scholarly journals A patient-centred model to quality assure outputs from an echocardiography department: consensus guidance from the British Society of Echocardiography

2018 ◽  
pp. G25-G33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas E Ingram ◽  
Steph Baker ◽  
Jane Allen ◽  
Sarah Ritzmann ◽  
Nina Bual ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Audit ◽  
Quality Standards ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
British Society ◽  
Service Users ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Report Generation ◽  
Quality Framework ◽  
Consensus Guidance ◽  
Quantifiable Level

BackgroundQuality assurance (QA) of echocardiographic studies is vital to ensure that clinicians can act on findings of high quality to deliver excellent patient care. To date, there is a paucity of published guidance on how to perform this QA. The British Society of Echocardiography (BSE) has previously produced an Echocardiography Quality Framework (EQF) to assist departments with their QA processes. This article expands on the EQF with a structured yet versatile approach on how to analyse echocardiographic departments to ensure high-quality standards are met. In addition, a process is detailed for departments that are seeking to demonstrate to external bodies adherence to a robust QA process.MethodsThe EQF consists of four domains. These include assessment of Echo Quality (including study acquisition and report generation); Reproducibility & Consistency (including analysis of individual variability when compared to the group and focused clinical audit), Education & Training (for all providers and service users) and Customer & Staff Satisfaction (of both service users and patients/their carers). Examples of what could be done in each of these areas are presented. Furthermore, evidence of participation in each domain is categorised against a red, amber or green rating: with an amber or green rating signifying that a quantifiable level of engagement in that aspect of QA has been achieved.ConclusionThe proposed EQF is a powerful tool that focuses the limited time available for departmental QA on areas of practice where a change in patient experience or outcome is most likely to occur.

Fast extraction of high-quality framework-specific models from application code

2008 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michał Antkiewicz ◽  
Thiago Tonelli Bartolomei ◽  
Krzysztof Czarnecki
Keyword(s):  
High Quality ◽  
Quality Framework ◽  
Fast Extraction

A Welcome Note from the Editor

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dr. Ayisha Shabbir
Keyword(s):  
Quality Standards ◽  
Advisory Board ◽  
Editorial Team ◽  
Biomedical Journal ◽  
Biomedical Sciences ◽  
High Quality ◽  
High Quality Research ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Exciting Time

I am delighted and proud to welcome you to the second issue of Volume 2. Each article receivedand accepted is an important contribution to the already existing knowledge in the field of BiomedicalSciences. All the editorial team is excited about the progress of PBMJ as an international journal. Aseditor, I would like to express my heartiest congratulation to the team and welcome to the authors andreaders. I am also grateful to the advisory board and managing editors. I hope that PBMJ can promote theacademic and applicable research and improve the research activities and collaborations.I am aware of the bumps along the way, but we are determined to keep pursuing the research goalsto meet the high quality standards and move forward with great courage. If you have any suggestions toimprove, you may write to us as a reader. In the age of technology, I can actively conversate with thereaders and get their feedback to improve the quality with their valuable input.PBMJ will continue to serve the Biomedical Sciences as an outlet for high-quality research. This isan exciting time for the journal and we look forward to working with authors, the Editorial board and theteam to make PBMJ as a leading source for work in the space.Dr. Ayisha ShabbirEditorPakistan BioMedical Journal

GAIN Premix Facility: An Innovative Approach for Improving Access to Quality Vitamin and Mineral Premix in Fortification Initiatives

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (4_suppl3) ◽  
pp. S381-S389 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippe Guinot ◽  
Vincent Jallier ◽  
Alessandro Blasi ◽  
Christophe Guyondet ◽  
Marc Van Ameringen
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Edible Oils ◽  
Quality Standards ◽  
Private Industry ◽  
Target Groups ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Adequate Quality ◽  
Standards And Guidelines ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Cost

Background Vitamin and mineral premix is one of the most significant recurring input costs for large-scale food fortification programs. A number of barriers exist to procuring adequate quality premix, including accessing suppliers, volatile prices for premix, lack of quality assurance and monitoring of delivered products, and lack of funds to purchase premix. Objective To develop and test a model to procure premix through a transparent and efficient process in which an adequate level of quality is guaranteed and a financial mechanism is in place to support countries or specific target groups when there are insufficient resources to cover the cost of premix. Methods Efforts focused on premixes used to fortify flour, such as wheat or maize (iron, zinc, B vitamins, and vitamin A), edible oils (vitamins A and D), and other food vehicles, such as fortified complementary foods, complementary food supplements, and condiments. A premix procurement model was set up with three distinct components: a certification process that establishes industry-wide standards and guidelines for premix, a procurement facility that makes premix more accessible to countries and private industry engaged in fortification, and a credit facility mechanism that helps projects finance premix purchases. Results After three years of operation, 15 premix suppliers and 29 micronutrient manufacturers have been certified, and more than US$23 million worth of premix that met quality standards has been supplied in 34 countries in Africa, Central and Southern Asia, and Eastern Europe, reaching an estimated 242 million consumers. Conclusions The Premix Facility demonstrated its effectiveness in ensuring access to high-quality premixes, therefore enabling the success of various fortification programs.

scholarly journals Comparison of grape harvesting and sorting methods on factors affecting the must quality

2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandro Parenti ◽  
Paolo Spugnoli ◽  
Piernicola Masella ◽  
Lorenzo Guerrini ◽  
Stefano Benedettelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Standards ◽  
Wine Quality ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Post Harvest ◽  
Harvesting Technique ◽  
Manual Sorting ◽  
Harvesting Techniques ◽  
Two Parameters

This study compared two harvesting techniques (manual and mechanical) and three grape sorting methods (no sorting, manual, and densimetric) in attempts to obtain high-quality must. The trials were carried out in 2009 and 2010 in Tuscany, Italy. The effectiveness of the harvest-sorting chain was assessed on two parameters. Substandard berries (SSB) is the percentage of berries, which do not meet quality standards that enter the winemaking process, and material other than grape (MOG) is a measure of the cleanliness of the berries entering the process. In the two years the trial was run the grape maturation level was widely different; in 2009 the vintage was more far mature than in 2010. With respect to SSB content and harvesting methods, in 2009 (more mature grapes) hand-picking reduced SSB content, while in 2010 there were no differences between the two harvesting methods. In both years, densimetric sorting reduced SSB content, while there were no significant differences between no sorting and manual sorting. In terms of MOG content, both harvesting and sorting results were inconsistent. In 2009, MOG was lower in mechanically harvested grapes; while in 2010 it was lower in hand-picked grapes. As for sorting methods, in 2009 there were no differences in MOG, while in 2010 mechanical sorting produced better results. Our results question whether the post-harvest sorting techniques used by many estates are effective; particularly as the question has received little attention and no previous research has compared methods. Secondly, our study contributes to the debate on the effects of harvesting technique on wine quality.

scholarly journals Impact of Changes in Accounting Standards on Earnings Management

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-175
Author(s):  
Kawa W. Muhamad ◽  
Subhi M. Saleh ◽  
Kees van Paridon
Keyword(s):  
Earnings Management ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Reporting Quality ◽  
Quality Standards ◽  
Financial Reporting Quality ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ◽  
Financial Reporting Standards ◽  
Accounting Principles

This study considers the question whether the changes in Accounting Standards has led to companies making less use of earnings management. The paper is an attempt to investigate whether the application of high quality standards like International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is related to high financial reporting quality. This study addresses this issue empirically. Furthermore, this research examines whether German companies that have applied IFRS have less earnings management compared to German companies that report according to the German Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GGAAP). The sample, consisting of two equally large listed companies in Germany (Südzucker Group and Henkel Group) from 2003-2014. The study suggests that IFRS-adopters show different earnings management performance compared to companies reporting under German GAAP. This finding contributes to the discussion on whether high quality standards are appropriate and operational in countries with weak investor protection rights. The result shows that adopters of IFRS in Germany can be related with less use of earnings management as a result of changes in accounting standards. This result is contradictory with previous research that was done by Van Tendeloo and Vanstraelen, (2005), and consistent with the previous research conducted by Ball et al. (2003).

scholarly journals Transition of young people from CAMHS to AMH 2017-19

BJPsych Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (S1) ◽  
pp. S168-S168
Author(s):  
Vesna Acovski ◽  
Rahat Ghafoor ◽  
Rachel Shead
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Clinical Audit ◽  
Transition Process ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Referral Letter ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Emergency Admissions ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Transition Service ◽  
Transition Plan

AimsTransition from CAMHS to AMH is recognised as a potential struggle for young people who suffer with poor mental health. In response to the 2017-19 NHS CQUIN project, LPT organised a monthly working group to establish the best transition process & deliver the CQUIN project.BackgroundIt is estimated that more than 25,000 young people transition each year. It is reported that this process is often handled poorly, which can result in repeat assessments and emergency admissions for this large cohort of service users at a critical stage in life. The result is that young may go on to develop more severe problems in the absence of an appropriate transition service.MethodCohort of service users eligible for transition (17yrs 6months) was identified. They were referred from CAMHS to AMH with a transition plan and referral letter. A face-to-face transition meeting was arranged which included the patient, carer & clinicians from sending & receiving services. A clinical audit was completed to ensure that care was transferred to AMH post-18th birthday of the patient. The process was followed up by pre- and post-transitions surveys.ResultFrom 110 identified service users 46% had joint-agency transition meeting and 79% had transition plan in place. 72% felt prepared to transition to AMH and 89% felt their transition goals were met. Positive comments have been received from service users.ConclusionLink workers were identified to facilitate the transition process. Flow chart was established and disseminated across LPT. Services that need an improvement will be targeted and monitored. LPT will host an event for patients and carers to involve them in enhancing the transition process.

Polymer nanoparticles for drug delivery – synthetic vs. biopolymers?

BioResources ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 2181-2183
Author(s):  
Martin Gericke ◽  
Thomas Heinze
Keyword(s):  
Quality Standards ◽  
Synthetic Polymer ◽  
Molecular Structures ◽  
Polymer Nanoparticles ◽  
Cell Type ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Medical Products ◽  
Physiological Conditions ◽  
Supramolecular Architectures ◽  
Specific Tissue

Nanoparticles have a great prospect for therapeutic applications. They can protect drugs under physiological conditions and act as a matrix for directed delivery of drugs, e.g., to a specific tissue or cell type. Polymer-based nanomaterials are considered as highly effective in this regard. Their properties can be tailored to meet specific demands for given therapeutic purposes. Considering the high-quality standards placed on medical products, the question arises: Which type of polymer material should be employed? One might select synthetic polymer compounds, which are highly diverse in terms of the molecular structures and supramolecular architectures that can be created, or biopolymers such as polysaccharides that are renowned for their native biocompatibility.

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