Establishing a stem cell culture laboratory for clinical trials

PubMed Central

Sekiya, Elíseo Joji; Forte, Andresa; Kühn, Telma Ingrid Borges de Bellis; Janz, Felipe; Bydlowski, Sérgio Paulo; Alves, Adelson

2012-01-01

Adult stem/progenitor cells are found in different human tissues. An in vitro cell culture is needed for their isolation or for their expansion when they are not available in a sufficient quantity to regenerate damaged organs and tissues. The level of complexity of these new technologies requires adequate facilities, qualified personnel with experience in cell culture techniques, assessment of quality and clear protocols for cell production. The rules for the implementation of cell therapy centers involve national and international standards of good manufacturing practices. However, such standards are not uniform, reflecting the diversity of technical and scientific development. Here standards from the United States, the European Union and Brazil are analyzed. Moreover, practical solutions encountered for the implementation of a cell therapy center appropriate for the preparation and supply of cultured cells for clinical studies are described. Development stages involved the planning and preparation of the project, the construction of the facility, standardization of laboratory procedures and development of systems to prevent cross contamination. Combining the theoretical knowledge of research centers involved in the study of cells with the practical experience of blood therapy services that manage structures for cell transplantation is presented as the best potential for synergy to meet the demands to implement cell therapy centers. PMID:23049427

Theoretical Prediction of Microgravity Ignition Delay of Polymeric Fuels in Low Velocity Flows

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fernandez-Pello, A. C.; Torero, J. L.; Zhou, Y. Y.; Walther, D.; Ross, H. D.

2001-01-01

A new flammability apparatus and protocol, FIST (Forced Flow Ignition and Flame Spread Test), is under development. Based on the LIFT (Lateral Ignition and Flame Spread Test) protocol, FIST better reflects the environments expected in spacebased facilities. The final objective of the FIST research is to provide NASA with a test methodology that complements the existing protocol and provides a more comprehensive assessment of material flammability of practical materials for space applications. Theoretical modeling, an extensive normal gravity data bank and a few validation space experiments will support the testing methodology. The objective of the work presented here is to predict the ignition delay and critical heat flux for ignition of solid fuels in microgravity at airflow velocities below those induced in normal gravity. This is achieved through the application of a numerical model previously developed of piloted ignition of solid polymeric materials exposed to an external radiant heat flux. The model predictions will provide quantitative results about ignition of practical materials in the limiting conditions expected in space facilities. Experimental data of surface temperature histories and ignition delay obtained in the KC-135 aircraft are used to determine the critical pyrolysate mass flux for ignition and this value is subsequently used to predict the ignition delay and the critical heat flux for ignition of the material. Surface temperature and piloted ignition delay calculations for Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and a Polypropylene/Fiberglass (PP/GL) composite were conducted under both reduced and normal gravity conditions. It was found that ignition delay times are significantly shorter at velocities below those induced by natural convection.

High Gradient Accelerator Research

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

Temkin, Richard

The goal of the MIT program of research on high gradient acceleration is the development of advanced acceleration concepts that lead to a practical and affordable next generation linear collider at the TeV energy level. Other applications, which are more near-term, include accelerators for materials processing; medicine; defense; mining; security; and inspection. The specific goals of the MIT program are: • Pioneering theoretical research on advanced structures for high gradient acceleration, including photonic structures and metamaterial structures; evaluation of the wakefields in these advanced structures • Experimental research to demonstrate the properties of advanced structures both in low-power microwave coldmore » test and high-power, high-gradient test at megawatt power levels • Experimental research on microwave breakdown at high gradient including studies of breakdown phenomena induced by RF electric fields and RF magnetic fields; development of new diagnostics of the breakdown process • Theoretical research on the physics and engineering features of RF vacuum breakdown • Maintaining and improving the Haimson / MIT 17 GHz accelerator, the highest frequency operational accelerator in the world, a unique facility for accelerator research • Providing the Haimson / MIT 17 GHz accelerator facility as a facility for outside users • Active participation in the US DOE program of High Gradient Collaboration, including joint work with SLAC and with Los Alamos National Laboratory; participation of MIT students in research at the national laboratories • Training the next generation of Ph. D. students in the field of accelerator physics.« less

They think they know but do they? Misalignment of perceptions of lifestyle modification knowledge among health professionals.

PubMed

Parker, Whadi-Ah; Steyn, Nelia P; Levitt, Naomi S; Lombard, Carl J

2011-08-01

The present study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and practices of public-sector primary-care health professionals and final-year students regarding the role of nutrition, physical activity and smoking cessation (lifestyle modification) in the management of chronic diseases of lifestyle within the public health-care sector. A comparative cross-sectional descriptive quantitative study was conducted in thirty primary health-care facilities and four tertiary institutions offering medical and/or nursing programmes in Cape Town in the Western Cape Metropole. Stratified random sampling, based on geographical location, was used to select the health facilities while convenience sampling was used to select students at the tertiary institutions. A validated self-administered knowledge test was used to obtain data from the health professionals. Differential lifestyle modification knowledge exists among both health professionals and students, with less than 10 % achieving the desired scores of 80 % or higher. The majority of health professionals seem to be promoting the theoretical concepts of lifestyle modification but experience difficulty in providing practical advice to patients. Of the health professionals evaluated, doctors appeared to have the best knowledge of lifestyle modification. Lack of time, lack of patient adherence and language barriers were given as the main barriers to providing lifestyle counselling. The undergraduate curricula of medical and nursing students should include sufficient training on lifestyle modification, particularly practical advice on diet, physical activity and smoking cessation. Health professionals working at primary health-care facilities should be updated by providing lifestyle modification education as part of continuing medical education.

Exploring role confusion in nurse case management.

PubMed

Gray, Frances C; White, Ann; Brooks-Buck, Judith

2013-01-01

This is a report of the results of a pilot project conducted to identify the areas where role confusion/ambiguity exists in the practice of nurse case management. A convenience sample of 25 registered nurses practicing as case managers in a small east coast medical treatment facility's outpatient clinics. Participants responded to 2 Likert-type surveys designed to evaluate role confusion from an individual and a team membership perspective. Analysis indicated that nurse case managers experience role confusion in the specific areas of conflicts between time resources, capabilities, and multiple individual roles. There was no identified role confusion associated with membership on multidisciplinary teams. The application of the Synergy Model as a theoretical framework for nurse case management serves as a benchmark for the implementation of evidence-based practices. This project could serve as the starting point for the development of a skill set for nurse case managers, for the standardization of the practice, and for the recognition of nurse case management as a legitimate nursing subspecialty.

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

Sklenka, L.; Rataj, J.; Frybort, J.

Research reactors play an important role in providing key personnel of nuclear power plants a hands-on experience from operation and experiments at nuclear facilities. Training of NPP (Nuclear Power Plant) staff is usually deeply theoretical with an extensive utilisation of simulators and computer visualisation. But a direct sensing of the reactor response to various actions can only improve the personnel awareness of important aspects of reactor operation. Training Reactor VR-1 and its utilization for training of NPP operators and other professionals from Czech Republic and Slovakia is described. Typical experimental exercises and good practices in organization of a training programmore » are demonstrated. (authors)« less

Grieving a loss: the lived experience for elders residing in an institution.

PubMed

Pilkington, F Beryl

2005-07-01

Grieving a loss is a profound and universal human experience. This phenomenological-hermeneutic study was an inquiry into the lived experience of grieving a loss. The nursing perspective was Parse's human becoming theory. Participants were 10 elderly persons residing in a long-term care facility. The study finding specifies the structure of the lived experience of grieving a loss as aching solitude amid enduring cherished affiliations, as serene acquiescence arises with sorrowful curtailments. Findings are discussed in relation to the guiding theoretical perspective and related literature. Recommendations for additional research and insights for practice are presented.

Modelisation and distribution of neutron flux in radium-beryllium source (226Ra-Be)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Didi, Abdessamad; Dadouch, Ahmed; Jai, Otman

2017-09-01

Using the Monte Carlo N-Particle code (MCNP-6), to analyze the thermal, epithermal and fast neutron fluxes, of 3 millicuries of radium-beryllium, for determine the qualitative and quantitative of many materials, using method of neutron activation analysis. Radium-beryllium source of neutron is established to practical work and research in nuclear field. The main objective of this work was to enable us harness the profile flux of radium-beryllium irradiation, this theoretical study permits to discuss the design of the optimal irradiation and performance for increased the facility research and education of nuclear physics.

From distributions of deviance to definitions of difference: past and future mental health geographies.

PubMed

Wolch, J; Philo, C

2000-09-01

This paper reviews research in mental health geography that has examined landscapes of deinstitutionalisation, community care and everyday social life. It complements Philo's (1997, Across the water: reviewing geographical studies of asylums and other mental health facilities. Health and Place 3, 73-89) review of geographical studies concerned with asylums and other mental health facilities. Offering an interpretation of developments in this research sub-field, it charts a 'first wave' and a 'second wave' of inquiries, identifying shifts of substantive emphasis, theoretical approach and methodological practice. The gains and drawbacks of both 'waves' are discussed, with particular attention to absences both in what is researched and in the extent of political and policy engagement. The possible contours of a 'third wave' mental health geography, building on the strengths of earlier research but addressing new questions in new ways, are outlined in conclusion.

Multi Station Frequency Response and Polarization of ELF/VLF Signals Generated via Ionospheric Modification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maxworth, Ashanthi; Golkowski, Mark; University of Colorado Denver Team

2013-10-01

ELF/VLF wave generation via HF modulated ionospheric heating has been practiced for many years as a unique way to generate waves in the ELF/VLF band (3 Hz - 30 kHz). This paper presents experimental results and associated theoretical modeling from work performed at the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) facility in Alaska, USA. An experiment was designed to investigate the modulation frequency dependence of the generated ELF/VLF signal amplitudes and polarization at multiple sites at distances of 37 km, 50 km and 99 km from the facility. While no difference is observed for X mode versus O mode modulation of the heating wave, it is found that ELF/VLF amplitude and polarization as a function of modulated ELF/VLF frequency is different for each site. An ionospheric heating code is used to determine the primary current sources leading to the observations.

Perceptions of final-year nursing students on the facilities, resources and quality of education provided by schools in Turkey.

PubMed

Güner, Perihan

2015-01-01

The purpose of this study is to determine the perceptions of final-year nursing students regarding the adequacy of education, resources and internships in preparation for graduation. The study design was a descriptive cross-sectional study of nursing students (n: 1804) in their final year of education and questionnaires were used to collect data. Information related to student-to-instructor ratios and internships was obtained from each institution. Most students reported receiving instruction or supervision by lecturers and clinicians who did not specialise in the field. Overall, students did not find the facilities, educational or technological resources and the quality of education offered by their respective schools adequate. The proportion of students who found the level of theoretical education, clinical practice and instructor support adequate was higher in state university colleges of nursing/faculties of health sciences than in state university schools of health sciences.

Mini-mast CSI testbed user's guide

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tanner, Sharon E.; Pappa, Richard S.; Sulla, Jeffrey L.; Elliott, Kenny B.; Miserentino, Robert; Bailey, James P.; Cooper, Paul A.; Williams, Boyd L., Jr.; Bruner, Anne M.

1992-01-01

The Mini-Mast testbed is a 20 m generic truss highly representative of future deployable trusses for space applications. It is fully instrumented for system identification and active vibrations control experiments and is used as a ground testbed at NASA-Langley. The facility has actuators and feedback sensors linked via fiber optic cables to the Advanced Real Time Simulation (ARTS) system, where user defined control laws are incorporated into generic controls software. The object of the facility is to conduct comprehensive active vibration control experiments on a dynamically realistic large space structure. A primary goal is to understand the practical effects of simplifying theoretical assumptions. This User's Guide describes the hardware and its primary components, the dynamic characteristics of the test article, the control law implementation process, and the necessary safeguards employed to protect the test article. Suggestions for a strawman controls experiment are also included.

A crowd of pedestrian dynamics - The perspective of physics. Comment on "Human behaviours in evacuation crowd dynamics: From modelling to "big data" toward crisis management" by Nicola Bellomo et al.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miguel, António F.

2016-09-01

Walking is the most basic form of transportation. A good understanding of pedestrian's dynamics is essential in meeting the mobility and accessibility needs of people by providing a safe and quick walking flow [1]. Advances in the dynamics of pedestrians in crowds are of great theoretical and practical interest, as they lead to new insights regarding the planning of pedestrian facilities, crowd management, or evacuation analysis. Nicola Bellomo's et al. article [2] is a very timely review of the related research on modelling approaches, computational simulations, decision-making and crisis response. It also includes an attempt to accurately define commonly used terms, as well as a critical analysis of crowd dynamics and safety problems. As noted by the authors, ;models and simulations offer a virtual representation of real dynamics; that are essential to understand and predict the ;behavioural dynamics of crowds; [2]. As a physicist, I would like to put forward some additional theoretical and practical contributions that could be interesting to explore, regarding the perspective of physics on about human crowd dynamics (panic as a specific form of behaviour excluded).

Communal sanitation alternatives for slums: A case study of Kibera, Kenya

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schouten, M. A. C.; Mathenge, R. W.

Despite the prominence of communal practices as a last resort for any decent way of sanitation in slum areas, its application and use is flagrantly ignored. This paper provides insight in the appropriateness of communal sanitation facilities for slum conditions. Recent scholarly investigations in developing countries provide theoretical and empirical evidence of a divergence between the expectations from the users of sanitation facilities, and the expectations from other stakeholders. This paper presents the results from a case study in the Kibera slum attached to Nairobi, which is one of the largest African slums. A series of interviews with government agencies, Non-Governmental Organisations and Community Building Organisations was carried out. In addition, a survey was conducted of 76 users of different sanitation facilities. The research culminates in a series of concerns on financial, technological, situational and participatory dimensions. The main conclusion is a firm confirmation that communal sanitation are indeed the only viable alternative for slums, and therefore, the results of the research advocate a serious recognition of the use and appropriateness of communal sanitation for slum dwellers.

42 CFR 483.13 - Resident behavior and facility practices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 42 Public Health 5 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Resident behavior and facility practices. 483.13... SERVICES (CONTINUED) STANDARDS AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR STATES AND LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES Requirements for Long Term Care Facilities § 483.13 Resident behavior and facility practices. (a) Restraints...

Demonstration of the usefulness of a theoretical framework for humanising care with reference to a residential aged care service in Australia.

PubMed

Borbasi, Sally; Galvin, Kathleen T; Adams, Trevor; Todres, Les; Farrelly, Brona

2013-03-01

To demonstrate the usefulness of a theoretical framework for humanising care of dementia patients. The term humanisation of care has been increasingly used to describe an approach to health care that is informed by core dimensions of what it means to be human. Recent developments in dementia care highlight the importance of maintaining personhood in people with dementia. A conceptual framework is proposed by which the humanisation of care can be understood and applied. Eight dimensions that articulate core features of what needs to be attended to in order for a person to feel more deeply 'met' as a human being are discussed. Evidence from an evaluative study of a dementia outreach service is used to illustrate the usefulness of the humanising framework. Case study examples demonstrate the value of this framework by describing how a dementia outreach service enables care staff in residential aged care facilities to change their focus in the provision of care to residents with dementia. Each of the eight dimensions of humanisation/dehumanisation is used to illustrate how the dementia outreach service team have led to the improvements in resident care. Positive outcomes can be achieved by providing humanised care to residents with dementia. The paper highlights the potential for the humanising framework to be used in dementia care and shows how the framework can be helpfully translated into practice so that carers are supported to adopt an inclusive view of care delivery. A comprehensive framework, grounded in a strong philosophical foundation, can name a breadth of criteria for humanly sensitive care and can be translated into practice in such a way as to potentially transform the provision of care to residents in residential aged care facilities. © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Spontaneous Raman Scattering Diagnostics: Applications in Practical Combustion Systems. Chapter 5

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kojima, Jun; Viet-Nguyen, Quang; Lackner, Maximilian (Editor); Winter, Franz (Editor); Agarwal, Avinash (Editor)

2010-01-01

In this chapter, the recent advancements and practical aspects of laser SRS diagnostics have been reviewed wi til regards to applications in practical combustion systems. Clearly, SRS represents a theoretically and experimentally mature diagnostic technology that has become an essential tool for multiscalar measurements in turbulent combustion at elevated pressures. Today, time-, space-, spectrally, and even polarization-resolved S RS diagnostics is at hand, with aid from recent innovations in theoretical and technological developments on electro-optical or electromechanical devices. Whilst a linear increase in SRS signals can be expected in high-pressure systems (this is perhaps one of the most important advantages for using SRS in high-pressure systems), there are practical (often severe) restrictions associated with pressurized vessels, due mainly to the limited degree of optical access. This narrows ti,e available choice of diagnostics that can be employed at any given time. Point-wise SRS diagnostics provides the highest accuracy on the chemical species and temperature measurements, and will continue to remain a vital approach for the study in such harsh environments. The practical design considerations and hands-on set-up guide for SRS diagnostics provided in this chapter are rarely presented elsewhere. Although the second-harmonic Nd:YAG pulsed laser (532 nm), combined with pulse-stretching optics or the recently introduced White Cell-based laser, seems to be the most favored excitation source of choice by the research community, UV excitation will undoubtedly continue to be used on many occasions, and especially in sooting flames. Detection methods may be divided into ICCD-based nanosecond-gate detection or a rotary-chopper electromechanical shutter-based CCD array detection, and the levels of background flame emission in individual cases would determine this critical design choice. Here, a process of Raman signal calibration based on ti,e crosstalk matrix formalism was explained step-by-step. As tI,is process may be very time-consuming and expensive, a well-planned experimental approach (01' building a transferable calibration database or library (at least with in a user's own facility over a series of different testing and runs) is vitally important. Hands on advice on the design and construction of flow control systems for high pressure burner facilities were also presented.

[The practice guideline 'The STD consultation' from the Dutch College of General Practitioners; a response from the perspective of dermatology].

PubMed

Neumann, H A M

2005-08-06

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) constitute an important health problem in the Netherlands. Although there are several STD outpatient clinics, such facilities remain unavailable outside the larger cities. The members of the Dutch College of General Practitioners, who published the practice guideline on STD consultation, provide the majority of STD care. An important aspect of this guideline is the fact that GPs are able to assess the risk by taking a sexual history and then determine their own policy on additional investigations. This prevents the omission of investigations that would exclude an STD, but carries the risk, at least theoretically, that it may be missed. It is noteworthy that scabies is not discussed in these guidelines. The most important difference between the guidelines followed by dermatological/STD clinics throughout the Netherlands is the level of triage practiced by GPs. It seems that GPs have a well-thought out and responsible policy, which also merits attention from dermatologists/venereologists.

The development and validation of the Dormitory Observation Report: a behavioral rating instrument for juvenile delinquents in residential care.

PubMed

Veneziano, Louis; Veneziano, Carol

2002-09-01

In order to provide an objective measure of problematic behavioral patterns among juvenile delinquents in residential facilities, the Dormitory Observation Report (DOR) was developed. The DOR assesses 11 dimensions of problematic behavioral patterns (e.g., physical assaultiveness, manipulativeness), as well as three dimensions of desirable behavioral patterns expected in an institutional setting (e.g., independent functioning, personal hygiene, care of surroundings). Empirical study regarding the reliability and validity of the DOR are reported, and the results are discussed in terms of the theoretical and practical implications of this instrument. Copyright 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Experimental comparison of symmetry in rugby and cylindrical holhraums

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Philippe, Franck; Tassin, Veronique; Laffite, Stephane; Monteil, Marie-Christine; Bastian, Josiane; Lours, Laurence; Villette, Bruno; Stemmler, Philippe; Bednarczyk, Sophie; Reneaume, Benoit; di Nicola, Pascale; Raffin, Vincent

2007-11-01

Recently, holhraum shape optimization has been investigated as a practical way to achieve ignition at lower energy [1][2]. Rugby shaped holhraums theoretically allow better energetic coupling and symmetry control than classical cylinders. As a first step toward an experimental validation of this design, this talk presents the results of experiments on the OMEGA laser facility dedicated to the comparison of symmetry in cylindrical and rugby holhraums. Foamball radiographs and Symcaps emission contours for both type of holhraums are compared to numerical simulation results. [1] M. Vandenboomgaerde et al., accepted by Phys. Rev. Lett. [2] P. Amendt et al., Phys. Plasmas 14, 056312 (2007)

Regional health care planning: a methodology to cluster facilities using community utilization patterns

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Community-based health care planning and regulation necessitates grouping facilities and areal units into regions of similar health care use. Limited research has explored the methodologies used in creating these regions. We offer a new methodology that clusters facilities based on similarities in patient utilization patterns and geographic location. Our case study focused on Hospital Groups in Michigan, the allocation units used for predicting future inpatient hospital bed demand in the state’s Bed Need Methodology. The scientific, practical, and political concerns that were considered throughout the formulation and development of the methodology are detailed. Methods The clustering methodology employs a 2-step K-means + Ward’s clustering algorithm to group hospitals. The final number of clusters is selected using a heuristic that integrates both a statistical-based measure of cluster fit and characteristics of the resulting Hospital Groups. Results Using recent hospital utilization data, the clustering methodology identified 33 Hospital Groups in Michigan. Conclusions Despite being developed within the politically charged climate of Certificate of Need regulation, we have provided an objective, replicable, and sustainable methodology to create Hospital Groups. Because the methodology is built upon theoretically sound principles of clustering analysis and health care service utilization, it is highly transferable across applications and suitable for grouping facilities or areal units. PMID:23964905

Regional health care planning: a methodology to cluster facilities using community utilization patterns.

PubMed

Delamater, Paul L; Shortridge, Ashton M; Messina, Joseph P

2013-08-22

Community-based health care planning and regulation necessitates grouping facilities and areal units into regions of similar health care use. Limited research has explored the methodologies used in creating these regions. We offer a new methodology that clusters facilities based on similarities in patient utilization patterns and geographic location. Our case study focused on Hospital Groups in Michigan, the allocation units used for predicting future inpatient hospital bed demand in the state's Bed Need Methodology. The scientific, practical, and political concerns that were considered throughout the formulation and development of the methodology are detailed. The clustering methodology employs a 2-step K-means + Ward's clustering algorithm to group hospitals. The final number of clusters is selected using a heuristic that integrates both a statistical-based measure of cluster fit and characteristics of the resulting Hospital Groups. Using recent hospital utilization data, the clustering methodology identified 33 Hospital Groups in Michigan. Despite being developed within the politically charged climate of Certificate of Need regulation, we have provided an objective, replicable, and sustainable methodology to create Hospital Groups. Because the methodology is built upon theoretically sound principles of clustering analysis and health care service utilization, it is highly transferable across applications and suitable for grouping facilities or areal units.

A small electron beam ion trap/source facility for electron/neutral–ion collisional spectroscopy in astrophysical plasmas

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liang, Gui-Yun; Wei, Hui-Gang; Yuan, Da-Wei; Wang, Fei-Lu; Peng, Ji-Min; Zhong, Jia-Yong; Zhu, Xiao-Long; Schmidt, Mike; Zschornack, Günter; Ma, Xin-Wen; Zhao, Gang

2018-01-01

Spectra are fundamental observation data used for astronomical research, but understanding them strongly depends on theoretical models with many fundamental parameters from theoretical calculations. Different models give different insights for understanding a specific object. Hence, laboratory benchmarks for these theoretical models become necessary. An electron beam ion trap is an ideal facility for spectroscopic benchmarks due to its similar conditions of electron density and temperature compared to astrophysical plasmas in stellar coronae, supernova remnants and so on. In this paper, we will describe the performance of a small electron beam ion trap/source facility installed at National Astronomical Observatories, Chinese Academy of Sciences.We present some preliminary experimental results on X-ray emission, ion production, the ionization process of trapped ions as well as the effects of charge exchange on the ionization.

7 CFR 205.271 - Facility pest management practice standard.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 3 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Facility pest management practice standard. 205.271... MARKETING SERVICE (Standards, Inspections, Marketing Practices), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (CONTINUED... Requirements § 205.271 Facility pest management practice standard. (a) The producer or handler of an organic...

Exploring Space Management Goals in Institutional Care Facilities in China

PubMed Central

Zhang, Jiankun

2017-01-01

Space management has been widely examined in commercial facilities, educational facilities, and hospitals but not in China's institutional care facilities. Poor spatial arrangements, such as wasted space, dysfunctionality, and environment mismanagement, are increasing; in turn, the occupancy rate is decreasing due to residential dissatisfaction. To address these problems, this paper's objective is to explore the space management goals (SMGs) in institutional care facilities in China. Systematic literature analysis was adopted to set SMGs' principles, to identify nine theoretical SMGs, and to develop the conceptual model of SMGs for institutional care facilities. A total of 19 intensive interviews were conducted with stakeholders in seven institutional care facilities to collect data for qualitative analysis. The qualitative evidence was analyzed through open coding, axial coding, and selective coding. As a result, six major categories as well as their interrelationships were put forward to visualize the path diagram for exploring SMGs in China's institutional care facilities. Furthermore, seven expected SMGs that were explored from qualitative evidence were confirmed as China's SMGs in institutional care facilities by a validation test. Finally, a gap analysis among theoretical SMGs and China's SMGs provided recommendations for implementing space management in China's institutional care facilities. PMID:29065629

Exploring Space Management Goals in Institutional Care Facilities in China.

PubMed

Li, Lingzhi; Yuan, Jingfeng; Ning, Yan; Shao, Qiuhu; Zhang, Jiankun

2017-01-01

Space management has been widely examined in commercial facilities, educational facilities, and hospitals but not in China's institutional care facilities. Poor spatial arrangements, such as wasted space, dysfunctionality, and environment mismanagement, are increasing; in turn, the occupancy rate is decreasing due to residential dissatisfaction. To address these problems, this paper's objective is to explore the space management goals (SMGs) in institutional care facilities in China. Systematic literature analysis was adopted to set SMGs' principles, to identify nine theoretical SMGs, and to develop the conceptual model of SMGs for institutional care facilities. A total of 19 intensive interviews were conducted with stakeholders in seven institutional care facilities to collect data for qualitative analysis. The qualitative evidence was analyzed through open coding, axial coding, and selective coding. As a result, six major categories as well as their interrelationships were put forward to visualize the path diagram for exploring SMGs in China's institutional care facilities. Furthermore, seven expected SMGs that were explored from qualitative evidence were confirmed as China's SMGs in institutional care facilities by a validation test. Finally, a gap analysis among theoretical SMGs and China's SMGs provided recommendations for implementing space management in China's institutional care facilities.

Thought for application and application with thought: issues in theoretical thinking and practical wisdom.

PubMed

Jenkins, Sandra K; Thomas, Mary Beth

2005-01-01

Both theoretical thinking and practical wisdom are used by health professionals in their clinical practice. Lately, discussion has centered on the abstract phrase "theory-practice gap." The health profession is not the only discipline that seeks unity in theory and practice issues. Education is also building bridges in this arena. One reoccurring myth is the notion that theory and practice are separate; as a result, this gives a mistaken impression that theory serves no purpose in practice. Discussion of the issues in this paper includes definitions of theoretical thinking and practical wisdom, theoretical and practical knowledge development, and relevance to health professional's education, practice and science. These issues must be communicated to practitioners, educators and theorists. A collective definition to begin communication is proposed and suggestions are offered for addressing key issues.

“We have become doctors for ourselves”: motives for malaria self-care among adults in southeastern Tanzania

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Prompt and appropriate treatment of malaria with effective medicines remains necessary if malaria control goals are to be achieved. The theoretical concepts from self-care and the health belief model were used to examine the motivations for malaria self-care among the adult population. Methods A qualitative study was conducted through eight focus group discussions with adult community members to explore their general opinions, views and perceptions of malaria and of its treatments. These groups were followed by 15 in-depth interviews of participants with a recent malaria experience to allow for an in-depth exploration of their self-care practices. The analysis followed principles of grounded theory and was conducted using Nvivo 9 qualitative data management software. Results The self-treatment of malaria at home was found to be a common practice among the study participants. The majority of the participants practiced self-medication with a painkiller as an initial response. The persistence and the worsening of the disease symptoms prompted participants to consider other self-care options. Perceptions that many malaria symptoms are suggestive of other conditions motivated participants to self-refer for malaria test. The accessibility of private laboratory facilities and drug shops motivated their use for malaria tests and for obtaining anti-malarial medicines, respectively. Self-treatment with anti-malarial monotherapy was common, motivated by their perceived effectiveness and availability. The perceived barriers to using the recommended combination treatment, artemether-lumefantrine, were related to the possible side-effects and to uncertainty about their effectiveness, and these doubts motivated some participants to consider self-medication with local herbs. Several factors were mentioned as motivating people for self-care practices. These included poor patient provider relationship, unavailability of medicine and the costs associated with accessing treatments from the health facilities. Conclusions Malaria self-care and self-treatment with anti-malarial monotherapy are common among adults, and are motivated by both individual characteristics and the limitations of the existing health care facilities. There is a need for public health interventions to take into account community perceptions and cultural schemas on malaria self-care practices. PMID:24986165

Variation in infection prevention practices in dialysis facilities: results from the national opportunity to improve infection control in ESRD (End-Stage Renal Disease) project.

PubMed

Chenoweth, Carol E; Hines, Stephen C; Hall, Kendall K; Saran, Rajiv; Kalbfleisch, John D; Spencer, Teri; Frank, Kelly M; Carlson, Diane; Deane, Jan; Roys, Erik; Scholz, Natalie; Parrotte, Casey; Messana, Joseph M

2015-07-01

OBJECTIVE To observe patient care across hemodialysis facilities enrolled in the National Opportunity to Improve Infection Control in ESRD (end-stage renal disease) (NOTICE) project in order to evaluate adherence to evidence-based practices aimed at prevention of infection. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Thirty-four hemodialysis facilities were randomly selected from among 772 facilities in 4 end-stage renal disease participating networks. Facility selection was stratified on dialysis organization affiliation, size, socioeconomic status, and urban/rural status. MEASUREMENTS Trained infection control evaluators used an infection control worksheet to observe 73 distinct infection control practices at the hemodialysis facilities, from October 1, 2011, through January 31, 2012. RESULTS There was considerable variation in infection control practices across enrolled facilities. Overall adherence to recommended practices was 68% (range, 45%-92%) across all facilities. Overall adherence to expected hand hygiene practice was 72% (range, 10%-100%). Compliance to hand hygiene before and after procedures was high; however, during procedures hand hygiene compliance averaged 58%. Use of chlorhexidine as the specific agent for exit site care was 19% overall but varied from 0% to 35% by facility type. The 8 checklists varied in the frequency of perfect performance from 0% for meeting every item on the checklist for disinfection practices to 22% on the arteriovenous access practices at initiation. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that there are many areas for improvement in hand hygiene and other infection prevention practices in end-stage renal disease. These NOTICE project findings will help inform the development of a larger quality improvement initiative at dialysis facilities.

Persistence of unsafe practice in everyday work: an exploration of organizational and psychological factors constraining safety in the operating room.

PubMed

Espin, S; Lingard, L; Baker, G R; Regehr, G

2006-06-01

This paper explores the factors that influence the persistence of unsafe practice in an interprofessional team setting in health care, towards the development of a descriptive theoretical model for analyzing problematic practice routines. Using data collected during a mixed method interview study of 28 members of an operating room team, participants' approaches to unsafe practice were analyzed using the following three theoretical models from organizational and cognitive psychology: Reason's theory of "vulnerable system syndrome", Tucker and Edmondson's concept of first and second order problem solving, and Amalberti's model of practice migration. These three theoretical approaches provide a critical insight into key trends in the interview data, including team members' definition of error as the breaching of standards of practice, nurses' sense of scope of practice as a constraint on their reporting behaviours, and participants' reports of the forces influencing tacit agreements to work around safety regulations. However, the relational factors underlying unsafe practice routines are poorly accounted for in these theoretical approaches. Incorporating an additional theoretical construct such as "relational coordination" to account for the emotional human features of team practice would provide a more comprehensive theoretical approach for use in exploring unsafe practice routines and the forces that sustain them in healthcare team settings.

Implications of Dual Practice among Health Workers: A Systematic Review

PubMed Central

MOGHRI, Javad; RASHIDIAN, Arash; ARAB, Mohammad; AKBARI SARI, Ali

2017-01-01

Background: Mixed health care systems to work simultaneously on both public and private facilities, is common today. This phenomenon referred to as dual practice (DP), has potential implications for access, quality, cost and equity of health services. This paper aimed to review systematically studies that assess the implications of DP among health workers. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and The Cochrane library were searched for obtaining published literature between Feb 1990 and May 2014. Google and Google Scholars, organizational websites, and reference lists of relevant papers searched to get grey literature. Only studies concentrated on consequences and impacts of DP among health professionals and conducted using “randomized controlled trials”, “non-randomized controlled trials”, “controlled before and after studies”, or “interrupted time series” were eligible for inclusion. Results: From 3242 records, we focused on 19 studies, which aimed to assess effects and impacts of dual practice. After that, the current understanding of DP positive and negative implications was categorized and discussed based on two perspectives. Conclusion: There has been a propensity to over-reliance on theoretical methods in predicting the implications of this phenomenon. Almost all of the mentioned implications are based on theoretical predictions undermined in the broader literature. Furthermore, assessing the current literature showed positive and negative impacts of DP on different parts of the health system and various dimensions of service delivery. These implications are contexted specific and may vary from system to system. PMID:28451549

Theory and interpretation in qualitative studies from general practice: Why and how?

PubMed

Malterud, Kirsti

2016-03-01

In this article, I want to promote theoretical awareness and commitment among qualitative researchers in general practice and suggest adequate and feasible theoretical approaches. I discuss different theoretical aspects of qualitative research and present the basic foundations of the interpretative paradigm. Associations between paradigms, philosophies, methodologies and methods are examined and different strategies for theoretical commitment presented. Finally, I discuss the impact of theory for interpretation and the development of general practice knowledge. A scientific theory is a consistent and soundly based set of assumptions about a specific aspect of the world, predicting or explaining a phenomenon. Qualitative research is situated in an interpretative paradigm where notions about particular human experiences in context are recognized from different subject positions. Basic theoretical features from the philosophy of science explain why and how this is different from positivism. Reflexivity, including theoretical awareness and consistency, demonstrates interpretative assumptions, accounting for situated knowledge. Different types of theoretical commitment in qualitative analysis are presented, emphasizing substantive theories to sharpen the interpretative focus. Such approaches are clearly within reach for a general practice researcher contributing to clinical practice by doing more than summarizing what the participants talked about, without trying to become a philosopher. Qualitative studies from general practice deserve stronger theoretical awareness and commitment than what is currently established. Persistent attention to and respect for the distinctive domain of knowledge and practice where the research deliveries are targeted is necessary to choose adequate theoretical endeavours. © 2015 the Nordic Societies of Public Health.

Green infrastructure in high-rise residential development on steep slopes in city of Vladivostok

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kopeva, Alla; Ivanova, Olga; Khrapko, Olga

2018-03-01

The purpose of this study is to identify the facilities of green infrastructure that are able to improve living conditions in an urban environment in high-rise residential apartments buildings on steep slopes in the city of Vladivostok. Based on the analysis of theoretical sources and practices that can be observed in the world, green infrastructure facilities have been identified. These facilities meet the criteria of the sustainable development concept, and can be used in the city of Vladivostok. They include green roofs, green walls, and greening of disturbed slopes. All the existing high-rise apartments buildings situated on steep slopes in the city of Vladivostok, have been studied. It is concluded that green infrastructure is necessary to be used in new projects connected with designing and constructing of residential apartments buildings on steep slopes, as well as when upgrading the projects that have already been implemented. That will help to regulate the ecological characteristics of the sites. The results of the research can become a basis for increasing the sustainability of the habitat, and will facilitate the adoption of decisions in the field of urban design and planning.

Theory and practice of clinical ethics support services: narrative and hermeneutical perspectives.

PubMed

Porz, Rouven; Landeweer, Elleke; Widdershoven, Guy

2011-09-01

In this paper we introduce narrative and hermeneutical perspectives to clinical ethics support services (CESS). We propose a threefold consideration of 'theory' and show how it is interwoven with 'practice' as we go along. First, we look at theory in its foundational role: in our case 'narrative ethics' and 'philosophical hermeneutics' provide a theoretical base for clinical ethics by focusing on human identities entangled in stories and on moral understanding as a dialogical process. Second, we consider the role of theoretical notions in helping practitioners to understand their situation in clinical ethics practice, by using notions like 'story', 'responsibility', or 'vulnerability' to make explicit and explain their practical experience. Such theoretical notions help us to interpret clinical situations from an ethical perspective and to foster moral awareness of practitioners. And, thirdly, we examine how new theoretical concepts are developed by interpreting practice, using practice to form and improve our ethical theory. In this paper, we discuss this threefold use of theory in clinical ethics support services by reflecting on our own theoretical assumptions, methodological steps and practical experiences as ethicists, and by providing examples from our daily work. In doing so, we illustrate that theory and practice are interwoven, as theoretical understanding is dependent upon practical experience, and vice-versa. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Robust, Reliable Low Emission Gas Turbine Combustion of High Hydrogen Content Fuels

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

Wooldridge, Margaret Stacy; Im, Hong Geum

2016-12-16

The effects of high hydrogen content fuels were studied using experimental, computational and theoretical approaches to understand the effects of mixture and state conditions on the ignition behavior of the fuels. A rapid compression facility (RCF) was used to measure the ignition delay time of hydrogen and carbon monoxide mixtures. The data were combined with results of previous studies to develop ignition regime criteria. Analytical theory and direct numerical simulation were used to validate and interpret the RCF ignition data. Based on the integrated information the ignition regime criteria were extended to non-dimensional metrics which enable application of the resultsmore » to practical gas turbine combustion systems.« less

The Mode of Theoretical Knowledge and Practical Knowledge Combination: The Significance of Internship

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yong, Tang

2012-01-01

In China, the conflict of university talents training program and market demands is increasingly attracting public attention. In order to satisfy the markets, the graduates should have abilities of combining theoretical knowledge with practice. Aiming at the issue of combining theoretical and practical knowledge, this paper takes construction…

The Significance of Practical Training in Linking Theoretical Studies with Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Katajavuori, Nina; Lindblom-Ylanne, Sari; Hirvonen, Jouni

2006-01-01

Today's experts must continuously reconstruct their expertise and be able to apply their theoretical knowledge in actual work. The development of expertise is a long process, during which theoretical, practical and metacognitive elements of expert knowledge are integrated into a coherent whole. It is important to foster student's learning and…

16 CFR 240.7 - Services or facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 16 Commercial Practices 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Services or facilities. 240.7 Section 240.7 Commercial Practices FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION GUIDES AND TRADE PRACTICE RULES GUIDES FOR ADVERTISING ALLOWANCES AND OTHER MERCHANDISING PAYMENTS AND SERVICES § 240.7 Services or facilities. The terms services...

10 CFR 850.27 - Hygiene facilities and practices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 10 Energy 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Hygiene facilities and practices. 850.27 Section 850.27 Energy DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY CHRONIC BERYLLIUM DISEASE PREVENTION PROGRAM Specific Program Requirements § 850.27 Hygiene facilities and practices. (a) General. The responsible employer must assure that in...

A case study of the introduction of the International Classification for Nursing Practice(®) in Poland.

PubMed

Kilańska, D; Gaworska-Krzemińska, A; Grabowska, H; Gorzkowicz, B

2016-09-01

The development of a nursing practice, improvements in nurses' autonomy, and increased professional and personal responsibility for the medical services provided all require professional documentation with records of health status assessments, decisions undertaken, actions and their outcomes for each patient. The International Classification for Nursing Practice is a tool that meets all of these needs, and although it requires continuous evaluation, it offers professional documentation and communication in the practitioner and researcher community. The aim of this paper is to present a theoretical critique of an issue related to policy and experience of the current situation in Polish nursing - especially of the efforts to standardize nursing practices through the introduction and development of the Classification in Poland. Despite extensive promotion and training by International Council of Nurses members worldwide, there are still many countries where the Classification has not been implemented as a standard tool in healthcare facilities. Recently, a number of initiatives were undertaken in cooperation with the local and state authorities to disseminate the Classification in healthcare facilities. Thanks to intense efforts by the Polish Nurses Association and the International Council of Nurses Accredited Center for ICNP(®) Research & Development at the Medical University of Łódź, the Classification is known in Poland and has been tested at several centres. Nevertheless, an actual implementation that would allow for national and international interoperability requires strategic governmental decisions and close cooperation with information technology companies operating in the country. Discussing the barriers to the implementation of the Classification can improve understanding of it and its use. At a policy level, decision makers need to understand that use Classification in eHealth services and tools it is necessary to achieve interoperability. © 2016 International Council of Nurses.

Spatial accessibility to specific sport facilities and corresponding sport practice: the RECORD Study.

PubMed

Karusisi, Noëlla; Thomas, Frédérique; Méline, Julie; Chaix, Basile

2013-04-20

Physical activity is considered as a major component of a healthy lifestyle. However, few studies have examined the relationships between the spatial accessibility to sport facilities and sport practice with a sufficient degree of specificity. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between the spatial accessibility to specific types of sports facilities and the practice of the corresponding sports after carefully controlling for various individual socio-demographic characteristics and neighborhood socioeconomic variables. Data from the RECORD Study involving 7290 participants recruited in 2007-2008, aged 30-79 years, and residing in the Paris metropolitan area were analyzed. Four categories of sports were studied: team sports, racket sports, swimming and related activities, and fitness. Spatial accessibility to sport facilities was measured with two complementary approaches that both take into account the street network (distance to the nearest facility and count of facilities around the dwelling). Associations between the spatial accessibility to sport facilities and the practice of the corresponding sports were assessed using multilevel logistic regression after adjusting for individual and contextual characteristics. High individual education and high household income were associated with the practice of racket sports, swimming or related activities, and fitness over the previous 7 days. The spatial accessibility to swimming pools was associated with swimming and related sports, even after adjustment for individual/contextual factors. The spatial accessibility to facilities was not related to the practice of other sports. High neighborhood income was associated with the practice of a racket sport and fitness. Accessibility is a multi-dimensional concept that integrates educational, financial, and geographical aspects. Our work supports the evidence that strategies to increase participation in sport activities should improve the spatial and financial access to specific facilities, but also address educational disparities in sport practice.

MIP models for connected facility location: A theoretical and computational study☆

PubMed Central

Gollowitzer, Stefan; Ljubić, Ivana

2011-01-01

This article comprises the first theoretical and computational study on mixed integer programming (MIP) models for the connected facility location problem (ConFL). ConFL combines facility location and Steiner trees: given a set of customers, a set of potential facility locations and some inter-connection nodes, ConFL searches for the minimum-cost way of assigning each customer to exactly one open facility, and connecting the open facilities via a Steiner tree. The costs needed for building the Steiner tree, facility opening costs and the assignment costs need to be minimized. We model ConFL using seven compact and three mixed integer programming formulations of exponential size. We also show how to transform ConFL into the Steiner arborescence problem. A full hierarchy between the models is provided. For two exponential size models we develop a branch-and-cut algorithm. An extensive computational study is based on two benchmark sets of randomly generated instances with up to 1300 nodes and 115,000 edges. We empirically compare the presented models with respect to the quality of obtained bounds and the corresponding running time. We report optimal values for all but 16 instances for which the obtained gaps are below 0.6%. PMID:25009366

40 CFR Table 1 to Subpart Cccccc... - Applicability Criteria and Management Practices for Gasoline Dispensing Facilities With Monthly...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... Practices for Gasoline Dispensing Facilities With Monthly Throughput of 100,000 Gallons of Gasoline or More1... CATEGORIES (CONTINUED) National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Source Category: Gasoline... Criteria and Management Practices for Gasoline Dispensing Facilities With Monthly Throughput of 100,000...

40 CFR Table 1 to Subpart Cccccc... - Applicability Criteria and Management Practices for Gasoline Dispensing Facilities With Monthly...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... Practices for Gasoline Dispensing Facilities With Monthly Throughput of 100,000 Gallons of Gasoline or More1... CATEGORIES (CONTINUED) National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Source Category: Gasoline... Criteria and Management Practices for Gasoline Dispensing Facilities With Monthly Throughput of 100,000...

40 CFR Table 1 to Subpart Cccccc... - Applicability Criteria and Management Practices for Gasoline Dispensing Facilities With Monthly...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... Practices for Gasoline Dispensing Facilities With Monthly Throughput of 100,000 Gallons of Gasoline or More1... CATEGORIES (CONTINUED) National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Source Category: Gasoline... Criteria and Management Practices for Gasoline Dispensing Facilities With Monthly Throughput of 100,000...

40 CFR Table 1 to Subpart Cccccc... - Applicability Criteria and Management Practices for Gasoline Dispensing Facilities With Monthly...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... Practices for Gasoline Dispensing Facilities With Monthly Throughput of 100,000 Gallons of Gasoline or More1... CATEGORIES (CONTINUED) National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants for Source Category: Gasoline... Criteria and Management Practices for Gasoline Dispensing Facilities With Monthly Throughput of 100,000...

Correspondence regarding 'Assefa Y, et al., BMC Health Services Research. 2011; 11 (1):81 and 2014; 14(1):45': The Positive-Deviance approach for translating evidence into practice to improve patient retention in HIV care.

PubMed

Assefa, Yibeltal; Hill, Peter S; Kloos, Helmut; Ooms, Gorik; Van Damme, Wim

2018-03-21

The purpose of this correspondence is to describe how the positive-deviance approach can be used to translate evidence into practice, based on successive studies conducted in Ethiopia. In earlier studies, it was identified that retention in antiretroviral treatment care was variable across health facilities; and, seeking compliance across facilities, a framework was developed based on the practices of those positive-deviant health facilities, where performance was noted to be markedly better. It was found that the positive deviance approach was effective in facilitating the transfer of innovative practices (using different mechanisms) from positive-deviant health facilities to negative-deviant health facilities. As a result, the variability in retention in care across health facilities narrowed over time, increasing from 83 to 96% in 2007/8 to 95-97% in 2013/14. In conclusion, the positive-deviance approach is a valuable tool to translate evidence into practice, spread good practices, and help achieving universal health coverage.

Information Design Theories

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pettersson, Rune

2014-01-01

Information design has practical and theoretical components. As an academic discipline we may view information design as a combined discipline, a practical theory, or as a theoretical practice. So far information design has incorporated facts, influences, methods, practices, principles, processes, strategies, and tools from a large number of…

Game theoretic analysis of physical protection system design

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

Canion, B.; Schneider, E.; Bickel, E.

The physical protection system (PPS) of a fictional small modular reactor (SMR) facility have been modeled as a platform for a game theoretic approach to security decision analysis. To demonstrate the game theoretic approach, a rational adversary with complete knowledge of the facility has been modeled attempting a sabotage attack. The adversary adjusts his decisions in response to investments made by the defender to enhance the security measures. This can lead to a conservative physical protection system design. Since defender upgrades were limited by a budget, cost benefit analysis may be conducted upon security upgrades. One approach to cost benefitmore » analysis is the efficient frontier, which depicts the reduction in expected consequence per incremental increase in the security budget.« less

Emergence of integrated urology-radiation oncology practices in the State of Texas.

PubMed

Jhaveri, Pavan M; Sun, Zhuyi; Ballas, Leslie; Followill, David S; Hoffman, Karen E; Jiang, Jing; Smith, Benjamin D

2012-09-01

Integrated urology-radiation oncology (RO) practices have been advocated as a means to improve community-based prostate cancer care by joining urologic and radiation care in a single-practice environment. However, little is known regarding the scope and actual physical integration of such practices. We sought to characterize the emergence of such practices in Texas, their extent of physical integration, and their potential effect on patient travel times for radiation therapy. A telephone survey identified integrated urology-RO practices, defined as practices owned by urologists that offer RO services. Geographic information software was used to determine the proximity of integrated urology-RO clinic sites with respect to the state's population. We calculated patient travel time and distance from each integrated urology-RO clinic offering urologic services to the RO treatment facility owned by the integrated practice and to the nearest nonintegrated (independent) RO facility. We compared these times and distances using the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test. Of 229 urology practices identified, 12 (5%) offered integrated RO services, and 182 (28%) of 640 Texas urologists worked in such practices. Approximately 53% of the state population resides within 10 miles of an integrated urology-RO clinic site. Patients with a diagnosis of prostate cancer at an integrated urology-RO clinic site travel a mean of 19.7 miles (26.1 min) from the clinic to reach the RO facility owned by the integrated urology-RO practice vs 5.9 miles (9.2 min) to reach the nearest nonintegrated RO facility (P<.001). Integrated urology-RO practices are common in Texas and are generally clustered in urban areas. In most integrated practices, the urology clinics and the integrated RO facilities are not at the same location, and driving times and distances from the clinic to the integrated RO facility exceed those from the clinic to the nearest nonintegrated RO facility. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Emergence of Integrated Urology-Radiation Oncology Practices in the State of Texas

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

Jhaveri, Pavan M.; Sun Zhuyi; Ballas, Leslie

2012-09-01

Purpose: Integrated urology-radiation oncology (RO) practices have been advocated as a means to improve community-based prostate cancer care by joining urologic and radiation care in a single-practice environment. However, little is known regarding the scope and actual physical integration of such practices. We sought to characterize the emergence of such practices in Texas, their extent of physical integration, and their potential effect on patient travel times for radiation therapy. Methods and Materials: A telephone survey identified integrated urology-RO practices, defined as practices owned by urologists that offer RO services. Geographic information software was used to determine the proximity of integratedmore » urology-RO clinic sites with respect to the state's population. We calculated patient travel time and distance from each integrated urology-RO clinic offering urologic services to the RO treatment facility owned by the integrated practice and to the nearest nonintegrated (independent) RO facility. We compared these times and distances using the Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test. Results: Of 229 urology practices identified, 12 (5%) offered integrated RO services, and 182 (28%) of 640 Texas urologists worked in such practices. Approximately 53% of the state population resides within 10 miles of an integrated urology-RO clinic site. Patients with a diagnosis of prostate cancer at an integrated urology-RO clinic site travel a mean of 19.7 miles (26.1 min) from the clinic to reach the RO facility owned by the integrated urology-RO practice vs 5.9 miles (9.2 min) to reach the nearest nonintegrated RO facility (P<.001). Conclusions: Integrated urology-RO practices are common in Texas and are generally clustered in urban areas. In most integrated practices, the urology clinics and the integrated RO facilities are not at the same location, and driving times and distances from the clinic to the integrated RO facility exceed those from the clinic to the nearest nonintegrated RO facility.« less

Evaluating building performance in healthcare facilities: an organizational perspective.

PubMed

Steinke, Claudia; Webster, Lynn; Fontaine, Marie

2010-01-01

Using the environment as a strategic tool is one of the most cost-effective and enduring approaches for improving public health; however, it is one that requires multiple perspectives. The purpose of this article is to highlight an innovative methodology that has been developed for conducting comprehensive performance evaluations in public sector health facilities in Canada. The building performance evaluation methodology described in this paper is a government initiative. The project team developed a comprehensive building evaluation process for all new capital health projects that would respond to the aforementioned need for stakeholders to be more accountable and to better integrate the larger organizational strategy of facilities. The Balanced Scorecard, which is a multiparadigmatic, performance-based business framework, serves as the underlying theoretical framework for this initiative. It was applied in the development of the conceptual model entitled the Building Performance Evaluation Scorecard, which provides the following benefits: (1) It illustrates a process to link facilities more effectively to the overall mission and goals of an organization; (2) It is both a measurement and a management system that has the ability to link regional facilities to measures of success and larger business goals; (3) It provides a standardized methodology that ensures consistency in assessing building performance; and (4) It is more comprehensive than traditional building evaluations. The methodology presented in this paper is both a measurement and management system that integrates the principles of evidence-based design with the practices of pre- and post-occupancy evaluation. It promotes accountability and continues throughout the life cycle of a project. The advantage of applying this framework is that it engages health organizations in clarifying a vision and strategy for their facilities and helps translate those strategies into action and measurable performance outcomes.

Hand hygiene compliance: is there a theory-practice-ethics gap?

PubMed

Mortell, Manfred

Practice is usually based on tradition, rituals and outdated information; there is often an additional gap between theoretical knowledge and its application in practice. This theory-practice gap has long existed (Allmark, 1995; Hewison et al, 1996). It often arises when theory is ignored because it is seen as idealistic and impractical, even if it is practical and beneficial. Most research relating to the lack of integration between theory and practice has concluded that environmental factors are responsible and will affect learning and practice outcomes. The author believes an additional dimension of ethics is required to bridge the gap between theory and practice. This would be a moral obligation to ensure theory and practice are integrated. To implement new practices effectively, healthcare practitioners must deem these practices worthwhile and relevant to their role. This introduces a new concept that the author calls the theory-practice-ethics gap. This theory-practice-ethics gap must be considered when examining some of the unacceptable outcomes in healthcare practice (Mortell, 2009). The literature suggests that there is a crisis of ethics where theory and practice integrate, and practitioners are failing to fulfil their duty as providers of healthcare and as patient advocates. This article examines the theory-practice-ethics gap when applied to hand hygiene. Non-compliance exists in hand hygiene among practitioners, which may increase patient mortality and morbidity rates, and raise healthcare costs. Infection prevention and control programmes to improve hand hygiene among staff include: ongoing education and training; easy access to facilities such as wash basins; antiseptic/alcohol handgels that are convenient, effective, and skin- and user-friendly; and organisational recognition and support for clinicians in hand washing and handgel practices. Yet these all appear to have failed to achieve the required and desired compliance in hand hygiene.

Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Childcare Facilities

MedlinePlus

... Lead in Drinking Water in Schools and Childcare Facilities Basic Information 3Ts Full Toolkit Partners Related Links ... Best Management Practices For Schools and Child Care Facilities Drinking water best management practices for schools and ...

Thought for Application and Application with Thought: Issues in Theoretical Thinking and Practical Wisdom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jenkins, Sandra K.; Thomas, Mary Beth

2005-01-01

Both theoretical thinking and practical wisdom are used by health professionals in their clinical practice. Lately, discussion has centered on the abstract phrase "theory-practice gap." The health profession is not the only discipline that seeks unity in theory and practice issues. Education is also building bridges in this arena. One reoccurring…

Story sharing: restoring the reciprocity of caring in long-term care.

PubMed

Heliker, Diane

2007-07-01

Residents in long-term care facilities often experience an interruption in the reciprocity of caring, inadvertently cut off when they enter the unfamiliar surroundings of a residential health care system. This transition from the give and take of caring to being completely cared for often leads to a breakdown of meaning, a loss of identity, and loneliness. This article addresses how an intervention called story sharing can restore the reciprocity of caring. Beginning with a review of the significance and functions of storytelling and listening, a specific story sharing intervention-the mutual sharing of everyday experiences among nurse aides and the nursing home residents for whom they care-is described. The theoretical and practice implications of story sharing are discussed.

Spatial accessibility to specific sport facilities and corresponding sport practice: the RECORD Study

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Physical activity is considered as a major component of a healthy lifestyle. However, few studies have examined the relationships between the spatial accessibility to sport facilities and sport practice with a sufficient degree of specificity. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between the spatial accessibility to specific types of sports facilities and the practice of the corresponding sports after carefully controlling for various individual socio-demographic characteristics and neighborhood socioeconomic variables. Methods Data from the RECORD Study involving 7290 participants recruited in 2007–2008, aged 30–79 years, and residing in the Paris metropolitan area were analyzed. Four categories of sports were studied: team sports, racket sports, swimming and related activities, and fitness. Spatial accessibility to sport facilities was measured with two complementary approaches that both take into account the street network (distance to the nearest facility and count of facilities around the dwelling). Associations between the spatial accessibility to sport facilities and the practice of the corresponding sports were assessed using multilevel logistic regression after adjusting for individual and contextual characteristics. Results High individual education and high household income were associated with the practice of racket sports, swimming or related activities, and fitness over the previous 7 days. The spatial accessibility to swimming pools was associated with swimming and related sports, even after adjustment for individual/contextual factors. The spatial accessibility to facilities was not related to the practice of other sports. High neighborhood income was associated with the practice of a racket sport and fitness. Conclusions Accessibility is a multi-dimensional concept that integrates educational, financial, and geographical aspects. Our work supports the evidence that strategies to increase participation in sport activities should improve the spatial and financial access to specific facilities, but also address educational disparities in sport practice. PMID:23601332

Reverse logistics network for municipal solid waste management: The inclusion of waste pickers as a Brazilian legal requirement.

PubMed

Ferri, Giovane Lopes; Chaves, Gisele de Lorena Diniz; Ribeiro, Glaydston Mattos

2015-06-01

This study proposes a reverse logistics network involved in the management of municipal solid waste (MSW) to solve the challenge of economically managing these wastes considering the recent legal requirements of the Brazilian Waste Management Policy. The feasibility of the allocation of MSW material recovery facilities (MRF) as intermediate points between the generators of these wastes and the options for reuse and disposal was evaluated, as well as the participation of associations and cooperatives of waste pickers. This network was mathematically modelled and validated through a scenario analysis of the municipality of São Mateus, which makes the location model more complete and applicable in practice. The mathematical model allows the determination of the number of facilities required for the reverse logistics network, their location, capacities, and product flows between these facilities. The fixed costs of installation and operation of the proposed MRF were balanced with the reduction of transport costs, allowing the inclusion of waste pickers to the reverse logistics network. The main contribution of this study lies in the proposition of a reverse logistics network for MSW simultaneously involving legal, environmental, economic and social criteria, which is a very complex goal. This study can guide practices in other countries that have realities similar to those in Brazil of accelerated urbanisation without adequate planning for solid waste management, added to the strong presence of waste pickers that, through the characteristic of social vulnerability, must be included in the system. In addition to the theoretical contribution to the reverse logistics network problem, this study aids in decision-making for public managers who have limited technical and administrative capacities for the management of solid wastes. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The theory-practice relationship: reflective skills and theoretical knowledge as key factors in bridging the gap between theory and practice in initial nursing education.

PubMed

Hatlevik, Ida Katrine Riksaasen

2012-04-01

This paper is a report of a correlational study of the relations of nursing students' acquired reflective skills, practical skills and theoretical knowledge on their perception of coherence between theory and practice. Reflection is considered a key factor in bridging the gap between theory and practice. However, it is not evident whether reflective skills are primarily generic in nature or whether they develop from a theoretical knowledge base or the acquisition of practical skills. This study is a secondary analysis of existing data. The data are part of a student survey that was conducted among third-year nursing students in Norway during the spring of 2007. A total of 446 nursing students participated in this study and the response rate was 71%. Structural equation modelling analyses were performed. The results indicate that students' perception of coherence between theory and practice during initial nursing education is directly influenced by reflective skills and theoretical knowledge. The results also reveal that reflective skills have mediating effects and that practical skills have a fully mediated and theoretical knowledge a partially mediated influence on students' perception of coherence. The findings imply that helping students perceive coherence between theory and practice in nursing education, developing students' reflective skills and strengthening the theoretical components of the initial nursing education programme might be beneficial. The results suggest that reflective thinking is not merely a generic skill but rather a skill that depends on the acquisition of relevant professional knowledge and experience. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Testing of a 4 K to 2 K heat exchanger with an intermediate pressure drop

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

Knudsen, Peter N.; Ganni, Venkatarao

2015-12-01

Most large sub-atmospheric helium refrigeration systems incorporate a heat exchanger at the load, or in the distribution system, to counter-flow the sub-atmospheric return with the super-critical or liquid supply. A significant process improvement is theoretically obtainable by handling the exergy loss across the Joule-Thompson throttling valve supplying the flow to the load in a simple but different manner. As briefly outlined in previous publications, the exergy loss can be minimized by allowing the supply flow pressure to decrease to a sub-atmospheric pressure concurrent with heat exchange flow from the load. One practical implementation is to sub-divide the supply flow pressuremore » drop between two heat exchanger sections, incorporating an intermediate pressure drop. Such a test is being performed at Jefferson Lab's Cryogenic Test Facility (CTF). This paper will briefly discuss the theory, practical implementation and test results and analysis obtained to date.« less

Infection prevention and control practices related to Clostridium difficile infection in Canadian acute and long-term care institutions.

PubMed

Wilkinson, Krista; Gravel, Denise; Taylor, Geoffrey; McGeer, Allison; Simor, Andrew; Suh, Kathryn; Moore, Dorothy; Kelly, Sharon; Boyd, David; Mulvey, Michael; Mounchili, Aboubakar; Miller, Mark

2011-04-01

Clostridium difficile is an important pathogen in Canadian health care facilities, and infection prevention and control (IPC) practices are crucial to reducing C difficile infections (CDIs). We performed a cross-sectional study to identify CDI-related IPC practices in Canadian health care facilities. A survey assessing facility characteristics, CDI testing strategies, CDI contact precautions, and antimicrobial stewardship programs was sent to Canadian health care facilities in February 2005. Responses were received from 943 (33%) facilities. Acute care facilities were more likely than long-term care (P < .001) and mixed care facilities (P = .03) to submit liquid stools from all patients for CDI testing. Physician orders were required before testing for CDI in 394 long-term care facilities (66%)-significantly higher than the proportions in acute care (41%; P < .001) and mixed care sites (49%; P < .001). A total of 841 sites (93%) had an infection control manual, 639 (76%) of which contained CDI-specific guidelines. Antimicrobial stewardship programs were reported by 40 (29%) acute care facilities; 19 (54%) of these sites reported full enforcement of the program. Canadian health care facilities have widely varying C difficile IPC practices. Opportunities exist for facilities to take a more active role in IPC policy development and implementation, as well as antimicrobial stewardship. Copyright © 2011 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. All rights reserved.

Trends in Maternity Care Practice Skin-to-Skin Contact Indicators: United States, 2007-2015.

PubMed

Boundy, Ellen O; Perrine, Cria G; Barrera, Chloe M; Li, Ruowei; Hamner, Heather C

2018-05-21

Mother-infant skin-to-skin contact (SSC) immediately after birth helps transition infants to the post-uterine environment and increases the likelihood of breastfeeding initiation and duration. This study examines trends in U.S. maternity practices related to SSC, and variations by facility demographics. Data were from the Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) surveys (2007-2015), a biennial assessment of all U.S. maternity facilities. Facilities reported how often patients were encouraged to practice mother-infant SSC for ≥30 minutes within 1 hour of uncomplicated vaginal birth and 2 hours of uncomplicated cesarean birth, and how often routine infant procedures are performed while in SSC. We calculated the percentage of maternity facilities reporting these indicators for ≥90% of patients across the United States for each survey year. Estimates by facility characteristics (size, type, and state) were calculated for 2015 only. The percentage of facilities reporting "Most (≥90%)" women, which were encouraged to practice early SSC, increased from 2007 to 2015 following both vaginal (40.4% to 83.0%) and cesarean (29.3% to 69.9%) births. The percentage of facilities reporting routine infant procedures were performed "Almost always (≥90%)," while mother and infant were SSC increased from 16.6% to 49.5% (2007 to 2015) for vaginal births and from 2.2% to 10.7% (2009 to 2015) for cesarean births. Variations in SSC practice by facility type, size, and state were noted. Significant progress has been made in increasing hospital encouragement of early SSC for both vaginal and cesarean births. Continued efforts to support evidence-based maternity practices are needed.

Barriers to ethical nursing practice for older adults in long-term care facilities.

PubMed

Choe, Kwisoon; Kang, Hyunwook; Lee, Aekyung

2018-03-01

To explore barriers to ethical nursing practice for older adults in long-term care facilities from the perspectives of nurses in South Korea. The number of older adults admitted to long-term care facilities is increasing rapidly in South Korea. To provide this population with quality care, a solid moral foundation should be emphasised to ensure the provision of ethical nursing practices. Barriers to implementing an ethical nursing practice for older adults in long-term care facilities have not been fully explored in previous literature. A qualitative, descriptive design was used to explore barriers to ethical nursing practice as perceived by registered nurses in long-term care facilities in South Korea. Individual interviews were conducted with 17 registered nurses recruited using purposive (snowball) sampling who care for older adults in long-term care facilities in South Korea. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Five main themes emerged from the data analysis concerning barriers to the ethical nursing practice of long-term care facilities: emotional distress, treatments restricting freedom of physical activities, difficulty coping with emergencies, difficulty communicating with the older adult patients and friction between nurses and nursing assistants. This study has identified methods that could be used to improve ethical nursing practices for older adults in long-term care facilities. Because it is difficult to improve the quality of care through education and staffing alone, other factors may also require attention. Support programmes and educational opportunities are needed for nurses who experience emotional distress and lack of competency to strengthen their resilience towards some of the negative aspects of care and being a nurse that were identified in this study. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Equipment for Subpicosecond Extreme Ultraviolet Facility.

DTIC Science & Technology

1986-02-05

Excitation Induced by...................... 36 Coherent Motion of Outer-Shell Electrons" E. "A Theoretical Model of Inner-Shell...efficient production of x-rays are feasible. Our work involves a program of activities, involving both experimental -nd theoretical components, to...in addition to a theoretical effort con- itrating on the character of high order multiquantum coupling in the inten- I regime above 10 1 7 W cm2 . In

Adherence to evidence based care practices for childbirth before and after a quality improvement intervention in health facilities of Rajasthan, India.

PubMed

Iyengar, Kirti; Jain, Motilal; Thomas, Sunil; Dashora, Kalpana; Liu, William; Saini, Paramsukh; Dattatreya, Rajesh; Parker, Indrani; Iyengar, Sharad

2014-08-13

After the launch of Janani Suraksha Yojana, a conditional cash transfer scheme in India, the proportion of women giving birth in institutions has rapidly increased. However, there are important gaps in quality of childbirth services during institutional deliveries. The aim of this intervention was to improve the quality of childbirth services in selected high caseload public health facilities of 10 districts of Rajasthan. This intervention titled "Parijaat" was designed by Action Research & Training for Health, in partnership with the state government and United Nations Population Fund. The intervention was carried out in 44 public health facilities in 10 districts of Rajasthan, India. These included district hospitals (9), community health centres (32) and primary health centres (3). The main intervention was orientation training of doctors and program managers and regular visits to facilities involving assessment, feedback, training and action. The adherence to evidence based practices before, during and after this intervention were measured using structured checklists and scoring sheets. Main outcome measures included changes in practices during labour, delivery or immediate postpartum period. Use of several unnecessary or harmful practices reduced significantly. Most importantly, proportion of facilities using routine augmentation of labour reduced (p = 0), episiotomy for primigravidas (p = 0.0003), fundal pressure (p = 0.0003), and routine suction of newborns (0 = 0.0005). Among the beneficial practices, use of oxytocin after delivery increased (p = 0.0001) and the practice of listening foetal heart sounds during labour (p = 0.0001). Some practices did not show any improvements, such as dorsal position for delivery, use of partograph, and hand-washing. An intervention based on repeated facility visits combined with actions at the level of decision makers can lead to substantial improvements in quality of childbirth practices at health facilities.

Innovation characteristics and intention to adopt sustainable facilities management practices.

PubMed

Lee, So Young; Kang, Mihyun

2013-01-01

Sustainable facilities management (SFM) is important because typical buildings consume more resources and energy than necessary, negatively impact the environment and generate lots of waste (US Department of Energy, 2003, Green Buildings). This study examined innovation characteristics that relate to facility managers' intention to adopt SFM practices. Based on the diffusion of innovations theory (Rogers 1962, 1995, Diffusion of Innovations. 4th ed. New York: The Free Press), an SFM innovation and adoption model was proposed. A survey was conducted with a convenience sample of 240 public facilities managers in 25 facilities management divisions in Seoul, Korea, and its metropolitan areas. Structural equation modelling was employed to analyse the data. The results showed that economic advantage and human comfort aspects are predictors for the intention of SFM adoption. Observability is positively relevant to the intention of SFM adoption. Complexity, however, is not a significant predictor for the intention of SFM adoption. Practical implications for sustainable products and systems and the built environment are suggested. To incorporate an innovation like sustainable practices, it is required to meet the needs of potential adopters. Innovation characteristics that influence facility managers' intention to adopt sustainable facilities management were examined. A survey was conducted. Economic advantage, human comfort and observability are predictors for the intention of adoption of sustainable practice.

[Activating therapeutic care in geriatrics : Evaluation of a practice concept].

PubMed

Acklau, Stefanie; Gödecker, Lisa; Kaden, Andrea; Jahn, Patrick

2016-10-01

The special feature of the concept of activating therapeutic care in geriatrics (ATP-G) is based on the focus of nursing and therapeutic elements specifically related to the elderly. Further significance lies in the bottom-up development of this concept, which shows a close proximity to the nursing practice. The research project targeted the characteristics of ATP-G from a nursing point of view. Furthermore, the resulting elements of professional nursing care understanding for inpatient geriatric rehabilitation were used to build a scientific and theoretical foundation of the ATP-G concept. In this study 12 semi-structured interviews with professional caregivers were realized. The data collection was undertaken in three different facilities of inpatient geriatric (early) rehabilitation, chosen by lot. The data analysis was based on the methodology of qualitative content analysis according to Mayring. The research project showed that the basic elements described in the ATP-G concept are consistent with the view of nursing practitioners and therefore reflect the characteristic features of routine daily practice; nonetheless, some new aspects were found, primarily the importance of interdisciplinary teamwork in geriatric settings. There were also difficulties related to the ATP-G concept which were experienced as restraints by the questioned professionals. Further research should therefore investigate the structures for optimal implementation of the ATP-G concept into standard practice.

Practice-Focused Ethnographies of Higher Education: Method/ological Corollaries of a Social Practice Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Trowler, Paul Richard

2014-01-01

Social practice theory addresses both theoretical and method/ological agendas. To date priority has been given to the former, with writing on the latter tending often to be an afterthought to theoretical expositions or fieldwork accounts. This article gives sustained attention to the method/ological corollaries of a social practice perspective. It…

Mathematics Education as a Practice: A Theoretical Position

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grootenboer, Peter; Edwards-Groves, Christine

2013-01-01

In this paper we will examine mathematics education using practice theory. We outline the theoretical and philosophical ideas that have been developed, and in particular, we discuss the "sayings," "doings," and "relatings" inherent in the teaching and learning practices of mathematics education. This theorising is…

A Theoretical Model for the Practice of Residential Treatment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Miskimins, R. W.

1990-01-01

Presents theoretical model describing practice of psychiatric residential treatment for children and adolescents. Emphasis is on 40 practice principles, guiding concepts which dictate specific treatment techniques and administrative procedures for Southern Oregon Adolescent Study and Treatment Center. Groups principles into six clusters: program…

40 CFR 256.41 - Recommendations for assessing the need for facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... facilities and practices and the need for new or expanded facilities and practices. (1) The needs assessment... require new capacity development, based on the needs assessment. ... 40 Protection of Environment 26 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Recommendations for assessing the need...

40 CFR 256.41 - Recommendations for assessing the need for facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... facilities and practices and the need for new or expanded facilities and practices. (1) The needs assessment... require new capacity development, based on the needs assessment. ... 40 Protection of Environment 26 2012-07-01 2011-07-01 true Recommendations for assessing the need...

40 CFR 256.41 - Recommendations for assessing the need for facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... facilities and practices and the need for new or expanded facilities and practices. (1) The needs assessment... require new capacity development, based on the needs assessment. ... 40 Protection of Environment 25 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Recommendations for assessing the need...

Program Evaluation Theory and Practice: A Comprehensive Guide

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mertens, Donna M.; Wilson, Amy T.

2012-01-01

This engaging text takes an evenhanded approach to major theoretical paradigms in evaluation and builds a bridge from them to evaluation practice. Featuring helpful checklists, procedural steps, provocative questions that invite readers to explore their own theoretical assumptions, and practical exercises, the book provides concrete guidance for…

Service readiness, health facility management practices, and delivery care utilization in five states of Nigeria: a cross-sectional analysis.

PubMed

Gage, Anastasia J; Ilombu, Onyebuchi; Akinyemi, Akanni Ibukun

2016-10-06

Existing studies of delivery care in Nigeria have identified socioeconomic and cultural factors as the primary determinants of health facility delivery. However, no study has investigated the association between supply-side factors and health facility delivery. Our study analyzed the role of supply-side factors, particularly health facility readiness and management practices for provision of quality maternal health services. Using linked data from the 2005 and 2009 health facility and household surveys in the five states in which the Community Participation for Action in the Social Sector (COMPASS) project was implemented, indices of health service readiness and management were developed based on World Health Organization guidelines. Multilevel logistic regression models were run to determine the association between these indices and health facility delivery among 2710 women aged 15-49 years whose last child was born within the five years preceding the surveys and who lived in 51 COMPASS LGAs. The health facility delivery rate increased from 25.4 % in 2005 to 44.1 % in 2009. Basic amenities for antenatal care provision, readiness to deliver basic emergency obstetric and newborn care, and management practices supportive of quality maternal health services were suboptimal in health facilities surveyed and did not change significantly between 2005 and 2009. The LGA mean index of basic amenities for antenatal care provision was more positively associated with the odds of health facility delivery in 2009 than in 2005, and in rural than in urban areas. The LGA mean index of management practices was associated with significantly lower odds of health facility delivery in rural than in urban areas. The LGA mean index of facility readiness to deliver basic emergency obstetric and neonatal care declined slightly from 5.16 in 2005 to 3.98 in 2009 and was unrelated to the odds of health facility delivery. Supply-side factors appeared to play a role in health facility delivery after controlling for socio-demographic factors. Improving uptake of delivery care would require greater attention to rural-urban inequities and health facility management practices, and to increasing the number of health facilities with fundamental elements for delivery of basic emergency obstetric and neonatal care.

A guideline for interpersonal capabilities enhancement to support sustainable facility management practice

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sarpin, Norliana; Kasim, Narimah; Zainal, Rozlin; Noh, Hamidun Mohd

2018-04-01

Facility management is the key phase in the development cycle of an assets and spans over a considerable length of time. Therefore, facility managers are in a commanding position to maximise the potential of sustainability through the development phases from construction, operation, maintenance and upgrade leading to decommission and deconstruction. Sustainability endeavours in facility management practices will contribute to reducing energy consumption, waste and running costs. Furthermore, it can also help in improving organisational productivity, financial return and community standing of the organisation. Facility manager should be empowered with the necessary knowledge and capabilities at the forefront facing sustainability challenge. However, literature studies show a gap between the level of awareness, specific knowledge and the necessary skills required to pursue sustainability in the facility management professional. People capability is considered as the key enabler in managing the sustainability agenda as well as being central to the improvement of competency and innovation in an organisation. This paper aims to develop a guidelines for interpersonal capabilities to support sustainability in facility management practice. Starting with a total of 7 critical interpersonal capabilities factors identified from previous questionnaire survey, the authors conducted an interview with 3 experts in facility management to assess the perceived importance of these factors. The findings reveal a set of guidelines for the enhancement of interpersonal capabilities among facility managers by providing what can be done to acquire these factors and how it can support the application of sustainability in their practice. The findings of this paper are expected to form the basis of a mechanism framework developed to equip facility managers with the right knowledge, to continue education and training and to develop new mind-sets to enhance the implementation of sustainability measures in FM practices.

77 FR 38627 - Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to OMB for Review and Approval; Comment...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-06-28

....regulations.gov . Title: Criteria for Classification of Solid Waste Disposal Facilities and Practices (Renewal... Classification of Solid Waste Disposal Facilities and Practices'' (40 CFR part 257) are self implementing.... Respondents/Affected Entities: Private Solid Waste Disposal Facilities, States. Estimated Number of...

Patient education and emotional support practices in abortion care facilities in the United States.

PubMed

Gould, Heather; Perrucci, Alissa; Barar, Rana; Sinkford, Danielle; Foster, Diana Greene

2012-01-01

Little is known about how patient education and emotional support is provided at abortion facilities. This pilot study documents 27 facilities' practices in this aspect of abortion care. We conducted confidential telephone interviews with staff from 27 abortion facilities about their practices. The majority of facilities reported they rely primarily on trained nonclinician staff to educate patients and provide emotional support. As part of their informed consent and counseling processes, facilities reported that staff always provide patients with information about the procedure (96%), assess the certainty of their abortion decisions (92%), assess their feelings and provide emotional support (74%), and provide contraceptive health education (92%). Time spent providing these components of care varied across facilities and patients. When describing their facility's care philosophy, many respondents expressed support for "patient-centered," "supportive," "nonjudgmental" care. Eighty-two percent agreed that it is the facility's role to provide counseling for emotional issues related to abortion. All facilities valued informed consent, patient education, and emotional support. Although the majority of facilities considered counseling for emotional issues to be a part of their role, some did not. Future research should examine patients' preferences regarding abortion care and counseling and how different approaches to care affect women's emotional well-being after having an abortion. This information is important in light of current, widespread legislative efforts that aim to regulate abortion counseling, which are being proposed without an understanding of patient needs or facility practices. Copyright © 2012 Jacobs Institute of Women's Health. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Theoretical/best practice energy use in metalcasting operations

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

Schifo, J. F.; Radia, J. T.

2004-05-01

This study determined the theoretical minimum energy requirements for melting processes for all ferrous and noferrous engenieering alloys. Also the report details the Best Practice energy consumption for the industry.

The Importance of Simulation in Nursing Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eyikara, Evrim; Baykara, Zehra Gocmen

2017-01-01

Nursing education involves a practice-oriented curriculum in which emphasis is placed on both theoretical knowledge and psychomotor skills. In skill-based education, where learning through practice occupies a central role, it is important to ensure the integration of theoretical knowledge into practice. In this context, simulations represent an…

Analytical Implications of Using Practice Theory in Workplace Information Literacy Research

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moring, Camilla; Lloyd, Annemaree

2013-01-01

Introduction: This paper considers practice theory and the analytical implications of using this theoretical approach in information literacy research. More precisely the aim of the paper is to discuss the translation of practice theoretical assumptions into strategies that frame the analytical focus and interest when researching workplace…

Towards a Theory of School Leadership Practice: A Bourdieusian Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eacott, Scott

2013-01-01

Despite the "practice" turn in the broader management literature, very little work in educational administration has engaged in a theoretical discussion about what constitutes leadership practice. Theoretically informed by the French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu, this paper contributes to the long-established critical tradition in the educational…

Curriculum Studies in Brasil: A Study of the Teaching Practice.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Marcondes, Maria Ines; Tura, Maria de Lourdes Rangel; de Macedo, Elizabeth Fernandes

This study analyzes how undergraduate university teachers are thinking in the classroom about the theoretical and practical contents related to the subject called "Curriculum Studies." The study focuses on the aspects of the theory-practice relationship, the idea of curriculum, and the theoretical references used by the undergraduate…

An international survey of cleaning and disinfection practices in the healthcare environment.

PubMed

Kenters, N; Gottlieb, T; Hopman, J; Mehtar, S; Schweizer, M L; Tartari, E; Huijskens, E G W; Voss, A

2018-06-18

Antimicrobial resistance has become an urgent global health priority. Basic hygiene practices and cleaning and disinfection of the hospital environment are key in preventing pathogen cross-transmission. To our knowledge no studies have assessed the worldwide differences in cleaning and disinfection practices in healthcare facilities. The electronic survey described here was developed in order to evaluate differences in healthcare facility cleaning practices around the world. The International Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (ISAC, formerly ISC), Infection Prevention and Control work group developed a survey with 30 multiple-choice questions. The questions were designed to assess the current cleaning practices in healthcare settings around the world. A total of 110 healthcare professionals, representing 23 countries, participated in the online survey. In 96% of the facilities a written cleaning policy was present. Training of cleaning staff occurred in 70% of the facilities at the start of employment. Cleaning practices and monitoring of these practices varied. The survey enabled assessment and recognition of widely differing global practices in approaches to environmental cleaning and disinfection. Development of guideline recommendations for cleaning and disinfection could improve practices and set minimum standards worldwide. Copyright © 2018 The Healthcare Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The Role of the George Kuzmycz Training Center in Improving the Nuclear Material Management Culture in Ukraine.

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

Gavrylyuk, V. I.; Scherbachenko, A. M.; Bazavov, D. A.

2001-01-01

The George Kuzmycz Training Center for Physical Protection, Control and Accounting (GKTC) was established in 1998 in a collaborative endeavor of the State Nuclear Regulatory Administration of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, and the U.S. Department of Energy. Located at the Institute for Nuclear Research in Kyiv, the GKTC provides theoretical and practical training in physical protection, control, and accounting techniques and systems that are employed to reduce the risk of unauthorized use, theft, or diversion of weapons-usable nuclear material. Participants in GKTC workshops and courses include nuclear facility specialists as well as officials of the State's regulatory authorities.more » Recently, the training scope has been broadened to include students from other nations in the region.« less

Prevention of Clostridium difficile infection in rural hospitals.

PubMed

Haun, Nicholas; Hofer, Adam; Greene, M Todd; Borlaug, Gwen; Pritchett, Jenny; Scallon, Tina; Safdar, Nasia

2014-03-01

Prevention of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) remains challenging across the spectrum of health care. There are limited data on prevention practices for CDI in the rural health care setting. An electronic survey was administered to 21 rural facilities in Wisconsin, part of the Rural Wisconsin Health Cooperative. Data were collected on hospital characteristics and practices to prevent endemic CDI. Fifteen facilities responded (71%). Nearly all respondent facilities reported regular use of dedicated patient care items, use of gown and gloves, private patient rooms, hand hygiene, and room cleaning. Facilities in which the infection preventionist thought the support of his/her leadership to be "Very good" or "Excellent" employed significantly more CDI practices (13.3 ± 2.4 [standard deviation]) compared with infection preventionists who thought there was less support from leadership (9.8 ± 3.0, P = .033). Surveillance for CDI was highly variable. The most frequent barriers to implementation of CDI prevention practices included lack of adequate resources, lack of a physician champion, and difficulty keeping up with new recommendations. Although most rural facilities in our survey reported using evidence-based practices for prevention of CDI, surveillance practices were highly variable, and data regarding the impact of these practices on CDI rates were limited. Future efforts that correlate CDI prevention initiatives and CDI incidence will help develop evidence-based practices in these resource-limited settings. Published by Mosby, Inc.

Radiographic trends of dental offices and dental schools.

PubMed

Suleiman, O H; Spelic, D C; Conway, B; Hart, J C; Boyce, P R; Antonsen, R G

1999-07-01

A survey of private practice facilities in the United States that perform dental radiography was conducted in 1993 and repeated in dental schools in 1995-1996. Both surveys were conducted as part of the Nationwide Evaluation of X-ray Trends, or NEXT, survey program. A representative sample of dental facilities from each participating state were surveyed, and data on patient radiation exposure, radiographic technique, film-image quality, film-processing quality and darkroom fog were collected. The authors found that dental schools use E-speed film more frequently than do private practice facilities. The use of E-speed film and better film processing by dental schools resulted in lower patient radiation exposures without sacrificing image quality. The authors also found that dental school darkrooms had lower ambient fog levels than did those of private practice facilities. The distribution for the 1993 NEXT survey facilities was greater than that observed for dental schools for radiation exposure, film-processing quality and darkroom fog. Dental schools, in general, had better film quality and lower radiation exposures than did private practice facilities. Facilities need to emphasize better quality processing and the use of E-speed film to reduce patient exposure and improve image quality.

Factors impacting on nurses' transference of theoretical knowledge of holistic care into clinical practice.

PubMed

Henderson, Saras

2002-12-01

Since nurse education moved to universities, a reoccurring concern of health consumers, health administrators, and some practising nurses is that nurses are not able to transfer the theoretical knowledge of holistic care into practice. Much has been written about this concern usually under the heading of the theory-practice gap. A common reason that has been highlighted as the cause of this gap is that the theoretical knowledge that nurses learn in academia is predicated on concepts such as humanism and holistic caring. In contrast, the bureaucratic organisation where nurses provide care tends to be based on management concepts where cost containment and outcome measures are more acceptable. Hence nurses' learned values of holistic caring are pitted against the reality of the practice setting. So what is this practice reality? This paper attempts to provide an insider view of why the theoretical knowledge of holistic care may be difficult to enact in the clinical setting. In-depth taped interviews with nurses and participant observation were conducted in acute care hospitals in Western Australia. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using the constant comparative method. The findings indicated that utilitarian nursing and role models had impacted on the transference of theoretical knowledge of holistic care into practice. The paper outlines some measures that nurses themselves can undertake to ensure the narrowing of the theory-practice gap in this area.

Complementary Feeding Practices of Mothers and Their Perceived Impacts on Young Children: Findings from KEEA District of Ghana.

PubMed

Egyir, Bridget K; Ramsay, Samantha A; Bilderback, Barry; Safaii, SeAnne

2016-09-01

Objective Appropriate and timely complementary feeding practices are fundamental to a child's growth, health, and development during the first 2 years of life. This study aimed to understand (1) Ghanaian mother's complementary feeding practices, and (2) their perceived and observed impacts of complementary feeding on their children. Methods Ghanaian mothers with children 4-24 months of age were recruited from four communities in the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem district in the Central Region of Ghana (n = 99). A qualitative methodological approach with focus group interview discussions was used. Eleven focus group interviews were conducted, and were audio recorded and transcribed. The audio transcriptions were coded and analyzed into pertinent themes, meta-themes, and theoretical concepts. Results Over 80 % (85) of mothers reported poor knowledge about the effects of complementary feeding on their children and 45 % (45) of the children were undernourished, indicating inappropriate complementary feeding practices. Some mothers held misconceptions about the effect of food on children's health. Four overarching themes were identified: (1) mothers' background knowledge about food, child health and growth outcomes, (2) mothers' motivation in feeding their children, (3) barriers to feeding, (4) foods mothers offered their children. Conclusion for Practice Nutrition education on complementary feeding is needed for Ghanaian mothers. Health facilities and community outreach programs could be a venue to provide education to mothers regarding infant and young child feeding practices in Ghana.

Development, application, and validation of a survey for infectious disease control practices at equine boarding facilities.

PubMed

Kirby, Alanna T; Traub-Dargatz, Josie L; Hill, Ashley E; Kogan, Lori R; Morley, Paul S; Heird, James C

2010-11-15

To develop a questionnaire for self-assessment of biosecurity practices at equine boarding facilities and to evaluate infectious disease control practices in these facilities in Colorado. Cross-sectional study. 64 equine boarding facilities in Colorado. Survey questions were rated according to importance for prevention and containment of equine infectious diseases. Point values (range, 0 to 20) were assigned for possible responses, with greater values given for optimal infection control methods. Questionnaires were mailed to equine boarding facilities in Colorado advertised on the World Wide Web. Survey responses were compared with assessments made by a member of the research team during visits to 30 randomly selected facilities. Agreement among results was analyzed via a kappa test and rated as poor, fair, moderate, substantial, or nearly perfect. Survey responses were received for 64 of 163 (39%) equine boarding facilities. Scores ranged from 106 to 402 points (maximum possible score, 418). Most facilities received better scores for movement and housing of equids than for other sections of the survey. Respondents at 24 of 48 (50%) facilities that routinely received new equids reported isolation of new arrivals. Agreement between self-assessment by survey respondents and evaluation by a member of the research team was determined to be fair to substantial. Most equine boarding facilities have opportunities to improve measures for prevention or containment of contagious diseases (eg, isolation of newly arrived equids and use of written health management protocols). Most self-assessments of infection control practices were accurate.

Survey of brachytherapy practice in the United States: a report of the Clinical Research Committee of the American Endocurietherapy Society.

PubMed

Nag, S; Owen, J B; Farnan, N; Pajak, T F; Martinez, A; Porter, A; Blasko, J; Harrison, L B

1995-01-01

To obtain reliable data on the extent of the brachytherapy practice in the United States by conducting a comprehensive survey of all facilities. The Clinical Research Committee of the AES surveyed all 1321 radiation oncology facilities identified in the Patterns of Care Study (PCS) of the American College of Radiology (ACR). Multiple mailings and follow-up were made to obtain a high response rate. Survey responders and nonresponders were compared using chi-square tests. Summary statistics were reported. Of the 1321 facilities, 1054 responded (80%). Hospital-based and larger facilities had a statistically significant higher rate of response. Brachytherapy was being performed at 819 facilities (the median number of procedures = 21-50). Two hundred and two facilities did no brachytherapy. The common isotopes used were 137Cs (705 facilities), 192Ir (585 facilities), 125I (236 facilities), and 131I (194 facilities). The common brachytherapy techniques used were intracavitary (751 facilities), interstitial (536 facilities), intraluminal (310 facilities), and plaques (148 facilities). Remote afterloaded brachytherapy was used at 205 centers as follows: high dose rate (HDR) (164), medium dose rate (MDR) (5), and low dose rate (LDR) (36). Computerized dosimetry was most commonly used (790 facilities), followed by Patterson-Parker (104 facilities) and Quimby (72 facilities). The common sites treated were cervix (701 facilities), endometrium (565 facilities), head and neck (354 facilities), and lung (344 facilities). Data regarding brachytherapy practice has been obtained from a large percentage (80%) of all facilities in the United States. The majority (78-81%) of radiation oncology facilities perform brachytherapy; however, its use is restricted to gynecological implants in many of these centers. The results from this survey will be used to develop a pattern of care study and data registry in brachytherapy.

Differences in essential newborn care at birth between private and public health facilities in eastern Uganda.

PubMed

Waiswa, Peter; Akuze, Joseph; Peterson, Stefan; Kerber, Kate; Tetui, Moses; Forsberg, Birger C; Hanson, Claudia

2015-01-01

In Uganda and elsewhere, the private sector provides an increasing and significant proportion of maternal and child health services. However, little is known whether private care results in better quality services and improved outcomes compared to the public sector, especially regarding care at the time of birth. To describe the characteristics of care-seekers and assess newborn care practices and services received at public and private facilities in rural eastern Uganda. Within a community-based maternal and newborn care intervention with health systems strengthening, we collected data from mothers with infants at baseline and endline using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate data analysis comparing nine newborn care practices and three composite newborn care indicators among private and public health facilities was conducted. The proportion of women giving birth at private facilities decreased from 25% at baseline to 17% at endline, whereas overall facility births increased. Private health facilities did not perform significantly better than public health facilities in terms of coverage of any essential newborn care interventions, and babies were more likely to receive thermal care practices in public facilities compared to private (68% compared to 60%, p=0.007). Babies born at public health facilities received an average of 7.0 essential newborn care interventions compared to 6.2 at private facilities (p<0.001). Women delivering in private facilities were more likely to have higher parity, lower socio-economic status, less education, to seek antenatal care later in pregnancy, and to have a normal delivery compared to women delivering in public facilities. In this setting, private health facilities serve a vulnerable population and provide access to service for those who might not otherwise have it. However, provision of essential newborn care practices was slightly lower in private compared to public facilities, calling for quality improvement in both private and public sector facilities, and a greater emphasis on tracking access to and quality of care in private sector facilities.

Does identity shape leadership and management practice? Experiences of PHC facility managers in Cape Town, South Africa

PubMed Central

Daire, Judith; Gilson, Lucy

2014-01-01

In South Africa, as elsewhere, Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities are managed by professional nurses. Little is known about the dimensions and challenges of their job, or what influences their managerial practice. Drawing on leadership and organizational theory, this study explored what the job of being a PHC manager entails, and what factors influence their managerial practice. We specifically considered whether the appointment of professional nurses as facility managers leads to an identity transition, from nurse to manager. The overall intention was to generate ideas about how to support leadership development among PHC facility managers. Adopting case study methodology, the primary researcher facilitated in-depth discussions (about their personal history and managerial experiences) with eight participating facility managers from one geographical area. Other data were collected through in-depth interviews with key informants, document review and researcher field notes/journaling. Analysis involved data triangulation, respondent and peer review and cross-case analysis. The experiences show that the PHC facility manager’s job is dominated by a range of tasks and procedures focused on clinical service management, but is expected to encompass action to address the population and public health needs of the surrounding community. Managing with and through others, and in a complex system, requiring self-management, are critical aspects of the job. A range of personal, professional and contextual factors influence managerial practice, including professional identity. The current largely facility-focused management practice reflects the strong nursing identity of managers and broader organizational influences. However, three of the eight managers appear to self-identify an emerging leadership identity and demonstrate related managerial practices. Nonetheless, there is currently limited support for an identity transition towards leadership in this context. Better support for leadership development could include talent-spotting and nurturing, induction and peer-mentoring for newly appointed facility managers, ongoing peer-support once in post and continuous reflective practice. PMID:25274644

Effectiveness of the WHO SCC on improving adherence to essential practices during childbirth, in resource constrained settings.

PubMed

Kumar, Somesh; Yadav, Vikas; Balasubramaniam, Sudharsanam; Jain, Yashpal; Joshi, Chandra Shekhar; Saran, Kailash; Sood, Bulbul

2016-11-08

India accounts for 27 % of world's neonatal deaths. Although more Indian women deliver in facilities currently than a decade ago, early neonatal mortality has not declined, likely because of insufficient quality of care. The WHO Safe Childbirth Checklist (SCC) was developed to support health workers to perform essential practices known to reduce preventable maternal and new-born deaths around the time of childbirth. Despite promising early research many outstanding questions remain about effectiveness of the SCC in low-resource settings. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health SCC was modified for Indian context and introduced in 101 intervention facilities in Rajasthan, India and 99 facilities served as comparison to study if it reduces mortality. This Quasi experimental Observational intervention-comparison was embedded in this larger program to test whether a program for introduction of SCC with simple implementation package was associated with increased adherence to 28 evidence-based practices. This study was conducted in 8 intervention and 8 comparison sites. Program interventions to promote appropriate use of the SCC included orienting providers to the checklist, modest modifications of the SCC to promote provider uptake and accountability, ensuring availability of essential supplies, and providing supportive supervision for helping providers in using the SCC. The SCC was used by providers in 86 % of 240 deliveries observed in the eight intervention facilities. Providers in the intervention group significantly adhered to practices included in the SCC than providers in the comparison group controlling for baseline scores and confounders. Women delivering in the intervention facilities received on an average 11.5 more of the 28 practices included compared with women in the comparison facilities. For selected practices provider performance in the intervention group increased as much as 93 % than comparison sites. Use of the SCC and provider performance of best practices increased in intervention facilities reflecting improvement in quality of facility childbirth care for women and new-born in low resource settings.

Evaluation of a Quartz Bourdon Pressure Gage of Wind Tunnel Mach Number Control System Application

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chapin, W. G.

1986-01-01

A theoretical and experimental study was undertaken to determine the feasibility of using the National Transonic Facility's high accuracy Mach number measurement system as part of a closed loop Mach number control system. The theoretical and experimental procedures described are applicable to the engineering design of pressure control systems. The results show that the dynamic response characteristics of the NTF Mach number gage (a Ruska DDR-6000 quartz absolute pressure gage) coupled to a typical length of pressure tubing were only marginally acceptable within a limited range of the facility's total pressure envelope and could not be used in the Mach number control system.

Analysing Teachers' Practices in Technology Environments from an Activity Theoretical Approach

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Abboud-Blanchard, Maha; Vandebrouck, Fabrice

2012-01-01

The aim of this paper is to emphasize some research results about teachers' practices in technology-based-lessons. Articulating several theoretical developments of Activity Theory enables us to conceive a frame to characterise the evolutions of these practices and to interpret them in terms of "geneses of technology uses". We consider these…

EFL Teachers' Beliefs/Practices Correspondence in Reading Instruction: Does Language Teacher Education Make a Difference?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Karimi, Mohammad Nabi; Dehghani, Asieh

2016-01-01

The present study examined EFL teachers' theoretical orientations towards reading, their reading instructional practices and the correspondence between the theoretical orientations/practices. The study participants were 80 male and female Iranian EFL teachers teaching at a number of private English language institutes. Half of the teachers were…

Testing Theoretical Relationships: Factors Influencing Positive Health Practices (PHP) in Filipino College Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ayres, Cynthia; Mahat, Ganga; Atkins, Robert

2013-01-01

Objective: To examine variables influencing the positive health practices (PHP) of Filipino college students to gain a better understanding of health practices in this ethnic/racial group. Cross-sectional study tested theoretical relationships postulated among (a) PHP, (b) social support (SS), (c) optimism, and (d) acculturation. Participants: A…

A Political Multi-Layered Approach to Researching Children's Digital Literacy Practices

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Koutsogiannis, Dimitris

2007-01-01

This paper attempts to present a theoretical framework for researching the out-of-school digital literacy practices of Greek adolescents. The broader aim, however, is to discuss the theoretical and methodological issues concerning research designs to investigate literacy practices in the globalisation era. Based on data representing local and…

Employee organizational commitment and hospital performance.

PubMed

Baird, Kevin M; Tung, Amy; Yu, Yanjie

2017-09-15

There is widespread evidence of the purported benefits of employee organizational commitment (EOC) and its impact on both individual and organizational performance. This study contributes to this literature by providing a unique insight into this relationship, focusing on the interrelationship between EOC with hospital performance and the role of the provision of adequate facilities in eliciting EOC. The aim of this study was to introduce and empirically examine a new theoretical model in which it is argued that the performance of hospitals with regard to the provision of adequate facilities (medical facilities, support facilities, and staff resources) influences the level of EOC, which in turn influences hospital performance with regard to patient care and operational effectiveness. To examine the interrelationships between the provision of adequate facilities, EOC, and hospital performance, the study utilizes a survey of hospital managers. The findings support the theoretical model, with the provision of support facilities and staff resources positively indirectly associated with both patient care and operational effectiveness through their impact on EOC. The findings highlight the importance of providing adequate facilities and EOC within hospitals and suggest that CEOs and general managers should try to enhance the provision of such resources in an attempt to elicit EOC within their hospitals. The findings suggest that managers should try to enhance their provision of adequate facilities in order to elicit EOC and enhance hospital performance. With regard to medical facilities, they should consider and incorporate the latest technology and up-to-date equipment. They should also provide adequate staff resources, including appropriate numbers of beds, nurses, and doctors, to prevent "fatigue" (West, 2001, p. 41) and provide adequate support facilities.

75 FR 34441 - Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools; Overview Information; Educational Facilities Clearinghouse...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-06-17

... priority. This priority is: Development and Dissemination of Information on Green Building Practices. Under... practices in constructing and maintaining environmentally sound educational facilities using green building practices. For the purposes of this competition the term ``green building,'' as defined by the U.S...

16 CFR Figures 1 and 2 to Part 1204 - Suggested Instrumentation for Current Monitoring Device and High Voltage Facility

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 16 Commercial Practices 2 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Suggested Instrumentation for Current Monitoring Device and High Voltage Facility 1 Figures 1 and 2 to Part 1204 Commercial Practices CONSUMER... Instrumentation for Current Monitoring Device and High Voltage Facility EC03OC91.008 ...

16 CFR Figures 1 and 2 to Part 1204 - Suggested Instrumentation for Current Monitoring Device and High Voltage Facility

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 16 Commercial Practices 2 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Suggested Instrumentation for Current Monitoring Device and High Voltage Facility 1 Figures 1 and 2 to Part 1204 Commercial Practices CONSUMER... Instrumentation for Current Monitoring Device and High Voltage Facility EC03OC91.008 ...

16 CFR Figures 1 and 2 to Part 1204 - Suggested Instrumentation for Current Monitoring Device and High Voltage Facility

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 16 Commercial Practices 2 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Suggested Instrumentation for Current Monitoring Device and High Voltage Facility 1 Figures 1 and 2 to Part 1204 Commercial Practices CONSUMER... Instrumentation for Current Monitoring Device and High Voltage Facility EC03OC91.008 ...

L'integration des savoirs theoriques a la pratique par l'analyse reflexive: Formation a la gestion de classe (The Integration of Theoretical Knowledge with the Practice of Reflective Analysis: Formation of Class Management).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bourgeois, Noella

1999-01-01

Explores whether reflective analysis promotes integration of theoretical knowledge presented in a course on motivation, with the practice of classroom management during a practice teaching round. Analyzes narrative accounts of practice where subjects recorded observations and reflections of experiences. Results indicate the presence of principal…

Pressure Mapping in Elderly Care: A Tool to Increase Pressure Injury Knowledge and Awareness Among Staff.

PubMed

Hultin, Lisa; Olsson, Estrid; Carli, Cheryl; Gunningberg, Lena

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of a pressure mapping system with real-time feedback of pressure points in elderly care, with specific focus on pressure injury (PI) knowledge/attitudes (staff), interface pressure, and PI prevention activities (residents). Descriptive, 1-group pretest/posttest study. A convenience sample of 40 assistant nurses and aides participated in the study; staff members were recruited at daytime, and 1 nighttime meeting was held at the facility. A convenience sample of 12 residents with risk for PI were recruited, 4 from each ward. Inclusion criteria were participants older than 65 years, Modified Norton Scale score 20 or less, and in need of help with turning in order to prevent PI. The study setting was a care facility for the elderly in Uppsala, Sweden. A descriptive, comparative pretest/posttest study design was used. The intervention consisted of the use of a pressure mapping system, combined with theoretical and practical teaching. Theoretical and practical information related to PI prevention and the pressure mapping system was presented to the staff. The staff (n = 40) completed the Pressure Ulcer Knowledge and Assessment Tool (PUKAT) and Attitudes towards Pressure Ulcer (APuP) before and following study intervention. Residents' beds were equipped with a pressure mapping system during 7 consecutive days. Peak pressures and preventive interventions were registered 3 times a day by trained study nurses, assistant nurses, and aides. Staff members' PUKAT scores increased significantly (P = .002), while their attitude scores, which were high pretest, remained unchanged. Peak interface pressures were significantly reduced (P = .016), and more preventive interventions (n = 0.012) were implemented when the staff repositioned residents after feedback from the pressure mapping system. A limited educational intervention, combined with the use of a pressure mapping system, was successful as it improved staff members' knowledge about PI prevention, reduced interface pressure, and increased PI prevention activities. As many of the staff members lacked formal education in PI prevention and management, opportunities for teaching sessions and reflection upon PI prevention should be incorporated into the workplace. More research is needed to evaluate the effect of continuous pressure mapping on the incidence of PI.

Physician alignment strategies and real estate.

PubMed

Czerniak, Thomas A

2012-06-01

When addressing locations of facilities after acquiring physician practices, hospitals should: Acknowledge the hospital's ambulatory plan is the driver rather than real estate assumed with the physician practices, Review the hospital ambulatory service plan for each submarket, Review the location of facilities within the service area and their proximity to one another, Sublease or sell existing facilities that are not appropriate, Ensure that the size and characteristics of each facility in the market are appropriate and consistent with the hospital's image.

Effects of Epoetin Alfa Titration Practices, Implemented After Changes to Product Labeling, on Hemoglobin Levels, Transfusion Use, and Hospitalization Rates.

PubMed

Molony, Julia T; Monda, Keri L; Li, Suying; Beaubrun, Anne C; Gilbertson, David T; Bradbury, Brian D; Collins, Allan J

2016-08-01

Little is known about epoetin alfa (EPO) dosing at dialysis centers after implementation of the US Medicare prospective payment system and revision of the EPO label in 2011. Retrospective cohort study. Approximately 412,000 adult hemodialysis patients with Medicare Parts A and B as primary payer in 2009 to 2012 to describe EPO dosing and hemoglobin patterns; of these, about 70,000 patients clustered in about 1,300 dialysis facilities to evaluate facility-level EPO titration practices and patient-level outcomes in 2012. Facility EPO titration practices when hemoglobin levels were <10 and >11g/dL (grouped treatment variable) determined from monthly EPO dosing and hemoglobin level patterns. Patient mean hemoglobin levels, red blood cell transfusion rates, and all-cause and cause-specific hospitalization rates using a facility-based analysis. Monthly EPO dose and hemoglobin level, red blood cell transfusion rates, and all-cause and cause-specific hospitalization rates. Monthly EPO doses declined across all hemoglobin levels, with the greatest decline in patients with hemoglobin levels < 10g/dL (July-October 2011). In 2012, nine distinct facility titration practices were identified. Across groups, mean hemoglobin levels differed slightly (10.5-10.8g/dL) but within-patient hemoglobin standard deviations were similar (∼0.68g/dL). Patients at facilities implementing greater dose reductions and smaller dose escalations had lower hemoglobin levels and higher transfusion rates. In contrast, patients at facilities that implemented greater dose escalations (and large or small dose reductions) had higher hemoglobin levels and lower transfusion rates. There were no clinically meaningful differences in all-cause or cause-specific hospitalization events across groups. Possibly incomplete claims data; excluded small facilities and those without consistent titration patterns; hemoglobin levels reported monthly; inferred facility practice from observed dosing. Following prospective payment system implementation and labeling revisions, EPO doses declined significantly. Under the new label, facility EPO titration practices were associated with mean hemoglobin levels (but not standard deviations) and transfusion use, but not hospitalization rates. Copyright © 2016 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Effect of Facility Ownership on Utilization of Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery.

PubMed

Black, Eric M; Reynolds, John; Maltenfort, Mitchell G; Williams, Gerald R; Abboud, Joseph A; Lazarus, Mark D

2018-03-01

We examined practice patterns and surgical indications in the management of common shoulder procedures by surgeons practicing at physician-owned facilities. This study was a retrospective analysis of 501 patients who underwent arthroscopic shoulder procedures performed by five surgeons in our practice at one of five facilities during an 18-month period. Two of the facilities were physician-owned, and three of the five surgeons were shareholders. Demographics, insurance status, symptom duration, time from injury/symptom onset to the decision to perform surgery (at which time surgical consent is obtained), and time to schedule surgery were studied to determine the influence of facility type and physician shareholder status. Median duration of symptoms before surgery was significantly shorter in workers' compensation patients than in non-workers' compensation patients (47% less; P < 0.0001) and in men than in women (31% less; P < 0.001), but was not influenced by shareholder status or facility ownership (P > 0.05). Time between presentation and surgical consent was not influenced by facility ownership (P = 0.39) or shareholder status (P = 0.50). Time from consent to procedure was 13% faster in physician-owned facilities than in non-physician-owned facilities (P = 0.03) and 35% slower with shareholder physicians than with nonshareholder physicians (P < 0.0001). The role of physician investment in private healthcare facilities has caused considerable debate in the orthopaedic surgery field. To our knowledge, this study is the first to examine the effects of shareholder status and facility ownership on surgeons' practice patterns, surgical timing, and measures of nonsurgical treatment before shoulder surgery. Neither shareholder status nor facility ownership characteristics influenced the speed with which surgeons determined that shoulder surgery was indicated or surgeons' use of preoperative nonsurgical treatment. After the need for surgery was determined, patients underwent surgery sooner at physician-owned facilities than at non-physician-owned facilities and with nonshareholder physicians than with shareholder physicians. Level III.

First Comes the Theory, Then the Practice? On the Acquisition of General Pedagogical Knowledge during Initial Teacher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

König, Johannes

2013-01-01

Teacher education systems worldwide are confronted with the essential question of how to foster both future teachers' theoretical and practical knowledge and to adequately enable future teachers to connect their theoretical and practical knowledge for teaching. This article investigates how future teachers acquire general pedagogical knowledge…

Follow the Yellow Brick Road: Linking Theory and Practice in Addiction Studies Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shepherd, Robin-Marie; Laidlaw, Tannis M.

2017-01-01

This paper describes an undergraduate course in addictions within the health science sector linking theory with practice at a university in New Zealand. The essence of this addiction course includes both a strong theoretical basis and public health focus. The theoretical and practical content is described with examples of the students' pedagogical…

A theoretical approach to dual practice regulations in the health sector.

PubMed

González, Paula; Macho-Stadler, Inés

2013-01-01

Internationally, there is wide cross-country heterogeneity in government responses to dual practice in the health sector. This paper provides a uniform theoretical framework to analyze and compare some of the most common regulations. We focus on three interventions: banning dual practice, offering rewarding contracts to public physicians, and limiting dual practice (including both limits to private earnings of dual providers and limits to involvement in private activities). An ancillary objective of the paper is to investigate whether regulations that are optimal for developed countries are adequate for developing countries as well. Our results offer theoretical support for the desirability of different regulations in different economic environments. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Knowledge sharing and organizational learning in the context of hospital infection prevention.

PubMed

Rangachari, Pavani

2010-01-01

Recently, hospitals that have been successful in preventing infections have labeled their improvement approaches as either the Toyota Production System (TPS) approach or the Positive Deviance (PD) approach. PD has been distinguished from TPS as being a bottom-up approach to improvement, as against top-down. Facilities that have employed both approaches have suggested that PD may be more effective than TPS for infection prevention. This article integrates organizational learning, institutional, and knowledge network theories to develop a theoretical framework for understanding the structure and evolution of effective knowledge-sharing networks in health care organizations, that is, networks most conducive to learning and improvement. Contrary to arguments put forth by hospital success stories, the framework suggests that networks rich in brokerage and hierarchy (ie, top-down, "TPS-like" structures) may be more effective for learning and improvement in health care organizations, compared with a networks rich in density (ie, bottom-up, "PD-like" structures). The theoretical framework and ensuing analysis help identify several gaps in the literature related to organization learning and improvement in the infection prevention context. This, in turn, helps put forth recommendations for health management research and practice.

Reverse logistics network for municipal solid waste management: The inclusion of waste pickers as a Brazilian legal requirement

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

Ferri, Giovane Lopes, E-mail: giovane.ferri@aluno.ufes.br; Diniz Chaves, Gisele de Lorena, E-mail: gisele.chaves@ufes.br; Ribeiro, Glaydston Mattos, E-mail: glaydston@pet.coppe.ufrj.br

Highlights: • We propose a reverse logistics network for MSW involving waste pickers. • A generic facility location mathematical model was validated in a Brazilian city. • The results enable to predict the capacity for screening and storage centres (SSC). • We minimise the costs for transporting MSW with screening and storage centres. • The use of SSC can be a potential source of revenue and a better use of MSW. - Abstract: This study proposes a reverse logistics network involved in the management of municipal solid waste (MSW) to solve the challenge of economically managing these wastes considering themore » recent legal requirements of the Brazilian Waste Management Policy. The feasibility of the allocation of MSW material recovery facilities (MRF) as intermediate points between the generators of these wastes and the options for reuse and disposal was evaluated, as well as the participation of associations and cooperatives of waste pickers. This network was mathematically modelled and validated through a scenario analysis of the municipality of São Mateus, which makes the location model more complete and applicable in practice. The mathematical model allows the determination of the number of facilities required for the reverse logistics network, their location, capacities, and product flows between these facilities. The fixed costs of installation and operation of the proposed MRF were balanced with the reduction of transport costs, allowing the inclusion of waste pickers to the reverse logistics network. The main contribution of this study lies in the proposition of a reverse logistics network for MSW simultaneously involving legal, environmental, economic and social criteria, which is a very complex goal. This study can guide practices in other countries that have realities similar to those in Brazil of accelerated urbanisation without adequate planning for solid waste management, added to the strong presence of waste pickers that, through the characteristic of social vulnerability, must be included in the system. In addition to the theoretical contribution to the reverse logistics network problem, this study aids in decision-making for public managers who have limited technical and administrative capacities for the management of solid wastes.« less

The checkpoint ordering problem

PubMed Central

Hungerländer, P.

2017-01-01

Abstract We suggest a new variant of a row layout problem: Find an ordering of n departments with given lengths such that the total weighted sum of their distances to a given checkpoint is minimized. The Checkpoint Ordering Problem (COP) is both of theoretical and practical interest. It has several applications and is conceptually related to some well-studied combinatorial optimization problems, namely the Single-Row Facility Layout Problem, the Linear Ordering Problem and a variant of parallel machine scheduling. In this paper we study the complexity of the (COP) and its special cases. The general version of the (COP) with an arbitrary but fixed number of checkpoints is NP-hard in the weak sense. We propose both a dynamic programming algorithm and an integer linear programming approach for the (COP) . Our computational experiments indicate that the (COP) is hard to solve in practice. While the run time of the dynamic programming algorithm strongly depends on the length of the departments, the integer linear programming approach is able to solve instances with up to 25 departments to optimality. PMID:29170574

Variations in pretransfusion practices.

PubMed

Padget, B J; Hannon, J L

2003-01-01

A variety of pretransfusion tests have been developed to improve the safety and effectiveness of transfusion. Recently, a number of traditional tests have been shown to offer limited clinical benefit and have been eliminated in many facilities. A survey of pretransfusion test practices was distributed to 116 hospital transfusion services. Routine test practices and facility size were analyzed. Ninety-one responses were received. Many smaller laboratories include tests such as anti-A,B, an autocontrol, and DAT, and immediate spin and 37 degrees Celsius microscopic readings. Nine percent never perform an Rh control with anti-D typing on patient samples. Various antibody screening and crossmatch methods are utilized. Individual laboratory test practices should be periodically assessed to ensure that they comply with standards, represent the recognized best practice, and are cost-effective. The survey responses indicate that many laboratories perform tests that are not necessary or cost-effective. These facilities should review their processes to determine which tests contribute to transfusion safety. Smaller facilities may be reluctant to change or lack the expertise necessary for this decision making and often continue to perform tests that have been eliminated in larger facilities. Consultation with larger hospital transfusion services may provide guidance for this change.

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

Litvinenko,V.; Yakimenko, V.

We propose undertaking a demonstration experiment on suppressing spontaneous undulator radiation from an electron beam at BNL's Accelerator Test Facility (ATF). We describe the method, the proposed layout, and a possible schedule. There are several advantages in strongly suppressing shot noise in the electron beam, and the corresponding spontaneous radiation. The self-amplified spontaneous (SASE) emission originating from shot noise in the electron beam is the main source of noise in high-gain FEL amplifiers. It may negatively affect several HG FEL applications ranging from single- to multi-stage HGHG FELs. SASE saturation also imposes a fundamental hard limit on the gain ofmore » an FEL amplifier in a coherent electron-cooling scheme. A novel active method for suppressing shot noise in relativistic electron beams by many orders-of-magnitude was recently proposed. While theoretically such strong suppression appears feasible, the performance and applicability of this novel method must be evaluated experimentally. Several practical questions about the proposed noise suppressor, such as 3D effects and/or sensitivity to the e-beam parameters also require experimental clarification. To do this, we propose here a proof-of-principle experiment using elements of the VISA FEL at BNL's Accelerator Test Facility.« less

Report of the panel on theoretical aerodynamics. [for the National Transonic Facility

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bobbitt, P. J.; Carter, J. E.

1977-01-01

Requirements for flow quality in the National Transonic Facility are explored. Viscous flow effects of concern to theoreticians are discussed. Experiments outlined for theory validation in the facility include validating high aspect ratio wing-body combination; low aspect ratio moderately swept wing; low aspect ratio highly swept wing; high lift systems on high aspect ration wings; Reynolds number scaling; dynamic shock- boundary layer interaction; and the effect of R and M on dynamic stall.

Biosecurity and bird movement practices in upland game bird facilities in the United States.

PubMed

Slota, Katharine E; Hill, Ashley E; Keefe, Thomas J; Bowen, Richard A; Pabilonia, Kristy L

2011-06-01

Since 1996, the emergence of Asian-origin highly pathogenic avian influenza subtype H5N1 has spurred great concern for the global poultry industry. In the United States, there is concern over the potential of a foreign avian disease incursion into the country. Noncommercial poultry operations, such as upland game bird facilities in the United States, may serve as a potential source of avian disease introduction to other bird populations including the commercial poultry industry, backyard flocks, or wildlife. In order to evaluate how to prevent disease transmission from these facilities to other populations, we examined biosecurity practices and bird movement within the upland game bird industry in the United States. Persons that held a current permit to keep, breed, or release upland game birds were surveyed for information on biosecurity practices, flock and release environments, and bird movement parameters. Biosecurity practices vary greatly among permit holders. Many facilities allow for interaction between wild birds and pen-reared birds, and there is regular long-distance movement of live adult birds among facilities. Results suggest that upland game bird facilities should be targeted for biosecurity education and disease surveillance efforts.

An assessment of workplace programmes designed to control inhalation risks using respiratory protective equipment.

PubMed

Bell, Nikki; Vaughan, Nicholas P; Morris, Len; Griffin, Peter

2012-04-01

Few studies have assessed respiratory protective equipment (RPE) failures at the organizational level despite evidence to suggest that compliance with good practice may be low. The aim of this study was to develop an understanding of what current RPE programmes look like across industry and how this compares with good practice. Twenty cross-industry site visits were conducted with companies that had RPE programmes in place. Visits involved management interviews to explore current RPE systems and procedures and the decision making underpinning these. Observations of RPE operatives were included followed by short interviews to discuss the behaviours observed. Post-site assessments jointly undertaken by an RPE scientist and psychologist produced ratings for each site on six critical aspects of RPE programmes (knowledge/awareness, selection, use, training/information, supervision, and storage/cleaning/maintenance). Overall ratings for theoretical competence (i.e. management knowledge of RPE) and practical control (i.e. actual RPE practice on the shop floor) were also given. Qualitative analysis was performed on all interview data. The performance of RPE programmes varied across industry. Fewer than half the companies visited were considered to have an acceptable level of theoretical competence and practical control. Four distinct groups emerged from the 20 sites studied, ranging from Learners (low theoretical competence and practical control--four sites), Developers (acceptable theoretical competence and low practical control--five sites), and Fortuitous (low theoretical competence and acceptable practical control--two sites), to Proficient (acceptable theoretical competence and practical control--nine sites). None of the companies visited were achieving optimal control through the use of RPE. Widespread inadequacies were found with programme implementation, particularly training, supervision, and maintenance. Our taxonomy based on the four groups (Learners, Developers, Fortuitous, and Proficient) provided a useful expert-informed tool for explaining the variation in performance of RPE programmes across industry. Although further research and development are required, this taxonomy offers a useful starting point for the development of practical tools that may assist managers in making the much-needed improvements to all facets of programme implementation, particularly training, supervision, and maintenance.

The transfer of theoretical knowledge to clinical practice by nursing students and the difficulties they experience: A qualitative study.

PubMed

Günay, Ulviye; Kılınç, Gülsen

2018-06-01

Nursing education contains both theoretical and practical training processes. Clinical training is the basis of nursing education. The quality of clinical training is closely related to the quality of the clinical learning environment. This study aimed to determine the transfer of theoretical knowledge into clinical practice by nursing students and the difficulties they experience during this process. A qualitative research design was used in the study. The study was conducted in 2015 with 30 nursing students in a university located in the east of Turkey, constituting three focus groups. The questions directed to the students during the focus group interviews were as follows: What do you think about your clinical training? How do you evaluate yourself in the process of putting your theoretical knowledge into clinical practice? What kind of difficulties are you experiencing in clinical practices? The data were interpreted using the method of content analysis. Most of the students reported that theoretical information they received was excessive, their ability to put most of this information into practice was weak, and they lacked courage to touch patients for fear of implementing procedures incorrectly. As a result of the analysis of the data, five main themes were determined: clinical training, guidance and communication, hospital environment and expectations. The results of this study showed that nursing students found their clinical knowledge and skills insufficient and usually failed to transfer their theoretical knowledge into clinical practices. The study observed that nursing students experienced various issues in clinical practices. In order to fix these issues and achieve an effective clinical training environment, collaboration should be achieved among nursing instructors, nurses, nursing school and hospital managements. Additionally, the number of nursing educators should be increased and training programs should be provided regarding effective clinical training methods. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Humane Management in Times of Restraint.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Auster, Ethel

1987-01-01

Briefly reviews the theoretical principles of decision making and communication for effective management, and describes management practices in Canadian academic libraries facing retrenchment that deviate from this theoretical model. Suggestions for achieving greater congruency between scholarly theory and management practice, thereby facilitating…

Enhancement in photoluminescence performance of carbon-decorated T-ZnO

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jian, Xian; Chen, Guozhang; Wang, Chao; Yin, Liangjun; Li, Gang; Yang, Ping; Chen, Lei; Xu, Bao; Gao, Yang; Feng, Yanyu; Tang, Hui; Luan, Chunhong; Liang, Yinglin; Jiang, Jing; Cao, Yu; Wang, Siyuan; Gao, Xin

2015-03-01

The facile preparation of ZnO possessing high visible luminescence intensity remains challenging due to an unclear luminescence mechanism. Here, two basic approaches are proposed to enhance the luminescent intensity based on the theoretical analysis over surface defects. Based on the deduction, we introduce a methodology for obtaining hybrid tetrapod-like zinc oxide (T-ZnO), decorated by carbon nanomarterials on T-ZnO surfaces through the catalytic chemical vapor deposition approach. The intensity of the T-ZnO green emission can be modulated by topography and the proportion of carbon. Under proper experiment conditions, the carbon decorating leads to dramatically enhanced luminescence intensity of T-ZnO from 400 to 700 nm compared with no carbon decorated, which elevates this approach to a simple and effective method for the betterment of fluorescent materials in practical applications.

Does identity shape leadership and management practice? Experiences of PHC facility managers in Cape Town, South Africa.

PubMed

Daire, Judith; Gilson, Lucy

2014-09-01

In South Africa, as elsewhere, Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities are managed by professional nurses. Little is known about the dimensions and challenges of their job, or what influences their managerial practice. Drawing on leadership and organizational theory, this study explored what the job of being a PHC manager entails, and what factors influence their managerial practice. We specifically considered whether the appointment of professional nurses as facility managers leads to an identity transition, from nurse to manager. The overall intention was to generate ideas about how to support leadership development among PHC facility managers. Adopting case study methodology, the primary researcher facilitated in-depth discussions (about their personal history and managerial experiences) with eight participating facility managers from one geographical area. Other data were collected through in-depth interviews with key informants, document review and researcher field notes/journaling. Analysis involved data triangulation, respondent and peer review and cross-case analysis. The experiences show that the PHC facility manager's job is dominated by a range of tasks and procedures focused on clinical service management, but is expected to encompass action to address the population and public health needs of the surrounding community. Managing with and through others, and in a complex system, requiring self-management, are critical aspects of the job. A range of personal, professional and contextual factors influence managerial practice, including professional identity. The current largely facility-focused management practice reflects the strong nursing identity of managers and broader organizational influences. However, three of the eight managers appear to self-identify an emerging leadership identity and demonstrate related managerial practices. Nonetheless, there is currently limited support for an identity transition towards leadership in this context. Better support for leadership development could include talent-spotting and nurturing, induction and peer-mentoring for newly appointed facility managers, ongoing peer-support once in post and continuous reflective practice. Published by Oxford University Press in association with The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine © The Author 2014; all rights reserved.

The complexity of implementing culture change practices in nursing homes.

PubMed

Sterns, Samantha; Miller, Susan C; Allen, Susan

2010-09-01

The culture change (CC) movement aims to transform the traditional nursing home (NH) that is institutional in design with hierarchical management structure into a homelike environment that empowers residents and frontline staff. This study examines differences in adoption of CC practices according to a NH's self-reported extent of CC implementation and its duration of CC adoption. Furthermore, it examines differences in adoption by whether a CC practice is considered less versus more complex, using complexity theory as the theoretical framework for this classification. Using data from a 2007 Commonwealth-funded study, we analyzed a national sample of 291 US nursing homes that identified as being "for the most part" or "completely" CC facilities for "1 to 3 years" or "3+ years." Also, using a complexity theory framework, we ranked 16 practices commonly associated with CC as low, moderately, or highly complex based on level of agreement needed to actuate the process (number of parties involved) and the certainty of intended outcomes. We then examined the prevalence of CC-associated practices in relation to their complexity and the extent and duration of a NH's CC adoption. We found practices ranked as less complex were implemented more frequently in NHs with both shorter and longer durations of CC adoption. However, more complex CC practices were more prevalent among NHs reporting "complete" adoption for 3+ years versus 1 to 3 years. This was not observed in NHs reporting having CC "for the most part." Less complex practices may be more economical and easier to implement. These early successes may result in sufficient momentum so that more complex change can follow. A nursing home that more completely embraces the culture change movement may be more likely to attempt these complex changes. Copyright 2010 American Medical Directors Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Novice to expert practice via postprofessional athletic training education: a grounded theory.

PubMed

Neibert, Peter J

2009-01-01

To discover the theoretic constructs that confirm, disconfirm, or extend the principles and their applications appropriate for National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA)-accredited postprofessional athletic training education programs. Interviews at the 2003 NATA Annual Meeting & Clinical Symposia. Qualitative study using grounded theory procedures. Thirteen interviews were conducted with postprofessional graduates. Participants were purposefully selected based on theoretic sampling and availability. The transcribed interviews were analyzed using open coding, axial coding, and selective coding procedures. Member checks, reflective journaling, and triangulation were used to ensure trustworthiness. The participants' comments confirmed and extended the current principles of postprofessional athletic training education programs and offered additional suggestions for more effective practical applications. The emergence of this central category of novice to expert practice is a paramount finding. The tightly woven fabric of the 10 processes, when interlaced with one another, provides a strong tapestry supporting novice to expert practice via postprofessional athletic training education. The emergence of this theoretic position pushes postprofessional graduate athletic training education forward to the future for further investigation into the theoretic constructs of novice to expert practice.

An Investigation of the Effects of a Facility Dog on Student Learning and the Learning Environment

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bradley, Jordana

2013-01-01

According to No Child Left Behind, teachers must consider alternative teaching strategies to improve student achievement. The use of a facility dog as an instructional enhancement is an innovative teaching approach that deserves further research. The theoretical framework for the study was human-animal bond theory, which postulates that…

A Game Theoretical Model for Location of Terror Response Facilities under Capacitated Resources

PubMed Central

Kang, Qi; Xu, Weisheng; Wu, Qidi

2013-01-01

This paper is concerned with the effect of capacity constraints on the locations of terror response facilities. We assume that the state has limited resources, and multiple facilities may be involved in the response until the demand is satisfied consequently. We formulate a leader-follower game model between the state and the terrorist and prove the existence and uniqueness of the Nash equilibrium. An integer linear programming is proposed to obtain the equilibrium results when the facility number is fixed. The problem is demonstrated by a case study of the 19 districts of Shanghai, China. PMID:24459446

Nuclear quadrupole resonance studies project. [spectrometer design and spectrum analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Murty, A. N.

1978-01-01

The participation of undergraduates in nuclear quadrupole resonance research at Grambling University was made possible by NASA grants. Expanded laboratory capabilities include (1) facilities for high and low temperature generation and measurement; (2) facilities for radio frequency generation and measurement with the modern spectrum analyzers, precision frequency counters and standard signal generators; (3) vacuum and glass blowing facilities; and (4) miscellaneous electronic and machine shop facilities. Experiments carried out over a five year period are described and their results analyzed. Theoretical studies on solid state crystalline electrostatic fields, field gradients, and antishielding factors are included.

Discriminative facility and its role in the perceived quality of interactional experiences.

PubMed

Cheng, C; Chiu, C Y; Hong, Y Y; Cheung, J S

2001-10-01

Discriminative facility refers to an individual's sensitivity to subtle cues about the psychological meaning of a situation. This research aimed at examining (a) the conceptual distinctiveness of discriminative facility, (b) the situation-appropriate aspect of this construct, and (c) the relationship between discriminative facility and interpersonal experiences. Discriminative facility was assessed by a new measure of situation-appropriate behaviors across a variety of novel stressful situations. Results from study 1 showed that discriminative facility had weak positive relationships with cognitive complexity and nonsignificant relationships with self-monitoring and social desirability, indicating that discriminative facility is a unique construct. Results from Study 2 revealed that higher levels of discriminative facility were associated with higher levels of perceived social support and a greater number of pleasant interpersonal events experienced, thus providing support for the theoretical proposition that discriminative facility is an aspect of social intelligence.

16 CFR Figures 3 and 4 to Part 1204 - High Voltage Test Facility and Antenna System Test Setup

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 16 Commercial Practices 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false High Voltage Test Facility and Antenna System Test Setup 3 Figures 3 and 4 to Part 1204 Commercial Practices CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION... ANTENNAS Pt. 1204, Figs. 3, 4 Figures 3 and 4 to Part 1204—High Voltage Test Facility and Antenna System...

16 CFR Figures 3 and 4 to Part 1204 - High Voltage Test Facility and Antenna System Test Setup

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 16 Commercial Practices 2 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false High Voltage Test Facility and Antenna System Test Setup 3 Figures 3 and 4 to Part 1204 Commercial Practices CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION... ANTENNAS Pt. 1204, Figs. 3, 4 Figures 3 and 4 to Part 1204—High Voltage Test Facility and Antenna System...

16 CFR Figures 3 and 4 to Part 1204 - High Voltage Test Facility and Antenna System Test Setup

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 16 Commercial Practices 2 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false High Voltage Test Facility and Antenna System Test Setup 3 Figures 3 and 4 to Part 1204 Commercial Practices CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION... ANTENNAS Pt. 1204, Figs. 3, 4 Figures 3 and 4 to Part 1204—High Voltage Test Facility and Antenna System...

16 CFR Figures 3 and 4 to Part 1204 - High Voltage Test Facility and Antenna System Test Setup

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 16 Commercial Practices 2 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false High Voltage Test Facility and Antenna System Test Setup 3 Figures 3 and 4 to Part 1204 Commercial Practices CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION... ANTENNAS Pt. 1204, Figs. 3, 4 Figures 3 and 4 to Part 1204—High Voltage Test Facility and Antenna System...

Do resource utilization and clinical measures still vary across dialysis chains after controlling for the local practices of facilities and physicians?

PubMed

Hirth, Richard A; Turenne, Marc N; Wheeler, John R C; Ma, Yu; Messana, Joseph M

2010-08-01

Because of adverse survival effects, anemia management and financial incentives to increase doses of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) have been controversial. Prior studies showed more aggressive anemia management in dialysis facilities owned by for-profit chains, but have been criticized for not accounting for practices of individual physicians and facilities. To improve understanding of how dialysis practices and resource utilization are influenced by physicians, facilities, and chains. Mixed models with chain fixed effects and facility and physician random effects. Medicare hemodialysis patients in 2004. A total of 234,158 patients, 3995 facilities, 4838 physicians, and 7 chain classifications were included. Spending per session for dialysis-related services billed separately from the dialysis treatment and for ESAs. Achievement of hematocrit (HCT) and urea reduction ratio (URR) targets. Of the 4 largest for-profit chains, 3 had higher resource use than independents, with differences up to $17.92 higher ESA/session. Utilization was positively associated with achieving target HCT. Despite incurring lower costs, patients treated by a large nonprofit chain were as likely as patients of independents to achieve the HCT target. The largest chains were more likely than independents to achieve the URR target. Substantial variation occurred across physicians and facilities, and adjustment for chain only modestly decreased this variation. Chains' methods of influencing practices were not directly observed. Chains appear to have the ability to implement protocols that shift practices, but not the ability to substantially reduce local variation. Assertions that chain effects found by earlier studies were spurious are not supported.

Assessing patient safety in Canadian ambulatory surgery facilities: A national survey

PubMed Central

Ahmad, Jamil; Ho, Olivia A; Carman, Wayne W; Thoma, Achilles; Lalonde, Donald H; Lista, Frank

2014-01-01

BACKGROUND: There has been increased interest regarding patient safety and standards of care in Canadian ambulatory surgery facilities where surgical procedures are performed. The Canadian Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgical Facilities (CAAASF) is a national organization formed to establish and maintain standards to ensure that surgical procedures conducted outside of public hospitals are performed safely. OBJECTIVE: To determine how many procedures are performed annually at CAAASF member sites, and to examine complication rates and several key patient safety practices. METHODS: All 69 facilities accredited by the CAAASF were surveyed. The survey focused on procedural data, complication rates and patient safety interventions. RESULTS: In 2010, 40,240 estimated procedures were performed. A total of 263 (0.007%) complications were reported. Sixteen (0.0004%) patients required reoperations in hospital and 19 (0.0004%) patients required transfer to hospital on the day of surgery. There were only two mortalities within 30 days of surgery reported in the past five years. With regard to patient safety practices, 93% used antimicrobial prophylaxis, 100% used strategies to maintain normothermia and 82% used measures for venous thromboembolism prevention. CONCLUSION: The present study is the first to report on the Canadian experience in ambulatory surgery facilities and provides insight into current practices at these facilities. Appropriate accreditation of ambulatory surgery facilities, well-established patient safety-related standards of care, careful patient selection and procedures performed by qualified health care professionals with appropriate certification practicing within the scope of their practice form the basis for safe and effective ambulatory surgery. PMID:25152645

Blood Pressure Levels and Mortality Risk among Hemodialysis Patients: Results from the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study

PubMed Central

Robinson, Bruce M.; Tong, Lin; Zhang, Jinyao; Wolfe, Robert A.; Goodkin, David A.; Greenwood, Roger N.; Kerr, Peter G.; Morgenstern, Hal; Li, Yun; Pisoni, Ronald L.; Saran, Rajiv; Tentori, Francesca; Akizawa, Tadao; Fukuhara, Shunichi; Port, Friedrich K.

2014-01-01

KDOQI practice guidelines recommend pre-dialysis blood pressure (BP) <140/90 mm Hg. However, most prior hemodialysis studies found elevated mortality with low, not high, systolic blood pressure (SBP), possibly due to unmeasured confounders affecting BP and mortality such as severity of comorbidities. To lessen this bias, we analyzed facility-level BP practices, relating patient-level survival to the fraction of patients in BP categories at each dialysis facility in Cox regression models adjusted for patient and facility characteristics. Analyses included 24,525 patients in the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study. Compared with pre-dialysis SBP 130–159 mm Hg, mortality was 13% higher in facilities with 20% more patients at SBP 110–129 mm Hg and 16% higher in facilities with 20% more patients at SBP ≥160 mm Hg. For patient-level SBP, mortality was elevated at low (<130 mm Hg), not high (up to ≥180 mm Hg) SBP. For pre-dialysis diastolic BP, mortality was lowest at 60–99 mm Hg, a wide range suggesting less chance to improve outcomes. Higher mortality at SBP <130 mm Hg is consistent with prior studies and may be due to excessive BP-lowering during dialysis. The lowest risk facility SBP range of 130–159 mm Hg indicates this range may be optimal, but may have been influenced by unmeasured facility practices. While additional study is needed, the findings contrast with KDOQI BP targets, and provide guidance on optimal BP range in absence of definitive clinical trial data. PMID:22718187

Effective and Innovative Practices for Stronger Facilities Management.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Banick, Sarah

2002-01-01

Describes the five winners of the APPA's Effective & Innovative Practices Award. These facilities management programs and processes were recognized for enhancing service delivery, lowering costs, increasing productivity, improving customer service, generating revenue, or otherwise benefiting the educational institution. (EV)

A Pilot Assessment of Occupational Health Hazards in the US Electronic Scrap Recycling Industry

PubMed Central

Ceballos, Diana M.; Gong, Wei; Page, Elena

2015-01-01

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) surveyed a randomly selected sample of electronic scrap (e-scrap) recycling facilities nationwide to characterize work processes, exposures, and controls. Despite multiple attempts to contact 278 facilities, only 47 responded (17% response rate). Surveyed facilities reported recycling a wide variety of electronics. The most common recycling processes were manual dismantling and sorting. Other processes included shredding, crushing, and automated separation. Many facilities reported that they had health and safety programs in place. However, some facilities reported the use of compressed air for cleaning, a practice that can lead to increased employee dust exposures, and some facilities allowed food and drinks in the production areas, a practice that can lead to ingestion of contaminants. Although our results may not be generalizable to all US e-scrap recycling facilities, they are informative regarding health and safety programs in the industry. We concluded that e-scrap recycling has the potential for a wide variety of occupational exposures particularly because of the frequent use of manual processes. On-site evaluations of e-scrap recyclers are needed to determine if reported work processes, practices, and controls are effective and meet current standards and guidelines. Educating the e-scrap recycling industry about health and safety best practices, specifically related to safe handling of metal dust, would help protect employees. PMID:25738822

A Pilot Assessment of Occupational Health Hazards in the US Electronic Scrap Recycling Industry.

PubMed

Ceballos, Diana M; Gong, Wei; Page, Elena

2015-01-01

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) surveyed a randomly selected sample of electronic scrap (e-scrap) recycling facilities nationwide to characterize work processes, exposures, and controls. Despite multiple attempts to contact 278 facilities, only 47 responded (17% response rate). Surveyed facilities reported recycling a wide variety of electronics. The most common recycling processes were manual dismantling and sorting. Other processes included shredding, crushing, and automated separation. Many facilities reported that they had health and safety programs in place. However, some facilities reported the use of compressed air for cleaning, a practice that can lead to increased employee dust exposures, and some facilities allowed food and drinks in the production areas, a practice that can lead to ingestion of contaminants. Although our results may not be generalizable to all US e-scrap recycling facilities, they are informative regarding health and safety programs in the industry. We concluded that e-scrap recycling has the potential for a wide variety of occupational exposures particularly because of the frequent use of manual processes. On-site evaluations of e-scrap recyclers are needed to determine if reported work processes, practices, and controls are effective and meet current standards and guidelines. Educating the e-scrap recycling industry about health and safety best practices, specifically related to safe handling of metal dust, would help protect employees.

Facilitating the development of moral insight in practice: teaching ethics and teaching virtue.

PubMed

Begley, Ann M

2006-10-01

Abstract The teaching of ethics is discussed within the context of insights gleaned from ancient Greek ethics, particularly Aristotle and Plato and their conceptions of virtue (arete, meaning excellence). The virtues of excellence of character (moral virtue) and excellence of intelligence (intellectual virtue), particularly practical wisdom and theoretical wisdom, are considered. In Aristotelian ethics, a distinction is drawn between these intellectual virtues: experience and maturity is needed for practical wisdom, but not for theoretical wisdom. In addition to this, excellence of character is acquired through habitual practice, not instruction. This suggests that there is a need to teach more than theoretical ethics and that the ethics teacher must also facilitate the acquisition of practical wisdom and excellence of character. This distinction highlights a need for various educational approaches in cultivating these excellences which are required for a moral life. It also raises the question: is it possible to teach practical wisdom and excellence of character? It is suggested that virtue, conceived of as a type of knowledge, or skill, can be taught, and people can, with appropriate experience, habitual practice, and good role models, develop excellence of character and become moral experts. These students are the next generation of exemplars and they will educate others by example and sustain the practice of nursing. They need an education which includes theoretical ethics and the nurturing of practical wisdom and excellence of character. For this purpose, a humanities approach is suggested.

Sentinel Surveillance for Expedited Partner Therapy Prescriptions Using Pharmacy Data, in 2 New York City Neighborhoods, 2015.

PubMed

Okah, Ebiere; Arya, Vibhuti; Rogers, Meighan; Kim, Michelle; Schillinger, Julia Ann

2017-02-01

Expedited partner therapy (EPT) for Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) is the practice of providing Ct-infected patients with medication, or prescription (prescription-EPT) to deliver to their sex partners without first examining those partners. New York City (NYC) providers commonly use prescription-EPT, yet NYC pharmacists report only occasional receipt of EPT prescriptions. This project assessed the frequency of EPT prescriptions filled in 2 NYC neighborhoods. The 2 NYC facilities reporting the most frequent use of prescription-EPT were identified from Ct provider case reports and contacted to ascertain their EPT practices. Providers at the first facility (facility 1) prescribed two 1-g doses of azithromycin, including sex partner treatment on the index patient's electronic prescription. Providers at the second facility (facility 2) gave patients paper prescriptions for sex partners. We reviewed prescriptions filled in 2015 for azithromycin, 1 or 2 g at pharmacies near these facilities; prescriptions indicating partner therapy were classified "EPT prescriptions". Facility 1 providers submitted 112 Ct case reports indicating prescription-EPT, compared with 114 submitted by facility 2 providers. Twelve of 26 identified pharmacies agreed to participate. At 7 pharmacies near facility 1, we found 61 EPT prescriptions from facility 1 and 37 from other facilities. At 5 pharmacies near facility 2, we found only 1 EPT prescription from facility 2 and 3 from other facilities. Expedited partner therapy prescriptions were received in NYC pharmacies near to EPT-prescribing facilities, but with great variability and at a lower frequency than suggested by provider case reports. Provider EPT prescribing practices may impact the likelihood that partners receive medication and should be further evaluated.

Adopting Health Behavior Change Theory throughout the Clinical Practice Guideline Process

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ceccato, Natalie E.; Ferris, Lorraine E.; Manuel, Douglas; Grimshaw, Jeremy M.

2007-01-01

Adopting a theoretical framework throughout the clinical practice guideline (CPG) process (development, dissemination, implementation, and evaluation) can be useful in systematically identifying, addressing, and explaining behavioral influences impacting CPG uptake and effectiveness. This article argues that using a theoretical framework should…

Using Songs in Enhancing the Teaching of Grammar

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Roslim, Norwati; Azizul, Aini Faridah; Zain, Mazira Mohd

2011-01-01

This paper shares research and studies done in using songs to teach grammar from the theoretical and practical perspectives. The theoretical part focuses on the Affective Filter Hypothesis proposed by Krashen (1982) and the practical part focuses on techniques in using songs in classrooms.

View of Soviet ionospheric modification research

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

Duncan, L.M.; Showen, R.L.

1990-10-01

We have reviewed and provided a technical assessment of Soviet research of the past five to ten years in ionospheric modification by high-power radio waves. This review includes a comprehensive survey of Soviet published literature, conference proceedings, and direct discussions with the involved Soviet researchers. The current state of the art for Soviet research in this field is evaluated, identifying areas of potential breakthrough discoveries, and discussing implications of this work for emerging technologies and future applications. This assessment is divided into the categories of basic research, advanced research, and applications. Basic research is further subdivided into studies of themore » modified natural geophysical environment, nonlinear plasma physics, and polar geophysical studies. Advanced research topics include the generation of artificial ionization mirrors and high-power oblique propagation effects. A separate comparative assessment of Soviet theoretical work also is included in this analysis. Our evaluation of practical and potential applications of this research discusses the utility of ionospheric modification in creating disturbed radio wave propagation environments, and its role in current and future remote-sensing and telecommunications systems. This technical assessment does not include consideration of ionospheric modification by means other than high-power radio waves. The Soviet effort in ionospheric modification sustains theoretical and experimental research at activity levels considerably greater than that found in comparable programs in the West. Notable strengths of the Soviet program are its breadth of coverage, large numbers of scientific participation, theoretical creativity and insight, and its powerful radio wave transmitting facilities.« less

Accreditation of ambulatory facilities.

PubMed

Urman, Richard D; Philip, Beverly K

2014-06-01

With the continued growth of ambulatory surgical centers (ASC), the regulation of facilities has evolved to include new standards and requirements on both state and federal levels. Accreditation allows for the assessment of clinical practice, improves accountability, and better ensures quality of care. In some states, ASC may choose to voluntarily apply for accreditation from a recognized organization, but in others it is mandated. Accreditation provides external validation of safe practices, benchmarking performance against other accredited facilities, and demonstrates to patients and payers the facility's commitment to continuous quality improvement. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

78 FR 41694 - Final Priority and Requirements; Education Facilities Clearinghouse

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-07-11

... the collection and dissemination of best practices for the planning, design, financing, procurement... Facilities Clearinghouse program is to provide technical assistance and training on the planning, design... dissemination of best practices for the planning, design, financing, procurement, construction, improvement...

17 CFR 37.203 - Rule enforcement program.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... shall establish and enforce trading, trade processing, and participation rules that will deter abuses... practices prohibited. A swap execution facility shall prohibit abusive trading practices on its markets by members and market participants. Swap execution facilities that permit intermediation shall prohibit...

21 CFR 58.200 - Purpose.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES GENERAL GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE FOR NONCLINICAL LABORATORY STUDIES Disqualification of Testing Facilities § 58.200 Purpose. (a) The purposes of... testing facility which has failed to comply with the requirements of the good laboratory practice...

21 CFR 58.200 - Purpose.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES GENERAL GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE FOR NONCLINICAL LABORATORY STUDIES Disqualification of Testing Facilities § 58.200 Purpose. (a) The purposes of... testing facility which has failed to comply with the requirements of the good laboratory practice...

40 CFR 63.11118 - Requirements for facilities with monthly throughput of 100,000 gallons of gasoline or more.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... Management Practices § 63.11118 Requirements for facilities with monthly throughput of 100,000 gallons of...)(1) or paragraph (b)(2) of this section. (1) Each management practice in Table 1 to this subpart that...) Operates using management practices at least as stringent as those in Table 1 to this subpart. (ii) Your...

Metrics for Success: Strategies for Enabling Core Facility Performance and Assessing Outcomes

PubMed Central

Hockberger, Philip E.; Meyn, Susan M.; Nicklin, Connie; Tabarini, Diane; Auger, Julie A.

2016-01-01

Core Facilities are key elements in the research portfolio of academic and private research institutions. Administrators overseeing core facilities (core administrators) require assessment tools for evaluating the need and effectiveness of these facilities at their institutions. This article discusses ways to promote best practices in core facilities as well as ways to evaluate their performance across 8 of the following categories: general management, research and technical staff, financial management, customer base and satisfaction, resource management, communications, institutional impact, and strategic planning. For each category, we provide lessons learned that we believe contribute to the effective and efficient overall management of core facilities. If done well, we believe that encouraging best practices and evaluating performance in core facilities will demonstrate and reinforce the importance of core facilities in the research and educational mission of institutions. It will also increase job satisfaction of those working in core facilities and improve the likelihood of sustainability of both facilities and personnel. PMID:26848284

Metrics for Success: Strategies for Enabling Core Facility Performance and Assessing Outcomes.

PubMed

Turpen, Paula B; Hockberger, Philip E; Meyn, Susan M; Nicklin, Connie; Tabarini, Diane; Auger, Julie A

2016-04-01

Core Facilities are key elements in the research portfolio of academic and private research institutions. Administrators overseeing core facilities (core administrators) require assessment tools for evaluating the need and effectiveness of these facilities at their institutions. This article discusses ways to promote best practices in core facilities as well as ways to evaluate their performance across 8 of the following categories: general management, research and technical staff, financial management, customer base and satisfaction, resource management, communications, institutional impact, and strategic planning. For each category, we provide lessons learned that we believe contribute to the effective and efficient overall management of core facilities. If done well, we believe that encouraging best practices and evaluating performance in core facilities will demonstrate and reinforce the importance of core facilities in the research and educational mission of institutions. It will also increase job satisfaction of those working in core facilities and improve the likelihood of sustainability of both facilities and personnel.

Foods served in child care facilities participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program: Menu match and agreement with the new meal patterns and best practices

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Our objective was to assess the agreement of posted menus with foods served to 3- to 5-year-old children attending federal Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)-enrolled facilities, and the degree to which the facilities met the new meal patterns and best practices. On-site observations and menu...

Profile of medical waste management in two healthcare facilities in Lagos, Nigeria: a case study.

PubMed

Idowu, Ibijoke; Alo, Babajide; Atherton, William; Al Khaddar, Rafid

2013-05-01

Proper management and safe disposal of medical waste (MW) is vital in the reduction of infection or illness through contact with discarded material and in the prevention of environmental contamination in hospital facilities. The management practices for MW in selected healthcare facilities in Lagos, Nigeria were assessed. The cross-sectional study involved the use of questionnaires, in-depth interviews, focused group discussions and participant observation strategies. It also involved the collection, segregation, identification and weighing of waste types from wards and units in the representative facilities in Lagos, Nigeria, for qualitative and quantitative analysis of the MW streams. The findings indicated that the selected Nigerian healthcare facilities were lacking in the adoption of sound MW management (MWM) practices. The average MW ranged from 0.01 kg/bed/day to 3.98 kg/bed/day. Moreover, about 30% of the domestic waste from the healthcare facilities consisted of MW due to inappropriate co-disposal practices. Multiple linear regression was applied to predict the volume of waste generated giving a correlation coefficient (R(2)) value of 0.99 confirming a good fit of the data. This study revealed that the current MWM practices and strategies in Lagos are weak, and suggests an urgent need for review to achieve vital reversals in the current trends.

Schwab, Bagley, and Dewey: Concerns for the Theoretic and the Practical.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Null, J. Wesley

2000-01-01

Outlines the philosophies and theories of Joseph Schwab (deliberation toward decision), William Bagley (disciplined classroom progress), and John Dewey (pragmatism and education through occupations). Suggests elements to guide contemporary curriculum: respect for theory and practice; theory as guide, not determinant; and theoretical principles…

Visual Literacy. . .An Overview of Theory and Practice.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

DeSantis, Lucille Burbank; Pett, Dennis W.

Visual Literacy is a field that encompasses a variety of theoretical constructs and practical considerations relating to communicating with visual signs. The theoretical constructs that influence visual communication primarily fall into two closely interrelated categories: those that relate to the individuals involved in the communication process,…

Theoretical, Practical and Personal Domains in the Curriculum of Teacher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ingram, James B.

1974-01-01

This survey of teacher trainers in Rhodesia considers their intentions in teaching with respect to three domains of teacher education -- theoretical, practical, and personal. The study assumes that the effectiveness of a curriculum is ultimately dependent on the intentions of its teachers. (JH)

Rethinking Experience: What Do We Mean by This Word "Experience"?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fox, Karen

2008-01-01

This paper uses autoethnography to reassess the concept "experience" and the lack of theoretical frameworks within experiential education for delimiting experience within the practices and research around experiential, adventure, and outdoor education. Although a pivotal and essential part of practice, theoretical understandings of experience have…

Combustion Of Interacting Droplet Arrays In Microgravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dietrich, D. L.; Struk, P. M.; Ikegami, M.; Xu, G.

2003-01-01

Theory and experiments involving single droplet combustion date back to 1953, with the first microgravity work appearing in 1956. The problem of a spherical droplet burning in an infinite, quiescent microgravity environment is a classical problem in combustion research with the classical solution appearing in nearly every textbook on combustion. The microgravity environment offered by ground-based facilities such as drop towers and space-based facilities is ideal for studying the problem experimentally. A recent review by Choi and Dryer shows significant advances in droplet combustion have been made by studying the problem experimentally in microgravity and comparing the results to one dimensional theoretical and numerical treatments of the problem. Studying small numbers of interacting droplets in a well-controlled geometry represents a logical step in extending single droplet investigations to more practical spray configurations. Studies of droplet interactions date back to Rex and co-workers, and were recently summarized by Annamalai and Ryan. All previous studies determined the change in the burning rate constant, k, or the flame characteristics as a result of interactions. There exists almost no information on how droplet interactions a effect extinction limits, and if the extinction limits change if the array is in the diffusive or the radiative extinction regime. Thus, this study examined experimentally the effect that droplet interactions have on the extinction process by investigating the simplest array configuration, a binary droplet array. The studies were both in normal gravity, reduced pressure ambients and microgravity facilities. The microgravity facilities were the 2.2 and 5.2 second drop towers at the NASA Glenn Research Center and the 10 second drop tower at the Japan Microgravity Center. The experimental apparatus and the data analysis techniques are discussed in detail elsewhere.

Diagnosing and dealing with multicollinearity.

PubMed

Schroeder, M A

1990-04-01

The purpose of this article was to increase nurse researchers' awareness of the effects of collinear data in developing theoretical models for nursing practice. Collinear data distort the true value of the estimates generated from ordinary least-squares analysis. Theoretical models developed to provide the underpinnings of nursing practice need not be abandoned, however, because they fail to produce consistent estimates over repeated applications. It is also important to realize that multicollinearity is a data problem, not a problem associated with misspecification of a theorectical model. An investigator must first be aware of the problem, and then it is possible to develop an educated solution based on the degree of multicollinearity, theoretical considerations, and sources of error associated with alternative, biased, least-square regression techniques. Decisions based on theoretical and statistical considerations will further the development of theory-based nursing practice.

[A framework for evaluating ethical issues of public health initiatives: practical aspects and theoretical implications].

PubMed

Petrini, Carlo

2015-01-01

The "Framework for the Ethical Conduct of Public Health Initiatives", developed by Public Health Ontario, is a practical guide for assessing the ethical implications of evidence-generating public health initiatives, whether research or non-research activities, involving people, their biological materials or their personal information. The Framework is useful not only to those responsible for determining the ethical acceptability of an initiative, but also to investigators planning new public health initiatives. It is informed by a theoretical approach that draws on widely shared bioethical principles. Two considerations emerge from both the theoretical framework and its practical application: the line between practice and research is often blurred; public health ethics and biomedical research ethics are based on the same common heritage of values.

Infection control in delivery care units, Gujarat state, India: A needs assessment

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Increasingly, women in India attend health facilities for childbirth, partly due to incentives paid under government programs. Increased use of health facilities can alleviate the risks of infections contracted in unhygienic home deliveries, but poor infection control practices in labour and delivery units also cause puerperal sepsis and other infections of childbirth. A needs assessment was conducted to provide information on procedures and practices related to infection control in labour and delivery units in Gujarat state, India. Methods Twenty health care facilities, including private and public primary health centres and referral hospitals, were sampled from two districts in Gujarat state, India. Three pre-tested tools for interviewing and for observation were used. Data collection was based on existing infection control guidelines for clean practices, clean equipment, clean environment and availability of diagnostics and treatment. The study was carried out from April to May 2009. Results Seventy percent of respondents said that standard infection control procedures were followed, but a written procedure was only available in 5% of facilities. Alcohol rubs were not used for hand cleaning and surgical gloves were reused in over 70% of facilities, especially for vaginal examinations in the labour room. Most types of equipment and supplies were available but a third of facilities did not have wash basins with "hands-free" taps. Only 15% of facilities reported that wiping of surfaces was done immediately after each delivery in labour rooms. Blood culture services were available in 25% of facilities and antibiotics are widely given to women after normal delivery. A few facilities had data on infections and reported rates of 3% to 5%. Conclusions This study of current infection control procedures and practices during labour and delivery in health facilities in Gujarat revealed a need for improved information systems, protocols and procedures, and for training and research. Simply incentivizing the behaviour of women to use health facilities for childbirth via government schemes may not guarantee safe delivery. PMID:21599924

Development of a standardized transfusion ratio as a metric for evaluating dialysis facility anemia management practices.

PubMed

Liu, Jiannong; Li, Suying; Gilbertson, David T; Monda, Keri L; Bradbury, Brian D; Collins, Allan J

2014-10-01

Because transfusion avoidance has been the cornerstone of anemia treatment for patients with kidney disease, direct measurement of red blood cell transfusion use to assess dialysis facility anemia management performance is reasonable. We aimed to explore methods for estimating facility-level standardized transfusion ratios (STfRs) to assess provider anemia treatment practices. Retrospective cohort study. Point prevalent US hemodialysis patients on January 1, 2009, with Medicare as primary payer and dialysis duration of 90 days or longer were included (n = 223,901). All dialysis facilities with eligible patients were included (n = 5,345). Dialysis facility assignment. Receiving a red blood cell transfusion in the inpatient or outpatient setting. We evaluated 3 approaches for estimating STfR: ratio of observed to expected numbers of transfusions (STfR(obs)), a Bayesian approach (STfR(Bayes)), and a modified version of the Bayesian approach (STfR(modBayes)). The overall national transfusion rate in 2009 was 23.2 per 100 patient-years. Our model for predicting the expected number of transfusions performed well. For large facilities, all 3 STfRs worked well. However, for small facilities, while the STfR(modBayes) worked well, STfR(obs) values demonstrated instability and the STfR(Bayes) may produce more bias. Administration of transfusions to dialysis patients reflects medical practice both within and outside the dialysis unit. Some transfusions may be deemed unavoidable and transfusion practices are subject to considerable regional variation. Development of an STfR metric is feasible and reasonable for assessing anemia treatment at dialysis facilities. The STfR(obs) is simple to calculate and works well for larger dialysis facilities. The STfR(modBayes) is more analytically complex, but facilitates comparisons across all dialysis facilities, including small facilities. Copyright © 2014 National Kidney Foundation, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

MUNICIPAL WASTE COMBUSTION ASSESSMENT: MEDICAL WASTE COMBUSTION PRACTICES AT MUNICIPAL WASTE COMBUSTION FACILITIES

EPA Science Inventory

The report defines and characterizes types of medical waste, discusses the impacts of burning medical waste on combustor emissions, and outlines important handling and operating considerations. Facility-specific design, handling, and operating practiced are also discussed for mun...

Medicine as a Community of Practice: Implications for Medical Education.

PubMed

Cruess, Richard L; Cruess, Sylvia R; Steinert, Yvonne

2018-02-01

The presence of a variety of independent learning theories makes it difficult for medical educators to construct a comprehensive theoretical framework for medical education, resulting in numerous and often unrelated curricular, instructional, and assessment practices. Linked with an understanding of identity formation, the concept of communities of practice could provide such a framework, emphasizing the social nature of learning. Individuals wish to join the community, moving from legitimate peripheral to full participation, acquiring the identity of community members and accepting the community's norms.Having communities of practice as the theoretical basis of medical education does not diminish the value of other learning theories. Communities of practice can serve as the foundational theory, and other theories can provide a theoretical basis for the multiple educational activities that take place within the community, thus helping create an integrated theoretical approach.Communities of practice can guide the development of interventions to make medical education more effective and can help both learners and educators better cope with medical education's complexity. An initial step is to acknowledge the potential of communities of practice as the foundational theory. Educational initiatives that could result from this approach include adding communities of practice to the cognitive base; actively engaging students in joining the community; creating a welcoming community; expanding the emphasis on explicitly addressing role modeling, mentoring, experiential learning, and reflection; providing faculty development to support the program; and recognizing the necessity to chart progress toward membership in the community.

Beyond the Language Classroom

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Benson, Phil, Ed.; Reinders, Hayo, Ed.

2011-01-01

This comprehensive exploration of theoretical and practical aspects of out-of-class teaching and learning, from a variety of perspectives and in various settings around the world, includes a theoretical overview of the field, 11 data-based case studies, and practical advice on materials development for independent learning. Contents of this book…

Translating Theoretical Principles to Classroom Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Robbins, Sheri

2017-01-01

This study followed two teacher candidates from the Communities as Resources in Early Childhood Teacher Education (CREATE) project into their first year classrooms to determine whether they were able to translate the theoretical principles from their teacher preparation program into practice during their first year of teaching. It also examined…

Teacher Beliefs and Classroom Practices Cognitive Dissonance in High Stakes Test-Influenced Environments

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Guerra, Patricia L.; Wubbena, Zane C.

2017-01-01

In the current study, the authors qualitatively investigate, through the theoretical perspective of cognitive dissonance, the relationship between teacher beliefs and their associated teacher practices at two public elementary schools with diverse student populations. They argue that while teachers may hold theoretical beliefs about culturally…

The Logic of the Theoretical and Practical Products of Design Research

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Easterday, Matthew W.; Rees Lewis, Daniel G.; Gerber, Elizabeth M.

2016-01-01

Design research (DR) promises to simultaneously solve practical problems of education and develop theory to guide future interventions. However, educational DR remains paradigmatically underdeveloped, making it difficult to train new researchers, to agree upon what makes a theoretical contribution, and to promise clear outputs to funders--all of…

Counselor Trainees' Views on Their Forthcoming Experiences in Practicum Course

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kurtyilmaz, Yildiz

2015-01-01

Problem Statement: The counseling profession requires specific education and training to equip counselor trainees with necessary knowledge and skills. Therefore, they are required not only to acquire theoretical knowledge but also to integrate it into practice. Especially, the integration of theoretical knowledge into practice is optimally…

What is an Objective Structured Practical Examination in Anatomy?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yaqinuddin, Ahmed; Zafar, Muhammad; Ikram, Muhammad Faisal; Ganguly, Paul

2013-01-01

Assessing teaching-learning outcomes in anatomical knowledge is a complex task that requires the evaluation of multiple domains: theoretical, practical, and clinical knowledge. In general, theoretical knowledge is tested by a written examination system constituted by multiple choice questions (MCQs) and/or short answer questions (SAQ). The…

Papers on Theoretical Issues in Health Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

California Univ., Berkeley. School of Public Health.

This document is a collection of 17 papers on theoretical issues in health education presented at the Dorothy Nyswander International Symposium. The introduction, entitled "Theory and Practice in Health Education: A Synthesis," attempts to highlight some of the features of these papers and their relevance for health education practice. The papers…

10 CFR 4.127 - Existing facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 10 Energy 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Existing facilities. 4.127 Section 4.127 Energy NUCLEAR... 1973, as Amended Discriminatory Practices § 4.127 Existing facilities. (a) Accessibility. A recipient... make each of its existing facilities or every part of an existing facility accessible to and usable by...

40 CFR 160.43 - Test system care facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... testing facility shall have a number of animal rooms or other test system areas separate from those... GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE STANDARDS Facilities § 160.43 Test system care facilities. (a) A testing facility shall have a sufficient number of animal rooms or other test system areas, as needed, to ensure...

40 CFR 160.43 - Test system care facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... testing facility shall have a number of animal rooms or other test system areas separate from those... GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE STANDARDS Facilities § 160.43 Test system care facilities. (a) A testing facility shall have a sufficient number of animal rooms or other test system areas, as needed, to ensure...

Distinguishing integrative from eclectic practice in cognitive behavioral therapies.

PubMed

Petrik, Alexandra M; Kazantzis, Nikolaos; Hofmann, Stefan G

2013-09-01

In psychotherapy research, practice, and training, there remains marked controversy about the merits of theoretical purism (i.e., model specific), versus integration, as well as how such principles may be represented in practice. Adding to the confusion is that many attributes of the therapeutic relationship, processes in therapy, and techniques have been popularized in the context of one or two theoretical approaches, but are incorporated into the practice of many approaches. This article demonstrates the various ways in which three core interventions (i.e., activity scheduling, self-monitoring, and identification, evaluation, and modification of thoughts) can be applied within the context of different cognitive and behavioral therapeutic models. It also demonstrates the role of in-session therapist language in describing the theoretical basis and processes underpinning therapeutic interventions. Case examples are presented to illustrate therapy provided by two hypothetical clinicians, Therapist A and Therapist B. Whether or not a practitioner elects to practice integrative psychotherapy, we advocate for consistency in the theoretical approach through the course of a service for a particular patient. Implications are outlined and discussed within the context of the current state of cognitive and behaviorally focused psychotherapies and integrative psychotherapy. 2013 APA, all rights reserved

Novice to Expert Practice via Postprofessional Athletic Training Education: A Grounded Theory

PubMed Central

Neibert, Peter J

2009-01-01

Objective: To discover the theoretic constructs that confirm, disconfirm, or extend the principles and their applications appropriate for National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA)–accredited postprofessional athletic training education programs. Design: Interviews at the 2003 NATA Annual Meeting & Clinical Symposia. Setting: Qualitative study using grounded theory procedures. Patients and Other Participants: Thirteen interviews were conducted with postprofessional graduates. Participants were purposefully selected based on theoretic sampling and availability. Data Collection and Analysis: The transcribed interviews were analyzed using open coding, axial coding, and selective coding procedures. Member checks, reflective journaling, and triangulation were used to ensure trustworthiness. Results: The participants' comments confirmed and extended the current principles of postprofessional athletic training education programs and offered additional suggestions for more effective practical applications. Conclusions: The emergence of this central category of novice to expert practice is a paramount finding. The tightly woven fabric of the 10 processes, when interlaced with one another, provides a strong tapestry supporting novice to expert practice via postprofessional athletic training education. The emergence of this theoretic position pushes postprofessional graduate athletic training education forward to the future for further investigation into the theoretic constructs of novice to expert practice. PMID:19593420

Physician-based transactions: the sale of medical practices, ambulatory surgery centers, and dialysis facilities.

PubMed

Becker, S; Pristave, R J

1995-01-01

This article provides an overview of the critical business and legal issues encountered in sales of practices, ambulatory surgery centers, and dialysis facilities. Specifically, it discusses prototypical valuations, transaction structures, and the principal legal issues that must be addressed.

Good Laboratory Practices of Materials Testing at NASA White Sands Test Facility

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hirsch, David; Williams, James H.

2005-01-01

An approach to good laboratory practices of materials testing at NASA White Sands Test Facility is presented. The contents include: 1) Current approach; 2) Data analysis; and 3) Improvements sought by WSTF to enhance the diagnostic capability of existing methods.

Benchmarking the FCI at Illinois State's Residential Life.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cain, David A.

1998-01-01

Describes how Office of Residential Life at one university met maintenance challenges facing its residential and food-service facilities. Discusses study conducted in 1992 to evaluate widespread management practices and addresses its findings, including six recommended practices. Examines development and implementation of facilities audit,…

Practical color vision tests for air traffic control applicants : en route center and terminal facilities.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1995-04-01

Two practical color vision tests were developed and validated for use in screening Air Traffic Control specialist (ATCS) applicants for work at en route center or terminal facilities. The development of the tests involved careful reproduction/simulat...

Improving water, sanitation and hygiene in health-care facilities, Liberia.

PubMed

Abrampah, Nana Mensah; Montgomery, Maggie; Baller, April; Ndivo, Francis; Gasasira, Alex; Cooper, Catherine; Frescas, Ruben; Gordon, Bruce; Syed, Shamsuzzoha Babar

2017-07-01

The lack of proper water and sanitation infrastructures and poor hygiene practices in health-care facilities reduces facilities' preparedness and response to disease outbreaks and decreases the communities' trust in the health services provided. To improve water and sanitation infrastructures and hygiene practices, the Liberian health ministry held multistakeholder meetings to develop a national water, sanitation and hygiene and environmental health package. A national train-the-trainer course was held for county environmental health technicians, which included infection prevention and control focal persons; the focal persons acted as change agents. In Liberia, only 45% of 701 surveyed health-care facilities had an improved water source in 2015, and only 27% of these health-care facilities had proper disposal for infectious waste. Local ownership, through engagement of local health workers, was introduced to ensure development and refinement of the package. In-county collaborations between health-care facilities, along with multisectoral collaboration, informed national level direction, which led to increased focus on water and sanitation infrastructures and uptake of hygiene practices to improve the overall quality of service delivery. National level leadership was important to identify a vision and create an enabling environment for changing the perception of water, sanitation and hygiene in health-care provision. The involvement of health workers was central to address basic infrastructure and hygiene practices in health-care facilities and they also worked as stimulators for sustainable change. Further, developing a long-term implementation plan for national level initiatives is important to ensure sustainability.

Bag free in the Bay State.

PubMed

Hurwitz, Anita Gupta; Farrow, Phillip R; Preer, Genevieve; Philipp, Barbara L

2014-06-01

The deleterious effect of formula company-sponsored discharge bags on breastfeeding is well established. As of July 2012, all 49 maternity facilities in Massachusetts had banned these bags, making it the second "bag-free" state in the United States. Obstacles to changing this long-standing practice were numerous, including concerns regarding the cost of a substitute gift. This study was designed to describe what practices maternity facilities in Massachusetts have adopted in place of giving out a formula company-sponsored discharge bag. Maternity facilities in Massachusetts were surveyed regarding discharge gift practices. Information was collected regarding gifts given and cost. The response rate was 100%. Fifty-nine percent of the facilities replaced the formula company-sponsored bag with their own gift bag carrying the hospital's logo. Bags were either given empty or contained educational materials and/or a gift such as a T-shirt, hat, or baby book. Fourteen percent of the facilities gave a gift that did not include a bag. Twenty-seven percent of facilities gave no gift. Cost of the gifts ranged from $1 to $35, with a mean cost of $10.67. The hospital budget was used to partially or fully fund 58% of gifts; 22% were covered in part by donations. Although most maternity facilities surveyed replaced the formula company-sponsored discharge bag with a different gift, one-quarter gave no replacement. These data indicate that discontinuing discharge gifts can be a readily accepted, cost-neutral step toward evidence-based breastfeeding best practice.

21 CFR 211.52 - Washing and toilet facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

...) DRUGS: GENERAL CURRENT GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICE FOR FINISHED PHARMACEUTICALS Buildings and Facilities... cold water, soap or detergent, air driers or single-service towels, and clean toilet facilities easily...

21 CFR 211.52 - Washing and toilet facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

...) DRUGS: GENERAL CURRENT GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICE FOR FINISHED PHARMACEUTICALS Buildings and Facilities... cold water, soap or detergent, air driers or single-service towels, and clean toilet facilities easily...

21 CFR 211.52 - Washing and toilet facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

...) DRUGS: GENERAL CURRENT GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICE FOR FINISHED PHARMACEUTICALS Buildings and Facilities... cold water, soap or detergent, air driers or single-service towels, and clean toilet facilities easily...

21 CFR 211.52 - Washing and toilet facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

...) DRUGS: GENERAL CURRENT GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICE FOR FINISHED PHARMACEUTICALS Buildings and Facilities... cold water, soap or detergent, air driers or single-service towels, and clean toilet facilities easily...

21 CFR 211.52 - Washing and toilet facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

...) DRUGS: GENERAL CURRENT GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICE FOR FINISHED PHARMACEUTICALS Buildings and Facilities... cold water, soap or detergent, air driers or single-service towels, and clean toilet facilities easily...

Urban Watershed Research Facility at Edison Environmental Center

EPA Science Inventory

The Urban Watershed Research Facility (UWRF) is an isolated, 20-acre open space within EPA’s 200 acre Edison facility established to develop and evaluate the performance of stormwater management practices under controlled conditions. The facility includes greenhouses that allow ...

Enforcement Alert: Hazardous Waste Management Practices at Mineral Processing Facilities Under Scrutiny by U.S. EPA; EPA Clarifies 'Bevill Exclusion' Wastes and Establishes Disposal Standards

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

This is the enforcement alert for Hazardous Waste Management Practices at Mineral Processing Facilities Under Scrutiny by U.S. EPA; EPA Clarifies 'Bevill Exclusion' Wastes and Establishes Disposal Standards

Lithium metal protection enabled by in-situ olefin polymerization for high-performance secondary lithium sulfur batteries

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

An, Yongling; Zhang, Zhen; Fei, Huifang; Xu, Xiaoyan; Xiong, Shenglin; Feng, Jinkui; Ci, Lijie

2017-09-01

Lithium metal is considered to be the optimal choice of next-generation anode materials due to its ultrahigh theoretical capacity and the lowest redox potential. However, the growth of dendritic and mossy lithium for rechargeable Li metal batteries lead to the possible short circuiting and subsequently serious safety issues during charge/discharge cycles. For the further practical applications of Li anode, here we report a facile method for fabricating robust interfacial layer via in-situ olefin polymerization. The resulting polymer layer effectively suppresses the formation of Li dendrites and enables the long-term operation of Li metal batteries. Using Li-S cells as a test system, we also demonstrate an improved capacity retention with the protection of tetramethylethylene-polymer. Our results indicate that this method could be a promising strategy to tackle the intrinsic problems of lithium metal anodes and promote the development of Li metal batteries.

Wafer-Scale and Wrinkle-Free Epitaxial Growth of Single-Orientated Multilayer Hexagonal Boron Nitride on Sapphire.

PubMed

Jang, A-Rang; Hong, Seokmo; Hyun, Chohee; Yoon, Seong In; Kim, Gwangwoo; Jeong, Hu Young; Shin, Tae Joo; Park, Sung O; Wong, Kester; Kwak, Sang Kyu; Park, Noejung; Yu, Kwangnam; Choi, Eunjip; Mishchenko, Artem; Withers, Freddie; Novoselov, Kostya S; Lim, Hyunseob; Shin, Hyeon Suk

2016-05-11

Large-scale growth of high-quality hexagonal boron nitride has been a challenge in two-dimensional-material-based electronics. Herein, we present wafer-scale and wrinkle-free epitaxial growth of multilayer hexagonal boron nitride on a sapphire substrate by using high-temperature and low-pressure chemical vapor deposition. Microscopic and spectroscopic investigations and theoretical calculations reveal that synthesized hexagonal boron nitride has a single rotational orientation with AA' stacking order. A facile method for transferring hexagonal boron nitride onto other target substrates was developed, which provides the opportunity for using hexagonal boron nitride as a substrate in practical electronic circuits. A graphene field effect transistor fabricated on our hexagonal boron nitride sheets shows clear quantum oscillation and highly improved carrier mobility because the ultraflatness of the hexagonal boron nitride surface can reduce the substrate-induced degradation of the carrier mobility of two-dimensional materials.

Development of a short-form Learning Organization Survey: the LOS-27.

PubMed

Singer, Sara J; Moore, Scott C; Meterko, Mark; Williams, Sandra

2012-08-01

Despite urgent need for innovation, adaptation, and change in health care, few tools enable researchers or practitioners to assess the extent to which health care facilities perform as learning organizations or the effects of initiatives that require learning. This study's objective was to develop and test a short-form Learning Organization Survey to fill this gap. The authors applied exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis to data from Veterans Health Administration personnel to derive a short-form survey and then conducted further confirmatory factor analysis and factor invariance testing on additional Veterans Health Administration data to evaluate the short form. Results suggest that a 27-item, 7-factor survey (2 environmental factors, 1 on leadership, and 4 on concrete learning processes and practices) reliably measures key features of organizational learning, allowing researchers to evaluate theoretical propositions about organizational learning, its antecedents, and outcomes and enabling managers to assess and enhance organizations' learning capabilities and performance.

The Dental Solid Waste Management in Different Categories of Dental Laboratories in Abha City, Saudi Arabia

PubMed Central

Haralur, Satheesh B.; Al-Qahtani, Ali S.; Al-Qarni, Marie M.; Al-Homrany, Rami M.; Aboalkhair, Ayyob E.; Madalakote, Sujatha S.

2015-01-01

Aim: To study the awareness, attitude, practice and facilities among the different categories of dental laboratories in Abha city. Materials and Methods: A total of 80 dental technicians were surveyed in the study. The dental laboratories included in the study were teaching institute (Group I), Government Hospital (Group II), Private Dental Clinic (Group III) and Independent laboratory (Group IV). The pre-tested anonymous questionnaire was used to understand knowledge, attitude, facilities, practice and orientation regarding biomedical waste management. Results: The knowledge of biomedical waste categories, colour coding and segregation was better among Group I (55-65%) and Group II (65-75%). The lowest standard of waste disposal was practiced at Group IV (15-20%) and Group III (25-35%). The availability of disposal facilities was poor at Group IV. The continuous education on biomedical waste management lacked in all the Groups. Conclusion: The significant improvement in disposal facilities was required at Group III and Group IV laboratories. All dental technicians were in need of regular training of biomedical waste management. Clinical Significance: The dental laboratories are an integral part of dental practice. The dental laboratories are actively involved in the generation, handling and disposal of biomedical waste. Hence, it is important to assess the biomedical waste management knowledge, attitude, facilities and practice among different categories of dental laboratories. PMID:26962373

9 CFR 3.75 - Housing facilities, general.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... requirements differ, as do their social and environmental requirements. As a result, the conditions appropriate... for proper husbandry practices and research needs. Housing facilities other than those maintained by research facilities and Federal research facilities must be physically separated from any other businesses...

Infection control challenges in deployed US military treatment facilities.

PubMed

Hospenthal, Duane R; Crouch, Helen K

2009-04-01

Personnel sustaining combat-related injuries in current overseas conflicts continue to have their care complicated by infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms, including Acinetobacter, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas. Although presumed to be due to multiple factors both within and outside of the combat theater, concern has been raised about the difficulties in establishing and maintaining standard infection control (IC) practices in deployed medical treatment facilities and in the evacuation of the injured back to the United States. Level III facilities (hospitals capable of holding patients >72 hours) in Iraq and Afghanistan and the evacuation system from Iraq to the continental US were reviewed by an expert IC-infectious disease team. All reviewed facilities had established IC programs, but these were staffed by personnel with limited IC experience, often without perceived adequate time dedicated to perform their duties, and without uniform levels of command emphasis or support. Proper hand hygiene between patients was not always ideal. Isolation and cohorting of patients to decrease multidrug-resistant organism colonization and infection varied among facilities. Review of standard operating procedures found variability among institutions and in quality of these documents. Application of US national and theater-specific guidelines and of antimicrobial control measures also varied among facilities. Effective IC practices are often difficult to maintain in modern US hospitals. In the deployed setting, with ever-changing personnel in a less than optimal practice environment, IC is even more challenging. Standardization of practice with emphasis on the basics of IC practice (e.g., hand hygiene and isolation procedures) needs to be emplaced and maintained in the deployed setting.

A Laser Based Fusion Test Facility

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-10-01

Nike laser have explored the intensities employed by these Report Documentation Page Form ApprovedOMB No. 0704-0188 Public reporting burden for the...and best beam smoothing with KrF makes it the most resistant to such instability. As discussed above, recent experiments using the Nike facility...support this expectation. There is ongoing experimental and theoretical work on Nike , Omega, and eventually NIF to determine these intensity limits

21 CFR 58.43 - Animal care facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Animal care facilities. 58.43 Section 58.43 Food... LABORATORY PRACTICE FOR NONCLINICAL LABORATORY STUDIES Facilities § 58.43 Animal care facilities. (a) A testing facility shall have a sufficient number of animal rooms or areas, as needed, to assure proper: (1...

21 CFR 58.43 - Animal care facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Animal care facilities. 58.43 Section 58.43 Food... LABORATORY PRACTICE FOR NONCLINICAL LABORATORY STUDIES Facilities § 58.43 Animal care facilities. (a) A testing facility shall have a sufficient number of animal rooms or areas, as needed, to assure proper: (1...

21 CFR 58.43 - Animal care facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Animal care facilities. 58.43 Section 58.43 Food... LABORATORY PRACTICE FOR NONCLINICAL LABORATORY STUDIES Facilities § 58.43 Animal care facilities. (a) A testing facility shall have a sufficient number of animal rooms or areas, as needed, to assure proper: (1...

21 CFR 58.43 - Animal care facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Animal care facilities. 58.43 Section 58.43 Food... LABORATORY PRACTICE FOR NONCLINICAL LABORATORY STUDIES Facilities § 58.43 Animal care facilities. (a) A testing facility shall have a sufficient number of animal rooms or areas, as needed, to assure proper: (1...

21 CFR 58.43 - Animal care facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Animal care facilities. 58.43 Section 58.43 Food... LABORATORY PRACTICE FOR NONCLINICAL LABORATORY STUDIES Facilities § 58.43 Animal care facilities. (a) A testing facility shall have a sufficient number of animal rooms or areas, as needed, to assure proper: (1...

The Practical and Theoretical Underpinning of Inclusion for College Students amidst Diverse Intersectionality

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jaymes, Mariyah

2017-01-01

American higher education is facing another major transition with escalating costs, an influx of diverse students, and an over all question about the return on investment for higher education. Within these complexities, this essay will consider the practical history and theoretical underpinning which inform the experience for students with complex…

On the Theoretical and Practical Consistency of Neoclassicism as a Theoretical Platform of Economic Disciplines

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dyshaeva, Lyudmila

2017-01-01

The article discusses the scientific and practical validity of the neoclassical theory, which forms the basis of training courses in economic theory and institutional economics in accordance with the current Educational Standards of the Russian Federation. Critical analysis of the "supply economy" theory that emerged in line with…

Theoretical Beliefs and Instructional Practices Used for Teaching Spelling in Elementary Classrooms

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McNeill, Brigid; Kirk, Cecilia

2014-01-01

The current study aimed to examine teachers' reported spelling assessment and instruction practices. Analysis of the match between teachers' theoretical beliefs about spelling and their reported pedagogy was conducted to elucidate factors that may support or impede the use of evidence-based teaching strategies in the classroom. An electronic…

The Soul of Teaching and Professional Learning: An Appreciative Inquiry into the Enneagram of Reflective Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Luckcock, Tim

2007-01-01

This paper makes a contribution to the theory and practice of educational action research by introducing two theoretical and methodological resources as part of a personal review of sustained professional experience: "appreciative inquiry" and the "enneagram". It is more than a theoretical exercise, however, because it also…

Historical and Theoretical Development of Culturally Competent Social Work Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kohli, Hermeet K.; Huber, Ruth; Faul, Anna C.

2010-01-01

This article provides a detailed review of the historical and theoretical context in which culturally competent practice has evolved in the social work profession and enables educators and practitioners to see holistic connections between the past and present. Historical review of the inclusion of diversity content is followed by definitions of…

The Relationship between Early Elementary Teachers' Instructional Practices and Theoretical Orientations and Students' Growth in Writing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ritchey, Kristen D.; Coker, David L., Jr.; Jackson, Allison F.

2015-01-01

We investigated the relationship between 28 teachers' theoretical orientations to writing instruction and self-reported instructional practices and student writing performance. First-, second-, and third-grade teachers completed the Teacher Writing Orientation Scale developed by Graham, Harris, MacArthur, and Fink (2002) and reported the frequency…

The composition of heterogeneous control laws

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kuipers, Benjamin; Astrom, Karl

1991-01-01

The fuzzy control literature and industrial practice provide certain nonlinear methods for combining heterogeneous control laws, but these methods have been very difficult to analyze theoretically. An alternate formulation and extension of this approach is presented that has several practical and theoretical benefits. An example of heterogeneous control is given and two alternate analysis methods are presented.

Contextualising Vocational Knowledge: A Theoretical Framework and Illustrations from Culinary Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Heusdens, W. T.; Bakker, A.; Baartman, L. K. J.; De Bruijn, E.

2016-01-01

The nature of knowledge in vocational education is often described in dichotomies such as theory versus practice or general versus specific. Although different scholars now acknowledge that vocational knowledge is more than putting bits of theoretical and practical knowledge together, it is still unclear how vocational knowledge should be…

Appraising the Qualities of Social Work Students' Theoretical Knowledge: A Qualitative Exploration

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

van Bommel, Marijke; Boshuizen, Henny P. A.; Kwakman, Kitty

2012-01-01

Higher professional education aims to prepare students for entering practice with an adequate theoretical body of knowledge. In constructivist programmes, authentic learning contexts and self-directed learning are assumed to support knowledge learning and the transition from education to practice. Through an in-depth exploration, this case study…

STD testing policies and practices in U.S. city and county jails.

PubMed

Parece, M S; Herrera, G A; Voigt, R F; Middlekauff, S L; Irwin, K L

1999-09-01

Studies have shown that sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates are high in the incarcerated population. However, little is known about STD testing policies or practices in jails. To assess STD testing policies and practices in jails. The Division of STD Prevention developed and distributed an e-mail survey to 94 counties reporting more than 40 primary and secondary cases in 1996 or having cities with more than 200,000 persons. State and local STD program managers completed the assessment in collaboration with health departments and the main jail facilities in the selected counties. Most facilities (52-77%) had a policy for STD screening based only on symptoms or by arrestee request, and in these facilities, 0.2% to 6% of arrestees were tested. Facilities having a policy of offering routine testing tested only 3% to 45% of arrestees. Large facilities, facilities using public providers, and facilities routinely testing for syphilis using Stat RPR tested significantly more arrestees (P<0.05). Approximately half of the arrestees were released within 48 hours after intake, whereas 45% of facilities did not have STD testing results until after 48 hours. Most facilities had a policy for STD screening based only on symptoms or by arrestee request. Facilities having a policy of routine STD testing are not testing most of the arrestees. There is a small window (<48 hours) for STD testing and treatment before release. Smaller jails and facilities using private providers may need additional resources to increase STD testing levels. Correctional facilities should be considered an important setting for STD public health intervention where routine rapid STD screening and treatment on-site could be implemented.

Exploration of the affordances of mobile devices in integrating theory and clinical practice in an undergraduate nursing programme.

PubMed

Willemse, Juliana J; Bozalek, Vivienne

2015-01-01

Promoting the quality and effectiveness of nursing education is an important factor, given the increased demand for nursing professionals. It is important to establish learning environments that provide personalised guidance and feedback to students about their practical skills and application of their theoretical knowledge. To explore and describe the knowledge and points of view of students and educators about introduction of new technologies into an undergraduate nursing programme. The qualitative design used Tesch's (1990) steps of descriptive data analysis to complete thematic analysis of the data collected in focus group discussions (FGDs) and individual interviews to identify themes. Themes identified from the students’ FGDs and individual interviews included: mobile devices as a communication tool; email, WhatsApp and Facebook as methods of communication; WhatsApp as a method of communication; nurses as role-models in the clinical setting; setting personal boundaries; and impact of mobile devices in clinical practice on professionalism. Themes identified from the FGD, individual interviews and a discussion session held with educators included: peer learning via mobile devices; email, WhatsApp and Facebook as methods of communication; the mobile device as a positive learning method; students need practical guidance; and ethical concerns in clinical facilities about Internet access and use of mobile devices. The research project established an understanding of the knowledge and points of view of students and educators regarding introduction of new technologies into an undergraduate nursing programme with the aim of enhancing integration of theory and clinical practice through use of mobile devices.

46 CFR 108.237 - Fuel storage facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... AND EQUIPMENT Construction and Arrangement Helicopter Facilities § 108.237 Fuel storage facilities. (a) Helicopter fuel storage tanks must be installed as far as practicable from— (1) The landing area; and (2...

40 CFR 257.3-2 - Endangered species.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... Endangered Species Act. (2) Destruction or adverse modification means a direct or indirect alteration of... 40 Protection of Environment 26 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Endangered species. 257.3-2 Section... Disposal Facilities and Practices § 257.3-2 Endangered species. (a) Facilities or practices shall not cause...

40 CFR 257.3-2 - Endangered species.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... Endangered Species Act. (2) Destruction or adverse modification means a direct or indirect alteration of... 40 Protection of Environment 25 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Endangered species. 257.3-2 Section... Disposal Facilities and Practices § 257.3-2 Endangered species. (a) Facilities or practices shall not cause...

40 CFR 257.3-2 - Endangered species.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Endangered Species Act. (2) Destruction or adverse modification means a direct or indirect alteration of... 40 Protection of Environment 24 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Endangered species. 257.3-2 Section... Disposal Facilities and Practices § 257.3-2 Endangered species. (a) Facilities or practices shall not cause...

40 CFR 257.3-2 - Endangered species.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... Endangered Species Act. (2) Destruction or adverse modification means a direct or indirect alteration of... 40 Protection of Environment 25 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Endangered species. 257.3-2 Section... Disposal Facilities and Practices § 257.3-2 Endangered species. (a) Facilities or practices shall not cause...

HPV Vaccination Practices Among Juvenile Justice Facilities in the United States

PubMed Central

Henderson, Courtney E.; Rich, Josiah D.; Lally, Michelle A.

2010-01-01

The juvenile justice setting provides a unique opportunity to administer the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to a high-risk, medically underserved population. We examined current HPV vaccination practices in the United States. Most states (39) offer the HPV vaccine to females committed to juvenile justice facilities. PMID:20413087

42 CFR 483.13 - Resident behavior and facility practices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 42 Public Health 5 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Resident behavior and facility practices. 483.13 Section 483.13 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN... has the right to be free from verbal, sexual, physical, and mental abuse, corporal punishment, and...

42 CFR 483.13 - Resident behavior and facility practices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 42 Public Health 5 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Resident behavior and facility practices. 483.13 Section 483.13 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN... has the right to be free from verbal, sexual, physical, and mental abuse, corporal punishment, and...

42 CFR 483.13 - Resident behavior and facility practices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 42 Public Health 5 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Resident behavior and facility practices. 483.13 Section 483.13 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN... has the right to be free from verbal, sexual, physical, and mental abuse, corporal punishment, and...

42 CFR 483.13 - Resident behavior and facility practices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 42 Public Health 5 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Resident behavior and facility practices. 483.13 Section 483.13 Public Health CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN... has the right to be free from verbal, sexual, physical, and mental abuse, corporal punishment, and...

The Educational Facilities Professional's Practical Guide to Reducing the Campus Carbon Footprint

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hignite, Karla

2009-01-01

As more institutions respond to the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, or are otherwise responsible for campus environmental stewardship, this implementation guide gives educational facilities professionals a practical framework for moving forward in their unique role within this process. The intent is to help facilities…

75 FR 79345 - Privacy Act of 1974; System of Records

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-12-20

... accounting system for health care billing practices. It shall assist military treatment facilities in the... accounting system for health care billing practices. It shall assist military treatment facilities in the...; System of Records AGENCY: Office of the Secretary of Defense, DoD. ACTION: Notice to Alter a System of...

38 CFR 51.90 - Resident behavior and facility practices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief 2 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Resident behavior and facility practices. 51.90 Section 51.90 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (CONTINUED) PER DIEM FOR NURSING HOME CARE OF VETERANS IN STATE HOMES Standards § 51.90 Resident...

38 CFR 51.90 - Resident behavior and facility practices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief 2 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Resident behavior and facility practices. 51.90 Section 51.90 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (CONTINUED) PER DIEM FOR NURSING HOME CARE OF VETERANS IN STATE HOMES Standards § 51.90 Resident...

38 CFR 51.90 - Resident behavior and facility practices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief 2 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Resident behavior and facility practices. 51.90 Section 51.90 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (CONTINUED) PER DIEM FOR NURSING HOME CARE OF VETERANS IN STATE HOMES Standards § 51.90 Resident...

38 CFR 51.90 - Resident behavior and facility practices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Resident behavior and facility practices. 51.90 Section 51.90 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (CONTINUED) PER DIEM FOR NURSING HOME CARE OF VETERANS IN STATE HOMES Standards § 51.90 Resident...

38 CFR 51.90 - Resident behavior and facility practices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief 2 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Resident behavior and facility practices. 51.90 Section 51.90 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS (CONTINUED) PER DIEM FOR NURSING HOME CARE OF VETERANS IN STATE HOMES Standards § 51.90 Resident...

Comparing the nutrition environment and practices of home- and centre-based child-care facilities.

PubMed

Martyniuk, Olivia J M; Vanderloo, Leigh M; Irwin, Jennifer D; Burke, Shauna M; Tucker, Patricia

2016-03-01

To assess and compare the nutrition environment and practices (as they relate to pre-schoolers) of centre- and home-based child-care facilities. Using a cross-sectional study design, nineteen child-care facilities (ten centre-based, nine home-based) were assessed for one full day using the Environment and Policy Assessment and Observation (EPAO) tool (consisting of a day-long observation/review of the nutrition environment, practices and related documents). Specifically, eight nutrition-related subscales were considered. Child-care facilities in London, Ontario, Canada. Child-care facilities were recruited through directors at centre-based programmes and the providers of home-based programmes. The mean total nutrition environment EPAO scores for centre- and home-based facilities were 12·3 (sd 1·94) and 10·8 (sd 0·78) out of 20 (where a higher score indicates a more supportive environment with regard to nutrition), respectively. The difference between the total nutrition environment EPAO score for centre- and home-based facilities was approaching significance (P=0·055). For both types of facilities, the highest nutrition subscale score (out of 20) was achieved in the staff behaviours domain (centre mean=17·4; home mean=17·0) and the lowest was in the nutrition training and education domain (centre mean=3·6; home mean=2·0). Additional research is needed to confirm these findings. In order to better support child-care staff and enhance the overall nutrition environment in child care, modifications to food practices could be adopted. Specifically, the nutritional quality of foods/beverages provided to pre-schoolers could be improved, nutrition-related training for child-care staff could be provided, and a nutrition curriculum could be created to educate pre-schoolers about healthy food choices.

Theoretical frameworks used to discuss ethical issues in private physiotherapy practice and proposal of a new ethical tool.

PubMed

Drolet, Marie-Josée; Hudon, Anne

2015-02-01

In the past, several researchers in the field of physiotherapy have asserted that physiotherapy clinicians rarely use ethical knowledge to solve ethical issues raised by their practice. Does this assertion still hold true? Do the theoretical frameworks used by researchers and clinicians allow them to analyze thoroughly the ethical issues they encounter in their everyday practice? In our quest for answers, we conducted a literature review and analyzed the ethical theoretical frameworks used by physiotherapy researchers and clinicians to discuss the ethical issues raised by private physiotherapy practice. Our final analysis corpus consisted of thirty-nine texts. Our main finding is that researchers and clinicians in physiotherapy rarely use ethical knowledge to analyze the ethical issues raised in their practice and that gaps exist in the theoretical frameworks currently used to analyze these issues. Consequently, we developed, for ethical analysis, a four-part prism which we have called the Quadripartite Ethical Tool (QET). This tool can be incorporated into existing theoretical frameworks to enable professionals to integrate ethical knowledge into their ethical analyses. The innovative particularity of the QET is that it encompasses three ethical theories (utilitarism, deontologism, and virtue ethics) and axiological ontology (professional values) and also draws on both deductive and inductive approaches. It is our hope that this new tool will help researchers and clinicians integrate ethical knowledge into their analysis of ethical issues and contribute to fostering ethical analyses that are grounded in relevant philosophical and axiological foundations.

[Anesthesia practice in Catalan hospitals and other health care facilities].

PubMed

Villalonga, Antonio; Sabaté, Sergi; Campos, Juan Manuel; Fornaguera, Joan; Hernández, Carmen; Sistac, José María

2006-05-24

The aim of this arm of the ANESCAT study was to characterize anesthesia practice in the various types of health care facilities of Catalonia, Spain, in 2003. We analyzed data from the survey according to a) source of a facility's funding: public hospitals financed by the Catalan Public Health Authority (ICS), the network of subsidized hospitals for public use (XHUP), or private hospitals; b) size: facilities without hospital beds, hospitals with fewer than 250 beds, those with 251 to 500, and those with over 500; and c) training accreditation status: whether or not a facility gave medical resident training. A total of 131 facilities participated (11 under the ICS, 47 from the XHUP, and 73 private hospitals). Twenty-six clinics had no hospital beds, 78 facilities had fewer than 250, 21 had 251 to 500, and 6 had more than 500. Seventeen hospitals trained medical residents. XHUP hospitals performed 44.3% of all anesthetic procedures, private hospitals 36.7%, and ICS facilities 18.5%. Five percent of procedures were performed in clinics without beds, 42.9% in facilities with fewer than 250 beds, 35% in hospitals with 251 to 500, and 17.1% in hospitals with over 500. Anesthetists in teaching hospitals performed 35.5% of all procedures. The mean age of patients was lower in private hospitals, facilities with fewer than 250 beds, and hospitals that did not train medical residents. The physical status of patients was worse in ICS hospitals, in facilities with over 500 beds, and in teaching hospitals. It was noteworthy that 25% of anesthetic procedures were performed on an emergency basis in XHUP and ICS hospitals, in facilities with more than 250 beds, and in teaching hospitals. Anesthesia for outpatient procedures accounted for 40% of the total in private hospitals and 31% of the practice in ICS and XHUP hospitals. The duration of anesthesia and postanesthetic recovery was longer in ICS hospitals, in facilities with over 500 beds, and in those with medical resident training programs. The numbers of postoperative admissions to critical care units and of specialized analgesic techniques performed were higher in ICS hospitals, in facilities with over 500 beds, and in teaching hospitals. The complexity of both anesthesia and surgical practice and the severity of patient condition increased with hospital size and public funding status.

Exotic X-ray Sources from Intermediate Energy Electron Beams

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chouffani, K.; Wells, D.; Harmon, F.; Jones, J. L.; Lancaster, G.

2003-08-01

High intensity x-ray beams are used in a wide variety of applications in solid-state physics, medicine, biology and material sciences. Synchrotron radiation (SR) is currently the primary, high-quality x-ray source that satisfies both brilliance and tunability. The high cost, large size and low x-ray energies of SR facilities, however, are serious limitations. Alternatively, "novel" x-ray sources are now possible due to new small linear accelerator (LINAC) technology, such as improved beam emittance, low background, sub-Picosecond beam pulses, high beam stability and higher repetition rate. These sources all stem from processes that produce Radiation from relativistic Electron beams in (crystalline) Periodic Structures (REPS), or the periodic "structure" of laser light. REPS x-ray sources are serious candidates for bright, compact, portable, monochromatic, and tunable x-ray sources with varying degrees of polarization and coherence. Despite the discovery and early research into these sources over the past 25 years, these sources are still in their infancy. Experimental and theoretical research are still urgently needed to answer fundamental questions about the practical and ultimate limits of their brightness, mono-chromaticity etc. We present experimental results and theoretical comparisons for three exotic REPS sources. These are Laser-Compton Scattering (LCS), Channeling Radiation (CR) and Parametric X-Radiation (PXR).

40 CFR 792.43 - Test system care facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 true Test system care facilities. 792.43 Section 792.43 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT (CONTINUED) GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE STANDARDS Facilities § 792.43 Test system care facilities...

78 FR 69433 - Executive Order 13650 Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security Listening Sessions

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2013-11-19

... Chemical Facility Safety and Security Listening Sessions AGENCY: National Protection and Programs... from stakeholders on issues pertaining to Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security (Executive... regulations, guidance, and policies; and identifying best practices in chemical facility safety and security...

Team Training (Training at Own Facility) versus Individual Surgeon's Training (Training at Trainer's Facility) When Implementing a New Surgical Technique: Example from the ONSTEP Inguinal Hernia Repair

PubMed Central

Laursen, Jannie

2014-01-01

Background. When implementing a new surgical technique, the best method for didactic learning has not been settled. There are basically two scenarios: the trainee goes to the teacher's clinic and learns the new technique hands-on, or the teacher goes to the trainee's clinic and performs the teaching there. Methods. An informal literature review was conducted to provide a basis for discussing pros and cons. We also wanted to discuss how many surgeons can be trained in a day and the importance of the demand for a new surgical procedure to ensure a high adoption rate and finally to apply these issues on a discussion of barriers for adoption of the new ONSTEP technique for inguinal hernia repair after initial training. Results and Conclusions. The optimal training method would include moving the teacher to the trainee's department to obtain team-training effects simultaneous with surgical technical training of the trainee surgeon. The training should also include a theoretical presentation and discussion along with the practical training. Importantly, the training visit should probably be followed by a scheduled visit to clear misunderstandings and fine-tune the technique after an initial self-learning period. PMID:25506078

[Facilitators and barriers to implementation of intercultural health policy in Chile].

PubMed

Pérez, Camila; Nazar, Gabriela; Cova, Félix

2016-02-01

Objective To identify elements that either facilitate or hinder implementation of Chile's intercultural health policy. Methods A descriptive study was conducted with the participation of health services users from the Mapuche ethnic group, biomedical health professionals, intercultural facilitators, and key informants in two health facilities serving towns with a high density of Mapuche population. The information was obtained through semi-structured interviews that were analyzed thematically. Results Factors identified as facilitating the implementation of this policy include laws and regulations pertaining to the rights of indigenous peoples, the empowerment of users around their rights, the formation of implementation teams, the presence of professionals of Mapuche origin in health facilities, and the existence of processes for systematization of the work carried out. The asymmetric relationship between the Mapuche people and the state, and between the Mapuche health system and the biomedical model, constitutes a fundamental barrier. Other obstacles include the lack of theoretical and practical clarity around the concept of intercultural health and a lack of resources. Conclusions Despite the facilitators identified and the achievements to date, meaningful progress in implementation of an intercultural health policy is limited by barriers that are hard to change. These include the usual forms of government planning and the hegemony of the biomedical model.

Do physical environmental changes make a difference? Supporting person-centered care at mealtimes in nursing homes.

PubMed

Chaudhury, Habib; Hung, Lillian; Rust, Tiana; Wu, Sarah

2017-10-01

Purpose Drawing on therapeutic physical environmental design principles and Kitwood's theoretical view of person-centered care, this study examined the impact of environmental renovations in dining spaces of a long-term care facility on residents' mealtime experience and staff practice in two care units. Method The research design involved pre- and post-renovation ethnographic observations in the dining spaces of the care units and a post-renovation staff survey. The objective physical environmental features pre- and post-renovations were assessed with a newly developed tool titled Dining Environment Audit Protocol. We collected observational data from 10 residents and survey responses from 17 care aides and nurses. Findings Based on a systematic analysis of observational data and staff survey responses, five themes were identified: (a) autonomy and personal control, (b) comfort of homelike environment, (c) conducive to social interaction, (d) increased personal support, and (e) effective teamwork. Implications Although the physical environment can play an influential role in enhancing the dining experience of residents, the variability in staff practices reveals the complexity of mealtime environment and points to the necessity of a systemic approach to foster meaningful culture change.

The internal processes and behavioral dynamics of hospital boards: an exploration of differences between high- and low-performing hospitals.

PubMed

Kane, Nancy M; Clark, Jonathan R; Rivenson, Howard L

2009-01-01

Nonprofit hospital boards are under increasing pressure to improve financial, clinical, and charitable and community benefit performance. Most research on board effectiveness focuses on variables measuring board structure and attributes associated with competing ideal models of board roles. However, the results do not provide clear evidence that one role is superior to another and suggest that in practice boards pursue hybrid roles. Board dynamics and processes have received less attention from researchers, but emerging theoretical frameworks highlight them as key to effective corporate governance. We explored differences in board processes and behavioral dynamics between financially high- and low-performing hospitals, with the goal of developing a better understanding of the best board practices in nonprofit hospitals. A comparative case study approach allowed for in-depth, qualitative assessments of how the internal workings of boards differ between low- and high-performing facilities. Boards of hospitals with strong financial performance exhibited behavioral dynamics and internal processes that differed in important ways from those of hospitals with poor financial performance. Boards need to actively attend to key processes and foster positive group dynamics in decision making to be more effective in governing hospitals.

Using classification tree modelling to investigate drug prescription practices at health facilities in rural Tanzania.

PubMed

Kajungu, Dan K; Selemani, Majige; Masanja, Irene; Baraka, Amuri; Njozi, Mustafa; Khatib, Rashid; Dodoo, Alexander N; Binka, Fred; Macq, Jean; D'Alessandro, Umberto; Speybroeck, Niko

2012-09-05

Drug prescription practices depend on several factors related to the patient, health worker and health facilities. A better understanding of the factors influencing prescription patterns is essential to develop strategies to mitigate the negative consequences associated with poor practices in both the public and private sectors. A cross-sectional study was conducted in rural Tanzania among patients attending health facilities, and health workers. Patients, health workers and health facilities-related factors with the potential to influence drug prescription patterns were used to build a model of key predictors. Standard data mining methodology of classification tree analysis was used to define the importance of the different factors on prescription patterns. This analysis included 1,470 patients and 71 health workers practicing in 30 health facilities. Patients were mostly treated in dispensaries. Twenty two variables were used to construct two classification tree models: one for polypharmacy (prescription of ≥3 drugs) on a single clinic visit and one for co-prescription of artemether-lumefantrine (AL) with antibiotics. The most important predictor of polypharmacy was the diagnosis of several illnesses. Polypharmacy was also associated with little or no supervision of the health workers, administration of AL and private facilities. Co-prescription of AL with antibiotics was more frequent in children under five years of age and the other important predictors were transmission season, mode of diagnosis and the location of the health facility. Standard data mining methodology is an easy-to-implement analytical approach that can be useful for decision-making. Polypharmacy is mainly due to the diagnosis of multiple illnesses.

Practice Evaluation Strategies Among Social Workers: Why an Evidence-Informed Dual-Process Theory Still Matters.

PubMed

Davis, Thomas D

2017-01-01

Practice evaluation strategies range in style from the formal-analytic tools of single-subject designs, rapid assessment instruments, algorithmic steps in evidence-informed practice, and computer software applications, to the informal-interactive tools of clinical supervision, consultation with colleagues, use of client feedback, and clinical experience. The purpose of this article is to provide practice researchers in social work with an evidence-informed theory that is capable of explaining both how and why social workers use practice evaluation strategies to self-monitor the effectiveness of their interventions in terms of client change. The author delineates the theoretical contours and consequences of what is called dual-process theory. Drawing on evidence-informed advances in the cognitive and social neurosciences, the author identifies among everyday social workers a theoretically stable, informal-interactive tool preference that is a cognitively necessary, sufficient, and stand-alone preference that requires neither the supplementation nor balance of formal-analytic tools. The author's delineation of dual-process theory represents a theoretical contribution in the century-old attempt to understand how and why social workers evaluate their practice the way they do.

40 CFR 160.47 - Facilities for handling test, control, and reference substances.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 23 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Facilities for handling test, control, and reference substances. 160.47 Section 160.47 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) PESTICIDE PROGRAMS GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE STANDARDS Facilities § 160.47 Facilities...

40 CFR 160.51 - Specimen and data storage facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 23 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Specimen and data storage facilities. 160.51 Section 160.51 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) PESTICIDE PROGRAMS GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE STANDARDS Facilities § 160.51 Specimen and data storage facilities. Space...

21 CFR 606.40 - Facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 7 2011-04-01 2010-04-01 true Facilities. 606.40 Section 606.40 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) BIOLOGICS CURRENT GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICE FOR BLOOD AND BLOOD COMPONENTS Plant and Facilities § 606.40 Facilities...

40 CFR 160.31 - Testing facility management.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 23 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Testing facility management. 160.31... GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE STANDARDS Organization and Personnel § 160.31 Testing facility management. For each study, testing facility management shall: (a) Designate a study director as described in § 160.33...

75 FR 54627 - Best Management Practices for Unused Pharmaceuticals at Health Care Facilities

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-08

... at Health Care Facilities AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: EPA... Unused Pharmaceuticals at Health Care Facilities. The guidance is targeted at hospitals, medical clinics... drafted a guidance document for health care facilities, which describes: Techniques for reducing or...

21 CFR 606.40 - Facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 7 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Facilities. 606.40 Section 606.40 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) BIOLOGICS CURRENT GOOD MANUFACTURING PRACTICE FOR BLOOD AND BLOOD COMPONENTS Plant and Facilities § 606.40 Facilities...

Health facilities at the district level in Indonesia

PubMed Central

Heywood, Peter; Harahap, Nida P

2009-01-01

Background At Independence the Government of Indonesia inherited a weak and unevenly distributed health system to which much of the population had only limited access. In response, the government decided to increase the number of facilities and to locate them closer to the people. To staff these health facilities the government introduced obligatory government service for all new graduates in medicine, nursing and midwifery. Most of these staff also established private practices in the areas in which they were located. The health information system contains little information on the health care facilities established for private practice by these staff. This article reports on the results of enumerating all health facilities in 15 districts in Java. Methods We enumerated all healthcare facilities, public and private, by type in each of 15 districts in Java. Results The enumeration showed a much higher number of healthcare facilities in each district than is shown in most reports and in the health information system which concentrates on public, multi-provider facilities. Across the 15 districts: 86% of facilities were solo-provider facilities for outpatient services; 13% were multi-provider facilities for outpatient services; and 1% were multi-provider facilities offering both outpatient and inpatient services. Conclusion The relatively good distribution of health facilities in Indonesia was achieved through establishing public health centers at the sub-district level and staffing them through a system of compulsory service for doctors, nurses and midwives. Subsequently, these public sector staff also established solo-provider facilities for their own private practice; these solo-provider facilities, of which those for nurses are almost half, comprise the largest category of outpatient care facilities, most are not included in official statistics. Now that Indonesia no longer has mandatory service for newly graduated doctors, nurses and midwives, it will have difficulty maintaining the distribution of facilities and providers established through the 1980s. The current challenge is to envision a new health system that responds to the changing disease patterns as well as the changes in distribution of health facilities. PMID:19445728

Recommended Practice for Pressure Measurements and Calculation of Effective Pumping Speeds During Electric Propulsion Testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dankanich, John W.; Walker, Mitchell; Swiatek, Michael W.; Yim, John T.

2013-01-01

The electric propulsion community has been implored to establish and implement a set of universally applicable test standards during the research, development, and qualification of electric propulsion systems. Variability between facility-to-facility and more importantly ground-to-flight performance can result in large margins in application or aversion to mission infusion. Performance measurements and life testing under appropriate conditions can be costly and lengthy. Measurement practices must be consistent, accurate, and repeatable. Additionally, the measurements must be universally transportable across facilities throughout the development, qualification, spacecraft integration, and on-orbit performance. A recommended practice for making pressure measurements, pressure diagnostics, and calculating effective pumping speeds with justification is presented.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices of Pediatric Dentists Regarding Speech Evaluation of Patients: Implications for Dental Education.

PubMed

Van Eyndhoven, Lisa; Chussid, Steven; Yoon, Richard K

2015-11-01

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine pediatric dentists' attitudes about speech evaluation in the dental setting and assess their knowledge of speech development and pathology. In October 2013, members of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry were invited to participate in an electronic questionnaire. Categories of questions were demographics, attitudes and confidence in speech pathology, and theoretical and practical knowledge of speech development and speech pathology. Theoretical knowledge was assessed using questions about phonetics and speech milestones. Practical knowledge was determined with three 30-second interview-style video clips. A total of 539 responses were received for a response rate of 10.4%. The majority of respondents reported feeling that speech evaluation should be part of the pediatric dental visit (72.8%) and felt confident in their ability to detect speech issues (73.2%). However, they did poorly on the theoretical knowledge questions (41.9%) as well as the practical knowledge questions (8.5%). There was a statistically significant difference in theoretical score between gender and type of occupation (p<0.05). This difference was not observed when examining practical knowledge. This study suggests that although pediatric dentists are in an ideal position to aid in the detection of speech issues, they currently have insufficient training and knowledge to do so.

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

Not Available

The following are reported: theoretical calculations (configuration interaction, relativistic effective core potentials, polyatomics, CASSCF); proposed theoretical studies (clusters of Cu, Ag, Au, Ni, Pt, Pd, Rh, Ir, Os, Ru; transition metal cluster ions; transition metal carbide clusters; bimetallic mixed transition metal clusters); reactivity studies on transition metal clusters (reactivity with H{sub 2}, C{sub 2}H{sub 4}, hydrocarbons; NO and CO chemisorption on surfaces). Computer facilities and codes to be used, are described. 192 refs, 13 figs.

Practical Approaches for Assessment of Daily and Post-discharge Room Disinfection in Healthcare Facilities.

PubMed

Deshpande, Abhishek; Donskey, Curtis J

2017-09-01

Cleaning and disinfection in healthcare facilities is essential to ensure patient safety. This review examines practical strategies used to assess and improve the effectiveness of daily and post-discharge manual cleaning in healthcare facilities. Effective implementation of cleaning interventions requires objective monitoring of staff performance with regular feedback on performance. Use of fluorescent markers to assess thoroughness of cleaning and measurement of residual ATP can provide rapid and objective feedback to personnel and have been associated with improved cleaning. Direct observation of cleaning and interviews with front-line staff are useful to identify variations and deficiencies in practice that may not be detected by other methods. Although not recommended for routine monitoring, cultures can be helpful for outbreak investigations. Monitoring and feedback can be effective in improving cleaning and disinfection in healthcare facilities. Ongoing commitment within institutions is needed to sustain successful cleaning and disinfection programs.

Missed opportunities and barriers for vaccination: a descriptive analysis of private and public health facilities in four African countries.

PubMed

Olorunsaiye, Comfort Zuyeali; Langhamer, Margaret Shaw; Wallace, Aaron Stuart; Watkins, Margaret Lyons

2017-01-01

Missed opportunities and barriers to vaccination limit progress toward achieving high immunization coverage and other global immunization goals. Little is known about vaccination practices contributing to missed opportunities and barriers among private healthcare providers in Africa. Service Provision Assessments (SPA) of representative samples of health facilities in four African countries (Kenya, Tanzania, Senegal, Malawi) in 2010-2015 were used to describe missed opportunities and barriers for vaccination in public, private for-profit, private not-for-profit and faith-based facilities. Data included vaccination practices, observations during sick child and antenatal visits, and exit interviews following sick child visits. Data from 3,219 health facilities, 11,613 sick child visits and 8,698 antenatal visits were included. A smaller proportion of for-profit facilities offered child vaccination services (country range, 25-37%) than did public facilities (range, 90-96%). The proportion of facilities offering pentavalent vaccine (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenza type b antigens) daily ranged 0-77% across countries and facility types. Less than 33% of for-profit facilities in any country offered measles vaccination daily. A minority of public or private providers assessed the child's vaccination status during a sick child visit (range by country and facility type, 14-44%), or offered tetanus toxoid during antenatal visits (range, 19-51%). Very few providers discussed the importance of newborn vaccination. Substantial missed opportunities for, and barriers to, vaccination were identified across this representative sample of health facilities in four African countries. Strategies are needed to ensure that private and public providers implement practices to minimize barriers and missed opportunities for vaccination.

Missed opportunities and barriers for vaccination: a descriptive analysis of private and public health facilities in four African countries

PubMed Central

Olorunsaiye, Comfort Zuyeali; Langhamer, Margaret Shaw; Wallace, Aaron Stuart; Watkins, Margaret Lyons

2017-01-01

Introduction Missed opportunities and barriers to vaccination limit progress toward achieving high immunization coverage and other global immunization goals. Little is known about vaccination practices contributing to missed opportunities and barriers among private healthcare providers in Africa. Methods Service Provision Assessments (SPA) of representative samples of health facilities in four African countries (Kenya, Tanzania, Senegal, Malawi) in 2010-2015 were used to describe missed opportunities and barriers for vaccination in public, private for-profit, private not-for-profit and faith-based facilities. Data included vaccination practices, observations during sick child and antenatal visits, and exit interviews following sick child visits. Results Data from 3,219 health facilities, 11,613 sick child visits and 8,698 antenatal visits were included. A smaller proportion of for-profit facilities offered child vaccination services (country range, 25-37%) than did public facilities (range, 90-96%). The proportion of facilities offering pentavalent vaccine (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenza type b antigens) daily ranged 0-77% across countries and facility types. Less than 33% of for-profit facilities in any country offered measles vaccination daily. A minority of public or private providers assessed the child’s vaccination status during a sick child visit (range by country and facility type, 14-44%), or offered tetanus toxoid during antenatal visits (range, 19-51%). Very few providers discussed the importance of newborn vaccination. Conclusion Substantial missed opportunities for, and barriers to, vaccination were identified across this representative sample of health facilities in four African countries. Strategies are needed to ensure that private and public providers implement practices to minimize barriers and missed opportunities for vaccination. PMID:29296141

The Thesis, the Pendulum and the Battlefield

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ameri, Amir

2015-01-01

The debate over the design thesis is often entangled in the dialectics of the practical and the theoretical. Whether the argument is waged and weighted in favour of a practical emphasis or a theoretical emphasis, or more insidious, a judicious balance between the two, what is inevitably assumed in the debate is the possibility of drawing and/or…

SOME IMPLICATIONS OF A CONCEPT OF GROWTH MOTIVATION FOR ADULT EDUCATION THEORY AND PRACTICE.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

NOREEN, DAVID SHELDON

THIS STUDY EXAMINED GROWTH MOTIVATION AS A DEVELOPING CONCEPT AND AS A THEORETICAL CONSTRUCT, AND THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS THEORY FOR ADULT EDUCATION THEORY AND PRACTICE. SPECIAL ATTENTION WAS GIVEN TO THE THEORETICAL CONSTRUCTS OF ABRAHAM MASLOW, TO THE NATURE OF GROWTH MOTIVATION CONCEPTS IN GENERAL, AND TO FORMS OF SELF UNDERSTANDING AND…

Beyond the Sensible World: A Discussion of Mark Zuss' The Practice of Theoretical Curiosity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fellner, Gene; Pitts, Wesley; Zuss, Mark

2012-01-01

In this article, Gene Fellner reviews Mark Zuss's recently published "The practice of theoretical curiosity" (2012) and provides a synopsis of the book's structure. These two sections are followed by a metalogue in which Mark Zuss, Welsey Pitts, and Fellner discuss curiosity and the conundrum of establishing limits beyond which curiosity should…

The Influence of Theoretical Tools on Teachers' Orientation to Notice and Classroom Practice: A Case Study

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mellone, Maria

2011-01-01

Assumptions about the construction and the transmission of knowledge and about the nature of mathematics always underlie any teaching practice, even if often unconsciously. I examine the conjecture that theoretical tools suitably chosen can help the teacher to make such assumptions explicit and to support the teacher's reflection on his/her…

Pharmaceutical services for endemic situations in the Brazilian Amazon: organization of services and prescribing practices for Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum non-complicated malaria in high-risk municipalities

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background In spite of the fact that pharmaceutical services are an essential component of all malaria programmes, quality of these services has been little explored in the literature. This study presents the first results of the application of an evaluation model of pharmaceutical services in high-risk municipalities of the Amazon region, focusing on indicators regarding organization of services and prescribing according to national guidelines. Methods A theoretical framework of pharmaceutical services for non-complicated malaria was built based on the Rapid Evaluation Method (WHO). The framework included organization of services and prescribing, among other activities. The study was carried out in 15 primary health facilities in six high-risk municipalities of the Brazilian Amazon. Malaria individuals ≥ 15 years old were approached and data was collected using specific instruments. Data was checked by independent reviewers and fed to a data bank through double-entry. Descriptive variables were analyzed. Results A copy of the official treatment guideline was found in 80% of the facilities; 67% presented an environment for receiving and prescribing patients. Re-supply of stocks followed a different timeline; no facilities adhered to forecasting methods for stock management. No shortages or expired anti-malarials were observed, but overstock was a common finding. On 86.7% of facilities, the average of good storage practices was 48%. Time between diagnosis and treatment was zero days. Of 601 patients interviewed, 453 were diagnosed for Plasmodium vivax; of these, 99.3% received indications for the first-line scheme. Different therapeutic schemes were given to Plasmodium falciparum patients. Twenty-eight (4.6%) out of 601 were prescribed regimens not listed in the national guideline. Only 5.7% individuals received a prescription or a written instruction of any kind. Conclusions The results show that while diagnostic procedure is well established and functioning in the Brazilian malaria programme, prescribing is still an activity that is actually not performed. The absence of physicians and poor integration between malaria services and primary health services make for the lack of a prescription or written instruction for malaria patients throughout the Brazilian Amazon. This fact may lead to a great number of problems in rational use and in adherence to medication. PMID:22050832

Activities in Aeroelasticity at NASA Langley Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Perry, Boyd, III; Noll, Thomas E.

1997-01-01

This paper presents the results of recently-completed research and presents status reports of current research being performed within the Aeroelasticity Branch of the NASA Langley Research Center. Within the paper this research is classified as experimental, analytical, and theoretical aeroelastic research. The paper also describes the Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel, its features, capabilities, a new open-architecture data acquisition system, ongoing facility modifications, and the subsequent calibration of the facility.

Skin-friction gauge for use in hypervelocity impulse facilities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kelly, G. M.; Simmons, J. M.; Paull, A.

1992-01-01

A transducer is presented which can measure as rise-time of about 20 microsec, and is thereby applicable to measurements in the high-enthalpy flows associated with hypervelocity impulse facilities. Results are presented which demonstrate the effectiveness of the concept in the case of skin-friction measurements conducted on a flat plate at Mach 3.2. The calibration used was against theoretical skin-friction values in a simple flow.

Defining equity in physical access to clinical services using geographical information systems as part of malaria planning and monitoring in Kenya

PubMed Central

Noor, A. M.; Zurovac, D.; Hay, S. I.; Ochola, S. A.; Snow, R. W.

2010-01-01

Summary Distance is a crucial feature of health service use and yet its application and utility to health care planning have not been well explored, particularly in the light of large-scale international and national efforts such as Roll Back Malaria. We have developed a high-resolution map of population-to-service access in four districts of Kenya. Theoretical physical access, based upon national targets, developed as part of the Kenyan health sector reform agenda, was compared with actual health service usage data among 1668 paediatric patients attending 81 sampled government health facilities. Actual and theoretical use were highly correlated. Patients in the larger districts of Kwale and Makueni, where access to government health facilities was relatively poor, travelled greater mean distances than those in Greater Kisii and Bondo. More than 60% of the patients in the four districts attended health facilities within a 5-km range. Interpolated physical access surfaces across districts highlighted areas of poor access and large differences between urban and rural settings. Users from rural communities travelled greater distances to health facilities than those in urban communities. The implications of planning and monitoring equitable delivery of clinical services at national and international levels are discussed. PMID:14516303

40 CFR 257.3-2 - Endangered species.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 26 2012-07-01 2011-07-01 true Endangered species. 257.3-2 Section 257... and Practices § 257.3-2 Endangered species. (a) Facilities or practices shall not cause or contribute to the taking of any endangered or threatened species of plants, fish, or wildlife. (b) The facility...

Barriers to Shared Use of Indoor and Outdoor Facilities at US Elementary Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Turner, Lindsey; Calvert, Hannah G.; Chaloupka, Frank J.

2018-01-01

Background: School policies and practices, such as the sharing of school facilities with the surrounding community, support physical activity among students and community members, but are often underutilized. This study examined variations in shared use practices, and associations with perceived barriers. Methods: Surveys were completed by a…

Time to Reframe Politics and Practices in Correctional Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

LoBuglio, Stefan

2001-01-01

In this chapter, Stefan LoBuglio discusses the politics and practices of educational programs for adults in correctional facilities. To begin, LoBuglio provides an overview of the field of corrections, including various types of facilities and correctional programs, as well as demographic and educational data on the U.S. incarcerated population…

An empirical typology of hospital nurses' individual learning paths.

PubMed

Poell, Rob F; Van der Krogt, Ferd J

2014-03-01

A relatively new theoretical concept is proposed in this paper, namely, the individual learning path. Learning paths are created by individual employees and comprise a set of learning-relevant activities that are both coherent as a whole and meaningful to them. To explore the empirical basis of this theoretical concept. A qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews. Two academic medical centers (university hospitals) and two general hospitals in the Netherlands. A total of 89 nurses were involved in the study. Semi-structured interviews were analyzed qualitatively; cluster analysis was then performed on quantified data from the interviews. Four types of learning path emerged, namely, the formal-external, self-directed, social-emotional, and information-oriented learning paths. The relatively new theoretical concept of an individual learning path can be observed in practice and a number of different learning-path types can be distinguished. Nurses were found to create their own learning paths, that is, select a theme that is relevant primarily to themselves, conduct a variety of learning activities around this theme, participate in social contexts that might help them, and mobilize learning facilities provided by their organization. These activities go way beyond the notion of employees as self-directed learners merely in a didactic sense (establishing learning goals, choosing the right learning activities for these goals, evaluating to what extent their goals have been met as a result). The findings can be interpreted as evidence of employees acting strategically when it comes to their professional development. Providers of continuing professional education/development need to take this into account. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

9 CFR 3.4 - Outdoor housing facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... Transportation of Dogs and Cats 1 Facilities and Operating Standards § 3.4 Outdoor housing facilities. (a) Restrictions. (1) The following categories of dogs or cats must not be kept in outdoor facilities, unless that practice is specifically approved by the attending veterinarian: (i) Dogs or cats that are not acclimated...

21 CFR 58.45 - Animal supply facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Animal supply facilities. 58.45 Section 58.45 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES GENERAL GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE FOR NONCLINICAL LABORATORY STUDIES Facilities § 58.45 Animal supply facilities. There...

21 CFR 58.45 - Animal supply facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Animal supply facilities. 58.45 Section 58.45 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES GENERAL GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE FOR NONCLINICAL LABORATORY STUDIES Facilities § 58.45 Animal supply facilities. There...

21 CFR 58.45 - Animal supply facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Animal supply facilities. 58.45 Section 58.45 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES GENERAL GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE FOR NONCLINICAL LABORATORY STUDIES Facilities § 58.45 Animal supply facilities. There...

21 CFR 58.45 - Animal supply facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Animal supply facilities. 58.45 Section 58.45 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES GENERAL GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE FOR NONCLINICAL LABORATORY STUDIES Facilities § 58.45 Animal supply facilities. There...

46 CFR 108.237 - Fuel storage facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Fuel storage facilities. 108.237 Section 108.237... AND EQUIPMENT Construction and Arrangement Helicopter Facilities § 108.237 Fuel storage facilities. (a) Helicopter fuel storage tanks must be installed as far as practicable from— (1) The landing area; and (2...

46 CFR 108.237 - Fuel storage facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Fuel storage facilities. 108.237 Section 108.237... AND EQUIPMENT Construction and Arrangement Helicopter Facilities § 108.237 Fuel storage facilities. (a) Helicopter fuel storage tanks must be installed as far as practicable from— (1) The landing area; and (2...

46 CFR 108.237 - Fuel storage facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Fuel storage facilities. 108.237 Section 108.237... AND EQUIPMENT Construction and Arrangement Helicopter Facilities § 108.237 Fuel storage facilities. (a) Helicopter fuel storage tanks must be installed as far as practicable from— (1) The landing area; and (2...

46 CFR 108.237 - Fuel storage facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 46 Shipping 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Fuel storage facilities. 108.237 Section 108.237... AND EQUIPMENT Construction and Arrangement Helicopter Facilities § 108.237 Fuel storage facilities. (a) Helicopter fuel storage tanks must be installed as far as practicable from— (1) The landing area; and (2...

40 CFR 160.51 - Specimen and data storage facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 25 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Specimen and data storage facilities... PROGRAMS GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE STANDARDS Facilities § 160.51 Specimen and data storage facilities. Space shall be provided for archives, limited to access by authorized personnel only, for the storage and...

40 CFR 160.51 - Specimen and data storage facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 24 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Specimen and data storage facilities... PROGRAMS GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE STANDARDS Facilities § 160.51 Specimen and data storage facilities. Space shall be provided for archives, limited to access by authorized personnel only, for the storage and...

40 CFR 160.51 - Specimen and data storage facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 25 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Specimen and data storage facilities... PROGRAMS GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE STANDARDS Facilities § 160.51 Specimen and data storage facilities. Space shall be provided for archives, limited to access by authorized personnel only, for the storage and...

40 CFR 160.51 - Specimen and data storage facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 24 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Specimen and data storage facilities... PROGRAMS GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE STANDARDS Facilities § 160.51 Specimen and data storage facilities. Space shall be provided for archives, limited to access by authorized personnel only, for the storage and...

9 CFR 3.4 - Outdoor housing facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... Transportation of Dogs and Cats 1 Facilities and Operating Standards § 3.4 Outdoor housing facilities. (a) Restrictions. (1) The following categories of dogs or cats must not be kept in outdoor facilities, unless that practice is specifically approved by the attending veterinarian: (i) Dogs or cats that are not acclimated...

The dialysis outcomes and practice patterns study phase 5 in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries: Design and study methods.

PubMed

Pisoni, Ronald L; Bieber, Brian A; Al Wakeel, Jamal; Al Arrayed, Sameer; Alkandari, Naser; Hassan, Mohamed; Karkar, Ayman; Al Lawati, Nabil M; Al Ali, Fadwa; Albert, Justin M; Robinson, Bruce M

2016-11-01

The Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS) is an international prospective cohort study of the relationships between hemodialysis (HD) care practices and HD patient outcomes. The DOPPS began in 1996, in the United States, and has since expanded to 21 countries, collecting detailed data from >75,000 HD patients, with >200 scientific publications, focused on describing HD practices associated with improved HD patient outcomes. The goal of DOPPS is to help HD patients "live better and live longer." Starting in 2012, the DOPPS was able to expand to all six of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, namely, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The DOPPS study design consists of selecting HD facilities for study participation in each country to represent the different types of HD facilities and geographic regions within each GCC country. Within each study site, HD patients were randomly selected for detailed data collection to represent the HD practices within each participating HD facility. Altogether, 41 HD facilities have participated in the GCC-DOPPS Phase 5 study including 20 facilities from Saudi Arabia, nine from the United Arab Emirates, four each from Kuwait and Oman, two from Qatar, and one from Bahrain. Herein, we provide a detailed description of the study design and methods, data collection, study management, scientific investigator oversight and guidance, and study governance and support for the GCCDOPPS Phase 5 study.

Comparing the knowledge, attitude and practices of health care workers in public and private primary care facilities in Lagos State on Ebola virus disease.

PubMed

Idris, Bilqisu Jibril; Inem, Victor; Balogun, Mobolanle

2015-01-01

The West African sub-region is currently witnessing an outbreak of EVD that began in December 2013. The first case in Nigeria was diagnosed in Lagos, at a private medical facility in July 2014. Health care workers are known amplifiers of the disease. The study aimed to determine and compare EVD knowledge, attitude and practices among HCWs in public and private primary care facilities in Lagos, Nigeria. This was a comparative cross-sectional study. Seventeen public and private primary care facilities were selected from the 3 senatorial districts that make up Lagos State. 388 respondents from these facilities were selected at random and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Proportion of respondents with good knowledge and practice among public HCWs was 98.5% and 93.8%; and among private HCW, 95.9% and 89.7%. Proportion of respondents with positive attitude was 67% (public) and 72.7% (private). Overall, there were no statistically significant differences between the knowledge, attitude and preventive practices of public HCWs and that of private HCWs, (p≤0.05). Timely and intense social mobilization and awareness campaigns are the best tools to educate all segments of the community about public health emergencies. There exists significant surmountable gaps in EVD knowledge, negative attitude and sub-standard preventive practices that can be eliminated through continued training of HCW and provision of adequate material resources.

Comparing the knowledge, attitude and practices of health care workers in public and private primary care facilities in Lagos State on Ebola virus disease

PubMed Central

Idris, Bilqisu Jibril; Inem, Victor; Balogun, Mobolanle

2015-01-01

Introduction The West African sub-region is currently witnessing an outbreak of EVD that began in December 2013. The first case in Nigeria was diagnosed in Lagos, at a private medical facility in July 2014. Health care workers are known amplifiers of the disease. The study aimed to determine and compare EVD knowledge, attitude and practices among HCWs in public and private primary care facilities in Lagos, Nigeria. Methods This was a comparative cross-sectional study. Seventeen public and private primary care facilities were selected from the 3 senatorial districts that make up Lagos State. 388 respondents from these facilities were selected at random and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Results Proportion of respondents with good knowledge and practice among public HCWs was 98.5% and 93.8%; and among private HCW, 95.9% and 89.7%. Proportion of respondents with positive attitude was 67% (public) and 72.7% (private). Overall, there were no statistically significant differences between the knowledge, attitude and preventive practices of public HCWs and that of private HCWs, (p≤0.05). Conclusion Timely and intense social mobilization and awareness campaigns are the best tools to educate all segments of the community about public health emergencies. There exists significant surmountable gaps in EVD knowledge, negative attitude and sub-standard preventive practices that can be eliminated through continued training of HCW and provision of adequate material resources. PMID:26740847

Theoretical and experimental determination of K - and L -shell x-ray relaxation parameters in Ni

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guerra, M.; Sampaio, J. M.; Parente, F.; Indelicato, P.; Hönicke, P.; Müller, M.; Beckhoff, B.; Marques, J. P.; Santos, J. P.

2018-04-01

Fluorescence yields (FY) for the Ni K and L shells were determined by a theoretical and an experimental group within the framework of the International Initiative on X-ray Fundamental Parameters (FPs) collaboration. Coster-Kronig (CK) parameters were also measured for the L shell of Ni. Theoretical calculations of the same parameters were performed using the Dirac-Fock method, including relativistic and QED corrections. The experimental values for the FY and CK were determined at the PTB laboratory in the synchrotron radiation facility BESSY II, Berlin, Germany, and are compared to the corresponding calculated values.

Exploring Environmental Factors in Nursing Workplaces That Promote Psychological Resilience: Constructing a Unified Theoretical Model.

PubMed

Cusack, Lynette; Smith, Morgan; Hegney, Desley; Rees, Clare S; Breen, Lauren J; Witt, Regina R; Rogers, Cath; Williams, Allison; Cross, Wendy; Cheung, Kin

2016-01-01

Building nurses' resilience to complex and stressful practice environments is necessary to keep skilled nurses in the workplace and ensuring safe patient care. A unified theoretical framework titled Health Services Workplace Environmental Resilience Model (HSWERM), is presented to explain the environmental factors in the workplace that promote nurses' resilience. The framework builds on a previously-published theoretical model of individual resilience, which identified the key constructs of psychological resilience as self-efficacy, coping and mindfulness, but did not examine environmental factors in the workplace that promote nurses' resilience. This unified theoretical framework was developed using a literary synthesis drawing on data from international studies and literature reviews on the nursing workforce in hospitals. The most frequent workplace environmental factors were identified, extracted and clustered in alignment with key constructs for psychological resilience. Six major organizational concepts emerged that related to a positive resilience-building workplace and formed the foundation of the theoretical model. Three concepts related to nursing staff support (professional, practice, personal) and three related to nursing staff development (professional, practice, personal) within the workplace environment. The unified theoretical model incorporates these concepts within the workplace context, linking to the nurse, and then impacting on personal resilience and workplace outcomes, and its use has the potential to increase staff retention and quality of patient care.

Neonatal physical therapy. Part II: Practice frameworks and evidence-based practice guidelines.

PubMed

Sweeney, Jane K; Heriza, Carolyn B; Blanchard, Yvette; Dusing, Stacey C

2010-01-01

(1) To outline frameworks for neonatal physical therapy based on 3 theoretical models, (2) to describe emerging literature supporting neonatal physical therapy practice, and (3) to identify evidence-based practice recommendations. Three models are presented as a framework for neonatal practice: (1) dynamic systems theory including synactive theory and the theory of neuronal group selection, (2) the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, and (3) family-centered care. Literature is summarized to support neonatal physical therapists in the areas of examination, developmental care, intervention, and parent education. Practice recommendations are offered with levels of evidence identified. Neonatal physical therapy practice has a theoretical and evidence-based structure, and evidence is emerging for selected clinical procedures. Continued research to expand the science of neonatal physical therapy is critical to elevate the evidence and support practice recommendations.

42 CFR 483.450 - Condition of participation: Client behavior and facility practices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES Conditions of Participation for Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally... quickly as possible, and a record of these checks and usage must be kept. (5) Restraints must be designed...

42 CFR 483.450 - Condition of participation: Client behavior and facility practices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES Conditions of Participation for Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals... and usage must be kept. (5) Restraints must be designed and used so as not to cause physical injury to...

42 CFR 483.450 - Condition of participation: Client behavior and facility practices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES Conditions of Participation for Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals... and usage must be kept. (5) Restraints must be designed and used so as not to cause physical injury to...

42 CFR 483.450 - Condition of participation: Client behavior and facility practices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES Conditions of Participation for Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally... quickly as possible, and a record of these checks and usage must be kept. (5) Restraints must be designed...

42 CFR 483.450 - Condition of participation: Client behavior and facility practices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... LONG TERM CARE FACILITIES Conditions of Participation for Intermediate Care Facilities for Individuals... and usage must be kept. (5) Restraints must be designed and used so as not to cause physical injury to...

Assessment of injection practice in primary health care facilities of Shiraz, Iran.

PubMed

Mclaws, Mary-Louise; Ghahramani, Sulmaz; Palenik, Charles John; Keshtkar, Vahid; Askarian, Mehrdad

2014-03-01

Occupational risk for several bloodborne viruses is attributable to unsafe injection practices. To understand injection frequency and safety, we surveyed injection rates and factors influencing injection prescription in primary health care facilities and associated health clinics in Shiraz, Iran. We used both quantitative and qualitative approaches to study the frequency and safety of injections delivered in 27 primary health care facilities. We used observations and 3 data collecting tools. Patterns of 600 general practice physicians' (GPs) prescriptions were also reviewed. In-depth interviews to elicit the factors contributing to injection prescriptions were conducted. The annual per capita injection rate was 3.12. Corticosteroids were prescribed more frequently than antibiotics (P < .001). Knowledge of participants concerning transmission risks for 3 of the most common bloodborne infections (BBIs) was less than 75%. Factors affecting use of injections by GPs included strong patient preference for injections over oral medications and financial benefit for GPs, especially those in private practice settings. Frequency of therapeutic injections in the participating facilities in Shiraz was high. Sociocultural factors in the patient community and their beliefs in the effectiveness of injections exerted influence on GP prescribing practices. Programs for appropriate and safe injection practices should target GP and injection providers, as well as patients, informing them about alternative treatments and possible complications of unnecessary and unsafe injections. Copyright © 2014 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. All rights reserved.

Students' perspectives on basic nursing care education.

PubMed

Huisman-de Waal, Getty; Feo, Rebecca; Vermeulen, Hester; Heinen, Maud

2018-02-05

The aim of the study is to explore the perspectives of nursing students on their education concerning basic nursing care, learned either during theoretical education or clinical placement, with a specific focus on nutrition and communication. Basic care activities lie at the core of nursing, but are ill-informed by evidence and often poorly delivered. Nursing students' education on basic care might be lacking, and the question remains how they learn to deliver basic care in clinical practice. Descriptive study, using an online questionnaire. Nursing students at the vocational and bachelor level of six nursing schools in the Netherlands were invited to complete an online questionnaire regarding their perception of basic nursing care education in general (both theoretical education and clinical placement), and specifically in relation to nutrition and communication. Nursing students (n=226 bachelor students, n=30 vocational students) completed the questionnaire. Most students reported that they learned more about basic nursing care during clinical placement than during theoretical education. Vocational students also reported learning more about basic nursing care in both theoretical education and clinical practice than bachelor students. In terms of nutrition, low numbers of students from both education levels reported learning about nutrition protocols and guidelines during theoretical education. In terms of communication, vocational students indicated that they learned more about different aspects of communication during clinical practice than theoretical education, and were also more likely to learn about communication (in both theoretical education and clinical practice) than were bachelor students. Basic nursing care seems to be largely invisible in nursing education, especially at the bachelor level and during theoretical education. Improved basic nursing care will enhance nurse sensitive outcomes and patient satisfaction and will contribute to lower healthcare costs. This study shows that there is scope within current nurse education in the Netherlands to focus more systematically and explicitly on basic nursing care. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Design Process Overview

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

Halkjaer-Knudsen, Vibeke

2014-11-01

For the purposes of this paper, a Biocontainment facility is a laboratory, production facility, or similar building that handles contagious biological materials in a safe and responsible manner. This specialized facility, also called a containment facility or a high containment facility reduces the potential for biological agents to be released into the environment, provides a safe work environment for the employees, and supports good laboratory practices.

E-assessment of prior learning: a pilot study of interactive assessment of staff with no formal education who are working in Swedish elderly care

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background The current paper presents a pilot study of interactive assessment using information and communication technology (ICT) to evaluate the knowledge, skills and abilities of staff with no formal education who are working in Swedish elderly care. Methods Theoretical and practical assessment methods were developed and used with simulated patients and computer-based tests to identify strengths and areas for personal development among staff with no formal education. Results Of the 157 staff with no formal education, 87 began the practical and/or theoretical assessments, and 63 completed both assessments. Several of the staff passed the practical assessments, except the morning hygiene assessment, where several failed. Other areas for staff development, i.e. where several failed (>50%), were the theoretical assessment of the learning objectives: Health, Oral care, Ergonomics, hygiene, esthetic, environmental, Rehabilitation, Assistive technology, Basic healthcare and Laws and organization. None of the staff passed all assessments. Number of years working in elderly care and staff age were not statistically significantly related to the total score of grades on the various learning objectives. Conclusion The interactive assessments were useful in assessing staff members’ practical and theoretical knowledge, skills, and abilities and in identifying areas in need of development. It is important that personnel who lack formal qualifications be clearly identified and given a chance to develop their competence through training, both theoretical and practical. The interactive e-assessment approach analyzed in the present pilot study could serve as a starting point. PMID:24742168

Environmental practices for biomedical research facilities.

PubMed Central

Medlin, E L; Grupenhoff, J T

2000-01-01

As a result of the Leadership Conference on Biomedical Research and the Environment, the Facilities Committee focused its work on the development of best environmental practices at biomedical research facilities at the university and independent research facility level as well as consideration of potential involvement of for-profit companies and government agencies. The designation "facilities" includes all related buildings and grounds, "green auditing" of buildings and programs, purchasing of furnishings and sources, energy efficiency, and engineering services (lighting, heating, air conditioning), among other activities. The committee made a number of recommendations, including development of a national council for environmental stewardship in biomedical research, development of a system of green auditing of such research facilities, and creation of programs for sustainable building and use. In addition, the committee recommended extension of education and training programs for environmental stewardship, in cooperation with facilities managers, for all research administrators and researchers. These programs would focus especially on graduate fellows and other students, as well as on science labs at levels K--12. PMID:11121360

Oral healthcare access and adequacy in alternative long-term care facilities.

PubMed

Smith, Barbara J; Ghezzi, Elisa M; Manz, Michael C; Markova, Christiana P

2010-01-01

This study was undertaken to determine practices and perceived barriers to access related to oral health by surveying administrators in Michigan alternative long-term care facilities (ALTCF). A 24-item questionnaire was mailed to all 2,275 Michigan ALTCF serving residents aged 60+. Facility response rate was 22% (n = 508). Eleven percent of facilities had a written dental care plan; 18% stated a dentist examined new residents; and 19% of facilities had an agreement with a dentist to come to the facility, with 52% of those being for emergency care only. The greatest perceived barriers were willingness of general and specialty dentists to treat residents at the nursing facility and/or private offices as well as financial concerns. Substantial barriers to care were uniformly perceived. Oral health policies and practices within Michigan ALTCF vary, as measured by resources, attitudes, and the availability of professional care. There is limited involvement by dental professionals in creating policy and providing consultation and service.

Theoretical Overview on the Improvement of Interest in Learning Theoretical Course for Engineering Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Xiao, Manlin; Zhang, Jianglin

2016-01-01

The phenomenon that engineering students have little interest in theoretical knowledge learning is more and more apparent. Therefore, most students fail to understand and apply theories to solve practical problems. To solve this problem, the importance of improving students' interest in the learning theoretical course is discussed firstly in this…

Reviews of theoretical frameworks: Challenges and judging the quality of theory application.

PubMed

Hean, Sarah; Anderson, Liz; Green, Chris; John, Carol; Pitt, Richard; O'Halloran, Cath

2016-06-01

Rigorous reviews of available information, from a range of resources, are required to support medical and health educators in their decision making. The aim of this article is to highlight the importance of a review of theoretical frameworks specifically as a supplement to reviews that focus on a synthesis of the empirical evidence alone. Establishing a shared understanding of theory as a concept is highlighted as a challenge and some practical strategies to achieving this are presented. This article also introduces the concept of theoretical quality, arguing that a critique of how theory is applied should complement the methodological appraisal of the literature in a review. We illustrate the challenge of establishing a shared meaning of theory through reference to experiences of an on-going review of this kind conducted in the field of interprofessional education (IPE) and use a high scoring paper selected in this review to illustrate how theoretical quality can be assessed. In reaching a shared understanding of theory as a concept, practical strategies that promote experiential and practical ways of knowing are required in addition to more propositional ways of sharing knowledge. Concepts of parsimony, testability, operational adequacy and empirical adequacy are explored as concepts that establish theoretical quality. Reviews of theoretical frameworks used in medical education are required to inform educational practice. Review teams should make time and effort to reach a shared understanding of the term theory. Theory reviews, and reviews more widely, should add an assessment of theory application to the protocol of their review method.

Using Software Simulators to Enhance the Learning of Digital Logic Design for the Information Technology Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alsadoon, Abeer; Prasad, P. W. C.; Beg, Azam

2017-01-01

Making the students understand the theoretical concepts of digital logic design concepts is one of the major issues faced by the academics, therefore the teachers have tried different techniques to link the theoretical information to the practical knowledge. Use of software simulations is a technique for learning and practice that can be applied…

Investigation of Relationship between Theoretical Practice Course Success and Attendance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dalkiran, Oguzhan

2018-01-01

The aim of the study is to determine the relationship between the attendance of theoretical and applied field courses and the success status of the students attending Sports Science Faculty. The data of the study consisted of 68 female and 88 male students in the Faculty of Sports Sciences; two lectures and two practicals, and 624 grade points and…

Assessment of knowledge and practice of health workers towards tuberculosis infection control and associated factors in public health facilities of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study.

PubMed

Demissie Gizaw, Girma; Aderaw Alemu, Zewdie; Kibret, Kelemu Tilahun

2015-01-01

Tuberculosis is the leading causes of mortality among infectious diseases worldwide. The risk of transmission from patients to health workers is doubles that of the general population. The close contact to the infectious case before diagnosis is the major risk for tuberculosis infection. The aim of the study was to assess knowledge and practice of health professionals towards tuberculosis infection control and its associated factors in health facilities of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from February 29 to April 15/2014 in selected health facilities in Addis Ababa. Five hundred ninety health workers were included in the study. The sample size was assigned to each health facility proportional to their number of health workers. Study subjects were selected from each stratum by simple random sampling technique. Interviewer administered structured questionnaire was used to collect information. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with knowledge and practice of health workers towards tuberculosis infection control. Five hundred eighty two participants with 98.6% response rate were involved in the study. Of these, 36.1% had poor knowledge and 51.7% unsatisfactory practice score towards tuberculosis infection control. Having more than six years working experience in health facility (AOR = 2.51; 95% CI: 1.5-4.1) and tuberculosis related training (AOR = 2.51 95% CI; 1.5, 4.1) were significantly associated with knowledge on tuberculosis infection control. Having experience in tuberculosis clinic (AOR =1.93; 95% CI: 1.12, 3.34) and tuberculosis related training (AOR = 1.48; 95% CI: 1.87, 2.51) were significantly associated with practice on tuberculosis infection control. One third of health workers had relatively poor knowledge and nearly half of them had unsatisfactory practice on tuberculosis infection control. Tuberculosis training and work experiences in health facility are determinant factor to knowledge. Whereas tuberculosis related training and experience in tuberculosis clinic are predictor to practice. So, training of the health professionals, on job orientations of junior health workers, and farther study including private health workers are recommended.

Case Management of Severe Malaria - A Forgotten Practice: Experiences from Health Facilities in Uganda

PubMed Central

Achan, Jane; Tibenderana, James; Kyabayinze, Daniel; Mawejje, Henry; Mugizi, Rukaaka; Mpeka, Betty; Talisuna, Ambrose; D'Alessandro, Umberto

2011-01-01

Introduction Severe malaria is a life-threatening medical emergency and requires prompt and effective treatment to prevent death. There is paucity of published information on current practices of severe malaria case management in sub-Saharan Africa; we evaluated the management practices for severe malaria in Ugandan health facilities Methods and Findings We did a cross sectional survey, using multi-stage sampling methods, of health facilities in 11 districts in the eastern and mid-western parts of Uganda. The study instruments were adapted from the WHO hospital care assessment tools. Between June and August 2009, 105 health facilities were surveyed and 181 health workers and 868 patients/caretakers interviewed. None of the inpatient facilities had all seven components of a basic care package for the management of severe malaria consistently available during the 3 months prior to the survey. Referral practices were appropriate for <10% (18/196) of the patients. Prompt care at any health facility was reported by 29% (247/868) of patients. Severe malaria was correctly diagnosed in 27% of patients (233).Though the quinine dose and regimen was correct in the majority (611/868, 70.4%) of patients, it was administered in the correct volumes of 5% dextrose in only 18% (147/815). Most patients (80.1%) had several doses of quinine administered in one single 500 ml bottle of 5% dextrose. Medications were purchased by 385 (44%) patients and medical supplies by 478 patients (70.6%). Conclusions Management of severe malaria in Ugandan health facilities was sub-optimal. These findings highlight the challenges of correctly managing severe malaria in resource limited settings. Priority areas for improvement include triage and emergency care, referral practises, quality of diagnosis and treatment, availability of medicines and supplies, training and support supervision. PMID:21390301

Guide of good practices for occupational radiological protection in plutonium facilities

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

NONE

1998-06-01

This Technical Standard (TS) does not contain any new requirements. Its purpose is to provide guides to good practice, update existing reference material, and discuss practical lessons learned relevant to the safe handling of plutonium. the technical rationale is given to allow US Department of Energy (DOE) health physicists to adapt the recommendations to similar situations throughout the DOE complex. Generally, DOE contractor health physicists will be responsible to implement radiation protection activities at DOE facilities and DOE health physicists will be responsible for oversight of those activities. This guidance is meant to be useful for both efforts. This TSmore » replaces PNL-6534, Health Physics Manual of Good Practices for Plutonium Facilities, by providing more complete and current information and by emphasizing the situations that are typical of DOE`s current plutonium operations; safe storage, decontamination, and decommissioning (environmental restoration); and weapons disassembly.« less

Fire safety knowledge and practices among residents of an assisted living facility.

PubMed

Jaslow, David; Ufberg, Jacob; Yoon, Russell; McQueen, Clay; Zecher, Derek; Jakubowski, Greg

2005-01-01

Assisted living facilities (ALFs) pose unique fire risks to the elderly that may be linked to specific fire safety (FS) practices. To evaluate self-reported FS practices among ALF residents. All residents of a small ALF were surveyed regarding actual and hypothetical FS behaviors, self-perceived fire risk, and FS preparedness. Fifty-eight ALF residents completed the survey. Thirty-three (58%) individuals reported one or more disabilities. Seven (12%) residents ignored the fire alarm and 21 (35%) could not hear it clearly. Sixteen (28%) residents would attempt to locate the source of a fire rather than escape from the building. Only 24 (42%) residents were familiar with the building fire plan. Twenty-three (40%) people surveyed believed that they were not at risk of fire in the study facility. Residents of an ALF may be at increased fire injury risk due to their FS practices and disabilities.

14 CFR 382.13 - Do carriers have to modify policies, practices, and facilities to ensure nondiscrimination?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 4 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Do carriers have to modify policies, practices, and facilities to ensure nondiscrimination? 382.13 Section 382.13 Aeronautics and Space OFFICE OF... NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY IN AIR TRAVEL Nondiscrimination and Access to Services and Information...

14 CFR 382.13 - Do carriers have to modify policies, practices, and facilities to ensure nondiscrimination?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 4 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Do carriers have to modify policies, practices, and facilities to ensure nondiscrimination? 382.13 Section 382.13 Aeronautics and Space OFFICE OF... NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY IN AIR TRAVEL Nondiscrimination and Access to Services and Information...

14 CFR 382.13 - Do carriers have to modify policies, practices, and facilities to ensure nondiscrimination?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 4 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Do carriers have to modify policies, practices, and facilities to ensure nondiscrimination? 382.13 Section 382.13 Aeronautics and Space OFFICE OF... NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY IN AIR TRAVEL Nondiscrimination and Access to Services and Information...

14 CFR 382.13 - Do carriers have to modify policies, practices, and facilities to ensure nondiscrimination?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 4 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Do carriers have to modify policies, practices, and facilities to ensure nondiscrimination? 382.13 Section 382.13 Aeronautics and Space OFFICE OF... NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY IN AIR TRAVEL Nondiscrimination and Access to Services and Information...

14 CFR 382.13 - Do carriers have to modify policies, practices, and facilities to ensure nondiscrimination?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... 14 Aeronautics and Space 4 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Do carriers have to modify policies, practices, and facilities to ensure nondiscrimination? 382.13 Section 382.13 Aeronautics and Space OFFICE OF... NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF DISABILITY IN AIR TRAVEL Nondiscrimination and Access to Services and Information...

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

Cornelis de Jager

The experimental and theoretical status of elastic electron scattering from the nucleon is reviewed. As a consequence of new experimental facilities, data of unprecedented precision have recently become available for the electromagnetic and the strange form factors of the nucleon.

A qualitative grounded theory study of the conceptions of clinical practice in osteopathy - a continuum from technical rationality to professional artistry.

PubMed

Thomson, Oliver P; Petty, Nicola J; Moore, Ann P

2014-02-01

How practitioners conceive clinical practice influences many aspects of their clinical work including how they view knowledge, clinical decision-making, and their actions. Osteopaths have relied upon the philosophical and theoretical foundations upon which the profession was built to guide clinical practice. However, it is currently unknown how osteopaths conceive clinical practice, and how these conceptions develop and influence their clinical work. This paper reports the conceptions of practice of experienced osteopaths in the UK. A constructivist grounded theory approach was taken in this study. The constant comparative method of analysis was used to code and analyse data. Purposive sampling was employed to initially select participants. Subsequent theoretical sampling, informed by data analysis, allowed specific participants to be sampled. Data collection methods involved semi-structured interviews and non-participant observation of practitioners during a patient appointment, which was video-recorded and followed by a video-prompted reflective interview. Participants' conception of practice lay on a continuum, from technical rationality to professional artistry and the development of which was influenced by their educational experience, view of health and disease, epistemology of practice knowledge, theory-practice relationship and their perceived therapeutic role. The findings from this study provide the first theoretical insight of osteopaths' conceptions of clinical practice and the factors which influence such conceptions. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The confusion in complying with good manufacturing practice requirements in Malaysia

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jali, Mohd Bakri; Ghani, Maaruf Abdul; Nor, Norazmir Md

2016-11-01

Food manufacturing operations need to fulfil regulatory requirements related to hygiene and good manufacturing practices (GMP) to successfully market their products as safe and quality products. GMP based on its ten elements used as guidelines to ensure control over biological, chemical and physical hazards. This study aims to investigate the confusion for design and facilities elements among food industries. Both qualitative and quantitative techniques are used as systematic tools. Design and facilities elements lay a firm foundation for good manufacturing practice to ensure food hygiene and should be used in conjunction with each specific code of hygiene practice and guidelines.

How do university education and clinical experience influence pre-registration nursing students' infection control practice? A descriptive, cross sectional survey.

PubMed

Hinkin, Jonathan; Cutter, Jayne

2014-02-01

This study aims to explore nursing students' knowledge of infection control and investigate how university education and clinical experience influence their infection control practice. In order to prevent and control healthcare associated infections all healthcare staff must be knowledgeable about infection control. However, knowledge and practice of infection control are often sub-optimal. Education has had variable results in improving the infection control knowledge of healthcare professionals yet, there have been few studies examining this issue in relation to pre-registration nursing students in the United Kingdom. This descriptive cross-sectional survey employed a questionnaire composed of predominantly closed questions for data collection. A non-probability, purposive sample of 354/444 (79.7%) nursing students from one university participated in the study. Knowledge was generally adequate in questions related to pathogen transmission, hand hygiene principles, glove use, immediate action following sharps' injuries, and risk reduction in relation to sharps and waste management. Topics that received less positive results related to the chain of infection, the use of alcohol gel and Clostridium difficile and the definition of inoculation injury. University education was the main influence on knowledge and practice (340/353, 96.3%), but mentors (322/354, 91.2%), nurses (316/353, 89.3%), doctors (175/353, 49.4%) and other members of the multi-disciplinary team (213/352, 60.2%) were also deemed influential. Workload, time, and availability of facilities and equipment also contributed to the adoption of infection control precautions. The findings illustrated the importance of both theoretical and practical knowledge, supported by competent role models. The study identified the complexities of knowledge acquisition and application in a practice based discipline. The support of a competent role model to assist in applying theory to practice is vital. The study has identified that there are many variables that affect IPC practice, both positively and negatively. © 2013.

Masculinities in Higher Education: Theoretical and Practical Considerations

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Laker, Jason A., Ed.; Davis, Tracy, Ed.

2011-01-01

"Masculinities in Higher Education" provides empirical evidence, theoretical support, and developmental interventions for educators working with college men both in and out of the classroom. The critical philosophical perspective of the text challenges the status-quo and offers theoretically sound educational strategies to successfully promote…

Facility Practice Variation to Help Understand the Effects of Public Policy: Insights from the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS).

PubMed

Fuller, Douglas S; Robinson, Bruce M

2017-01-06

Recent Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services policies have used dialysis facility practice variation to develop public ratings and adjust payments. In the Dialysis Facility Compare star rating system (DFC SRS), facility-relative rates of performance-based clinical measures varied nearly two-fold for mortality (standardized mortality ratio; 10th/90th percentiles: 0.71, 1.34) and hospitalization (standardized hospitalization ratio; 10th/90th percentiles: 0.64, 1.37), and nearly four-fold for transfusion (standardized transfusion ratio; 10th/90th percentiles: 0.43, 1.65). Medicare claims data (from July of 2014) demonstrate that facility variation for the proportions of patients on hemodialysis hospitalized (10th/90th percentiles: 27%, 50%) and transfused (10th/90th percentiles: 3%, 17%) within 6 months that far exceeds relatively modest recent overall longitudinal trends. DFC SRS-rated facility variation is also substantial for fistula (10th/90th percentiles: 50%, 78%) and catheter use >90 days (10th/90th percentiles: 3%, 19%). By contrast, DFC SRS-rated facility distributions for adult hemodialysis Kt/V>1.2 (10th/90th percentiles: 84%, 97%) and total serum calcium >10.2 mg/dl (median, 1%; 75th/90th percentiles: 3%, 5%) are quite narrow and may be of questionable value. Likewise, variation in the US Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study is over two-fold for facility median serum parathyroid hormone (10th/90th percentiles: 290 pg/ml, 629 pg/ml) and ferritin (10th/90th percentiles: 469 ng/ml, 1143 ng/ml) levels, and facility mean treatment time varies by 30 minutes (10th/90th percentiles: 204 minutes, 234 minutes). Rising serum parathyroid hormone and ferritin levels, and generally short dialysis treatment time, represent areas unchecked by existing policy; both overall trends and facility variation in these values may reflect unintended consequences of policy or reimbursement pressures and therefore raise concern. Additionally, outcomes in the transition period from advanced CKD to dialysis remain poor, and policy initiatives and performance accountability in this area remain insufficient. Innovative models of comprehensive care in advanced CKD and the early dialysis period which are more amenable to policy oversight are needed. In summary, facility variation is typically larger than prevailing longitudinal trends, and should not be overlooked. The combination of nationally representative observational databases (e.g., the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study) and ESRD registries can provide policy makers with additional tools to evaluate facility variation, develop policies, and monitor unintended effects. Copyright © 2016 by the American Society of Nephrology.

Electroconvulsive treatment--more than electricity?: An Odyssey of facilities.

PubMed

Berg, John E

2009-12-01

To investigate whether the practice of electroconvulsive treatment (ECT) today is done in a comparable way in different hospitals on several continents. During visits to the ECT facilities of 14 hospitals on 3 continents, comparisons were made, and responsible health professionals were interviewed using a semistructured guide. It is emphasized that the present article is not the result of a well-structured research, but of reflections after observing a lack of homogeneity among facilities. A total of more than 18,000 modified ECT sessions were given per year in the 14 hospitals. The opinion of the public and regulatory bodies on ECT strongly influences the possibility of giving ECT to patients. Indications for ECT are wider than the cases of depression in most facilities visited. A psychiatrist gives ECT in all but 1 facility. Anesthesia is given by an anesthesiologist in all but 1 facility. A mouthpiece was not used in 2 (or 3) facilities, although the rationale was the same as in facilities using mouthpieces. No facility gave unmodified ECT. Holding on to the patient during seizures was judged unnecessary in 12 of 14 facilities. In severe mental illness, the practice of using ECT seems to have its merit also in cases with debilitating illnesses other than unipolar and bipolar depression. Giving ECT may be done by qualified or specially certified nurses, but the giving of anesthesia should be the realm of the anesthesiologist. Mouthpieces are judged by some facilities to be a superfluous device. The holding of patients during seizure can be omitted. Some of the facilities visited give ECT to a huge number of patients each year. They differ in the practice of ECT and could be the focus of comparative research. Despite the differences observed, and procedures that could be altered, giving ECT in a modified way effectively relieves suffering in the patients.

40 CFR 257.2 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) SOLID WASTES CRITERIA FOR CLASSIFICATION OF SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL FACILITIES AND PRACTICES Classification of Solid Waste Disposal Facilities... demolition (C&D) landfill means a solid waste disposal facility subject to the requirements of subparts A or...

Capturing presence moments: the art of mindful practice in occupational therapy.

PubMed

Reid, Denise

2009-06-01

This paper explores theoretical and practical views of mindfulness and phenomena of presence moments. The potential for altering life and enabling change through lived experience of mindful presence moments has relevance for occupational therapy practice. To suggest ways for occupational therapists to become mindfully present during practice. Based on theoretical perspectives drawn from the fields of psychology, philosophy, psychoanalysis, neuroscience, and education, a four-fold approach will be outlined for occupational therapists to practice mindfully and experience presence moments. This approach emphasizes key concepts of awareness, non-judgment, reflection, curiosity, and commitment to practice. A clinical scenario is used to illustrate the approach. The ideas raised in this paper need to be incorporated into daily practice by occupational therapists so that a culture of mindful practice can be cultivated. Suggestions are provided throughout the paper for an agenda of potential research studies to address aspects of mindfulness and presence moments more fully.

Status of power generation experiments in the NASA Lewis closed cycle MHD facility

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sovie, R. J.; Nichols, L. D.

1971-01-01

The design and operation of the closed cycle MHD facility is discussed and results obtained in recent experiments are presented. The main components of the facility are a compressor, recuperative heat exchanger, heater, nozzle, MHD channel with 28 pairs of thoriated tungsten electrodes, cesium condenser, and an argon cooler. The facility has been operated at temperatures up to 2100 K with a cesium-seeded argon working fluid. At low magnetic field strengths, the open circuit voltage, Hall voltage and short circuit current obtained are 90, 69, and 47 percent of the theoretical equilibrium values, respectively. Comparison of this data with a wall and boundary layer leakage theory indicates that the generator has shorting paths in the Hall direction.

An evaluation of proposed acoustic treatments for the NASA LaRC 4 x 7 meter wind tunnel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Abrahamson, A. L.

1985-01-01

The NASA LaRC 4 x 7 Meter Wind Tunnel is an existing facility specially designed for powered low speed (V/STOL) testing of large scale fixed wing and rotorcraft models. The enhancement of the facility for scale model acoustic testing is examined. The results are critically reviewed and comparisons are drawn with a similar wind tunnel (the DNW Facility in the Netherlands). Discrepancies observed in the comparison stimulated a theoretical investigation using the acoustic finite element ADAM System, of the ways in which noise propagating around the tunnel circuit radiates into the open test section. The reasons for the discrepancies noted above are clarified and assists in the selection of acoustic treatment options for the facility.

Theoretical and practical knowledge of Nursing professionals on indirect blood pressure measurement at a coronary care unit

PubMed Central

Machado, Juliana Pereira; Veiga, Eugenia Velludo; Ferreira, Paulo Alexandre Camargo; Martins, José Carlos Amado; Daniel, Ana Carolina Queiroz Godoy; Oliveira, Amanda dos Santos; da Silva, Patrícia Costa dos Santos

2014-01-01

Objective To determine and to analyze the theoretical and practical knowledge of Nursing professionals on indirect blood pressure measurement. Methods This cross-sectional study included 31 professionals of a coronary care unit (86% of the Nursing staff in the unit). Of these, 38.7% of professionals were nurses and 61.3% nurse technicians. A validated questionnaire was used to theoretical evaluation and for practice assessment the auscultatory technique was applied in a simulation environment, under a non-participant observation. Results To the theoretical knowledge of the stages of preparation of patient and environment, 12.9% mentioned 5-minute of rest, 48.4% checked calibration, and 29.0% chose adequate cuff width. A total of 64.5% of professionals avoided rounding values, and 22.6% mentioned the 6-month deadline period for the equipment calibration. On average, in practice assessment, 65% of the steps were followed. Lacks in knowledge were primary concerning lack of checking the device calibration and stethoscope, measurement of arm circumference to choose the cuff size, and the record of arm used in blood pressure measurement. Conclusion Knowledge was poor and had disparities between theory and practice with evidence of steps taken without proper awareness and lack of consideration of important knowledge during implementation of blood pressure measurement. Educational and operational interventions should be applied systematically with institutional involvement to ensure safe care with reliable values. PMID:25295455

The neural mediators of kindness-based meditation: a theoretical model

PubMed Central

Mascaro, Jennifer S.; Darcher, Alana; Negi, Lobsang T.; Raison, Charles L.

2015-01-01

Although kindness-based contemplative practices are increasingly employed by clinicians and cognitive researchers to enhance prosocial emotions, social cognitive skills, and well-being, and as a tool to understand the basic workings of the social mind, we lack a coherent theoretical model with which to test the mechanisms by which kindness-based meditation may alter the brain and body. Here, we link contemplative accounts of compassion and loving-kindness practices with research from social cognitive neuroscience and social psychology to generate predictions about how diverse practices may alter brain structure and function and related aspects of social cognition. Contingent on the nuances of the practice, kindness-based meditation may enhance the neural systems related to faster and more basic perceptual or motor simulation processes, simulation of another’s affective body state, slower and higher-level perspective-taking, modulatory processes such as emotion regulation and self/other discrimination, and combinations thereof. This theoretical model will be discussed alongside best practices for testing such a model and potential implications and applications of future work. PMID:25729374

Hash Functions and Information Theoretic Security

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bagheri, Nasour; Knudsen, Lars R.; Naderi, Majid; Thomsen, Søren S.

Information theoretic security is an important security notion in cryptography as it provides a true lower bound for attack complexities. However, in practice attacks often have a higher cost than the information theoretic bound. In this paper we study the relationship between information theoretic attack costs and real costs. We show that in the information theoretic model, many well-known and commonly used hash functions such as MD5 and SHA-256 fail to be preimage resistant.

Learning in human-dolphin interactions at zoological facilities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sweeney, Diane L.

This research aimed to better understand learning in zoological settings, particularly learning about marine mammals, by investigating the research question, what do people learn through interacting with dolphins in zoological facilities? Sociocultural situated learning theory, specifically a Community of Practice (CoP) model of learning (Lave & Wenger, 1991), was the theoretical framework. The CoP model allowed for diversity of knowledge, interest, motivations, and goals that existed among the community of animal enthusiasts at three commercial zoological facilities, and also for peripheral to more central types of participation. I collected data through interviews of spectators, visitors, and trainers (n=51), observations (n=16), and an online questionnaire of past-visitors (n=933). Data were coded, categorized, and analyzed based on the National Science Foundation's (Friedman, 2008) and the National Research Council's (2009) frameworks for informal science education. Five principal findings answered the research question. First, all participants gained new knowledge within three broad categories: (a) dolphin physiology and natural history, (b) care and training of dolphins, and (c) conservation. Second, all participants constructed personal meanings by connecting the activity to experiences, beliefs, and practices outside the interaction context. Almost all participants made associations with conservation. Third, most participants shifted their attitudes and gained a sense of personal agency about beginning or increasing stewardship actions. Fourth, visitors learned interspecies etiquette skills; trainers learned skills in dolphin training and management, people management, and teaching. Fifth, visitors had long-lasting memories of the experience that occurred eight months to 18 years in the past. Popular cultural ideas about dolphins and the ways the dolphins were represented influenced visitors' expectations and the types of learning. Potential physical mediators of learning were close proximity to living dolphins and eye-to-eye immersion. Potential social mediators were membership in the CoP, and interacting with experts and co-participants. In the personal realm, potential mediators were the participants' strong affective responses to the experience, including interest, engagement, positive emotions, and feelings of affinity to the dolphins. The collective influences appeared to move participants towards stronger identities as environmentally-caring and responsible individuals who take stewardship action.

Skin and surface lead contamination, hygiene programs, and work practices of bridge surface preparation and painting contractors.

PubMed

Virji, M Abbas; Woskie, Susan R; Pepper, Lewis D

2009-02-01

A 2005 regulatory review of the lead in construction standard by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) noted that alternative pathways of exposure can be as significant as inhalation exposure and that noncompliance with the standard pertaining to hygiene facilities and practices was the second most commonly violated section of the standard. Noncompliance with provisions of the standard and unhealthy work and hygiene practices likely increase the likelihood of take-home lead via contaminated clothing, automobiles, and skin, thus contributing to elevated blood lead levels (BLL) among construction workers and their family members. We performed a cross-sectional study of bridge painters working for small contractors in Massachusetts to investigate causes of persistent elevated BLLs and to assess lead exposures. Thirteen work sites were evaluated for a 2-week period during which surface and skin wipe samples were collected and qualitative information was obtained on personal hygiene practices, decontamination and hand wash facilities, and respiratory protection programs. Results showed lead contamination on workers' skin, respirators, personal automobiles, and the decontamination unit, indicating a significant potential for take-home lead exposure. Overall, the geometric mean (GM) skin lead levels ranged from 373 microg on workers' faces at end of shift to 814 microg on hands at break time. The overall GM lead level inside respirators was 143 microg before work and 286 microg after work. Lead contamination was also present inside workers' personal vehicles as well as on surfaces inside the clean side of the decontamination unit. Review of the respiratory protection programs, work site decontamination and hand wash facilities, and personal hygiene practices indicated that these factors had significant impact on skin and surface contamination levels and identified significant opportunities for improving work site facilities and personal practices. Elevated lead exposure and BLL can be minimized by strict adherence to the OSHA provisions for functioning decontamination and hygiene facilities and healthy personal hygiene practices.

Academic training and clinical placement problems to achieve nursing competency

PubMed Central

RAHMATI SHARGHI, NARJES; ALAMI, ALI; KHOSRAVAN, SHAHLA; MANSOORIAN, MOHAMMAD REZA; EKRAMI, ALI

2015-01-01

Introduction: High quality of care is one of the requirements of nursing which depends on the nursing competency. In this connection, the aim of this research was to determine the problems related to the academic training (nursing' educational program) and clinical practice to achieve competency from the viewpoint of nurses, faculty members, and nursing students. Methods: the study was an analytical cross-sectional one. The sample consisted of the academic staff, the third and the fourth year nursing students and nurses in practice. The instrument of the study was a two-part researcher-made questionnaire with 22 questions in the theoretical- clinical realm to assess  problems related to the theoretical and clinical teaching in nursing, and 23 questions to assess the clinical functions. The questionnaire was validated in terms of both face and content validity. Its reliability, using Cronbach's Alpha coefficient, was 0.72 in the theoretical-clinical and 0.73 in the clinical realm. Both descriptive and analytical statistics were used to analyze the data, using SPSS software. Results: The results of this study indicated that from the participants’ viewpoints, the most important problems in the academic education for nursea to acquire competency were as follows: lack of academic research the clinical period (88.9%), no application of theoretical aspects of the nursing process in practice (85.6%), insufficient knowledgeable and professional educators (81.1%), the use of traditional routine-oriented methods on the wards (75.6%); also insufficient time for performance based on knowledge in relation to  the nurse's workload (86.5%), weakness and usefulness of scientific function encouragement systems in clinic (85.2%), and learnt theoretical subjects not coming into practice in clinical fields after graduation (75.6%). Conclusion: Efforts to reduce the gap between the theoretical and practical (clinical function) knowledge in educational and work environment are required to improve the training of qualified nurses. PMID:25587550

Self-Psychology, Shame, and Adolescent Suicide: Theoretical and Practical Considerations.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shreve, Barry W.; Kunkel, Mark A.

1991-01-01

Discusses role of shame in adolescent suicidal behaviors using psychoanalytic self-psychology of Heinz Kohut as theoretical foundation. Describes shame as central component of suicidal behavior within context of adolescence. Offers theoretical explanation of adolescent suicidal behavior from self-psychology perspective. Presents suggestions for…

How to Cope with Bias While Adapting for Inclusion in Physical Education and Sports: A Judgment and Decision-Making Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hutzler, Yeshayahu; Bar-Eli, Michael

2013-01-01

The purpose of this article is to describe a theoretical model and practice examples of judgment and decision making bias within the context of inclusion in physical education and sports. After presenting the context of adapting for inclusion, the theoretical roots of judgment and decision are described, and are linked to the practice of physical…

A Critical Review of the Use of Wenger's Community of Practice (CoP) Theoretical Framework in Online and Blended Learning Research, 2000-2014

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Smith, Sedef Uzuner; Hayes, Suzanne; Shea, Peter

2017-01-01

After presenting a brief overview of the key elements that underpin Etienne Wenger's communities of practice (CoP) theoretical framework, one of the most widely cited and influential conceptions of social learning, this paper reviews extant empirical work grounded in this framework to investigate online/blended learning in higher education and in…

An Examination of Care Practices of Pregnant Women Incarcerated in Jail Facilities in the United States.

PubMed

Kelsey, C M; Medel, Nickole; Mullins, Carson; Dallaire, Danielle; Forestell, Catherine

2017-06-01

The number of incarcerated women in the United States has been steadily increasing over the last 30 years. An estimated 6-10% of these women are pregnant at intake. Previous studies on the health needs and care of pregnant incarcerated women have focused mainly on prison settings. Therefore, we examined the pregnancy-related accommodations and health care provided for regional jail populations. The present study is a quantitative survey (administered through phone or email to employees of predominately jail medical facilities) of common practices and policies employed across 53 jail facilities in the United States as a function of geographic region (North vs. South; West vs. Central vs. East). We examined provision of pregnancy screening, special diets, and drug rehabilitation and prohibition of shackling. Strikingly, across all aspects of the care of pregnant incarcerated women there are areas to be improved upon. Notably, only 37.7% of facilities pregnancy test all women upon entry, 45.7% put opioid addicted women through withdrawal protocol, and 56.7% of facilities use restraints on women hours after having a baby. In this first study to examine practices in regional jails nationwide, we found evidence that standards of care guidelines to improve health and well-being of pregnant incarcerated women, set by agencies such as American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, are not being followed in many facilities. Because not following these guidelines could pose major health risks to the mother and developing fetus, better policies, better enforcement of policies, and better common practices are needed to improve the health and welfare of pregnant incarcerated women.

Improving water, sanitation and hygiene in health-care facilities, Liberia

PubMed Central

Montgomery, Maggie; Baller, April; Ndivo, Francis; Gasasira, Alex; Cooper, Catherine; Frescas, Ruben; Gordon, Bruce; Syed, Shamsuzzoha Babar

2017-01-01

Abstract Problem The lack of proper water and sanitation infrastructures and poor hygiene practices in health-care facilities reduces facilities’ preparedness and response to disease outbreaks and decreases the communities’ trust in the health services provided. Approach To improve water and sanitation infrastructures and hygiene practices, the Liberian health ministry held multistakeholder meetings to develop a national water, sanitation and hygiene and environmental health package. A national train-the-trainer course was held for county environmental health technicians, which included infection prevention and control focal persons; the focal persons acted as change agents. Local setting In Liberia, only 45% of 701 surveyed health-care facilities had an improved water source in 2015, and only 27% of these health-care facilities had proper disposal for infectious waste. Relevant changes Local ownership, through engagement of local health workers, was introduced to ensure development and refinement of the package. In-county collaborations between health-care facilities, along with multisectoral collaboration, informed national level direction, which led to increased focus on water and sanitation infrastructures and uptake of hygiene practices to improve the overall quality of service delivery. Lessons learnt National level leadership was important to identify a vision and create an enabling environment for changing the perception of water, sanitation and hygiene in health-care provision. The involvement of health workers was central to address basic infrastructure and hygiene practices in health-care facilities and they also worked as stimulators for sustainable change. Further, developing a long-term implementation plan for national level initiatives is important to ensure sustainability. PMID:28670017

40 CFR Table 2 to Subpart Cccccc... - Applicability Criteria and Management Practices for Gasoline Cargo Tanks Unloading at Gasoline...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... Practices for Gasoline Cargo Tanks Unloading at Gasoline Dispensing Facilities With Monthly Throughput of 100,000 Gallons of Gasoline or More 2 Table 2 to Subpart CCCCCC of Part 63 Protection of Environment... Pollutants for Source Category: Gasoline Dispensing Facilities Pt. 63, Subpt. CCCCCC, Table 2 Table 2 to...

40 CFR Table 2 to Subpart Cccccc... - Applicability Criteria and Management Practices for Gasoline Cargo Tanks Unloading at Gasoline...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... Practices for Gasoline Cargo Tanks Unloading at Gasoline Dispensing Facilities With Monthly Throughput of 100,000 Gallons of Gasoline or More 2 Table 2 to Subpart CCCCCC of Part 63 Protection of Environment... Pollutants for Source Category: Gasoline Dispensing Facilities Pt. 63, Subpt. CCCCCC, Table 2 Table 2 to...

40 CFR Table 2 to Subpart Cccccc... - Applicability Criteria and Management Practices for Gasoline Cargo Tanks Unloading at Gasoline...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Practices for Gasoline Cargo Tanks Unloading at Gasoline Dispensing Facilities With Monthly Throughput of 100,000 Gallons of Gasoline or More 2 Table 2 to Subpart CCCCCC of Part 63 Protection of Environment... Pollutants for Source Category: Gasoline Dispensing Facilities Pt. 63, Subpt. CCCCCC, Table 2 Table 2 to...

40 CFR Table 2 to Subpart Cccccc... - Applicability Criteria and Management Practices for Gasoline Cargo Tanks Unloading at Gasoline...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... Practices for Gasoline Cargo Tanks Unloading at Gasoline Dispensing Facilities With Monthly Throughput of 100,000 Gallons of Gasoline or More 2 Table 2 to Subpart CCCCCC of Part 63 Protection of Environment... Pollutants for Source Category: Gasoline Dispensing Facilities Pt. 63, Subpt. CCCCCC, Table 2 Table 2 to...

40 CFR Table 2 to Subpart Cccccc... - Applicability Criteria and Management Practices for Gasoline Cargo Tanks Unloading at Gasoline...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... Practices for Gasoline Cargo Tanks Unloading at Gasoline Dispensing Facilities With Monthly Throughput of 100,000 Gallons of Gasoline or More 2 Table 2 to Subpart CCCCCC of Part 63 Protection of Environment... Pollutants for Source Category: Gasoline Dispensing Facilities Pt. 63, Subpt. CCCCCC, Table 2 Table 2 to...

28 CFR 548.13 - Schedules and facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Schedules and facilities. 548.13 Section 548.13 Judicial Administration BUREAU OF PRISONS, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT RELIGIOUS PROGRAMS Religious Beliefs and Practices of Committed Offenders § 548.13 Schedules and facilities...

28 CFR 548.13 - Schedules and facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Schedules and facilities. 548.13 Section 548.13 Judicial Administration BUREAU OF PRISONS, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT RELIGIOUS PROGRAMS Religious Beliefs and Practices of Committed Offenders § 548.13 Schedules and facilities...

28 CFR 548.13 - Schedules and facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Schedules and facilities. 548.13 Section 548.13 Judicial Administration BUREAU OF PRISONS, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT RELIGIOUS PROGRAMS Religious Beliefs and Practices of Committed Offenders § 548.13 Schedules and facilities...

28 CFR 548.13 - Schedules and facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Schedules and facilities. 548.13 Section 548.13 Judicial Administration BUREAU OF PRISONS, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT RELIGIOUS PROGRAMS Religious Beliefs and Practices of Committed Offenders § 548.13 Schedules and facilities...

28 CFR 548.13 - Schedules and facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 28 Judicial Administration 2 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Schedules and facilities. 548.13 Section 548.13 Judicial Administration BUREAU OF PRISONS, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE INSTITUTIONAL MANAGEMENT RELIGIOUS PROGRAMS Religious Beliefs and Practices of Committed Offenders § 548.13 Schedules and facilities...

21 CFR 58.31 - Testing facility management.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES GENERAL GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE FOR NONCLINICAL LABORATORY STUDIES Organization and Personnel § 58.31 Testing facility management. For each nonclinical laboratory study, testing facility management shall: (a) Designate a study...

Exploring Environmental Factors in Nursing Workplaces That Promote Psychological Resilience: Constructing a Unified Theoretical Model

PubMed Central

Cusack, Lynette; Smith, Morgan; Hegney, Desley; Rees, Clare S.; Breen, Lauren J.; Witt, Regina R.; Rogers, Cath; Williams, Allison; Cross, Wendy; Cheung, Kin

2016-01-01

Building nurses' resilience to complex and stressful practice environments is necessary to keep skilled nurses in the workplace and ensuring safe patient care. A unified theoretical framework titled Health Services Workplace Environmental Resilience Model (HSWERM), is presented to explain the environmental factors in the workplace that promote nurses' resilience. The framework builds on a previously-published theoretical model of individual resilience, which identified the key constructs of psychological resilience as self-efficacy, coping and mindfulness, but did not examine environmental factors in the workplace that promote nurses' resilience. This unified theoretical framework was developed using a literary synthesis drawing on data from international studies and literature reviews on the nursing workforce in hospitals. The most frequent workplace environmental factors were identified, extracted and clustered in alignment with key constructs for psychological resilience. Six major organizational concepts emerged that related to a positive resilience-building workplace and formed the foundation of the theoretical model. Three concepts related to nursing staff support (professional, practice, personal) and three related to nursing staff development (professional, practice, personal) within the workplace environment. The unified theoretical model incorporates these concepts within the workplace context, linking to the nurse, and then impacting on personal resilience and workplace outcomes, and its use has the potential to increase staff retention and quality of patient care. PMID:27242567

An Evaluation of Facility Maintenance and Repair Strategies of Select Companies

DTIC Science & Technology

2002-09-01

challenge for facility maintenance professionals is balancing the cost of facility Maintenance and Repair (M&R) with the benefits derived from those...maintenance professionals is balancing the cost of facility Maintenance and Repair (M&R) with the benefits derived from those facilities. This thesis...private organizations may also benefit from an analysis of the practices in use by successful corporations. The second group to benefit from this

Creating a curriculum for the 21st century.

PubMed

Mohr, W K; Naylor, M D

1998-01-01

The curriculum that was described in this article reflects our school's broad and bold definition of what constitutes knowledge in nursing. It also represents the faculty's dedication to a creative approach to education and practice, as well as a commitment to change in an age of change. It portrays a desire to design education that would develop the full range of human potential, the full potential of the university, and incorporate the full range of approaches to human problems. Our current changing practice environment underscores the challenges and complexities facing faculties and student nurses in pursuit of relevant and useful theoretic and clinical content. In addition, those of us who have practiced in the psychiatric field know that the care of clients with psychiatric problems requires heterogeneous approaches to treatment that vary with respect to type, frequency, severity, and chronicity of their conditions. We know that the impact of certain conditions is linked to age and developmental status, and we know that the effects of deviations from health are mediated by numerous features of ecology, including poverty, job and family instability, parental stress, social isolation, and community violence. As a result, nursing interventions and their outcomes no longer can be viewed in terms of simple cause and effect relationships; nor can they be thought of as occurring in the familiar settings of hospitals or institutions. For better or worse, those facilities have closed. This reality and the enormous complexities of human science speak to the multidimensional factors involved in the construction of new and different models of teaching and learning within a comprehensive conceptual framework to guide both learning and practice.

Mathematics teachers' beliefs about scientific approach (SA) and implementation in mathematics learning

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mutholib, Ahmad Abdul; Sujadi, Imam; Subanti, Sri

2017-08-01

SA is the approach used for the exploration of research and answer questions. Teachers' beliefs have a greater influence than the teacher's knowledge of designing lesson plans in the classroom. The objectives of this study are to explore the teachers' beliefs in SA, to reveal how the beliefs are reflected in classroom practices; and to figure out the factors affecting their beliefs and practices of SA to the teaching of mathematics. This qualitative research applied case study. The data was gained from classroom observation, face-to-face interview, and documentation. Interactive models from Miles and Huberman were used to examine the data. Results of the study: 1) The teachers believe about the conception of SA. They also believe that the SA is important and gives impact to students' progress. They believe that by applying SA, the target of mathematics learning is acquired. As to learning procedure, they believe that SA steps are conducted in sequence by combining some steps for each. 2) Teachers formulate their beliefs of applying the five scientific step of integrating all steps by keeping the sequence. Teachers argue that target of mathematics learning can be attained by some ways, namely presence of theoretical and practical support, teachers' guidance, providing variety of media and motivation to students. 3) There are five factors which influence teachers' beliefs and practices of SA, namely learning and teaching experience, teachers' motivation, sharing with colleagues and facility. This study concludes that teachers believe in the importance of SA, therefore they implement it in the classroom.

Cosmopolitanism: Extending Our Theoretical Framework for Transcultural Technical Communication Research and Teaching

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Palmer, Zsuzsanna Bacsa

2013-01-01

The effects of globalization on communication products and processes have resulted in document features and interactional practices that are sometimes difficult to describe within current theoretical frameworks of inter/transcultural technical communication. Although it has been recognized in our field that the old theoretical frameworks and…

A/R systems reduce delayed and denied reimbursements.

PubMed

Escobar, Carlos

2007-01-01

The day-to-day benefits of a comprehensive billing and collections system are pro-active and preventive--administrators are increasingly learning that accelerating billings hastens collections and, ultimately, facility profitability. Effective billing and collections management services work closely with the facility, matching nightly "dumps" of patient files with transcripts. This marriage of otherwise disparate data creates a billing unit that reduces errors and ensures no billable procedures are lost. Ultimately, the goal of any medical practice that engages an ASP application or outsource solution is not to sit idly by while allowing a billing company to take control of a practice's revenue stream. The ability to track the billing process from transcript submission to payment provides a facility with all information necessary to manage cash flow, revenues, and even personal and practice financial planning.

Recent Experiments Involving Few-Nucleon Systems

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tornow, W.

2014-08-01

Recent experimental results are presented for reactions involving A = 3 to A = 6 nuclear systems. The emphasis is on unique data obtained at new experimental facilities. It is shown that the inertial confinement fusion facilities OMEGA and NIF provide a largely unexpected opportunity for experimental few-body physics to both obtain data of unprecedented quality and extend previous measurements to energies not accessible in the past. Whenever possible, data are compared to state-of-the-art theoretical calculations.

Treatment planning capability assessment of a beam shaping assembly for accelerator-based BNCT.

PubMed

Herrera, M S; González, S J; Burlon, A A; Minsky, D M; Kreiner, A J

2011-12-01

Within the frame of an ongoing project to develop a folded Tandem-Electrostatic-Quadrupole accelerator facility for Accelerator-Based Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (AB-BNCT) a theoretical study was performed to assess the treatment planning capability of different configurations of an optimized beam shaping assembly for such a facility. In particular this study aims at evaluating treatment plans for a clinical case of Glioblastoma. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Design and construction of a spectrometer facility and experiment for intermediate energy proton scattering on helium. [Wave functions, preliminary experimental techniques

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

Rolfe, R.M.

1976-12-01

The goal of the research was to investigate proton scattering on nuclei at intermediate energies and in particular to investigate proton scattering on helium. A theoretical investigation of the helium nucleus and the nature of the intermediate energy interaction, design and optimization of an energy-loss spectrometer facility for proton-nucleus scattering, and the unique superfluid helium target and experimental design are discussed.

Promoting the exotic pet practice.

PubMed

Harris, Don J

2005-09-01

The marketing and promotion of an exotic pet veterinary practice allows the use of strategies that are not necessarily available in other veterinary disciplines. The advantage that an exotics practice enjoys is that it is able to capitalize not only on the unique nature of the species being attended but also on the specialized features of the hospital itself that make it specifically appropriate in caring for exotic pets. Before marketing, however, comes the responsibility that the practice live up to the claims made in promotional materials. A practice cannot ethically be presented as an "exotics" practice if it is nothing more than a dog and cat facility that is willing to attend to exotic pets. It is the competence of the veterinary staff and the appropriateness of the facility that determines the suitability of the practice for exotics management.

Pressure ulcer prevention in long-term-care facilities: a pilot study implementing standardized nurse aide documentation and feedback reports.

PubMed

Horn, Susan D; Sharkey, Siobhan S; Hudak, Sandra; Gassaway, Julie; James, Roberta; Spector, William

2010-03-01

To design and facilitate implementation of practice-based evidence changes associated with decreases in pressure ulcer (PrU) development in long-term-care (LTC) facilities and promote these practices as part of routine care. Pre/post observational study. Frail older adult residents in 11 US LTC facilities. Project facilitators assisted frontline multidisciplinary teams (certified nurse aides [CNAs], nurses, and dietitians/dietary aides) to develop streamlined standardized CNA documentation and weekly reports to identify high-risk residents and to integrate clinical reports into day-to-day practice and clinical decision making. The program was called "Real-Time Optimal Care Plans for Nursing Home QI" (Real-Time). Prevalence of PrUs using Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) quality measures (QMs), number of in-house-acquired PrUs, and number and completeness of CNA documentation forms. Seven study LTC facilities that reported data to CMS experienced a combined 33% (SD, 36.1%) reduction in the CMS high-risk PrU QM in 18 months and reduction in newly occurring PrUs (number of ulcers in the fourth quarter of 2003: range, 2-19; and in the third quarter of 2005: range, 1-6). Five of these LTC facilities that fully implemented Real-Time experienced a combined 48.1% (SD, 23.4%) reduction in the CMS high-risk PrU QM. Ten facilities reduced by an average of 2 to 5 their number of CNA documentation forms; CNA weekly documentation completeness reached a consistent level of 90% to 95%, and 8 facilities integrated the use of 2 to 4 weekly project reports in routine clinical decision making. Quality improvement efforts that provide access to focused and timely clinical information, facilitate change, and promote staff working together in multidisciplinary teams impacted clinical outcomes. Prevention of PrUs showed a trend of improvement in facilities that fully integrated tools to identify high-risk residents into day-to-day practice. CNA documentation facilitated better information for clinical decision making. More than 70 additional LTC facilities across the United States are implementing this QI program.

Removal site evaluation report for the Isotope Facilities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee

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

NONE

This removal site evaluation (RmSE) report of the Isotope Facilities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) was prepared to provide the Environmental Restoration Program with information necessary to evaluate whether hazardous and/or radiological contaminants in and around the Isotopes Facility pose a substantial risk to human health or the environment and if remedial site evaluations (RSEs) or removal actions are required. The scope of the project included: (1) a review of historical evidence regarding operations and use of the facility; (2) interviews with facility personnel concerning current and past operating practices; (3) a site inspection; and (4) identification of hazardmore » areas requiring maintenance, removal, or remedial actions. The results of RmSE indicate that no substantial risks exist from contaminants present in the Isotope Facilities because adequate controls and practices exist to protect human health and the environment. The recommended correction from the RmSE are being conducted as maintenance actions; accordingly, this RmSE is considered complete and terminated.« less

A knowledge infrastructure for occupational safety and health.

PubMed

van Dijk, Frank J H; Verbeek, Jos H; Hoving, Jan L; Hulshof, Carel T J

2010-12-01

Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) professionals should use scientific evidence to support their decisions in policy and practice. Although examples from practice show that progress has been made in evidence-based decision making, there is a challenge to improve and extend the facilities that support knowledge translation in practice. A knowledge infrastructure that supports OSH practice should include scientific research, systematic reviews, practice guidelines, and other tools for professionals such as well accessible virtual libraries and databases providing knowledge, quality tools, and good learning materials. A good infrastructure connects facilities with each other and with practice. Training and education is needed for OSH professionals in the use of evidence to improve effectiveness and efficiency. New initiatives show that occupational health can profit from intensified international collaboration to establish a good functioning knowledge infrastructure.

What can organisational theory offer knowledge translation in healthcare? A thematic and lexical analysis.

PubMed

Dadich, Ann; Doloswala, Navin

2018-05-10

Despite the relative abundance of frameworks and models to guide implementation science, the explicit use of theory is limited. Bringing together two seemingly disparate fields of research, this article asks, what can organisational theory offer implementation science? This is examined by applying a theoretical lens that incorporates agency, institutional, and situated change theories to understand the implementation of healthcare knowledge into practice. Interviews were conducted with 20 general practitioners (GPs) before and after using a resource to facilitate evidence-based sexual healthcare. Research material was analysed using two approaches - researcher-driven thematic coding and lexical analysis, which was relatively less researcher-driven. The theoretical lens elucidated the complex pathways of knowledge translation. More specifically, agency theory revealed tensions between the GP as agent and their organisations and patients as principals. Institutional theory highlighted the importance of GP-embeddedness within their chosen specialty of general practice; their medical profession; and the practice in which they worked. Situated change theory exposed the role of localised adaptations over time - a metamorphosis. This study has theoretical, methodological, and practical implications. Theoretically, it is the first to examine knowledge translation using a lens premised on agency, institutional, and situated change theories. Methodologically, the study highlights the complementary value of researcher-driven and researcher-guided analysis of qualitative research material. Practically, this study signposts opportunities to facilitate knowledge translation - more specifically, it suggests that efforts to shape clinician practices should accommodate the interrelated influence of the agent and the institution, and recognise that change can be ever so subtle.

Impact of Family Planning and Business Trainings on Private-Sector Health Care Providers in Nigeria.

PubMed

Ugaz, Jorge; Leegwater, Anthony; Chatterji, Minki; Johnson, Doug; Baruwa, Sikiru; Toriola, Modupe; Kinnan, Cynthia

2017-06-01

Private health care providers are an important source of modern contraceptives in Sub-Saharan Africa, yet they face many challenges that might be addressed through targeted training. This study measures the impact of a package of trainings and supportive supervision activities targeted to private health care providers in Lagos State, Nigeria, on outcomes including range of contraceptive methods offered, providers' knowledge and quality of counseling, recordkeeping practices, access to credit and revenue. A total of 965 health care facilities were randomly assigned to treatment and control groups. Facilities in the treatment group-but not those in the control group-were offered a training package that included a contraceptive technology update and interventions to improve counseling and clinical skills and business practices. Multivariate regression analysis of data collected through facility and mystery client surveys was used to estimate effects. The training program had a positive effect on the range of contraceptive methods offered, with facilities in the treatment group providing more methods than facilities in the control group. The training program also had a positive impact on the quality of counseling services, especially on the range of contraceptive methods discussed by providers, their interpersonal skills and overall knowledge. Facilities in the treatment group were more likely than facilities in the control group to have good recordkeeping practices and to have obtained loans. No effect was found on revenue generation. Targeted training programs can be effective tools to improve the provision of family planning services through private providers.

A Rasch Model Analysis of Evidence-Based Treatment Practices Used in the Criminal Justice System

PubMed Central

Henderson, Craig E.; Taxman, Faye S.; Young, Douglas W.

2008-01-01

This study used item response theory (IRT) to examine the extent to which criminal justice facilities and community-based agencies are using evidence-based substance abuse treatment practices (EBPs), which EBPs are most commonly used, and how EBPs cluster together. The study used data collected from wardens, justice administrators, and treatment directors as part of the National Criminal Justice Treatment Practices survey (NCJTP; Taxman et al., 2007a), and includes both adult criminal and juvenile justice samples. Results of Rasch modeling demonstrated that a reliable measure can be formed to gauge the extent to which juvenile and adult correctional facilities, and community treatment agencies serving offenders, have adopted various treatment practices supported by research. We also demonstrated the concurrent validity of the measure by showing that features of the facilities’ organizational contexts were associated with the extent to which facilities were using EBPs, and which EBPs they were using. Researchers, clinicians, and program administrators may find these results interesting not only because they show the program factors most strongly related to EBP use, but the results also suggest that certain treatment practices are generally clustered together, which may help stakeholders plan and prioritize the adoption of new EBPs in their facilities. The study has implications for future research focused on understanding the adoption and implementation of EBPs in correctional environments. PMID:18029116

Practical considerations for disaster preparedness and continuity management in research facilities.

PubMed

Mortell, Norman; Nicholls, Sam

2013-10-01

Many research facility managers, veterinarians and directors are familiar with the principles of Good Laboratory Practice, requirements of the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care International, tenets of biosecurity and standards of animal welfare and housing but may be less familiar with the ideas of business continuity. But business continuity considerations are as applicable to research facilities as they are to other institutions. The authors discuss how business continuity principles can be applied in the research context and propose that such application, or 'research continuity management,' enables a focused but wide-reaching approach to disaster preparedness.

Attitudes of Nursing Facilities' Staff Toward Pharmacy Students' Interaction with its Residents.

PubMed

Adkins, Donna; Gavaza, Paul; Deel, Sharon

2017-06-01

All Appalachian College of Pharmacy second-year students undertake the longitudinal geriatric early pharmacy practice experiences (EPPE) 2 course, which involves interacting with geriatric residents in two nursing facilities over two semesters. The study investigated the nursing staff's perceptions about the rotation and the pharmacy students' interaction with nursing facility residents. Cross-sectional study. Academic setting. 63 nursing facility staff. A 10-item attitude survey administered to nursing staff. Nursing staff attitude toward pharmacy students' interaction with geriatric residents during the course. Sixty-three responses were received (84% response rate). Most respondents were female (95.2%), who occasionally interacted with pharmacy students (54.8%) and had worked at the facilities for an average of 6.8 years (standard deviation [SD] = 6.7) years. Staff reported that pharmacy students practiced interacting with geriatric residents and nursing facility staff, learned about different medications taken by residents as well as their life as a nursing facility resident. In addition, the student visits improved the mood of residents and staff's understanding of medicines, among others. Staff suggested that students spend more time with their residents in the facility as well as ask more questions of staff. The nursing facility staff generally had favorable attitudes about pharmacy students' visits in their nursing facility. Nursing facility staff noted that the geriatric rotation was a great learning experience for the pharmacy students.

A survey of veterinary radiation facilities in 2010.

PubMed

Farrelly, John; McEntee, Margaret C

2014-01-01

A survey of veterinary radiation therapy facilities in the United States, Canada, and Europe was done in 2010, using an online survey tool, to determine the type of equipment available, radiation protocols used, caseload, tumor types irradiated, as well as other details of the practice of veterinary radiation oncology. The results of this survey were compared to a similar survey performed in 2001. A total of 76 facilities were identified including 24 (32%) academic institutions and 52 (68%) private practice external beam radiation therapy facilities. The overall response rate was 51% (39/76 responded). Based on this survey, there is substantial variation among facilities in all aspects ranging from equipment and personnel to radiation protocols and caseloads. American College of Veterinary Radiology boarded radiation oncologists direct 90% of the radiation facilities, which was increased slightly compared to 2001. All facilities surveyed in 2010 had a linear accelerator. More facilities reported having electron capability (79%) compared to the 2001 survey. Eight facilities had a radiation oncology resident, and academic facilities were more likely to have residents. Patient caseload information was available from 28 sites (37% of radiation facilities), and based on the responses 1376 dogs and 352 cats were irradiated in 2010. The most frequently irradiated tumors were soft tissue sarcomas in dogs, and oral squamous cell carcinoma in cats. © 2014 American College of Veterinary Radiology.

Email consultations in general practice.

PubMed

Neville, Ron G; Marsden, Wendy; McCowan, Colin; Pagliari, Claudia; Mullen, Helen; Fannin, Allison

2004-01-01

Email is an established method of communication in business, leisure and education but not yet health care. To evaluate an email service enabling communication between patients and their general practice regarding repeat prescriptions, appointment booking and clinical enquiries. Qualitative analysis of interactions and an electronic user survey. An urban practice in Dundee, Scotland. 150 patients aged 24 to 85. We set up a practice facility to allow our patients to use email to book appointments, order repeat prescriptions and consult their general practitioner (GP). Patient satisfaction with the service was very high. Patients specifically commended the practice for setting up a facility to allow communication outside standard working hours and for the ease of ordering repeat prescriptions. Patients were pleased to have a means of seeking their doctor's comment or opinion without bothering him or her by making and attending a formal face-to-face consultation. Email dialogue was polite, factual, but less formal than standard letters. Staff did not experience any perceptible rise in workload. Use of an email consultation facility worked well within an urban practice, was deemed helpful by patients, and resulted in no apparent increase in GP workload. Our results suggest that there may be an unmet need amongst patients for clinical email services, and that such services may have positive outcomes for patients and practices.

Counselling on and women's awareness of pregnancy danger signs in selected rural health facilities in Burkina Faso, Ghana and Tanzania.

PubMed

Duysburgh, Els; Ye, Maurice; Williams, Afua; Massawe, Siriel; Sié, Ali; Williams, John; Mpembeni, Rose; Loukanova, Svetla; Temmerman, Marleen

2013-12-01

The aims of this study were to (i) assess healthcare workers' counselling practices concerning danger signs during antenatal consultations in rural primary healthcare (PHC) facilities in Burkina Faso, Ghana and Tanzania; to (ii) assess pregnant women's awareness of these danger signs; and (iii) to identify factors affecting counselling practices and women's awareness. Cross-sectional study in rural PHC facilities in Burkina Faso, Ghana and Tanzania. In each country, 12 facilities were randomly selected. WHO guidelines were used as standard for good counselling. We assessed providers' counselling practice on seven danger signs through direct observation study (35 observations/facility). Exit interviews (63 interviews/facility) were used to assess women's awareness of the same seven danger signs. We used negative binomial regression to assess associations with health services' and socio-demographic characteristics and to estimate per study site the average number of danger signs on which counselling was provided and the average number of danger signs mentioned by women. About one in three women was not informed of any danger sign. For most danger signs, fewer than half of the women were counselled. Vaginal bleeding and severe abdominal pain were the signs most counselled on (between 52% and 66%). At study facilities in Burkina Faso, 58% of the pregnant women were not able to mention a danger sign, in Ghana this was 22% and in Tanzania 30%. Fever, vaginal bleeding and severe abdominal pain were the danger signs most frequently mentioned. The type of health worker (depending on the training they received) was significantly associated with counselling practices. Depending on the study site, characteristics significantly associated with awareness of signs were women's age, gestational age, gravidity and educational level. Counselling practice is poor and not very efficient. A new approach of informing pregnant women on danger signs is needed. However, as effects of antenatal care education remain largely unknown, it is very well possible that improved counselling will not affect maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

School Operations and Maintenance: Best Practices For Controlling Energy Costs. A Guidebook for K-12 School System Business Officers and Facilities Managers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

US Department of Energy, 2004

2004-01-01

Operations and maintenance (O&M) offers not only strategies for maintaining facilities, but also opportunities for reducing energy costs and increasing energy efficiency at existing schools, regardless of age. This Guidebook provides detailed and practical guidance on how K-12 school districts can plan and implement enhancements to their current…

16 CFR Figures 3 and 4 to Part 1204 - High Voltage Test Facility and Antenna System Test Setup

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... 16 Commercial Practices 2 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false High Voltage Test Facility and Antenna System Test Setup 3 Figures 3 and 4 to Part 1204 Commercial Practices CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY ACT REGULATIONS SAFETY STANDARD FOR OMNIDIRECTIONAL CITIZENS BAND BASE STATION ANTENNAS Pt. 1204, Figs. 3, 4 Figures 3 and 4...

Evolutionary adaptations: theoretical and practical implications for visual ergonomics.

PubMed

Fostervold, Knut Inge; Watten, Reidulf G; Volden, Frode

2014-01-01

The literature discussing visual ergonomics often mention that human vision is adapted to light emitted by the sun. However, theoretical and practical implications of this viewpoint is seldom discussed or taken into account. The paper discusses some of the main theoretical implications of an evolutionary approach to visual ergonomics. Based on interactional theory and ideas from ecological psychology an evolutionary stress model is proposed as a theoretical framework for future research in ergonomics and human factors. The model stresses the importance of developing work environments that fits with our evolutionary adaptations. In accordance with evolutionary psychology, the environment of evolutionary adaptedness (EEA) and evolutionarily-novel environments (EN) are used as key concepts. Using work with visual display units (VDU) as an example, the paper discusses how this knowledge can be utilized in an ergonomic analysis of risk factors in the work environment. The paper emphasises the importance of incorporating evolutionary theory in the field of ergonomics. Further, the paper encourages scientific practices that further our understanding of any phenomena beyond the borders of traditional proximal explanations.

Incurable suffering from the "hiatus theoreticus"? Some epistemological problems in modern medicine and the clinical relevance of philosophy of medicine.

PubMed

Paul, N

1998-06-01

Up to now neither the question, whether all theoretical medical knowledge can at least be described as scientific, nor the one how exactly access to the existing scientific and theoretical medical knowledge during clinical problem-solving is made, has been sufficiently answered. Scientific theories play an important role in controlling clinical practice and improving the quality of clinical care in modern medicine on the one hand, and making it vindicable on the other. Therefore, the vagueness of unexplicit interrelations between medicine's stock of knowledge and medical practice appears as a gap in the theoretical concept of modern medicine which can be described as "Hiatus theoreticus" in the anatomy of medicine. A central intention of the paper is to analyze the role of philosophy of medicine for the clarification of the theoretical basis of medical practice. Clinical relevance and normativity in the sense of modern theory of science are suggested as criteria to establish a differentiation between philosophy of medicine as a primary medical discipline and the application of general philosophy in medicine.

Theoretical foundations of learning through simulation.

PubMed

Zigmont, Jason J; Kappus, Liana J; Sudikoff, Stephanie N

2011-04-01

Health care simulation is a powerful educational tool to help facilitate learning for clinicians and change their practice to improve patient outcomes and safety. To promote effective life-long learning through simulation, the educator needs to consider individuals, their experiences, and their environments. Effective education of adults through simulation requires a sound understanding of both adult learning theory and experiential learning. This review article provides a framework for developing and facilitating simulation courses, founded upon empiric and theoretic research in adult and experiential learning. Specifically, this article provides a theoretic foundation for using simulation to change practice to improve patient outcomes and safety. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

40 CFR 160.15 - Inspection of a testing facility.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 23 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Inspection of a testing facility. 160.15 Section 160.15 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) PESTICIDE PROGRAMS GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE STANDARDS General Provisions § 160.15 Inspection of a testing facility...

40 CFR 792.47 - Facilities for handling test, control, and reference substances.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 true Facilities for handling test, control, and reference substances. 792.47 Section 792.47 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT (CONTINUED) GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE STANDARDS Facilities...

40 CFR 792.51 - Specimen and data storage facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 true Specimen and data storage facilities. 792.51 Section 792.51 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT (CONTINUED) GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE STANDARDS Facilities § 792.51 Specimen and data...

42 CFR 488.301 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... requirements under § 483.13, Resident behavior and facility practices, § 483.15, Quality of life, or § 483.25... participation requirements subsequent to finding substandard quality of care during a standard survey. Facility... substandard quality of care during an abbreviated standard survey. Skilled nursing facility (SNF) means a...

42 CFR 488.301 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... requirements under § 483.13, Resident behavior and facility practices, § 483.15, Quality of life, or § 483.25... participation requirements subsequent to finding substandard quality of care during a standard survey. Facility... substandard quality of care during an abbreviated standard survey. Skilled nursing facility (SNF) means a...

42 CFR 488.301 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... requirements under § 483.13, Resident behavior and facility practices, § 483.15, Quality of life, or § 483.25... participation requirements subsequent to finding substandard quality of care during a standard survey. Facility... substandard quality of care during an abbreviated standard survey. Skilled nursing facility (SNF) means a...

42 CFR 488.301 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... requirements under § 483.13, Resident behavior and facility practices, § 483.15, Quality of life, or § 483.25... participation requirements subsequent to finding substandard quality of care during a standard survey. Facility... substandard quality of care during an abbreviated standard survey. Skilled nursing facility (SNF) means a...

42 CFR 488.301 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... requirements under § 483.13, Resident behavior and facility practices, § 483.15, Quality of life, or § 483.25... participation requirements subsequent to finding substandard quality of care during a standard survey. Facility... substandard quality of care during an abbreviated standard survey. Skilled nursing facility (SNF) means a...

Creating Standards-Based Technology Education Facilities

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Daugherty, Michael K.; Klenke, Andrew M.; Neden, Michael

2008-01-01

One of the most intimidating tasks faced by new or practicing technology education teachers is the challenge of creating new facilities or renovating current facilities for a new purpose. While the fourth program standard in "Advancing Excellence in Technological Literacy: Student Assessment, Professional Development, and Program Standards (AETL)"…

40 CFR 792.51 - Specimen and data storage facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 33 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Specimen and data storage facilities..., for the storage and retrieval of all raw data and specimens from completed studies. ... SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT (CONTINUED) GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE STANDARDS Facilities § 792.51 Specimen and data...

40 CFR 792.51 - Specimen and data storage facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Specimen and data storage facilities..., for the storage and retrieval of all raw data and specimens from completed studies. ... SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT (CONTINUED) GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE STANDARDS Facilities § 792.51 Specimen and data...

40 CFR 792.51 - Specimen and data storage facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Specimen and data storage facilities..., for the storage and retrieval of all raw data and specimens from completed studies. ... SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT (CONTINUED) GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE STANDARDS Facilities § 792.51 Specimen and data...

40 CFR 792.51 - Specimen and data storage facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 33 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Specimen and data storage facilities..., for the storage and retrieval of all raw data and specimens from completed studies. ... SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT (CONTINUED) GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE STANDARDS Facilities § 792.51 Specimen and data...

40 CFR 160.15 - Inspection of a testing facility.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 24 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Inspection of a testing facility. 160.15 Section 160.15 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) PESTICIDE PROGRAMS GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE STANDARDS General Provisions § 160.15 Inspection of a testing facility...

TESOL: Current Problems and Classroom Practices.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wardhaugh, Ronald

This paper attempts to "bridge the gap between the practical orientation of teachers and the theoretical concerns that should underlie practice," Discussed in turn are language, psychology, and pedagogical philosophy. An adequate knowledge of these areas is essential to good classroom practices; every bad practice is evidence of some weakness in…

A facile strategy for achieving high selective Zn(II) fluorescence probe by regulating the solvent polarity.

PubMed

Wang, Haoping; Kang, Tiantian; Wang, Xiaoju; Feng, Liheng

2018-07-01

A simple Schiff base comprised of tris(2-aminoethyl)amine and salicylaldehyde was designed and synthesized by one-step reaction. Although this compound has poor selectivity for metal ions in acetonitrile, it shows high selectivity and sensitivity detection for Zn(II) ions through adjusting the solvent polarity (the volume ratio of CH 3 CN/H 2 O). In other words, this work provides a facile way to realize a transformation from poor to excellent feature for fluorescent probes. The bonding mode of this probe with Zn(II) ions was verified by 1 H NMR and MS assays. The stoichiometric ratio of the probe with Zn(II) is 1:1 (mole), which matches with the Job-plot assay. The detection limitation of the probe for Zn(II) is up to 1 × 10 -8 mol/L. The electrochemical property of the probe combined with Zn(II) was investigated by cyclic voltammetry method, and the result agreed with the theoretical calculation by the Gaussian 09 software. The probe for Zn(II) could be applied in practical samples and biological systems. The main contribution of this work lies in providing a very simple method to realize the selectivity transformation for poor selective probes. The providing way is a simple, easy and low-cost method for obtaining high selectively fluorescence probes. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

[SICI-GISE position paper on the requirements for diagnostic and interventional procedures in patients with peripheral arterial disease].

PubMed

Cremonesi, Alberto; Setacci, Carlo; Rubino, Paolo; Stabile, Eugenio; Castriota, Fausto; Reimers, Bernhard; Inglese, Luigi; Berti, Sergio; Sbarzaglia, Paolo; Biamino, Giancarlo; Guagliumi, Giulio

2013-10-01

Interventional procedures on peripheral vessels are the field of a novel specialty dedicated to the diagnosis and minimally invasive endovascular treatment of diseases involving the cerebral, thoracic and abdominal arteries (including renal and visceral arteries), as well as the peripheral arteries (femoro-popliteal arteries and the arteries below the knee). At present, physicians with three different types of medical training, each involving particular strengths and characteristics, specialize in endovascular treatment of patients with peripheral arterial disease: vascular surgeons, interventional radiologists and interventional cardiologists. Treatment of high-risk patients in terms of anatomical and clinical (serious comorbidities) complexity raised the need for the interventional cardiologist to face issues related to technical aspects of the procedure, multilevel pathology management and adequate indication. To achieve this goal, interventional cardiologists require particular facilities and clinical skills. The objectives of this position paper from the Italian Society of Interventional Cardiology (SICI-GISE) are (i) to define the theoretical background and practical training required to ensure that interventional cardiologists maintain high-quality standards also in the field of treatment of peripheral arterial disease, by establishing shared rules and drafting papers; (ii) to standardize the procedures of interventional cardiology operational units that treat patients with peripheral arterial disease in Italy on the basis of scientific evidence, and (iii) to establish common requirements in terms of facilities and regulations.

A densely packed Sb2O3 nanosheet-graphene aerogel toward advanced sodium-ion batteries.

PubMed

Zhou, Jing; Yan, Bingyi; Yang, Jie; Yang, Yun; Zhou, Wei; Lan, Hao; Wang, Hua; Guo, Lin

2018-05-17

As a promising anodic material for rechargeable batteries, Sb2O3 has drawn increasing attention due to its high theoretical capacity and abundant natural deposits. However, poor cyclability and rate performance of Sb2O3 derived from a large volume change during insertion/desertion reactions as well as a sluggish kinetic process restrict its practical application. Herein, we report a facile amorphous-to-crystalline strategy to synthesize a densely packed Sb2O3 nanosheet-graphene aerogel as a novel anode for sodium ion batteries (SIBs). This Sb2O3/graphene composite displays a reversible capacity as high as 657.9 mA h g-1 even after 100 cycles at 0.1 A g-1, along with an excellent rate capacity of 356.8 mA h g-1 at 5.0 A g-1. The superior electrochemical performance is attributed to the synergistic effects of densely packed Sb2O3 nanosheets and graphene aerogel, which serves as both a robust support and stable buffer layer to maintain the structural stability of the nanocomposite, and enhances the electrode kinetics of electrolyte diffusion and electron transfer simultaneously. Hence, this densely-packed two-dimensional Sb2O3 nanosheet-graphene aerogel can be a promising anode material for rechargeable SIBs due to its facile synthesis process and outstanding electrochemical performance.

Staying theoretically sensitive when conducting grounded theory research.

PubMed

Reay, Gudrun; Bouchal, Shelley Raffin; A Rankin, James

2016-09-01

Background Grounded theory (GT) is founded on the premise that underlying social patterns can be discovered and conceptualised into theories. The method and need for theoretical sensitivity are best understood in the historical context in which GT was developed. Theoretical sensitivity entails entering the field with no preconceptions, so as to remain open to the data and the emerging theory. Investigators also read literature from other fields to understand various ways to construct theories. Aim To explore the concept of theoretical sensitivity from a classical GT perspective, and discuss the ontological and epistemological foundations of GT. Discussion Difficulties in remaining theoretically sensitive throughout research are discussed and illustrated with examples. Emergence - the idea that theory and substance will emerge from the process of comparing data - and staying open to the data are emphasised. Conclusion Understanding theoretical sensitivity as an underlying guiding principle of GT helps the researcher make sense of important concepts, such as delaying the literature review, emergence and the constant comparative method (simultaneous collection, coding and analysis of data). Implications for practice Theoretical sensitivity and adherence to the GT research method allow researchers to discover theories that can bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Implementation of the SSHAC Guidelines for Level 3 and 4 PSHAs - Experience Gained from Actual Applications

USGS Publications Warehouse

Hanks, Thomas C.; Abrahamson, Norm A.; Boore, David M.; Coppersmith, Kevin J.; Knepprath, Nichole E.

2009-01-01

In April 1997, after four years of deliberations, the Senior Seismic Hazard Analysis Committee released its report 'Recommendations for Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis: Guidance on Uncertainty and Use of Experts' through the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission as NUREG/CR-6372, hereafter SSHAC (1997). Known informally ever since as the 'SSHAC Guidelines', SSHAC (1997) addresses why and how multiple expert opinions - and the intrinsic uncertainties that attend them - should be used in Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analyses (PSHA) for critical facilities such as commercial nuclear power plants. Ten years later, in September 2007, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) entered into a 13-month agreement with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) titled 'Practical Procedures for Implementation of the SSHAC Guidelines and for Updating PSHAs'. The NRC was interested in understanding and documenting lessons learned from recent PSHAs conducted at the higher SSHAC Levels (3 and 4) and in gaining input from the seismic community for updating PSHAs as new information became available. This study increased in importance in anticipation of new applications for nuclear power facilities at both existing and new sites. The intent of this project was not to replace the SSHAC Guidelines but to supplement them with the experience gained from putting the SSHAC Guidelines to work in practical applications. During the course of this project, we also learned that updating PSHAs for existing nuclear power facilities involves very different issues from the implementation of the SSHAC Guidelines for new facilities. As such, we report our findings and recommendations from this study in two separate documents, this being the first. The SSHAC Guidelines were written without regard to whether the PSHAs to which they would be applied were site-specific or regional in scope. Most of the experience gained to date from high-level SSHAC studies has been for site-specific cases, although three ongoing (as of this writing) studies are regional in scope. Updating existing PSHAs will depend more critically on the differences between site-specific and regional studies, and we will also address these differences in more detail in the companion report. Most of what we report here and in the second report on updating PSHAs emanates from three workshops held by the USGS at their Menlo Park facility: 'Lessons Learned from SSHAC Level 3 and 4 PSHAs' on January 30-31, 2008; 'Updates to Existing PSHAs' on May 6-7, 2008; and 'Draft Recommendations, SSHAC Implementation Guidance' on June 4-5, 2009. These workshops were attended by approximately 40 scientists and engineers familiar with hazard studies for nuclear facilities. This company included four of the authors of SSHAC (1997) and four other experts whose contributions to this document are mentioned in the Acknowledgments section; numerous scientists and engineers who in one role or another have participated in one or more high-level SSHAC PSHAs summarized later in this report; and representatives of the nuclear industry, the consulting world, the regulatory community, and academia with a keen interest and expertise in hazard analysis. This report is a community-based set of recommendations to NRC for improved practical procedures for implementation of the SSHAC Guidelines. In an early publication specifically addressing the SSHAC Guidelines, Hanks (1997) noted that the SSHAC Guidelines were likely to evolve for some time to come, and this remains true today. While the broad philosophical and theoretical dimensions of the SSHAC Guidelines will not change, much has been learned during the past decade from various applications of the SSHAC Guidelines to real PSHAs in terms of how they are implemented. We anticipate that, in their practical applications, the SSHAC Guidelines will continue to evolve as more experience is gained from future SSHAC applications. Indeed, to the extent that every PSHA has its

When practice precedes theory - A mixed methods evaluation of students' learning experiences in an undergraduate study program in nursing.

PubMed

Falk, Kristin; Falk, Hanna; Jakobsson Ung, Eva

2016-01-01

A key area for consideration is determining how optimal conditions for learning can be created. Higher education in nursing aims to prepare students to develop their capabilities to become independent professionals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of sequencing clinical practice prior to theoretical studies on student's experiences of self-directed learning readiness and students' approach to learning in the second year of a three-year undergraduate study program in nursing. 123 nursing students was included in the study and divided in two groups. In group A (n = 60) clinical practice preceded theoretical studies. In group (n = 63) theoretical studies preceded clinical practice. Learning readiness was measured using the Directed Learning Readiness Scale for Nursing Education (SDLRSNE), and learning process was measured using the revised two-factor version of the Study Process Questionnaire (R-SPQ-2F). Students were also asked to write down their personal reflections throughout the course. By using a mixed method design, the qualitative component focused on the students' personal experiences in relation to the sequencing of theoretical studies and clinical practice. The quantitative component provided information about learning readiness before and after the intervention. Our findings confirm that students are sensitive and adaptable to their learning contexts, and that the sequencing of courses is subordinate to a pedagogical style enhancing students' deep learning approaches, which needs to be incorporated in the development of undergraduate nursing programs. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Understanding practice: the factors that influence management of mild traumatic brain injury in the emergency department--a qualitative study using the Theoretical Domains Framework.

PubMed

Tavender, Emma J; Bosch, Marije; Gruen, Russell L; Green, Sally E; Knott, Jonathan; Francis, Jill J; Michie, Susan; O'Connor, Denise A

2014-01-13

Mild traumatic brain injury is a frequent cause of presentation to emergency departments. Despite the availability of clinical practice guidelines in this area, there is variation in practice. One of the aims of the Neurotrauma Evidence Translation program is to develop and evaluate a targeted, theory- and evidence-informed intervention to improve the management of mild traumatic brain injury in Australian emergency departments. This study is the first step in the intervention development process and uses the Theoretical Domains Framework to explore the factors perceived to influence the uptake of four key evidence-based recommended practices for managing mild traumatic brain injury. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with emergency staff in the Australian state of Victoria. The interview guide was developed using the Theoretical Domains Framework to explore current practice and to identify the factors perceived to influence practice. Two researchers coded the interview transcripts using thematic content analysis. A total of 42 participants (9 Directors, 20 doctors and 13 nurses) were interviewed over a seven-month period. The results suggested that (i) the prospective assessment of post-traumatic amnesia was influenced by: knowledge; beliefs about consequences; environmental context and resources; skills; social/professional role and identity; and beliefs about capabilities; (ii) the use of guideline-developed criteria or decision rules to inform the appropriate use of a CT scan was influenced by: knowledge; beliefs about consequences; environmental context and resources; memory, attention and decision processes; beliefs about capabilities; social influences; skills and behavioral regulation; (iii) providing verbal and written patient information on discharge was influenced by: beliefs about consequences; environmental context and resources; memory, attention and decision processes; social/professional role and identity; and knowledge; (iv) the practice of providing brief, routine follow-up on discharge was influenced by: environmental context and resources; social/professional role and identity; knowledge; beliefs about consequences; and motivation and goals. Using the Theoretical Domains Framework, factors thought to influence the management of mild traumatic brain injury in the emergency department were identified. These factors present theoretically based targets for a future intervention.

Models in Educational Administration: Revisiting Willower's "Theoretically Oriented" Critique

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Newton, Paul; Burgess, David; Burns, David P.

2010-01-01

Three decades ago, Willower (1975) argued that much of what we take to be theory in educational administration is in fact only theoretically oriented. If we accept Willower's assessment of the field as true, what implications does this statement hold for the academic study and practical application of the theoretically oriented aspects of our…

The Importance of Theoretical Frameworks and Mathematical Constructs in Designing Digital Tools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Trinter, Christine

2016-01-01

The increase in availability of educational technologies over the past few decades has not only led to new practice in teaching mathematics but also to new perspectives in research, methodologies, and theoretical frameworks within mathematics education. Hence, the amalgamation of theoretical and pragmatic considerations in digital tool design…

A decade of aeroacoustic research at NASA Ames Research Center

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schmitz, Frederic H.; Mosher, M.; Kitaplioglu, Cahit; Cross, J.; Chang, I.

1988-01-01

The rotorcraft aeroacoustic research accomplishments of the past decade at Ames Research Center are reviewed. These include an extensive sequence of flight, ground, and wind tunnel tests that have utilized the facilities to guide and pioneer theoretical research. Many of these experiments were of benchmark quality. The experiments were used to isolate the inadequacies of linear theory in high-speed impulsive noise research, have led to the development of theoretical approaches, and have guided the emerging discipline of computational fluid dynamics to rotorcraft aeroacoustic problems.

Infant feeding-related maternity care practices and maternal report of breastfeeding outcomes.

PubMed

Nelson, Jennifer M; Perrine, Cria G; Freedman, David S; Williams, Letitia; Morrow, Brian; Smith, Ruben A; Dee, Deborah L

2018-02-07

Evidence-based maternity practices and policies can improve breastfeeding duration and exclusivity. Maternity facilities report practices through the Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care (mPINC) survey, but individual outcomes, such as breastfeeding duration and exclusivity, are not collected. mPINC data on maternity care practices for 2009 were linked to data from the 2009 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), which collects information on mothers' behaviors and experiences around pregnancy. We calculated total mPINC scores (range 0-100). PRAMS data on any and exclusive breastfeeding at 8 weeks were examined by total mPINC score quartile. Of 15 715 women in our sample, 53.7% were breastfeeding any at 8 weeks, and 29.3% were breastfeeding exclusively. They gave birth at 1016 facilities that had a mean total mPINC score of 65/100 (range 19-99). Care dimension subscores ranged from 41 for facility discharge care to 81 for breastfeeding assistance. In multivariable analysis adjusting for covariates, a positive relationship was found between total mPINC score quartile and both any breastfeeding (quartile 2: odds ratio [OR] 1.40 [95% confidence interval {CI} 1.08-1.83], quartile 3: OR 1.50 [95% CI 1.15-1.96], quartile 4: OR 2.12 [95% CI 1.61-2.78] vs quartile 1) and exclusive breastfeeding (quartile 3: OR 1.41 [95% CI 1.04-1.90], quartile 4: OR 1.89 [95% CI 1.41-2.55] vs quartile 1) at 8 weeks. These data demonstrate that evidence-based maternity care practices and policies are associated with better breastfeeding outcomes. Maternity facilities may evaluate their practices and policies to ensure they are helping mothers achieve their breastfeeding goals. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Healthcare Provider Views on Transitioning From Task Shifting to Advanced Practice Nursing in Tanzania.

PubMed

Mboineki, Joanes Faustine; Zhang, Weihong

The Tanzanian health sector suffers from shortages of healthcare workers as well as uneven distribution of healthcare workers in urban and rural areas. Task shifting-delegation of tasks from professionals to other healthcare team members with less training, such as medical attendants-is practiced, compromising quality of care. Advanced practice nursing is underutilized. The purpose of this study was to explore the views of nurses and physicians on current responses to shortages of healthcare workers and the potential for utilization of advanced practice nurses. A descriptive, qualitative design was used. Purposeful sampling was used to select 20 participants. An in-depth interview guide was used to obtain information. Interviews were conducted in Swahili or English. Content analysis was used to identify themes. Shortage of human resources in rural primary healthcare facilities was identified as a major rationale for implementation of the advanced practice nurse practitioner role because the current health providers in rural health facilities are less trained and doctors are not ready to work in these settings. Opposition from physicians is expected during the course of implementing the nurse practitioner role. Professional bodies and government should reach consensus before the implementation of this role in such a way that they should agree on scope and standards of practice of nurse practitioners in Tanzania. Shortage of human resources for health is greater in rural primary healthcare facilities. Task shifting in Tanzania is neither effective nor legally recognized. Transition to advanced practice nursing roles-particularly the nurse practitioner role-can facilitate provision of optimal care. Nurse practitioners should be prepared to work in rural primary healthcare facilities.

Assessment of infection control practices in maternity units in Southern Nigeria.

PubMed

Friday, Okonofua; Edoja, Okpokunu; Osasu, Aigbogun; Chinenye, Nwandu; Cyril, Mokwenye; Lovney, Kanguru; Julia, Hussein

2012-12-01

Puerperal sepsis accounts for 12% of maternal deaths in Nigeria. To date, little is known about the background hospital factors that predispose pregnant women to puerperal infection that leads to mortality. The objective of this study was to investigate the nature and pattern of existing policies and practices relating to infection control in maternity care centres in Edo state, South-South Nigeria. Cross-sectional study consisting of in-depth interviews with service providers, observation of clinical practices and examination of medical records. Public and private health-care facilities in eight local government areas (LGAs) selected from the three senatorial districts of Edo State, Nigeria. Health providers from 63 primary, secondary and tertiary maternity care centres. Sixty-three health-care facilities were sampled from eight LGAs from the three senatorial districts in Edo State. Three pre-tested tools were adapted to the local setting and used to interview key informants in the health facilities and to observe for practices and records relating to infection control. Of the 63 health facilities, 68% (43) reported that they had infection control procedures in place, while only 25% (16) reported that they documented these as manuals or charts. Only 13% (8) of facilities had infection control committees; 11% (7) routinely carried out audits of maternal deaths, while 33% (21) reported that they had an ongoing programme for staff training on infection control. A high proportion of the health facilities reported that staff routinely wash their hands before and after sterile procedures, but only half of the facilities were observed to have 24-h running water and only two-thirds had soap and antiseptic solutions in delivery and operating theatre areas. Although more than 90% (57) of the health facilities reported that they use sterile gloves routinely, unused sterile gloves were found in only 60% (38) of these facilities, and recycled gloves in 11.1% (7). The results of this study suggest the need for improved record-keeping procedures, the development of appropriate policies and protocols for infection control and staff training on infection control in maternity care facilities in Edo State. A public health education and advocacy programme to create awareness on clean delivery places as an approach for reducing maternal morbidity and mortality and to build political will for implementing related activities is also urgently needed.

A Comprehensive Program to Reduce Rates of Hospital-Acquired Pressure Ulcers in a System of Community Hospitals.

PubMed

Englebright, Jane; Westcott, Ruth; McManus, Kathryn; Kleja, Kacie; Helm, Colleen; Korwek, Kimberly M; Perlin, Jonathan B

2018-03-01

The prevention of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers (PrUs) has significant consequences for patient outcomes and the cost of care. Providers are challenged with evaluating available evidence and best practices, then implementing programs and motivating change in various facility environments. In a large system of community hospitals, the Reducing Hospital Acquired-PrUs Program was developed to provide a toolkit of best practices, timely and appropriate data for focusing efforts, and continuous implementation support. Baseline data on PrU rates helped focus efforts on the most vulnerable patients and care situations. Facilities were empowered to use and adapt available resources to meet local needs and to share best practices for implementation across the system. Outcomes were measured by the rate of hospital-acquired PrUs, as gathered from patient discharge records. The rate of hospital-acquired stage III and IV PrUs decreased 66.3% between 2011 and 2013. Of the 149 participating facilities, 40 (27%) had zero hospital-acquired stage III and IV PrUs and 77 (52%) had a reduction in their PrU rate. Rates of all PrUs documented as present on admission did not change during this period. A comparison of different strategies used by the most successful facilities illustrated the necessity of facility-level flexibility and recognition of local workflows and patient demographics. Driven by the combination of a repository of evidence-based tools and best practices, readily available data on PrU rates, and local flexibility with processes, the Reducing Hospital Acquired-PrUs Program represents the successful operationalization of improvement in a wide variety of facilities.

Perspectives on the Role and Synergies of Architecture and Social and Built Environment in Enabling Active Healthy Aging

PubMed Central

Rabnett, Richard; Tziraki, Chariklia

2016-01-01

Research has demonstrated that enabling societal and physical infrastructure and personal accommodations enhance healthy and active aging throughout the lifespan. Yet, there is a paucity of research on how to bring together the various disciplines involved in a multidomain synergistic collaboration to create new living environments for aging. This paper aims to explore the key domains of skills and knowledge that need to be considered for a conceptual prototype of an enabling educational process and environments where healthcare professionals, architects, planners, and entrepreneurs may establish a shared theoretical and experiential knowledge base, vocabulary, and implementation strategies, for the creation of the next generation of living communities of active healthy adults, for persons with disabilities and chronic disease conditions. We focus on synergistic, paradigmatic, simple, and practical issues that can be easily upscaled through market mechanisms. This practical and physically concrete approach may also become linked with more elaborate neuroscientific and technologically sophisticated interventions. We examine the domains of knowledge to be included in establishing a learning model that focuses on the still-understudied impact of the benefits toward active and healthy aging, where architects, urban planners, clinicians, and healthcare facility managers are educated toward a synergistic approach at the operational level. PMID:27656295

49 CFR 1155.21 - Contents of application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... meets the definition of a solid waste rail transfer facility at 49 U.S.C. 10909(e)(1)(H). (17) A... a solid waste rail transfer facility, and, if so, why. (c) Environmental impact. The applicant shall... OF TRANSPORTATION RULES OF PRACTICE SOLID WASTE RAIL TRANSFER FACILITIES Procedures Governing...

49 CFR 1155.21 - Contents of application.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... meets the definition of a solid waste rail transfer facility at 49 U.S.C. 10909(e)(1)(H). (17) A... OF TRANSPORTATION RULES OF PRACTICE SOLID WASTE RAIL TRANSFER FACILITIES Procedures Governing... address of the solid waste rail transfer facility, or, if not available, the city, State, and United...

USP <800> Adds Significant Safety Standards: Facility Upgrades Needed to Protect Employees From Hazardous Drugs.

PubMed

Beans, Bruce E

2017-05-01

The new USP standard for handling hazardous drugs (HDs) will require millions of dollars in capital outlays for facility and equipment upgrades and also requires in-depth assessments of each HD that facilities handle, significant workflow and work practice changes, and thorough staff training.

21 CFR 58.51 - Specimen and data storage facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 1 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Specimen and data storage facilities. 58.51..., for the storage and retrieval of all raw data and specimens from completed studies. ... GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE FOR NONCLINICAL LABORATORY STUDIES Facilities § 58.51 Specimen and data...

21 CFR 58.51 - Specimen and data storage facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 1 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Specimen and data storage facilities. 58.51..., for the storage and retrieval of all raw data and specimens from completed studies. ... GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE FOR NONCLINICAL LABORATORY STUDIES Facilities § 58.51 Specimen and data...

21 CFR 58.51 - Specimen and data storage facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 1 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Specimen and data storage facilities. 58.51..., for the storage and retrieval of all raw data and specimens from completed studies. ... GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE FOR NONCLINICAL LABORATORY STUDIES Facilities § 58.51 Specimen and data...

21 CFR 58.51 - Specimen and data storage facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 1 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Specimen and data storage facilities. 58.51..., for the storage and retrieval of all raw data and specimens from completed studies. ... GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE FOR NONCLINICAL LABORATORY STUDIES Facilities § 58.51 Specimen and data...

21 CFR 58.51 - Specimen and data storage facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 1 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Specimen and data storage facilities. 58.51..., for the storage and retrieval of all raw data and specimens from completed studies. ... GOOD LABORATORY PRACTICE FOR NONCLINICAL LABORATORY STUDIES Facilities § 58.51 Specimen and data...

10 CFR 850.27 - Hygiene facilities and practices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... or their personal clothing. (b) Change rooms or areas. The responsible employer must provide clean change rooms or areas for beryllium workers who work in regulated areas. (1) Separate facilities free of... change rooms or areas and shower facilities required under paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section; and (3...

10 CFR 850.27 - Hygiene facilities and practices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... or their personal clothing. (b) Change rooms or areas. The responsible employer must provide clean change rooms or areas for beryllium workers who work in regulated areas. (1) Separate facilities free of... change rooms or areas and shower facilities required under paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section; and (3...

10 CFR 850.27 - Hygiene facilities and practices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... or their personal clothing. (b) Change rooms or areas. The responsible employer must provide clean change rooms or areas for beryllium workers who work in regulated areas. (1) Separate facilities free of... change rooms or areas and shower facilities required under paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section; and (3...

10 CFR 850.27 - Hygiene facilities and practices.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... or their personal clothing. (b) Change rooms or areas. The responsible employer must provide clean change rooms or areas for beryllium workers who work in regulated areas. (1) Separate facilities free of... change rooms or areas and shower facilities required under paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section; and (3...

End-of-life care policies and practices in pediatric skilled nursing facilities.

PubMed

Friedman, Sandra L; Helm, David T; Woodman, Ashley C

2014-11-01

Although most children with intellectual and developmental disabilities reside in the community, a subset of children with severe intellectual disability and complex medical needs reside in pediatric skilled nursing facilities. These children have elevated mortality with end-of-life care (EOLC) routinely provided. The present study explored policies and practice in such settings by surveying administrators, nursing directors, and medical directors in facilities across the United States. In addition to EOLC policies and practices, staff reported on their understanding of definitions of do-not-resuscitate orders, family involvement in EOLC planning, and the availability of in-service training. The presence of an official EOLC policy was associated with higher ratings of perception of effectiveness among staff. Staff felt more prepared and comfortable providing EOLC when in-service training was provided. © The Author(s) 2013.

Enhancing the quality of supportive supervisory behavior in long-term care facilities.

PubMed

McGillis Hall, Linda; McGilton, Katherine S; Krejci, Janet; Pringle, Dorothy; Johnston, Erin; Fairley, Laura; Brown, Maryanne

2005-04-01

The practices of managers and registered nurses (RNs) in long-term care facilities are frequently ineffective in assisting the licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and healthcare aides (HCAs) whom they supervise. Little research exists that examines the area of supportive relationships between nursing staff and supervisors in these settings. The purpose of this study was to gather data that could improve management practices in long-term care residential facilities and enhance the quality of the supervisory relationships between supervisors (nurse managers and RNs) and care providers (HCAs and LPNs) in these settings. The study also identified factors that influence the supervisors' ability to establish supportive relationships with care providers. The challenges and barriers to nurse managers and leaders related to enacting supportive behaviors are discussed as well as their implications for long-term care settings.

Precise 238U(n,2n)237U reaction cross-section measurements using the activation facility at TUNL

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krishichayan, Fnu; Bhike, M.; Tornow, W.

2014-09-01

Accurate neutron-induced 238U(n,2n)237U reaction data are required for many practical applications, especially in the field of nuclear energy, including advanced heavy water reactors, where 238U is used as the breeding material to regenerate the fissile material 239Pu. Precise (n,2n) cross-section measurements of 238U are underway at TUNL with mono-energetic neutrons in the 8.0 to 14.0 MeV energy range in steps of 0.25 MeV using the activation technique. After activation of the 0.5 inch diameter and 442 mg 238U foil, the activity of the 208 keV characteristic γ-line is tracked for 6 weeks with a high efficient HPGe clover detector to determine the initial activity needed for the cross-section determination. Results of the cross-section measurements, determined relative to 27Al and 197Au neutron activation monitor foils, and the comparison with theoretical models will be presented during the meeting.

Shell stability analysis in a computer aided engineering (CAE) environment

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arbocz, J.; Hol, J. M. A. M.

1993-01-01

The development of 'DISDECO', the Delft Interactive Shell DEsign COde is described. The purpose of this project is to make the accumulated theoretical, numerical and practical knowledge of the last 25 years or so readily accessible to users interested in the analysis of buckling sensitive structures. With this open ended, hierarchical, interactive computer code the user can access from his workstation successively programs of increasing complexity. The computational modules currently operational in DISDECO provide the prospective user with facilities to calculate the critical buckling loads of stiffened anisotropic shells under combined loading, to investigate the effects the various types of boundary conditions will have on the critical load, and to get a complete picture of the degrading effects the different shapes of possible initial imperfections might cause, all in one interactive session. Once a design is finalized, its collapse load can be verified by running a large refined model remotely from behind the workstation with one of the current generation 2-dimensional codes, with advanced capabilities to handle both geometric and material nonlinearities.

Game theoretic approaches to operating room management.

PubMed

Marco, Alan P

2002-05-01

All interactions between people can be considered games with rules and outcomes. However, modern business practices demand that the players in the game go beyond traditional game theory and look at new ways to improve the outcome of the game. Choosing the right strategy is important to a player's success. A new business strategy, "co-opetition," can be used to increase the value of the game ("create a bigger pie") through cooperative behavior, whereas competition is used to divided the "pie." By looking at how the players adopt simultaneous roles such as complementor and competitor the stakeholders in the operating room (managers, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and nursing staff) can apply the principles of co-opetition to improve the overall success of their facility. Such stakeholders can utilize knowledge of how populations act in games to enhance cooperative play. Adopting such a perspective may lead to increases in the satisfaction and morale of those involved with the operating rooms. Increased morale should increase productivity and staff retention and reduce recruiting needs.

Dynamic cholesteric liquid crystal superstructures photoaligned by one-step polarization holography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Sen-Sen; Shen, Yuan; Chang, Zhen-Ni; Li, Wen-Song; Xu, Yan-Chao; Fan, Xing-Yu; Chen, Lu-Jian

2017-12-01

A convenient approach to modulate the fingerprint textures of methyl red (MR) doped cholesteric liquid crystals by asymmetric photoalignment in the green-light waveband is presented, resulting in the generation of voltage-controllable helical superstructures. The interaction between the MR molecules and the incident light polarization determines the initial twisted planar geometry, providing a multivariant control over the stripe directions of fingerprint textures by applying a proper electric field. The key factors for precise manipulation of fingerprint stripes in a predictable and rewritable manner are analyzed theoretically and investigated experimentally, which involves the alignment asymmetry, the ratio of cell gap to natural pitch length, and the chirality of chiral dopant. Dynamic periodic fingerprint textures in shapes of dashed curve and dashed line are further demonstrated by utilizing a facile one-step polarization holography process using two beams with orthogonal circular and orthogonal linear polarizations, respectively. It is believed that the practical approach described in this study would enrich the research contents of self-assembled hierarchical superstructures using soft liquid crystal building blocks.

Model of investment appraisal of high-rise construction with account of cost of land resources

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Okolelova, Ella; Shibaeva, Marina; Trukhina, Natalya

2018-03-01

The article considers problems and potential of high-rise construction as a global urbanization. The results of theoretical and practical studies on the appraisal of investments in high-rise construction are provided. High-rise construction has a number of apparent upsides in modern terms of development of megapolises and primarily it is economically efficient. Amid serious lack of construction sites, skyscrapers successfully deal with the need of manufacturing, office and living premises. Nevertheless, there are plenty issues, which are related with high-rise construction, and only thorough scrutiny of them allow to estimate the real economic efficiency of this branch. The article focuses on the question of economic efficiency of high-rise construction. The suggested model allows adjusting the parameters of a facility under construction, setting the tone for market value as well as the coefficient for appreciation of the construction net cost, that depends on the number of storey's, in the form of function or discrete values.

Facile synthesis of tin dioxide-based high performance anodes for lithium ion batteries assisted by graphene gel

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wan, Yuanxin; Sha, Ye; Luo, Shaochuan; Deng, Weijia; Wang, Xiaoliang; Xue, Gi; Zhou, Dongshan

2015-11-01

Tin dioxide (SnO2) is an attractive material for anodes in energy storage devices, because it has four times the theoretical capacity of the prevalent anode material (graphite). The main obstacle hampers SnO2 from practical application is the pulverization problem caused by drastic volume change (∼300%) during lithium-ion insertion or extraction, which would lead to the loss of electrical conductivity, unstable solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation and consequently severe capacity fading in the cycling. Here, we anchored the SnO2 nanocrystals into three dimensional graphene gel network to tackle this problem. As a result of the three dimensional (3-D) architecture, the huge volume change during cycling was tolerated by the large free space in this 3-D construction, resulting in a high capacity of 1090 mAh g-1 even after 200 cycles. What's more, at a higher current density 5 A g-1, a reversible capacity of about 491 mAh g-1 was achieved with this electrode.

Design and application of process control charting methodologies to gamma irradiation practices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saylor, M. C.; Connaghan, J. P.; Yeadon, S. C.; Herring, C. M.; Jordan, T. M.

2002-12-01

The relationship between the contract irradiation facility and the customer has historically been based upon a "PASS/FAIL" approach with little or no quality metrics used to gage the control of the irradiation process. Application of process control charts, designed in coordination with mathematical simulation of routine radiation processing, can provide a basis for understanding irradiation events. By using tools that simulate the physical rules associated with the irradiation process, end-users can explore process-related boundaries and the effects of process changes. Consequently, the relationship between contractor and customer can evolve based on the derived knowledge. The resulting level of mutual understanding of the irradiation process and its resultant control benefits both the customer and contract operation, and provides necessary assurances to regulators. In this article we examine the complementary nature of theoretical (point kernel) and experimental (dosimetric) process evaluation, and the resulting by-product of improved understanding, communication and control generated through the implementation of effective process control charting strategies.

Growth kinetics of Chlorococcum humicola - A potential feedstock for biomass with biofuel properties.

PubMed

Thomas, Jibu; Jayachithra, E V

2015-11-01

Economically viable production facilities for microalgae depend on the optimization of growth parameters with regard to nutrient requirements. Using microalgae to treat industrial effluents containing heavy metals presents an alternative to the current practice of using physical and chemical methods. Present work focuses on the statistical optimization of growth of Chlorococcum humicola to ascertain the maximum production of biomass. Plackett Burman design was carried out to screen the significant variables influencing biomass production. Further, Response Surface Methodology was employed to optimize the effect of inoculum, light intensity and pH on net biomass yield. Optimum conditions for maximum biomass yield were identified to be inoculum at 15%, light intensity to be 1500lx and pH 8.5. Theoretical and predicted values were in agreement and thus the model was found to be significant. Gas chromatography analyses of the FAME derivatives showed a high percentage of saturated fatty acids thereby confirming the biofuel properties of the oil derived from algal biomass. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Dopamine-assisted co-deposition: An emerging and promising strategy for surface modification.

PubMed

Qiu, Wen-Ze; Yang, Hao-Cheng; Xu, Zhi-Kang

2018-04-27

Mussel-inspired chemistry based on polydopamine (PDA) deposition has been developed as a facile and universal method for the surface modification of various materials. However, the inherent shortcomings of PDA coatings still impede their practical applications in the development of functional materials. In this review, we introduce the recent progress in the emerging dopamine-assisted co-deposition as a one-step strategy for functionalizing PDA-based coatings, and improving them in the aspects of deposition rate, morphology uniformity, surface wettability and chemical stability. The co-deposition mechanisms are categorized and discussed according to the interactions of dopamine or PDA with the introduced co-component. We also emphasize the influence of these interactions on the properties of the resultant PDA-based coatings. Meanwhile, we conclude the representative potential applications of those dopamine-assisted co-deposited coatings in material science, especially including separation membranes and biomaterials. Finally, some important issues and perspectives for theoretical study and applications are briefly discussed. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Nanoporous PbSe-SiO2 Thermoelectric Composites.

PubMed

Wu, Chao-Feng; Wei, Tian-Ran; Sun, Fu-Hua; Li, Jing-Feng

2017-11-01

Nanoporous architecture has long been predicted theoretically for its proficiency in suppressing thermal conduction, but less concerned as a practical approach for better thermoelectric materials hitherto probably due to its technical challenges. This article demonstrates a study on nanoporous PbSe-SiO 2 composites fabricated by a facile method of mechanical alloying assisted by subsequent wet-milling and then spark plasma sintering. Owing to the formation of random nanopores and additional interface scattering, the lattice thermal conductivity is limited to a value as low as 0.56 W m -1 K -1 at above 600 K, almost the same low level achieved by introducing nanoscale precipitates. Besides, the room-temperature electrical transport is found to be dominated by the grain-boundary potential barrier scattering, whose effect fades away with increasing temperatures. Consequently, a maximum ZT of 1.15 at 823 K is achieved in the PbSe + 0.7 vol% SiO 2 composition with >20% increase in average ZT , indicating the great potential of nanoporous structuring toward high thermoelectric conversion efficiency.

Clinical reasoning-embodied meaning-making in physiotherapy.

PubMed

Chowdhury, Anoop; Bjorbækmo, Wenche Schrøder

2017-07-01

This article examines physiotherapists' lived experience of practicing physiotherapy in primary care, focusing on clinical reasoning and decision-making in the case of a patient we call Eva. The material presented derives from a larger study involving two women participants, both with a protracted history of neck and shoulder pain. A total of eight sessions, all of them conducted by the first author, a professional physiotherapist, in his own practice room, were videotaped, after which the first author transcribed the sessions and added reflective notes. One session emerged as particularly stressful for both parties and is explored in detail in this article. In our analysis, we seek to be attentive to the experiences of physiotherapy displayed and to explore their meaning, significance and uniqueness from a phenomenological perspective. Our research reveals the complexity of integrating multiple theoretical perspectives of practice in clinical decision-making and suggests that a phenomenological perspective can provide insights into clinical encounters through its recognition of embodied knowledge. We argue that good physiotherapy practice demands tactfulness, sensitivity, and the desire to build a cooperative patient-therapist relationship. Informed by theoretical and practical knowledge from multiple disciplines, patient management can evolve and unfold beyond rehearsed routines and theoretical principles.

First regulatory inspections measuring adherence to Good Pharmacy Practices in the public sector in Uganda: a cross-sectional comparison of performance between supervised and unsupervised facilities.

PubMed

Trap, Birna; Kikule, Kate; Vialle-Valentin, Catherine; Musoke, Richard; Lajul, Grace Otto; Hoppenworth, Kim; Konradsen, Dorthe

2016-01-01

Since its inception, the Uganda National Drug Authority (NDA) has regularly inspected private sector pharmacies to monitor adherence to Good Pharmacy Practices (GPP). This study reports findings from the first public facility inspections following an intervention (SPARS: Supervision, Performance Assessment, and Recognition Strategy) to build GPP and medicines management capacity in the public sector. The study includes 455 public facilities: 417 facilities were inspected after at least four SPARS visits by trained managerial district staff (SPARS group), 38 before any exposure to SPARS. NDA inspectors measured 10 critical, 20 major, and 37 minor GPP indicators in every facility and only accredited facilities that passed all 10 critical and failed no more than 7 major indicators. Lack of compliance for a given indicator was defined as less than 75 % facilities passing that indicator. We assessed factors associated with certification using logistic regression analysis and compared number of failed indicators between the SPARS and comparative groups using two sample t-tests with equal or unequal variance. 57.4 % of inspected facilities obtained GPP certification: 57.1 % in the SPARS and 60.5 % in the comparative group (Adj. OR = 0.91, 95 % CI 0.45-1.85, p = 0.802). Overall, facilities failed an average of 10 indicators. SPARS facilities performed better than comparative facilities (9 (SD 6.1) vs. 13 (SD 7.7) failed indicators respectively; p = 0.017), and SPARS supported facilities scored better on indicators covered by SPARS. For all indicators but one minor, performance in the SPARS group was equal to or significantly better than in unsupervised facilities. Within the SPARS (intervention) group, certified facilities had < 75 % compliance on 7 indicators (all minor), and uncertified facilities on 19 (4 critical, 2 major, and 13 minor) indicators. Half of the Ugandan population obtains medicines from the public sector. Yet, we found only 3/5 of inspected public health facilities meet GPP standards. SPARS facilities tended to perform better than unsupervised facilities, substantiating the value of supporting supervision interventions in GPP areas that need strengthening. None compliant indicators can be improved through practices and behavioral changes; some require infrastructure investments. We conclude that regular NDA inspections of public sector pharmacies in conjunction with interventions to improve GPP adherence can revolutionize patient care in Uganda.

Healthcare waste management: current practices in selected healthcare facilities, Botswana.

PubMed

Mbongwe, Bontle; Mmereki, Baagi T; Magashula, Andrew

2008-01-01

Healthcare waste management continues to present an array of challenges for developing countries, and Botswana is no exception. The possible impact of healthcare waste on public health and the environment has received a lot of attention such that Waste Management dedicated a special issue to the management of healthcare waste (Healthcare Wastes Management, 2005. Waste Management 25(6) 567-665). As the demand for more healthcare facilities increases, there is also an increase on waste generation from these facilities. This situation requires an organised system of healthcare waste management to curb public health risks as well as occupational hazards among healthcare workers as a result of poor waste management. This paper reviews current waste management practices at the healthcare facility level and proposes possible options for improvement in Botswana.

Observations of infection prevention and control practices in primary health care, Kenya.

PubMed

Bedoya, Guadalupe; Dolinger, Amy; Rogo, Khama; Mwaura, Njeri; Wafula, Francis; Coarasa, Jorge; Goicoechea, Ana; Das, Jishnu

2017-07-01

To assess compliance with infection prevention and control practices in primary health care in Kenya. We used an observational, patient-tracking tool to assess compliance with infection prevention and control practices by 1680 health-care workers during outpatient interactions with 14 328 patients at 935 health-care facilities in 2015. Compliance was assessed in five domains: hand hygiene; protective glove use; injections and blood sampling; disinfection of reusable equipment; and waste segregation. We calculated compliance by dividing the number of correct actions performed by the number of indications and evaluated associations between compliance and the health-care worker's and facility's characteristics. Across 106 464 observed indications for an infection prevention and control practice, the mean compliance was 0.318 (95% confidence interval, CI: 0.315 to 0.321). The compliance ranged from 0.023 (95% CI: 0.021 to 0.024) for hand hygiene to 0.871 (95% CI: 0.866 to 0.876) for injection and blood sampling safety. Compliance was weakly associated with the facility's characteristics (e.g. public or private, or level of specialization) and the health-care worker's knowledge of, and training in, infection prevention and control practices. The observational tool was effective for assessing compliance with infection prevention and control practices across multiple domains in primary health care in a low-income country. Compliance varied widely across infection prevention and control domains. The weak associations observed between compliance and the characteristics of health-care workers and facilities, such as knowledge and the availability of supplies, suggest that a broader focus on behavioural change is required.

A theoretical framework for psychiatric nursing practice.

PubMed

Onega, L L

1991-01-01

Traditionally, specific theoretical frameworks which are congruent with psychiatric nursing practice have been poorly articulated. The purpose of this paper is to identify and discuss a philosophical base, a theoretical framework, application to psychiatric nursing, and issues related to psychiatric nursing knowledge development and practice. A philosophical framework that is likely to be congruent with psychiatric nursing, which is based on the nature of human beings, health, psychiatric nursing and reality, is identified. Aaron Antonovsky's Salutogenic Model is discussed and applied to psychiatric nursing. This model provides a helpful way for psychiatric nurses to organize their thinking processes and ultimately improve the health care services that they offer to their clients. Goal setting and nursing interventions using this model are discussed. Additionally, application of the use of Antonovsky's model is made to nursing research areas such as hardiness, uncertainty, suffering, empathy and literary works. Finally, specific issues related to psychiatric nursing are addressed.

Implementation of tuberculosis infection control in health facilities in Mukono and Wakiso districts, Uganda

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Tuberculosis infection control (TBIC) is rarely implemented in the health facilities in resource limited settings. Understanding the reasons for low level of implementation is critical. The study aim was to assess TBIC practices and barriers to implementation in two districts in Uganda. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in 51 health facilities in districts of Mukono and Wakiso. The study included: a facility survey, observations of practices and eight focus group discussions with health workers. Results Quantitative: Only 16 facilities (31%) had a TBIC plan. Five facilities (10%) were screening patients for cough. Two facilities (4%) reported providing masks to patients with cough. Ventilation in the waiting areas was inadequate for TBIC in 43% (22/51) of the facilities. No facility possessed N95 particulate respirators. Qualitative: Barriers that hamper implementation of TBIC elicited included: under-staffing, lack of space for patient separation, lack of funds to purchase masks, and health workers not appreciating the importance of TBIC. Conclusion TBIC measures were not implemented in health facilities in the two Ugandan districts where the survey was done. Health system factors like lack of staff, space and funds are barriers to implement TBIC. Effective implementation of TBIC measures occurs when the fundamental health system building blocks -governance and stewardship, financing, infrastructure, procurement and supply chain management are in place and functioning appropriately. PMID:23915376

Implementation of tuberculosis infection control in health facilities in Mukono and Wakiso districts, Uganda.

PubMed

Buregyeya, Esther; Nuwaha, Fred; Verver, Suzanne; Criel, Bart; Colebunders, Robert; Wanyenze, Rhoda; Kalyango, Joan N; Katamba, Achilles; Mitchell, Ellen Mh

2013-08-01

Tuberculosis infection control (TBIC) is rarely implemented in the health facilities in resource limited settings. Understanding the reasons for low level of implementation is critical. The study aim was to assess TBIC practices and barriers to implementation in two districts in Uganda. We conducted a cross-sectional study in 51 health facilities in districts of Mukono and Wakiso. The study included: a facility survey, observations of practices and eight focus group discussions with health workers. Quantitative: Only 16 facilities (31%) had a TBIC plan. Five facilities (10%) were screening patients for cough. Two facilities (4%) reported providing masks to patients with cough. Ventilation in the waiting areas was inadequate for TBIC in 43% (22/51) of the facilities. No facility possessed N95 particulate respirators. Qualitative: Barriers that hamper implementation of TBIC elicited included: under-staffing, lack of space for patient separation, lack of funds to purchase masks, and health workers not appreciating the importance of TBIC. TBIC measures were not implemented in health facilities in the two Ugandan districts where the survey was done. Health system factors like lack of staff, space and funds are barriers to implement TBIC. Effective implementation of TBIC measures occurs when the fundamental health system building blocks--governance and stewardship, financing, infrastructure, procurement and supply chain management are in place and functioning appropriately.

Tuberculosis knowledge, attitudes and practices of patients at primary health care facilities in a South African metropolitan: research towards improved health education.

PubMed

Kigozi, N Gladys; Heunis, J Christo; Engelbrecht, Michelle C; Janse van Rensburg, André P; van Rensburg, H C J Dingie

2017-10-10

Health education is important to empower patients and encourage their contribution towards tuberculosis (TB) control. In South Africa, health education activities are integrated into services provided at the primary health care (PHC) level. This study was conducted in a high TB burden metropolitan area in South Africa. The objective was to assess TB-related knowledge, attitudes and infection control practices of patients attending PHC facilities. In September and October 2015, a cross-sectional survey using fieldworker-administered questionnaires was conducted among patients older than 17 years attending 40 PHC facilities in the Mangaung Metropolitan. Convenience sampling was used to select patients. Participation in the study was voluntary. Descriptive, inferential and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. Statistical significance was considered at alpha <0.05 and 95% confidence interval. A total of 507 patients' data were included in the analysis. Most of the patients knew that TB transmission is facilitated by crowded conditions (84.6%) and that pulmonary TB is contagious (73.0%). Surprisingly, the majority of patients also believed that one can get TB from sharing toothbrushes (85.0%) or kissing (65.0%). An overwhelming majority of patients perceived TB to be serious (89.7%), and concurred that taking treatment (97.2%) and opening windows to prevent transmission in PHC facilities (97.0%) are important. Being employed (AOR: 11.5; CI: 4.8-27.6), having received TB infection control information from a PHC facility (AOR: 2.2; CI: 1.5-3.4), and being a TB patient (AOR: 1.6; CI: 1.02-2.46) increased the likelihood of adopting good infection control practices. These findings highlight the need for health education efforts to strengthen accurate information dissemination to promote sound TB knowledge and attitudes among patients attending PHC facilities. Health education efforts should also capitalise on the positive finding of this study that information dissemination at PHC facilities increases good infection control practices.

Feedback increases benefits but not costs of retrieval practice: Retrieval-induced forgetting is strength independent.

PubMed

Tempel, Tobias; Frings, Christian

2018-04-01

We examined how the provision of feedback affected two separate effects of retrieval practice: strengthening of practiced information and forgetting of related, unpracticed information. Feedback substantially increased recall of retrieval-practiced items. This unsurprising result shows once again that restudy opportunities boost the benefits of testing. In contrast, retrieval-induced forgetting was unaffected by the manipulation and occurred in equal size with or without feedback. These findings demonstrate strength independence of retrieval-induced forgetting and thus support a theoretical account assuming that an inhibitory mechanism causes retrieval-induced forgetting. According to this theory, inhibition resolves competition that arises during retrieval attempts but is unrelated to the consequences of retrieval practice concerning practiced items. The present results match these assumptions and contradict the theoretical alternative that blocking by strengthened information might explain retrieval-induced forgetting. We discuss our findings against the background of previous studies.

Adopting and implementing nutrition guidelines in recreational facilities: Public and private sector roles. A multiple case study

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Recreational facilities are an important community resource for health promotion because they provide access to affordable physical activities. However, despite their health mandate, many have unhealthy food environments that may paradoxically increase the risk of childhood obesity. The Alberta Nutrition Guidelines for Children and Youth (ANGCY) are government-initiated, voluntary guidelines intended to facilitate children’s access to healthy food and beverage choices in schools, childcare and recreational facilities, however few recreational facilities are using them. Methods We used mixed methods within an exploratory multiple case study to examine factors that influenced adoption and implementation of the ANGCY and the nature of the food environment within three cases: an adopter, a semi-adopter and a non-adopter of the ANGCY. Diffusion of Innovations theory provided the theoretical platform for the study. Qualitative data were generated through interviews, observations, and document reviews, and were analysed using directed content analysis. Set theoretic logic was used to identify factors that differentiated adopters from the non-adopter. Quantitative sales data were also collected, and the quality of the food environment was scored using four complementary tools. Results The keys to adoption and implementation of nutrition guidelines in recreational facilities related to the managers’ nutrition-related knowledge, beliefs and perceptions, as these shaped his decisions and actions. The manager, however, could not accomplish adoption and implementation alone. Intersectoral linkages with schools and formal, health promoting partnerships with industry were also important for adoption and implementation to occur. The food environment in facilities that had adopted the ANGCY did not appear to be superior to the food environment in facilities that had not adopted the ANGCY. Conclusions ANGCY uptake may continue to falter under the current voluntary approach, as the environmental supports for voluntary action are poor. Where ANGCY uptake does occur, changes to the food environment may be relatively minor. Stronger government measures may be needed to require recreational facilities to improve their food environments and to limit availability of unhealthy foods. PMID:22632384

Nuclear-bound quarkonia and heavy-flavor hadrons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krein, G.; Thomas, A. W.; Tsushima, K.

2018-05-01

In our quest to win a deeper understanding of how QCD actually works, the study of the binding of heavy quarkonia and heavy-flavor hadrons to atomic nuclei offers enormous promise. Modern experimental facilities such as FAIR, Jefferson Lab at 12 GeV and J-PARC offer exciting new experimental opportunities to study such systems. These experimental advances are complemented by new theoretical approaches and predictions, which will both guide these experimental efforts and be informed and improved by them. This review will outline the main theoretical approaches, beginning with QCD itself, summarize recent theoretical predictions and relate them both to past experiments and those from which we may expect results in the near future.

A research to reduce interior noise in general aviation airplanes. General aviation interior noise study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roskam, J.; Muirhead, V. U.; Smith, H. W.; Peschier, T. D.

1977-01-01

The construction, calibration, and properties of a facility for measuring sound transmission through aircraft type panels are described along with the theoretical and empirical methods used. Topics discussed include typical noise source, sound transmission path, and acoustic cabin properties and their effect on interior noise. Experimental results show an average sound transmission loss in the mass controlled frequency region comparable to theoretical predictions. The results also verify that transmission losses in the stiffness controlled region directly depend on the fundamental frequency of the panel. Experimental and theoretical results indicate that increases in this frequency, and consequently in transmission loss, can be achieved by applying pressure differentials across the specimen.

Characteristics of Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs at Veterans Affairs Hospitals: Results of a Nationwide Survey.

PubMed

Chou, Ann F; Graber, Christopher J; Jones, Makoto; Zhang, Yue; Goetz, Matthew Bidwell; Madaras-Kelly, Karl; Samore, Matthew; Kelly, Allison; Glassman, Peter A

2016-06-01

BACKGROUND Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) are variably implemented. OBJECTIVE To characterize variations of antimicrobial stewardship structure and practices across all inpatient Veterans Affairs facilities in 2012 and correlate key characteristics with antimicrobial usage. DESIGN A web-based survey regarding stewardship activities was administered to each facility's designated contact. Bivariate associations between facility characteristics and inpatient antimicrobial use during 2012 were determined. SETTING Total of 130 Veterans Affairs facilities with inpatient services. RESULTS Of 130 responding facilities, 29 (22%) had a formal policy establishing an ASP, and 12 (9%) had an approved ASP business plan. Antimicrobial stewardship teams were present in 49 facilities (38%); 34 teams included a clinical pharmacist with formal infectious diseases (ID) training. Stewardship activities varied across facilities, including development of yearly antibiograms (122 [94%]), formulary restrictions (120 [92%]), stop orders for antimicrobial duration (98 [75%]), and written clinical pathways for specific conditions (96 [74%]). Decreased antimicrobial usage was associated with having at least 1 full-time ID physician (P=.03), an ID fellowship program (P=.003), and a clinical pharmacist with formal ID training (P=.006) as well as frequency of systematic patient-level reviews of antimicrobial use (P=.01) and having a policy to address antimicrobial use in the context of Clostridium difficile infection (P=.01). Stop orders for antimicrobial duration were associated with increased use (P=.03). CONCLUSIONS ASP-related activities varied considerably. Decreased antibiotic use appeared related to ID presence and certain select practices. Further statistical assessments may help optimize antimicrobial practices. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:647-654.

The power of theoretical knowledge.

PubMed

Alligood, Martha Raile

2011-10-01

Nursing theoretical knowledge has demonstrated powerful contributions to education, research, administration and professional practice for guiding nursing thought and action. That knowledge has shifted the primary focus of the nurse from nursing functions to the person. Theoretical views of the person raise new questions, create new approaches and instruments for nursing research, and expand nursing scholarship throughout the world.

Toward a Theoretical Model of Decision-Making and Resistance to Change among Higher Education Online Course Designers

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dodd, Bucky J.

2013-01-01

Online course design is an emerging practice in higher education, yet few theoretical models currently exist to explain or predict how the diffusion of innovations occurs in this space. This study used a descriptive, quantitative survey research design to examine theoretical relationships between decision-making style and resistance to change…

[Aromatherapy and nursing: historical and theoretical conception].

PubMed

Gnatta, Juliana Rizzo; Kurebayashi, Leonice Fumiko Sato; Turrini, Ruth Natalia Teresa; Silva, Maria Júlia Paes da

2016-02-01

Aromatherapy is a Practical or Complementary Health Therapy that uses volatile concentrates extracted from plants called essential oils, in order to improve physical, mental and emotional well-being. Aromatherapy has been practiced historically and worldwide by nurses and, as in Brazil is supported by the Federal Nursing Council, it is relevant to discuss this practice in the context of Nursing through Theories of Nursing. This study of theoretical reflection, exploratory and descriptive, aims to discuss the pharmacognosy of essential oils, the historical trajectory of Aromatherapy in Nursing and the conceptions to support Aromatherapy in light of eight Nursing Theorists (Florence Nightingale, Myra Levine, Hildegard Peplau, Martha Rogers, Callista Roy, Wanda Horta, Jean Watson and Katharine Kolcaba), contributing to its inclusion as a nursing care practice.

Primary Care Practice Transformation Is Hard Work

PubMed Central

Crabtree, Benjamin F.; Nutting, Paul A.; Miller, William L.; McDaniel, Reuben R.; Stange, Kurt C.; Jaén, Carlos Roberto; Stewart, Elizabeth

2010-01-01

Background Serious shortcomings remain in clinical care in the United States despite widespread use of improvement strategies for enhancing clinical performance based on knowledge transfer approaches. Recent calls to transform primary care practice to a patient-centered medical home present even greater challenges and require more effective approaches. Methods Our research team conducted a series of National Institutes of Health funded descriptive and intervention projects to understand organizational change in primary care practice settings, emphasizing a complexity science perspective. The result was a developmental research effort that enabled the identification of critical lessons relevant to enabling practice change. Results A summary of findings from a 15-year program of research highlights the limitations of viewing primary care practices in the mechanistic terms that underlie current or traditional approaches to quality improvement. A theoretical perspective that views primary care practices as dynamic complex adaptive systems with “agents” who have the capacity to learn, and the freedom to act in unpredictable ways provides a better framework for grounding quality improvement strategies. This framework strongly emphasizes that quality improvement interventions should not only use a complexity systems perspective, but also there is a need for continual reflection, careful tailoring of interventions, and ongoing attention to the quality of interactions among agents in the practice. Conclusions It is unlikely that current strategies for quality improvement will be successful in transforming current primary care practice to a patient-centered medical home without a stronger guiding theoretical foundation. Our work suggests that a theoretical framework guided by complexity science can help in the development of quality improvement strategies that will more effectively facilitate practice change. PMID:20856145

A qualitative study using the Theoretical Domains Framework to investigate why patients were or were not assessed for rehabilitation after stroke.

PubMed

Lynch, Elizabeth A; Luker, Julie A; Cadilhac, Dominique A; Fryer, Caroline E; Hillier, Susan L

2017-07-01

To explore the factors perceived to affect rehabilitation assessment and referral practices for patients with stroke. Qualitative study using data from focus groups analysed thematically and then mapped to the Theoretical Domains Framework. Eight acute stroke units in two states of Australia. Health professionals working in acute stroke units. Health professionals at all sites had participated in interventions to improve rehabilitation assessment and referral practices, which included provision of copies of an evidence-based decision-making rehabilitation Assessment Tool and pathway. Eight focus groups were conducted (32 total participants). Reported rehabilitation assessment and referral practices varied markedly between units. Continence and mood were not routinely assessed (4 units), and people with stroke symptoms were not consistently referred to rehabilitation (4 units). Key factors influencing practice were identified and included whether health professionals perceived that use of the Assessment Tool would improve rehabilitation assessment practices (theoretical domain 'social and professional role'); beliefs about outcomes from changing practice such as increased equity for patients or conversely that changing rehabilitation referral patterns would not affect access to rehabilitation ('belief about consequences'); the influence of the unit's relationships with other groups including rehabilitation teams ('social influences' domain) and understanding within the acute stroke unit team of the purpose of changing assessment practices ('knowledge' domain). This study has identified that health professionals' perceived roles, beliefs about consequences from changing practice and relationships with rehabilitation service providers were perceived to influence rehabilitation assessment and referral practices on Australian acute stroke units.

Primary care practice and facility quality orientation: influence on breast and cervical cancer screening rates.

PubMed

Goldzweig, Caroline Lubick; Parkerton, Patricia H; Washington, Donna L; Lanto, Andrew B; Yano, Elizabeth M

2004-04-01

Despite the importance of early cancer detection, variation in screening rates among physicians is high. Insights into factors influencing variation can guide efforts to decrease variation and increase screening rates. To explore the association of primary care practice features and a facility's quality orientation with breast and cervical cancer screening rates. Cross-sectional study of screening rates among 144 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers and for a national sample of women. We linked practice structure and quality improvement characteristics of individual VA medical centers from 2 national surveys (1 to primary care directors and 1 to a stratified random sample of employees) to breast and cervical cancer screening rates determined from a review of random medical records. We conducted bivariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression of primary care practice and facility features on cancer screening rates, above and below the median. While the national screening rates were high for breast (87%) and cervical cancer (90%), higher screening rates were more likely when primary care providers were consistently notified of specialty visits and when staff perceived a greater organizational commitment to quality and anticipated rewards and recognition for better performance. Organization and quality orientation of the primary care practice and its facility can enhance breast and cervical cancer screening rates. Internal recognition of quality performance and an overall commitment to quality improvement may foster improved prevention performance, with impact varying by clinical service.

Dimensions of vegetable parenting practices among preschoolers.

PubMed

Baranowski, Tom; Chen, Tzu-An; O'Connor, Teresia; Hughes, Sheryl; Beltran, Alicia; Frankel, Leslie; Diep, Cassandra; Baranowski, Janice C

2013-10-01

The objective of this study was to determine the factor structure of 31 effective and ineffective vegetable parenting practices used by parents of preschool children based on three theoretically proposed factors: responsiveness, control and structure. The methods employed included both corrected item-total correlations and confirmatory factor analysis. Acceptable fit was obtained only when effective and ineffective parenting practices were analyzed separately. Among effective items the model included one second order factor (effectiveness) and the three proposed first order factors. The same structure was revealed among ineffective items, but required correlated paths be specified among items. A theoretically specified three factor structure was obtained among 31 vegetable parenting practice items, but likely to be effective and ineffective items had to be analyzed separately. Research is needed on how these parenting practices factors predict child vegetable intake. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A Cluster-Randomized Trial of Restorative Practices: An Illustration to Spur High-Quality Research and Evaluation.

PubMed

Acosta, Joie D; Chinman, Matthew; Ebener, Patricia; Phillips, Andrea; Xenakis, Lea; Malone, Patrick S

2016-01-01

Restorative Practices in schools lack rigorous evaluation studies. As an example of rigorous school-based research, this paper describes the first randomized control trial of restorative practices to date, the Study of Restorative Practices. It is a 5-year, cluster-randomized controlled trial (RCT) of the Restorative Practices Intervention (RPI) in 14 middle schools in Maine to assess whether RPI impacts both positive developmental outcomes and problem behaviors and whether the effects persist during the transition from middle to high school. The two-year RPI intervention began in the 2014-2015 school year. The study's rationale and theoretical concerns are discussed along with methodological concerns including teacher professional development. The theoretical rationale and description of the methods from this study may be useful to others conducting rigorous research and evaluation in this area.

AN ASSESSMENT OF CULTURAL VALUES AND RESIDENT-CENTERED CULTURE CHANGE IN US NURSING FACILITIES

PubMed Central

Banaszak-Holl, Jane; Castle, Nicholas G.; Lin, Michael; Spreitzer, Gretchen

2012-01-01

Background Culture Change initiatives propose to improve care by addressing the lack of managerial supports and prevalent stressful work environments in the industry; however, little is known about how Culture Change facilities differ from facilities in the industry that have not chosen to affiliate with the resident-centered care movements. Purpose To evaluate representation of organizational culture values within a random sample of U.S. nursing home facilities using the Competing Values Framework (CVF) and to determine whether organizational values are related to membership in resident-centered Culture Change initiatives. Design and Methods We collected reports of cultural values using a well-established CVF instrument in a random survey of facility administrators and directors of nursing within all states. We received responses from 57% of the facilities that were mailed the survey. Directors of nursing and administrators did not vary significantly in their reports of culture and facility measures combine their responses. Findings Nursing facilities favored market-focused cultural values on average and developmental values, key to innovation, were the least common across all nursing homes. Approximately 17% of facilities reported all cultural values were strong within their facilities. Only high developmental cultural values were linked to participation in culture change initiatives. Culture Change facilities were not different from non-Culture Change facilities in the promotion of employee focus as organizational culture, as is emphasized in group culture values. Likewise, Culture Change facilities were also not any more likely to have hierarchical or market foci than non-Culture Change facilities. Practice Implications Our results counter the argument that Culture Change facilities have a stronger internal employee focus than facilities more generally but does show that Culture Change facilities report stronger developmental cultures than non-Culture Change facilities, which indicates a potential to be innovative in their strategies. Facilities are culturally ready to become resident-centered and may face other barriers to adopting these practices. PMID:22936002

41 CFR 102-74.360 - What are the specific accident and fire prevention responsibilities of occupant agencies?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... appropriate fire safety precautions in their work; (i) Keep facilities in the safest condition practicable... accident and fire prevention responsibilities of occupant agencies? 102-74.360 Section 102-74.360 Public... MANAGEMENT REGULATION REAL PROPERTY 74-FACILITY MANAGEMENT Facility Management Accident and Fire Prevention...

41 CFR 102-74.360 - What are the specific accident and fire prevention responsibilities of occupant agencies?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... appropriate fire safety precautions in their work; (i) Keep facilities in the safest condition practicable... accident and fire prevention responsibilities of occupant agencies? 102-74.360 Section 102-74.360 Public... MANAGEMENT REGULATION REAL PROPERTY 74-FACILITY MANAGEMENT Facility Management Accident and Fire Prevention...

41 CFR 102-74.360 - What are the specific accident and fire prevention responsibilities of occupant agencies?

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... appropriate fire safety precautions in their work; (i) Keep facilities in the safest condition practicable... accident and fire prevention responsibilities of occupant agencies? 102-74.360 Section 102-74.360 Public... MANAGEMENT REGULATION REAL PROPERTY 74-FACILITY MANAGEMENT Facility Management Accident and Fire Prevention...

Planning for Future Forms of Education: Towards an Educational and Educational Facilities Planning Model.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Leu, Donald J.

The author provides an overview and conceptualization of the total educational and educational facility planning process. The presentation attempts to provide a simple practical outline for local planners, so they may actively engage in relevant educational facility planning, and a common conceptual base, so the various components of Project…

Library Facility Siting and Location Handbook. The Greenwood Library Management Collection.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Koontz, Christine M.

This handbook is a guide to the complex process of library facility siting and location. It includes relevant research and professionals' siting experiences, as well as actual case studies of closures, openings, mergers, and relocations of library facilities. While the bulk of the volume provides practical information, the work also presents an…

38 CFR 14.635 - Office space and facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Office space and... Practice and Information Concerning Fees, 38 U.s.c. 5901-5905 § 14.635 Office space and facilities. The Secretary may furnish office space and facilities, if available, in buildings owned or occupied by the...

38 CFR 14.635 - Office space and facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Office space and... Practice and Information Concerning Fees, 38 U.s.c. 5901-5905 § 14.635 Office space and facilities. The Secretary may furnish office space and facilities, if available, in buildings owned or occupied by the...

38 CFR 14.635 - Office space and facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Office space and... Practice and Information Concerning Fees, 38 U.s.c. 5901-5905 § 14.635 Office space and facilities. The Secretary may furnish office space and facilities, if available, in buildings owned or occupied by the...

38 CFR 14.635 - Office space and facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Office space and... Practice and Information Concerning Fees, 38 U.s.c. 5901-5905 § 14.635 Office space and facilities. The Secretary may furnish office space and facilities, if available, in buildings owned or occupied by the...

38 CFR 14.635 - Office space and facilities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Office space and... Practice and Information Concerning Fees, 38 U.s.c. 5901-5905 § 14.635 Office space and facilities. The Secretary may furnish office space and facilities, if available, in buildings owned or occupied by the...

Contracting for Facilities Services. Critical Issues in Facilities Management. No. 9.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

APPA: Association of Higher Education Facilities Officers, Alexandria, VA.

This book has been designed to provide practical information to managers on how to work with outside contractors in the higher education facilities area, and provides "real world" advice on the opportunities and pitfalls of privatization. Overviews and detailed case studies of contracting-out for services such as custodial services and…

Sport Facility Planning and Management. Sport Management Library.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Farmer, Peter J.; Mulrooney, Aaron L.; Ammon, Rob, Jr.

Students of sports facilities management will need to acquire a wide variety of managerial skills and knowledge in order to be adequately prepared to plan and manage these facilities. This textbook offers students a mix of practical examples and recognized theory to help them in the planning, constructing, promoting, and managing of sports…

APPA Promotes Leadership in Energy and Sustainability with New FPI Tool

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Boyce, Darryl K.

2012-01-01

Although sustainability best practices for buildings are generally well understood, campuses face unique challenges because they are developed to support a diverse community with a variety of facilities. From academic facilities and labs to residences and sports facilities, all operate under one organizational umbrella. This can make it difficult…

FACILITIES FOR EDUCATION IN VA HOSPITALS. FINAL REPORT.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

GREEN, ALAN C.; AND OTHERS

THIS STUDY WAS AUTHORIZED BY THE VA DEPARTMENT OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY FOR THE PURPOSE OF IDENTIFYING AND DETERMINING THE FACILITIES NEEDED TO PROPERLY HOUSE AND SUPPORT EDUCATION ACTIVITIES IN EXISTING AND FUTURE VA HOSPITALS AND TO PRODUCE ARCHITECTURAL GUIDANCE IN THE DESIGN OF THE FACILITIES. CURRENT PRACTICES AND SIGNIFICANT TRENDS IN MEDICAL…

[Geertz' Interpretive Theory and care management: visualizing nurses' social practice].

PubMed

Prochnow, Adelina Giacomelli; Leite, Joséte Luzia; Erdmann, Alacoque Lorenzini

2005-01-01

This paper presents a theoretical reflection on hospital nursing care management and Geertz' Interpretive Theory of Culture. We discuss some significant elements of culture in management, based on the theoretical reference frameworks of nursing, administration and anthropology. In these, the importance of cultural diversity is highlighted as an innovative resource to expand the vision of human integrity, valuing divergences, respect and sharing, which are important for nurses in the construction of their social practice.

Impact of Antimicrobial Stewardship on Physician Practice in a Geriatric Facility

PubMed Central

Kassett, Nina; Sham, Rosalind; Aleong, Rosanne; Yang, Daisy; Kirzner, Michael; Craft, Aidlee

2016-01-01

Background There is a paucity of literature describing the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) in long-term care (LTC) facilities. The current study evaluated the impact of an ASP that was implemented across a geriatric facility, which included an inpatient specialty hospital and an LTC facility. The program included prospective audits with feedback, multidisciplinary education, information technology interventions, and guideline development. Objective To investigate the impact of the ASP on physicians’ prescribing practices in this geriatric facility. Methods Utilization data for antibiotics commonly used to treat urinary tract infections were retrieved for the period September 1, 2011, to August 31, 2013. The study examined whether there were significant changes in overall antibiotic use, ciprofloxacin use, and physician prescribing behaviour after program implementation in September 2012. Results There was no significant change in the total number of antibiotic prescriptions for urinary tract infections in the hospital or the LTC facility after ASP implementation. Significant reductions were seen in the average days of therapy initially prescribed and the actual days of therapy after ASP implementation in the LTC facility but not the hospital. Across both facilities, significant reductions were seen in the number of ciprofloxacin prescriptions. Conclusions The current study showed that an ASP can affect physicians’ antibiotic prescribing behaviour and antibiotic usage in an LTC environment. PMID:28123192

Dialysis facility and patient characteristics associated with utilization of home dialysis.

PubMed

Walker, David R; Inglese, Gary W; Sloand, James A; Just, Paul M

2010-09-01

Nonmedical factors influencing utilization of home dialysis at the facility level are poorly quantified. Home dialysis is comparably effective and safe but less expensive to society and Medicare than in-center hemodialysis. Elimination of modifiable practice variation unrelated to medical factors could contribute to improvements in patient outcomes and use of scarce resources. Prevalent dialysis patient data by facility were collected from the 2007 ESRD Network's annual reports. Facility characteristic data were collected from Medicare's Dialysis Facility Compare file. A multivariate regression model was used to evaluate associations between the use of home dialysis and facility characteristics. The utilization of home dialysis was positively associated with facility size, percent patients employed full- or part-time, younger population, and years a facility was Medicare certified. Variables negatively associated include an increased number of hemodialysis patients per hemodialysis station, chain association, rural location, more densely populated zip code, a late dialysis work shift, and greater percent of black patients within a zip code. Improved understanding of factors affecting the frequency of use of home dialysis may help explain practice variations across the United States that result in an imbalanced use of medical resources within the ESRD population. In turn, this may improve the delivery of healthcare and extend the ability of an increasingly overburdened medical financing system to survive.

The ABC's required for establishing a practical computerized plant engineering management data base system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Maiocco, F. R.; Hume, J. P.

1976-01-01

A system's approach is outlined in the paper to assist facility and Plant Engineers improve their organization's data management system. The six basic steps identified may appear somewhat simple; however, adequate planning, proper resources, and the involvement of management will determine the success of a computerized facility management data base. Helpful suggestions are noted throughout the paper to insure the development of a practical computerized data management system.

A bicycle safety index for evaluating urban street facilities.

PubMed

Asadi-Shekari, Zohreh; Moeinaddini, Mehdi; Zaly Shah, Muhammad

2015-01-01

The objectives of this research are to conceptualize the Bicycle Safety Index (BSI) that considers all parts of the street and to propose a universal guideline with microscale details. A point system method comparing existing safety facilities to a defined standard is proposed to estimate the BSI. Two streets in Singapore and Malaysia are chosen to examine this model. The majority of previous measurements to evaluate street conditions for cyclists usually cannot cover all parts of streets, including segments and intersections. Previous models also did not consider all safety indicators and cycling facilities at a microlevel in particular. This study introduces a new concept of a practical BSI to complete previous studies using its practical, easy-to-follow, point system-based outputs. This practical model can be used in different urban settings to estimate the level of safety for cycling and suggest some improvements based on the standards.

Work Life Stress and Career Resilience of Licensed Nursing Facility Administrators.

PubMed

Myers, Dennis R; Rogers, Rob; LeCrone, Harold H; Kelley, Katherine; Scott, Joel H

2018-04-01

Career resilience provided a frame for understanding how Licensed Nursing Facility Administrators (LNFAs) sustain role performance and even thrive in stressful skilled nursing facility work environments. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of in-depth interviews with18 LNFAs, averaging 24 years of experience were conducted by a five-member research team. Analysis was informed by evidence-based frameworks for career resilience in the health professions as well as the National Association of Long-Term Care Administrator Boards' (NAB) five domains of competent administrative practice. Findings included six sources of work stressors and six sources of professional satisfaction. Also, participants identified seven strategic principles and 10 administrative practices for addressing major sources of stress. Recommendations are provided for research and evidence-based application of the career resilience perspective to LNFA practice aimed at reducing role abandonment and energizing the delivery of the quality of care that each resident deserves.

Paradoxical empowerment of produsers in the context of informational capitalism

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Proulx, Serge; Heaton, Lorna; Kwok Choon, Mary Jane; Millette, Mélanie

2011-04-01

This article develops a critical perspective on how online contribution practices participate in the creation of economic value under informational capitalism. It discusses the theoretical relevance of the concept of empowerment for exploring online contribution practices. We argue that produsage practices are paradoxical insofar as they can be simultaneously alienating and emancipatory. This theoretical lens allows us to take a fresh look at the collective intelligence of produsers and the role of communities in the collective production of content. We illustrate the fruitfulness of this conceptual approach with two case studies: Facebook and TelaBotanica, a platform for the collaborative production of scientific knowledge.

77 FR 55120 - Federal Housing Administration (FHA): Section 232 Healthcare Facility Insurance Program...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-09-07

...In 2010 through 2011, HUD commenced and completed the process of revising regulations applicable to, and closing documents used in, FHA insurance of multifamily rental projects, to reflect current policy and practices in the multifamily mortgage market. This final rule results from a similar process that was initiated in 2011 for revising and updating the regulations governing, and the transactional documents used in, the program for insurance of healthcare facilities under section 232 of the National Housing Act (Section 232 program). HUD's Section 232 program insures mortgage loans to facilitate the construction, substantial rehabilitation, purchase, and refinancing of nursing homes, intermediate care facilities, board and care homes, and assisted-living facilities. This rule revises the Section 232 program regulations to reflect current policy and practices, and improve accountability and strengthen risk management in the Section 232 program.

Variation in Nephrologist Visits to Patients on Hemodialysis across Dialysis Facilities and Geographic Locations

PubMed Central

Tan, Kelvin B.; Winkelmayer, Wolfgang C.; Chertow, Glenn M.; Bhattacharya, Jay

2013-01-01

Summary Background and objectives Geographic and other variations in medical practices lead to differences in medical costs, often without a clear link to health outcomes. This work examined variation in the frequency of physician visits to patients receiving hemodialysis to measure the relative importance of provider practice patterns (including those patterns linked to geographic region) and patient health in determining visit frequency. Design, setting, participants, & measurements This work analyzed a nationally representative 2006 database of patients receiving hemodialysis in the United States. A variation decomposition analysis of the relative importance of facility, geographic region, and patient characteristics—including demographics, socioeconomic status, and indicators of health status—in explaining physician visit frequency variation was conducted. Finally, the associations between facility, geographic and patient characteristics, and provider visit frequency were measured using multivariable regression. Results Patient characteristics accounted for only 0.9% of the total visit frequency variation. Accounting for case-mix differences, patients’ hemodialysis facilities explained about 24.9% of visit frequency variation, of which 9.3% was explained by geographic region. Visit frequency was more closely associated with many facility and geographic characteristics than indicators of health status. More recent dialysis initiation and recent hospitalization were associated with decreased visit frequency. Conclusions In hemodialysis, provider visit frequency depends more on geography and facility location and characteristics than patients’ health status or acuity of illness. The magnitude of variation unrelated to patient health suggests that provider visit frequency practices do not reflect optimal management of patients on dialysis. PMID:23430207

Virtual deposition plant

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tikhonravov, Alexander

2005-09-01

A general structure of the software for computational manufacturing experiments is discussed. It is shown that computational experiments can be useful for checking feasibility properties of theoretical designs and for finding the most practical theoretical design for a given production environment.

Benefits of a Dedicated Breastfeeding Facility and Support Program for Exclusive Breastfeeding among Workers in Indonesia.

PubMed

Basrowi, Ray W; Sulistomo, Astrid B; Adi, Nuri Purwito; Vandenplas, Yvan

2015-06-01

A mother's working environment is believed to be a major determinant of exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) practice. We aimed to define the influence of a facility dedicated to breastfeeding and a breastfeeding support program at the workplace on breastfeeding practice. A cross-sectional study was performed in five workplaces. The inclusion criteria were female workers whose last child was between 6 and 36 months old. Observational data were obtained and a questionnaire was filled out. The World Health Organization definition for EBF was used. Data from 186 subjects (74 office workers and 112 factory workers) were collected. Just over half (52%) of the mothers were between 20 and 46 years old, 75.3% had graduated from high school and university, 12.9% had more than two children and 36.0% owned a house. The prevalence of EBF during the last 6 months was 32.3%. A proper dedicated breastfeeding facility was available for 21.5% of the mothers, but only 7.5% had been in contact with a breastfeeding support program. The presence of a dedicated breastfeeding facility increased EBF practice almost threefold, by an odds ratio (OR) of 2.74 and a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.34-5.64 (p<0.05). Knowledge of the breastfeeding support program increased EBF practice by almost six times (OR, 5.93; 95% CI, 1.78-19.79) (p<0.05). Our findings suggest that Governments should make it obligatory for employers to offer a breastfeeding support program and a dedicated breastfeeding facility at the workplace as these simple measures significantly increase EBF.

Practice Management: The Game Changer

PubMed Central

Pessis, Paul

2016-01-01

The reimbursement landscape is undergoing significant changes. Practice management, which encompasses reimbursement, is becoming increasingly more important in securing business success. Each practitioner within a facility is responsible for fortifying the practice through thoughtful business protocols. Knowing legislation that impacts health care along with understanding the foundational components of reimbursement is key for keeping a practice financially healthy. Change is good, but making the changes is what counts! Legislation such as the Medicare Access and Chip Reauthorization Act defines the new payment models. Correcting current business practices might seem difficult on the surface, but implementing change is rewarding and an obligation of the practitioners within a facility to their patients. Financial stability for a practice occurs when sound business practices are routine. Today's audiologist must not only be proficient at performing his or her scope of practice, but must also accept that performing best business practices is part of the job. In the end, the patients seeking the services of the audiologist benefit most when a practice has the financial stability to be best in its class. PMID:28028326

Racial-Equity Policy as Leadership Practice: Using Social Practice Theory to Analyze Policy as Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Feldman, Sue; Winchester, Ilana

2015-01-01

This, primarily theoretical, paper takes up the longstanding problem of the disconnection between education policy and leadership practice. The authors propose the use of social practice theory as a tool for educational leaders at the state, school district, and school levels, to eliminate the disconnection between policy design and leadership…

Toward an Ontology of Practices in Educational Administration: Theoretical Implications for Research and Practice

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Newton, Paul; Riveros, Augusto

2015-01-01

In this article, we argue for a study of educational administration centered on an "ontology of practices." This is an initial proposal for thinking about and conceptualizing practices in educational administration. To do this, first, we explore how practices are constituted and how they configure the social realities of practitioners.…

Practical considerations for a second-order directional hearing aid microphone system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Thompson, Stephen C.

2003-04-01

First-order directional microphone systems for hearing aids have been available for several years. Such a system uses two microphones and has a theoretical maximum free-field directivity index (DI) of 6.0 dB. A second-order microphone system using three microphones could provide a theoretical increase in free-field DI to 9.5 dB. These theoretical maximum DI values assume that the microphones have exactly matched sensitivities at all frequencies of interest. In practice, the individual microphones in the hearing aid always have slightly different sensitivities. For the small microphone separation necessary to fit in a hearing aid, these sensitivity matching errors degrade the directivity from the theoretical values, especially at low frequencies. This paper shows that, for first-order systems the directivity degradation due to sensitivity errors is relatively small. However, for second-order systems with practical microphone sensitivity matching specifications, the directivity degradation below 1 kHz is not tolerable. A hybrid order directive system is proposed that uses first-order processing at low frequencies and second-order directive processing at higher frequencies. This hybrid system is suggested as an alternative that could provide improved directivity index in the frequency regions that are important to speech intelligibility.

Music Therapy for Posttraumatic Stress in Adults: A Theoretical Review

PubMed Central

Landis-Shack, Nora; Heinz, Adrienne J.; Bonn-Miller, Marcel O.

2017-01-01

Music therapy has been employed as a therapeutic intervention to facilitate healing across a variety of clinical populations. There is theoretical and empirical evidence to suggest that individuals with trauma exposure and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a condition characterized by enduring symptoms of distressing memory intrusions, avoidance, emotional disturbance, and hyperarousal, may derive benefits from music therapy. The current narrative review describes the practice of music therapy and presents a theoretically-informed assessment and model of music therapy as a tool for addressing symptoms of PTSD. The review also presents key empirical studies that support the theoretical assessment. Social, cognitive, and neurobiological mechanisms (e.g., community building, emotion regulation, increased pleasure, anxiety reduction) that promote music therapy’s efficacy as an adjunctive treatment for individuals with posttraumatic stress are discussed. It is concluded that music therapy may be a useful therapeutic tool to reduce symptoms and improve functioning among individuals with trauma exposure and PTSD, though more rigorous empirical study is required. In addition, music therapy may help foster resilience and engage individuals who struggle with stigma associated with seeking professional help. Practical recommendations for incorporating music therapy into clinical practice are offered along with several suggestions for future research. PMID:29290641

Content-oriented Approach to Organization of Theories and Its Utilization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hayashi, Yusuke; Bourdeau, Jacqueline; Mizoguch, Riichiro

In spite of the fact that the relation between theory and practice is a foundation of scientific and technological development, the trend of increasing the gap between theory and practice accelerates in these years. The gap embraces a risk of distrust of science and technology. Ontological engineering as the content-oriented research is expected to contribute to the resolution of the gap. This paper presents the feasibility of organization of theoretical knowledge on ontological engineering and new-generation intelligent systems based on it through an application of ontological engineering in the area of learning/instruction support. This area also has the problem of the gap between theory and practice, and its resolution is strongly required. So far we proposed OMNIBUS ontology, which is a comprehensive ontology that covers different learning/instructional theories and paradigms, and SMARTIES, which is a theory-aware and standard-compliant authoring system for making learning/instructional scenarios based on OMNIBUS ontology. We believe the theory-awareness and standard-compliance bridge the gap between theory and practice because it links theories to practical use of standard technologies and enables practitioners to easily enjoy theoretical support while using standard technologies in practice. The following goals are set in order to achieve it; computers (1) understand a variety of learning/instructional theories based on the organization of them, (2) utilize the understanding for helping authors' learning/instructional scenario making and (3) make such theoretically sound scenarios interoperable within the framework of standard technologies. This paper suggests an ontological engineering solution to the achievement of these three goals. Although the evaluation is far from complete in terms of practical use, we believe that the results of this study address high-level technical challenges from the viewpoint of the current state of the art in the research area of artificial intelligence not only in education but also in general, and therefore we hope that constitute a substantial contribution for organization of theoretical knowledge in many other areas.

Evaluating Food Safety Knowledge and Practices of Food Processors and Sellers Working in Food Facilities in Hanoi, Vietnam.

PubMed

Tran, Bach Xuan; DO, Hoa Thi; Nguyen, Luong Thanh; Boggiano, Victoria; LE, Huong Thi; LE, Xuan Thanh Thi; Trinh, Ngoc Bao; DO, Khanh Nam; Nguyen, Cuong Tat; Nguyen, Thanh Trung; Dang, Anh Kim; Mai, Hue Thi; Nguyen, Long Hoang; Than, Selena; Latkin, Carl A

2018-04-01

Consumption of fast food and street food is increasingly common among Vietnamese, particularly in large cities. The high daily demand for these convenient food services, together with a poor management system, has raised concerns about food hygiene and safety (FHS). This study aimed to examine the FHS knowledge and practices of food processors and sellers in food facilities in Hanoi, Vietnam, and to identify their associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,760 food processors and sellers in restaurants, fast food stores, food stalls, and street vendors in Hanoi in 2015. We assessed each participant's FHS knowledge using a self-report questionnaire and their FHS practices using a checklist. Tobit regression was used to determine potential factors associated with FHS knowledge and practices, including demographics, training experience, and frequency of health examination. Overall, we observed a lack of FHS knowledge among respondents across three domains, including standard requirements for food facilities (18%), food processing procedures (29%), and food poisoning prevention (11%). Only 25.9 and 38.1% of participants used caps and masks, respectively, and 12.8% of food processors reported direct hand contact with food. After adjusting for socioeconomic characteristics, these factors significantly predicted increased FHS knowledge and practice scores: (i) working at restaurants and food stalls, (ii) having FHS training, (iii) having had a physical examination, and (iv) having taken a stool test within the last year. These findings highlight the need of continuous training to improve FHS knowledge and practices among food processors and food sellers. Moreover, regular monitoring of food facilities, combined with medical examination of their staff, should be performed to ensure food safety.

Early breastfeeding practices: Descriptive analysis of recent Demographic and Health Surveys

PubMed Central

Benova, Lenka; Macleod, David; Lynch, Caroline A.; Campbell, Oona M. R.

2017-01-01

Abstract The aim of this study was to describe early breastfeeding practices (initiation within 1 hr of birth, no prelacteal feeding, and a combination of both—“optimal” early breastfeeding) according to childbirth location in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Using data from the most recent Demographic and Health Survey (2000–2013) for 57 countries, we extracted information on the most recent birth for women aged 15–49 with a live birth in the preceding 24 months. Childbirth setting was self‐reported by location (home or facility) and subtype (home delivery with or without a skilled birth attendant; public or private facility). We produced overall world and four region‐level summary statistics by applying national population adjusted survey weights. Overall, 39% of children were breastfed within 1 hr of birth (region range 31–60%), 49% received no prelacteal feeding (41–65%), and 28% benefited from optimal early breastfeeding (21–46%). In South/Southeast Asia and Sub‐Saharan Africa, early breastfeeding outcomes were more favourable for facility births compared to home births; trends were less consistent in Latin America and Middle East/Europe. Among home deliveries, there was a higher prevalence of positive breastfeeding practices for births with a skilled birth attendant across all regions other than Latin America. For facility births, breastfeeding practices were more favourable among those taking place in the public sector. This study is the most comprehensive assessment to date of early breastfeeding practices by childbirth location. Our results suggest that skilled delivery care—particularly care delivered in public sector facilities—appears positively correlated with favourable breastfeeding practices. PMID:29034551