scholarly journals External Quality Assessment of Transporting Infectious Substances in Canada

1999 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 246-251
Author(s):  
Shelley M Tiffin ◽  
Michael A Noble

OBJECTIVE: To determine the degree of compliance with Transport Canada’s Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations for transporting infectious substances in Canada.DESIGN: A three-phase study including observation of packages arriving at the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC) provincial laboratory; observation of requested samples of either anEscherichia coliculture or serum, not human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or HbsAg positive, from laboratories; and a questionnaire concerning training and certification of packers in laboratories.RESULTS: During phase 1, 500 packages arriving at the BCCDC provincial laboratory were assessed. All arrived intact, with 384 (76.8%) in a firm outer package. Only 178 (35.6%) contained absorbent material. Six samples were known to contain human immunodefiency virus or hepatitis B; all were appropriately packaged. Of the remainder, 11 (2.2%) were considered overpackaged, 192 (38.4%) acceptably packaged and 191 (38.2%) inadequately packaged. In phase 2, 138 requested packages were assessed. All arrived intact, 132 (95.7%) in a firm outer package. Ninety-six (69.6%) contained absorbent material. Only six (4.3%) were considered inadequately packaged. In phase 3, 171 laboratories responded to a questionnaire. Fifty-nine were from small laboratories, 53 from intermediate laboratories and 23 from large laboratories. Most laboratories (55.4%) relied on in-house resources to train packers. Only 26 (15.3%) facilities had no certified packers, and 60.8% noted they had a formal copy of the regulations available in the laboratory. Laboratory characteristics associated with the likelihood of overpackaging included number of technologists (χ2=5.72; P=0.058), number of samples processed by laboratories (χ2=8.46; P=0.015) and being a private laboratory as opposed to being a hospital laboratory (Fisher Exact two-tailed 0.040).CONCLUSIONS: Canadian laboratories tend to package safely and within the acceptable range of regulation, although not within the precision of regulation. Most laboratories have trained and certified packers. The most common error is the use of outer packaging that is not firm. Larger laboratories tend to overpackage resulting in increased costs.

CJEM ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (S1) ◽  
pp. S68 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Parkash ◽  
K. Magee ◽  
M. McMullen ◽  
M.B. Clory ◽  
M. D’Astous ◽  
...  

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia affecting 1-2% of the population. Oral anticoagulation (OAC) reduces stroke risk by 60-80% in AF patients, but only 50% of indicated patients receive OAC. Many patients present to the ED with AF due to arrhythmia symptoms, however; lack of OAC prescription in the ED has been identified as a significant gap in the care of AF patients. Methods: This was a multi-center, pragmatic, three-phase before-after study, in three Canadian sites. Patients who presented to the ED with electrocardiographically (ECG) documented, nonvalvular AF and were discharged home were included. Phase 1 was a retrospective chart review to determine OAC prescription of AF patients in each ED; Phase 2 was a low-intensity knowledge translation intervention where a simple OAC-prescription tool for ED physicians with subsequent short-term OAC prescription was used, as well as an AF patient education package and a letter to family physicians; phase 3 incorporated Phase 2 interventions, but added immediate follow-up in a community AF clinic. The primary outcome of the study was the rate of new OAC prescriptions at ED discharge in AF patients who were OAC eligible and were not on OAC at presentation. Results: A total of 632 patients were included from June, 2015-November, 2016. ED census ranged from 30000-68000 annual visits. Mean age was 71±15, 67±12, 67±13 years, respectively. 47.5% were women, most responsible ED diagnosis was AF in 75.8%. The mean CHA2DS2-VASc score was 2.6±1.8, with no difference amongst groups. There were 266 patients eligible for OAC and were not on this at presentation. In this group, the prescription of new OAC was 15.8% in Phase 1 as compared to 54% and 47%, in Phases 2 and 3, respectively. After adjustment for center, components of the CHA2DS2-VASc score, prior risk of bleeding and most responsible ED diagnosis, the odds ratio for new OAC prescription was 8.0 (95%CI (3.5,18.3) p<0.001) for Phase 3 vs 1, and 10.0 (95%CI (4.4,22.9) p<0.001), for Phase 2 vs 1). No difference in OAC prescription was seen between Phases 2 and 3. Conclusion: Use of a simple OAC-prescription tool was associated with an increase in new OAC prescription in the ED for eligible patients with AF. Further testing in a rigorous study design to assess the effect of this practice on stroke prevention in the AF patients who present to the ED is indicated.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 172-172
Author(s):  
Stacie Crowder ◽  
Terry Weeden ◽  
Clayton Hankins ◽  
Terry Meyer ◽  
Brenda de Rodas

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of feeding LucraFit® Feed nursery program without lactose on piglet performance. A total of 440 weanling pigs, initial weight of 5.76 ± 0.23 kg., were randomly assigned to either Control or LucraFit® Feed treatments with 11 replicates per treatment and 20 pigs per pen. Pigs were weighed at day 0, 8, 15, 21, 29, and 43 post-weaning with corresponding ADG, ADFI, and G:F calculated for each time period. Data was analyzed using the Mixed procedure of SAS. Pigs were fed a three-phase nursery program with 2.27, 5.44, and 13.19 kg/pig for phases 1-3 respectively. Control diets contained 12.5% lactose in phase 1, 5% lactose in phase 2, and 0% lactose in phase 3. LucraFit® Feed diets contained 0% lactose in all phases. LucraFit® Feed was added at 2.5% and 1.25% in phase 1 and 2 respectively. During d0 to 8, there was no significant difference in growth measurements. During d8 to 15, pigs fed LucraFit® Feed treatment had increased (P=0.039) ADG (0.296 vs 0.266 kg/d) and improved (P=0.035) G:F ratio (0.977 vs 0.923). During d15 to 21, ADG was not significantly different between treatments, however ADFI was tended to increase (P=0.061) with the LucraFit® Feed treatment (0.526 vs 0.497 kg/d) resulting in decreased (P=0.047) G:F ratio (0.783 vs 0.824). Through d21 to 43, LucraFit® Feed tended to improve (P=0.082) G:F ratio (0.676 vs 0.660). Overall (d0 to 43) G:F ratio tended to improve (P=0.082) with the LucraFit® Feed treatment (0.723 vs 0.709). No significant differences were observed in pig removals between treatments. Final (d 43) body weight was not significantly different between treatments. These results suggest that pigs can be started on a LucraFit® Feed nursery program with 0% lactose without having a negative impact on nursery performance.


2016 ◽  
Vol 77 (2) ◽  
pp. 78-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Morley ◽  
Deborah MacLellan ◽  
Karol Traviss ◽  
Theresa Cividin

Purpose: The purpose of this, the third phase of a 3-phase research project, was to develop guidelines for client-centred nutrition education (NE). Methods: A 3-phase study was conducted using a progressive development design, where each phase informed the subsequent phase. Phase 1 was a national online survey of dietitians’ perceptions of consumers’ NE needs and preferences; results informed the Phase 2 national online survey of consumers about their NE needs and preferences. Phase 3 involved national 2-part teleconference consultations with dietitians to discuss implications of the Phase 2 findings for NE practice. This paper is the report of Phase 3. Results: Discussion group participants were 22 dietitians from around Canada who had been in practice for an average of 14.5 years. Discussions resulted in the development of the Collaborative Client-Centred Nutrition Education (3CNE) conceptual framework and related Practice Points that explicate the complexity of NE practice. Conclusion: The 3CNE framework and Practice Points provide a means to inform precepting students and interns, and for use in planning for the professional development of practicing dietitians on providing client-centred NE.


2009 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Do Young Pyun ◽  
Jeffrey D. James

A challenge with advertising communications is to better understand beliefs driving people’s attitude toward advertising. Successful use of sport communication requires a better understanding of the beliefs composing attitudes toward advertising through sport. A 4-phase study was conducted to develop a scale measuring 7 belief dimensions as indicants of attitude toward advertising through sport. Phase 1 (N = 125) provided an initial test of the proposed instrument. Phase 2 (N = 215) included an assessment of the revised scale based on internal-consistency tests and exploratory factor analysis. In Phase 3 (N = 424) the scale’s reliability and validity were verified using confirmatory factor analysis. In Phase 4 (N = 263) the internal consistency and factor structure of the scale were reexamined. The combined results provide support for the conceptualization and measurement of the belief dimensions for future investigation of the relationships between beliefs about and attitude toward advertising through sport.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e24132-e24132
Author(s):  
Nazima Jaffer Dharsee ◽  
Beatrice W Addai ◽  
Lisa Murray ◽  
Amanda Shewbridge ◽  
Maria Aresu ◽  
...  

e24132 Background: The incidence of breast cancer is increasing in low- & middle- income countries (LMICs). Alongside attempts to reduce the disparity in cancer survival between high-income countries (HIC) & LMICs, it is important that survivorship is well understood and managed in an evidence based, resource and culturally sensitive manner. This project aimed to develop knowledge, skills and services concerning living with and beyond breast cancer primary treatment. Methods: This 3-phase study used mixed methods. Phase 1 used participant observation and focus group interviews (FGIs) to scope experience, resources, current practice, and challenges to implementing a recovery package. In Phase 2 nurses used the adapted Holistic Needs Assessment (HNA) with 500 women in Tanzania and Ghana, who were also offered a recovery care plan and treatment summary following their breast cancer primary treatment. Data was entered into a macro database & analysed using descriptive statistics. Phase 3 was the development of a culturally sensitive “Foundations in Cancer Care” training toolkit for nurses. The toolkit was based on a “train the trainer” model and included slides, an existing palliative care toolkit and exercises. The training programme consisted of 5 days teaching covering theory and practice. Data collection included: Initial FGIs to ascertain learning needs, confidence in knowledge & skills, assessed pre & post teaching course, and course evaluation. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: In Phase 1 six themes were identified concerning experience of breast cancer which included cultural beliefs & practices and access to treatment & support. Phase 2 data from Tanzania showed a similar level of unmet need at the end of treatment to a previous similar published analysis from the UK. Data from Ghana showed a much higher level of unmet need. Evaluation following Phase 3 showed a positive change in nurses’ confidence in their knowledge. Conclusions: This mixed methods three-phase study has documented experience, resources and current practise around breast cancer survivorship in two African centers treating breast cancer. The feasibility of using HNA to identify unmet needs in these women has been demonstrated and needs the identified. Results from the HNA informed a training toolkit which was implemented and positively received and could be adapted for use in other LMICs.


1999 ◽  
Vol 79 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan E Roush ◽  
Robert J Sonstroem

Abstract Background and Purpose. The purposes of this 3-phase study were (1) to identify the underlying components of outpatient satisfaction in physical therapy and (2) to develop a test that would yield reliable and valid measurements of these components. Subjects. Three samples, consisting of 177, 257, and 173 outpatients from 21 facilities, were used in phases 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Methods and Results. In phase 1, principal component analyses (PCAs), reliability checks, and correlations with social desirability scales were used to reduce a pool of 98 items to 32 items. These analyses identified a 5-component model of outpatient satisfaction in physical therapy. The phase 2 PCA, with a revised pool of 48 items, indicated that 4 components rather than 5 components represented the best model and resulted in the 34-item Physical Therapy Outpatient Satisfaction Survey (PTOPS). Factor analyses conducted with phase 2 and phase 3 data supported this conclusion and provided evidence for the internal validity of the PTOPS scores. The 4-component scales were labeled “Enhancers,” “Detractors,” “Location,” and “Cost.” Responses from subsamples of phase 3 subjects provided evidence for validity of scores in that the PTOPS components of “Enhancers,” “Detractors,” and “Cost” appeared to differentiate overtly satisfied patients from overtly dissatisfied patients. “Location” and “Enhancer” scores discriminated subjects with excellent attendance at scheduled physical therapy sessions from those with poor attendance. Conclusion and Discussion. In this study, we identified components of outpatient satisfaction in physical therapy and used them to develop a test that would yield valid and reliable measurements of these components.


SAGE Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 215824401987078
Author(s):  
Bridget Asempapa ◽  
Reuben S. Asempapa

This study provides the development phases and initial psychometric evaluation of the Integrated Care Competency Scale (ICCS) with sample ( n = 243). Specifically, quantitative methods with graduate counseling students were used in this study. The ICCS through a three-phase study process was honed to 65 items and broadly assesses graduate counseling students’ perceived competencies in integrated care. Phase 1 reports on item generation and issues related to content validity, Phase 2 describes the results of a pilot study and preliminary psychometric properties, and Phase 3 discusses the exploratory factor analysis, and further psychometric properties conducted to assess the usefulness and reliability of the ICCS items. Results from the three-phase study process revealed satisfactory reliability, factor structure, and usefulness of the newly constructed ICCS in measuring integrated care competencies. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for the overall scale was .98. Discussion, limitation, and implications for future research are presented.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Robinson ◽  
Ennie Yong

Purpose It is often voiced that parents of autistic children are the expert of their child, whereas parenting programmes target them as effective mediators for change. This paper aims to explore this unchallenged heuristic to develop an understanding of both emotional and relational needs of parents through trainers’ experiences of delivering emotion-focused and autism parent training. Design/methodology/approach This qualitative study used a constructivist approach of grounded theory to gain an in-depth understanding of trainers’ experiences from their encounters when delivering parent training. Six expert trainers were interviewed, and a two-phased coding of ground theory and an adapted thematic analysis was used. Findings An overarching theme emerged: emotion transformation from painful triggers, to enhanced attunement and relational repair. Four main themes containing 13 subthemes were identified. The interaction of these themes and subthemes are presented in a three-phase process model. Phase 1: uncovering painful emotions from a shared journey contained one theme: parent painful triggers. Phase 2: uncovering interpersonal rupture cycle contained one theme: relational rupture cycle within non-synchrony of attunement. Phase 3: parent–child relational repair contained two themes: repairing attachment bonds and therapist’s prizing stance. Social implications The authors challenge the parent as expert heuristic and propose that not all parents feel expert in neurotypical-neurodivergent intersubjectivity. The authors are curious to see whether trainers/therapists can guide parents through unprocessed emotions and non-synchrony of attunement to promote healing and relational repair, which requires further investigation. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first emotion-transformation process model grounded in humanistic principles of relational acceptance and emotion theory. The authors propose that a focus on process rather than outcome is more likely to result in higher parenting self-efficacy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 70 (6) ◽  
pp. 407-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Leslie ◽  
G McGill ◽  
M D Kiernan ◽  
G Wilson

Abstract Background Evidence increasingly acknowledges the impact of social isolation and loneliness on the lives of military veterans and the wider Armed Forces Community. Aims The study gathered expert consensus to (i) understand if veterans are considered ‘unique’ in their experiences of social isolation and loneliness; (ii) examine perceived factors leading to social isolation and loneliness of veterans; (iii) identify ways to tackle veterans’ social isolation and loneliness. Methods This study adopted a three-phase Delphi method. Phase 1 utilized a qualitative approach and Phase 2 and Phase 3 utilized a mixed-methods approach. Results Several outcomes were identified across the three phases. Transition out of the military was viewed as a period to build emotional resilience and raise awareness of relevant services. It was also concluded that veterans would benefit from integrating into services within the wider community, and that social prescribing services could be a vehicle to link veterans to relevant services. Furthermore, access to, and the content of, programmes was also of importance. Conclusions These findings illustrate various important interventional aspects to consider when funding and implementing programmes focussed on tackling social isolation and loneliness.


2020 ◽  
pp. 32-44
Author(s):  
Viacheslav Shovkovyi ◽  
Tetiana Shovkova ◽  
Tamara Kavytska

Systematization of educational material in the form of exercises and tasks has been a relevant problem for learning any language, including a classical one. Exercises and tasks – the application of which in the educational process requires an appropriate sequencing and phasing – are given a significant role in building Latin linguistic competence (LLC) of Philology majors. Theoretically, however, the problem is underresearched in the Ukrainian context; the available research that gives insight into building of LLC focuses on modern languages and thus tends to integrate linguistic competence with communicative competence, which has no relevance to teaching Latin. Hence, the goal of this article is to outline the theoretical prerequisites and develop a scientifically sound system of exercises and tasks to build the LLK in Philology majors. The methodology of the research relies on critical analysis and synthesis of theoretical sources with further application of basic concepts in the process of designing the system of exercises and tasks. The review of literature on the problem under discussion has enabled the authors to conceptualise the content and building of the LLC from the standpoint of educational expediency. The three-phase model of building the specified competence is offered: Phase 1 – building of declarative and procedural knowledge; Phase 2 – building of phonetic, grammatical, and lexical skills; Phase 3 – development of phonetic, lexical, grammatical, and analytical abilities. The system of exercises and tasks involves three subsystems – phonetic exercises and tasks, grammatical exercises and tasks, lexical exercises and tasks. Each subsystem contains both the exercises to build relevant skills and the tasks aimed at enhancing analytical skills and critical thinking, which relate to the analysis of language material by integrating Latin with other disciplines the students major in.


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