Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Effective Communication Using The Sbar Model - 1513 Words

Effective Communication using the SBAR model Alisha Smith Spoon River College 215 Issues in Nursing Effective Communication using the SBAR model Excellent patient care begins with effective communication between healthcare professionals and â€Å"The Joint Commission (2006) found 65% of sentinel events were the result of communication problems† (Cornell et. al, 2014, p.334). Currently, with the computer system at my nursing home, it is hard to get a complete and precise interpretation of the patient. We clock in ten minutes before the prior shift ends. This is not enough time to prepare for report. Nurses at my facility work long twelve hour shifts. With long shifts like this, it is easy to forget important information if not written†¦show more content†¦Anything that improves communication must also improve patient safety. The current practice of shift change reporting requires some modification in my nursing facility. A standardized communication tool could improve the quality of communication between healthcare professionals. There is a tool developed to improve shift reporting as well as interdisciplinary rounding. As stated previously, this is called the Situation-Background-Assessment-Recommendation, or SBAR for short. â€Å"The aim of introducing the SBAR model was to increase focus on patient safety when communicating information, while also saving time by enhancing the structure of the information† (Blom et. al, 2015, p.2). The SBAR can be quick and thorough, providing necessary information in a shorter amount of time. When a nurse is informed properly of all important information they can care for their patient better and safely. In a study, â€Å"On a medical-surgical unit, observations were conducted before and after implementation. Both processes were significantly shorter and more consistent. SBAR enabled more focused and efficient communication† (Cornell et. al, 2014 , p.334). There are many key team members in my current nursing facility. The first being the nurse. The nurse gives most of the bedside care. Nurses workShow MoreRelatedThe Situation, Background, Assessment And Recommendation ( Sbar ) Model For Communication Between Health Care Professionals820 Words   |  4 Pages This writer has chosen for critique of quantitative article on â€Å"The Situation, Background, Assessment and Recommendation (SBAR) Model for Communication Between Health Care Professionals: A Clinical Intervention Pilot Study â€Å" by Blom, Petersson, Hagell, Westergren, 2015. Critiquing is a systematic method of Michael Coughlan, Patricia Cronin, Frances Ryan appraising the strengths and limitations of a piece of research in order to determine its credibility and/or its applicability to practiceRead MoreSbar1668 Words   |  7 Pagesnonverbal communications are essential components of nursing care. It is critical for patient care providers to ensure an accurate po rtrayal of the patient. The situation background assessment recommendation (SBAR) protocol is a technique that provides a structure for communication between patient care providers. SBAR was a tool designed to promote efficient care that ensures patient safety. SBAR: Improving Communication Between Healthcare Providers Missed or ineffective communication can haveRead MoreBedside Report1589 Words   |  7 PagesTherefore, the chance of potential communication gaps causing an error is high. According to the Joint Commission, communication is the primary cause of medical errors, with handoffs accounting for 80% of these errors [ (Zhani, 2012) ]. The most commonly practiced model of report takes place in the staff room, at the nurses’ station, or other locations away from the patient’s bedside. However, more institutions are implementing the Bedside Report hand-off model to communicate patient care informationRead MoreInterprofessional Collaboration1270 Words   |  6 PagesInterprofessional Collaboration Interprofessional Collaboration Interprofessional communication and collaboration are a significant part of ensuring safe and effective patient outcomes. In the case detailed below the health care team failed to communicate and collaborate care of patient A, ultimately leading to a negative outcome. Patient A is a female white 38 year old G1P0 with Type I diabetes since the age of 9. Due to her high risk pregnancy and history of non compliance with medicalRead MoreImportance Of Team And Health Care2381 Words   |  10 Pagesinterdisciplinary model or inter-professional model (Sheehan et al, 2007) is based on an interpersonal collaboration approach. The team incorporates family members and patients themselves along with other professionals. According to this concept, communication between all the team members is very crucial in decision making and the care planning process. The authors compared this model with other models like the medical model, multidisciplinary model and trans-disciplinary model and stated that theRead MoreInterview Notes of a Nurse Leader2070 Words   |  8 Pages Hilary displays the right communication style at the right time with the right people in the right way (p. 10); nurses have the challenge of being the same way since they have a huge and continuo us changing diversity of people to interact with, listen to, work together with, and solve their problems). Genine liked Hilary Clinton because she saw her as someone who was able to merge an innovative approach with an analytical style, always studying the facts and using that to build her actions onRead MoreEffective Communication in Healthcare2763 Words   |  11 PagesThe practice of nursing utilizes constant communication between nurses, patients, physicians, coworkers, and various other members of the healthcare team. It is clear that effective communication is vital in the provision of safe and effective nursing care. A long history of miscommunication-related medical errors has spurred research aimed toward improving communication and lessening consequent error. Research has identified various forms of communication structure acronyms that when used correctlyRead MoreEnd Of Shift Bedside Report Contents And Format1579 Words   |  7 Pagesthe patient’s safety as it relates to safety equipment at the bedside. The aim of this literature review is to identify the contents of the bedside reporting as an evidenced based practice to provide safe care for the patients. Need for change Communication of information between health care providers is a fundamental component of patient care.The information shared during the shift exchange helps to plan patient care, End of shift bedside report contents and format identifies safety concernsRead MoreArt Of Most Nurses Daily Reality Is Nursing Handover1908 Words   |  8 Pagesat handover, identify the most effective methods of sharing information, contrast and compare them. Furthermore, the overall aim is to highlight areas for improvement and make recommendations for future practice in order to maintain patient safety. Discuss the motivation for the work (From something you experienced during a practice placement?) After I finished high school I worked for a multi-level marketing company which insisted on the process of communication between individuals, consideringRead MoreCommunication With Patients And Patients Essay3325 Words   |  14 PagesCommunication with patients   Ã‚  Ã‚  Surgeons are not considered an excellent delivery - in fact we can be filmed as the opposite - and after contact is the key clinical life we ​​have. The most common clinical most of us will perform the procedure is a diagnostic interview. Then we need to move the diagnosis, diagnosis, and treatment options in a way patients understand. Our patients are often under stress and time pressure. We must break the bad news during the construction of the therapeutic relationship

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Essay about What Can Regular Fitness Do For You - 683 Words

Medical experts vindicate that following a regular fitness program is one of the most important things people can do to improve their health and prevent disease. Exercising makes the heart stronger and develop into a more efficient muscle. What else can regular fitness do for you? Improves Mental Focus Exercise improves your mental focus. Experts say that regular exercise helps keep your brain sharp by improving your focus and concentration. Studies show exercising decreases the chance of Alzheimers disease. Even low impact exercises can help with boosting your mood. Studies show exercise gives you an uplifting and heightened feeling. This is the reason you are not advised to exercise before bed. Reduce Your Chances of Having a†¦show more content†¦Exercise has actually been shown to build bone tissue and can help reverse the effects of osteoporosis. Staying on an active exercise routine can also prevent Type II Diabetes or help control your blood sugar levels if you already have the disease. Increases Energy and Libido A regular fitness routine like aerobics, yoga, or weight lifting can improve the sex drive in both men and women. Men who exercise on a regular basis are less likely to have erectile dysfunction. Studies show when you exercise regularly you develop an increased sexual drive. Many couples find it beneficial to work out together. Improves Self Esteem Exercise is a fantastic way to help improve your self esteem. Exercising helps a person feel better inside and out. Keep in mind that exercising should be fun and not a chore. Choose exercises you enjoy. Exercising as little as 30 minutes a day has been proven to have an effect on a person who has a poor body image. Helps Maintain a Healthy Weight When you exercise, you are burning off calories. The more intense your workout is, the more calories you will burn off. You can do little things to help improve your physical health. For example, take the stairs instead of the elevator. You can park further away from the entrance when you go shopping. Instead of watching the TV, go for a walk. Helps Relieve Stress One of the best ways to relieve stress is toShow MoreRelatedWhy do you think it is important to set fitness goals for yourself and strive towards a high level1300 Words   |  6 PagesWhy do you think it is important to set fitness goals for yourself and strive towards a high level of personal fitness? --Fitness is beneficial for everyone in the long run. Doing fitness will decrease the chance of getting diseases, and it also helps us to build up our body, which is important to adolescents. Through fitness, we can sustain our body in a well-balanced condition by being both physically fit and healthy. 2. In what ways were you successful or unsuccessful in your program to increaseRead MoreThe Health Benefits Of Physical Activity988 Words   |  4 Pages There are many benefits of fitness which are hard to ignore and extend well beyond ones weight. Regular physical activity can help reduce risk for numerous ailments and health conditions and help to improve one’s overall quality of life. Enhanced physique often comes along with a good fitness schedule, keeping one motivated. Fitness is the condition of being physically fit and healthy, however becoming active, staying active or boosting your level of physical activity is difficult for some toRead MoreFinal Exam : Phe 101 Essay1241 Words   |  5 PagesFinal Exam : PHE 101 –Advanced Fitness 1. Assess your Fitness level prior to coming to VWIL and currently. Use your SET scores, PFT scores and any other fitness testing as documentation. Comment on all of the components of Fitness – Cardiorespiratory Endurance, Flexibility, Muscular Strength and Endurance and Body Composition. There are five components to fitness: body composition, cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, muscle strength, and muscle endurance. Body composition is the amountRead MoreThe Importance Of Regular Exercise With Exercise Essay1344 Words   |  6 PagesBeing fit can give you immediate benefit of improved vigour, and it may offer long-term benefits as well. # Gain More Energy. As you exercise regularly, your entire body becomes more efficient. Your heart begins to pump more blood with each beat and to beat fewer times each minute. Your body develops the ability to make more oxygen available to your cells. That means more energy - greater productivity, more stamina, and less fatigue. # Feel Good. Exercise makes you feel good, both physically andRead MoreWhat It Means to Live An Active and Healthy Lifestyle1246 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿ What It Means To Live an Active and Healthy Lifestyle By James Smallhorn-West What does it mean to be active and healthy? Does it just mean that you have good health? Did you know that on average, only 13% of men are physically fit, but 69% of men believe that they are physically fit? It is very important to stay in shape. Living and active and healthy lifestyle is beneficial in many ways to not only yourself but to those around you. Being active and healthy doesRead MoreThe Canadian Fitness And Lifestyle Research Institute1358 Words   |  6 Pagesstudies have shown that employees, who get regular exercise, have better performance on the job. From employees’ point of view, one of the competitive benefits that companies are offering is a full-service, on-site fitness facilities for their employees. While this certainly is significant, it may not be enough, for employers to begin installing onsite fitness center. However, there are a number of other reasons that the investment of onsite fitness center can benefit both employees of the company, andRead M oreEvaluation Of An Investment Of Onsite Fitness Service1513 Words   |  7 PagesINTRODUCTION The purpose of this research is to study if the investment of onsite fitness service is worthy to do and how the on-site fitness center can benefit employee and employer, both in the short term (the same day), and in the long term (for years and decades). Purpose and scope Everyone wants to get high productivity and efficiency in completing their work. There are lots of studies have shown that employees, who get regular exercise, have better performance on the job. From employees’ point of viewRead MoreHealthy Aging917 Words   |  4 Pagesan active lifestyle is more important than ever. Regular exercise helps seniors maintain health, boost energy, and improve confidence. The good news is, no matter your age, your health, or your fitness level, you can benefit from moving more. Whether you are generally healthy or are managing an illness, there are big and small ways to get more active and boost your fitness level. Exercise is extremely important for everyone, no matter what age you are. However for seniors, it becomes even moreRead MoreExercise For Today s Youth1552 Words   |  7 Pagesbenefit them in the long term I believe that physical fitness is very important regarding the overall health of adolescents. Throughout the growing years of teens, our bodies are always changing and with these changes which are both emotional well as physical, our bodies require more and more activity, allowing the body to burn energy along with extra calories. Although many people may feel that concerns relating to physical fitness in adolescents should be the absolute responsibility of parentsRead MoreI Am A Not A Nutritionist, Trainer, Or A Medical Professional1648 Words   |  7 Pagesam a not a nutritionist, trainer, or a medical professional. You should always consult with a professional before undertaking any new exercise regimen or substantive change in diet. What follows is not medical, fitness or nutritional advise. It should be read for inspirational purposes only. Please do not go to the gym, hurt yourself and then sue me. Seriously, I cannot stress this enough. I am not giving you professional medical, fitness or nutritional advice. End legal ass covering. There is this

Monday, December 9, 2019

Missile Defense Program Essay Example For Students

Missile Defense Program Essay The Need for a National Missile Defense (NMD) Program in the United StatesSeveral hundred Soviet, nuclear tipped, ballistic missiles streak towards the United States without any form of opposition or challenge to their impeding destruction. The result of a situation like this would be no doubt disastrous, but it is a situation that could very well take place if the United States does not install a national ballistic missile defense program. An anti-ballistic missile (ABM) system is a precaution that the American government must pursue with all of its resources in order to protect and preserve our society as we know it. Really, what are the chances of another nation launching a ballistic missile attack on the U.S.? Well, an attack may be a lot more likely than most Americans ever even dare to think. In 1998 Iran tested an intermediate-range missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, and North Korea launched a three-stage rocket, Taepo Dong 1(Timmerman), capable of an attack on Ala ska, Hawaii, and possibly the west coast of the United States.(Richter) In 1998 Congress appointed a blue ribbon panel headed by former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld to take a look at just how real the threat is of an adversary developing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of attacking the U.S. mainland.(Timmerman) In his conclusion Rumsfeld warned that, rogue countries could soon have missiles capable of reaching the U.S. mainland—without the United States’ even knowing it.(Richter) Rumsfeld also concluded that of the rogue nations, Iran was the furthest along with the capability of developing a missile that could reach U.S. targets in an arc extending northeast of a line from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to St. Paul Minnesota, in less than five years. Next in line was Iran’s long time friend, North Korea, who could develop missiles capable of attacking the western United States in an arc extending northwest from Phoenix, Arizona, to Mad ison, Wisconsin. This threat is increased when taken into account the extensive friendship of Iran and North Korea. A calculated and combined attack could easily place nuclear ICBMs all over most of the continental U.S.. Even when the Taepo Dong missile was tested on August 31, 1998 an Iranian delegation was flown to North Korea bringing with them an entire plane load of telemetry equipment to monitor the test. Shortly after the test the delegation returned to Iran with the full results of the test. The very test of the North Korean Taepo Dong missile just goes to show how very clueless the United States is as to the development of ICBMs by foreign countries. The CIA’s national intelligence officer for strategic and nuclear programs, Robert D. Walpole, admitted that nobody in the intelligence community expected North Korea to develop an ICBM capability so soon. Although the launch of the Taepo Dong 1 missile was expected for some time, its use as a space launch vehicle with a third stage was not. The existence of a third stage concerns us. We hadn’t anticipated it. Debris from the rocket’s third stage was found some 3,500 miles from the site of the launch, showing that North Korea has the ability to target Alaska and possibly America’s west coast, admitted Walpole. Clearly if you can put something into orbit, you get awfully close to ICBM capability.(Timmerman) During the Cold War the United States and Russia both rushed to stockpile as many nuclear m issiles as possible, thus prompting each other to build a missile defense system. The very first interceptor missiles were developed in the early days of the Cold War. In 1958, the Army developed a long-range interceptor missile with a nuclear warhead, the Nike-Zeus. Due to doubts about the missiles’ radar, and the frightening danger of a low-altitude detonation over the U.S., the project was shot down. Soon after in 1963 the Nike-X replaced the Nike-Zeus with a better radar, and a better short-rang interceptor called Sprint. The long-range Nike-Zeus became known as the Spartan. In 1966 the Russians began to build a massive ring of ABMs around their capitol city Moscow. After failed attempts at reaching an ABM agreement with Premier Leonid Brezhnev, President Lyndon Johnson responded by approving a Sentinel system to protect the U.S..

Sunday, December 1, 2019

The Role of Technology in Facility Management A Case Study of the MacDonald Restaurants

Introduction Facility management comprises a broad continuum of services which require to build a suitable environment that can enhance performance of functions and activities for which the facility is intended for. The management activities of a facility entail the day to day activities which are critical in its operation and maintenance. For that matter, for the facility to operate to its peak efficiency and effectiveness, there must be measures put in place to promote its smooth operation.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The Role of Technology in Facility Management: A Case Study of the MacDonald Restaurants specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More As a result, technology becomes an important tool that should be used to ensure facility’s smooth operation and proper maintenance. In relation to this, the MacDonald Restaurants are a group of hotels that have branches widespread in all the continents all o ver the world. Their core services offer catering and hotel services. Nonetheless, this group of hotels has been called the best catering service provider in the world on several occasions. For that reason, facility management in this organization is regarded as one of the driving forces behind the accolade performance in this line of business. However, their effective facility management has been attributed to effective use of technology. Therefore, this paper presents a research that was conducted in the field of facility management which was intended to determine the role of technology. the MacDonald Restaurants group was used as a case study. Moreover, challenges that exhibit themselves in facility management were also explored. In addition, the field of the facility management presented some opportunities and, therefore, they were also considered in the study. Nonetheless, emerging trends in this field were covered. Importantly, it is worth noting that this research was conduct ed to determine the relevance of technology in facility management particularly to the hospitality industry. For that matter, the results of the study were, therefore, generalized in the entire hospitality industry. Result of the research In relation to the research conducted, several issues relating to the role of technology in facility management were established. To begin with, it was evident that maintenance procedure in facility management can be computerized. This can be done in form of an automated maintenance system for the facility management. The automated information system can be used to manage the day to day activities by tracking and monitoring the status of the maintenance and related costs of those activities. On the other hand, the automated systems not only provide tools for managing activities metrics that are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the operations and maintenance activities. For that matter, it was established that for an organization that is able t o use automated systems in its operation and maintenance activities, key performance indicators are usually provided to be used as performance guidelines.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This leads to increased productivity due to effectiveness and efficiency that are key determinants for business growth. This was evident in the MacDonald Restaurants as the automated management systems were largely used for maintenance of their facilities. This was noted as one of the major contributions to its business growth. Moreover, it was established by the study carried out that introduction of technology to management of the facility resulted in delivering of services in a shorter period compared to the catering with the traditional systems. In addition, some services that are currently being provided by technology based systems did not used the manual systems. Just like Atk in and Adrian (108) affirmed the automation facilitated faster service provision than the traditional manual systems. Challenges facing the role of technology in facility management Technologies have been regarded as a panacea to effective management of business activities. This is still the case in facility management since a lot of stakeholders regard technology as the best solution to management problems of these facilities. In relation to this, the study carried out established that application of technology in facility management had challenges that threatened their effective management. To begin with, it was evident from the research conducted that application of technology in this organization raised the issue of obsolescence. Users of the technological systems that are applied in management of facilities in MacDonald Restaurants were more concerned with technology becoming obsolete too fast. This was attributed to its high rate of advancement. Therefore, the advancement dict ates that the systems should be changed from time to time. After a very short period, replacement of systems in the organization raises the operational expenses of the organization which at some point contribute to poor financial performance. Moreover, it was acknowledged by Piercy (56) that any technological system is likely to fail in the process of its operation. This is a challenge that technology experiences in the management of facilities. In the design of any system, its engineering is usually assumed to be in a remarkable state. Therefore, prediction of its failure is normally elusive at this point. However, the more complex the technology may appear, the more likely it is to fail. According to Tichy (89), any technology can fail because of different reasons which include mismatch of the modules, poor design and development among other reasons. As a result, it was established by the study that technology failure results in more adverse and costly consequences. For instance, critical failure of these systems leads to disruption of processes, especially if they are real time systems where irreversible effects are usually used.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The Role of Technology in Facility Management: A Case Study of the MacDonald Restaurants specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Nonetheless, these unpredicted risks can result in the total failure of the entire system, hence paralyzing activities of the organization. In relation to this, the study established that most organizations usually try to put in place measures that are designed to minimize or prevent the failures. In most cases, this usually increases their total operating costs. In addition, it was acknowledged by Atkin and Adrian (23) that any technology always presents some side effects. Furthermore, it was established by the study conducted in the MacDonald Restaurants that despite having the technology with the d esired benefits to the organization, it also presents some unwarranted effects which affect the organization negatively. For instance, it was stated by Tichy (103) that working conditions of a system might be safer when the substances are molded rather than when they are squashed. Moreover, in some cases, substances that are used in the production may affect the workers as well as harm the entire public in general. For instance, workers who constantly use computers in their work processes in facility management usually suffer eye related problems which in turn lead to isolation by others. In regard to this, it was acknowledged by Nutt and Peter (42) that these effects affect not only big technologies but also their small counterparts. For instance, it was found out due to the research conducted that ordinary technologies normally applied on a small scale in the hotel industry have collective side effects in their usage. For instance, though refrigerators which are used on an every d ay basis have constructively contributed to preservation of food, they have a gas outflow in their cooling system which has a negative impact on the surroundings. Still, it was postulated by David et al (34) that these negative effects are usually not expected because of lack of resources to foresee them. Moreover, most of them are not predictable because of their complexity. As a result, Tichy (54) postulated that some side effects have turned out to be economically unacceptable, unethical and in some cases resulting to conflicts in the organizations in which they are being used. Opportunities of technology in facility management Technology presents a broad range of opportunities in facility management. According to David et al (24), this fact is ascribed to the fact that organizations usually have the aim of keeping low operational costs. Therefore, integration of technology in the management activities becomes one of the aims that can be achieved. As a result, organizations, such as the MacDonald Restaurants, have opted to adoption of technology in their operations in order to keep their operational cost at a reasonably low levelThus, according to the research conducted, it was established that the need for innovation in organizations presents bountiful opportunities for the incorporation of technology in facility management.Advertising Looking for research paper on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In respect to this, it was evident from the study conducted that there is a need for quantity and quality changes in support services. This is usually required in the facility management as it provides an opportunity for technology to be incorporated in their management. For instance, opportunity to use technology can come in through application of a central support desk in the organization. Bigger organizations may be comprised of numerous departments which may be dispersed from each other. In such environments, it was believed by Atkin and Adrian (145) that a centralized support desk should be put in place in order to handle queries. Therefore, this provides an opportunity to incorporate technology. The technological tools, such as information communication technologies, can provide such kind of services in a manual based environment effectively. Moreover, the need for sustainability has resulted in an increased need for innovation in organizations operations. This has in turn fur ther opportunities for technology incorporation. For that matter, using technology in facility management remains one of the ways through which organizations have stretched their resources for sustainability. For instance, from the study conducted, it was established that organizations are adopting enterprise resource planning systems which help attain higher level of sustainability. From the study, it was established that enterprise resource planning systems contribute immensely to achieving effective service delivery. As a result, the need for sustainability has brought forth technological innovation in the facility management operations in organizations. For instance, the need to save on space has given technology an opportunity to be applied in the facility management functions. This has, therefore, influence the space management functions that are used to attain sustainability. For instance, technology is applied in creation of space inventory that is desired to manage organiza tion’s space more economically and effectively. Moreover, technology is also put in use to manage equipment and furniture through tracking techniques which as a result, lead to facilities accountability. According to Georgoulis (89), accountability of equipment that is facilitated by automated systems has resulted in sustainability of these organizations. This was exhibited through the study carried out in the MacDonald Restaurants as the effective management of their facilities was attributed to application of automated systems. Moreover, due to the need for sustainability of business activities in terms of information management, there has been creation of opportunities for technology. For instance, space management issues have resulted in the need of using technology in management of organization’s databases. For example, from the study conducted, it was established that database management systems are largely applied in management of their information. This is take n as one of the best mechanisms of managing space in the organization. Additionally, application of database management systems also enhances sustainability of organizations through provision of effective and efficient services to stakeholders. This is made possible due to its capability of providing a bi-directional interface that is able to connect different departments of the organization remotely. Nevertheless, it was opined by Gerard (27) that challenges that present themselves to the organization are opportunities through which technology can be banked on its advancement. For instance, in the operation of these organizations, environmental factors, such as accelerated population growth and continued depletion of energy resources, present negative challenges to organizations. However, despite these factors having negative effects, they show an opportunity for technology application in trying to solve them. Therefore, this gives an opportunity to design sustainable technologies that can utilize the limited resources more effectively in order to make these organizations robust in their activities. This was evident from the research conducted in the MacDonald Restaurants which indicated that the company adopted new technologies in their facility management in order to save on resources that could deplete natural resources in the environment. Furthermore, facility management presents security issues that need to be addressed to assure long term sustainability. For that reason, they present a number of opportunities to technology since in the current times, security is provided by automated systems. This is so since security systems have advanced over time, hence they provide facility managers with the capability to expand the scope of their security measures. For instance, instead of using traditional guards, organizations are adopting new technologies by current developments, such as cameras and sensor systems, which are real time operational systems that ar e able to give signals to key operational situations. This was evident from the study conducted since it emerged that the group of restaurants had replaced all their physical security measures with automated systems that were able to secure their facility. This was done through application of tracking systems which were able to trace every facility within their premise. In relation to this, it is acknowledged by Barrett and David (235) that organizations began applying automated intelligence systems which are able to monitor any aspect of the facility being managed. This has, however, resulted in a value proposition for organizations since they became able to monitor all operations. For example, in retail business setting as that of the MacDonald Restaurants, the system is able to track movement in and out of the storage rooms and also check those of the products purchased and sold. As a result, the organization is able to gain some value in the facility management. Trends in the ro le of technology in facility management In facility management just like other disciplines, there are several expected trends. These trends are projected to shape the way the discipline will be managed in the future. For that matter, these trends of technology in facility management can be broadly categorized into three. These are externally motivated trends, internally motivated trends and organizationally motivated trends. To begin with, externally motivated trends are usually determined by the societal factors. For instance, according to Nutt and Peter (231), the need for sustainability by organizations in their business operations is a trend that will continue to be experienced. This is ascribed to the fact that competition in the environment is steadily growing hence the need to position an organization strategically to have some competitive edge. Therefore, for that to be possible, it is believed by Elaine (136) that sustainability in the present business operation is only mad e possible by adoption of technology which is robust in the business environment. Therefore, as the rate of competition in the operating environment increases, thus the adoption of technology will be necessary to maintain the sustainability required. As a result, the trend for sustainability in facility management will continuously increase. Moreover, the external motivated trends dictate that systems that result in complex building structures will continue to offer challenges and opportunities. These will increase integration of technology in the management of facilities in these organizations. This implies that the more the building technology continues to grow, the more technology will be required to be integrated into their management. However, it was acknowledged by Thomas and Christopher (94) that this trend will result in the need to train professionals in the field of facility management. This is so since development of complicated technology will surely arise the need of ad vanced skills and knowledge to manage these facilities. Contrary to the emergence of the complex structures in the future, it is also important to acknowledge that with the existing building structures, the future trends are also categorized by aging. This, therefore, brings forth the challenges of management since these structures and current systems are likely to exceed their desired operating lives hence bringing in the issue of replacing or repairing them. Consequently, this will mean spending an additional cost in the management of these facilities. In addition, the second trend in the role of technology in facility management relates to internally motivated trends. According to Tichy (78), these are trends that originate from within the discipline of facility management itself. For instance, Effy (34) alluded that the data was increasing in complexity and quantity which in some cases, overwhelmed effort of their management. However, despite the current increase in quantity and complexity, it still expected that this would continue to be the trend in facility management. This is likely to result to information overload that poses a risk to its effective management. For that matter, this trend is likely to present negative effects in management of these facilities. This was affirmed by the research conducted in the MacDonald Restaurants since automated systems that were used to manage their facilities were noted to collect and process a lot of information. This was feared that it could lead to information overload if necessary measures were not put in place. Lastly, the third trend relates to organizationally motivated trends which originate from the organization itself. For instance, in most organizations, there are trends of increasing and expanding expectations of management of these facilities to include both business and technical acumen. This requires to have a developed skill set for the individuals to manage these activities. Nonetheless, it is als o expected that the trends will change the working styles significantly in order to conform to the new technologies that will be in place. According to Piercy (23), due to the technological changes and advancement that are being experienced in facility management, working styles will also considerably change. Therefore, organizations should always be willing and ready to adapt to the new technology and working styles. This was affirmed by the research conducted in the MacDonald Restaurants which showed that automated systems keep on changing from time to time and as they do so, working styles are also forced to follow them. Conclusion To wind up, it is important to acknowledge that facility management presents a variety of opportunities to technology. This has made technology to be one of the key aspects of facility management discipline. However, it is also relatively important to note that application of technology in facility management is faced by several challenges. Nonetheless , it is important to establish a balance between the weaknesses and strengths of using technology in order to have an equilibrium that will guarantee the effectiveness and efficiency of facility management as required. Nevertheless, it is acknowledged by David et al (112) that challenges that face facility management in themselves present an opportunity through which technology can explore in order to provide better service delivery. For instance, it is believed that challenges relating to negative environmental effects that may be viewed as results of activities of facility management can be addressed smoothly through use of technology that is environmental friendly. On the other hand, it is important to acknowledge that there are several trends that are expected to exhibit themselves in the field of facility management. These trends are likely to create new opportunities in the integration of technology in the facility management. They are broadly classified into three categories of internally, externally and organizationally motivated issues. In all these trends, they provide opportunity for technology to be integrated in the management of facilities. Therefore, they should be capitalized on to improve service delivery. In conclusion, from the research conducted in the MacDonald Restaurants, it was established that technology has a major role in the facility management to hospitality industry in a wider spectrum. This ranges from provision of security to the facility and its accountability. Therefore, it is relatively important for facility managers to prioritize integrating technology in their management activities and functions. For that matter, as the hospitality industry evolves over time, it is important for this aspect to be prioritized in order to gain management effectiveness and efficiency. Therefore, it is recommended for the hotel managers to adopt technology in the management of their organizations. Moreover, they should keep on changing with te chnology to be able to remain relevant in the business environment. This will surely guarantee their competitive edge. Works Cited Atkin, Brian and Adrian Brooks. Management. Hong Kong: Wiley-Blackwell, 2009. Print. Barrett, Peter and David Baldry. Facilities Management Towards Best Practices. London: Blackwell Publishing, 2009. Print. David, Cotts, Roper, Kathy and Richard Payant. The Facility management Handbook. New York: Broadway, 2010. Print. Effy, Owen. Management Information Systems. London: Cengage Learning, Inc, 2009. Print. Elaine, Brian. The 2011 Pfeiffer Anuall: Consulting. London: John Wiey Sons, Inc. 2011. Print. Georgoulis, Stephen. Facility Management: A Profession at Risk. Arizona: Arizona State University Press, 2010. Print. Gerard, Blokdijk. IT Management 100 Success Secrets. New York: Wiley-Blackwell, 2011. Print. Nutt, Bev and Peter McLennan. Facility Management Risks Opportunities. London: Blackwell Publishing, 2009. Print. Piercy, Newton. Management Informat ion System: The Technology Challenge. London: Croom Helm Ltd, 2004. Print. Thomas, Christopher and Christopher Gregory. Organizational Development Change. U.S: South-Western Cengage Learning, 2009. Print. Tichy, Michael. Managing Strategic Change: Technical, Political and Cultural Dynamics. London: John Wiey Sons, Inc, 2009. Print. This research paper on The Role of Technology in Facility Management: A Case Study of the MacDonald Restaurants was written and submitted by user Carle1gh to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.