The prevention of anticancer therapy extravasation events in the oncology clinic infusion patient: A quality improvement study.

192 Background: The Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute (AHNCI) Medical Oncology is comprised of 19 infusion clinics located in the western Pennsylvania region. Safety quality assurance data revealed an extravasation rate of 0.12% for vesicant anticancer therapies. A literature review identified a benchmark for these extravasations to be 0.09% confirming that the AHNCI had an opportunity to improve patient safety. Methods: A multidisciplinary quality team with support from ASCO’s Quality Training Program was developed to decrease extravasation occurrences utilizing problem solving tools and PDSA methodology. A process flow map and cause and effect diagram revealed opportunities in the following categories: People–Lack of formal IV training resulting in care dependent on experiential knowledge only; Process–There is not a standardized process for IV starts; Plant–Supply standardization was non-existent. Offices and staff utilized the catheter of their choice with varying levels of technology for early detection of vein cannulation. The use of catheter stabilizing dressings or devices did not exist. Diagnostic data analysis revealed that a majority of extravasation events occurred peripherally in the forearm with a 24g, 0.75” catheter. Therefore, this quality team’s focus was on the prevention of peripheral extravasations. Gemba walk utilizing an observation tool identified that nurses often made decisions based on personal comfort rather than best practice. Process measures: Process Change #1: Standardize IV Catheters across the network to reduce variation and ensure that the chosen catheter’s manufacture technology includes early vein cannulation technology and to implement IV start kits with a securement dressing. Process Change#2: Educate nurses in vein assessment technique, catheter selection and insertion skill. Results: Allegheny Health Network Cancer Institute was able to decrease extravasation events from 0.12% to 0.02% due to the innovation of this quality improvement team by standardizing supplies and ensuring staff competency with peripheral IV insertion knowledge and skills. Conclusions: Validating a problem through data is essential–we can’t manage what we can’t measure.Validating a problem’s value through evidence is necessary (patient harm). Benchmarking must be supported with a high level of evidence. Eliminating variation improves investigative outcomes. Implementing process measures through best practice evidence and not hypothesis is essential.

Co-Creation via Digital Fashion Technology in New Business Models for Premium Product Innovation

This chapter focuses on co-creation as a key business model for Bespoke and Semi-Bespoke menswear tailoring and women's swimwear brands that use innovative concepts and processes to create premium products for a younger and more demanding consumer segment. The Millennials, Generation Z and Generation C all like to co-create products for their own body-shape fit and product design preferences. The discussion commences with a review of key texts on digital fashion technology and practices enabling ‘co-creation' strategies. The research methodology is mixed method including consumer questionnaires, online survey observation with analysis of companies utilizing new digital practices to meet consumer's demands. The latest developments in digital fashion scanning, sizing, product design and customization of new and existing ranges will evidence how co-creation strategies can brand-stretch and add value creation. Includes best practice process steps for visualization, professional style advice and co-creator recommendations via the e-commerce website or social media.

Co-Creation via Digital Fashion Technology in New Business Models for Premium Product Innovation

This chapter focuses on co-creation as a key business model for Bespoke and Semi-Bespoke menswear tailoring and women's swimwear brands that use innovative concepts and processes to create premium products for a younger and more demanding consumer segment. The Millennials, Generation Z and Generation C all like to co-create products for their own body-shape fit and product design preferences. The discussion commences with a review of key texts on digital fashion technology and practices enabling ‘co-creation' strategies. The research methodology is mixed method including consumer questionnaires, online survey observation with analysis of companies utilizing new digital practices to meet consumer's demands. The latest developments in digital fashion scanning, sizing, product design and customization of new and existing ranges will evidence how co-creation strategies can brand-stretch and add value creation. Includes best practice process steps for visualization, professional style advice and co-creator recommendations via the e-commerce website or social media.

Best Practice Recommendations for Situational Judgment Tests

Situational judgement tests (SJTs) are increasingly popular as part of selection procedures because of their strong psychometric properties. SJTs present test takers with job-related situations and a series of potential responses. The aim of this review article is to provide evidence-based recommendations for practitioners who are considering implementing SJTs for their clients, as well as offering an analysis of some key issues for academics. This research provides a review of the literature on SJTs to answer three questions: (1) What is the difference between framing questions either as what should you do versus what would you do? (2) What is the difference between multimedia-based and text-based SJTs? (3) What is the best process for SJT creation? Following this, recommendations are provided as follows: That responses are optimally framed in terms of what a respondent thinks s/he should do, not what s/he would do; that multimedia-based SJTs are used in preference to text-based SJTs; and a ‘best practice’ process for creating an SJT is outlined. Finally, the review includes a discussion of implications for creating tests that are inclusive of different ethnic groups, as well as ethical issues relating to the use of SJTs in selection.

STRATEGIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT BEST PRACTICE PROCESS ELEMENTS AND OUTCOMES IN THE INTERNATIONAL ELECTRICITY SECTOR

This paper examines the contribution of SEA in six international electricity sector planning case studies. All cases showed some "best practice" evidence such as participation, alternatives consideration and impact assessment; however, considerable variability was found in the types of alternatives considered and the approach to impact assessment and monitoring depending on the timing of SEA application in the PPP process. Regarding substantive contributions, SEA was identified by stakeholders as improving communication during planning and informing lower-level decision making, but fared less well in influencing the nature of the PPP at hand; only two cases clearly incorporated SEA recommendations into the final PPP. Overall, results show considerable potential for SEA to support PPP assessment and decision making in the electricity sector, but also a considerable need for improvements in understanding of the importance of the timing of SEA in the PPP process and how to integrate the results of SEA into PPP development.

Strategic Social Marketing in Canada: Ten Phases to Planning and Implementing Cancer Prevention and Cancer Screening Campaigns

Social marketing has gained prominence among researchers and practitioners working in social issues. Campaigns labelled as social marketing are implemented worldwide by governments, nonprofit organizations, and private industry. However, there is evidence that the concepts and processes associated with these campaigns are misunderstood and not consistently applied. This article describes social marketing benchmark criteria and follows with an overview of a strategic process for social marketing, specifically: planning, research, campaign development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. The main focus is the social marketing development process undertaken by the Alberta Health Services to plan and implement cancer prevention and cancer screening campaigns. Unique to this process is an internationally recognized panel of social marketing experts to review and provide consultation. Improvements in planning and implementing campaigns are outlined, including stakeholder engagement, use of audience-centred strategies, and endorsement of campaigns by management. The primary outcome of bringing together a clear and organized social marketing tool for cancer prevention and cancer screening in Alberta is the development, implementation, and evaluation of campaigns that follow a systematic best-practice process. The learnings from this process will have important implications provincially in Alberta, nationally in Canada, and worldwide for the advancement of the social marketing discipline.