Sample records for operating procedures sops

  1. Standard operating procedures (SOPs): reason for, types of, adequacy, approval, and deviations from and revisions to.

    PubMed

    Isaman, V; Thelin, R

    1995-09-01

    Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are required in order to comply with the Good Laboratory Practice Standards (GLPS) as promulgated in the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) 40 CFR Part 160. Paragraph 160.81 (a) states: "A testing facility shall have standard operating procedures in writing setting forth study methods that management is satisfied are adequate to insure the quality and integrity of the data generated in the course of a study." Types of SOPs include administrative and personnel, analyses, substances, quality assurance and records, test system, equipment, and field related. All SOPs must be adequate in scope to describe the function in sufficient detail such that the study data are reproducible. All SOPs must be approved by a management level as described in a corporate organization chart. Signatures for SOP responsibility, authorship, and Quality Assurance review adds strength and accountability to the SOP. In the event a procedure or method is performed differently from what is stated in the SOP, an SOP deviation is necessary. As methods and procedures are improved, SOP revisions are necessary to maintain SOP adequacy and applicability. The replaced SOP is put into a historical SOP file and all copies of the replaced SOPs are destroyed.

  2. 76 FR 54528 - Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) of the Aircraft Certification Service (AIR) Process for the...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-09-01

    ...) of the Aircraft Certification Service (AIR) Process for the Sequencing of Certification and... on the Aircraft Certification Service (AIR) standard operating procedure (SOP) describing the process... comments on the SOP : AIR-100-001; Standard Operating Procedure--Aircraft Certification Service Project...

  3. The importance of production standard operating procedure in a family business company

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hongdiyanto, C.

    2017-12-01

    Plastic industry is a growing sector, therefore UD X which engage in this business has a great potential to grow as well. The problem faced by this family business company is that no standard operating procedure is used and it lead to problem in the quality and quantity produced. This research is aim to create a production standard operating procedure for UD X. Semistructure interview is used to gather information from respondent to help writer create the SOP. There are four SOP’s created, namely: classifying SOP, sorting SOP, milling SOP and packing SOP. Having SOP will improve the effectiveness of production because employees already know how to work in each stages of production process.

  4. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR PREPARATION OF STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (SOPS) (UA-G-1.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to establish a uniform format for the preparation of SOPs. Use of these protocols ensures consistent implementation of project tasks, documents the preparation and implementation of the procedures used, describes quality control measures and the limits...

  5. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR PREPARATION OF STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (SOPS) (UA-G-1.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to establish a uniform format for the preparation of SOPs. Use of these protocols ensures consistent implementation of project tasks, documents the preparation and implementation of the procedures used, describes quality control measures and the limits...

  6. 76 FR 62072 - Center for Devices and Radiological Health; Standard Operating Procedures for Network of Experts...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-10-06

    ...] Center for Devices and Radiological Health; Standard Operating Procedures for Network of Experts; Request... procedures (SOPs) for a new ``Network of Experts.'' The draft SOPs describe a new process for staff at the... FDA is announcing the availability of two draft SOPs, one entitled, ``Network of Experts--Expert...

  7. Surface Area Analysis Using the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) Method: Standard Operating Procedure Series: SOP-C

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-09-01

    Method Scientific Operating Procedure Series : SOP-C En vi ro nm en ta l L ab or at or y Jonathon Brame and Chris Griggs September 2016...BET) Method Scientific Operating Procedure Series : SOP-C Jonathon Brame and Chris Griggs Environmental Laboratory U.S. Army Engineer Research and...response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing

  8. NHEXAS PHASE I MARYLAND STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR PREPARATION OF STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (G01)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to develop a consistent method and style for all Emory University/Harvard University/Johns Hopkins University standard operating procedures. SOPs are necessary to document all procedures, methods, and techniques used in the NHEXAS investigations. Deve...

  9. Standard operating procedures for clinical research departments.

    PubMed

    Kee, Ashley Nichole

    2011-01-01

    A set of standard operating procedures (SOPs) provides a clinical research department with clear roles, responsibilities, and processes to ensure compliance, accuracy, and timeliness of data. SOPs also serve as a standardized training program for new employees. A practice may have an employee that can assist in the development of SOPs. There are also consultants that specialize in working with a practice to develop and write practice-specific SOPs. Making SOPs a priority will save a practice time and money in the long run and make the research practice more attractive to corporate study sponsors.

  10. Quantifying Nanoparticle Release from Nanotechnology: Scientific Operating Procedure Series: SOP C 3

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2017-02-01

    Operating Procedure Series : SOP-C-3 En vi ro nm en ta l L ab or at or y David P. Martin, Aimee R. Poda, and Anthony J. Bednar February 2017...Operating Procedure Series : SOP-C-3 David P. Martin, Aimee R. Poda, and Anthony J. Bednar Environmental Laboratory U.S. Army Engineer Research and...so designated by other authorized documents. DESTROY THIS REPORT WHEN NO LONGER NEEDED. DO NOT RETURN IT TO THE ORIGINATOR. ERDC/EL SR-17-1 iii

  11. [Advantages and disadvantages of different methods for the implementation and the support of standard operating procedures: From PDF files to an app- and webbased SOP management system].

    PubMed

    Bauer, M; Riech, S; Brandes, I; Waeschle, R M

    2015-11-01

    The quality assurance of care and patient safety, with increasing cost pressure and performance levels is of major importance in the high-risk and high cost area of the operating room (OR). Standard operating procedures (SOP) are an established tool for structuring and standardization of the clinical treatment pathways and show multiple benefits for quality assurance and process optimization. An internal project was initiated in the department of anesthesiology and a continuous improvement process was carried out to build up a comprehensive SOP library. In the first step the spectrum of procedures in anesthesiology was transferred to PDF-based SOPs. The further development to an app-based SOP library (Aesculapp) was due to the high resource expenditure for the administration and maintenance of the large PDF-based SOP collection and to deficits in the mobile availability. The next developmental stage, the SOP healthcare information assistant (SOPHIA) included a simplified and advanced update feature, an archive feature previously missing and notably the possibility to share the SOP library with other departments including the option to adapt each SOP to the individual situation. A survey of the personnel showed that the app-based allocation of SOPs (Aesculapp, SOPHIA) had a higher acceptance than the PDF-based developmental stage SOP form. The SOP management system SOPHIA combines the benefits of the forerunner version Aesculapp with improved options for intradepartmental maintenance and administration of the SOPs and the possibility of an export and editing function for interinstitutional exchange of SOPs.

  12. 78 FR 26103 - Proposed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the Aircraft Certification Service (AIR) Project...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-05-03

    ... (SOP) of the Aircraft Certification Service (AIR) Project Prioritization and Resource Management ACTION... procedure (SOP) describing the process used to prioritize certification projects and manage certification project resources when local resources are not available. DATES: Comments must be received on or before...

  13. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CALCULATING INGESTION EXPOSURE ESTIMATING INGESTION EXPOSURE, THE INDIRECT METHOD OF EXPOSURE ESTIMATION (IIT-A-7.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures undertaken for calculating ingestion exposure using the indirect method of exposure estimation. This SOP uses This SOP uses data that have been properly coded and certified with appropriate QA/QC procedures by the University ...

  14. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--LIST OF STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

    EPA Science Inventory

    This document lists available protocols and SOPs for the NHEXAS Phase I Arizona study. It identifies protocols and SOPs for the following study components: (1) Sample collection and field operations, (2) Sample analysis, (3) General laboratory procedures, (4) Quality Assurance, (...

  15. [Standard Operating Procedures in Clinical Medicine].

    PubMed

    Miljak, Tomislav; Zaar, Peter

    2017-09-01

    Standard operating procedures (SOP) in hospital care have the potential to improve treatment quality and transparency. However, after arriving at the decision to generate a SOP for the own hospital or ward, the upcoming question is often, how to start?The present article tries to give some interdisciplinary guidance about reasonable structures and contents of SOPs that could be understood as a basic matrix for individual work. © Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

  16. EDRN Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) — EDRN Public Portal

    Cancer.gov

    The NCI’s Early Detection Research Network is developing a number of standard operating procedures for assays, methods, and protocols for collection and processing of biological samples, and other reference materials to assist investigators to conduct experiments in a consistent, reliable manner. These SOPs are established by the investigators of the Early Detection Research Network to maintain constancy throughout the Network. These SOPs represent neither a consensus, nor are the recommendations of NCI.

  17. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--LIST OF STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

    EPA Science Inventory

    This document lists available protocols and SOPs for the U.S.-Mexico Border Program study. It identifies protocols and SOPs for the following study components: (1) Sample collection and field operations, (2) Sample analysis, (3) General laboratory procedures, (4) Quality Assuranc...

  18. How to develop a Standard Operating Procedure for sorting unfixed cells

    PubMed Central

    Schmid, Ingrid

    2012-01-01

    Written Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are an important tool to assure that recurring tasks in a laboratory are performed in a consistent manner. When the procedure covered in the SOP involves a high-risk activity such as sorting unfixed cells using a jet-in-air sorter, safety elements are critical components of the document. The details on sort sample handling, sorter set-up, validation, operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance, personal protective equipment (PPE), and operator training, outlined in the SOP are to be based on careful risk assessment of the procedure. This review provides background information on the hazards associated with sorting of unfixed cells and the process used to arrive at the appropriate combination of facility design, instrument placement, safety equipment, and practices to be followed. PMID:22381383

  19. NHEXAS PHASE I MARYLAND STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR FIELD SAMPLING--GENERAL INFORMATION (F01)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to provide an overview of field sampling procedures. This SOP details the samples taken, the responsibilities of the field staff, an approximate schedule for field operations, persons responsible for analyses, equipment used for sampling, and contents ...

  20. Standard operating procedure: implementation, critical analysis, and validation in the Audiology Department at CESTEH/Fiocruz.

    PubMed

    Freitas, Anelisse Vasco Mascarenhas de; Quixabeiro, Elinaldo Leite; Luz, Geórgia Rosangela Soares; Franco, Viviane Moreira; Santos, Viviane Fontes Dos

    2016-01-01

    Evaluate three standard operational procedures (SOPs), regarding the application of the brainstem auditory evoked potential (BAEP) test, implemented by the Audiology Department of the Center for Studies in Occupational Health and Human Ecology (CESTEH) through the application of a questionnaire and to verify whether the SOPs are effective and assess the necessity for improvement. The study was conducted in three phases: in the first phase, eight speech-language pathologists and seven physicians, with no experience in BAEP, were instructed to read and perform each SOP, eventually all individuals evaluated the SOPs by responding to a questionnaire; in the second phase, the questionnaires were analyzed and the three SOP texts were reviewed; in the third phase, nine speech-language pathologists and six physicians, also with no experience in BAEP, read and re-evaluated the reviewed SOPs through a questionnaire. In the first phase, difficulties in understanding the texts were found, raising doubts about the procedures; however, every participant was able to perform the procedure as a whole. In the third phase, after the review, all individuals were able to perform the procedures appropriately and continuously without any doubts. The assessment of the SOPs by questionnaires showed the need for adaptation in the texts. After the texts were reviewed according to the suggestions of the health professionals, it was possible to observe that the SOPs assisted in the execution of the task, which was conducted without any difficulties or doubts, being regarded effective and ensuring quality to the service offered.

  1. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING: WEEKLY ACTIVITY FOLLOW UP--INDIVIDUAL (UA-D-23.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This entry is included for completeness of documentation. The technique described in the SOP was anticipated in study planning documents. It was subsequently not used, and the SOP was not completed. This SOP was replaced by SOP UA-D-22.0.

    The purpose of this SOP is to define t...

  2. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CODING: WEEKLY ACTIVITY FOLLOW UP (INDIVIDUAL) (UA-D-12.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This abstract is included for completeness of documentation. The technique described in the SOP was anticipated in study planning documents. It was subsequently not used, and the SOP was not written. This SOP was replaced by SOP UA-D-11.0.

    The purpose of this SOP is to defin...

  3. How to develop a standard operating procedure for sorting unfixed cells.

    PubMed

    Schmid, Ingrid

    2012-07-01

    Written standard operating procedures (SOPs) are an important tool to assure that recurring tasks in a laboratory are performed in a consistent manner. When the procedure covered in the SOP involves a high-risk activity such as sorting unfixed cells using a jet-in-air sorter, safety elements are critical components of the document. The details on sort sample handling, sorter set-up, validation, operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance, personal protective equipment (PPE), and operator training, outlined in the SOP are to be based on careful risk assessment of the procedure. This review provides background information on the hazards associated with sorting of unfixed cells and the process used to arrive at the appropriate combination of facility design, instrument placement, safety equipment, and practices to be followed. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  4. [Standard operating procedures (SOPs) for palliative care : Presence and relevance of palliative SOPs within the network of German Comprehensive Cancer Centers (CCCs) funded by the German Cancer Aid].

    PubMed

    Stachura, P; Berendt, J; Stiel, S; Schuler, U S; Ostgathe, C

    2017-02-01

    Standard operating procedures (SOPs) can contribute to the improvement of patient care. Survey the presence and relevance of SOPs for palliative care (PC) within the network of German Comprehensive Cancer Centers (CCCs) funded by the German Cancer Aid. In a descriptive survey, palliative care services within 15 CCCs funded by the German Cancer Aid were asked to rate availability and thematic relevance of (1) symptom-related, (2) clinical pathways and (3) measures- and processes-oriented SOPs using a structured questionnaire. Pain management SOPs were the most common (n =11; 73 %). The most thematic relevance showed SOPs dedicated to pain management, care in the last days of life and delirium and other neuro-psychiatric diseases (each n =13; 87 %), followed by bowel obstruction, dyspnoea, nausea and palliative sedation (each n =12; 80 %). There is a wide gap between availability and perceived relevance of palliative care SOPs within the network of German CCCs funded by the German Cancer Aid. It is obvious that there is a need for further development of relevant SOPs in palliative care.

  5. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR PRE-CLEANING FILTERS AND XAD-2 (SOP-5.10)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP summarizes the method for pre-cleaning XAD-2 resin and quartz fiber filters. The procedure provides a cleaning method to help reduce potential background contamination in the resin and filters.

  6. Biobanking of different body fluids within the frame of IVF-a standard operating procedure to improve reproductive biology research.

    PubMed

    Schenk, Michael; Huppertz, Berthold; Obermayer-Pietsch, Barbara; Kastelic, Darja; Hörmann-Kröpfl, Martina; Weiss, Gregor

    2017-02-01

    The aim of the present study was to develop a standard operating procedure (SOP) for the collection, transport, and storage of human cumulus cells, follicular fluid, blood serum, seminal plasma, embryo culture supernatant, and embryo culture supernatant control obtained within the IVF process under approved protocols and written informed consent from participating patients. The SOP was developed at the Kinderwunsch Institut Schenk, Dobl, Austria, together with Biobank Graz of the Medical University of Graz, Austria. The SOP provides comprehensive details of laboratory procedures and sampling of the different fluids within the IVF process. Furthermore, information on sample coding, references of involved laboratory techniques (e.g., oocyte retrieval with a Steiner-TAN needle), ethical approvals, and biobanking procedures are presented. The result of the present study is a standard operating procedure. The SOP ensures a professional way for collection and scientific use of IVF samples by the Kinderwunsch Institut Schenk, Dobl, Austria, and Biobank Graz of the Medical University of Graz, Austria. It can be used as a template for other institutions to unify specimen collection procedures in the field of reproductive health research.

  7. The importance of standard operating procedures in clinical trials.

    PubMed

    Sajdak, Rebecca; Trembath, Lisaann; Thomas, Kathy S

    2013-09-01

    This special contribution provides insight into the role that standard operating procedures (SOPs) play in an imaging department and their value in building a high-quality research site. If you have ever participated in a clinical trial, many of the principles described in this article should be familiar. However, this article goes a step further by presenting information from a pharmaceutical or device sponsor's point of view-what the sponsor expects from a site during the course of a research study. This article is intended not to provide a complete set of instructions on how to create a great SOP but, instead, to present guidelines to ensure that the key elements are included. After reading the article, you will be able to define SOPs as they pertain to the clinical trial environment, describe key components of an SOP, list the clinical research SOPs that exist in your institution and imaging department, identify which additional SOPs might improve site performance, and describe how the sponsor relies on SOPs to ensure that the highest quality of research is attained.

  8. NHEXAS PHASE I MARYLAND STUDY--LIST OF AVAILABLE DOCUMENTS: PROTOCOLS AND SOPS

    EPA Science Inventory

    This document lists available protocols and SOPs for the NHEXAS Phase I Maryland study. It identifies protocols and SOPs for the following study components: (1) Sample collection and field operations, (2) Sample analysis and general laboratory procedures, (3) Data Analysis Proced...

  9. [Conjunctival melanoma : Standard operating procedures in diagnosis, treatment and follow-up care].

    PubMed

    Glossmann, Jan-Peter; Skoetz, Nicole; Starbatty, Barbara; Bischoff, Martina; Leyvraz, Serge; Westekemper, Henrike; Heindl, Ludwig M

    2018-06-01

    In cases of rare cancer entities, such as malignant melanoma of the conjunctiva, there are often no evidence-based national guidelines available. Standard operating procedures (SOP) are an alternative in these cases. The aim of this project was to develop a consensus SOP for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care of conjunctival melanomas between the 14 Centers of Excellence in Germany supported by German Cancer Aid. The SOP was prepared according to a defined process including timelines, flow of information, and roles. This is the first consensus SOP of the Centers of Excellence in Germany (certified by the German Cancer Aid) regarding diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up for malignant melanomas of the conjunctiva.

  10. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR EXTRACTING AND PREPARING SOLID FOOD SAMPLES FOR ANALYSIS OF PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (SOP-5.20)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP describes the procedures for homogenizing, extracting and concentrating solid food samples for persistent organic pollutants such as organochlorine compounds, organophosphate compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, substituted phenols, and...

  11. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR EXTRACTING AND PREPARING LIQUID FOOD SAMPLES FOR ANALYSIS OF PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (SOP-5.19)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP describes the procedures for homogenizing, extracting, and concentrating liquid food samples for neutral persistent organic pollutants such as organochlorine compounds, organophosphate compounds, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, and phenols.

  12. Nanomaterial Dispersion/Dissolution Characterization: Scientific Operating Procedure SOP-F-1

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-05-01

    ER D C/ EL S R- 16 -1 Environmental Consequences of Nanotechnologies Nanomaterial Dispersion/Dissolution Characterization Scientific...Nanotechnologies ERDC/EL SR-16-1 May 2016 Nanomaterial Dispersion/Dissolution Characterization Scientific Operating Procedure SOP-F-1 Lesley Miller...diagnostic application. While microscopy represents the only available method for measuring particle size, this is very labor intensive and prone to

  13. The use of standard operating procedures in day case anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

    PubMed

    Khan, T; Jackson, W F; Beard, D J; Marfin, A; Ahmad, M; Spacie, R; Jones, R; Howes, S; Barker, K; Price, A J

    2012-08-01

    The current rate of day-case anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) in the UK remains low. Although specialised care pathways with standard operating procedures (SOPs) have been effective in reducing length of stay following some surgical procedures, this has not been previously reported for ACLR. We evaluate the effectiveness of SOPs for establishing day-case ACLR in a specialist unit. Fifty patients undergoing ACLR between May and September 2010 were studied prospectively ("study group"). SOPs were designed for pre-operative assessment, anaesthesia, surgical procedure, mobilisation and discharge. We evaluated length of stay, readmission rates, patient satisfaction and compliance to SOPs. A retrospective analysis of 50 patients who underwent ACLR prior to implementation of the day-case pathway was performed ("standard practice group"). Eighty percent of patients in the study group were discharged on the day of surgery (mean length of stay=5.3h) compared to 16% in the standard practice group (mean length of stay=21.6h). This difference was statistically significant (p<0.05, Mann-Whitney U test). All patients were satisfied with the day case pathway. Ninety-two percent of the study group were discharged on the day of surgery when all SOPs were followed and 46% where they were not. High rates of day-case ACLR with excellent patient satisfaction can be achieved with the use of a specialised patient pathway with SOPs. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR TREATMENT OF CENSORED DATA (IIT-A-4.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures undertaken to treat censored data which are below detection limits. This SOP uses data that have been properly coded and certified with appropriate QA/QC procedures by the University of Arizona NHEXAS and Battelle Laboratorie...

  15. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR SAMPLING WEIGHT CALCULATION (IIT-A-9.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures undertaken to calculate sampling weights. The sampling weights are needed to obtain weighted statistics of the NHEXAS data. This SOP uses data that have been properly coded and certified with appropriate QA/QC procedures by t...

  16. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR DERMAL EXPOSURE CALCULATION (IIT-A-11.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures undertaken to calculate the dermal exposure to chlorpyrifos and diazinon. This SOP uses data that have been properly coded and certified with appropriate QA/QC procedures by the University of Arizona NHEXAS and Battelle Labora...

  17. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR TIME ACTIVITY CALCULATION (IIT-A-12.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures undertaken to calculate the time activity pattern of the NHEXAS samples. This SOP uses data that have been properly coded and certified with appropriate QA/QC procedures by the University of Arizona NHEXAS and Battelle Laborat...

  18. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR PROCESSING COMPLETED DATA FORMS (SOP-4.10)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP describes the methods for processing completed data forms. Key components of the SOP include (1) field editing, (2) data form Chain-of-Custody, (3) data processing verification, (4) coding, (5) data entry, (6) programming checks, (7) preparation of data dictionaries, cod...

  19. A tiered quality assurance review process for clinical data management standard operating procedures in an academic health center.

    PubMed

    Ittenbach, Richard F; Baker, Cynthia L; Corsmo, Jeremy J

    2014-05-01

    Standard operating procedures (SOPs) were once considered the province of the pharmaceutical industry but are now viewed as a key component of quality assurance programs. To address variability and increase the rigor of clinical data management (CDM) operations, the Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC) decided to create CDM SOPs. In response to this challenge, and as part of a broader institutional initiative, the CCHMC leadership established an executive steering committee to oversee the development and implementation of CDM SOPs. This resulted in the creation of a quality assurance review process with three review panels: an SOP development team (16 clinical data managers and technical staff members), a faculty review panel (8 senior faculty and administrators), and an expert advisory panel (3 national CDM experts). This innovative, tiered review process helped ensure that the new SOPs would be created and implemented in accord with good CDM practices and standards. Twelve fully vetted, institutionally endorsed SOPs and one CDM template resulted from the intensive, iterative 10-month process (December 2011 to early October 2012). Phased implementation, which incoporated the CDM SOPs into the existing audit process for certain types of clinical research studies, was on schedule at the time of this writing. Once CCHMC researchers have had the opportunity to use the SOPs over time and across a broad range of research settings and conditions, the SOPs will be revisited and revalidated.

  20. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR TELEPHONE SAMPLE SUBJECTS RECRUITMENT (SOP-1.12)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The subject recruitment procedures for the telephone sample component are described in the SOP. A random telephone sample list is ordered from a commercial survey sampling firm. Using this list, introductory letters are sent to targeted homes prior to making initial telephone c...

  1. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR SAMPLE SELECTION (SOP-1.10)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The procedures for selecting CTEPP study subjects are described in the SOP. The primary, county-level stratification is by region and urbanicity. Six sample counties in each of the two states (North Carolina and Ohio) are selected using stratified random sampling and reflect ...

  2. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING INFORMED CONSENT (SOP-1.13)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The CTEPP informed consent procedures are described in the SOP. After an eligible subject provides verbal consent, staff schedule a visit to meet with the subject in person to explain study activities and answer questions about the study. During the visit, staff demonstrate how...

  3. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION, STORAGE, AND SHIPMENT OF HUMAN HAIR (UA-F-26.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe how to collect, store, and ship human hair for analysis of mercury. This SOP provides a brief description of the sample containers, collection, storage, shipping and custody procedures. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data ...

  4. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION, STORAGE, AND SHIPMENT OF UNKNOWN SUBSTANCES (UA-F-25.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe how to collect, store, and ship unknown substances for chemical analysis and identification. This SOP provides a brief description of the sample containers, collection, storage, shipping and custody procedures. This procedure was followed ...

  5. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR SAMPLING WEIGHT CALCULATION (IIT-A-9.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures undertaken to calculate sampling weights. The sampling weights are needed to obtain weighted statistics of the study data. This SOP uses data that have been properly coded and certified with appropriate QA/QC procedures by th...

  6. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR PROBABILISTIC APPROACH OF EXPOSURE CALCULATION OF DERMAL EXPOSURE (IIT-A-13.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures undertaken to calculate the dermal exposure using a probabilistic approach. This SOP uses data that have been properly coded and certified with appropriate QA/QC procedures by the University of Arizona NHEXAS and Battelle Labo...

  7. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR PROBABILISTIC APPROACH FOR ESTIMATING INHALATION EXPOSURES TO CHLORPYRIFOS AND DIAZINON (IIT-A-14.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures undertaken to calculate the inhalation exposures to chlorpyrifos and diazinon using the probabilistic approach. This SOP uses data that have been properly coded and certified with appropriate QA/QC procedures by the University...

  8. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION, STORAGE AND SHIPMENT OF URINE SAMPLES FOR SELECTED METALS AND PESTICIDES (UA-F-20.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to guide the collection, storage, and shipment of urine samples collected for the NHEXAS Arizona project. This SOP provides a brief description of sample, collection, preservation, storage, shipping, and custody procedures. This procedure was followed ...

  9. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CONVERSION OF SERVINGS TO KILOGRAMS (IIT-A-8.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures undertaken to convert servings to kilograms for each food item used in the Diet Diary questionnaire. This SOP uses data that have been properly coded and certified with appropriate QA/QC procedures by the University of Arizon...

  10. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR ESTIMATING INHALATION EXPOSURES TO CHLORPYRIFOS AND DIAZINON (IIT-A-5.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures undertaken for estimating inhalation exposures to chlorpyrifos and Diazinon. This SOP uses data that have been properly coded and certified with appropriate QA/QC procedures by the University of Arizona NHEXAS and Battelle La...

  11. Addressing Early Retention in Antenatal Care Among HIV-Positive Women Through a Simple Intervention in Kinshasa, DRC: The Elombe "Champion" Standard Operating Procedure.

    PubMed

    Gill, Michelle M; Ditekemena, John; Loando, Aimé; Mbonze, Nana; Bakualufu, Jo; Machekano, Rhoderick; Nyombe, Cady; Temmerman, Marleen; Fwamba, Franck

    2018-03-01

    This cluster-randomized study aimed to assess the Elombe ("Champion") standard operating procedure (SOP), implemented by providers and Mentor Mothers, on HIV-positive pregnant women's retention between first and second antenatal visits. Sixteen facilities in Kinshasa were randomly assigned to intervention (SOP) or comparison (no SOP). Effect of the SOP was estimated using relative risk. Women in comparison facilities were more likely to miss second visits (RR 2.5, 95% CI 1.05-5.98) than women in intervention facilities (30.0%, n = 27 vs. 12.0%, n = 9, p < 0.002). Findings demonstrate that a simple intervention can reduce critical early loss to care in PMTCT programs providing universal, lifelong treatment.

  12. Biobanking human endometrial tissue and blood specimens: standard operating procedure and importance to reproductive biology research and diagnostic development.

    PubMed

    Sheldon, Elizabeth; Vo, Kim Chi; McIntire, Ramsey A; Aghajanova, Lusine; Zelenko, Zara; Irwin, Juan C; Giudice, Linda C

    2011-05-01

    To develop a standard operating procedure (SOP) for collection, transport, storage of human endometrial tissue and blood samples, subject and specimen annotation, and establishing sample priorities. The SOP synthesizes sound scientific procedures, the literature on ischemia research, sample collection and gene expression profiling, good laboratory practices, and the authors' experience of workflow and sample quality. The National Institutes of Health, University of California, San Francisco, Human Endometrial Tissue and DNA Bank. Women undergoing endometrial biopsy or hysterectomy for nonmalignant indications. Collecting, processing, storing, distributing endometrial tissue and blood samples under approved institutional review board protocols and written informed consent from participating subjects. Standard operating procedure. The SOP addresses rigorous and consistent subject annotation, specimen processing and characterization, strict regulatory compliance, and a reference for researchers to track collection and storage times that may influence their research. The comprehensive and systematic approach to the procurement of human blood and endometrial tissue in this SOP ensures the high quality, reliability, and scientific usefulness of biospecimens made available to investigators by the National Institutes of Health, University of California, San Francisco, Human Endometrial Tissue and DNA Bank. The detail and perspective in this SOP also provides a blueprint for implementation of similar collection programs at other institutions. Copyright © 2011 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  13. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CONDUCTING INTERNAL FIELD AUDITS AND QUALITY CONTROL (SOP-2.25)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP describes the method for conducting internal field audits and quality control procedures. Internal field audits will be conducted to ensure the collection of high quality data. Internal field audits will be conducted by Field Auditors (the Field QA Officer and the Field...

  14. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR ASSURANCE OF RESPONDENT CONFIDENTIALITY (UA-G-3.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to design respondent privacy and confidentiality for all participants of the NHEXAS Arizona project. This SOP covers verbal, written and electronic data references to respondents. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval during ...

  15. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION, STORAGE, AND SHIPMENT OF URINE SAMPLES FOR METALS AND PESTICIDES ANALYSIS (UA-F-20.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to guide the collection, storage, and shipment of urine samples collected. This SOP provides a brief description of sample, collection, preservation, storage, shipping, and custody procedures. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retri...

  16. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION, STORAGE, AND SHIPMENT OF BLOOD SAMPLES FOR SELECTED METALS, PESTICIDES, AND VOCS (UA-F-19.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to guide the collection, storage, and shipment of blood samples collected. This SOP provides a brief description of sample collection, preservation, storage, and custody procedures. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval during...

  17. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE--COMPENDIUM OF METHODS FOR ANALYSIS OF TRACE METALS AND PESTICIDES IN DIETARY SAMPLES USING TOTAL DIET STUDY PROCEDURES (FDA-COMPENDIUM)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This compendium contains seven SOPs developed by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) laboratories for methods of analyzing trace metals in dietary samples collected using Total Diet study procedures. The SOPs include the following: (1) Quality Control for Analysis of NHEXAS Food o...

  18. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION, STORAGE AND SHIPMENT OF BLOOD SAMPLES FOR SELECTED METALS AND VOCS (UA-F-19.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to guide the collection, storage, and shipment of blood samples collected for the NHEXAS Arizona project. This SOP provides a brief description of sample collection, preservation, storage, and custody procedures. This procedure was followed to ensure c...

  19. Disinfection of reusable elastomeric respirators by health care workers: a feasibility study and development of standard operating procedures.

    PubMed

    Bessesen, Mary T; Adams, Jill C; Radonovich, Lewis; Anderson, Judith

    2015-06-01

    This was a feasibility study in a Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center to develop a standard operating procedure (SOP) to be used by health care workers to disinfect reusable elastomeric respirators under pandemic conditions. Registered and licensed practical nurses, nurse practitioners, aides, clinical technicians, and physicians took part in the study. Health care worker volunteers were provided with manufacturers' cleaning and disinfection instructions and all necessary supplies. They were observed and filmed. SOPs were developed, based on these observations, and tested on naïve volunteer health care workers. Error rates using manufacturers' instructions and SOPs were compared. When using respirator manufacturers' cleaning and disinfection instructions, without specific training or supervision, all subjects made multiple errors. When using the SOPs developed in the study, without specific training or guidance, naïve health care workers disinfected respirators with zero errors. Reusable facial protective equipment may be disinfected by health care workers with minimal training using SOPs. Published by Elsevier Inc.

  20. Generating a comprehensive set of standard operating procedures for a biorepository network-The CTRNet experience.

    PubMed

    Barnes, Rebecca; Albert, Monique; Damaraju, Sambasivarao; de Sousa-Hitzler, Jean; Kodeeswaran, Sugy; Mes-Masson, Anne-Marie; Watson, Peter; Schacter, Brent

    2013-12-01

    Despite the integral role of biorepositories in fueling translational research and the advancement of medicine, there are significant gaps in harmonization of biobanking practices, resulting in variable biospecimen collection, storage, and processing. This significantly impacts accurate downstream analysis and, in particular, creates a problem for biorepository networks or consortia. The Canadian Tumour Repository Network (CTRNet; www.ctrnet.ca ) is a consortium of Canadian tumor biorepositories that aims to enhance biobanking capacity and quality through standardization. To minimize the issue of variable biobanking practices throughout its network, CTRNet has developed and maintained a comprehensive set of 45 standard operating procedures (SOPs). There were four key elements to the CTRNet SOP development process: 1) an SOP development team was formed from members across CTRNet to co-produce each SOP; 2) a principal author was appointed with responsibility for overall coordination of the SOP development process; 3) the CTRNet Management Committee (composed of principal investigators for each member biorepository) reviewed/revised each SOP completed by the development team; and 4) external expert reviewers provided feedback and recommendations on each SOP. Once final Management Committee approval was obtained, the ratified SOP was published on the CTRNet website for public access. Since the SOPs were first published on the CTRNet website (June 2008), there have been approximately 15,000 downloads of one or more CTRNet SOPs/Policies by users from over 60 countries. In accordance with biobanking best practices, CTRNet performs an exhaustive review of its SOPs at set intervals, to coincide with each granting cycle. The last revision was completed in May 2012.

  1. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR ASSURANCE OF RESPONDENT CONFIDENTIALITY (UA-G-3.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to design respondent privacy and confidentiality for all participants of the Arizona Border Study. This SOP covers verbal, written and electronic data references to respondents. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval during th...

  2. Safety in the Chemical Laboratory: Developing Departmental Safety Procedures.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Renfrew, Malcolm M., Ed.; Palladino, George F.

    1980-01-01

    Presents rationale and guidelines for development of Safety Standard Operating Procedures (Safety SOP) specific for local conditions. Includes an outline of a Safety SOP developed for a department primarily focused on undergraduate education with a wide variety of expertise from common laborer to PhD with 20 years experience. (Author/JN)

  3. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION OF DISLODGEABLE RESIDUES -- PUF ROLLER SAMPLES FOR PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (SOP-2.18)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP describes the method to collect transferable residues from indoor floor surfaces. The sampling procedures described are applicable to bare floors or covered floor surfaces, e.g., carpeting and vinyl flooring. The samples will be collected only in the day care centers o...

  4. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR DAY CARE CENTER SAMPLE SUBJECTS RECRUITMENT (SOP-1.11)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The CTEPP subject recruitment procedures for the daycare center component are described in the SOP. There are two stages in this phase of CTEPP subject recruitment. The objective of the first stage is to enroll daycare centers for the study. Six target counties in each state ar...

  5. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION OF FIXED SITE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR AIR SAMPLES FOR PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (SOP-2.12)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP describes the procedures to set up, calibrate, initiate and terminate air sampling for persistent organic pollutants. This method is used to sample air, indoors and outdoors, at homes and at day care centers over a 48-hr period.

  6. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING: BASELINE QUESTIONNAIRES-INDIVIDUAL (UA-D-19.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This entry is included for completeness of documentation. The technique described in the SOP was anticipated in study planning documents. It was subsequently not used, and the SOP was not completed.

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the steps involved in cleaning the elect...

  7. MARK-AGE standard operating procedures (SOPs): A successful effort.

    PubMed

    Moreno-Villanueva, María; Capri, Miriam; Breusing, Nicolle; Siepelmeyer, Anne; Sevini, Federica; Ghezzo, Alessandro; de Craen, Anton J M; Hervonen, Antti; Hurme, Mikko; Schön, Christiane; Grune, Tilman; Franceschi, Claudio; Bürkle, Alexander

    2015-11-01

    Within the MARK-AGE project, a population study (3337 subjects) was conducted to identify a set of biomarkers of ageing which, as a combination of parameters with appropriate weighting, would measure biological age better than any single marker. The MARK-AGE project involves 14 European countries and a total of 26 research centres. In such a study, standard operating procedures (SOPs) are an essential task, which are binding for all MARK-AGE Beneficiaries. The SOPs cover all aspects of subject's recruitment, collection, shipment and distribution of biological samples (blood and its components, buccal mucosa cells or BMC and urine) as well as the anthropometric measurements and questionnaires. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  8. Developing standard operating procedures for gene drive research in disease vector mosquitoes.

    PubMed

    Adelman, Zach N; Pledger, David; Myles, Kevin M

    2017-12-01

    Numerous arthropod species represent potential targets for gene-drive-based population suppression or replacement, including those that transmit diseases, damage crops, or act as deleterious invasive species. Containment measures for gene drive research in arthropods have been discussed in the literature, but the importance of developing safe and effective standard operating procedures (SOPs) for these types of experiments has not been adequately addressed. Concisely written SOPs link safe work practices, containment measures, institutional training, and research-specific protocols. Here we discuss information to be considered by principal investigators, biosafety officers, and institutional biosafety committees as they work together to develop SOPs for experiments involving gene drive in arthropods, and describe various courses of action that can be used to maintain the effectiveness of SOPs through evaluation and revision. The information provided herein will be especially useful to investigators and regulatory personnel who may lack extensive experience working with arthropods under containment conditions.

  9. NHEXAS PHASE I MARYLAND STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CHAIN-OF-CUSTODY AND SAMPLE TRACKING (G04)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of the SOP is to establish the normal procedures for ensuring data chain-of-custody and data tracking. The chain-of-custody form included in this SOP is the standard form to be used for all data collected in the field. Keywords: samples; custody; records.

    The Nat...

  10. St. Lawrence River Freeze-Up Forecast Procedure.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Assel, R. A.

    A standard operating procedure (SOP) is presented for calculating the date of freeze-up on the St. Lawrence River at Massena, N.Y. The SOP is based on two empirical temperature decline equations developed for Kingston, Ontario, and Massena, N.Y., respectively. Input data needed to forecast freeze-up consist of the forecast December flow rate and…

  11. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR PACKING AND SHIPPING STUDY SAMPLES (SOP-3.11)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP describes the methods for packing and shipping study samples. These methods are for packing and shipping biological and environmental samples. The methods have been tested and used in the previous pilot studies.

  12. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CALCULATING INGESTION EXPOSURE FROM DAY 4 COMPOSITE MEASUREMENTS, THE DIRECT METHOD OF EXPOSURE ESTIMATION (IIT-A-6.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures undertaken for calculating ingestion exposure from Day 4 composite measurements from duplicate diet using the direct method of exposure estimation. This SOP uses data that have been properly coded and certified with appropria...

  13. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR RECORDING DATA COLLECTION FORMS (SOP-2.22)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP describes the method for recording information onto the data collection forms. The data collection forms are organized into 10 modules: Recruitment Survey; House/Building Characteristics Observation Survey; Day Care Center/Building Characteristics Observation Survey; Par...

  14. Standard operating procedures for female orgasmic disorder: consensus of the International Society for Sexual Medicine.

    PubMed

    Laan, Ellen; Rellini, Alessandra H; Barnes, Tricia

    2013-01-01

    As the field of sexual medicine evolves, it is important to continually improve patient care by developing contemporary "standard operating procedures" (SOPs), reflecting the consensus view of experts in sexual medicine. Few, if any, consensus SOPs have been developed for the diagnosis and treatment of Female Orgasmic Disorder (FOD). The objective is to provide standard operating procedures for FOD. The SOP Committee was composed of a chair, selected by the International Society for the Study of Sexual Medicine, and two additional experts. To inform its key recommendations, the Committee used systematic reviews of available evidence and discussions during a group meeting, conference calls and e-mail communications. The Committee received no corporate funding or remuneration. A total of 12 recommendations for the assessment and treatment of FOD were generated, including suggestions for further research. Evidence-based, practice recommendations for the treatment of FOD are provided that will hopefully inform clinical decision making for those treating this common condition. © 2012 International Society for Sexual Medicine.

  15. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR ANALYSIS OF SOIL OR HOUSE DUST SAMPLES USING CHLORPYRIFOS ELISA SAMPLES (BCO-L-1.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This abstract is included for completeness of documentation, but this SOP was not used in the study.

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures for analyzing both Stage II and Stage III soil and vacuum-cleaner collected house dust samples, and Stage III air samples u...

  16. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION OF PERSONAL AIR SAMPLES FOR ANALYSIS OF PESTICIDES OR METALS (UA-F-14.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedure for sampling personal air for metals and pesticides during a predetermined time period. The SOP includes the set up of the samplers for collection of either a metals sample or a pesticides sample, the calibration and initial c...

  17. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR PROBABILISTIC APPROACH FOR CALCULATING INGESTION EXPOSURE FROM DAY 4 COMPOSITE MEASUREMENTS, THE DIRECT METHOD OF EXPOSURE ESTIMATION (IIT-A-15.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures undertaken to calculate the ingestion exposure using composite food chemical residue values from the day of direct measurements. The calculation is based on the probabilistic approach. This SOP uses data that have been proper...

  18. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CONDUCTING STAFF AND PARTICIPANT TRAINING (SOP-2.27)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP describes the method to train project staff and participants to collect various field samples and questionnaire data for the study. The training plan consists of two separate components: project staff training and participant training. Before project activities begin,...

  19. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR ENTERING OR IMPORTING ELECTRONIC DATA INTO THE CTEPP DATABASE (SOP-4.12)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP described the method used to automatically parse analytical data generated from gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analyses into CTEPP summary spreadsheets and electronically import the summary spreadsheets into the CTEPP study database.

  20. Design of standard operating procedure production proceses (case study on the home industry Bedugul Baturiti Tabanan Bali)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kasiani; Suhantono, Djoko; Mirah Kencanawati, AAA

    2018-01-01

    Candikuning is part of the district of Baturiti, tourism village, better known by the name of Bedugul. No less interesting is the variety of chips produced by two partner groups as a souvenir after the tour, such as Chips: Spinach; beans; Tempeh. The purpose of this research were to design a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): Production Processes on the Home Industry Bedugul Baturiti Tabanan Bali. The data technic collected use: observation; Documentation; and then interview to collect information. The data analysis technic done by using the Miles & Huberman. Result this research that the draft SOP: Production Processes Chips (Menu). The conclusion in this research SOP Production Processes use with flowchart and description on the Home Industry Bedugul Baturiti Tabanan Bali.

  1. Standard operating procedures improve acute neurologic care in a sub-Saharan African setting

    PubMed Central

    Jaiteh, Lamin E.S.; Helwig, Stefan A.; Jagne, Abubacarr; Ragoschke-Schumm, Andreas; Sarr, Catherine; Walter, Silke; Lesmeister, Martin; Manitz, Matthias; Blaß, Sebastian; Weis, Sarah; Schlund, Verena; Bah, Neneh; Kauffmann, Jil; Fousse, Mathias; Kangankan, Sabina; Ramos Cabrera, Asmell; Kronfeld, Kai; Ruckes, Christian; Liu, Yang; Nyan, Ousman

    2017-01-01

    Objective: Quality of neurologic emergency management in an under-resourced country may be improved by standard operating procedures (SOPs). Methods: Neurologic SOPs were implemented in a large urban (Banjul) and a small rural (Brikama) hospital in the Gambia. As quality indicators of neurologic emergency management, performance of key procedures was assessed at baseline and in the first and second implementation years. Results: At Banjul, 100 patients of the first-year intervention group exhibited higher rates of general procedures of emergency management than 105 control patients, such as neurologic examination (99.0% vs 91.4%; p < 0.05) and assessments of respiratory rate (98.0% vs 81.9%, p < 0.001), temperature (60.0% vs 36.2%; p < 0.001), and glucose levels (73.0% vs 58.1%; p < 0.05), in addition to written directives by physicians (96.0% vs 88.6%, p < 0.05), whereas assessments of other vital signs remained unchanged. In stroke patients, rates of stroke-related procedures increased: early CT scanning (24.3% vs 9.9%; p < 0.05), blood count (73.0% vs 49.3%; p < 0.01), renal and liver function tests (50.0% vs 5.6%, p < 0.001), aspirin prophylaxis (47.3% vs 9.9%; p < 0.001), and physiotherapy (41.9% vs 4.2%; p < 0.001). Most effects persisted until the second-year evaluation. SOP implementation was similarly feasible and beneficial at the Brikama hospital. However, outcomes did not significantly differ in the hospitals. Conclusions: Implementing SOPs is a realistic, low-cost option for improving process quality of neurologic emergency management in under-resourced settings. Classification of evidence: This study provides Class IV evidence that, for patients with suspected neurologic emergencies in sub-Saharan Africa, neurologic SOPs increase the rate of performance of guideline-recommended procedures. PMID:28600460

  2. 78 FR 72139 - Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements Under OMB Review

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-12-02

    ...'s 7(a) loan program, are necessary to conform to recent updates to SBA's Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Lender and Development Company Loan Programs, designated as SOP 50 10 5(F). The update resulted in changes related to franchise eligibility, character determinations, credit standards, and...

  3. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION OF URINE SAMPLES (SOP-2.14)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP describes the method for collecting urine samples from the study participants (children and their primary caregivers). Urine samples will be approximate 48-hr collections, collected as spot urine samples accumulated over the 48-hr sampling period. If the household or da...

  4. 40 CFR 761.398 - Reporting and recordkeeping.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... into a standard operating procedure (SOP) for reference whenever the decontamination procedure is used... new solvents and validated decontamination procedures in the Federal Register. (b) Any person may...

  5. 40 CFR 761.398 - Reporting and recordkeeping.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... into a standard operating procedure (SOP) for reference whenever the decontamination procedure is used... new solvents and validated decontamination procedures in the Federal Register. (b) Any person may...

  6. 40 CFR 761.398 - Reporting and recordkeeping.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... into a standard operating procedure (SOP) for reference whenever the decontamination procedure is used... new solvents and validated decontamination procedures in the Federal Register. (b) Any person may...

  7. 40 CFR 761.398 - Reporting and recordkeeping.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... into a standard operating procedure (SOP) for reference whenever the decontamination procedure is used... new solvents and validated decontamination procedures in the Federal Register. (b) Any person may...

  8. 40 CFR 761.398 - Reporting and recordkeeping.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... into a standard operating procedure (SOP) for reference whenever the decontamination procedure is used... new solvents and validated decontamination procedures in the Federal Register. (b) Any person may...

  9. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR EXTRACTING AND PREPARING AIR SAMPLES FOR ANALYSIS OF POLAR PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (SOP-5.13)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The method for extracting and preparing indoor and outdoor air samples for analysis of polar persistent organic pollutants is summarized in this SOP. It covers the preparation of samples that are to be analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

  10. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR SHIPPING AND STORING DATA COLLECTION FORMS (SOP-3.12)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP describes the method for shipping and storing data collection forms. All data collection forms will be processed in the Battelle North Carolina (NC) office. The Ohio field staff will ship the completed data collection forms to the Battelle NC office.

  11. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR SETTING UP A HOUSEHOLD SAMPLING SCHEDULE (SOP-2.10)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP describes the method for scheduling study subjects for field sampling activities in North Carolina (NC) and Ohio (OH). There are three field sampling teams with two staff members on each team. Two field sampling teams collect the field data simultaneously. A third fiel...

  12. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR EXTRACTING AND PREPARING DRINKING WATER SAMPLES FOR ANALYSIS OF PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (SOP 5.23)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The method for extracting and preparing a drinking water sample for analysis of atrazine is summarized in this SOP. It covers the extraction and concentration of samples that are to be analyzed by gas chromatography/ mass spectrometry.

  13. NHEXAS PHASE I MARYLAND STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR TRAINING OF FIELD TECHNICIANS (G07)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the method used for training field technicians. The SOP outlines the responsibilities of the Field Technician (FT) and the Field Coordination Center Supervisor (FCC-S) before, during, and after sampling at residences, and the training syste...

  14. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR VIDEOTAPING CHILD ACTIVITIES (SOP-2.23)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP describes the method for videotaping a preschool child at a home. The CTEPP main study will collect multimedia samples and questionnaire data at the homes of participants (adults and children) during 48-hr sampling periods. Videotaping the activities of 10% of these chi...

  15. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION OF PERSONAL INTERVIEW DATA (SOP-2.21)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP describes the general method for collecting personal interview data from the child's parent (and the day care center staff, if applicable). Study participants, both parents and day care center teachers, will be interviewed by the project staff at a scheduled appointment ...

  16. The Development of Standard Operating Procedures for Social Mobilization and Community Engagement in Sierra Leone During the West Africa Ebola Outbreak of 2014-2015.

    PubMed

    Pedi, Danielle; Gillespie, Amaya; Bedson, Jamie; Jalloh, Mohamed F; Jalloh, Mohammad B; Kamara, Alusine; Bertram, Kathryn; Owen, Katharine; Jalloh, Mohamed A; Conte, Lansana

    2017-01-01

    This article describes the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for social mobilization and community engagement (SM/CE) in Sierra Leone during the Ebola outbreak of 2014-2015. It aims to (a) explain the rationale for a standardized approach, (b) describe the methodology used to develop the resulting SOPs, and (c) discuss the implications of the SOPs for future outbreak responses. Mixed methodologies were applied, including analysis of data on Ebola-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices; consultation through a national forum; and a series of workshops with more than 250 participants active in SM/CE in seven districts with recent confirmed cases. Specific challenges, best practices, and operational models were identified in relation to (a) the quality of SM/CE approaches; (b) coordination and operational structures; and (c) integration with Ebola services, including case management, burials, quarantine, and surveillance. This information was synthesized and codified into the SOPs, which include principles, roles, and actions for partners engaging in SM/CE as part of the Ebola response. This experience points to the need for a set of global principles and standards for meaningful SM/CE that can be rapidly adapted as a high-priority response component at the outset of future health and humanitarian crises.

  17. The Introduction of Standard Operating Procedures to Improve Burn Care in the United Kingdom.

    PubMed

    Lymperopoulos, Nikolaos Spyros; Jeevan, Ranjeet; Godwin, Lindsey; Wilkinson, Donnas; Shokrollahi, Kayvan; James, Malcolm Ian

    2015-01-01

    United Kingdom (UK) burn units face substantial new obstacles in delivering high quality care because of the advent of full-shift working patterns, cross-specialty cover arrangements, and increased trainee turnover. Junior trainees rely heavily on senior colleagues, who may not be readily accessible. The authors therefore proposed the introduction of standard operating procedures (SOPs), detailed written instructions used to achieve uniformity in performance and to improve outcomes. After undertaking a preliminary strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis of their use locally and nationally, the authors set out to systematically develop burn-specific SOPs. The authors first mapped our existing local SOPs to the newly introduced UK national burn care pathway to specify gaps in coverage. The authors then administered a questionnaire to other UK burn units to identify SOPs already used elsewhere. Finally, the authors developed and piloted a robust pathway for the development, introduction, and auditing of new SOPs. The strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analysis identified significant benefits and minimal risks. The mapping exercise identified specific deficiencies in our coverage of the national pathway. All 26 UK burn units responded to our questionnaire; only 12 had one or more SOPs (mean, 2.1). These covered initial assessment, inhalational injuries, drug prescribing, wound care, and gastric protection; none were audited. Locally, the authors have begun to develop the additional SOPs required. SOPs have not been instituted widely in the UK, despite the shift toward a standardized national care pathway and their association with improved outcomes. The authors hope that the systematic approach to their development and implementation demonstrates the feasibility of their wider use within UK regional burn centers and beyond.

  18. Use and implementation of standard operating procedures and checklists in prehospital emergency medicine: a literature review.

    PubMed

    Chen, Chulin; Kan, Ting; Li, Shuang; Qiu, Chen; Gui, Li

    2016-12-01

    This review aimed to analyze published literature to introduce the use and implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and checklists in prehospital emergency medicine and their impact on guideline adherence and patient outcome. An English literature search was carried out using the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Springer, Elsevier, and ProQuest databases. Original articles describing the use and implementation of SOPs or checklists in prehospital emergency medicine were included. Editorials, comments, letters, bulletins, news articles, conference abstracts, and notes were excluded from the analysis. Relevant information was extracted relating to application areas, development of SOPs/checklists, educational preparation and training regarding SOPs/checklists implementation, staff attitudes and the effects of SOPs/checklists use on guideline adherence and patient outcomes. The literature search found 2187 potentially relevant articles, which were narrowed down following an abstract review and a full text review. A final total of 13 studies were identified that described the use and implementation of SOPs (9 studies) and checklists (4 studies) in different areas of prehospital emergency medicine including prehospital management of patients with acute exacerbated chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute coronary syndrome, prehospital airway management, medical documentation, Emergency Medical Services triage, and transportation of patients. The use and implementation of SOPs and checklists in prehospital emergency medicine have shown some benefits of improving guidelines adherence and patient outcomes in airway management, patient records, identification and triage, and other prehospital interventions. More research in this area is necessary to optimize the future use and implementation of SOPs and checklists to improve emergency personnel performance and patient outcomes. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CALIBRATION, MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION OF ELECTRONIC BALANCES (BCO-L-23.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the general procedures to be followed for the operation, calibration and maintenance of electronic balances. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: ...

  20. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR HANDLING SAMPLE AND DATA CUSTODY (SOP-2.26)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP describes the method for handling sample custody. A standardized Chain-of-Custody (CoC) Record is used to document the sample/data custody. Each participant is assigned one CoC Record for the samples/data collected at their home and/or day care center.

  1. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR EXTRACTING AND PREPARING SOLID FOOD SAMPLES FOR ANALYSIS OF POLAR ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (SOP-5.28)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP describes the extraction and preparation of a solid food sample for analysis of acidic persistent organic pollutants such as acid herbicides, pentachlorphenol, and 3,5,6-trichloro-2-phenol. It covers the extraction, concentration and derivatization of samples that are to...

  2. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR EXTRACTING AND PREPARING DUST AND SOIL SAMPLES FOR ANALYSIS OF NEUTRAL PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (SOP-5.14)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP summarizes the method for extracting and preparing a dust or soil sample for analysis of neutral persistent organic pollutants. It covers the extraction and concentration of samples that are to be analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

  3. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR EXTRACTING AND PREPARING DERMAL WIPE SAMPLES FOR ANALYSIS OF NEUTRAL PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (SOP-5.16)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The method for extracting and preparing a dermal (hand) wipe sample for analysis of neutral persistent organic pollutants is summarized in this SOP. It covers the extraction and concentration of samples that are to be analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

  4. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR MAINTAINING AND RECORDING ELECTRONIC CHAIN-OF-CUSTODY (SOP-4.11)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The method for maintaining and recording electronic Chain-of-Custody (CoC) Records for CTEPP samples is summarized in this SOP. The CoC Records that will be logged electronically include the creation of a sample's identification code, bar code labels, and hard-copy CoC document...

  5. Standard Operating Procedure for the Preparation of Lead-Containing Paint Films and Lead-in-Paint Diagnostic Test Materials

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP describes the preparation of stand-alone, lead paint films, prepared according to the old paint recipes. Further, this SOP describes the use of these paint films for the preparation of simulated old paints on a variety of substrates. Substrates used included wood, stee...

  6. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR HANDLING MISSING SAMPLES AND DATA (SOP-2.24)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP describes the method for handling missing samples or data. Missing samples or data will be identified as soon as possible during field sampling. It provides guidance to collect the missing sample or data and document the reason for the missing sample or data.

  7. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR PREPARATION OF SURROGATE RECOVERY STANDARD AND INTERNAL STANDARD SOLUTIONS FOR POLAR TARGET ANALYTES (SOP-5.26)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP describes the method used for preparing surrogate recovery standard and internal standard solutions for the analysis of polar target analytes. It also describes the method for preparing calibration standard solutions for polar analytes used for gas chromatography/mass sp...

  8. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR ANALYSIS OF ACTIVE VOC SAMPLES (BCO-L-19.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This abstract is included for completeness of documentation. The technique described in the SOP title was planned in writing the QSIP. It was subsequently not used, and the SOP was not written.

    The National Human Exposure Assessment Survey (NHEXAS) is a federal interagency r...

  9. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR EXTRACTING AND PREPARING LIQUID FOOD SAMPLES FOR ANALYSIS OF POLAR ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (SOP-5.29)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP describes the extraction and preparation of a liquid food sample for analysis of acidic persistent organic pollutants such as acid herbicides, pentachlorphenol, and 3,5,6-trichloro-2-phenol. It covers the extraction, concentration and derivatization of samples that are t...

  10. Qualitative research within trials: developing a standard operating procedure for a clinical trials unit

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    Background Qualitative research methods are increasingly used within clinical trials to address broader research questions than can be addressed by quantitative methods alone. These methods enable health professionals, service users, and other stakeholders to contribute their views and experiences to evaluation of healthcare treatments, interventions, or policies, and influence the design of trials. Qualitative data often contribute information that is better able to reform policy or influence design. Methods Health services researchers, including trialists, clinicians, and qualitative researchers, worked collaboratively to develop a comprehensive portfolio of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the West Wales Organisation for Rigorous Trials in Health (WWORTH), a clinical trials unit (CTU) at Swansea University, which has recently achieved registration with the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC). Although the UKCRC requires a total of 25 SOPs from registered CTUs, WWORTH chose to add an additional qualitative-methods SOP (QM-SOP). Results The qualitative methods SOP (QM-SOP) defines good practice in designing and implementing qualitative components of trials, while allowing flexibility of approach and method. Its basic principles are that: qualitative researchers should be contributors from the start of trials with qualitative potential; the qualitative component should have clear aims; and the main study publication should report on the qualitative component. Conclusions We recommend that CTUs consider developing a QM-SOP to enhance the conduct of quantitative trials by adding qualitative data and analysis. We judge that this improves the value of quantitative trials, and contributes to the future development of multi-method trials. PMID:23433341

  11. In the wake of suicide: Developing guidelines for suicide postvention in fire service

    PubMed Central

    Gulliver, Suzy Bird; Pennington, Michelle L.; Leto, Frank; Cammarata, Claire; Ostiguy, William; Zavodny, Cynthia; Flynn, Elisa J.; Kimbrel, Nathan A.

    2016-01-01

    ABSTRACT This project aimed to develop a standard operating procedure (SOP) for suicide postvention in Fire Service. First, an existing SOP was refined through expert review. Next, focus groups were conducted with fire departments lacking a peer suicide postvention SOP; feedback obtained guided revisions. The current article describes the iterative process used to evaluate and revise a Suicide Postvention SOP into a Postvention guideline that is available for implementation and evaluation. Postventions assist survivors in grief and bereavement and attempt to prevent additional negative outcomes. The implementation of suicide postvention guidelines will increase behavioral wellness within Fire Service. PMID:26332212

  12. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR OPERATION AND INITIALIZATION OF THE MAGELLAN GPS SATELLITE NAVIGATOR (UA-F-22.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the general procedures for the operation and initialization of the Magellan Global Positioning System (GPS) Satellite Navigator. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Borde...

  13. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR OPERATION, CALIBRATION AND MAINTENANCE OF FIXED AND ADJUSTABLE VOLUME PIPETTE GUNS (BCO-L-9.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the general procedures for the operation, calibration, and maintenance of fixed- and adjustable-volume pipette guns. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Ke...

  14. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR OPERATION AND INITIALIZATION OF THE MAGELLAN GPS SATELLITE NAVIGATOR (UA-F-22.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the general procedures for the operation and initialization of the Magellan Global Positioning System (GPS) Satellite Navigator. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Bord...

  15. PFGE standard operating procedures for Listeria monocytogenes: harmonizing the typing of food and clinical strains in Europe.

    PubMed

    Michelon, Damien; Félix, Benjamin; Vingadassalon, Noemie; Mariet, Jean-François; Larsson, Jonas T; Møller-Nielsen, Eva; Roussel, Sophie

    2015-03-01

    Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen responsible for a severe disease known as listeriosis. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) coordinates a network of national public health laboratories (NPHLs) in charge of typing clinical strains. In food, it is the European Union Reference Laboratory for L. monocytogenes (EURL Lm), which manages a network of National Reference Laboratories (NRLs). A pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) standard operating procedure (EURL SOP) has been used routinely at the EURL Lm since 2007. The EURL Lm has recommended that NRLs use the EURL SOP, whereas the Statens Serum Institut (SSI), under contract for ECDC, requested that NPHLs use Halpins' SOP (HSOP) published in 2010 for the PulseNet USA network. An update of Halpins' SOP (uHSOP) was published in 2013. To facilitate the exchange of profiles among human and food European reference laboratories, it is crucial to ensure that the PFGE profiles obtained with these different SOPs are comparable. The aim here was to compare the EURL SOP with HSOP and uHSOP. The panel comprised 114 well-characterized SSI/EURL strains. All were characterized at the EURL using both the EURL SOP and uHSOP. Seventy of the 114 strains were also characterized at the SSI using HSOP. The EURL SOP and uHSOP produced indistinguishable combined (ApaI/AscI) profiles for the 114 strains tested. The EURL SOP and HSOP produced indistinguishable combined profiles for 69 of the 70 strains tested. One strain displayed for the AscI profile an additional low-intensity band at 184 kbp with HSOP. For this strain, SSI and EUR Lm had already observed the same profile from NPHLs and NRLs. However, this deviation is minor as it accounted for about 1% of all the 114 combined profiles. This study should facilitate the exchange of reproducible PFGE profiles among human and food reference laboratories.

  16. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR EXTRACTING AND PREPARING DUST AND SOIL SAMPLES FOR ANALYSIS OF POLAR PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (SOP-5.15)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The method for extracting and preparing a dust or soil sample for analysis of polar persistent organic pollutants is summarized in this SOP. It covers the extraction, concentration, and derivatization of samples that are to be analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

  17. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR EXTRACTING AND PREPARING URINE SAMPLES FOR ANALYSIS OF HYDROXY POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS, PENTACHLOROPHENOL AND 2,4-D (SOP-5.21)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The method for extracting and preparing urine samples for analysis of hydroxy-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pentachlorophenol and 2,4-D is summarized in this SOP. It covers the extraction, concentration and methylation of samples that are to be analyzed by gas chromatography/...

  18. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR EXTRACTING AND PREPARING SURFACE WIPE FOR ANALYSIS OF NEUTRAL PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (SOP-5.17)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP summarizes the method for extracting and preparing a hard floor surface wipe or food preparation surface wipe sample for analysis of neutral persistent organic. It covers the extraction and concentration of samples that are to be analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spect...

  19. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR ANALYSIS OF PESTICIDE SAMPLES BY GC/ECD (BCO-L-24.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the methods used for detection and quantification by gas chromatography electron capture detector (GC/ECD) of pesticides in a variety of matrices, including air, house dust, soil, handwipes, and surface wipes. Other SOP's detail the extract...

  20. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR PREPARATION OF DERMAL WASH FOR PESTICIDES AND METALS (BCO-L-20.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This abstract is included for completeness of documentation. The technique described in the SOP title was planned in writing the QSIP. It was subsequently not used, and the SOP was not written.

    The National Human Exposure Assessment Survey (NHEXAS) is a federal interagency r...

  1. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION OF FOOD PREPARATION SURFACE WIPE SAMPLES FOR PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (SOP-2.17)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP describes the method for collection of the food preparation surface wipe samples for the measurement of persistent organic pollutants (POP). This method uses a wipe to collect POP residues from a surface where a study participant prepares food the most often (i.e., kitch...

  2. Philosophy, policies, and procedures - The three P's of flight-deck operations

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Degani, Asaf; Wiener, Earl L.

    1991-01-01

    Standard operating procedures are drafted and provided to flightcrews to dictate the manner in which tasks are carried out. Failure to conform to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) is frequently listed as the cause of violations, incidents, and accidents. However, procedures are often designed piecemeal, rather than being based on a sound philosophy of operations and policies that follow from such a philosophy. A framework of philosophy, policies, and procedures is proposed.

  3. Standard operating procedures improve acute neurologic care in a sub-Saharan African setting.

    PubMed

    Jaiteh, Lamin E S; Helwig, Stefan A; Jagne, Abubacarr; Ragoschke-Schumm, Andreas; Sarr, Catherine; Walter, Silke; Lesmeister, Martin; Manitz, Matthias; Blaß, Sebastian; Weis, Sarah; Schlund, Verena; Bah, Neneh; Kauffmann, Jil; Fousse, Mathias; Kangankan, Sabina; Ramos Cabrera, Asmell; Kronfeld, Kai; Ruckes, Christian; Liu, Yang; Nyan, Ousman; Fassbender, Klaus

    2017-07-11

    Quality of neurologic emergency management in an under-resourced country may be improved by standard operating procedures (SOPs). Neurologic SOPs were implemented in a large urban (Banjul) and a small rural (Brikama) hospital in the Gambia. As quality indicators of neurologic emergency management, performance of key procedures was assessed at baseline and in the first and second implementation years. At Banjul, 100 patients of the first-year intervention group exhibited higher rates of general procedures of emergency management than 105 control patients, such as neurologic examination (99.0% vs 91.4%; p < 0.05) and assessments of respiratory rate (98.0% vs 81.9%, p < 0.001), temperature (60.0% vs 36.2%; p < 0.001), and glucose levels (73.0% vs 58.1%; p < 0.05), in addition to written directives by physicians (96.0% vs 88.6%, p < 0.05), whereas assessments of other vital signs remained unchanged. In stroke patients, rates of stroke-related procedures increased: early CT scanning (24.3% vs 9.9%; p < 0.05), blood count (73.0% vs 49.3%; p < 0.01), renal and liver function tests (50.0% vs 5.6%, p < 0.001), aspirin prophylaxis (47.3% vs 9.9%; p < 0.001), and physiotherapy (41.9% vs 4.2%; p < 0.001). Most effects persisted until the second-year evaluation. SOP implementation was similarly feasible and beneficial at the Brikama hospital. However, outcomes did not significantly differ in the hospitals. Implementing SOPs is a realistic, low-cost option for improving process quality of neurologic emergency management in under-resourced settings. This study provides Class IV evidence that, for patients with suspected neurologic emergencies in sub-Saharan Africa, neurologic SOPs increase the rate of performance of guideline-recommended procedures. Copyright © 2017 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the American Academy of Neurology.

  4. US EPA Base Study Standard Operating Procedure for Data Processing and Data Management

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    The purpose of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for data management and data processing is to facilitate consistent documentation and completion of data processing duties and management responsibilities in order to maintain a high standard of data quality.

  5. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR PREPARATION OF SURROGATE RECOVERY STANDARD AND INTERNAL STANDARD SOLUTIONS FOR NEUTRAL TARGET ANALYTES (SOP-5.25)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This standard operating procedure describes the method used for preparing internal standard, surrogate recovery standard and calibration standard solutions for neutral analytes used for gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analysis.

  6. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR DETECTION AND QUANTIFICATION OF TARGET ANALYTES BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY/MASS SPECTROMETRY (GC/MS) (SOP-5.24)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This standard operating procedure describes the method used for the determination of target analytes in sample extracts and related quality assurance/quality control sample extracts generated in the CTEPP study.

  7. Chapter 1. Introduction. Recommendations and standard operating procedures for intensive care unit and hospital preparations for an influenza epidemic or mass disaster.

    PubMed

    Sprung, Charles L; Cohen, Robert; Adini, Bruria

    2010-04-01

    In December 2007, the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine established a Task Force to develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for operating intensive care units (ICU) during an influenza epidemic or mass disaster. To provide direction for health care professionals in the preparation and management of emergency ICU situations during an influenza epidemic or mass disaster, standardize activities, and promote coordination and communication among the medical teams. Based on a literature review and contributions of content experts, a list of essential categories for managing emergency situations in the ICU were identified. Based on three cycles of a modified Delphi process, consensus was achieved regarding the categories. A primary author along with an expert group drafted SOPs for each category. Based on the Delphi cycles, the following key topics were found to be important for emergency preparedness: triage, infrastructure, essential equipment, manpower, protection of staff and patients, medical procedures, hospital policy, coordination and collaboration with interface units, registration and reporting, administrative policies and education. The draft SOPs serve as benchmarks for emergency preparedness and response of ICUs to emergencies or outbreak of pandemics.

  8. 13 CFR 120.711 - What rules govern Intermediaries?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... Microloan Program § 120.711 What rules govern Intermediaries? Intermediaries must operate in accordance with applicable statutes, regulations, policy notices, SBA's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and the...

  9. 13 CFR 120.711 - What rules govern Intermediaries?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... Microloan Program § 120.711 What rules govern Intermediaries? Intermediaries must operate in accordance with applicable statutes, regulations, policy notices, SBA's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and the...

  10. 13 CFR 120.711 - What rules govern Intermediaries?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... Microloan Program § 120.711 What rules govern Intermediaries? Intermediaries must operate in accordance with applicable statutes, regulations, policy notices, SBA's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and the...

  11. 13 CFR 120.711 - What rules govern Intermediaries?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Microloan Program § 120.711 What rules govern Intermediaries? Intermediaries must operate in accordance with applicable statutes, regulations, policy notices, SBA's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and the...

  12. 13 CFR 120.711 - What rules govern Intermediaries?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... Microloan Program § 120.711 What rules govern Intermediaries? Intermediaries must operate in accordance with applicable statutes, regulations, policy notices, SBA's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and the...

  13. Small is beautiful: demystifying and simplifying standard operating procedures: a model from the ethics review and consultancy committee of the Cameroon Bioethics Initiative.

    PubMed

    Ouwe Missi Oukem-Boyer, Odile; Munung, Nchangwi Syntia; Tangwa, Godfrey B

    2016-05-13

    Research ethics review is a critical aspect of the research governance framework for human subjects research. This usually requires that research protocols be submitted to a research ethics committee (REC) for review and approval. This has led to very rapid developments in the domain of research ethics, as RECs proliferate all over the globe in rhyme with the explosion in human subjects research. The work of RECs has increasingly become elaborate, complex, and in many cases urgent, necessitating supporting rules and procedures of operation. Guidelines for elaborating standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the functioning of RECs have also been proposed. The SOPs of well-placed and well-resourced RECs have tended to pay much attention to details, resulting, as a consequence, in generally long, elaborate, intricate and complex SOPs; a model that can hardly be replicated by other committees, equally under ethics review pressures, but working under much more constraining conditions in resource-destitute environments. In this paper, we looked at the content and length of SOPs from African RECs and compared them to the World Health Organization (WHO)'s guidelines as the gold standard. We also looked at the SOPs from the Ethics Review and Consultancy Committee (ERCC) of the Cameroon Bioethics Initiative that we elaborated in a simplified way in 2013, and compared them to the WHO's guidelines and to the other SOPs. Sixteen SOPs from 14 African countries were collected from various sources. Their average length was of 30 pages. By comparison to the guidance of the WHO, only six of them were found acceptable with more than 70 % of the criteria from the gold standard that were fully described. Among those six, two of them were very long and detailed (65 and 102 pages), while the four remaining SOPs ranged from 16 to 24 pages. The ERCC SOPs are seven pages long but maintain all that is of essence for the rigorous, efficient and timely review of protocols. We are convinced that, because of their brevity, simplicity, clarity and user-friendliness, the ERCC SOPs recommend themselves as a model template to, at least, committees similarly situated and/or circumstanced as the ERCC of the Cameroon Bioethics Initiative is. In fact, brevity, clarity, simplicity and user-friendliness are recognized values. Whatever is brief and clear is better than what is not and saves time. What is simple and user-friendly is better than what is not even though the two have the same aims because it saves both time and mental energy. And if this be true in general, it is even truer of the context and its peculiar constraints that we are addressing.

  14. Effectiveness of facilitated introduction of a standard operating procedure into routine processes in the operating theatre: a controlled interrupted time series.

    PubMed

    Morgan, Lauren; New, Steve; Robertson, Eleanor; Collins, Gary; Rivero-Arias, Oliver; Catchpole, Ken; Pickering, Sharon P; Hadi, Mohammed; Griffin, Damian; McCulloch, Peter

    2015-02-01

    Standard operating procedures (SOPs) should improve safety in the operating theatre, but controlled studies evaluating the effect of staff-led implementation are needed. In a controlled interrupted time series, we evaluated three team process measures (compliance with WHO surgical safety checklist, non-technical skills and technical performance) and three clinical outcome measures (length of hospital stay, complications and readmissions) before and after a 3-month staff-led development of SOPs. Process measures were evaluated by direct observation, using Oxford Non-Technical Skills II for non-technical skills and the 'glitch count' for technical performance. All staff in two orthopaedic operating theatres were trained in the principles of SOPs and then assisted to develop standardised procedures. Staff in a control operating theatre underwent the same observations but received no training. The change in difference between active and control groups was compared before and after the intervention using repeated measures analysis of variance. We observed 50 operations before and 55 after the intervention and analysed clinical data on 1022 and 861 operations, respectively. The staff chose to structure their efforts around revising the 'whiteboard' which documented and prompted tasks, rather than directly addressing specific task problems. Although staff preferred and sustained the new system, we found no significant differences in process or outcome measures before/after intervention in the active versus the control group. There was a secular trend towards worse outcomes in the postintervention period, seen in both active and control theatres. SOPs when developed and introduced by frontline staff do not necessarily improve operative processes or outcomes. The inherent tension in improvement work between giving staff ownership of improvement and maintaining control of direction needs to be managed, to ensure staff are engaged but invest energy in appropriate change. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

  15. Development of a standard operating procedure for analysis of ammonia concentrations in coal fly ash.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2015-04-01

    Research was performed to support the development and recommendation of a standard operating : procedure (SOP) for analyzing the ammonia content in fly ash intended for use in concrete. A review : of existing ash producers found that several differen...

  16. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR OPERATION, CALIBRATION AND MAINTENANCE OF FIXED AND ADJUSTABLE VOLUME PIPETTE GUNS (BCO-L-9.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the general procedures for the operation, calibration, and maintenance of fixed- and adjustable-volume pipette guns. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keyw...

  17. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR OPERATION, CALIBRATION AND ROUTINE USE OF THE SPECTRACE 9000 FIELD PORTABLE X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYZER (UA-L-10.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures for operating and calibrating the Spectrace 9000 field portable X-ray fluorescence analyzer. This procedure applies to the determination of metal concentrations in samples during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" st...

  18. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR OPERATION, CALIBRATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE PERKIN-ELMER 1100B ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROMETER (BCO-L-5.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to outline the start-up, calibration, operation, and maintenance procedures for the Perkin-Elmer 5100 PC Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (PE 5100). These procedures are used for the determination of the target trace metal, as in soil, house dust, f...

  19. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION OF FLOOR DUST SAMPLES FOR PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (SOP-2.19)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP describes the method for collecting a floor dust sample from carpet. Dust samples will be collected in the room that the child uses most at home and/or at day care using a High Volume Small Surface Sampler (HVS3). In addition, participants will also be asked to donate a ...

  20. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION OF SOIL SAMPLES FOR PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (SOP-2.20)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP describes the method for collecting soil samples from the child's outdoor play area to measure for persistent organic pollutants. Soil samples are collected by scraping up the top 0.5 cm of soil in a 0.095 m2 (1 ft2) area in the middle of the child's play area.

  1. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CALIBRATION AND OPERATION OF BALANCES (UA-L-1.2)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures used when calibrating and operating balances during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: lab; equipment; balances.

    The National Human Exposure Assessment Survey (NHEXAS) is a federal interagency rese...

  2. Benchmarking Outcomes in the Critically Injured Trauma Patient and the Effect of Implementing Standard Operating Procedures

    PubMed Central

    Cuschieri, Joseph; Johnson, Jeffrey L.; Sperry, Jason; West, Michael A.; Moore, Ernest E.; Minei, Joseph P.; Bankey, Paul E.; Nathens, Avery B.; Cuenca, Alex G.; Efron, Philip A.; Hennessy, Laura; Xiao, Wenzhong; Mindrinos, Michael N.; McDonald-Smith, Grace P.; Mason, Philip H.; Billiar, Timothy R.; Schoenfeld, David A.; Warren, H. Shaw; Cobb, J. Perren; Moldawer, Lyle L.; Davis, Ronald W.; Maier, Ronald V.; Tompkins, Ronald G.

    2012-01-01

    Objective To determine and compare outcomes with accepted benchmarks in trauma care at seven academic Level I trauma centers in which patients were treated based on a series of standard operating procedures (SOPs). Background Injury remains the leading cause of death for those under 45 years of age. We describe the baseline patient characteristics and well-defined outcomes of persons hospitalized in the United States for severe blunt trauma. Methods We followed 1,637 trauma patients from 2003–2009 up to 28 hospital days using SOPs developed at the onset of the study. An extensive database on patient and injury characteristics, clinical treatment, and outcomes was created. These data were compared with existing trauma benchmarks. Results The study patients were critically injured and in shock. SOP compliance improved 10–40% during the study period. Multiple organ failure and mortality rates were 34.8% and 16.7% respectively. Time to recovery, defined as the time until the patient was free of organ failure for at least two consecutive days, was developed as a new outcome measure. There was a reduction in mortality rate in the cohort during the study that cannot be explained by changes in the patient population. Conclusions This study provides the current benchmark and the overall positive effect of implementing SOPs for severely injured patients. Over the course of the study, there were improvements in morbidity and mortality and increasing compliance with SOPs. Mortality was surprisingly low, given the degree of injury, and improved over the duration of the study, which correlated with improved SOP compliance. PMID:22470077

  3. Benchmarking outcomes in the critically injured trauma patient and the effect of implementing standard operating procedures.

    PubMed

    Cuschieri, Joseph; Johnson, Jeffrey L; Sperry, Jason; West, Michael A; Moore, Ernest E; Minei, Joseph P; Bankey, Paul E; Nathens, Avery B; Cuenca, Alex G; Efron, Philip A; Hennessy, Laura; Xiao, Wenzhong; Mindrinos, Michael N; McDonald-Smith, Grace P; Mason, Philip H; Billiar, Timothy R; Schoenfeld, David A; Warren, H Shaw; Cobb, J Perren; Moldawer, Lyle L; Davis, Ronald W; Maier, Ronald V; Tompkins, Ronald G

    2012-05-01

    To determine and compare outcomes with accepted benchmarks in trauma care at 7 academic level I trauma centers in which patients were treated on the basis of a series of standard operating procedures (SOPs). Injury remains the leading cause of death for those younger than 45 years. This study describes the baseline patient characteristics and well-defined outcomes of persons hospitalized in the United States for severe blunt trauma. We followed 1637 trauma patients from 2003 to 2009 up to 28 hospital days using SOPs developed at the onset of the study. An extensive database on patient and injury characteristics, clinical treatment, and outcomes was created. These data were compared with existing trauma benchmarks. The study patients were critically injured and were in shock. SOP compliance improved 10% to 40% during the study period. Multiple organ failure and mortality rates were 34.8% and 16.7%, respectively. Time to recovery, defined as the time until the patient was free of organ failure for at least 2 consecutive days, was developed as a new outcome measure. There was a reduction in mortality rate in the cohort during the study that cannot be explained by changes in the patient population. This study provides the current benchmark and the overall positive effect of implementing SOPs for severely injured patients. Over the course of the study, there were improvements in morbidity and mortality rates and increasing compliance with SOPs. Mortality was surprisingly low, given the degree of injury, and improved over the duration of the study, which correlated with improved SOP compliance.

  4. 19 CFR 122.173 - Application procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... that it has developed and will continue to maintain standard operating procedures (SOP) which are... 19 Customs Duties 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Application procedures. 122.173 Section 122.173... TREASURY AIR COMMERCE REGULATIONS Air Carrier Smuggling Prevention Program § 122.173 Application procedures...

  5. 19 CFR 122.173 - Application procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... that it has developed and will continue to maintain standard operating procedures (SOP) which are... 19 Customs Duties 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Application procedures. 122.173 Section 122.173... TREASURY AIR COMMERCE REGULATIONS Air Carrier Smuggling Prevention Program § 122.173 Application procedures...

  6. 19 CFR 122.173 - Application procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-04-01

    ... that it has developed and will continue to maintain standard operating procedures (SOP) which are... 19 Customs Duties 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Application procedures. 122.173 Section 122.173... TREASURY AIR COMMERCE REGULATIONS Air Carrier Smuggling Prevention Program § 122.173 Application procedures...

  7. 19 CFR 122.173 - Application procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... that it has developed and will continue to maintain standard operating procedures (SOP) which are... 19 Customs Duties 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Application procedures. 122.173 Section 122.173... TREASURY AIR COMMERCE REGULATIONS Air Carrier Smuggling Prevention Program § 122.173 Application procedures...

  8. 19 CFR 122.173 - Application procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... that it has developed and will continue to maintain standard operating procedures (SOP) which are... 19 Customs Duties 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Application procedures. 122.173 Section 122.173... TREASURY AIR COMMERCE REGULATIONS Air Carrier Smuggling Prevention Program § 122.173 Application procedures...

  9. 21 CFR Appendix E to Subpart A of... - Elements To Be Considered in Developing a Two-Way Alert System

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... what circumstances an alert is required —Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) —Mechanism of health... mechanisms 3. Enforcement Procedures —Followup mechanisms —Corrective action procedures 4. Quality Assurance...

  10. 21 CFR Appendix E to Subpart A of... - Elements To Be Considered in Developing a Two-Way Alert System

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... what circumstances an alert is required —Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) —Mechanism of health... mechanisms 3. Enforcement Procedures —Followup mechanisms —Corrective action procedures 4. Quality Assurance...

  11. 21 CFR Appendix E to Subpart A of... - Elements To Be Considered in Developing a Two-Way Alert System

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... what circumstances an alert is required —Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) —Mechanism of health... mechanisms 3. Enforcement Procedures —Followup mechanisms —Corrective action procedures 4. Quality Assurance...

  12. 21 CFR Appendix E to Subpart A of... - Elements To Be Considered in Developing a Two-Way Alert System

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... what circumstances an alert is required —Standard Operating Procedures (SOP's) —Mechanism of health... mechanisms 3. Enforcement Procedures —Followup mechanisms —Corrective action procedures 4. Quality Assurance...

  13. Standard Operating Procedure for the Grinding and Extraction of Lead in Paint using Nitric Acid and a Rotor/Stator System Powered by a High Speed Motor

    EPA Science Inventory

    This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) describes a new, rapid, and relatively inexpensive one step procedure which grinds the paint samples removed from the substrate and simultaneously quantitatively extracts the Pb from the paint in only one step in preparation for quantitativ...

  14. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR OPERATION, CALIBRATION, AND ROUTINE USE OF THE SPECTRACE 9000 FIELD PORTABLE X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYZER (UA-L-10.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures for operating and calibrating the Spectrace 9000 field portable X-ray fluorescence analyzer. This procedure applies to the determination of metal concentrations in samples during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border stud...

  15. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE ECOCHEM REAL-TIME AMBIENT AIR PAH MONITOR (UA-F-24.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the general procedures to be followed for the operation and maintenance of the EcoChem real-time ambient air PAH monitor. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval of PAH measurements during the Arizona NHEXAS project ...

  16. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR OPERATION, CALIBRATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF THE PERKIN-ELMER 5100 PC ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROMETER (BCO-L-5.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to outline the start-up, calibration, operation, and maintenance procedures for the Perkin-Elmer 5100 PC Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (PE 5100). These procedures are used for the determination of the target trace metal, as in soil, house dust, f...

  17. 75 FR 57062 - Proposed Collection of Information; Comment Request

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-09-17

    ... procedures. The delegation includes specific terms and conditions and is subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the ``Standard Operating Procedures for Delegated Government-Owned Real Property'' ``SOP... Administration and Management (OASAM) operates the FPB under a 2003 delegation from GSA; the existing GSA-DOL...

  18. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION, STORAGE AND SHIPMENT OF DRINKING AND TAP WATER SAMPLES FOR VOCS (EPA METHOD 524.2) (UA-F-18.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the collection, storage, and shipment of tap and drinking water samples for analysis by EPA method 524.2 (revision 4.0) for the NHEXAS Arizona project. This SOP provides a brief description of the sample containers, collection, preservation...

  19. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CALIBRATION AND OPERATION OF NHEXAS BALANCES (UA-L-1.2)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures used when calibrating and operating balances during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: lab; equipment; balances.

    The U.S.-Mexico Border Program is sponsored by the Environmental Health Workgroup of t...

  20. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF COMPUTER EQUIPMENT FOR IIT NHEXAS (IIT-A-1.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures for using and maintaining the related microcomputer equipment at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)/NHEXAS site. These methods were used in all data operations and maintenance routines during the NHEXAS project and th...

  1. Workflow Optimization in Vertebrobasilar Occlusion

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kamper, Lars, E-mail: lars.kamper@helios-kliniken.de; Meyn, Hannes; Rybacki, Konrad

    2012-06-15

    Objective: In vertebrobasilar occlusion, rapid recanalization is the only substantial means to improve the prognosis. We introduced a standard operating procedure (SOP) for interventional therapy to analyze the effects on interdisciplinary time management. Methods: Intrahospital time periods between hospital admission and neuroradiological intervention were retrospectively analyzed, together with the patients' outcome, before (n = 18) and after (n = 20) implementation of the SOP. Results: After implementation of the SOP, we observed statistically significant improvement of postinterventional patient neurological status (p = 0.017). In addition, we found a decrease of 5:33 h for the mean time period from hospital admissionmore » until neuroradiological intervention. The recanalization rate increased from 72.2% to 80% after implementation of the SOP. Conclusion: Our results underscore the relevance of SOP implementation and analysis of time management for clinical workflow optimization. Both may trigger awareness for the need of efficient interdisciplinary time management. This could be an explanation for the decreased time periods and improved postinterventional patient status after SOP implementation.« less

  2. Recovery of CD45(-)/Lin(-)/SSEA-4(+) very small embryonic-like stem cells by cord blood bank standard operating procedures.

    PubMed

    Chang, Yu-Jen; Tien, Kuei-Erh; Wen, Cheng-Hao; Hsieh, Tzu-Bou; Hwang, Shiaw-Min

    2014-04-01

    Very small embryonic-like (VSEL) stem cells are a rare cell population present in bone marrow, cord blood and other tissues that displays a distinct small cell size and the ability to give rise to cells of the three germ layers. VSEL stem cells were reported to be discarded in the red blood cell fraction by Ficoll-Paque density gradient centrifugation during the processing of bone marrow and cord blood specimens. However, most cord blood banks do not include density gradient centrifugation in their procedures while red blood cells are removed by Hespan sedimentation following the Cord Blood Transplantation Study cord blood bank standard operating procedures (COBLT SOP). To clarify the retention of VSEL stem cells, we investigated the recovery of VSEL stem cells following COBLT SOP guidelines. The recovery of CD45(-)/Lin(-)/SSEA-4(+) VSEL stem cells of umbilical cord blood was examined by flow cytometry before and after COBLT SOP processing, and relative expression of pluripotent genes was analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. CD45(-)/Lin(-)/SSEA-4(+) VSEL stem cells were mostly recovered in the final products following COBLT SOP guidelines. The expression of pluripotent genes could be maintained at >80% in products after hetastarch (Hespan; B. Braun Medical Inc., Irvine, CA, USA) processing. The rare sub-population of CD45(-)/Lin(-)/SSEA-4(+) VSEL stem cells survived after Hespan sedimentation. This finding suggests that umbilical cord blood units cryopreserved by COBLT SOP in cord blood banks should retain most VSEL stem cells present in the un-processed specimens. Copyright © 2014 International Society for Cellular Therapy. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  3. 21 CFR 123.11 - Sanitation control procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-04-01

    ... procedures. (a) Sanitation SOP. Each processor should have and implement a written sanitation standard operating procedure (herein referred to as SSOP) or similar document that is specific to each location where... 21 Food and Drugs 2 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Sanitation control procedures. 123.11 Section 123...

  4. 21 CFR 123.11 - Sanitation control procedures.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-04-01

    ... procedures. (a) Sanitation SOP. Each processor should have and implement a written sanitation standard operating procedure (herein referred to as SSOP) or similar document that is specific to each location where... 21 Food and Drugs 2 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Sanitation control procedures. 123.11 Section 123...

  5. Standard operating procedures for serum and plasma collection: early detection research network consensus statement standard operating procedure integration working group.

    PubMed

    Tuck, Melissa K; Chan, Daniel W; Chia, David; Godwin, Andrew K; Grizzle, William E; Krueger, Karl E; Rom, William; Sanda, Martin; Sorbara, Lynn; Stass, Sanford; Wang, Wendy; Brenner, Dean E

    2009-01-01

    Specimen collection is an integral component of clinical research. Specimens from subjects with various stages of cancers or other conditions, as well as those without disease, are critical tools in the hunt for biomarkers, predictors, or tests that will detect serious diseases earlier or more readily than currently possible. Analytic methodologies evolve quickly. Access to high-quality specimens, collected and handled in standardized ways that minimize potential bias or confounding factors, is key to the "bench to bedside" aim of translational research. It is essential that standard operating procedures, "the how" of creating the repositories, be defined prospectively when designing clinical trials. Small differences in the processing or handling of a specimen can have dramatic effects in analytical reliability and reproducibility, especially when multiplex methods are used. A representative working group, Standard Operating Procedures Internal Working Group (SOPIWG), comprised of members from across Early Detection Research Network (EDRN) was formed to develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for various types of specimens collected and managed for our biomarker discovery and validation work. This report presents our consensus on SOPs for the collection, processing, handling, and storage of serum and plasma for biomarker discovery and validation.

  6. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR OPERATION, CALIBRATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF THE THERMO JARRELL ASH ICAP 61-975 PLASMA ATOMCOMP EMISSION SPECTROMETER (BCO-L-8.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to detail the procedures for the start-up, operation, calibration, shut-down, and maintenance of the Thermo Jarrell Ash ICAP 61-975 Plasma AtomComp Emission Spectrometer. These procedures were used in determining the trace target metals Al, As, Ba, Cd,...

  7. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION, STORAGE, AND SHIPMENT OF DRINKING AND TAP WATER SAMPLES FOR VOCS (EPA METHOD 524.2) ANALYSIS (UA-F-18.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the collection, storage, and shipment of tap and drinking water samples for analysis by EPA method 524.2 (revision 4.0). This SOP provides a brief description of the sample containers, collection, preservation, storage, shipping, and custod...

  8. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION, STORAGE AND SHIPMENT OF DRINKING AND TAP WATER SAMPLES FOR TRACE METALS (EPA METHOD 200.8) (UA-F-16.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe how to collect, store, and ship tap and drinking water samples for analysis by EPA Method 200.8 (revision 4.4) for the NHEXAS Arizona project. This SOP provides a brief description of the sample containers, collection, preservation, storage...

  9. EANM Dosimetry Committee series on standard operational procedures for pre-therapeutic dosimetry II. Dosimetry prior to radioiodine therapy of benign thyroid diseases.

    PubMed

    Hänscheid, Heribert; Canzi, Cristina; Eschner, Wolfgang; Flux, Glenn; Luster, Markus; Strigari, Lidia; Lassmann, Michael

    2013-07-01

    The EANM Dosimetry Committee Series "Standard Operational Procedures for Pre-Therapeutic Dosimetry" (SOP) provides advice to scientists and clinicians on how to perform patient-specific absorbed dose assessments. This particular SOP describes how to tailor the therapeutic activity to be administered for radioiodine therapy of benign thyroid diseases such as Graves' disease or hyperthyroidism. Pretherapeutic dosimetry is based on the assessment of the individual (131)I kinetics in the target tissue after the administration of a tracer activity. The present SOP makes proposals on the equipment to be used and guides the user through the measurements. Time schedules for the measurement of the fractional (131)I uptake in the diseased tissue are recommended and it is shown how to calculate from these datasets the therapeutic activity necessary to administer a predefined target dose in the subsequent therapy. Potential sources of error are pointed out and the inherent uncertainties of the procedures depending on the number of measurements are discussed. The theoretical background and the derivation of the listed equations from compartment models of the iodine kinetics are explained in a supplementary file published online only.

  10. Standard Operating Procedure for Surface Paint Sample Collection using a Modified Wood Drill Bit with a Variable Speed Portable Electric Drill

    EPA Science Inventory

    This standard operating procedure (SOP) describes a new, rapid, and relatively inexpensive way to remove a precise area of paint from the substrate of building structures in preparation for quantitative analysis. This method has been applied successfully in the laboratory, as we...

  11. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR THE GENERATION AND OPERATION OF DATA DICTIONARIES (UA-D-4.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to provide a standard method for the writing of data dictionaries. This procedure applies to the dictionaries used during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: guidelines; data dictionaries.

    The National Human Exposure Assessme...

  12. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF RELATED COMPUTER EQUIPMENT FOR IIT NHEXAS (IIT-A-1.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures for using and maintaining the related microcomputer equipment at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT)/NHEXAS site. These methods were used in all data operations and maintenance routines during the Arizona NHEXAS projec...

  13. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR OPERATION, CALIBRATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE PERKIN-ELMER ZEEMAN/5000 SYSTEM ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROMETER (BCO-L-6.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to outline the start-up, calibration, operation, and maintenance procedures for the Perkin-Elmer 5000 atomic absorption spectrophotometer (PE 5000 AA), and the Perkin Elmer 5000 Zeeman graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer (PE 5000Z GFAA)...

  14. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE LAN AND RELATED MICROCOMPUTER ENVIRONMENT (UA-D-1.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe procedures for using and maintaining the local area network (LAN) and related microcomputer equipment at the HRP Site of the Arizona Prevention Center. These methods were used for all data operations and maintenance routines during the Ariz...

  15. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE LAN AND RELATED MICROCOMPUTER ENVIRONMENT (UA-D-1.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe procedures for using and maintaining the local area network (LAN) and related microcomputer equipment at the Health Related Professions site at the University of Arizona. These methods were used for all data operations and maintenance routi...

  16. 9 CFR 416.11 - General rules.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... General rules. Each official establishment shall develop, implement, and maintain written standard operating procedures for sanitation (Sanitation SOP's) in accordance with the requirements of this part. ...

  17. 9 CFR 416.11 - General rules.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... General rules. Each official establishment shall develop, implement, and maintain written standard operating procedures for sanitation (Sanitation SOP's) in accordance with the requirements of this part. ...

  18. 9 CFR 416.11 - General rules.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... General rules. Each official establishment shall develop, implement, and maintain written standard operating procedures for sanitation (Sanitation SOP's) in accordance with the requirements of this part. ...

  19. 9 CFR 416.11 - General rules.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... General rules. Each official establishment shall develop, implement, and maintain written standard operating procedures for sanitation (Sanitation SOP's) in accordance with the requirements of this part. ...

  20. 9 CFR 416.11 - General rules.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... General rules. Each official establishment shall develop, implement, and maintain written standard operating procedures for sanitation (Sanitation SOP's) in accordance with the requirements of this part. ...

  1. 21 CFR 820.70 - Production and process controls.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-04-01

    ... process control procedures that describe any process controls necessary to ensure conformance to specifications. Where process controls are needed they shall include: (1) Documented instructions, standard operating procedures (SOP's), and methods that define and control the manner of production; (2) Monitoring...

  2. 21 CFR 820.70 - Production and process controls.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-04-01

    ... process control procedures that describe any process controls necessary to ensure conformance to specifications. Where process controls are needed they shall include: (1) Documented instructions, standard operating procedures (SOP's), and methods that define and control the manner of production; (2) Monitoring...

  3. Tear cytokine profile as a noninvasive biomarker of inflammation for ocular surface diseases: standard operating procedures.

    PubMed

    Wei, Yi; Gadaria-Rathod, Neha; Epstein, Seth; Asbell, Penny

    2013-12-23

    To provide standard operating procedures (SOPs) for measuring tear inflammatory cytokine concentrations and to validate the resulting profile as a minimally invasive objective metric and biomarker of ocular surface inflammation for use in multicenter clinical trials on dry eye disease (DED). Standard operating procedures were established and then validated with cytokine standards, quality controls, and masked tear samples collected from local and distant clinical sites. The concentrations of the inflammatory cytokines in tears were quantified using a high-sensitivity human cytokine multiplex kit. A panel of inflammatory cytokines was initially investigated, from which four key inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, INF-γ, and TNF-α) were chosen. Results with cytokine standards statistically satisfied the manufacturer's quality control criteria. Results with pooled tear samples were highly reproducible and reliable with tear volumes ranging from 4 to 10 μL. Incorporation of the SOPs into clinical trials was subsequently validated. Tear samples were collected at a distant clinical site, stored, and shipped to our Biomarker Laboratory, where a masked analysis of the four tear cytokines was successfully performed. Tear samples were also collected from a feasibility study on DED. Inflammatory cytokine concentrations were decreased in tears of subjects who received anti-inflammatory treatment. Standard operating procedures for human tear cytokine assessment suitable for multicenter clinical trials were established. Tear cytokine profiling using these SOPs may provide objective metrics useful for diagnosing, classifying, and analyzing treatment efficacy in inflammatory conditions of the ocular surface, which may further elucidate the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of ocular surface disease.

  4. NHEXAS PHASE I REGION 5 STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR TRAINING FILE INSPECTIONS (NHX/SOP-815-004)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This procedure details the procedure for inspecting training files. Training file inspections are performed primarily to ensure that the program requirements are being met and that a current summary of training and experience is being maintained for each individual engaged in the...

  5. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CALIBRATION OF HARVARD PM SAMPLERS (UA-L-6.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures for calibrating Harvard particulate matter (PM) samplers. This procedure applies directly to the Harvard particulate matter (PM) samplers used during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: lab; equipmen...

  6. World Endometriosis Research Foundation Endometriosis Phenome and Biobanking Harmonisation Project: IV. Tissue collection, processing, and storage in endometriosis research

    PubMed Central

    Fassbender, Amelie; Rahmioglu, Nilufer; Vitonis, Allison F.; Viganò, Paola; Giudice, Linda C.; D’Hooghe, Thomas M.; Hummelshoj, Lone; Adamson, G. David; Becker, Christian M.; Missmer, Stacey A.; Zondervan, Krina T.; Adamson, G.D.; Allaire, C.; Anchan, R.; Becker, C.M.; Bedaiwy, M.A.; Buck Louis, G.M.; Calhaz-Jorge, C.; Chwalisz, K.; D'Hooghe, T.M.; Fassbender, A.; Faustmann, T.; Fazleabas, A.T.; Flores, I.; Forman, A.; Fraser, I.; Giudice, L.C.; Gotte, M.; Gregersen, P.; Guo, S.-W.; Harada, T.; Hartwell, D.; Horne, A.W.; Hull, M.L.; Hummelshoj, L.; Ibrahim, M.G.; Kiesel, L.; Laufer, M.R.; Machens, K.; Mechsner, S.; Missmer, S.A.; Montgomery, G.W.; Nap, A.; Nyegaard, M.; Osteen, K.G.; Petta, C.A.; Rahmioglu, N.; Renner, S.P.; Riedlinger, J.; Roehrich, S.; Rogers, P.A.; Rombauts, L.; Salumets, A.; Saridogan, E.; Seckin, T.; Stratton, P.; Sharpe-Timms, K.L.; Tworoger, S.; Vigano, P.; Vincent, K.; Vitonis, A.F.; Wienhues-Thelen, U.-H.; Yeung, P.P.; Yong, P.; Zondervan, K.T.

    2014-01-01

    Objective To harmonize standard operating procedures (SOPs) and standardize the recording of associated data for collection, processing, and storage of human tissues relevant to endometriosis. Design An international collaboration involving 34 clinical/academic centers and three industry collaborators from 16 countries on five continents. Setting In 2013, two workshops were conducted followed by global consultation, bringing together 54 leaders in endometriosis research and sample processing from around the world. Patient(s) None. Intervention(s) Consensus SOPs were based on: 1) systematic comparison of SOPs from 24 global centers collecting tissue samples from women with and without endometriosis on a medium or large scale (publication on >100 cases); 2) literature evidence where available, or consultation with laboratory experts otherwise; and 3) several global consultation rounds. Main Outcome Measure(s) Standard recommended and minimum required SOPs for tissue collection, processing, and storage in endometriosis research. Result(s) We developed “recommended standard” and “minimum required” SOPs for the collection, processing, and storage of ectopic and eutopic endometrium, peritoneum, and myometrium, and a biospecimen data collection form necessary for interpretation of sample-derived results. Conclusion(s) The EPHect SOPs allow endometriosis research centers to decrease variability in tissue-based results, facilitating between-center comparisons and collaborations. The procedures are also relevant to research into other gynecologic conditions involving endometrium, myometrium, and peritoneum. The consensus SOPs are based on the best available evidence; areas with limited evidence are identified as requiring further pilot studies. The SOPs will be reviewed based on investigator feedback and through systematic triannual follow-up. Updated versions will be made available at: http://endometriosisfoundation.org/ephect. PMID:25256928

  7. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION, STORAGE, AND SHIPMENT OF DRINKING AND TAP WATER SAMPLES FOR TRACE METALS (EPA METHOD 200.8) ANALYSIS (UA-F-16.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe how to collect, store, and ship tap and drinking water samples for analysis by EPA Method 200.8 (revision 4.4) for the NHEXAS Arizona project. This SOP provides a brief description of the sample containers, collection, preservation, storage...

  8. 40 CFR 63.1655 - Maintenance requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... plans, the owner or operator may use the affected source's standard operating procedures (SOP) manual or... (CONTINUED) NATIONAL EMISSION STANDARDS FOR HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS FOR SOURCE CATEGORIES (CONTINUED) National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Ferroalloys Production: Ferromanganese and...

  9. 40 CFR 63.1655 - Maintenance requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... plans, the owner or operator may use the affected source's standard operating procedures (SOP) manual or... (CONTINUED) NATIONAL EMISSION STANDARDS FOR HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS FOR SOURCE CATEGORIES (CONTINUED) National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Ferroalloys Production: Ferromanganese and...

  10. 40 CFR 63.1655 - Maintenance requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... operator may use the affected source's standard operating procedures (SOP) manual or other plan, provided... (CONTINUED) NATIONAL EMISSION STANDARDS FOR HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS FOR SOURCE CATEGORIES National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Ferroalloys Production: Ferromanganese and Silicomanganese § 63...

  11. 40 CFR 63.1655 - Maintenance requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... operator may use the affected source's standard operating procedures (SOP) manual or other plan, provided... (CONTINUED) NATIONAL EMISSION STANDARDS FOR HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS FOR SOURCE CATEGORIES National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Ferroalloys Production: Ferromanganese and Silicomanganese § 63...

  12. 40 CFR 63.1655 - Maintenance requirements.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... plans, the owner or operator may use the affected source's standard operating procedures (SOP) manual or... (CONTINUED) NATIONAL EMISSION STANDARDS FOR HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS FOR SOURCE CATEGORIES (CONTINUED) National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Ferroalloys Production: Ferromanganese and...

  13. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR EXTRACTING AND PREPARING DERMAL WIPE AND SURFACE WIPE SAMPLES FOR ANALYSIS OF POLAR ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (SOP-5.27)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The method for extracting and preparing a dermal or surface wipe sample for analysis of acidic persistent organic pollutants is summarized in this standard operating procedure. It covers the extraction and concentration of samples that are to be analyzed by gas chromatography/mas...

  14. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR FREEZER MAINTENANCE AND TEMPERATURE VERIFICATION FOR SAMPLE INTEGRITY (BCO-L-25.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to ensure suitable temperature maintenance of freezers used for storage of samples. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: freezers; operation.

    The National H...

  15. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR OPERATION, CALIBRATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF THE PERKIN-ELMER ZEEMAN/5000 SYSTEM ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROPHOTOMETER (BCO-L-6.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to outline the start-up, calibration, operation, and maintenance procedures for the Perkin-Elmer 5000 atomic absorption spectrophotometer (PE 5000 AA), and the Perkin Elmer 5000 Zeeman graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer (PE 5000Z GFAA)...

  16. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR OPERATION, CALIBRATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE JOBIN-YVON MODEL 70 INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROMETER (BCO-L-7.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to detail the operation and maintenance of an Instruments, SA Inc., Jobin-Yvon Model 70 (JY-70) inductively coupled plasma atomic emissions spectrometry (ICP-AES). This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval during the Arizona NHEXA...

  17. NHEXAS PHASE I REGION 5 STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE--REFRIGERATORS AND FREEZERS (NHX/SOP-163-001)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This procedure describes the calibration and maintenance activities of a refrigerator custodian in ensuring that refrigerators and freezers are functioning within acceptable temperature ranges. Refrigerators and freezers were used as temperature-controlled repositories for reagen...

  18. NHEXAS PHASE I MARYLAND STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR EXPLORATORY DATA ANALYSIS AND SUMMARY STATISTICS (D05)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP describes the methods and procedures for two types of QA procedures: spot checks of hand entered data, and QA procedures for co-located and split samples. The spot checks were used to determine whether the error rate goal for the input of hand entered data was being att...

  19. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION, STORAGE, AND SHIPMENT OF DRINKING AND TAP WATER SAMPLES FOR PESTICIDES (EPA 225.2) AND CARBARYL (EPA 531.1) ANALYSIS (UA-F-17.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe how to collect, store, and ship tap and drinking water samples for analysis by EPA Method 525.2 (revision 1.0) and EPA method 531.1 (revision 3). This SOP provides a brief description of the sample containers, collection, preservation, stor...

  20. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION, STORAGE AND SHIPMENT OF DRINKING AND TAP WATER SAMPLES FOR PESTICIDES (EPA 225.2) AND CARBARYL (EPA 531.1) (UA-F-17.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe how to collect, store, and ship tap and drinking water samples for analysis by EPA Method 525.2 (revision 1.0) and EPA method 531.1 (revision 3) for the NHEXAS Arizona project. This SOP provides a brief description of the sample containers,...

  1. Validation of standard operating procedures in a multicenter retrospective study to identify -omics biomarkers for chronic low back pain.

    PubMed

    Dagostino, Concetta; De Gregori, Manuela; Gieger, Christian; Manz, Judith; Gudelj, Ivan; Lauc, Gordan; Divizia, Laura; Wang, Wei; Sim, Moira; Pemberton, Iain K; MacDougall, Jane; Williams, Frances; Van Zundert, Jan; Primorac, Dragan; Aulchenko, Yurii; Kapural, Leonardo; Allegri, Massimo

    2017-01-01

    Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is one of the most common medical conditions, ranking as the greatest contributor to global disability and accounting for huge societal costs based on the Global Burden of Disease 2010 study. Large genetic and -omics studies provide a promising avenue for the screening, development and validation of biomarkers useful for personalized diagnosis and treatment (precision medicine). Multicentre studies are needed for such an effort, and a standardized and homogeneous approach is vital for recruitment of large numbers of participants among different centres (clinical and laboratories) to obtain robust and reproducible results. To date, no validated standard operating procedures (SOPs) for genetic/-omics studies in chronic pain have been developed. In this study, we validated an SOP model that will be used in the multicentre (5 centres) retrospective "PainOmics" study, funded by the European Community in the 7th Framework Programme, which aims to develop new biomarkers for CLBP through three different -omics approaches: genomics, glycomics and activomics. The SOPs describe the specific procedures for (1) blood collection, (2) sample processing and storage, (3) shipping details and (4) cross-check testing and validation before assays that all the centres involved in the study have to follow. Multivariate analysis revealed the absolute specificity and homogeneity of the samples collected by the five centres for all genetics, glycomics and activomics analyses. The SOPs used in our multicenter study have been validated. Hence, they could represent an innovative tool for the correct management and collection of reliable samples in other large-omics-based multicenter studies.

  2. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR SOIL CHARACTERIZATION (UA-L-11.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures to be followed in splitting and determining the grain size characteristics, electrical conductivity, and pH of the "Composite Soil" and "Foundation Soil" samples. This procedure applies to the general characterization of sedi...

  3. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CALIBRATION OF HARVARD PM SAMPLERS (UA-L-6.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures for calibrating Harvard particulate matter (PM) samplers. This procedure applies directly to the Harvard particulate matter (PM) samplers used during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: lab; equipment;...

  4. 77 FR 58998 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-09-25

    ... reference existing standard operating procedures (SOPs) or other documents. The draft guidance specifies that a monitoring plan may reference existing policies and procedures in order to minimize the burden... risk device studies are already required under Sec. 812.25(e) to submit and maintain written procedures...

  5. NHEXAS PHASE I REGION 5 STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR PROPER USE AND MAINTENANCE OF LABORATORY NOTEBOOKS (NHX/SOP-120-001)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This procedure describes in detail the rules and regulations governing the proper use and maintenance of laboratory notebooks. The purpose of laboratory notebooks was to provide a permanent legal record of experimental procedures and results. Thus, the laboratory notebook served ...

  6. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR ARCHIVE PROCEDURE FOR STUDY SAMPLES (UA-G-4.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to outline the archive/custody guidelines used by the NHEXAS Arizona research project. This procedure was followed to maintain and locate samples, extracts, tracings and hard copy results after laboratory analysis during the Arizona NHEXAS project and ...

  7. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR RECEIPT OF EQUIPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION SUPPLIES (UA-G-5.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to outline procedures for the receipt of equipment and field implementation supplies at the NHEXAS Arizona research project. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data custody, storage, transfer, and analysis of a high quality during the Ari...

  8. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR TRANSFER AND RECEIPT DATA (UA-D-29.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the procedures involved in transferring and receiving data to and from other institutions. This procedure applies to the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: data; transfer.

    The National Human Exposure Assessment Survey...

  9. EP-DRAFT-1.1 2014-01-19 OSI-GAM-SOP-00x In Situ High-resolution Gamma Spectroscopy

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Wimer, N. G.; Kreek, S. A.

    2014-01-27

    The standard operating procedure is described for in situ high-resolution gamma spectroscopy, including operational readiness, planning, preparation, conduct, and reporting. Data analysis of in situ gamma spectrum files will be performed together with those of other gamma assay methods by a dedicated Data Analysis process, documented in companion OSI procedures.

  10. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR THE GENERATION AND OPERATION OF DATA DICTIONARIES (UA-D-4.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to provide a standard method for the writing of data dictionaries. This procedure applies to the dictionaries used during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: guidelines; data dictionaries.

    The U.S.-Mexico Border Program is spon...

  11. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR OPERATION, CALIBRATION, AND MAINTENANCE OF THE JOBIN-YVON MODEL 70 INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA ATOMIC EMISSION SPECTROMETER (BCO-L-7.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to detail the operation and maintenance of an Instruments, SA Inc., Jobin-Yvon Model 70 (JY-70) inductively coupled plasma atomic emissions spectrometry (ICP-AES). This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval during the Arizona NHEXA...

  12. 13 CFR 134.801 - Scope of rules.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... Dispute Resolution Process (EDRP). Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) 37 71 sets out the EDRP. It is... 13 Business Credit and Assistance 1 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Scope of rules. 134.801 Section 134.801 Business Credit and Assistance SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION RULES OF PROCEDURE GOVERNING...

  13. 13 CFR 134.801 - Scope of rules.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... Dispute Resolution Process (EDRP). Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) 37 71 sets out the EDRP. It is... 13 Business Credit and Assistance 1 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Scope of rules. 134.801 Section 134.801 Business Credit and Assistance SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION RULES OF PROCEDURE GOVERNING...

  14. 13 CFR 134.801 - Scope of rules.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... Dispute Resolution Process (EDRP). Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) 37 71 sets out the EDRP. It is... 13 Business Credit and Assistance 1 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Scope of rules. 134.801 Section 134.801 Business Credit and Assistance SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION RULES OF PROCEDURE GOVERNING...

  15. 13 CFR 134.801 - Scope of rules.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... Dispute Resolution Process (EDRP). Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) 37 71 sets out the EDRP. It is... 13 Business Credit and Assistance 1 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Scope of rules. 134.801 Section 134.801 Business Credit and Assistance SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION RULES OF PROCEDURE GOVERNING...

  16. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR TRANSLATING VIDEOTAPES OF CHILD ACTIVITIES (SOP-4.13)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The EPA will conduct a two-day video translation workshop to demonstrate to coders the procedures for translating the activity patterns of preschool children on videotape. The coders will be required to pass reliability tests to successfully complete the training requirements of ...

  17. Enabling the use of enhanced medical SOPs by an mLearning training solution.

    PubMed

    Papakonstantinou, Despina; Poulymenopoulou, Mikaela; Malamateniou, Flora; Vassilacopoulos, George

    2013-01-01

    Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) has been introduced as a way to provide direction, improve communication, reduce training time and improve work consistency. In healthcare, SOPs may be considered as a means that can fundamentally change the way healthcare is provided, affecting all types of healthcare stakeholders and improving healthcare decisions and patient safety. Nowadays, providing ehealth services is a necessity, even though some healthcare organizations are reluctant to fully use them. An online mobile training facility embedded within ehealth services may increase the likelihood of their adoption by healthcare professionals, who feel that, when needed, they are provided the necessary support for performing each task, as handheld devices and other mobile technologies are showing increased adoption rates. This paper presents a mobile service that provides training content on SOPs, that can be embedded in a relevant ehealth service and can be accessed by authorized healthcare professionals where and when needed.

  18. Writing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for cryostorage protocols: using shoot meristem cryopreservation as an example.

    PubMed

    Harding, Keith; Benson, Erica E

    2015-01-01

    Standard operating procedures are a systematic way of making sure that biopreservation processes, tasks, protocols, and operations are correctly and consistently performed. They are the basic documents of biorepository quality management systems and are used in quality assurance, control, and improvement. Methodologies for constructing workflows and writing standard operating procedures and work instructions are described using a plant cryopreservation protocol as an example. This chapter is pertinent to other biopreservation sectors because how methods are written, interpreted, and implemented can affect the quality of storage outcomes.

  19. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR FIELD PERSONNEL TRAINING PLAN (UA-T-4.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the training sequence of incoming field team members. The training procedure is designed to provide new team members with an overview of the goals, structure, and design of this research project and their role within it. This procedure was...

  20. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR HARVARD PM IMPACTOR CALIBRATION AND LEAK TESTING (UA-L-7.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures for the periodic calibration and leak testing of Harvard particulate matter (PM) impactor units. This procedure applies directly to the calibration and leak testing of Harvard PM impactor units used during the Arizona NHEXAS ...

  1. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR ARCHIVE PROCEDURE FOR STUDY SAMPLES (UA-G-4.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to outline the archive/custody guidelines used by the Arizona Border Study. This procedure was followed to maintain and locate samples, extracts, tracings and hard copy results after laboratory analysis during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border ...

  2. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR RECEIPT OF EQUIPMENT AND FIELD IMPLEMENTATION SUPPLIES (UA-G-5.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to outline procedures for the receipt of equipment and field implementation supplies for the Arizona Border Study. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data custody, storage, transfer, and analysis of a high quality during the Arizona NHEXA...

  3. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR FIELD PERSONNEL TRAINING PLAN (UA-T-4.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the training sequence of incoming Field Team Members. The training procedure is designed to provide new team members with an overview of the goals, structure, and design of this research project and their role within it. This procedure was...

  4. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR FIELD COLLECTION OF YARD COMPOSITE SOIL SAMPLES (UA-F-5.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to establish a uniform procedure for the collection of yard composite soil samples in the field. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent and reliable collection of outdoor soil samples during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. ...

  5. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR EXTRACTION OF SOIL/HOUSE DUST FOR GC/MS ANALYSIS OF PESTICIDES (BCO-L-14.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe procedures for extracting and preparing dust or soil samples for gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis of pesticides. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "...

  6. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR HARVARD PM IMPACTOR CALIBRATION AND LEAK TESTING (UA-L-7.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures for the periodic calibration and leak testing of Harvard particulate matter (PM) impactor units. This procedure applies directly to the calibration and leak testing of Harvard PM impactor units used during the Arizona NHEXAS ...

  7. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR ANALYSIS OF VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS COLLECTED WITH A PASSIVE SAMPLER (BCO-L-17.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the methodology used for the analysis of the 3M OVM 3500 Organic Vapor Monitors for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), using solvent extraction and standard gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis procedures. This procedure was...

  8. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR EXTRACTION OF PESTICIDES FROM SURFACE WIPE SAMPLES (BCO-L-13.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures for extracting and preparing a sill surface wipe sample for gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis of pesticides. This procedure is also used for the pre-shipment analysis of sill wipe samples for materials sui...

  9. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR FIELD COLLECTION OF RESIDENTIAL FOUNDATION SOIL SAMPLES (UA-F-6.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to establish a uniform procedure for the collection of residential foundation soil samples in the field. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent and reliable collection of outdoor soil samples during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border"...

  10. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR EXTRACTION OF PESTICIDES FROM DERMAL WIPE SAMPLES (BCO-L-12.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe procedures for extracting and preparing a dermal wipe sample for GC/MS analysis of pesticides. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: dermal wipe;...

  11. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR FILTER WEIGHING (UA-L-9.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures to be followed in determining the pre- and post-exposure weight of 37mm and 25mm Teflon filters, Teflon sentinel filters and Teflon vacuum dust filters. This procedure applies to the pre- and post-exposure weighing of the fil...

  12. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION OF SURFACE WIPE SAMPLES FOR PESTICIDES OR METALS (UA-F-8.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures for collecting surface wipe samples inside a home for analysis of either metals or pesticides. This procedure covers the preparation of the surface wipe material and field activities. This protocol was followed to ensure con...

  13. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR PREPARATION OF MULTISORBENT TUBES FOR ACTIVELY-PUMPED VOC SAMPLERS (BCO-L-18.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures followed in the preparation of carbon-based multisorbent tubes for the collection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air using actively-pumped samplers. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval duri...

  14. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING GLASSWARE TO BE USED FOR INORGANIC METALS ANALYSIS (BCO-L-10.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the general procedures to be followed for cleaning glassware used in preparing and analyzing soil, house dust, air filter, surface wipe, or dermal wash samples for inorganic metals. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retr...

  15. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR TRANSFER AND RECEIPT OF DATA (UA-D-29.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the procedures involved in transferring and receiving data to and from other institutions. This procedure applies to the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: data; transfer.

    The U.S.-Mexico Border Program is sponsored by ...

  16. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR ELECTRONIC DATA QA CHECK (HAND ENTRY AND SCANNED) (UA-D-26.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the procedure for conducting a data accuracy check on a randomly selected 10% sample of all electronic data. This procedure applies to the cleaned, working databases generated during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keyword...

  17. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CUSTODY OF FIELD SAMPLES (UA-C-1.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to outline sample custody guidelines used by the NHEXAS Arizona research project. This procedure was followed to maintain sample integrity and ensure consistent data retrieval, transport, storage, shipment, and analysis during the Arizona NHEXAS projec...

  18. Selection, Evaluation, and Modification of a Standard Operating Procedure as a Mechanism for Introducing an Undergraduate Student to Chemical Research: A Case Study

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Claycomb, Gregory D.; Venable, Frances A.

    2015-01-01

    In an effort to broaden the selection of research opportunities available to a student registered in a one-semester, upper-level independent study course at a primarily undergraduate institution (PUI), a highly motivated student was asked to select, evaluate, and modify a standard operating procedure (SOP). The student gained valuable experience…

  19. Using formal methods for content validation of medical procedure documents.

    PubMed

    Cota, Érika; Ribeiro, Leila; Bezerra, Jonas Santos; Costa, Andrei; da Silva, Rosiana Estefane; Cota, Gláucia

    2017-08-01

    We propose the use of a formal approach to support content validation of a standard operating procedure (SOP) for a therapeutic intervention. Such an approach provides a useful tool to identify ambiguities, omissions and inconsistencies, and improves the applicability and efficacy of documents in the health settings. We apply and evaluate a methodology originally proposed for the verification of software specification documents to a specific SOP. The verification methodology uses the graph formalism to model the document. Semi-automatic analysis identifies possible problems in the model and in the original document. The verification is an iterative process that identifies possible faults in the original text that should be revised by its authors and/or specialists. The proposed method was able to identify 23 possible issues in the original document (ambiguities, omissions, redundant information, and inaccuracies, among others). The formal verification process aided the specialists to consider a wider range of usage scenarios and to identify which instructions form the kernel of the proposed SOP and which ones represent additional or required knowledge that are mandatory for the correct application of the medical document. By using the proposed verification process, a simpler and yet more complete SOP could be produced. As consequence, during the validation process the experts received a more mature document and could focus on the technical aspects of the procedure itself. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. Standard operating procedures for ESPEN guidelines and consensus papers.

    PubMed

    Bischoff, Stephan C; Singer, Pierre; Koller, Michael; Barazzoni, Rocco; Cederholm, Tommy; van Gossum, André

    2015-12-01

    The ESPEN Guideline standard operating procedures (SOP) is based on the methodology provided by the Association of Scientific Medical Societies of Germany (AWMF), the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN), and the Centre for Evidence-based Medicine at the University of Oxford. The SOP is valid and obligatory for all future ESPEN-sponsored guideline projects aiming to generate high-quality guidelines on a regular basis. The SOP aims to facilitate the preparation of guideline projects, to streamline the consensus process, to ensure quality and transparency, and to facilitate the dissemination and publication of ESPEN guidelines. To achieve this goal, the ESPEN Guidelines Editorial board (GEB) has been established headed by two chairmen. The GEB will support and supervise the guideline processes and is responsible for the strategic planning of ESPEN guideline activities. Key elements of the SOP are the generation of well-built clinical questions according to the PICO system, a systemic literature search, a classification of the selected literature according to the SIGN evidence levels providing an evidence table, and a clear and straight-forward consensus procedure consisting of online voting's and a consensus conference. Only experts who meet the obligation to disclosure any potential conflict of interests and who are not employed by the Industry can participate in the guideline process. All recommendations will be graded according to the SIGN grading and novel outcome models besides biomedical endpoints. This approach will further extent the leadership of ESPEN in creating up-to-date and suitable for implementation guidelines and in sharing knowledge on malnutrition and clinical nutrition. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.

  1. Structured smoking cessation training for health professionals on cardiology wards: a prospective study.

    PubMed

    Raupach, Tobias; Falk, Jan; Vangeli, Eleni; Schiekirka, Sarah; Rustler, Christa; Grassi, Maria Caterina; Pipe, Andrew; West, Robert

    2014-07-01

    Smoking is a major cardiovascular risk factor, and smoking cessation is imperative for patients hospitalized with a cardiovascular event. This study aimed to evaluate a systems-based approach to helping hospitalized smokers quit and to identify implementation barriers. Prospective intervention study followed by qualitative analysis of staff interviews. The prospective intervention study assessed the effects of implementing standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the provision of counselling and pharmacotherapy to smokers admitted to cardiology wards on counselling frequency. In addition, a qualitative analysis of staff interviews was undertaken to examine determinants of physician and nurse behaviour; this sought to understand barriers in terms of motivation, capability, and/or opportunity. A total of 150 smoking patients were included in the study (75 before and 75 after SOP implementation). Before the implementation of SOPs, the proportion of patients reporting to have received cessation counselling from physicians and nurses was 6.7% and 1.3%, respectively. Following SOP implementation, these proportions increased to 38.7% (p < 0.001) and 2.7% (p = 0.56), respectively. Qualitative analysis revealed that lack of motivation, e.g. role incongruence, appeared to be a major barrier. Introduction of a set of standard operating procedures for smoking cessation advice was effective with physicians but not nurses. Analysis of barriers to implementation highlighted lack of motivation rather than capability or opportunity as a major factor that would need to be addressed. © The European Society of Cardiology 2012.

  2. Evidence-based support for the all-hazards approach to emergency preparedness

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Background During the last decade there has been a need to respond and recover from various types of emergencies including mass casualty events (MCEs), mass toxicological/chemical events (MTEs), and biological events (pandemics and bio-terror agents). Effective emergency preparedness is more likely to be achieved if an all-hazards response plan is adopted. Objectives To investigate if there is a relationship among hospitals' preparedness for various emergency scenarios, and whether components of one emergency scenario correlate with preparedness for other emergency scenarios. Methods Emergency preparedness levels of all acute-care hospitals for MCEs, MTEs, and biological events were evaluated, utilizing a structured evaluation tool based on measurable parameters. Evaluations were made by professional experts in two phases: evaluation of standard operating procedures (SOPs) followed by a site visit. Relationships among total preparedness and different components' scores for various types of emergencies were analyzed. Results Significant relationships were found among preparedness for different emergencies. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for biological events correlated with preparedness for all investigated emergency scenarios. Strong correlations were found between training and drills with preparedness for all investigated emergency scenarios. Conclusions Fundamental critical building blocks such as SOPs, training, and drill programs improve preparedness for different emergencies including MCEs, MTEs, and biological events, more than other building blocks, such as equipment or knowledge of personnel. SOPs are especially important in unfamiliar emergency scenarios. The findings support the adoption of an all-hazards approach to emergency preparedness. PMID:23098065

  3. 78 FR 74217 - Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements Under OMB Review

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2013-12-10

    ... forms to recent updates in the Lender and Development Company Loan Programs standard operating procedures, designated as SOP 50 10 5 (F). The changes include revisions to the exhibits required to be...

  4. Reliability, robustness, and reproducibility in mouse behavioral phenotyping: a cross-laboratory study

    PubMed Central

    Mandillo, Silvia; Tucci, Valter; Hölter, Sabine M.; Meziane, Hamid; Banchaabouchi, Mumna Al; Kallnik, Magdalena; Lad, Heena V.; Nolan, Patrick M.; Ouagazzal, Abdel-Mouttalib; Coghill, Emma L.; Gale, Karin; Golini, Elisabetta; Jacquot, Sylvie; Krezel, Wojtek; Parker, Andy; Riet, Fabrice; Schneider, Ilka; Marazziti, Daniela; Auwerx, Johan; Brown, Steve D. M.; Chambon, Pierre; Rosenthal, Nadia; Tocchini-Valentini, Glauco; Wurst, Wolfgang

    2008-01-01

    Establishing standard operating procedures (SOPs) as tools for the analysis of behavioral phenotypes is fundamental to mouse functional genomics. It is essential that the tests designed provide reliable measures of the process under investigation but most importantly that these are reproducible across both time and laboratories. For this reason, we devised and tested a set of SOPs to investigate mouse behavior. Five research centers were involved across France, Germany, Italy, and the UK in this study, as part of the EUMORPHIA program. All the procedures underwent a cross-validation experimental study to investigate the robustness of the designed protocols. Four inbred reference strains (C57BL/6J, C3HeB/FeJ, BALB/cByJ, 129S2/SvPas), reflecting their use as common background strains in mutagenesis programs, were analyzed to validate these tests. We demonstrate that the operating procedures employed, which includes open field, SHIRPA, grip-strength, rotarod, Y-maze, prepulse inhibition of acoustic startle response, and tail flick tests, generated reproducible results between laboratories for a number of the test output parameters. However, we also identified several uncontrolled variables that constitute confounding factors in behavioral phenotyping. The EUMORPHIA SOPs described here are an important start-point for the ongoing development of increasingly robust phenotyping platforms and their application in large-scale, multicentre mouse phenotyping programs. PMID:18505770

  5. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR EXTRACTION OF PESTICIDES FROM DERMAL WIPE SAMPLES (BCO-L-12.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe procedures for extracting and preparing a dermal wipe sample for GC/MS analysis of pesticides. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: dermal wipe; p...

  6. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR TRAINING GUIDE AND EXPOSITION OF INTERVIEWER RESPONSIBILITIES AND BEHAVIOR (UA-T-1.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to outline the field staff's responsibilities in public contact and behavior with study respondents. The procedure applies to all staff who interact with the respondents. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval during the Arizo...

  7. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR FOOD SAMPLE COMPARISON WITH DIARY AND SHIPMENT (UA-L-13.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures for checking the food collections with the food stated as consumed in the 24-Hour Food Diary. The sample is then packaged and shipped for further analysis. This procedure applies to the checking of food samples and shipment ...

  8. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR FIELD COLLECTION OF YARD COMPOSITE SOIL SAMPLES (UA-F-5.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to establish a uniform procedure for the collection of yard composite soil samples in the field. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent and reliable collection of outdoor soil samples during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Ke...

  9. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING GLASSWARE TO BE USED FOR INORGANIC METALS ANALYSIS (BCO-L-10.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the general procedures to be followed for cleaning glassware used in preparing and analyzing soil, house dust, air filter, surface wipe, or dermal wash samples for inorganic metals. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retr...

  10. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION OF SURFACE WIPE SAMPLES FOR PESTICIDES OR METALS ANALYSIS (UA-F-8.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures for collecting surface wipe samples inside a home for analysis of either metals or pesticides. This procedure covers the preparation of the surface wipe material and field activities. This protocol was followed to ensure con...

  11. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR FILTER WEIGHING (UA-L-9.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures to be followed in determining the pre- and post-exposure weight of 37mm and 25mm Teflon filters, Teflon sentinel filters and Teflon vacuum dust filters. This procedure applies to the pre- and post-exposure weighing of the fil...

  12. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR FOOD SAMPLE COMPARISON WITH DIARY AND SHIPMENT (UA-L-13.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures for checking the food collections with the food stated as consumed in the 24-Hour Food Diary. The sample is then packaged and shipped to the FDA for further analysis. This procedure applies to the checking of food samples an...

  13. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION OF DERMAL WIPE SAMPLES FOR PESTICIDES OR METALS (UA-F-9.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures for collecting a dermal wipe sample from a participant's hands for the measurement of pesticide or metal residues on the skin. This procedure covers the preparation of the dermal wipe material and field activities. This prot...

  14. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR EXTRACTION OF SOIL AND HOUSE DUST SAMPLES FOR GC/MS ANALYSIS OF PESTICIDE AND PAH (BCO-L-28.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe procedures for extracting and preparing a dust or soil sample for gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis of pesticides and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval durin...

  15. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR EXTRACTION OF AIR SAMPLES FOR GC/MS ANALYSIS OF PESTICIDES (BCO-L-11.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures for extracting and preparing an air sample consisting of a polyurethane foam (PUF) plug and Teflon-coated glass fiber filter (Pallflex T60A20) for analysis of pesticides. This procedure covers sample preparation for samples t...

  16. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR FIELD COLLECTION OF INDOOR FLOOR SAMPLES AND POST FIELD SAMPLE HANDLING (UA-F-7.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to establish a uniform procedure for the collection of indoor floor dust samples in the field. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval of dust samples during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: field; va...

  17. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CORRECTING ELECTRONIC DATA (HAND ENTRY AND SCANNED) (UA-D-25.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the procedure to provide a standard method for correcting electronic data errors. The procedure defines (1) when electronic data may be corrected and by whom, (2) the process of correcting the data, and (3) the process of documenting the corr...

  18. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ADDITION OF INDIVIDUAL CLEANED NON SCANNED DATA BATCHES TO MASTER DATABASES (UA-D-27.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the procedures involved in appending cleaned individual data batches to the master databases. This procedure applies to the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: data; appending.

    The National Human Exposure Assessment Sur...

  19. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CUSTODY OF FIELD SAMPLES (UA-C-1.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to outline sample custody guidelines used by the Arizona Border Study. This procedure was followed to maintain sample integrity and ensure consistent data retrieval, transport, storage, shipment, and analysis during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the B...

  20. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR ADMINISTERING FIELD QUESTIONNAIRES--GENERAL (UA-T-2.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to outline the objectives of and instructions for questionnaire administration in order to ensure consistency among the instructions given to respondents in the field. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval during the Arizona N...

  1. NHEXAS PHASE I MARYLAND STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS FOR SAMPLES AND FORMS (G03)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to indicate the proper method for assigning unique Identification Numbers for all samples taken and forms used in the collection of NHEXAS Pilot Studies. All data tracking procedures were built upon these ID numbers. Inspection of these ID numbers pro...

  2. NHEXAS PHASE I MARYLAND STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR STORAGE AND SHIPPING OF SAMPLES (G05)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures for storage and shipping of samples. For the NHEXAS project, Harvard School of Public Health/Emory University will collect many different kinds of samples, some of which will require particularly careful storage and shipping ...

  3. 75 FR 24991 - In the Matter of AREVA NP, Inc.; Confirmatory Order (Effective Immediately) [NRC-2010-0172

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-05-06

    ... to work by using tape. These actions violated Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) 40486, ``Richland..., or adjusted by anyone except for a defined purpose and in accordance with an approved procedure.'' As... observation program at Richland for the purpose of reinforcing task performance standards and work practices...

  4. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR FORM QA/QC CHECKS (UA-C-2.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to outline the process of Field Quality Assurance and Quality Control checks. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: custody; QA/QC; field checks.

    The Nation...

  5. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR ADMINISTERING FIELD QX--GENERAL (UA-T-2.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to outline the objectives of and instructions for questionnaire administration in order to ensure consistency among the instructions given to respondents in the field. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval during the Arizona N...

  6. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR FIELD PERSONNEL TRAINING--GENERAL (UA-T-3.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe basic pre- and post-field visit activities and standards which are expected of every Field Team member. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: tra...

  7. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR GENERAL LABORATORY TRAINING PLAN--BATTELLE (BCO-T-1.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP describes the training sequence followed by each member of the technical staff at Battelle who participates in the NHEXAS project. The procedure is designed to provide them with an overview of the project in terms of project goals, structure, and laboratory requirements...

  8. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR ANALYSIS OF PASSIVE FORMALDEHYDE SAMPLERS (BCO-L-16.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the methodology used by Air Quality Research (Research Triangle Park, NC) for the analysis of the PF-1 passive formaldehyde samplers using a colorimetric method and chromotropic acid. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data re...

  9. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR LABORATORY ASSISTANT TRAINING PLAN--GENERAL (UA-T-6.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the training sequence of incoming student laboratory assistants. The procedure is designed to provide them with an overview of the project in terms of project goals, structure, and laboratory needs. This overview familiarizes the student l...

  10. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR ISOLATION OF MALFUNCTIONING OR DAMAGED EQUIPMENT (UA-G-2.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to identify and isolate malfunctioning or damaged equipment for the NHEXAS Arizona research project. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data custody, storage, transfer and analysis of a high quality during the Arizona NHEXAS project and t...

  11. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR GLOBAL CODING FOR SCANNED FORMS (UA-D-31.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the strategy for the Global Coding of Scanned Forms. This procedure applies to the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: Coding; scannable forms.

    The National Human Exposure Assessment Survey (NHEXAS) is a federal interag...

  12. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR STUDENT DATA ASSISTANT TRAINING PLAN (UA-T-5.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the training sequence for incoming student data assistants (students). The procedure is designed to provide them with an overview of the study in terms of study goals, structure and project data needs. This overview familiarizes the studen...

  13. High-Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse (HEMP) Testing

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2011-11-10

    Security Classification Guide ( SCG ). b. The HEMP simulation facility shall have a measured map of the peak amplitude waveform of the...Quadripartite Standardization Agreement s, sec second SCG security classification guide SN serial number SOP Standard Operating Procedure

  14. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR STILL OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE (UA-L-3.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to detail the operation and maintenance of the deionized water still during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: lab; equipment; water still.

    The U.S.-Mexico Border Program is sponsored by the Environmental Health Workgroup of t...

  15. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR OPERATION MANUAL OF THE MASS DATA MASSAGE PROGRAM (UA-D-44.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the operation of the data processing program. These methods were used for every execution of the data processing program during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: data; data processing.

    The National Human Exposur...

  16. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF DATA SCANNERS (UA-D-32.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the steps needed to operate the data scanners that were used during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: data; equipment; scanner.

    The National Human Exposure Assessment Survey (NHEXAS) is a federal interagency resear...

  17. Analysis of Thiodiglycol: Validation of Semi-Volatile Analysis by HPLC-MS/MS by EPA Method MS777

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Owens, J; Koester, C

    The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Region 5 Chicago Regional Laboratory (CRL) developed a method for the analysis of thiodiglycol, the breakdown product of the sulfur mustard HD, in water by high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS), titled Method EPA MS777 (hereafter referred to as EPA CRL SOP MS777). This draft standard operating procedure (SOP) was distributed to multiple EPA laboratories and to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, which was tasked to serve as a reference laboratory for EPA's Environmental Reference Laboratory Network (ERLN) and to develop and validate analytical procedures. The primary objective of this study was to verifymore » the analytical procedures described in MS777 for analysis of thiodiglycol in aqueous samples. The gathered data from this study will be used to: (1) demonstrate analytical method performance; (2) generate quality control acceptance criteria; and (3) revise the SOP to provide a validated method that would be available for use during a homeland security event. The data contained in this report will be compiled, by EPA CRL, with data generated by other EPA Regional laboratories so that performance metrics of Method EPA MS777 can be determined.« less

  18. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR FIELD COLLECTION AND POST-FIELD SAMPLE HANDLING OF INDOOR FLOOR DUST SAMPLES (UA-F-7.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to establish a uniform procedure for the collection of indoor floor dust samples in the field. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval of dust samples during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: field; vacu...

  19. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION OF DERMAL WIPE SAMPLES FOR PESTICIDES AND METALS ANALYSIS (UA-F-9.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures for collecting a dermal wipe sample from a participant's hands for the measurement of pesticide or metal residues on the skin. This procedure covers the preparation of the dermal wipe material and field activities. This prot...

  20. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR THE RECEIPT OF SAMPLES OR REFERENCE COMPOUNDS FOR LABORATORY ANALYSIS AT BATTELLE (BCO-G-2.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the steps to be taken when field samples are received at Battelle Laboratory for further analysis. The procedure provides for the log-in, initial processing (if required), and distribution of the sample. Procedures concerning the sample Ch...

  1. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR PREPARATION OF FILTERS AND PUF FOR FIELD COLLECTION OF METALS AND PESTICIDES IN AIR (BCO-L-2.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures for pre-cleaning filters and polyurethane foam (PUF) plug prior to air sampling with these media. The sampling media are used for sampling indoor air, outdoor air, and personal air. This procedure was followed to ensure consi...

  2. [Quality Improvement Project: Increasing the Rate of Proper Use of Infant Transferring Warmers].

    PubMed

    Huang, Hsiu-Yu; Fann, Guei-Ling

    2015-10-01

    Infant-transferring warmers provide a warm environment and emergency care facilities such ventilators for high-risk infants during transport. Accurate use of this warmer has been demonstrated to reduce rates of neonatal complications and increase rates of survival. This project found that, despite the complaints of nurses that warmers occasionally malfunctioned during the transfer process, warmer functions nearly always tested normal after use. Therefore, the researchers surveyed ward nurses to better understand the underlying reasons for these complaints. Results found that only 68.4% of those surveyed operated the warmer correctly. The reasons for improper use were analyzed and categorized as: Nurse-related factors - lack of warmer operating knowledge and experience in the clinic; System-related factors - lack of a standard operating procedure (SOP) and monitor/audit practices and an incomplete training protocol; Equipment-related factors - lack of an equipment preparation SOP and difficulties in setting the ventilator properly. The purpose of this project was to achieve a 100% rate of proper warmer use among nurses. Through continuous clinical education, we created a standard operating procedure for warmer operation, created a video and poster for warmer users, simplified the equipment preparation SOP, and periodically monitored and checked results. After the intervention, 100% of the nurses were able to use the warmers correctly. Additionally, the rate of satisfaction for nursing-warmer use among the participating nurses increased from 51.4% to 80.6%. This project effectively increased the rate for correctly using transferring warmers among participating nurses and improved the quality of medical care.

  3. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR PERFORMANCE OF COMPUTER SOFTWARE: VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION (IIT-A-2.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the procedures for the initial and periodic verification and validation of computer programs. The programs are used during the Arizona NHEXAS project and Border study at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) site. Keywords: computers; s...

  4. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR FIELD PERSONNEL TRAINING--GENERAL (UA-T-3.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe basic pre- and post-field visit activities and standards which are expected of every field team member. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: traini...

  5. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR FIELD COLLECTION OF DIET SAMPLES (UA-F-23.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to provide a uniform procedure for the financial reimbursement of primary respondents for the collection of diet samples. Respondents were reimbursed for replicate food and beverage samples by type and amount collected over a 24-hour sampling period. ...

  6. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR BATCHING OF LABORATORY DATA (UA-C-7.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the steps involved in batching the physical laboratory data forms generated by the Arizona Border Study and slated for data entry. It applies to all physical laboratory data forms entered for this study. This procedure was followed to ensu...

  7. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR ISOLATION OF MALFUNCTIONING OR DAMAGED EQUIPMENT (UA-G-2.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to identify and isolate malfunctioning or damaged equipment for the Arizona Border Study. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data custody, storage, transfer and analysis of a high quality during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border s...

  8. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR BATCHING OF FIELD DATA FORMS (UA-C-4.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the assembly of household (HH) packets into data processing batches. The batching process enables orderly tracking of packets or forms through data processing and limits the potential for packet or form loss. This procedure was used for th...

  9. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR GENERAL LABORATORY TRAINING PLAN (BCO-T-1.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP describes the training sequence followed by each member of the technical staff at Battelle who participates in the project. The procedure is designed to provide them with an overview of the project in terms of project goals, structure, and laboratory requirements. This...

  10. NHEXAS PHASE I MARYLAND STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR PROBLEM MANAGEMENT (G06)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe problem management, and to define a set of reporting actions to be taken in the event of a problem during any phase of the study. This procedure outlines the steps for making a problem known in order that it may be systematically resolved b...

  11. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR PREPARATION OF PM AND URG IMPACTORS AND IMPACTION PLATES (UA-L-8.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the stages of preparation required for Harvard particulate matter (PM) sampler impactor: (1) prior to in-field use of the particulate sampling system, (2) in-field sampling, and (3) disassembly after field use. This procedure applies direct...

  12. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR BATCHING OF FIELD DATA FORMS (UA-C-4.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the assembly of household (HH) packets into data processing batches. The batching process enables orderly tracking of packets or forms through data processing and limits the potential for packet or form loss. This procedure was used for th...

  13. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR KEYPUNCH TRACKING, CUSTODY AND DATA TRANSFER (UA-C-6.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe this sub-routine within the overall field data flow and custody plan. Its purpose is to establish a uniform procedure for the tracking of physical field forms and questionnaires while at keypunch. It applies to all data processing batches ...

  14. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR PACKET ASSEMBLY, CUSTODY AND TRANSFER TO DATA SECTION (UA-C-3.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to outline the household (HH) packet assembly, custody, and transfer to the data section in preparation for data entry into the electronic database at the NHEXAS Arizona research project. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval ...

  15. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR FLOW AND CUSTODY OF UA LABORATORY DATA (UA-C-8.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the flow and custody of laboratory data generated by NHEXAS Arizona through data processing and delivery to the project data manager for creation of the master database. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval during...

  16. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR FIELD COLLECTION OF FOOD SAMPLES (UA-F-23.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to provide a uniform procedure for the financial reimbursement of primary respondents for the collection of diet samples. Respondents were reimbursed for replicate food and beverage samples by type and amount collected over a 24-hour sampling period. ...

  17. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR FIELD USE OF THE MODIFIED AIR SENTINEL (UA-F-10.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the in-field use of the modified Air Sentinel. Samples collected with this Hi-Vol instrument were analyzed for atmospheric concentrations of target metals. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval of air and dust ana...

  18. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING: 24 HOUR FOOD DIARY (HAND ENTRY) (UA-D-40.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of the SOP is to define the particular steps involved in cleaning the electronic data generated from data entry of the 24 Hour Food Diary. The procedure was developed to use during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: data; cleaning; 24 hour ...

  19. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR LABORATORY ASSISTANT TRAINING PLAN--GENERAL (UA-T-6.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the training sequence of incoming student laboratory assistants. The procedure is designed to provide them with an overview of the project in terms of project goals, structure, and laboratory needs. This overview familiarizes the student l...

  20. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR FIRST STAGE OF CLEANING ELECTRONIC DATA (HAND ENTRY) (UA-D-16.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to provide a standard method for the "first stage" of cleaning data. The first cleaning stage takes place after data verification and before master database appendage. This procedure applies to (1) post-keypunch data collected by the NHEXAS Arizona st...

  1. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR PERFORMANCE OF COMPUTER SOFTWARE: VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION (UA-D-2.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the procedures used for the initial and periodic verification and validation of computer programs used during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: Computers; Software; QA/QC.

    The National Human Exposure Assessment Sur...

  2. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR GENERAL TRAINING OF STUDENT DATA ASSISTANTS (UA-T-5.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the training sequence for incoming student data assistants (students). The procedure is designed to provide them with an overview of the study in terms of study goals, structure and project data needs. This overview familiarizes the studen...

  3. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR DEFINING WORKING DATABASES AND DATA ENTRY FORMS (HAND ENTRY) (UA-D-3.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to outline a standard approach to naming and defining variables, data types, and data entry forms. This procedure applies to all working databases created during the NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: databases; standards.

    The National...

  4. Chapter 9. Educational process. Recommendations and standard operating procedures for intensive care unit and hospital preparations for an influenza epidemic or mass disaster.

    PubMed

    Richards, Guy A; Sprung, Charles L

    2010-04-01

    To provide recommendations and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital preparations for an influenza pandemic or mass disaster with focus on education of all stakeholders, specifically the emergency executive control groups, ICU staff and staff co-opted to assist with patient management. Based on a literature review and expert opinion, a Delphi process was used to define the essential topics, including staff education. Key recommendations include: (1) define functional roles and responsibilities of the internal personnel and interface agencies or sectors; (2) determine logistic support and requirements necessary for the effective implementation of the SOPs; (3) determine what is required to maintain the SOPs; (4) recommended training and activities include: (a) personal protection techniques; (b) environmental contamination; (c) medical management; (d) laboratory specimens; (e) alert lists; (f) training of recruited staff; (g) ethical issues; (h) psychosocial issues; (i) dealing with the deceased; (j) policies for restricting visitors; (k) mechanisms for enforcing policies; (5) Training should begin as soon as possible with daily demonstrations followed by supervised practice; (6) identify the staff to participate in training programs, verify that they have participated and evaluate their knowledge subsequently. Judicious planning and adoption of protocols for staff education are necessary to optimize outcomes during a pandemic.

  5. Development of standard operating procedures of Habbe Shifa: A polyherbal Unani formulation.

    PubMed

    Tarannum, Asira; Shamsi, Shariq; Zaman, Roohi

    2013-07-01

    Unani medicines are being used since antiquity. However, in spite of their efficacy, they have been widely criticized due to lack of standardization and poor quality presentation. For this reason, application of good manufacturing practices and development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) in the manufacture of herbal medicines became an essential tool to assure their quality. Therefore, the objective of the study was to develop the SOP of Habbe Shifa (HS) regarding the particle size (PS), binder, temperature of drying, and duration of drying. In this study, 24 batches of HS were prepared according to the instructions given in formulary to develop SOP. Three particle sizes (i.e., 80, 100, and 120 No. Mesh sieve), were taken for preparation of pills. Water and Samaghe Arabi (Gum Acacia mucilage [GAM]) were used as binder for preparing the lubdi (mass) in different batches. Different temperature and duration of drying were used to dry the pills in hot air oven to get satisfactory results. All the batches were assessed three times for hardness, friability, and disintegration time and mean regarded as standard parameter value. The batch with 150 μm PS (100 mesh sieve), 5% w/w GAM used as a binder, dried at 90°C for 120 min showed hardness 3.50 ± 0.00 kg/cm, friability 0.02 ± 0.003%, and disintegration time 25.00 ± 0.57 min, which showed most appropriate result among all batches and considered as final batch. Its SOP may be used for future reference which can help in setting up regulatory limit to assure the quality of Unani medicines.

  6. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF DATA SCANNERS (UA-D-32.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the steps needed to operate the data scanners that were used during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: data; equipment; scanner.

    The U.S.-Mexico Border Program is sponsored by the Environmental Health Workgroup of the...

  7. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR LIGHT PEN OPERATION AND VERIFICATION OF SCANNED BAR CODES (UA-D-33.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the steps needed to operate the light pens, and verify the values produced by light pens used in the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: data; equipment; light pens.

    The National Human Exposure Assessment Survey (NHEXAS)...

  8. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR OPERATION MANUAL OF THE MASS DATA MASSAGE PROGRAM (UA-D-44.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the operation of the data processing program. These methods were used for every execution of the data processing program during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: data; data processing.

    The U.S.-Mexico Border Progr...

  9. Guidelines for Managing Suspected Chemical and Biological Agent Incidents in Rail Tunnel Systems

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2002-03-01

    These emergency management guidelines are designed to help transit managers (1) prepare and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for handling potential and actual chemical or biological agent attacks in their rail tunnel system and (2) unde...

  10. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE ADDITION OF INDIVIDUAL CLEANED NON SCANNED DATA BATCHES TO MASTER DATABASES (UA-D-27.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the procedures involved in appending cleaned individual data batches to the master databases. This procedure applies to the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: data; database.

    The U.S.-Mexico Border Program is sponsored b...

  11. Disinfection of aircraft : Appropriate disinfectants and standard operating procedures for highly infectious diseases.

    PubMed

    Klaus, Joachim; Gnirs, Peter; Hölterhoff, Sabine; Wirtz, Angela; Jeglitza, Matthias; Gaber, Walter; Gottschalk, Rene

    2016-12-01

    For infectious diseases caused by highly pathogenic agents (e. g., Ebola/Lassa fever virus, SARS-/MERS-CoV, pandemic influenza virus) which have the potential to spread over several continents within only a few days, international Health Protection Authorities have taken appropriate measures to limit the consequences of a possible spread. A crucial point in this context is the disinfection of an aircraft that had a passenger on board who is suspected of being infected with one of the mentioned diseases. Although, basic advice on hygiene and sanitation on board an aircraft is given by the World Health Organization, these guidelines lack details on available and effective substances as well as standardized operating procedures (SOP). The purpose of this paper is to give guidance on the choice of substances that were tested by a laboratory of Lufthansa Technik and found compatible with aircraft components, as well as to describe procedures which ensure a safe and efficient disinfection of civil aircrafts. This guidance and the additional SOPs are made public and are available as mentioned in this paper.

  12. 40 CFR 63.11502 - What definitions apply to this subpart?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... begins with the initiation of steps as described in a written standard operating procedures (SOP) or... PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) NATIONAL EMISSION STANDARDS FOR HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS FOR SOURCE CATEGORIES (CONTINUED) National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Chemical Manufacturing Area Sources...

  13. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR PREPARATION OF PM AND URG IMPACTORS AND IMPACTION PLATES (UA-L-8.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the stages of preparation required for Harvard particulate matter (PM) sampler impactor: (1) prior to in-field use of the particulate sampling system, (2) in-field sampling, and (3) disassembly after field use. This procedure applies direct...

  14. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR FIELD COLLECTION OF FOOD AND BEVERAGE SAMPLES (UA-F-15.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to provide a uniform procedure for the collection of a complete (all meals, snacks, and beverages), one-day (24 hour) duplicate diet sample from the primary respondent. Participants will keep a duplicate portion of all food consumed in a 24 hour period...

  15. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR PERFORMANCE OF ANALYSES ON NHEXAS DATA (IIT-A-3.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the procedures for the analysis of NHEXAS and Border study data. These methods were used for all data analysis associated with the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) site. Keywords: data;...

  16. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR FORM QA AND QC CHECKS (UA-C-2.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to outline the process of field quality assurance and quality control checks. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: custody; QA/QC; field checks.

    The U.S.-Mex...

  17. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR PACKET ASSEMBLY, CUSTODY, AND TRANSFER TO DATA SECTION (UA-C-3.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to outline the household (HH) packet assembly, custody, and transfer to the data section in preparation for data entry into the electronic database for the Arizona Border Study. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrieval during the...

  18. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR FLOW AND CUSTODY OF UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA LABORATORY DATA (UA-C-8.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the flow and custody of laboratory data generated by the Arizona Border Study through data processing and delivery to the project data manager for creation of the master database. This procedure was followed to ensure consistent data retrie...

  19. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR KEYPUNCH TRACKING, CUSTODY, AND DATA TRANSFER (UA-C-6.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe this sub-routine within the overall field data flow and custody plan. Its purpose is to establish a uniform procedure for the tracking of physical field forms and questionnaires while at keypunch. It applies to all data processing batches ...

  20. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR PREPARATION OF CALIBRATION AND SURROGATE RECOVERY SOLUTIONS FOR GC/MS ANALYSIS OF PESTICIDES (BCO-L-21.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe procedures for preparing calibration curve solutions used for gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis of chlorpyrifos, diazinon, malathion, DDT, DDE, DDD, a-chlordane, and g-chlordane in dust, soil, air, and handwipe sample ext...

  1. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR FLOW AND CUSTODY OF FIELD DATA FORMS (UA-C-5.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the flow of field data forms through the data processing system and to define who is responsible for the data at any time. It applies to field data forms collected and processed by NHEXAS Arizona. This procedure was followed to ensure consi...

  2. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR FIELD COLLECTION OF FOOD AND BEVERAGE SAMPLES (UA-F-15.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to provide a uniform procedure for the collection of a complete (all meals, snacks, and beverages), one-day (24 hour) duplicate diet sample from the primary respondent. Participants will keep a duplicate portion of all food consumed in a 24 hour period...

  3. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR GLOBAL CODING FOR SCANNED FORMS (UA-D-31.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the strategy for the global coding of scanned forms. This procedure applies to the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: Coding; scannable forms.

    The U.S.-Mexico Border Program is sponsored by the Environmental Health Workg...

  4. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR DATA ENTRY AND DATA VERIFICATION (HAND ENTRY) (UA-D-15.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the steps involved in data entry and data verification of physical forms. It applies to the data entry and data verification of all physical forms. The procedure defined herein was developed for use in the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Bor...

  5. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR GLOBAL CODING USED BY NHEXAS ARIZONA (HAND ENTRY) (UA-D-5.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the global coding scheme to used in the working and master databases. This procedure applies to all of the databases used during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: data; coding; databases.

    The National Human Exposu...

  6. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR PERFORMANCE OF COMPUTER SOFTWARE: VERIFICATION AND VALIDATION (UA-D-2.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the procedures used for the initial and periodic verification and validation of computer programs used during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: Computers; Software; QA/QC.

    The U.S.-Mexico Border Program is sponsored ...

  7. Impact of Anatomical, Procedural, and Operator Skill Factors on the Success and Duration of Fluoroscopy-Guided Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunt

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Marquardt, Steffen, E-mail: marquardt.steffen@mh-hannover.de; Rodt, Thomas, E-mail: rodt.thomas@mh-hannover.de; Rosenthal, Herbert, E-mail: rosenthal.herbert@mh-hannover.de

    PurposeTo assess the impact of anatomical, procedural, and operator skill factors on the success and duration of fluoroscopy-guided transjugular intrahepatic portoystemic shunt following standard operating procedure (SOP).Material and MethodsDuring a 32-month period, 102 patients underwent transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation (TIPS) by two interventional radiologists (IR) following our institutional SOP based on fluoroscopy guidance. Both demographic and procedural data were assessed. The duration of the intervention (D{sub Int}) and of the portal vein puncture (D{sub Punct}) was analyzed depending on the skill level of the IR as well as the anatomic or procedural factors.ResultsIn 99 of the 102 patients, successfulmore » TIPS without peri-procedural complications was performed. The mean D{sub Int} (IR1: 77 min; IR2: 51 min, P < 0.005) and the mean D{sub Punct} (IR1: 19 min; IR2: 13 min, P < 0.005) were significantly higher in TIPS performed by IR1 (with 2 years of clinical experience performing TIPS, n = 38) than by IR2 (>10 years of clinical experience performing TIPS, n = 61), (P < 0.005 both, Mann–Whitney U test). D{sub Int} showed a higher correlation with D{sub Punct} for IR2 (R{sup 2} = 0.63) than for IR1 (R{sup 2} = 0.13). There was no significant difference in the D{sub Punct} for both IRs with regard to the success of the wedged portography (P = 0.90), diameter of the portal vein (P = 0.60), central right portal vein length (P = 0.49), or liver function (MELD-Score before the TIPS procedure; P = 0.14).ConclusionTIPS following SOP is safe, fast, and reliable. The only significant factor for shorter D{sub Punct} and D{sub Int} was the clinical experience of the IR. Anatomic variability, successful portography, or liver function did not alter the duration or technical success of TIPS.« less

  8. Chemical Hygiene Program

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Mayor, Antoinette C.

    1999-01-01

    The Chemical Management Team is responsible for ensuring compliance with the OSHA Laboratory Standard. The program at Lewis Research Center (LeRC) evolved over many years to include training, developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPS) for each laboratory process, coordinating with other safety and health organizations and teams at the Center, and issuing an SOP binder. The Chemical Hygiene Policy was first established for the Center. The Chemical Hygiene Plan was established and reviewed by technical, laboratory and management for viability and applicability to the Center. A risk assessment was conducted for each laboratory. The laboratories were prioritized by order of risk, higher risk taking priority. A Chemical Management Team staff member interviewed the lead researcher for each laboratory process to gather the information needed to develop the SOP for the process. A binder containing the Chemical Hygiene Plan, the SOP, a map of the laboratory identifying the personal protective equipment and best egress, and glove guides, as well as other guides for safety and health. Each laboratory process has been captured in the form of an SOP. The chemicals used in the procedure have been identified and the information is used to reduce the number of chemicals in the lab. The Chemical Hygiene Plan binder is used as a training tool for new employees. LeRC is in compliance with the OSHA Standard. The program was designed to comply with the OSHA standard. In the process, we have been able to assess the usage of chemicals in the laboratories, as well as reduce or relocate the chemicals being stored in the laboratory. Our researchers are trained on the hazards of the materials they work with and have a better understanding of the hazards of the process and what is needed to prevent any incident. From the SOP process, we have been able to reduce our chemical inventory, determine and implement better hygiene procedures and equipment in the laboratories, and provide specific training to our employees. As a result of this program, we are adding labeling to the laboratories for emergency responders and initiating a certified chemical user program.

  9. Expeditionary Economics: A Force Multiplier in the Counterinsurgency Fight

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-05-17

    the Army is the Money as a Weapon System (MAA WS) Standard Operating Procedure. This SOP is infrequently updated and has remained essentially ...Research Series: Expeditionary Economics, 2011 June. Schramm, Carl J. "Institutionalizing Ecnomics Analysis in the U.S. Military: The Basis for

  10. Standard operating procedures for antibiotic therapy and the occurrence of acute kidney injury: a prospective, clinical, non-interventional, observational study.

    PubMed

    Nachtigall, Irit; Tafelski, Sascha; Günzel, Karsten; Uhrig, Alexander; Powollik, Robert; Tamarkin, Andrey; Wernecke, Klaus D; Spies, Claudia

    2014-06-12

    Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in 7% of hospitalized and 66% of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients. It increases mortality, hospital length of stay, and costs. The aim of this study was to investigate, whether there is an association between adherence to guidelines (standard operating procedures (SOP)) for potentially nephrotoxic antibiotics and the occurrence of AKI. This study was carried out as a prospective, clinical, non-interventional, observational study. Data collection was performed over a total of 170 days in three ICUs at Charité - Universitaetsmedizin Berlin. A total of 675 patients were included; 163 of these had therapy with vancomycin, gentamicin, or tobramycin; were >18 years; and treated in the ICU for >24 hours. Patients with an adherence to SOP >70% were classified into the high adherence group (HAG) and patients with an adherence of <70% into the low adherence group (LAG). AKI was defined according to RIFLE criteria. Adherence to SOPs was evaluated by retrospective expert audit. Development of AKI was compared between groups with exact Chi2-test and multivariate logistic regression analysis (two-sided P <0.05). LAG consisted of 75 patients (46%) versus 88 HAG patients (54%). AKI occurred significantly more often in LAG with 36% versus 21% in HAG (P = 0.035). Basic characteristics were comparable, except an increased rate of soft tissue infections in LAG. Multivariate analysis revealed an odds ratio of 2.5-fold for LAG to develop AKI compared with HAG (95% confidence interval 1.195 to 5.124, P = 0.039). Low adherence to SOPs for potentially nephrotoxic antibiotics was associated with a higher occurrence of AKI. Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN54598675. Registered 17 August 2007.

  11. Standard operating procedures for antibiotic therapy and the occurrence of acute kidney injury: a prospective, clinical, non-interventional, observational study

    PubMed Central

    2014-01-01

    Introduction Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in 7% of hospitalized and 66% of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients. It increases mortality, hospital length of stay, and costs. The aim of this study was to investigate, whether there is an association between adherence to guidelines (standard operating procedures (SOP)) for potentially nephrotoxic antibiotics and the occurrence of AKI. Methods This study was carried out as a prospective, clinical, non-interventional, observational study. Data collection was performed over a total of 170 days in three ICUs at Charité – Universitaetsmedizin Berlin. A total of 675 patients were included; 163 of these had therapy with vancomycin, gentamicin, or tobramycin; were >18 years; and treated in the ICU for >24 hours. Patients with an adherence to SOP >70% were classified into the high adherence group (HAG) and patients with an adherence of <70% into the low adherence group (LAG). AKI was defined according to RIFLE criteria. Adherence to SOPs was evaluated by retrospective expert audit. Development of AKI was compared between groups with exact Chi2-test and multivariate logistic regression analysis (two-sided P <0.05). Results LAG consisted of 75 patients (46%) versus 88 HAG patients (54%). AKI occurred significantly more often in LAG with 36% versus 21% in HAG (P = 0.035). Basic characteristics were comparable, except an increased rate of soft tissue infections in LAG. Multivariate analysis revealed an odds ratio of 2.5-fold for LAG to develop AKI compared with HAG (95% confidence interval 1.195 to 5.124, P = 0.039). Conclusion Low adherence to SOPs for potentially nephrotoxic antibiotics was associated with a higher occurrence of AKI. Trial registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN54598675. Registered 17 August 2007. PMID:24923469

  12. Involving service users in trials: developing a standard operating procedure

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    Background Many funding bodies require researchers to actively involve service users in research to improve relevance, accountability and quality. Current guidance to researchers mainly discusses general principles. Formal guidance about how to involve service users operationally in the conduct of trials is lacking. We aimed to develop a standard operating procedure (SOP) to support researchers to involve service users in trials and rigorous studies. Methods Researchers with experience of involving service users and service users who were contributing to trials collaborated with the West Wales Organisation for Rigorous Trials in Health, a registered clinical trials unit, to develop the SOP. Drafts were prepared in a Task and Finish Group, reviewed by all co-authors and amendments made. Results We articulated core principles, which defined equality of service users with all other research team members and collaborative processes underpinning the SOP, plus guidance on how to achieve these. We developed a framework for involving service users in research that defined minimum levels of collaboration plus additional consultation and decision-making opportunities. We recommended service users be involved throughout the life of a trial, including planning and development, data collection, analysis and dissemination, and listed tasks for collaboration. We listed people responsible for involving service users in studies and promoting an inclusive culture. We advocate actively involving service users as early as possible in the research process, with a minimum of two on all formal trial groups and committees. We propose that researchers protect at least 1% of their total research budget as a minimum resource to involve service users and allow enough time to facilitate active involvement. Conclusions This SOP provides guidance to researchers to involve service users successfully in developing and conducting clinical trials and creating a culture of actively involving service users in research at all stages. The UK Clinical Research Collaboration should encourage clinical trials units actively to involve service users and research funders should provide sufficient funds and time for this in research grants. PMID:23866730

  13. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR FLOW AND CUSTODY OF FIELD DATA FORMS (UA-C-5.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the flow of field data forms through the data processing system and to define who is responsible for the data at any time. It applies to field data forms collected and processed by Arizona NHEXAS. This procedure was followed to ensure cons...

  14. NHEXAS PHASE I MARYLAND STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION, STORAGE, AND SHIPMENT OF URINE SAMPLES FOR METAL, PESTICIDE, AND CREATININE ANALYSIS (F10)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the procedures for collection, storage, and shipment of urine samples for metal, pesticides, and creatinine analysis. Samples were collected on Days 2 and 8 of each Cycle. The Day 2 sample was analyzed for metals and creatinine. The Day 8...

  15. 76 FR 9025 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Good Laboratory...

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-02-16

    ... consumer protection, the Agency issued GLP regulations. The regulations specify minimum standards for the proper conduct of safety testing and contain sections on facilities, personnel, equipment, standard operating procedures (SOPs), test and control articles, quality assurance, protocol and conduct of a safety...

  16. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR LIGHT PEN OPERATION AND VERIFICATION OF SCANNED BAR CODES (UA-D-33.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the steps needed to operate the light pens, and verify the values produced by light pens used in the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: data; equipment; light pens.

    The U.S.-Mexico Border Program is sponsored by the Envir...

  17. A 5 year longitudinal study of water quality for final rinsing in the single chamber washer-disinfector with a reverse osmosis plant.

    PubMed

    Uetera, Yushi; Kishii, Kozue; Yasuhara, Hiroshi; Kumada, Naohito; Moriya, Kyoji; Saito, Ryoichi; Okazaki, Mitsuhiro; Misawa, Yoshiki; Kawamura, Kunio

    2013-01-01

    This report deals with the construction and management of the reverse osmosis (RO) water system for final rinsing of surgical instruments in the washer-disinfector. Numerous operational challenges were encountered in our RO water system and these were analyzed utilizing the Ishikawa Fishbone diagram. The aim was to find potential problems and promote preventive system management for RO water. It was found that the measures that existed were inappropriate for preventing contamination in the heat-labile RO water system. The storage tank was found to be significantly contaminated and had to be replaced with a new one equipped with a sampling port and water drainage system. Additional filters and an UV treatment lamp were installed. The whole system disinfection started 1.5 years later using a peracetic acid-based compound after confirming the material compatibility. Operator errors were found when a new water engineer took over the duty from his predecessor. It was also found that there were some deficiencies in the standard operating procedures (SOPs), and that on-the-job training was not enough. The water engineer failed to disinfect the sampling port and water drainage system. The RO membrane had been used for 4 years, even though the SOP standard specified changing it as every 3 years. Various bacteria, such as Rothia mucilaginosa, were cultured from the RO water sampled from the equipment. Because Rothia mucilaginosa is a resident in the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract, it is believed that the bacteria were introduced into the system by the maintenance personnel or working environment. Therefore, the presence of R. mucilaginosa implied the failure of sanitary maintenance procedures. This study suggests that water systems should be designed based on the plans for profound system maintenance. It also suggests that SOP and on-the job training are essential to avoid any operator errors. These results must be carefully considered when either constructing new RO systems or performing maintenance and periodical examination of the equipment. Reverse osmosis (RO) water is used for final rinsing in our washer-disinfector. The authors used the Ishikawa Fishbone diagram to clarify the critical points for optimizing RO water quality. There existed no measures to prevent contamination in the heat-labile RO water system. The storage tank was significantly contaminated and had to be replaced with a new one equipped with a sampling port and water drainage system. Additional filters and an UV treatment lamp were installed. The whole system disinfection started 1.5 years later using a peracetic acid-based compound after confirming the material compatibility. Operator errors occurred when a new water engineer took over the duty from his predecessor. There were neither standard operating procedures (SOPs) nor on-the-job training. The new water engineer had failed to disinfect the sampling port and water drainage system. Rothia mucilaginosa was cultured from the RO water. It is a resident in the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract. This implied the possible failure of sanitary procedures in the system maintenance. The Ishikawa Fishbone diagram was useful for this study. It suggests that water systems should be designed with plans for system maintenance taken into account. It also suggests that SOP and on-the job training are essential in order to avoid operator errors.

  18. NHEXAS PHASE I MARYLAND STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR TRAINING OF PHLEBOTOMISTS (G10)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to outline the responsibilities of the phlebotomist before, during, and after sampling at residences; and the training system that teaches phlebotomists what they need to know to handle these responsibilities. The overall responsibilities are to collec...

  19. Comparison of Four Probabilistic Models (CARES, Calendex, ConsEspo, SHEDS) to Estimate Aggregate Residential Exposures to Pesticides

    EPA Science Inventory

    Two deterministic models (US EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs Residential Standard Operating Procedures (OPP Residential SOPs) and Draft Protocol for Measuring Children’s Non-Occupational Exposure to Pesticides by all Relevant Pathways (Draft Protocol)) and four probabilistic mo...

  20. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CODING: FIELD FORMS (UA-D-37.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the coding strategy for selected field forms. Forms addressed here will be scanned into databases; databases are created because the forms contain critical values needed to calculate pollutant concentrations. Other forms not addressed by thi...

  1. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CODING: DESCRIPTIVE QUESTIONNAIRE (UA-D-6.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This purpose of this SOP is to define the coding strategy for the Descriptive Questionnaire. This questionnaire was developed for use in the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: data; coding; descriptive questionnaire.

    The National Human Exposure Assessment...

  2. Colling Wipe Samples for VX Analysis

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Koester, C; Hoppes, W G

    2010-02-11

    This standard operating procedure (SOP) provides uniform procedures for the collection of wipe samples of VX residues from surfaces. Personnel may use this procedure to collect and handle wipe samples in the field. Various surfaces, including building materials (wood, metal, tile, vinyl, etc.) and equipment, may be sampled based on this procedure. The purpose of such sampling is to determine whether or not the relevant surfaces are contaminated, to determine the extent of their contamination, to evaluate the effectiveness of decontamination procedures, and to determine the amount of contaminant that might present as a contact hazard.

  3. Standard operating procedures for pre-analytical handling of blood and urine for metabolomic studies and biobanks.

    PubMed

    Bernini, Patrizia; Bertini, Ivano; Luchinat, Claudio; Nincheri, Paola; Staderini, Samuele; Turano, Paola

    2011-04-01

    (1)H NMR metabolic profiling of urine, serum and plasma has been used to monitor the impact of the pre-analytical steps on the sample quality and stability in order to propose standard operating procedures (SOPs) for deposition in biobanks. We analyzed the quality of serum and plasma samples as a function of the elapsed time (t = 0-4 h) between blood collection and processing and of the time from processing to freezing (up to 24 h). The stability of the urine metabolic profile over time (up to 24 h) at various storage temperatures was monitored as a function of the different pre-analytical treatments like pre-storage centrifugation, filtration, and addition of the bacteriostatic preservative sodium azide. Appreciable changes in the profiles, reflecting changes in the concentration of a number of metabolites, were detected and discussed in terms of chemical and enzymatic reactions for both blood and urine samples. Appropriate procedures for blood derivatives collection and urine preservation/storage that allow maintaining as much as possible the original metabolic profile of the fresh samples emerge, and are proposed as SOPs for biobanking.

  4. A catch-up validation study of an in vitro skin irritation test method using reconstructed human epidermis LabCyte EPI-MODEL24.

    PubMed

    Kojima, Hajime; Katoh, Masakazu; Shinoda, Shinsuke; Hagiwara, Saori; Suzuki, Tamie; Izumi, Runa; Yamaguchi, Yoshihiro; Nakamura, Maki; Kasahawa, Toshihiko; Shibai, Aya

    2014-07-01

    Three validation studies were conducted by the Japanese Society for Alternatives to Animal Experiments in order to assess the performance of a skin irritation assay using reconstructed human epidermis (RhE) LabCyte EPI-MODEL24 (LabCyte EPI-MODEL24 SIT) developed by the Japan Tissue Engineering Co., Ltd. (J-TEC), and the results of these studies were submitted to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for the creation of a Test Guideline (TG). In the summary review report from the OECD, the peer review panel indicated the need to resolve an issue regarding the misclassification of 1-bromohexane. To this end, a rinsing operation intended to remove exposed chemicals was reviewed and the standard operating procedure (SOP) revised by J-TEC. Thereafter, in order to confirm general versatility of the revised SOP, a new validation management team was organized by the Japanese Center for the Validation of Alternative Methods (JaCVAM) to undertake a catch-up validation study that would compare the revised assay with similar in vitro skin irritation assays, per OECD TG No. 439 (2010). The catch-up validation and supplementary studies for LabCyte EPI-MODEL24 SIT using the revised SOPs were conducted at three laboratories. These results showed that the revised SOP of LabCyte EPI-MODEL24 SIT conformed more accurately to the classifications for skin irritation under the United Nations Globally Harmonised System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (UN GHS), thereby highlighting the importance of an optimized rinsing operation for the removal of exposed chemicals in obtaining consistent results from in vitro skin irritation assays. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  5. qPCR standard operating procedure for measuring microorganisms in dust from dwellings in large cohort studies.

    PubMed

    Scherer, Emeline; Rocchi, Steffi; Reboux, Gabriel; Vandentorren, Stéphanie; Roussel, Sandrine; Vacheyrou, Mallory; Raherison, Chantal; Millon, Laurence

    2014-01-01

    The aim of the present study was to assess performance, feasibility and relevance of a Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) for large-scale use in the microbial analysis of children's indoor environments. We analyzed dust settled on Electrostatic Dust Fall Collectors (EDCs) by using qPCR which targeted 6 molds, 3 bacteria and 1 mite, chosen for their involvement in allergic or inflammatory processes. Six types of commercialized electrostatic wipes were tested for their releasing capacity of fungal DNA from fungal spores captured by the wipes. Specificity, repeatability and detection limits of the qPCR procedure were tested using calibrated microbial suspensions. The feasibility and relevance of this sampling and analysis method were assessed in a 75-home pilot study. Our result showed that one specific make of wipe was more effective than the others in releasing fungal DNA. qPCR procedure showed good repeatability. The quantification limit was about 5 fg DNA/μL for all species except Penicillium chrysogenum (0.5 fg DNA/μL) and Dermatophagoïdes pteronyssinus (10 fg DNA/μL). No cross-reactivity was observed. DNA concentrations in the 53/75 homes participating in the pilot study were between 0 and 24 625, 0 and 69 738 equivalent cells per cm(2) for the fungi and bacteria, and between 0 and 1 equivalent mites per cm(2) for D. pteronyssinus. Using the SOP described, we were able to classify the 53 dwellings from the least to the most contaminated according to the quantity of DNA measured for each species. Our SOP measured fungi, bacteria and mites using a cost-efficient, discreet and well-accepted sampling method with just one qPCR tool. The whole procedure can be used for microbial analysis in large cohort studies such as the ELFE study ("Etude Longitudinale Française depuis l'Enfance") and could help improve our understanding of the interactions between the environment, allergic diseases and child development. © 2013.

  6. MOLECULAR METHODS (E.G., MICROARRAYS) APPLIED TO PLANT GENOMES FOR ASSESSING GENETIC CHANGE AND ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS

    EPA Science Inventory

    This is a technical document that presents a detailed sample standard operating procedure (S.O.P.) for preparing plant nucleic acid samples for microarray analyses using commercial ¿chips¿ such as those sold by Affymetrix. It also presents the application of a commercially availa...

  7. NHEXAS PHASE I MARYLAND STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR TRAINING OF FIELD COORDINATION CENTER STAFF (G11)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to outline (1) the responsibilities of the Field Coordination Center (FCC) staff before, during, and after sampling at residences, and (2) to outline the training program that teaches FCC staff what they need to know to handle these responsibilities. F...

  8. NHEXAS PHASE I MARYLAND STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR DUPLICATE SAMPLING (F12)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This SOP is designed to provide both general and specific guidance for the collection of duplicate samples by Harvard School of Public Health/Emory University for the NHEXAS project. The purpose of the duplicate sampling was to ensure that the value obtained for a sample was ind...

  9. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CODING: QUESTIONNAIRE FEEDBACK FORM (UA-D-46.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the coding strategy for the Questionnaire Feedback form. This Questionnaire Feedback form was developed for use during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: data; coding; questionnaire feedback form.

    The National Hu...

  10. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CODING: DIET DIARY QUESTIONNAIRE (UA-D-43.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the coding strategy for the Diet Diary Questionnaire. This questionnaire was developed for use during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: data; coding; diet diary questionnaire.

    The National Human Exposure Assessme...

  11. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR HHID AND IRN ASSIGNMENT (UA-F-1.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to outline HHID and IRN assignment during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: field; records; HHID and IRN Assignment.

    The National Human Exposure Assessment Survey (NHEXAS) is a federal interagency research effort coordinated...

  12. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING QUESTIONNAIRE FEEDBACK FORM (UA-D-47.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the steps involved in cleaning the electronic data generated from data entry of the Questionnaire Feedback form. It applies to electronic data corresponding to the Questionnaire Feedback form that was scanned and verified by the data staff ...

  13. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR DATABASE TREE AND DATA SOURCES (UA-D-41.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the database storage organization, as well as describe the sources of data for each database used during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: data; database; organization.

    The National Human Exposure Assessment Sur...

  14. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING: DESCRIPTIVE QUESTIONNAIRES (UA-D-17.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the steps involved in cleaning the electronic data generated from data entry of the Descriptive Questionnaire. It applies to electronic data corresponding to the Descriptive Questionnaire that was scanned and verified by the Data Staff during...

  15. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CODING: TECHNICIAN WALK-THROUGH QUESTIONNAIRE (UA-D-35.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the coding strategy for the Technician Walk-Through Questionnaire. This questionnaire was developed for use during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: data; coding; technician walk-through questionnaire.

    The Nationa...

  16. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING: BASELINE QUESTIONNAIRES (UA-D-18.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the steps involved in cleaning the electronic data generated from data entry of the Baseline Questionnaire. It applies to electronic data corresponding to the Baseline Questionnaire that was scanned and verified by the Data Staff during the A...

  17. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR SCANNING AND VERIFYING FORMS AND QUESTIONNAIRES (UA-D-34.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the implementation steps for scanning and verifying forms and questionnaires used during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: data; scanning.

    The National Human Exposure Assessment Survey (NHEXAS) is a federal interag...

  18. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CODING: FOLLOW UP QUESTIONNAIRE (UA-D-11.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the coding strategy for the Follow Up Questionnaire. This questionnaire was developed for use in the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Household and individual follow-up data were combined in a single Follow-up Questionnaire data...

  19. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CODING: FIELD FORMS (UA-D-37.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the coding strategy for selected field forms. Forms addressed here will be scanned into databases. Databases are created because the forms contain critical values needed to calculate pollutant concentrations. Other forms not addressed by th...

  20. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CODING: DESCRIPTIVE QUESTIONNAIRE (UA-D-6.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This purpose of this SOP is to define the coding strategy for the Descriptive Questionnaire. This questionnaire was developed for use in the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: data; coding; descriptive questionnaire.

    The U.S.-Mexico Border Program is sponso...

  1. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING: TECHNICIAN WALK-THROUGH QUESTIONNAIRE (UA-D-36.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the steps involved in cleaning the electronic data generated from data entry of the Technician Walk-Through Questionnaire. It applies to electronic data corresponding to the Technician Walk-Through Questionnaire that was scanned and verified ...

  2. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING: DESCRIPTIVE QUESTIONNAIRE (UA-D-17.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the steps involved in cleaning the electronic data generated from data entry of the Descriptive Questionnaire. It applies to electronic data corresponding to the Descriptive Questionnaire that was scanned and verified by the data staff during...

  3. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CODING: BASELINE QUESTIONNAIRE (HOUSEHOLD) (UA-D-7.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the coding strategy for the Baseline Questionnaire. This questionnaire was developed for use in the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Household and individual data were combined in a single Baseline Questionnaire data file. Key...

  4. Optimized Standard Operating Procedures for the Analysis of Cerebrospinal Fluid Aβ42 and the Ratios of Aβ Isoforms Using Low Protein Binding Tubes.

    PubMed

    Vanderstichele, Hugo Marcel Johan; Janelidze, Shorena; Demeyer, Leentje; Coart, Els; Stoops, Erik; Herbst, Victor; Mauroo, Kimberley; Brix, Britta; Hansson, Oskar

    2016-05-31

    Reduced cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentration of amyloid-β1-42 (Aβ1-42) reflects the presence of amyloidopathy in brains of subjects with Alzheimer's disease (AD). To qualify the use of Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40 for improvement of standard operating procedures (SOP) for measurement of CSF Aβ with a focus on CSF collection, storage, and analysis. Euroimmun ELISAs for CSF Aβ isoforms were used to set up a SOP with respect to recipient properties (low binding, polypropylene), volume of tubes, freeze/thaw cycles, addition of detergents (Triton X-100, Tween-20) in collection or storage tubes or during CSF analysis. Data were analyzed with linear repeated measures and mixed effects models. Optimization of CSF analysis included a pre-wash of recipients (e.g., tubes, 96-well plates) before sample analysis. Using the Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40 ratio, in contrast to Aβ1-42, eliminated effects of tube type, additional freeze/thaw cycles, or effect of CSF volumes for polypropylene storage tubes. 'Low binding' tubes reduced the loss of Aβ when aliquoting CSF or in function of additional freeze/thaw cycles. Addition of detergent in CSF collection tubes resulted in an almost complete absence of variation in function of collection procedures, but affected the concentration of Aβ isoforms in the immunoassay. The ratio of Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40 is a more robust biomarker than Aβ1-42 toward (pre-) analytical interfering factors. Further, 'low binding' recipients and addition of detergent in collection tubes are able to remove effects of SOP-related confounding factors. Integration of the Aβ1-42/Aβ1-40 ratio and 'low-binding tubes' into guidance criteria may speed up worldwide standardization of CSF biomarker analysis.

  5. Standard Operating Procedures, ethical and legal regulations in BTB (Brain/Tissue/Bio) banking: what is still missing?

    PubMed

    Ravid, Rivka

    2008-09-01

    The use of human biological specimens in scientific research is the focus of current international public and professional concern and a major issue in bioethics in general. Brain/Tissue/Bio banks (BTB-banks) are a rapid developing sector; each of these banks acts locally as a steering unit for the establishment of the local Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and the legal regulations and ethical guidelines to be followed in the procurement and dissemination of research specimens. An appropriat Code of Conduct is crucial to a successful operation of the banks and the research application they handle. What are we still missing ? (1) Adequate funding for research BTB-banks. (2) Standard evaluation protocls for audit of BTB-bank performance. (3) Internationally accepted SOP's which will facilitate exchange and sharing of specimens and data with the scientific community. (4) Internationally accepted Code of Conduct. In the present paper we review the most pressing organizational, methodological, medico-legal and ethical issues involved in BTB-banking; funding, auditing, procurement, management/handling, dissemination and sharing of specimens, confidentiality and data protection, genetic testing, "financial gain" and safety measures. Taking into consideration the huge variety of the specimens stored in different repositories and the enormous differences in medico-legal systems and ethics regulations in different countries it is strongly recommend that the health-care systems and institutions who host BTB-Banks will put more efforts in getting adequate funding for the infrastructure and daily activities. The BTB-banks should define evaluation protocols, SOPs and their Code of Conduct. This in turn will enable the banks to share the collected specimens and data with the largest possible number of researchers and aim at a maximal scientific spin-off and advance in public health research.

  6. Standard operating procedures for vascular surgery in erectile dysfunction: revascularization and venous procedures.

    PubMed

    Sohn, Michael; Hatzinger, Martin; Goldstein, Irwin; Krishnamurti, Sudhakar

    2013-01-01

    The impact of penile blood supply on erectile function was recognized some 500 years ago. At the turn of the 20th century first results of penile venous ligation were published and in 1973 the first surgical attempts to restore penile arterial inflow were undertaken. Numerous techniques were published in the meantime, but inclusion criteria, patient selection, and success evaluation differed extremely between study groups. To develop evidence-based standard operating procedures (SOPs) for vascular surgery in erectile dysfunction, based on recent state of the art consensus reports and recently published articles in peer-reviewed journals. Based on the recent publication of the consensus process during the 2009 International Consultation on Sexual Medicine in Paris, recommendations are derived for diagnosis and surgical treatment of vascular erectile dysfunction. In addition several recent publications in this field not mentioned in the consensus statements are included in the discussion. The Oxford system of evidence-based review was systematically applied. Due to the generally low level of evidence in this field expert opinions were accepted, if published after a well-defined consensus process in peer-reviewed journals. Referring to penile revascularization it may be concluded, that in the face of missing randomized trials, only recommendations grade D may be given: this kind of surgery may be offered to men less than 55 years, who are nonsmokers, nondiabetic, and demonstrate isolated arterial stenoses in the absence of generalized vascular disease. The evidence level for recommendations concerning penile venous ligations may be even lower. Too many unsolved controversies exist and universal diagnostic criteria for patient selection as well as operative technique selection have not been unequivocally established. This kind of surgery is still considered investigational but may be offered in special situations on an individualized basis in an investigational or research setting after obtaining written consent, using both pre- and postoperatively validated measuring instruments of success evaluation. SOPs for penile revascularization procedures can be developed, concerning a highly selected patient group with isolated arterial stenoses. Based on the available data it is not yet possible to define SOPs for surgical treatment of corporal veno-occlusive dysfunction. © 2012 International Society for Sexual Medicine.

  7. CTEPP STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR EXTRACTING AND PREPARING AIR SAMPLES FOR ANALYSIS OF NEUTRAL PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (SOP-5.12)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The method is for extracting an indoor and outdoor air sample consisting of a quartz fiber filter and an XAD-2 cartridge for analysis of neutral persistent organic pollutants. It covers the extraction and concentration of samples that are to be analyzed by gas chromatography/mass...

  8. NHEXAS PHASE I MARYLAND STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR LAB RESULTS DATA ENTRY AND PREPARATION (D03)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe how lab results are organized and processed into the official database known as the Complete Dataset (CDS); to describe the structure and creation of the Analysis-ready Dataset (ADS); and to describe the structure and process of creating the...

  9. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR PREPARATION OF FIELD BUCKET AND EQUIPMENT ASSIGNMENT (UA-F-2.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the preparation and assembly of materials and samplers to go into the field for use during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: field; equipment.

    The National Human Exposure Assessment Survey (NHEXAS) is a federal i...

  10. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING DIET DIARY QUESTIONNAIRE (UA-D-45.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the steps involved in cleaning the electronic data generated from data entry of the Diet Diary Questionnaire. It applies to electronic data corresponding to the Diet Diary Questionnaire that was scanned and verified by the Data Staff during t...

  11. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR BATCHING OF LAB DATA (UA-C-7.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the steps involved in batching the physical laboratory data forms generated by NHEXAS Arizona and slated for data entry at the primary NHEXAS Arizona office. It applies to all physical laboratory data forms entered at this site. This proced...

  12. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON THE COMPLETION OF SCANNABLE FORMS (UA-D-42.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the appropriate method for completing scannable forms generated by Teleform. The instructions describe methods of form completion and how to indicate that a response is not valid. Scannable Forms are used in the field and laboratory portion o...

  13. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR ANALYSIS OF 2-PHASE MULTISORBENT SAMPLERS FOR VOCS (BCO-L-31.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the methodology for the analysis of certain trace volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air that are captured on two-phase carbon-based multisorbent tubes packed with Carbotrap (graphitized carbon blacks) and Carbosieve S-III (a carbon molecu...

  14. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR MAINTENANCE AND TEMPERATURE VERIFICATION OF REFRIGERATED UNITS FOR SAMPLE STORAGE (UA-L-4.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to assure suitable temperature maintenance in refrigerators and freezers used for sample storage during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: lab; equipment; refrigerators and freezers.

    The National Human Exposure Assessment Su...

  15. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR FIELD USE OF THE PARTICULATE SAMPLER (UA-F-3.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the in-field use of the particulate sampling system (pumping, control unit, and size selective inlet impactors) for collecting samples of particulate matter from the air during a predetermined time period during the Arizona NHEXAS project an...

  16. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR THE TRANSMITTAL OF SAMPLING MATERIALS FROM BATTELLE (BCO-G-1.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the steps to be taken when materials, such as field sampling materials, are shipped from Battelle. A transmittal form accompanies every shipment of such materials or other test articles, substances, paper data, or any other item directly re...

  17. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR ANALYSIS OF PESTICIDE SAMPLES BY GC/MS (BCO-L-15.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the methods used for detection and quantification by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) of pesticides in a variety of matrices, including air, house dust, soil, and handwipes. This analysis involves automated gas GC/MS analysis us...

  18. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR ANALYSIS OF 3-PHASE MULTISORBENT SAMPLERS FOR VOCS (BCO-L-22.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the methodology for the analysis of certain trace volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air that are captured on carbon-based multisorbent tubes packed with Carbotrap C, Carbotrap (graphitized carbon blacks), and Carbosieve S-III (a carbon mo...

  19. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR STANDARD PROTOCOL FOR CLEANING LABORATORY AND FIELD SAMPLING APPARATUS (UA-L-5.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the standard approach used for cleaning glassware and plasticware during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: lab; equipment; cleaning.

    The National Human Exposure Assessment Survey (NHEXAS) is a federal interagency...

  20. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING: FIELD FORMS (UA-D-38.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the steps involved in cleaning the electronic data generated from data entry of the field forms. It applies to electronic data corresponding to the field forms that were scanned and verified by data staff during the Arizona NHEXAS project and...

  1. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR SCANNABLE FORM AND DATA BASE DEFINITION (UA-D-30.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the steps for creating a scannable form and defining the database associated with the activated form. It applies to forms developed for the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: data; scannable forms.

    The National Human E...

  2. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CODING: TECHNICIAN WALK-THROUGH QUESTIONNAIRE (UA-D-35.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the coding strategy for the Technician Walk-Through Questionnaire. This questionnaire was developed for use during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: data; coding; technician walk-through questionnaire.

    The U.S.-Mexi...

  3. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING: TIME DIARY AND ACTIVITY QUESTIONNAIRE (UA-D-20.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the steps involved in cleaning the electronic data generated from data entry of the Time Diary and Activity Questionnaire. It applies to electronic data corresponding to the Time Diary and Activity Questionnaire that was scanned and verified ...

  4. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING: FOLLOW UP QUESTIONNAIRE (UA-D-22.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the steps involved in cleaning the electronic data generated from data entry of the Follow Up Questionnaire. It applies to electronic data corresponding to the Follow Up Questionnaire that was scanned and verified by the data staff during the...

  5. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CODING: FOOD DIARY FOLLOW UP (UA-D-10.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the coding strategy for the Food Diary Follow Up Questionnaire. This questionnaire was developed for use in the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: data; coding; food diary follow up questionnaire.

    The National Human Ex...

  6. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING: FOLLOW UP QUESTIONNAIRE (UA-D-22.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the steps involved in cleaning the electronic data generated from data entry of the Follow Up Questionnaire. It applies to electronic data corresponding to the Follow Up Questionnaire that was scanned and verified by the Data Staff during the...

  7. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CODING: FOLLOW UP QUESTIONNAIRE (UA-D-11.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the coding strategy for the Follow Up Questionnaire. This questionnaire was developed for use in the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Household and individual follow-up data were combined in a single Follow-up Questionnaire data f...

  8. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING: FOOD DIARY FOLLOW UP (UA-D-21.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the steps involved in cleaning the electronic data generated from data entry of the Food Diary Follow Up Questionnaire. It applies to electronic data corresponding to the Food Diary Follow Up Questionnaire that was scanned and verified by the...

  9. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING: QUESTIONNAIRE FEEDBACK FORM (UA-D-47.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the steps involved in cleaning the electronic data generated from data entry of the Questionnaire Feedback form. It applies to electronic data corresponding to the Questionnaire Feedback form that was scanned and verified by the data staff ...

  10. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING: BASELINE QUESTIONNAIRE (UA-D-18.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the steps involved in cleaning the electronic data generated from data entry of the Baseline Questionnaire. It applies to electronic data corresponding to the Baseline Questionnaire that was scanned and verified by the data staff during the A...

  11. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING: ARIZONA LAB DATA (UA-D-24.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the steps involved in cleaning the electronic data generated from data entry of the Arizona Lab Data forms. It applies to electronic data corresponding to the Arizona Lab Data forms scanned and verified by the Data Staff during the Arizona NH...

  12. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CODING: DIET DIARY QUESTIONNAIRE (UA-D-43.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the coding strategy for the Diet Diary Questionnaire. This questionnaire was developed for use during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: data; coding; diet diary questionnaire.

    The U.S.-Mexico Border Program is spon...

  13. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING: TIME DIARY AND ACTIVITY QUESTIONNAIRE (UA-D-20.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the steps involved in cleaning the electronic data generated from data entry of the Time Diary and Activity Questionnaire. It applies to electronic data corresponding to the Time Diary and Activity Questionnaire that was scanned and verified ...

  14. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING: DIET DIARY QUESTIONNAIRE (UA-D-45.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the steps involved in cleaning the electronic data generated from data entry of the Diet Diary Questionnaire. It applies to electronic data corresponding to the Diet Diary Questionnaire that was scanned and verified by the data staff during t...

  15. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CODING: BASELINE QUESTIONNAIRE (HOUSEHOLD) (UA-D-7.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the coding strategy for the Baseline Questionnaire. This questionnaire was developed for use in the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Household and individual data were combined in a single Baseline Questionnaire data file. Keywo...

  16. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CODING: TIME DIARY AND ACTIVITY QUESTIONNAIRE (UA-D-9.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the coding strategy for the Time Diary and Activity Questionnaire. This questionnaire was developed for use in the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: Data; Coding; Time Diary and Activity Questionnaire.

    The National Hu...

  17. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CODING: QUESTIONNAIRE FEEDBACK FORM (UA-D-46.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the coding strategy for the Questionnaire Feedback form. This Questionnaire Feedback form was developed for use during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: data; coding; questionnaire feedback form.

    The U.S.-Mexico B...

  18. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING: TECHNICIAN WALK-THROUGH QUESTIONNAIRE (UA-D-36.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the steps involved in cleaning the electronic data generated from data entry of the Technician Walk-Through Questionnaire. It applies to electronic data corresponding to the Technician Walk-Through Questionnaire that was scanned and verified ...

  19. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR SCANNING AND VERIFYING FORMS AND QUESTIONNAIRES (UA-D-34.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the implementation steps for scanning and verifying forms and questionnaires used during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: data; scanning.

    The U.S.-Mexico Border Program is sponsored by the Environmental Health Workg...

  20. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CODING: ARIZONA LAB DATA (UA-D-13.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the coding strategy for Arizona Lab Data. This strategy was developed for use in the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: data; coding; lab data forms.

    The National Human Exposure Assessment Survey (NHEXAS) is a federal ...

  1. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING: FIELD FORMS (UA-D-38.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the steps involved in cleaning the electronic data generated from data entry of the field forms. It applies to electronic data corresponding to the field forms that were scanned and verified by data staff during the Arizona NHEXAS project and...

  2. Guidelines on product liability for the hospital blood bank. The British Committee for Standards in Haematology.

    PubMed

    1990-01-01

    This report aims to clarify the position of the hospital blood bank in the light of product liability legislation contained in the Consumer Protection Act of 1987. Blood has been defined a 'product' under this Act. The potential for the blood bank to be seen in the role of 'supplier', 'keeper' or even 'producer' in the chain of product supply to the patient is explained and advice given on the resulting implications for blood bank practice. It will be necessary to define, adopt and implement standard operating procedures (SOP) for all blood bank activities. Guidance is given on the format, preparation and content of SOPs and specimen examples offered. The fundamental importance of quality assurance is emphasized.

  3. Feasibility study of structured diagnosis methods for functional dyspepsia in Korean medicine clinics.

    PubMed

    Park, Jeong Hwan; Kim, Soyoung; Park, Jae-Woo; Ko, Seok-Jae; Lee, Sanghun

    2017-12-01

    Functional dyspepsia (FD) is the seventh most common disease encountered in Korean medicine (KM) clinics. Despite the large number of FD patients visiting KM clinics, the accumulated medical records have no utility in evidence development, due to being unstructured. This study aimed to construct a standard operating procedure (SOP) with appropriate structured diagnostic methods for FD, and assess the feasibility for use in KM clinics. Two rounds of professional surveys were conducted by 10 Korean internal medicine professors to select the representative diagnostic methods. A feasibility study was conducted to evaluate compliance and time required for using the structured diagnostic methods by three specialists in two hospitals. As per the results of the professional survey, five questionnaires and one basic diagnostic method were selected. An SOP was constructed based on the survey results, and a feasibility study showed that the SOP compliance score (out of 5) was 3.45 among the subjects, and 3.25 among the practitioners. The SOP was acceptable and was not deemed difficult to execute. The total execution time was 136.5 minutes, out of which the gastric emptying test time was 129 minutes. This feasibility study of the SOP with structured diagnostic methods for FD confirmed it was adequate for use in KM clinics. It is expected that these study findings will be helpful to clinicians who wish to conduct observational studies as well as to generate quantitative medical records to facilitate Big Data research.

  4. [Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) in the emergency room. Is it suitable as an SOP?].

    PubMed

    Shafizadeh, S; Tjardes, T; Steinhausen, E; Balke, M; Paffrath, T; Bouillon, B; Bäthis, H

    2010-08-01

    There is clinical evidence that a standardized management of trauma patients in the emergency room improves outcome. ATLS is a training course that teaches a systematic approach to the trauma patient in the emergency room. The aims are a rapid and accurate assessment of the patient's physiologic status, treatment according to priorities, and making decisions on whether the local resources are sufficient for adequate definitive treatment of the patient or if transfer to a trauma center is necessary. Above all it is important to prevent secondary injury, to realize timing as a relevant factor in the initial treatment, and to assure a high standard of care. A standard operating procedure (SOP) exactly regulates the approach to trauma patients and determines the responsibilities of the involved faculties. An SOP moreover incorporates the organizational structure in the treatment of trauma patients as well as the necessary technical equipment and staff requirements. To optimize process and result quality, priorities are in the fields of medical fundamentals of trauma care, education, and fault management. SOPs and training courses increase the process and result quality in the treatment of the trauma patient in the emergency room. These programs should be based on the special demands of the physiology of the trauma as well as the structural specifics of the hospital. ATLS does not equal an SOP but it qualifies as a standardized concept for management of trauma patients in the emergency room.

  5. Developing best practice for fungal specimen management: audit of UK microbiology laboratories.

    PubMed

    Lasseter, G; Palmer, M; Morgan, J; Watts, J; Yoxall, H; Kibbler, C; McNulty, C

    2011-01-01

    This study represents an audit of microbiology laboratories in the UK to ascertain whether they are aware of, or follow, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) National Standard Methods Standard Operating Procedure (NSM SOP) for the investigation of dermatological specimens for superficial mycoses, or use a locally adapted version. A questionnaire audit was distributed to 179 NHS microbiology laboratories throughout England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The NSM SOP was followed by 92% of laboratories for the microscopy of dermatological samples; light microscopy/ KOH digestion was used by 63% and fluorescence microscopy/KOH digestion by 29% of laboratories. Preliminary reports post-microscopy were issued by 98% of laboratories, with 93% issuing reports within 48 hours. Adherence to the NSM SOP guidelines for culture was low; only 34% of laboratories incubated microscopy-negative specimens for the recommended 14 days, while approximately 60% incubated microscopy-positive specimens for 21 days. The culture medium recommended by the NSM SOP was used in 82% of laboratories. Comments were added to culture reports by 51% of laboratories; most were added manually and comments varied between laboratories. Nail samples were the most common sample received from primary care, followed by skin and hair. These results show no significant difference in the rate of microscopy positives versus culture positives. Microscopy and culture are the easiest and cheapest methods available to UK laboratories for the investigation of suspected superficial fungal infections. Although most laboratories included in this audit claimed to follow the NSM SOP for microscopy and culture, these results show that the techniques used vary throughout the UK. To maximise the service provided to primary care, UK laboratories should use standardise methods based on the NSM SOP.

  6. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR STANDARD PROTOCOL FOR CLEANING LABORATORY AND FIELD SAMPLING APPARATUS (UA-L-5.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the standard approach used for cleaning glassware and plasticware during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: lab; equipment; cleaning.

    The U.S.-Mexico Border Program is sponsored by the Environmental Health Workgroup...

  7. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR THE TRANSMITTAL OF SAMPLING MATERIALS FROM BATTELLE (BCO-G-1.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the steps to be taken when materials, such as field sampling materials, are shipped from Battelle. A transmittal form accompanies every shipment of such materials or other test articles, substances, paper data, or any other item directly re...

  8. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR PREPARATION OF FIELD BUCKET AND EQUIPMENT ASSIGNMENT (UA-F-2.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the preparation and assembly of materials and samplers to go into the field for use during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: field; equipment.

    The U.S.-Mexico Border Program is sponsored by the Environmental Health...

  9. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR MAINTENANCE AND TEMPERATURE VERIFICATION OF REFRIGERATED UNITS FOR SAMPLE STORAGE (UA-L-4.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to assure suitable temperature maintenance in refrigerators and freezers used for sample storage during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: lab; equipment; refrigerators and freezers.

    The U.S.-Mexico Border Program is sponsored...

  10. NHEXAS PHASE I MARYLAND STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION, STORAGE, AND SHIPMENT OF BLOOD SAMPLES FOR METAL, PESTICIDE, PAH, VOC, AND LIPID ANALYSIS (F11)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe collection, storage, and shipment requirements of blood samples for metal, pesticide, polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), volatile organic compound (VOC), and lipid analysis. Seven samples were taken from a single puncture: two 3-mL t...

  11. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CODING: 24-HOUR FOOD DIARY (HAND ENTRY) (UA-D-39.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the coding strategy for the 24-Hour Food Diary. This diary was developed for use during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" study. Keywords: data; coding; 24-hour food diary.

    The National Human Exposure Assessment Survey (NHEXAS) i...

  12. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR COLLECTION OF FIXED SITE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR FORMALDEHYDE PASSIVE SAMPLES (UA-F-13.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the methods used to sample residential indoor and outdoor atmospheres for the presence of formaldehyde using the PF-1 passive formaldehyde sampler. The PF-1 passive sampler is used as a fixed location monitor to determine time integrated ex...

  13. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR DATABASE TREE AND DATA SOURCES (UA-D-41.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the database storage organization, and to describe the sources of data for each database used during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: data; database; organization.

    The U.S.-Mexico Border Program is sponsored by t...

  14. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CODING AND CODING VERIFICATION (HAND ENTRY) (UA-D-14.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the coding strategy for coding and coding verification of hand-entered data. It applies to the coding of all physical forms, especially those coded by hand. The strategy was developed for use in the Arizona NHEXAS project and the "Border" st...

  15. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CODING: ARIZONA LAB DATA (UA-D-13.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the coding strategy for Arizona Lab Data. This strategy was developed for use in the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: data; coding; lab data forms.

    The U.S.-Mexico Border Program is sponsored by the Environmental Healt...

  16. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR SCANNABLE FORM AND DATA BASE DEFINITION (UA-D-30.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the steps for creating a scannable form and defining the database associated with the activated form. It applies to forms developed for the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: data; scannable forms.

    The U.S.-Mexico Border...

  17. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON THE COMPLETION OF SCANNABLE FORMS (UA-D-42.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the appropriate method for completing scannable forms generated by Teleform. The instructions describe methods of form completion and how to indicate that a response is not valid. Scannable Forms are used in the field and laboratory portion o...

  18. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CODING: FOOD DIARY FOLLOW UP (UA-D-10.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the coding strategy for the Food Diary Follow Up Questionnaire. This questionnaire was developed for use in the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: data; coding; food diary follow up questionnaire.

    The U.S.-Mexico Border ...

  19. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CODING: TIME DIARY AND ACTIVITY QUESTIONNAIRE (UA-D-9.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the coding strategy for the Time Diary and Activity Questionnaire. This questionnaire was developed for use in the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: Data; Coding; Time Diary and Activity Questionnaire.

    The U.S.-Mexico B...

  20. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING: ARIZONA LAB DATA (UA-D-24.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the steps involved in cleaning the electronic data generated from data entry of the Arizona Lab Data forms. It applies to electronic data corresponding to the Arizona Lab Data forms scanned and verified by the data staff during the Arizona NH...

  1. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR CLEANING: FOOD DIARY FOLLOW UP (UA-D-21.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to define the steps involved in cleaning the electronic data generated from data entry of the Food Diary Follow Up Questionnaire. It applies to electronic data corresponding to the Food Diary Follow Up Questionnaire that was scanned and verified by the...

  2. Cybersecurity Workforce Development and the Protection of Critical Infrastructure

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2017-03-31

    communicat ions products, and limited travel for site visits and conferencing. The CSCC contains a developed web-based coordination site, computer ...the CSCC. The Best Practices Ana~yst position maintains a lisr of best practices, computer related patches. and standard operating procedures (SOP...involved in conducting vulnerability assessments of computer networks. To adequately exercise and experiment with industry standard software, it was

  3. The Verification of a Method for Detecting and Quantifying Diethylene Glycol, Triethylene Glycol, Tetraethylene Glycol, 2-Butoxyethanol and 2-Methoxyethanolin in Ground and Surface Waters

    EPA Science Inventory

    This verification study was a special project designed to determine the efficacy of a draft standard operating procedure (SOP) developed by US EPA Region 3 for the determination of selected glycols in drinking waters that may have been impacted by active unconventional oil and ga...

  4. Standard operating procedures for Peyronie's disease.

    PubMed

    Levine, Laurence A; Burnett, Arthur L

    2013-01-01

    Peyronie's disease (PD) refers to a penile deformity that is associated with sexual dysfunction. To provide recommendations and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) based on best evidence for diagnosis and treatment of PD. Medical literature was reviewed and combined with expert opinion of the authors. Recommendations and SOPs based on grading of evidence-based medical literature. PD is a fibrotic wound-healing disorder involving the tunica albuginea of the corpora cavernosa. The resulting scar is responsible for a variety of deformities, including curvature, shortening, narrowing with hinge effect, and is frequently associated in the early phase with pain. Patients frequently experience diminished quality erections. All of these conditions can compromise sexual function for the affected male. The etiopathophysiology of PD has yet to be clarified and as a result, effective, reliable, mechanistic directed non-surgical therapy is lacking. The management of PD consists of proper diagnosis and treatment, ranging from non-surgical to surgical interventions. The main state of treatment for PD rests at this time on surgical correction that should be based on clear indications, involve surgical consent, and follow a surgical algorithm that includes tunica plication, plaque incision/partial excision and grafting, and penile prosthesis implantation. © 2012 International Society for Sexual Medicine.

  5. An analysis of child protection 'standard operating procedures for research' in higher education institutions in the United Kingdom.

    PubMed

    Randall, Duncan; Childers-Buschle, Kristin; Anderson, Anna; Taylor, Julie

    2015-09-29

    Interest in children's agency within the research process has led to a renewed consideration of the relationships between researchers and children. Child protection concerns are sometimes not recognised by researchers, and sometimes ignored. Yet much research on children's lives, especially in health, has the potential to uncover child abuse. University research guidance should be in place to safeguard both researchers and the populations under scrutiny. The aim of this study was to examine university guidance on protecting children in research contexts. Child protection Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) were requested from institutions with Research Assessment Exercise (2008) profiles in the top two quartiles according to published league tables. Procedures were included if they applied across the institution and if they were more extensive than stating the university's general application of the UK Disclosure and Barring Service process. A typology for scoring the SOPs was designed for this study based on the authors' previous work. The typology and the raw data scoring were reviewed independently by each of the team members and collectively agreed. The raw scores were charted and analysed using descriptive statistics. SOPs for research conduct amongst vulnerable groups were sought from 83 institutions. Forty HEIs provided policies which met the inclusion criteria. The majority did not mention children, young people or vulnerable adults as a whole, although children in nurseries and young people in universities were addressed. Only three institutions scored over 50 out of a possible 100. The mean score was 17.4. More than half the HEIs made no reference to vetting/barring schemes in research, only eight universities set out a training programme on child protection. Research was often not mentioned in the SOPs and only six mention children in research, with only two fully recognising the extent of child protection in research. There is potential for researchers to recognise and respond to maltreatment of children who participate in research. However, the majority of HEIs do not have an overt culture of safeguarding. There is confusion over what are the roles and responsibilities of HEIs in relation to research that involves children. The policies that are meant to support and guide research practice, so that children are protected, are in the most part non-existent or poorly developed.

  6. Standard operating procedures for collection of soil and sediment samples for the Sediment-bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response (SCoRR) strategy pilot study

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Fisher, Shawn C.; Reilly, Timothy J.; Jones, Daniel K.; Benzel, William M.; Griffin, Dale W.; Loftin, Keith A.; Iwanowicz, Luke R.; Cohl, Jonathan A.

    2015-12-17

    An understanding of the effects on human and ecological health brought by major coastal storms or flooding events is typically limited because of a lack of regionally consistent baseline and trends data in locations proximal to potential contaminant sources and mitigation activities, sensitive ecosystems, and recreational facilities where exposures are probable. In an attempt to close this gap, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has implemented the Sediment-bound Contaminant Resiliency and Response (SCoRR) strategy pilot study to collect regional sediment-quality data prior to and in response to future coastal storms. The standard operating procedure (SOP) detailed in this document serves as the sample-collection protocol for the SCoRR strategy by providing step-by-step instructions for site preparation, sample collection and processing, and shipping of soil and surficial sediment (for example, bed sediment, marsh sediment, or beach material). The objectives of the SCoRR strategy pilot study are (1) to create a baseline of soil-, sand-, marsh sediment-, and bed-sediment-quality data from sites located in the coastal counties from Maine to Virginia based on their potential risk of being contaminated in the event of a major coastal storm or flooding (defined as Resiliency mode); and (2) respond to major coastal storms and flooding by reoccupying select baseline sites and sampling within days of the event (defined as Response mode). For both modes, samples are collected in a consistent manner to minimize bias and maximize quality control by ensuring that all sampling personnel across the region collect, document, and process soil and sediment samples following the procedures outlined in this SOP. Samples are analyzed using four USGS-developed screening methods—inorganic geochemistry, organic geochemistry, pathogens, and biological assays—which are also outlined in this SOP. Because the SCoRR strategy employs a multi-metric approach for sample analyses, this protocol expands upon and reconciles differences in the sample collection protocols outlined in the USGS “National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data,” which should be used in conjunction with this SOP. A new data entry and sample tracking system also is presented to ensure all relevant data and metadata are gathered at the sample locations and in the laboratories.

  7. Check-off logs for routine equipment maintenance.

    PubMed

    Brewster, M A; Carver, P H; Randolph, B

    1995-12-01

    The regulatory requirement for appropriate routine instrument maintenance documentation is approached by laboratories in numerous ways. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) may refer to maintenance listed in instrument manuals, may indicate "periodic" performance of an action, or may indicate specific tasks to be performed at certain frequencies. The Quality Assurance Unit (QAU) task of assuring the performance of these indicated maintenance tasks can be extremely laborious if these records are merged with other analysis records. Further, the lack of written maintenance schedules often leads to omission of infrequently performed tasks. We recommend creation of routine maintenance check-off logs for instruments with tasks grouped by frequency of expected performance. Usage of such logs should result in better laboratory compliance with SOPs and the compliance can be readily monitored by QAU or by regulatory agencies.

  8. Water quality monitoring protocol for wadeable streams and rivers in the Northern Great Plains Network

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Wilson, Marcia H.; Rowe, Barbara L.; Gitzen, Robert A.; Wilson, Stephen K.; Paintner-Green, Kara J.

    2014-01-01

    As recommended by Oakley et al. (2003), this protocol provides a narrative and the rationale for selection of streams and rivers within the NGPN that will be measured for water quality, including dissolved oxygen, pH, specific conductivity, and temperature. Standard operating procedures (SOPs) that detail the steps to collect, manage, and disseminate the NGPN water quality data are in an accompanying document. The sampling design documented in this protocol may be updated as monitoring information is collected and interpreted, and as refinement of methodologies develop through time. In addition, evaluation of data and refinement of the program may necessitate potential changes of program objectives. Changes to the NGPN water quality protocols and SOPs will be carefully documented in a revision history log.

  9. Sampling protocol for monitoring abiotic and biotic characteristics of mountain ponds and lakes

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Hoffman, Robert L.; Tyler, Torrey J.; Larson, Gary L.; Adams, Michael J.; Wente, Wendy; Galvan, Stephanie

    2005-01-01

    This document describes field techniques and procedures used for sampling mountain ponds and lakes. These techniques and procedures will be used primarily to monitor, as part of long-term programs in National Parks and other protected areas, the abiotic and biotic characteristics of naturally occurring permanent montane lentic systems up to 75 ha in surface area. However, the techniques and procedures described herein also can be used to sample temporary or ephemeral montane lentic sites. Each Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) section addresses a specific component of the limnological investigation, and describes in detail field sampling methods pertaining to parameters to be measured for each component.

  10. Lessons Learned from the Afghan Mission Network: Developing a Coalition Contingency Network

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2014-01-01

    SIPRNet Secret Internet Protocol Router Network SOP Standard Operating Procedure SVTC Secure Video Teleconference (or –Conferencing) TTP Tactics...Voice over internet protocol (VOIP) telephone connectivity • Email • Web browsing • Secure video teleconferencing (SVTC...10, 2012. As of January 15, 2013: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/10/us-troops-jordan-syria-crisis Baldor, Lolita C., and Pauline Jelinek

  11. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR HHID, SAMPLE-ID, AND IRN CREATION, ASSIGNMENT, AND USE (UA-F-1.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to outline HHID and IRN assignment during the Arizona NHEXAS project and the Border study. Keywords: field; records; HHID and IRN assignment.

    The U.S.-Mexico Border Program is sponsored by the Environmental Health Workgroup of the Border 2012 Program....

  12. Environmental Assessment: Fort Greely Installation, Fort Greely, Alaska

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2005-04-18

    Products ineffective. Actions taken to remove products from Mosquito Repelling the marketplace. Endrin Most uses cancelled. EPN Mosquito larvicide products...Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended. The ICRMP includes chapters on the following topics: "* Geographic Overview of the Fort Greely Region...34* Prehistoric and Historic Overview of the Fort Greely Area "* Legal Foundation and Methodology for the ICRMP "* Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for

  13. Adaptive Standard Operating Procedures for Complex Disasters

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2017-03-01

    Developments in Business Simulation and Experiential Learning 33 (2014). 23 Patrick Lagadec and Benjamin Topper, “How Crises Model the Modern World...field of crisis response . Therefore, this experiment supports the argument for implementing the adaptive design proposals. The adaptive SOP enhancement...Kalay. “An Event- Based Model to Simulate Human Behaviour in Built Environments.” Proceedings of the 30th eCAADe Conference 1 (2012). Snowden

  14. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR EXTRACTION OF AIR SAMPLES FOR GC/MS ANALYSIS OF PESTICIDE AND PAH (BCO-L-27.0)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe methods for extracting and preparing an air sample consisting of a quartz fiber filter (Pallflex) and an XAD-2 cartridge for analysis of pesticides and polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). It covers the preparation of samples that are to be an...

  15. Raising the quality of rheumatology management recommendations: lessons from the EULAR process 10 years after provision of standard operating procedures.

    PubMed

    Colebatch-Bourn, Alexandra N; Conaghan, Philip G; Arden, Nigel K; Cooper, Cyrus; Dougados, Maxime; Edwards, Christopher J

    2015-08-01

    To increase understanding of how to raise the quality of rheumatology guidelines by reviewing European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) management recommendations, using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II instrument, 10 years after publication of the EULAR standardized operating procedures (SOP) for the production of recommendations. It was hoped that this work could help inform improvements in guideline development by other societies and organizations. The SOP were published in 2004 to ensure the quality of EULAR-endorsed recommendations. We reviewed 27 published EULAR recommendations for management using the AGREE II tool. This provides a framework to assess the quality of guidelines across six broad domains using 23 specific questions. Overall the EULAR recommendations reviewed have been performed to a high standard. There are particular strengths in the methodology and presentation of the guidelines; however, the results indicate areas for development in future recommendations: in particular, stakeholder involvement and applicability of the recommendations. Improvements in quality were evident in recent years, with patient representation in 9 of 15 (60.0%) recommendations published 2010-14 compared with 4 of 12 (33.3%) published 2000-09. In the last 10 years the overall quality of recommendations was good, with standards improving over the decade following publication of the SOP. However, this review process has identified potential areas for improvement, especially in patient representation and provision of implementation tools. The lessons from this work can be applied to the development of rheumatology guidelines by other societies and organizations. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Rheumatology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  16. Standard operating procedures in the disorders of orgasm and ejaculation.

    PubMed

    McMahon, Chris G; Jannini, Emmanuele; Waldinger, Marcel; Rowland, David

    2013-01-01

    Ejaculatory/orgasmic disorders are common male sexual dysfunctions and include premature ejaculation (PE), inhibited ejaculation, anejaculation, retrograde ejaculation, and anorgasmia. To provide recommendations and guidelines of the current state-of-the-art knowledge for management of ejaculation/orgasmic disorders in men as standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the treating health care professional. The International Society of Sexual Medicine Standards Committee assembled over 30 multidisciplinary experts to establish SOPs for various male and female sexual medicine topics. The SOP for the management of disorders of orgasm and ejaculation represents the opinion of four experts from four countries developed in a process over a 2-year period. Expert opinion was based on grading of evidence-based medical literature, limited expert opinion, widespread internal committee discussion, public presentation, and debate. PE management is largely dependent upon etiology. Lifelong PE is best managed with PE pharmacotherapy (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and/or topical anesthetics). The management of acquired PE is etiology specific and may include erectile dysfunction (ED) pharmacotherapy in men with comorbid ED. All men seeking treatment for PE should receive basic psychosexual education. Graded behavioral therapy is indicated when psychogenic or relationship factors are present and is often best combined with PE pharmacotherapy in an integrated treatment program. Delayed ejaculation, anejaculation, and/or anorgasmia may have a biogenic and/or psychogenic etiology. Men with age-related penile hypoanesthesia should be educated, reassured, and instructed in revised sexual techniques which maximize arousal. Retrograde ejaculation is managed by education, patient reassurance, and pharmacotherapy. Additional research is required to further the understanding of the disorders of ejaculation and orgasm. © 2012 International Society for Sexual Medicine.

  17. Diagnostic procedures for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC): recommendations of the European Expert Group

    PubMed Central

    Dietel, Manfred; Bubendorf, Lukas; Dingemans, Anne-Marie C; Dooms, Christophe; Elmberger, Göran; García, Rosa Calero; Kerr, Keith M; Lim, Eric; López-Ríos, Fernando; Thunnissen, Erik; Van Schil, Paul E; von Laffert, Maximilian

    2016-01-01

    Background There is currently no Europe-wide consensus on the appropriate preanalytical measures and workflow to optimise procedures for tissue-based molecular testing of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To address this, a group of lung cancer experts (see list of authors) convened to discuss and propose standard operating procedures (SOPs) for NSCLC. Methods Based on earlier meetings and scientific expertise on lung cancer, a multidisciplinary group meeting was aligned. The aim was to include all relevant aspects concerning NSCLC diagnosis. After careful consideration, the following topics were selected and each was reviewed by the experts: surgical resection and sampling; biopsy procedures for analysis; preanalytical and other variables affecting quality of tissue; tissue conservation; testing procedures for epidermal growth factor receptor, anaplastic lymphoma kinase and ROS proto-oncogene 1, receptor tyrosine kinase (ROS1) in lung tissue and cytological specimens; as well as standardised reporting and quality control (QC). Finally, an optimal workflow was described. Results Suggested optimal procedures and workflows are discussed in detail. The broad consensus was that the complex workflow presented can only be executed effectively by an interdisciplinary approach using a well-trained team. Conclusions To optimise diagnosis and treatment of patients with NSCLC, it is essential to establish SOPs that are adaptable to the local situation. In addition, a continuous QC system and a local multidisciplinary tumour-type-oriented board are essential. PMID:26530085

  18. Analysis of Carbamate Pesticides: Validation of Semi-Volatile Analysis by HPLC-MS/MS by EPA Method MS666

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Owens, J; Koester, C

    The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Region 5 Chicago Regional Laboratory (CRL) developed a method for analysis of aldicarb, bromadiolone, carbofuran, oxamyl, and methomyl in water by high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS), titled Method EPA MS666. This draft standard operating procedure (SOP) was distributed to multiple EPA laboratories and to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, which was tasked to serve as a reference laboratory for EPA's Environmental Reference Laboratory Network (ERLN) and to develop and validate analytical procedures. The primary objective of this study was to validate and verify the analytical procedures described in MS666 for analysis of carbamatemore » pesticides in aqueous samples. The gathered data from this validation study will be used to: (1) demonstrate analytical method performance; (2) generate quality control acceptance criteria; and (3) revise the SOP to provide a validated method that would be available for use during a homeland security event. The data contained in this report will be compiled, by EPA CRL, with data generated by other EPA Regional laboratories so that performance metrics of Method EPA MS666 can be determined.« less

  19. Analysis of Ethanolamines: Validation of Semi-Volatile Analysis by HPLC-MS/MS by EPA Method MS888

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Owens, J; Vu, A; Koester, C

    The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Region 5 Chicago Regional Laboratory (CRL) developed a method titled 'Analysis of Diethanolamine, Triethanolamine, n-Methyldiethanolamine, and n-Ethyldiethanolamine in Water by Single Reaction Monitoring Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS): EPA Method MS888'. This draft standard operating procedure (SOP) was distributed to multiple EPA laboratories and to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, which was tasked to serve as a reference laboratory for EPA's Environmental Reference Laboratory Network (ERLN) and to develop and validate analytical procedures. The primary objective of this study was to validate and verify the analytical procedures described in 'EPA Method MS888' for analysis of themore » listed ethanolamines in aqueous samples. The gathered data from this validation study will be used to: (1) demonstrate analytical method performance; (2) generate quality control acceptance criteria; and (3) revise the SOP to provide a validated method that would be available for use during a homeland security event. The data contained in this report will be compiled, by EPA CRL, with data generated by other EPA Regional laboratories so that performance metrics of 'EPA Method MS888' can be determined.« less

  20. Developing a Measurement for Task Complexity in Flight.

    PubMed

    Zheng, Yiyuan; Lu, Yanyu; Wang, Zhen; Huang, Dan; Fu, Shan

    2015-08-01

    Task complexity is regarded as an essential metric that is related to a pilot's performance and workload. Normally, pilots follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) during a flight. In this study, we developed a measurement named Task Complexity in Flight (TCIF) to represent the task complexity in the SOPs. The TCIF measurement combined four complexity components into one index: actions logic complexity (ALC), actions size complexity (ASC), information control exchange complexity (ICEC), and control mode complexity (CMC).To verify the measurement, we calculated 11 tasks during the takeoff and landing phases from the SOPs, and invited 10 pilots to perform the same tasks in a flight simulator. After flight, the TCIF results were compared with two workload measurements: the Bedford scale and heart rate. The results of TCIF and the 4 components of the 11 tasks were calculated. Further, the TCIF results showed a significant correlation with the Bedford scores (R=0.851) and were also consistent with the difference in heart rate (R=0.816). Therefore, with the increased TCIF results, both the Bedford scale and the difference in heart rate increased. TCIF was proposed based on the flight operating conditions. Although additional studies of TCIF are necessary, the results of this study suggest this measurement could effectively indicate task complexity in flight, and could also be used to guide pilot training and task allocation on the flight deck.

  1. The GLAS editing procedures for the FGGE level II-B data collected during SOP-1 and 2

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Baker, W.; Edelmann, D.; Carus, H.

    1981-01-01

    The modifications made to the FGGE Level II-b data are discussed and the FORTRAN program developed to perform the modifications is described. It is suggested that the edited database is the most accurate one available for FGGE SOP-1 and 2.

  2. [Quality assurance and quality management in intensive care].

    PubMed

    Notz, K; Dubb, R; Kaltwasser, A; Hermes, C; Pfeffer, S

    2015-11-01

    Treatment success in hospitals, particularly in intensive care units, is directly tied to quality of structure, process, and outcomes. Technological and medical advancements lead to ever more complex treatment situations with highly specialized tasks in intensive care nursing. Quality criteria that can be used to describe and correctly measure those highly complex multiprofessional situations have only been recently developed and put into practice.In this article, it will be shown how quality in multiprofessional teams can be definded and assessed in daily clinical practice. Core aspects are the choice of a nursing theory, quality assurance measures, and quality management. One possible option of quality assurance is the use of standard operating procedures (SOPs). Quality can ultimately only be achieved if professional groups think beyond their boundaries, minimize errors, and establish and live out instructions and SOPs.

  3. U.S. Army Central did not Implement Controls to Effectively Manage the Shared Cost of Administrative Support Functions in Iraq

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-02-17

    diverse organization, working together as one professional team, recognized as leaders in our field. For more information about whistleblower protection...Administrative Support Services SOP Standard Operating Procedures SoS Subscription of Services Whistleblower Protection U.S. Department of Defense The... Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 requires the Inspector General to designate a Whistleblower Protection Ombudsman to educate agency

  4. Purification and Concentration of Nanoparticles Using Diafiltration: Scientific Operating Procedure Series: SOP-P-1

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-07-01

    Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS) analysis If the nanoparticle of choice is a metal such as gold or silver , an aliquot can be measured using USEPA...ER D C/ EL S R- 15 -4 Environmental Consequences of Nanotechnologies Purification and Concentration of Nanoparticles Using...Environmental Consequences of Nanotechnologies ERDC/EL SR-15-4 July 2015 Purification and Concentration of Nanoparticles Using Diafiltration

  5. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR USE OF A PASSIVE SAMPLING DEVICE FOR THE COLLECTION OF AIRBORNE VOCS AT FIXED INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SITES (UA-F-12.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the methods used to sample residential indoor and outdoor atmospheres for the presence of certain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by means of absorption onto activated charcoal contained within a sampling badge. Activated charcoal diffusi...

  6. A Comparative Assessment of Knowledge Management Education Across the United States Department of Defense

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2007-03-01

    portal, AKO. The Army is also creating Battle Command Knowledge Cells staffed with Knowledge Management Officers ( KMO ) to facilitate KM within...battle commands. To increase their effectiveness, the Army has a draft Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) document to assist KMOs in establishing and...cultivating KM programs. This draft document includes instruction on implementing a KM program in a unit, worksheets to assist KMOs with knowledge

  7. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR USE OF THE ACTIVE VOC SAMPLER FOR THE COLLECTION OF AIRBORNE VOCS AT FIXED INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SITES (UA-F-11.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the methods used to collect indoor and outdoor air samples for the determination of selected volatile organic compounds (VOC's) using a pump to draw air through a Carbotrap Sampler. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in the air are p...

  8. Updated standard operating procedures for electrochemotherapy of cutaneous tumours and skin metastases.

    PubMed

    Gehl, Julie; Sersa, Gregor; Matthiessen, Louise Wichmann; Muir, Tobian; Soden, Declan; Occhini, Antonio; Quaglino, Pietro; Curatolo, Pietro; Campana, Luca G; Kunte, Christian; Clover, A James P; Bertino, Giulia; Farricha, Victor; Odili, Joy; Dahlstrom, Karin; Benazzo, Marco; Mir, Lluis M

    2018-03-25

    Electrochemotherapy is now in routine clinical use to treat cutaneous metastases of any histology, and is listed in national and international guidelines for cutaneous metastases and primary skin cancer. Electrochemotherapy is used by dermatologists, surgeons, and oncologists, and for different degrees and manifestations of metastases to skin and primary skin tumours not amenable to surgery. This treatment utilises electric pulses to permeabilize cell membranes in tumours, thus allowing a dramatic increase of the cytotoxicity of anti-cancer agents. Response rates, often after only one treatment, are very high across all tumour types. The most frequent indications are cutaneous metastases from malignant melanoma and breast cancer. In 2006, standard operating procedures (SOPs) were written for this novel technology, greatly facilitating introduction and dissemination of the therapy. Since then considerable experience has been obtained treating a wider range of tumour histologies and increasing size of tumours which was not originally thought possible. A pan-European expert panel drawn from a range of disciplines from dermatology, general surgery, head and neck surgery, plastic surgery, and oncology met to form a consensus opinion to update the SOPs based on the experience obtained. This paper contains these updated recommendations for indications for electrochemotherapy, pre-treatment information and evaluation, treatment choices, as well as follow-up.

  9. Protocol and standard operating procedures for common use in a worldwide multicenter study on reference values.

    PubMed

    Ozarda, Yesim; Ichihara, Kiyoshi; Barth, Julian H; Klee, George

    2013-05-01

    The reference intervals (RIs) given in laboratory reports have an important role in aiding clinicians in interpreting test results in reference to values of healthy populations. In this report, we present a proposed protocol and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for common use in conducting multicenter RI studies on a national or international scale. The protocols and consensus on their contents were refined through discussions in recent C-RIDL meetings. The protocol describes in detail (1) the scheme and organization of the study, (2) the target population, inclusion/exclusion criteria, ethnicity, and sample size, (3) health status questionnaire, (4) target analytes, (5) blood collection, (6) sample processing and storage, (7) assays, (8) cross-check testing, (9) ethics, (10) data analyses, and (11) reporting of results. In addition, the protocol proposes the common measurement of a panel of sera when no standard materials exist for harmonization of test results. It also describes the requirements of the central laboratory, including the method of cross-check testing between the central laboratory of each country and local laboratories. This protocol and the SOPs remain largely exploratory and may require a reevaluation from the practical point of view after their implementation in the ongoing worldwide study. The paper is mainly intended to be a basis for discussion in the scientific community.

  10. Cryptosporidiosis outbreak at an academic animal research laboratory-Colorado, 2014.

    PubMed

    Hancock-Allen, Jessica; Alden, Nisha B; Cronquist, Alicia B

    2017-02-01

    After cryptosporidiosis was reported in three workers caring for preweaned calves at an academic research laboratory, we sought to identify cases, determine risk factors, and implement control measures. A cryptosporidiosis case was defined as diarrhea duration ≥72 hr, abdominal cramps, or vomiting in an animal research laboratory worker during July 14-July 31. A confirmed case had laboratory evidence of Cryptosporidium infection. Staff were interviewed regarding illness, potential exposures, training, and personal protective equipment (PPE) standard operating procedures (SOPs). The cryptosporidiosis attack rate (AR) was 74% (20/27); five were laboratory-confirmed. Median job training was 2 hr including respiratory-fit testing. No SOPs existed for doffing PPE. AR for workers who removed their gloves first was 84% (16/19) compared with 20% (1/5) for workers who removed gloves last (risk ratio = 4.2; P < 0.02). This outbreak highlights the importance of adequate training, enforced proper PPE procedures, and promoting a culture of safety. Am. J. Ind. Med. 60:208-214, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  11. An innovative and shared methodology for event reconstruction using images in forensic science.

    PubMed

    Milliet, Quentin; Jendly, Manon; Delémont, Olivier

    2015-09-01

    This study presents an innovative methodology for forensic science image analysis for event reconstruction. The methodology is based on experiences from real cases. It provides real added value to technical guidelines such as standard operating procedures (SOPs) and enriches the community of practices at stake in this field. This bottom-up solution outlines the many facets of analysis and the complexity of the decision-making process. Additionally, the methodology provides a backbone for articulating more detailed and technical procedures and SOPs. It emerged from a grounded theory approach; data from individual and collective interviews with eight Swiss and nine European forensic image analysis experts were collected and interpreted in a continuous, circular and reflexive manner. Throughout the process of conducting interviews and panel discussions, similarities and discrepancies were discussed in detail to provide a comprehensive picture of practices and points of view and to ultimately formalise shared know-how. Our contribution sheds light on the complexity of the choices, actions and interactions along the path of data collection and analysis, enhancing both the researchers' and participants' reflexivity. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  12. Determining global distribution of microplastics by combining citizen science and in-depth case studies.

    PubMed

    Bosker, Thijs; Behrens, Paul; Vijver, Martina G

    2017-05-01

    Microplastics (<5 mm) are contaminants of emerging global concern. They have received considerable attention in scientific research, resulting in an increased awareness of the issue among politicians and the general public. However, there has been significant variation in sampling and extraction procedures used to quantify microplastics levels. The difference in extraction procedures can especially impact study outcomes, making it difficult, and sometimes impossible, to directly compare results among studies. To address this, we recently developed a standard operating procedure (SOP) for sampling microplastics on beaches. We are now assessing regional and global variations in beach microplastics using this standardized approach for 2 research projects. Our first project involves the general public through citizen science. Participants collect sand samples from beaches using a basic protocol, and we subsequently extract and quantify microplastics in a central laboratory using the SOP. Presently, we have 80+ samples from around the world and expect this number to further increase. Second, we are conducting 2, in-depth, regional case studies: one along the Dutch coast (close to major rivers, a known source of microplastic input into marine systems), and the other on the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean (in the proximity to a hotspot of plastics in the North Atlantic Ocean). In both projects, we use our new SOP to determine regional variation in microplastics, including differences in physicochemical characteristics such as size, shape, and polymer type. Our research will provide, for the first time, a systematic comparison on levels of microplastics on beaches at both a regional and global scale. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2017;13:536-541. © 2017 SETAC. © 2017 SETAC.

  13. Standardized application of laxatives and physical measures in neurosurgical intensive care patients improves defecation pattern but is not associated with lower intracranial pressure.

    PubMed

    Kieninger, Martin; Sinner, Barbara; Graf, Bernhard; Grassold, Astrid; Bele, Sylvia; Seemann, Milena; Künzig, Holger; Zech, Nina

    2014-01-01

    Background. Inadequate bowel movements might be associated with an increase in intracranial pressure in neurosurgical patients. In this study we investigated the influence of a structured application of laxatives and physical measures following a strict standard operating procedure (SOP) on bowel movement, intracranial pressure (ICP), and length of hospital stay in patients with a serious acute cerebral disorder. Methods. After the implementation of the SOP patients suffering from a neurosurgical disorder received pharmacological and nonpharmacological measures to improve bowel movements in a standardized manner within the first 5 days after admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) starting on day of admission. We compared mean ICP levels, length of ICU stay, and mechanical ventilation to a historical control group. Results. Patients of the intervention group showed an adequate defecation pattern significantly more often than the patients of the control group. However, this was not associated with lower ICP values, fewer days of mechanical ventilation, or earlier discharge from ICU. Conclusions. The implementation of a SOP for bowel movement increases the frequency of adequate bowel movements in neurosurgical critical care patients. However, this seems not to be associated with reduced ICP values.

  14. Liberia national disaster preparedness coordination exercise: Implementing lessons learned from the West African disaster preparedness initiative.

    PubMed

    Hamer, Melinda J Morton; Reed, Paul L; Greulich, Jane D; Beadling, Charles W

    2017-01-01

    In light of the recent Ebola outbreak, there is a critical need for effective disaster management systems in Liberia and other West African nations. To this end, the West Africa Disaster Preparedness Initiative held a disaster management exercise in conjunction with the Liberian national government on November 24-25, 2015. During this tabletop exercise (TTX), interactions within and between the 15 counties and the Liberian national government were conducted and observed to refine and validate the county and national standard operating procedures (SOPs). The exercise took place in three regional locations throughout Liberia: Monrovia, Buchanan, and Bong. The TTX format allowed counties to collaborate utilizing open-source software platforms including Ushahidi, Sahana, QGIS, and KoBoCollect. Four hundred sixty-seven individuals (representing all 15 counties of Liberia) identified as key actors involved with emergency operations and disaster preparedness participated in the exercise. A qualitative survey with open-ended questions was administered to exercise participants to determine needed improvements in the disaster management system in Liberia. Key findings from the exercise and survey include the need for emergency management infrastructure to extend to the community level, establishment of a national disaster management agency and emergency operations center, customized local SOPs, ongoing surveillance, a disaster exercise program, and the need for effective data sharing and hazard maps. These regional exercises initiated the process of validating and refining Liberia's national and county-level SOPs. Liberia's participation in this exercise has provided a foundation for advancing its preparedness, response, and recovery capacities and could provide a template for other countries to use.

  15. [Introduction of a quality management system compliant with DIN EN 9001:2000 in a university department of nuclear medicine].

    PubMed

    Jansen-Schmidt, V; Paschen, U; Kröger, S; Bohuslavizki, K H; Clausen, M

    2001-12-01

    In 1995, the management of the University Clinic Hamburg-Eppendorf proposed to establish a total quality assurance (QA) system. A revised QA-system has been introduced stepwise in the department of nuclear medicine since 1997, and certification was achieved in accordance with DIN EN ISO 9001:2000 on February 14, 2001. The QA-handbook is divided into two parts. The first part contains operational (diagnostic and therapeutic) procedures in so-called standard operating procedures (SOP). They describe the indication of procedures as well as the competences and time necessary in a standardized manner. Up to now, more than 70 SOPs have been written as a collaborative approach between technicians and physicians during daily clinical routine after analysing and discussing the procedures. Thus, the results were more clearly defined processes and more satisfied employees. The second part consists of general rules and directions concerning the security of work and equipment as well as radiation protection tasks, hygiene etc. as it is required by the law. This part was written predominantly by the management of the department of nuclear-medicine and the QA-coordinator. Detailed information for the patients, documentation of the work-flows as well as the medical report was adopted to the QM-system. Although in the introduction phase of a QA-system a vast amount of time is necessary, some months later a surplus for the clinical workday will become available. The well defined relations of competences and procedures will result in a gain of time, a reduction of costs and a help to ensure the legal demands. Last but not least, the QA-system simply helps to build up confidence and acceptance both by the patients and the referring physicians.

  16. Abrasion Testing of Products Containing Nanomaterials, SOP-R-2: Scientific Operating Procedure Series: Release (R)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-04-01

    characterized by different methods such as Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) or Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and other methods . ERDC SR-16...the surface coating and substrate material used. Adaptations to this test method can be used with a range of nanomaterial / polymer products in which...material rather than the presence of nanomaterial (Golanski et al. 2011). After particles are released, proper characterization is essential to

  17. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR USE OF AN ACTIVE SAMPLING DEVICE FOR THE COLLECTION OF AIRBORNE VOCS AT FIXED INDOOR AND OUTDOOR SITES (UA-F-11.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the methods used to collect indoor and outdoor air samples for the determination of selected volatile organic compounds (VOC's) using a pump to draw air through a Carbotrap Sampler. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) present in the air are p...

  18. Field Collection Methods for an EPA Pilot Study Evaluating Personal, Housing, and Community Factors Influencing Children’s Potential Exposures to Indoor Contaminants at Various Lifestages (EPA Pilot Study Add-On to the GreenHousing Study)

    EPA Science Inventory

    This compilation of field collection standard operating procedures (SOPs) was assembled for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Pilot Study add-on to the Green Housing Study (GHS). A detailed description of this add-on study can be found in the peer reviewed research...

  19. NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR EXTRACTION OF METALS FROM SOIL, DUST, AIR FILTER, AND SURFACE AND DERMAL SAMPLES FOR AA (GRAPHITE FURNACE OR FLAME) OR ICP-AES ANALYSIS (BCO-L-3.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the acid digestion of soil, house dust, air filter, and surface or dermal wipe samples for analysis using inductively coupled plasma atomic emissions spectrometry (ICP-AES) and/or graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) or fl...

  20. Benefits to blood banks of a sales and operations planning process.

    PubMed

    Keal, Donald A; Hebert, Phil

    2010-12-01

    A formal sales and operations planning (S&OP) process is a decision making and communication process that balances supply and demand while integrating all business operational components with customer-focused business plans that links high level strategic plans to day-to-day operations. Furthermore, S&OP can assist in managing change across the organization as it provides the opportunity to be proactive in the face of problems and opportunities while establishing a plan for everyone to follow. Some of the key outcomes from a robust S&OP process in blood banking would include: higher customer satisfaction (donors and health care providers), balanced inventory across product lines and customers, more stable production rates and higher productivity, more cooperation across the entire operation, and timely updates to the business plan resulting in better forecasting and fewer surprises that negatively impact the bottom line. © 2010 American Association of Blood Banks.

  1. Analysis of Phosphonic Acids: Validation of Semi-Volatile Analysis by HPLC-MS/MS by EPA Method MS999

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Owens, J; Vu, A; Koester, C

    The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Region 5 Chicago Regional Laboratory (CRL) developed a method titled Analysis of Diisopropyl Methylphosphonate, Ethyl Hydrogen Dimethylamidophosphate, Isopropyl Methylphosphonic Acid, Methylphosphonic Acid, and Pinacolyl Methylphosphonic Acid in Water by Multiple Reaction Monitoring Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry: EPA Version MS999. This draft standard operating procedure (SOP) was distributed to multiple EPA laboratories and to Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, which was tasked to serve as a reference laboratory for EPA's Environmental Reference Laboratory Network (ERLN) and to develop and validate analytical procedures. The primary objective of this study was to validate and verify the analytical procedures describedmore » in EPA Method MS999 for analysis of the listed phosphonic acids and surrogates in aqueous samples. The gathered data from this validation study will be used to: (1) demonstrate analytical method performance; (2) generate quality control acceptance criteria; and (3) revise the SOP to provide a validated method that would be available for use during a homeland security event. The data contained in this report will be compiled, by EPA CRL, with data generated by other EPA Regional laboratories so that performance metrics of EPA Method MS999 can be determined.« less

  2. MR 201104: Evaluation of Discrimination Technologies and Classification Results and MR 201157: Demonstration of MetalMapper Static Data Acquisition and Data Analysis

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-09-23

    Acquisition and Data Analysis). EMI sensors, MetalMapper, man-portable Time-domain Electromagnetic Multi-sensor Towed Array Detection System (TEMTADS...California Department of Toxic Substances Control EM61 EM61-MK2 EMI electromagnetic induction ESTCP Environmental Security Technology Certification...SOP Standard Operating Procedure v TEMTADS Time-domain Electromagnetic Multi-sensor Towed Array Detection System man-portable 2x2 TOI target(s

  3. U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR EXTRACTION OF METALS FROM SOIL, DUST, AIR FILTER, AND SURFACE AND DERMAL WIPE SAMPLES FOR AA (GRAPHITE FURNACE OR FLAME) OR ICP-AES ANALYSIS (BCO-L-3.1)

    EPA Science Inventory

    The purpose of this SOP is to describe the acid digestion of soil, house dust, air filter, and surface or dermal wipe samples for analysis using inductively coupled plasma atomic emissions spectrometry (ICP-AES) and/or graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) or fl...

  4. Sample Preparation of Nano-sized Inorganic Materials for Scanning Electron Microscopy or Transmission Electron Microscopy: Scientific Operating Procedure SOP-P-2

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-07-01

    samples must be thoroughly degreased and dried to eliminate any outgassing from organic contamination and water. Samples can be cleaned ultrasonically ...in an ultrasonic bath for at least 10 minutes to ensure separation of particles (University of California, Riverside, n.d.). These solutions can...be further agitated in the ultrasonic bath to separate particles. It should be noted that excessive ultrasonic agitation can damage samples

  5. Recommendations for Evaluating Multiple Filters in Ballast Water Management Systems for US Type Approval

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2016-01-01

    is extremely unlikely to be practicable . A second approach is to conduct a full suite of TA testing on a BWMS with a “base filter” configuration...that of full TA testing. Here, three land-based tests would be conducted, and O&M and component testing would also occur. If time or practicality ... Practical salinity units SAE Society of Automotive Engineers SDI Silt density index SOP Standard operating procedure STEP Shipboard Technology

  6. Robust Operation of Soft Open Points in Active Distribution Networks with High Penetration of Photovoltaic Integration

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ding, Fei; Ji, Haoran; Wang, Chengshan

    Distributed generators (DGs) including photovoltaic panels (PVs) have been integrated dramatically in active distribution networks (ADNs). Due to the strong volatility and uncertainty, the high penetration of PV generation immensely exacerbates the conditions of voltage violation in ADNs. However, the emerging flexible interconnection technology based on soft open points (SOPs) provides increased controllability and flexibility to the system operation. For fully exploiting the regulation ability of SOPs to address the problems caused by PV, this paper proposes a robust optimization method to achieve the robust optimal operation of SOPs in ADNs. A two-stage adjustable robust optimization model is built tomore » tackle the uncertainties of PV outputs, in which robust operation strategies of SOPs are generated to eliminate the voltage violations and reduce the power losses of ADNs. A column-and-constraint generation (C&CG) algorithm is developed to solve the proposed robust optimization model, which are formulated as second-order cone program (SOCP) to facilitate the accuracy and computation efficiency. Case studies on the modified IEEE 33-node system and comparisons with the deterministic optimization approach are conducted to verify the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed method.« less

  7. The French Infectious Diseases Society's readiness and response to epidemic or biological risk-the current situation following the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus and Ebola virus disease alerts.

    PubMed

    Coignard-Biehler, H; Rapp, C; Chapplain, J M; Hoen, B; Che, D; Berthelot, P; Cazenave-Roblot, F; Rabaud, C; Brouqui, P; Leport, C

    2018-03-01

    In 2012, the French Infectious Diseases Society (French acronym SPILF) initiated the "Coordination of epidemic and biological risk" (SPILF-COREB - Emergences [SCE]) group to support the readiness and response of healthcare workers (HCWs) to new alerts. To present the SCE group, its functioning, and the main support it provided for frontline HCWs. A multidisciplinary group of heads of infectious disease departments from reference hospitals was created to build a network of clinical expertise for care, training, and research in the field of epidemic and biological risk (EBR). The network developed a set of standardized operational procedures (SOPs) to guide interventions to manage EBR-suspect patients. A working group created the SOP aimed at frontline HCWs taking care of patients. Priority was given to the development of a generic procedure, which was then adapted according to the current alert. Five key steps were identified and hierarchized: detecting, protecting, caring for, alerting, and referring the EBR patient. The interaction between clinicians and those responsible for the protection of the community was crucial. The SOPs validated by the SPILF and its affiliates were disseminated to a wide range of key stakeholders through various media including workshops and the SPILF's website. SPILF can easily adapt and timely mobilize the EBR expertise in case of an alert. The present work suggests that sharing and discussing this experience, initiated at the European level, can generate a new collective expertise and needs to be further developed and strengthened. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  8. Standardization of vascular assessment of erectile dysfunction: standard operating procedures for duplex ultrasound.

    PubMed

    Sikka, Suresh C; Hellstrom, Wayne J G; Brock, Gerald; Morales, Antonio Martin

    2013-01-01

    In-office evaluation of erectile dysfunction by color duplex Doppler ultrasound (CDDU) may benefit the decision-making process in regard to choosing the most appropriate therapy. Unfortunately, there is no uniform standardization in performing CDDU resulting in high variability in data expression and interpretation when comparing results among various centers, especially when conducting multicenter trials. Establishing standard operating procedures (SOPs) is a major step that will help minimize such variability. This SOP describes CDDU procedure with focus on establishing uniformity and normative parameters. Measure intra-arterial diameter, peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, and resistive index for each cavernosal artery. After initial discussion with the patient about his history and International Index of Erectile Function evaluation describe procedural steps to the patient. Perform the CDDU in a relaxed state, scanning the entire penis (in B-mode image) using a 7.5- to 12-MHz linear array ultrasound probe. An intracorporal injection of a single or combination of vasoactive agents (e.g., prostaglandin E1, phentolamine, and papaverine) is then administered and CDDU performed at various time points, preferably with audiovisual sexual stimulation (AVSS). Monitor penile erection response (tumescence and rigidity) near peak blood flow. Self-stimulation or AVSS leaving the patient alone in room or redosing may be considered to decrease any anxiety and help achieve a maximum rigid erection. Considering the complexity and heterogeneity of CDDU evaluation, this communication will help in standardization and establish uniformity in such data interpretation. When indicated, invasive diagnostic testing involving (i) penile angiography and (ii) cavernosography/cavernosometry to establish veno-occlusive dysfunction may be recommended to facilitate further treatment options. © 2012 International Society for Sexual Medicine.

  9. Sampling and Analysis Plan for U.S. Department of Energy Office of Legacy Management Sites

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    None

    2012-10-24

    This plan incorporates U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Legacy Management (LM) standard operating procedures (SOPs) into environmental monitoring activities and will be implemented at all sites managed by LM. This document provides detailed procedures for the field sampling teams so that samples are collected in a consistent and technically defensible manner. Site-specific plans (e.g., long-term surveillance and maintenance plans, environmental monitoring plans) document background information and establish the basis for sampling and monitoring activities. Information will be included in site-specific tabbed sections to this plan, which identify sample locations, sample frequencies, types of samples, field measurements, and associatedmore » analytes for each site. Additionally, within each tabbed section, program directives will be included, when developed, to establish additional site-specific requirements to modify or clarify requirements in this plan as they apply to the corresponding site. A flowchart detailing project tasks required to accomplish routine sampling is displayed in Figure 1. LM environmental procedures are contained in the Environmental Procedures Catalog (LMS/PRO/S04325), which incorporates American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), DOE, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidance. Specific procedures used for groundwater and surface water monitoring are included in Appendix A. If other environmental media are monitored, SOPs used for air, soil/sediment, and biota monitoring can be found in the site-specific tabbed sections in Appendix D or in site-specific documents. The procedures in the Environmental Procedures Catalog are intended as general guidance and require additional detail from planning documents in order to be complete; the following sections fulfill that function and specify additional procedural requirements to form SOPs. Routine revision of this Sampling and Analysis Plan will be conducted annually at the beginning of each fiscal year when attachments in Appendix D, including program directives and sampling location/analytical tables, will be reviewed by project personnel and updated. The sampling location/analytical tables in Appendix D, however, may have interim updates according to project direction that are not reflected in this plan. Deviations from location/analytical tables in Appendix D prior to sampling will be documented in project correspondence (e.g., startup letters). If significant changes to other aspects of this plan are required before the annual update, then the plan will be revised as needed.« less

  10. Design, fabrication and characterization of a poly-silicon PN junction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tower, Jason D.

    This thesis details the design, fabrication, and characterization of a PN junction formed from p-type mono-crystalline silicon and n-type poly-crystalline silicon. The primary product of this project was a library of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the fabrication of such devices, laying the foundations for future work and the development of a class in fabrication processes. The fabricated PN junction was characterized; in particular its current-voltage relationship was measured and fit to models. This characterization was to determine whether or not the fabrication process could produce working PN junctions with acceptable operational parameters.

  11. Standardized Application of Laxatives and Physical Measures in Neurosurgical Intensive Care Patients Improves Defecation Pattern but Is Not Associated with Lower Intracranial Pressure

    PubMed Central

    Kieninger, Martin; Sinner, Barbara; Graf, Bernhard; Grassold, Astrid; Bele, Sylvia; Seemann, Milena; Künzig, Holger; Zech, Nina

    2014-01-01

    Background. Inadequate bowel movements might be associated with an increase in intracranial pressure in neurosurgical patients. In this study we investigated the influence of a structured application of laxatives and physical measures following a strict standard operating procedure (SOP) on bowel movement, intracranial pressure (ICP), and length of hospital stay in patients with a serious acute cerebral disorder. Methods. After the implementation of the SOP patients suffering from a neurosurgical disorder received pharmacological and nonpharmacological measures to improve bowel movements in a standardized manner within the first 5 days after admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) starting on day of admission. We compared mean ICP levels, length of ICU stay, and mechanical ventilation to a historical control group. Results. Patients of the intervention group showed an adequate defecation pattern significantly more often than the patients of the control group. However, this was not associated with lower ICP values, fewer days of mechanical ventilation, or earlier discharge from ICU. Conclusions. The implementation of a SOP for bowel movement increases the frequency of adequate bowel movements in neurosurgical critical care patients. However, this seems not to be associated with reduced ICP values. PMID:25628896

  12. Formalising multidisciplinary peer review: developing a haematological malignancy-specific electronic proforma and standard operating procedure to facilitate procedural efficiency and evidence-based clinical practice.

    PubMed

    Trotman, Judith; Trinh, Jimmy; Kwan, Yiu Lam; Estell, Jane A; Fletcher, Julie; Archer, Kate; Lee, Kenneth; Foo, Kerwin; Curnow, Jennifer; Bianchi, Alessandra; Wignall, Lynda; Verner, Emma; Gasiorowski, Robin; Siedlecka, Elizabeth; Cunningham, Ilona

    2017-05-01

    Multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings aimed at facilitating peer review have become standard practice in oncology. However, there is scant literature on the optimal structure and conduct of such meetings. To develop a process for formal peer review of patients with haematological malignancies and to audit any resulting changes made to the management recommendations of the treating physician. A standard operating procedure (SOP) for MDT meetings was developed essentially to integrate clinical peer review with weekly pathology and radiology meetings. The centrepiece is the electronic submission of a patient-specific proforma (Microsoft InfoPath) prior to the meeting. It serves as the template for presentation, discussion and recording of recommendations and conclusions. The final verified document is stored in the electronic patient record, and a copy is sent to the general practitioner. The proposed management plans were compared to the consensus recommendations of the meeting for the first 4 years since inception. Both SOP and proforma underwent continual improvements. These provided the framework for the conduct of a robust weekly MDT meeting for peer review of the management of patients with haematological malignancies. On 20% of occasions, patient management plans were altered to optimise patient care as a direct consequence on peer review at the MDT. Our streamlined process, in its ultimate format, has provided a mature and efficient forum for formal peer review in a genuine multidisciplinary environment. Both initial data and informal feedback support its ongoing activity as an integral component of delivering quality patient care. © 2016 Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

  13. Overview of the US EPA/SERDP/ESTCP: Laboratory, Field ...

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    Passive sampling can be used for applications at contaminated sediment sites including performing assessments of contaminant bioavailability (i.e., freely dissolved concentration (Cfree)), conducting remedial investigations and feasibility studies, and assessing the potential for contaminant bioaccumulation. Previous research articles and documents have discussed many aspects of passive sampling however no definitive guidance on the laboratory, field and analytical procedures for using passive sampling at contaminated sediment sites has been provided. The document discussed in this presentation provides passive sampler users with the guidance necessary to apply the technology to evaluate contaminated sediments. Contaminants discussed include polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and the metals, cadmium, copper, nickel, lead and zinc. The document is divided into sections including discussions of different types of samplers used commonly in the United States, the selection and use of performance reference compounds (PRCs), the extraction and instrumental analysis of passive samplers, data analysis and quality assurance/quality control, and a list of passive sampling related references. The document is not intended to serve as a series of standard operating procedures (SOPs) but rather seeks to provide users with the information needed to develop their own SOPs. The document also includes the names of selected passive sam

  14. EuroFlow standardization of flow cytometer instrument settings and immunophenotyping protocols

    PubMed Central

    Kalina, T; Flores-Montero, J; van der Velden, V H J; Martin-Ayuso, M; Böttcher, S; Ritgen, M; Almeida, J; Lhermitte, L; Asnafi, V; Mendonça, A; de Tute, R; Cullen, M; Sedek, L; Vidriales, M B; Pérez, J J; te Marvelde, J G; Mejstrikova, E; Hrusak, O; Szczepański, T; van Dongen, J J M; Orfao, A

    2012-01-01

    The EU-supported EuroFlow Consortium aimed at innovation and standardization of immunophenotyping for diagnosis and classification of hematological malignancies by introducing 8-color flow cytometry with fully standardized laboratory procedures and antibody panels in order to achieve maximally comparable results among different laboratories. This required the selection of optimal combinations of compatible fluorochromes and the design and evaluation of adequate standard operating procedures (SOPs) for instrument setup, fluorescence compensation and sample preparation. Additionally, we developed software tools for the evaluation of individual antibody reagents and antibody panels. Each section describes what has been evaluated experimentally versus adopted based on existing data and experience. Multicentric evaluation demonstrated high levels of reproducibility based on strict implementation of the EuroFlow SOPs and antibody panels. Overall, the 6 years of extensive collaborative experiments and the analysis of hundreds of cell samples of patients and healthy controls in the EuroFlow centers have provided for the first time laboratory protocols and software tools for fully standardized 8-color flow cytometric immunophenotyping of normal and malignant leukocytes in bone marrow and blood; this has yielded highly comparable data sets, which can be integrated in a single database. PMID:22948490

  15. Reflections on work as done (WAD) and work as imagined (WAI) in an emergency response organization: A study on firefighters training exercises.

    PubMed

    Carvalho, Paulo Victor R de; Righi, Angela W; Huber, Gilbert J; Lemos, Caio de F; Jatoba, Alessandro; Gomes, José Orlando

    2018-04-01

    Emergency response organizations need to be resilient to cope with escalating events resulting from dynamic, unexpected, or complex situations. In Brazil, the Firefighter Corps are military hierarchal organizations with a culture based on fixed structures, well defined norms and procedures. These push against innovations which are necessary to be resilient. This research describes how firefighter captains in the 30-35-year age range managed an emergency response escalation in light of standard operating procedures (SOPs) during a training exercise. The study used ethnographic methods to find and discuss gaps between the instructions and the activities carried out during the exercise, highlighting the differences between work as done (WAD) and work as imagined (WAI), as it was instantiated in the SOP prescriptions. The aim was to produce reflections on WAI and WAD as a way to raise awareness of the need for a cultural change toward resilience in firefighter organizations. This was achieved through firefighter engagement with a comprehensive visualization of the analysis results which afforded easy interaction between the experts, the data, and the researchers. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. Remote Operations of Laser Guide Star Systems: Gemini Observatory.

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Oram, Richard J.; Fesquet, Vincent; Wyman, Robert; D'Orgeville, Celine

    2011-03-01

    The Gemini North telescope, equipped with a 14W laser, has been providing Laser Guide Star Adaptive Optics (LGS AO) regular science queue observations for worldwide astronomers since February 2007. The new 55W laser system for MCAO was installed on the Gemini South telescope in May 2010. In this paper, we comment on how Gemini Observatory developed regular remote operation of the Laser Guide Star Facility and high-power solid-state laser as routine normal operations. Fully remote operation of the LGSF from the Hilo base facility HBF was initially trialed and then optimized and became the standard operating procedure (SOP) for LGS operation in December 2008. From an engineering perspective remote operation demands stable, well characterized and base-lined equipment sets. In the effort to produce consistent, stable and controlled laser parameters (power, wavelength and beam quality) we completed a failure mode effect analysis of the laser system and sub systems that initiated a campaign of hardware upgrades and procedural improvements to the routine maintenance operations. Finally, we provide an overview of normal operation procedures during LGS runs and present a snapshot of data accumulated over several years that describes the overall LGS AO observing efficiency at the Gemini North telescope.

  17. A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of the Literature to Evaluate Potential Threats to Internal Validity in Probe Procedures for Chained Tasks

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Alexander, Jennifer L.; Smith, Katie A.; Mataras, Theologia; Shepley, Sally B.; Ayres, Kevin M.

    2015-01-01

    The two most frequently used methods for assessing performance on chained tasks are single opportunity probes (SOPs) and multiple opportunity probes (MOPs). Of the two, SOPs may be easier and less time-consuming but can suppress actual performance. In comparison, MOPs can provide more information but present the risk of participants acquiring…

  18. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Evaluating the Heart in Preclinical Studies of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

    PubMed

    Duan, Dongsheng; Rafael-Fortney, Jill A; Blain, Alison; Kass, David A; McNally, Elizabeth M; Metzger, Joseph M; Spurney, Christopher F; Kinnett, Kathi

    2016-02-01

    A recent working group meeting focused on contemporary cardiac issues in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) was hosted by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in collaboration with the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy. An outcome of this meeting was to provide freely available detailed protocols for preclinical animal studies. The goal of these protocols is to improve the quality and reproducibility of cardiac preclinical studies aimed at developing new therapeutics for the prevention and treatment of DMD cardiomyopathy.

  19. Characterization of Nanomaterials Using Field Flow Fractionation and Single Particle Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometery (FFF-ICP-MS and SP-ICP-MS): Scientific Operating Procedure SOP-C

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2015-04-01

    monodisperse particles. ENPs in environmental samples will likely have much broader size distributions and thus FFF-ICP-MS was tested over a greater...Figure 6). Resolution is based on ICP-MS sensitivity, and will likely decrease as the difference in particle diameter decreases. Second, this...Alvarez. 2006. Antibacterial activity of fullerene water suspensions: Effects of preparation method and particle size. Environmental Science

  20. Prevalidation of a model for predicting acute neutropenia by colony forming unit granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-GM) assay.

    PubMed

    Pessina, A; Albella, B; Bueren, J; Brantom, P; Casati, S; Gribaldo, L; Croera, C; Gagliardi, G; Foti, P; Parchment, R; Parent-Massin, D; Sibiril, Y; Van Den Heuvel, R

    2001-12-01

    This report describes an international prevalidation study conducted to optimise the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for detecting myelosuppressive agents by CFU-GM assay and to study a model for predicting (by means of this in vitro hematopoietic assay) the acute xenobiotic exposure levels that cause maximum tolerated decreases in absolute neutrophil counts (ANC). In the first phase of the study (Protocol Refinement), two SOPs were assessed, by using two cell culture media (Test A, containing GM-CSF; and Test B, containing G-CSF, GM-CSF, IL-3, IL-6 and SCF), and the two tests were applied to cells from both human (bone marrow and umbilical cord blood) and mouse (bone marrow) CFU-GM. In the second phase (Protocol Transfer), the SOPs were transferred to four laboratories to verify the linearity of the assay response and its interlaboratory reproducibility. After a further phase (Protocol Performance), dedicated to a training set of six anticancer drugs (adriamycin, flavopindol, morpholino-doxorubicin, pyrazoloacridine, taxol and topotecan), a model for predicting neutropenia was verified. Results showed that the assay is linear under SOP conditions, and that the in vitro endpoints used by the clinical prediction model of neutropenia are highly reproducible within and between laboratories. Valid tests represented 95% of all tests attempted. The 90% inhibitory concentration values (IC(90)) from Test A and Test B accurately predicted the human maximum tolerated dose (MTD) for five of six and for four of six myelosuppressive anticancer drugs, respectively, that were selected as prototype xenobiotics. As expected, both tests failed to accurately predict the human MTD of a drug that is a likely protoxicant. It is concluded that Test A offers significant cost advantages compared to Test B, without any loss of performance or predictive accuracy. On the basis of these results, we proposed a formal Phase II validation study using the Test A SOP for 16-18 additional xenobiotics that represent the spectrum of haematotoxic potential.

  1. Defining the Path Forward: Guidance for Laboratory Medicine Guidelines

    PubMed Central

    Jones, Patricia M.; Chin, Alex C.; Christenson, Robert H.

    2015-01-01

    The National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (NACB) has developed consensus-based guidelines for the laboratory evaluation and monitoring of patients with specified disorders for two decades. In 1997, the NACB recognized the need to standardize the process of guideline development and promulgated its first Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for this purpose. In 2010, the American Association of Clinical Chemistry (AACC) and NACB created the Evidence-Based Laboratory Medicine Committee (EBLMC). Among other roles, this group was given responsibility to provide oversight of clinical practice guideline development in accordance with SOP guidance and using currently accepted good practices. In 2011, the U.S. Institute of Medicine (IOM) published two reports of relevance: ‘Clinical Practice Guidelines We Can Trust’ and ‘Finding What Works in Health Care – Standards for Systematic Reviews.’ These reports were created as part of a response to a legislative mandate from the U.S. Congress requesting that steps be taken to implement recommendations from lOM’s report on ‘Knowing What Works in Health Care’ (2008). The latest revision of the laboratory medicine practice guidelines (LMPG) SOP was in part driven by these reports. NACB continues to develop LMPGs at a rate of roughly one per year through standard processes detailed in its 2014 revision of the SOP. This article describes the NACB and EBLMC experience in developing LMPGs with a focus on the evolution and use of the latest SOP. AACC and NACB have established a solid track record in collaboratively working with many clinical societies and professional organizations on clinical practice guideline development. Presently, three LMPG’s are in various stages of development and all with the collaboration of other clinical/professional groups. The practices and tools being used for current LMPGs in progress are also highlighted in the context of the challenges that presently exist for effective clinical practice guideline development in the U.S. PMID:27683491

  2. Antimicrobial Testing Methods & Procedures: MB-17-04

    EPA Pesticide Factsheets

    Information about ATMP - SOP Neutralization Confirmation Procedures for the AOAC Use-dilution method (UDM), the AOAC Germicidal Spray Products as Disinfectants Test (GSPT) and the Disinfectant Towelette Test (DTT) - MB-17-04

  3. Ensuring Sample Quality for Biomarker Discovery Studies - Use of ICT Tools to Trace Biosample Life-cycle.

    PubMed

    Riondino, Silvia; Ferroni, Patrizia; Spila, Antonella; Alessandroni, Jhessica; D'Alessandro, Roberta; Formica, Vincenzo; Della-Morte, David; Palmirotta, Raffaele; Nanni, Umberto; Roselli, Mario; Guadagni, Fiorella

    2015-01-01

    The growing demand of personalized medicine marked the transition from an empirical medicine to a molecular one, aimed at predicting safer and more effective medical treatment for every patient, while minimizing adverse effects. This passage has emphasized the importance of biomarker discovery studies, and has led sample availability to assume a crucial role in biomedical research. Accordingly, a great interest in Biological Bank science has grown concomitantly. In biobanks, biological material and its accompanying data are collected, handled and stored in accordance with standard operating procedures (SOPs) and existing legislation. Sample quality is ensured by adherence to SOPs and sample whole life-cycle can be recorded by innovative tracking systems employing information technology (IT) tools for monitoring storage conditions and characterization of vast amount of data. All the above will ensure proper sample exchangeability among research facilities and will represent the starting point of all future personalized medicine-based clinical trials. Copyright© 2015, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinasios), All rights reserved.

  4. Guidelines for the standardization of preanalytic variables for blood-based biomarker studies in Alzheimer’s disease research

    PubMed Central

    Gupta, Veer; Henriksen, Kim; Edwards, Melissa; Jeromin, Andreas; Lista, Simone; Bazenet, Chantal; Soares, Holly; Lovestone, Simon; Hampel, Harald; Montine, Thomas; Blennow, Kaj; Foroud, Tatiana; Carrillo, Maria; Graff-Radford, Neill; Laske, Christoph; Breteler, Monique; Shaw, Leslie; Trojanowski, John Q.; Schupf, Nicole; Rissman, Robert A.; Fagan, Anne M.; Oberoi, Pankaj; Umek, Robert; Weiner, Michael W.; Grammas, Paula; Posner, Holly; Martins, Ralph

    2015-01-01

    The lack of readily available biomarkers is a significant hindrance towards progressing to effective therapeutic and preventative strategies for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Blood-based biomarkers have potential to overcome access and cost barriers and greatly facilitate advanced neuroimaging and cerebrospinal fluid biomarker approaches. Despite the fact that preanalytical processing is the largest source of variability in laboratory testing, there are no currently available standardized preanalytical guidelines. The current international working group provides the initial starting point for such guidelines for standardized operating procedures (SOPs). It is anticipated that these guidelines will be updated as additional research findings become available. The statement provides (1) a synopsis of selected preanalytical methods utilized in many international AD cohort studies, (2) initial draft guidelines/SOPs for preanalytical methods, and (3) a list of required methodological information and protocols to be made available for publications in the field in order to foster cross-validation across cohorts and laboratories. PMID:25282381

  5. The Role 3 Multinational Medical Unit at Kandahar Airfield 2005–2010

    PubMed Central

    Brisebois, Ronald; Hennecke, Peter; Kao, Raymond; McAlister, Vivian; Po, Joseph; Stiegelmar, Rob; Tien, Homer

    2011-01-01

    In late 2005, Canadian Forces Health Services (CFHS) was tasked with the command of the NATO Role 3 Multinational Medical Unit (R3MMU) on Kandahar Airfield in southern Afghanistan. Preparations drew on past experience and planning. Eight complete hospital contingents were trained and deployed in rotation. Near-reality simulation training was undertaken with the combat brigade, including complete deployment of the field hospital in the exercise area. Standard operating procedures (SOP) were developed and applied by each rotation so successfully that they were adopted by the new command in late 2009. The Canadian period at R3MMU had the highest survival rate ever recorded for victims of war. Lessons learned are being applied among victims of the conflict and trauma. The experience of the R3MMU was used to successfully deploy a hospital as part of the earthquake relief effort in Haiti in 2010. The training protocols and SOP are being applied to disaster preparedness in Canadian civilian hospitals. PMID:22099325

  6. The Role 3 Multinational Medical Unit at Kandahar Airfield 2005-2010.

    PubMed

    Brisebois, Ronald; Hennecke, Peter; Kao, Raymond; McAlister, Vivian; Po, Joseph; Stiegelmar, Rob; Tien, Homer

    2011-12-01

    In late 2005, Canadian Forces Health Services (CFHS) was tasked with the command of the NATO Role 3 Multinational Medical Unit (R3MMU) on Kandahar Airfield in southern Afghanistan. Preparations drew on past experience and planning. Eight complete hospital contingents were trained and deployed in rotation. Near-reality simulation training was undertaken with the combat brigade, including complete deployment of the field hospital in the exercise area. Standard operating procedures (SOP) were developed and applied by each rotation so successfully that they were adopted by the new command in late 2009. The Canadian period at R3MMU had the highest survival rate ever recorded for victims of war. Lessons learned are being applied among victims of the conflict and trauma. The experience of the R3MMU was used to successfully deploy a hospital as part of the earthquake relief effort in Haiti in 2010.The training protocols and SOP are being applied to disaster preparedness in Canadian civilian hospitals.

  7. [Process design in high-reliability organizations].

    PubMed

    Sommer, K-J; Kranz, J; Steffens, J

    2014-05-01

    Modern medicine is a highly complex service industry in which individual care providers are linked in a complicated network. The complexity and interlinkedness is associated with risks concerning patient safety. Other highly complex industries like commercial aviation have succeeded in maintaining or even increasing its safety levels despite rapidly increasing passenger figures. Standard operating procedures (SOPs), crew resource management (CRM), as well as operational risk evaluation (ORE) are historically developed and trusted parts of a comprehensive and systemic safety program. If medicine wants to follow this quantum leap towards increased patient safety, it must intensively evaluate the results of other high-reliability industries and seek step-by-step implementation after a critical assessment.

  8. The impact of involvement of biomedical scientists in specimen dissection and selection of blocks for histopathology: a study of time benefits and specimen handling quality in Ayrshire and Arran area laboratory

    PubMed Central

    Duthie, F R; Nairn, E R; Milne, A W; McTaggart, V; Topping, D

    2004-01-01

    Aims: To assess possible time benefits of specimen dissection by biomedical scientists (BMSs) and the quality of specimen handling by BMSs, in a department where BMSs trim those specimens requiring simple descriptions, from which standard blocks are taken. Methods: Specimen handling by BMSs and consultant pathologists was compared. Time taken for each specimen trimmed was recorded prospectively. To determine specimen handling quality, adherence to dissection standard operating procedures (SOPs) was assessed by recording retrospectively whether or not each action in the SOP had been performed. Information on subsequently required extra levels or blocks was recorded. Results: Analysis of data from 672 specimens trimmed by consultants showed that any given action in the SOPs was performed on average on 60.2% of applicable/assessable specimens; for 660 similar specimens trimmed by BMSs, each action was performed on average on 80.1% of specimens. Of the specimens where data on extra blocks were recorded, extra blocks were required in 3% of those trimmed by pathologists and in 4% of those trimmed by BMSs. Extra levels were required in 12% of those trimmed by pathologists and in 16% of those trimmed by BMSs. BMS trimming saves 16 hours of consultant time each month. The difference between pathologists and BMSs in time for each specimen trimmed is negligible. Conclusions: The advantages of increased adherence to trimming SOPs and saving consultant time outweigh the relatively small number of extra blocks and levels required when BMSs trim. There is no reduction in quality of dissection. PMID:14693831

  9. Pharmacovigilance of drug allergy and hypersensitivity using the ENDA-DAHD database and the GALEN platform. The Galenda project.

    PubMed

    Bousquet, P-J; Demoly, P; Romano, A; Aberer, W; Bircher, A; Blanca, M; Brockow, K; Pichler, W; Torres, M J; Terreehorst, I; Arnoux, B; Atanaskovic-Markovic, M; Barbaud, A; Bijl, A; Bonadonna, P; Burney, P G; Caimmi, S; Canonica, G W; Cernadas, J; Dahlen, B; Daures, J-P; Fernandez, J; Gomes, E; Gueant, J-L; Kowalski, M L; Kvedariene, V; Mertes, P-M; Martins, P; Nizankowska-Mogilnicka, E; Papadopoulos, N; Ponvert, C; Pirmohamed, M; Ring, J; Salapatas, M; Sanz, M L; Szczeklik, A; Van Ganse, E; De Weck, A L; Zuberbier, T; Merk, H F; Sachs, B; Sidoroff, A

    2009-02-01

    Nonallergic hypersensitivity and allergic reactions are part of the many different types of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Databases exist for the collection of ADRs. Spontaneous reporting makes up the core data-generating system of pharmacovigilance, but there is a large under-estimation of allergy/hypersensitivity drug reactions. A specific database is therefore required for drug allergy and hypersensitivity using standard operating procedures (SOPs), as the diagnosis of drug allergy/hypersensitivity is difficult and current pharmacovigilance algorithms are insufficient. Although difficult, the diagnosis of drug allergy/hypersensitivity has been standardized by the European Network for Drug Allergy (ENDA) under the aegis of the European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology and SOPs have been published. Based on ENDA and Global Allergy and Asthma European Network (GA(2)LEN, EU Framework Programme 6) SOPs, a Drug Allergy and Hypersensitivity Database (DAHD((R))) has been established under FileMaker((R)) Pro 9. It is already available online in many different languages and can be accessed using a personal login. GA(2)LEN is a European network of 27 partners (16 countries) and 59 collaborating centres (26 countries), which can coordinate and implement the DAHD across Europe. The GA(2)LEN-ENDA-DAHD platform interacting with a pharmacovigilance network appears to be of great interest for the reporting of allergy/hypersensitivity ADRs in conjunction with other pharmacovigilance instruments.

  10. Disaster Victim Identification: quality management from an odontology perspective.

    PubMed

    Lake, A W; James, H; Berketa, J W

    2012-06-01

    The desired outcome of the victim identification component of a mass fatality event is correct identification of deceased persons in a timely manner allowing legal and social closure for relatives of the victims. Quality Management across all aspects of the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) structure facilitates this process. Quality Management in forensic odontology is the understanding and implementation of a methodology that ensures collection, collation and preservation of the maximum amount of available dental data and the appropriate interpretation of that data to achieve outcomes to a standard expected by the DVI instructing authority, impacted parties and the forensic odontology specialist community. Managerial pre-event planning responsibility, via an odontology coordinator, includes setting a chain of command, developing and reviewing standard operating procedures (SOP), ensuring use of current scientific methodologies and staff training. During a DVI managerial responsibility includes tailoring SOP to the specific situation, ensuring member accreditation, encouraging inter-disciplinary cooperation and ensuring security of odontology data and work site. Individual responsibilities include the ability to work within a team, accept peer review, and share individual members' skill sets to achieve the best outcome. These responsibilities also include adherence to chain of command and the SOP, maintenance of currency of knowledge and recognition of professional boundaries of expertise. This article highlights issues of Quality Management pertaining particularly to forensic odontology but can also be extrapolated to all DVI actions.

  11. 45 CFR 1386.23 - Periodic reports: Protection and Advocacy System.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... advocacy work and training activities, and the outcomes which it strives to accomplish. (2) Where applicable, the SOP must include a description of how the Protection and Advocacy System operates and how it... for assistance when it is outside the scope of the SOP but they must inform individuals that this is...

  12. 45 CFR 1386.23 - Periodic reports: Protection and Advocacy System.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-10-01

    ... advocacy work and training activities, and the outcomes which it strives to accomplish. (2) Where applicable, the SOP must include a description of how the Protection and Advocacy System operates and how it... for assistance when it is outside the scope of the SOP but they must inform individuals that this is...

  13. 45 CFR 1386.23 - Periodic reports: Protection and Advocacy System.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-10-01

    ... advocacy work and training activities, and the outcomes which it strives to accomplish. (2) Where applicable, the SOP must include a description of how the Protection and Advocacy System operates and how it... for assistance when it is outside the scope of the SOP but they must inform individuals that this is...

  14. 45 CFR 1386.23 - Periodic reports: Protection and Advocacy System.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... advocacy work and training activities, and the outcomes which it strives to accomplish. (2) Where applicable, the SOP must include a description of how the Protection and Advocacy System operates and how it... for assistance when it is outside the scope of the SOP but they must inform individuals that this is...

  15. Command and Control Concepts and Solutions for Major Events Safety and Security: Lessons Learned from the Canadian Experience with Vancouver 2010 and G8/G20 Events

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2011-06-01

    discuss best practices and the prerogatives of major events C2 solutions. In section 6, we present the conclusion. 2 Complexity of the Command and Control...best practices for sharing information, standard operating procedure (SOPs) and response plans have been investigated through formal studies and an...and contributed to the deployment of an information sharing solution on Command Network. This solution was based on Microsoft SharePoint. The team

  16. An enhanced SOCP-based method for feeder load balancing using the multi-terminal soft open point in active distribution networks

    DOE PAGES

    Ji, Haoran; Wang, Chengshan; Li, Peng; ...

    2017-09-20

    The integration of distributed generators (DGs) exacerbates the feeder power flow fluctuation and load unbalanced condition in active distribution networks (ADNs). The unbalanced feeder load causes inefficient use of network assets and network congestion during system operation. The flexible interconnection based on the multi-terminal soft open point (SOP) significantly benefits the operation of ADNs. The multi-terminal SOP, which is a controllable power electronic device installed to replace the normally open point, provides accurate active and reactive power flow control to enable the flexible connection of feeders. An enhanced SOCP-based method for feeder load balancing using the multi-terminal SOP is proposedmore » in this paper. Furthermore, by regulating the operation of the multi-terminal SOP, the proposed method can mitigate the unbalanced condition of feeder load and simultaneously reduce the power losses of ADNs. Then, the original non-convex model is converted into a second-order cone programming (SOCP) model using convex relaxation. In order to tighten the SOCP relaxation and improve the computation efficiency, an enhanced SOCP-based approach is developed to solve the proposed model. Finally, case studies are performed on the modified IEEE 33-node system to verify the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed method.« less

  17. An enhanced SOCP-based method for feeder load balancing using the multi-terminal soft open point in active distribution networks

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Ji, Haoran; Wang, Chengshan; Li, Peng

    The integration of distributed generators (DGs) exacerbates the feeder power flow fluctuation and load unbalanced condition in active distribution networks (ADNs). The unbalanced feeder load causes inefficient use of network assets and network congestion during system operation. The flexible interconnection based on the multi-terminal soft open point (SOP) significantly benefits the operation of ADNs. The multi-terminal SOP, which is a controllable power electronic device installed to replace the normally open point, provides accurate active and reactive power flow control to enable the flexible connection of feeders. An enhanced SOCP-based method for feeder load balancing using the multi-terminal SOP is proposedmore » in this paper. Furthermore, by regulating the operation of the multi-terminal SOP, the proposed method can mitigate the unbalanced condition of feeder load and simultaneously reduce the power losses of ADNs. Then, the original non-convex model is converted into a second-order cone programming (SOCP) model using convex relaxation. In order to tighten the SOCP relaxation and improve the computation efficiency, an enhanced SOCP-based approach is developed to solve the proposed model. Finally, case studies are performed on the modified IEEE 33-node system to verify the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed method.« less

  18. Delivery of pharmaceutical services at ward level in a teaching hospital.

    PubMed

    Schellack, N; Martins, V; Botha, N; Meyer, J C

    2009-03-01

    Poor management of pharmaceuticals could lead to wastage of financial resources and poor services in the public sector. The main aim of the study was to investigate the quality of pharmaceutical services at ward level in a teaching hospital. The design of the study was descriptive. Three data collection instruments were designed and pilot-tested prior to the actual data collection. Two structured questionnaires were used to interview the sister-in-charge of each ward and the stock and drug controller at the pharmacy. A checklist for the management of pharmaceuticals was completed for each ward. Descriptive statistics were used to describe and summarise the data. Sisters-in-charge of 30 wards and the stock and drug controller at the pharmacy participated in the study. The relationship with the pharmacy was perceived to be average by 54% (n = 30) of the sisters-in-charge of the wards. Communication with the pharmacy was mainly by telephone and 57% of the sisters-in-charge mentioned that they experienced difficulties in conveying messages to the pharmacy. Ten of the wards received regular ward visits by a pharmacist. Expiry dates were checked by all wards but at different intervals. The majority of the wards (90%) used patient cards, which refer to prescription charts, for stock control and ordering from the pharmacy. Fridge temperatures were checked and charted on a daily basis by 30% of the wards. Written standard operating procedures (SOPs) were used by the pharmacy for issuing ward stock. Although 83% of the wards indicated that they used SOPs, evidence of written SOPs was not available. The results indicated that the management of pharmaceutical services at ward level could be improved. Implementation of appropriate communication systems will enhance cooperation between the pharmacy and the wards. A uniform ward stock control system, either by computer or stock cards, should be introduced. Regular ward visits by a pharmacist to oversee ward stock management are recommended. Standard operating procedures for use in the wards should be developed and implemented.

  19. Reduced Perinatal Leptin Availability May Contribute to Adverse Metabolic Programming in a Rat Model of Uteroplacental Insufficiency.

    PubMed

    Nüsken, Eva; Wohlfarth, Maria; Lippach, Gregor; Rauh, Manfred; Schneider, Holm; Dötsch, Jörg; Nüsken, Kai-Dietrich

    2016-05-01

    Leptin availability in perinatal life critically affects metabolic programming. We tested the hypothesis that uteroplacental insufficiency and intrauterine stress affect perinatal leptin availability in rat offspring. Pregnant rats underwent bilateral uterine vessel ligation (LIG; n = 14), sham operation (SOP; n = 12), or no operation (controls, n = 14). Fetal livers (n = 180), placentas (n = 180), and maternal blood were obtained 4 hours (gestational day [E] 19), 24 hours (E20), and 72 hours (E22) after surgery. In the offspring, we took blood samples on E22 (n = 44), postnatal day (P) 1 (n = 29), P2 (n = 16), P7 (n = 30), and P12 (n = 30). Circulating leptin (ELISA) was significantly reduced in LIG (E22, P1, P2) and SOP offspring (E22). Postnatal leptin surge was delayed in LIG but was accelerated in SOP offspring. Placental leptin gene expression (quantitative RT-PCR) was reduced in LIG (E19, E20, E22) and SOP (E20, E22). Hepatic leptin receptor (Lepr-a, mediating leptin degradation) gene expression was increased in LIG fetuses (E20, E22) only. Surprisingly, hypoxia-inducible factors (Hif; Western blot) were unaltered in placentas and were reduced in the livers of LIG (Hif1a, E20; Hif2a, E19, E22) and SOP (Hif2a, E19) fetuses. Gene expression of prolyl hydroxylase 3, a factor expressed under hypoxic conditions contributing to Hif degradation, was increased in livers of LIG (E19, E20, E22) and SOP (E19) fetuses and in placentas of LIG and SOP (E19). In summary, reduced placental leptin production, increased fetal leptin degradation, and persistent perinatal hypoleptinemia are present in intrauterine growth restriction offspring, especially after uteroplacental insufficiency, and may contribute to perinatal programming of leptin resistance and adiposity in later life.

  20. A standard operating procedure for the surgical implantation of transmitters in juvenile salmonids

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Liedtke, T.L.; Beeman, J.W.; Gee, L.P.

    2012-01-01

    Biotelemetry is a useful tool to monitor the movements of animals and is widely applied in fisheries research. Radio or acoustic technology can be used, depending on the study design and the environmental conditions in the study area. A broad definition of telemetry also includes the use of Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tags, either separately or with a radio or acoustic transmitter. To use telemetry, fish must be equipped with a transmitter. Although there are several attachment procedures available, surgical implantation of transmitters in the abdominal cavity is recognized as the best technique for long-term telemetry studies in general (Stasko and Pincock, 1977; Winter, 1996; Jepsen, 2003), and specifically for juvenile salmonids, Oncorhynchus spp. (Adams and others, 1998a, 1998b; Martinelli and others, 1998; Hall and others, 2009). Studies that use telemetry assume that the processes by which the animals are captured, handled, and tagged, as well as the act of carrying the transmitter, will have minimal effect on their behavior and performance. This assumption, commonly stated as a lack of transmitter effects, must be valid if telemetry studies are to describe accurately the movements and behavior of an entire population of interest, rather than the subset of that population that carries transmitters. This document describes a standard operating procedure (SOP) for surgical implantation of radio or acoustic transmitters in juvenile salmonids. The procedures were developed from a broad base of published information, laboratory experiments, and practical experience in tagging thousands of fish for numerous studies of juvenile salmon movements near Columbia River and Snake River hydroelectric dams. Staff from the Western Fisheries Research Center's Columbia River Research Laboratory (CRRL) frequently have used telemetry studies to evaluate new structures or operations at hydroelectric dams in the Columbia River Basin, and these evaluations typically require large numbers of tagged fish. For example, a study conducted at the dams on the Columbia River and funded by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers required tagging and monitoring of 40,000 juvenile salmon during a 3-month migration period (Counihan and others, 2006a, 2006b; Perry and others, 2006). To meet the demands of such a large study, the authors and CRRL staff refined the SOP to increase efficiency in the tagging process while maintaining high standards of fish care. The SOP has been used in laboratory and field settings for more than 15 years, and consistently has produced low mortality rates (<1 percent) and transmitter loss rates (<0.01 percent) in the 24-36 hours after tagging. In addition to describing the detailed surgical procedures required for transmitter implantation, this document provides guidance on fish collection, handling and holding, and the release of tagged fish. Although often overlooked, or at least underemphasized, these processes can have a large impact on the outcome of the tagging procedure. Stress associated with the individual steps in handling and tagging can be cumulative and lethal (Maule and others, 1988; Wedemeyer and others, 1990; Portz and others, 2006), so the goal is to provide the best possible fish care at every step in order to manage the overall effect on study fish.

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