Implementation of Evidence-Based Patient Safety Practices: 4-Years’ Follow-up of a Nationwide Regulatory Intervention in Brazilian Hospitals

Background: Regulatory interventions are widely recommended to improve the quality of health services, but there are few studies on the possible models and their effects. The aim of this study is to describe the implementation process and analyse the results of a nationwide regulatory intervention for the implementation of patient safety practices.Methods: Four nationwide annual cross-sectional assessments were conducted in Brazilian hospitals with Intensive Care Unit beds. The participants involved all facilities operating during 2016-2019 (average N=1,989). The regulatory intervention theory aimed to increase adherence to safe evidence-based practices through national annual assessment involving a set of 21 validated structure and process indicators related to patient safety practices. At moment 1(Risk assessment), data were collected to classify hospitals according to the risk. In the sequence, the Sanitary Surveillance Centers (VISAS) carried out the analysis of the information sent by the hospitals. VISAS classified services into three groups according to compliance with the composite adherence indicator: High (67-100%); Medium (34-66%); and Low Compliance (0-33%). Moment 2 (Risk management) used responsive actions according to the hospital’s classification. Results: The intervention resulted in six annual cyclic stages and, between 2016-2019, 782 (40.1%), 980 (49.0%), 1,093 (54.3%) and 1,255 (61.8%) hospitals participated, respectively. 17 of the 20 indicators with at least two measurements had a significant improvement after national interventions (p<0.05). The overall percentage of compliance increased from 70.7 to 84.1 (p<0.001) and the percentage of hospitals with high compliance increased from 59.1 to 83.0 (p<0.001).Conclusion: The regulatory intervention used was a good tool to strengthen the information system and government actions to promote patient safety. The set of low-cost interventions seems to be useful to prioritise hospitals at higher risk and to induce responsive measures to implement patient safety practices in the evaluated context, promoting the efficiency of the regulatory process.

Inevitable Influences: AI-Based Medical Devices at the Intersection of Medical Devices Regulation and the Proposal for AI Regulation

In recent years, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the medical field has attracted increased attention. Due to their impressive advantages, AI systems offer excellent prospects for medical device manufacturers using these systems to upgrade their products. Such AI-based medical devices are already subject to partial regulation within the lines of Medical device regulation 745/2017. However, following the proposal for a regulation on artificial intelligence published by the European Commission, the regulatory landscape for these devices has partially changed. This article aims to clarify the influences that this regulatory intervention by the European Commission brings to the path towards the use and marketing of AI-based medical devices.

Foreign Debt in the Perspective of Tafsir Fii Zilaal Al-Qur'an by Sayyid Qutb

This study aimed to analyze the contemporary interpretation of Sayyid Qutb against usury contained in foreign debt in his book Fii Zhilaal al-Qur'an Surah Al-Baqarah: 275. The method used in this research is the descriptive analysis method combined with the method of hermeneutics and supported by a literature review to find Sayyid Qutb’s thoughts on foreign debt. This study is an attempt to gain a proper understanding of usury-based on a contemporary interpretation of Sayyid Qutb in the book Fii Zhilaal Al-Qur'an especially that including in foreign debt. This study described the analysis of usury in foreign debt base on the interpretation of Sayyid. Findings. The results of this study are understandings of the thoughts of Sayyid Qutb in his book related to the impact of foreign debt which may lead to the theory that foreign debt will have an impact on regulatory intervention, colonization, and even warfare.

Banks' Backtesting Exceptions during the COVID-19 Crash: Causes and Consequences

Banks' numerous and simultaneous backtesting exceptions in March 2020, during the COVID-19-related market crash, would have amplified their already-large spike in market risk capital requirements in the absence of regulatory intervention. This note provides background on how backtesting exceptions affect capital requirements generally, the source of those exceptions during the COVID-19 crash, and how regulators exercised discretion to mitigate the unintended capital increase.

Autonomous Artificial Intelligence and Uncontemplated Hazards: Towards the Optimal Regulatory Framework

The issue of super-intelligent artificial intelligence (AI) has begun to attract ever more attention in economics, law, sociology and philosophy studies. A new industrial revolution is being unleashed, and it is vital that lawmakers address the systemic challenges it is bringing while regulating its economic and social consequences. This paper sets out recommendations to ensure informed regulatory intervention covering potential uncontemplated AI-related risks. If AI evolves in ways unintended by its designers, the judgment-proof problem of existing legal persons engaged with AI might undermine the deterrence and insurance goals of classic tort law, which consequently might fail to ensure optimal risk internalisation and precaution. This paper also argues that, due to identified shortcomings, the debate on the different approaches to controlling hazardous activities boils down to a question of efficient ex ante safety regulation. In addition, it is suggested that it is better to place AI in the existing legal categories and not to create a new electronic legal personality.

Nigeria’s upstream petroleum industry anti-corruption legal framework: the necessity for overhauling and enrichment

Purpose This study aims to investigate why anti-corruption statutes are not efficient in Nigeria’s upstream petroleum industry. Design/methodology/approach This study is a doctrinal legal research that embraces a point-by-point comparative methodology with a library research technique. Findings This study reveals that corruption strives on feeble implementation of anti-corruption legal regime and the absence of political will in offering efficient regulatory intervention. Finally, this study finds that anti-corruption organisations in Nigeria are not efficient due to non-existence of the Federal Government’s political will to fight corruption, insufficient funds and absence of stringent implementation of the anti-corruption legal regime in the country. Research limitations/implications Investigations reveal during this study that Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) operations are characterised with poor record-keeping, lack of accountability as well as secrecy in the award of oil contracts, oil licence, leases and other financial transactions due to non-disclosure or confidentiality clauses contained in most of these contracts. Also, an arbitration proceeding limit access to their records and some of these agreements under contentions. This has also limited the success of this research work and generalising its findings. Practical implications This study recommends, among other reforms, soft law technique and stringent execution of anti-corruption statutes. This study also recommends increment in financial appropriation to Nigeria’s anti-corruption institutions, taking into consideration the finding that a meagre budget is a drawback. Social implications This study reveals that corruption strives on feeble implementation of anti-corruption legal regime and the absence of political will in offering efficient regulatory intervention. Corruption flourishes due to poor enforcement of anti-corruption laws and the absence of political will in offering efficient regulatory intervention by the government. Originality/value The study advocates the need for enhancement of anti-corruption agencies' budgets taking into consideration the finding that meagres budgets are challenge of the agencies.

A Critical Analysis of South African Anti-Money Laundering Legislation with regard to Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrencies are decentralised virtual currencies, using blockchain technology to process peer-to-peer electronic payments. In 2009, the first successful cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, was established. This article discusses concepts of cryptocurrency, its relevance in the financial sector, its associated risks and establishes whether regulatory interference is necessary in order to combat money laundering using cryptocurrency. Currently, cryptocurrencies remain unregulated in South Africa. The article concludes that regulatory intervention is necessary and that cryptocurrencies should be integrated into relevant existing legislation.