Postpartum Patients Reports of Satisfaction with a Welcome Meal after a Vaginal Delivery

Objective: The purpose of this research study was to assess patient perspectives regarding a special Welcome Meal. The focus was on patients\u27 feeling welcomed and important because prior research has shown that when a patient\u27s expectations are exceeded, patient satisfaction increases. This study suggests that receiving a Welcome Meal may improve their experience on a postpartum unit. Design: Prior to discharge, each patient on the maternity unit was served a special Welcome Meal. A questionnaire was given to patients that consisted of six questions. The six questions incorporated six themes found in research literature on improving patient satisfaction. These themes included exceeding one\u27s expectations, feeling important, feeling welcome, having a positive experience, increasing one\u27s morale and providing good quality food. Patients/Participants: The sample consist~d of 30 postpartum patients between the ages of 20-47 whom had undergone a vaginal delivery of a live infant. Results: The highest rated question indicated that the Welcome Meal made the patients feel welcome (96.6%). The second highest rated question shows the Welcome Meal to be of good quality (96.6%). The Welcome Meal not only made the patient feel important, but also created a more pleasant hospital experience. Overall 86.6% agreed that it gave a positive experience and exceeded their expectations (90%). Conc1usion: The research indicated that the six themes found in improving patient satisfaction were also present when asked about the Welcome Meal. The limitations to the study include having a small non-random sample of 30 patients. This study suggests that having such a meal implemented on the maternity unit may have a positive impact on patient satisfaction. Future studies should provide a larger sample size. Further research is needed to correlate improved patient satisfaction and the Welcome Meal in a pre and post test design

Zoning for Solar Energy: Resource Guide

This document is designed to help New York State localities amend zoning and other land use regulations to permit the development of solar energy systems in their jurisdictions. While it applies to many types of solar energy systems, this resource guide focuses primarily on solar electric or photovoltaic (PV) systems. It begins by describing the local government’s role in land use planning and regulation. It then discusses the importance of defining all solar energy systems that a community wants to allow in existing zoning districts and shows how to incorporate those definitions in the zoning ordinance. Next, the guide explains how a municipality can amend zoning to permit these systems either as principal, secondary, accessory, or specially permitted land uses in existing zoning districts, as well as how to exempt certain systems from zoning altogether. The resource then explains how relevant bulk and area requirements must be amended to accommodate permitted solar energy systems. Subsequently, the guide discusses how to amend site plan requirements to include standards for solar energy systems, examines how local governments can modify environmental impact review under SEQRA, and considers the role of other local boards in streamlining the approval process for solar energy systems. Beyond permitting solar energy systems, the guide discusses ways to amend land use laws to either require or encourage them. Throughout, this document provides helpful resources and examples that communities can use when regulating to allow, encourage, or require various solar energy systems. Although land use terminology may vary by regional and jurisdictional practice, the examples generally represent approaches discussed throughout the guide. The examples are intended to be illustrative samples and are not intended to be an endorsement of the content

Despite Alarmists, \u27Kelo\u27 Decision Protects Property Owners and Serves the General Good

The United States Supreme Court’s decision in Kelo v. City of New London, has spurred national debate, as many people portray the court’s decision as a damaging blow to private property rights. In Kelo, the court confirmed local government’s ability to condemn property in an area designated as blighted by the state, in order to encourage economic development. This article highlights several positive examples of this sort of condemnation in New York case law, where the public interest was served by economic redevelopment. The article goes further, to distinguish several legal decisions from Kelo, where courts invalidated condemnations upon a finding that the condemnations would serve private interests rather than public interest