize it. The Death Penalty â€Å"The death penalty is the ultimate, irreversible denial of human rights† (Death Penalty). Death penalty is one of the highly controversial subjects in the wo rld because of the serious ethical issues involved in it. Critiques of death penalty argue that humans don’t have the moral or legal right to take the life of another person even if he has committed serious crimes. On the other hand, supporters of death penalty argue that in order to save the lives of innocent people or to save the people from threats, death penalty is unavoidable at certain circumstances. â€Å"Around 137 countries have abolished the death penalty in law or practice. However, despite international human rights standards, some nations still execute people† (Death Penalty). â€Å"In 2004 four (China, Iran, Vietnam and the US) accounted for 97 percent of all global executions. On average, every 9-10 days a government in the United States executes a prisoner† (Pros and Cons of the Death Penalty (Capital  Punishment)). Surprisingly, United Sates, one of the prominent countries which value and argue for human right protection, has no hesitation in giving death penalties to serious criminals. â€Å"In US, as of April 1, 2008, the Death Penalty was authorized by 37 states, the Federal Government, and the U.S. Military† (The death penalty in the US) (See appendix for more details). This paper analyses the pros and cons of death penalty by taking United States as the example. Capital punishment is an expensive way of punishment compared to other punishments because of the heavy expenses needed for it. It is around 70% more expensive when compared to other punishment methods. The trial of a criminal which leads towards a capital punishment is expensive because of the heavy fees needed to be given to the advocates, expert witnesses, forensic testing etc. â€Å"In the United States, death penalty is said to serve two principal social purposes: retribution and deterrence of capital crimes by prospective offenders† (Delfino & Day, p.1). America is a Christian country which adheres to the teachings of Jesus Christ. But, J esus asked his disciples to love the enemies rather than punishing them. Retribution through capital punishment cannot be justified under any circumstances if we analyze it though the lenses of Christian doctrines. Deterrence is the second objective of giving capital punishments to criminals. However, hard core criminal activities are growing across the world and united Sates is also not an exception.