DD-KARB: Data-Driven Compliance to Quality by Rule Based Benchmarking

Rather than proof and logical evaluation, benchmarking can be used for compliance assessment. Naturally, a set of benchmarks can shape an applied solution to compliance assessment. This paper proposes the KARB solution system, i.e. preventing compliance anomalies through rule-based benchmarking. In fact, rule-based benchmarking means evaluating an under-compliance system with its symbolic specification and using a set of symbolic rules (on the behalf of the semantic logic of evaluation). A case study was conducted to demonstrate and analyze the KARB solution. The IR-QUMA study (Iranian Survey on Quality in Messenger Apps) was then conducted to evaluate the quality of some messenger applications. According to the evaluation results, the hybrid DD-KARB method (with a combination of semantics-awareness and data-drivenness) is more effective than solo methods and can compute a somehow good estimation for the messenger application user quality scores. Therefore, DD-KARB can be considered a method for quality benchmarking in this technical context.

Monitoring spatio-temporal compliance of urban development plans using GIS and remote sensing in Nairobi City County, Kenya

Development control aims to provide an urban environment with quality service delivery, optimal use of available resources, conservation, and reduction of haphazard urban growth. At the core of development control is the compliance assessment process, which ensures adherence to regulatory policies. The City of Nairobi compliance assessment process lacks considerable enforcement capacity and this has led to uncontrolled development. This study uses GIS and remote sensing to assess the spatio-temporal compliance of development plan(s) in Nairobi City County. Land use/cover of Nairobi City County from 1976 to 2019 were obtained from classified Landsat images at a nearly 10-year interval of six epochs (1976, 1984, 1993, 2002, 2010 and 2019). The zoning plan maps were digitised and superimposed on the classified images to determine compliance, taking subsequent reviews of spatial development plans into account. The non-compliance rates for residential, commercial, and industrial activities varied at 57~84%, 63~81% and 65~92%, respectively, during the study period (1976–2019). A comparison between the planned and non-compliant areas showed that residential, commercial, and industrial activities occurred mostly outside planned areas from 1976 to 2019. The analysis showed a considerably less increase in non-compliance on commercial land use. This is so because of the review done on the zoning plan for Nairobi City in 2005. The industrial land use non-compliance was constantly increasing over the study period, an indicator of the ever-rising rate of urbanisation in the Nairobi metropolitan area. This study illustrates the power of rapid spatial mapping in monitoring compliance of urban development plans for informed decision making.

Improving pediatric pharmacy services in a primarily adult emergency department

Disclaimer In an effort to expedite the publication of articles related to the COVID-19 pandemic, AJHP is posting these manuscripts online as soon as possible after acceptance. Accepted manuscripts have been peer-reviewed and copyedited, but are posted online before technical formatting and author proofing. These manuscripts are not the final version of record and will be replaced with the final article (formatted per AJHP style and proofed by the authors) at a later time. Purpose The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) and Pediatric Pharmacy Advocacy Group (PPAG) guidelines for providing pediatric pharmacy services in hospitals and health systems can be used to improve medication safety wherever pediatric patients receive care, including in the emergency department (ED). The purpose of this initiative was to improve compliance with these guidelines in a primarily adult ED. Methods This quality improvement initiative was conducted in a level 1 trauma center ED between October 2019 and March 2020. The ASHP-PPAG guidelines were used to create practice elements applicable to the ED. An initial compliance assessment defined elements as noncompliant, partially compliant, fully compliant, or not applicable. Investigators identified interventions to improve compliance for noncompliant or partially compliant elements and then reassessed compliance following implementation. Data were expressed using descriptive statistics. This initiative was exempt from institutional review board approval. Results Ninety-three ED practice elements were identified within the 9 standards of the ASHP-PPAG guidelines. At the initial compliance assessment, the majority (59.8%) of practice elements were fully compliant; however, various service gaps were identified in 8 of the standards, and 16 interventions were implemented to improve compliance. At the final compliance assessment, there was a 19.5% increase in full compliance. Barriers to achieving full compliance included technology restrictions, time constraints, financial limitations, and influences external to pharmacy. Conclusion This quality improvement initiative demonstrated that the ASHP-PPAG guidelines can be used to improve ED pediatric pharmacy services in a primarily adult institution. The initiative may serve as an example for other hospitals to improve compliance with the guidelines.

SIMULATION MODEL FOR RELIABILITY ESTIMATION OF NON-MAINTAINED RAILWAY TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICES

The paper presents a discrete-event model of non-maintained railway telecommunication equipment operation. The model developed in the AnyLogic environment allows to estimate the availability factor and specific quality indicator of such systems, as well as to predict time spent in various states. The presented model can be used both at the design and operation stage for the compliance assessment of telecommunication equipment parameters with the reliability requirements.

Empirically Mapping the Evolutionary Phases of Tourism Area Life Cycle (TALC)

This paper aims to simulate the stages of the Tourism Area Life Cycle (TALC) in Goa, India, based on the number of tourist arrivals and tests whether the stages correspond with the stages of TALC as predicted in the theory. The graphs are plotted for total, foreign, and domestic tourists from 1962-2018. A compliance assessment of the indicators with the TALC stages is also done to ascertain the extent of development. The leading indicators of the exploration, stagnation, and decline stages are identified. The lagging indicator shows sluggish tourism planning initiatives. It is observed that the TALC differs for domestic and foreign tourists' arrivals. The study provides an important historical perspective on the pattern of growth of tourism in Goa. The pattern can further be employed as a basis to guide the process of strategy formulation.