The events related to nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands began at the end of WWII when the U.S. began an initiative to determine the effect of nuclear weapons on naval vessels and on the performance of military personnel. The first tests took place in 1946 even though the area ...

PURPOSE: To quantitate request to liftoff (R/L) and dispatch to liftoff (D/L) times and reasons for delay in an active air medical transport program. METHOD: This was a prospective observational study blinded to crew and pilots. Data were collected by the communications department during a 4-week period on 197 consecutive ...

The editors are providing this Executive Summary by the University HealthSystem Consortium of their Adult ICU Benchmarking Project. The report has been reviewed by the participating members listed at the end of the summary. The summary report provides both an interesting account of how a benchmarking project of considerable magnitude ...

Every pulmonary function laboratory should develop and implement a quality assurance program to minimize various technical sources of variation. This article has discussed six major components. First, the education and training of the technologists in the pulmonary function laboratory is probably the most important factor in obtaining accurate and reproducible ...

A Quality Assurance and Continuing Education Program has been developed in Australian general practice over the past nine years. This effectively integrates audit and education within a coherent strategy for quality improvement. The programme fulfils many of the same aims as current proposals for reaccreditation in the United Kingdom (UK). ...

Quality assurance representatives and study personnel are equally responsible for conducting preclinical studies in compliance with good laboratory practices (GLPs). To provide all employees with a solid understanding of GLP requirements we have implemented a system of shared training programs for the quality assurance unit (QAU) and study personnel. Biologists ...

A demographic and salary survey of the Society of Quality Assurance (SQA) was completed in early 1995. This survey was undertaken by the SQA Board of Publications and is the second to be commissioned by the Society. The SQA survey addressed demographic information, employer information, job description, and salary data. ...

Our Environmental and Metabolic Fate division conducts a variety of different studies that can require between 1 month and 3 years to complete. Our master schedule for this division can contain as many as 50-75 of these studies. Since the Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) regulations require in-study inspections at intervals ...

A national survey was conducted among rural hospitals active in teleradiology and their affiliated health care providers to delineate the current status of rural telemedicine. 109 telemedicine programs were identified that use teleradiology as well as other telemedicine applications, and 340 programs were identified that use only teleradiology. Programs that ...

U.S. foundations and nonprofits work diligently on behalf of society's most needy and yet report that progress is slow and social problems persist. How can they learn to be more effective with their limited resources? Foundations should consider expanding their mission from investing only in program innovation to investing in ...

This article describes the increasing use of the telephone as a means for seeking medical care. The literature is reviewed concerning the problems and pitfalls of telephone advice. The legal/ethical implications of health care providers giving telephone advice are discussed. Recommendations for the assessment of need, planning, implementation, and organization ...

In the past decade, much has been learned about the diagnosis of nosocomial pneumonia. Most of these reports focused on evaluating the diagnostic reliability of different techniques and identifying an adequate gold standard. In the past year, the most outstanding studies focused on practical issues such as developing more rapid ...

This case study documents the problem-solving approach used to implement all pertinent sections of the Ethylene Oxide Standard (29 CFR 1910.1047) during an exhaust ventilation system upgrade at an ethylene oxide hospital sterilizer unit. The approach for implementation of the standard utilized the following methodology: A. Review of proposed work ...

This paper presents preliminary results of our experience, over the past three and half years, with an on-line data management system in the OR that charts and documents all features relevant to anaesthesia. We achieved two goals with this system: 1) There has been a considerable improvement in the quantity ...

The Reproductive Assessment by Continuous Breeding (RACB) design has been used by the National Toxicology Program for approximately 15 years. This article details the evolutions in the thinking behind the design and the end points used in the identification of hazards to reproduction. Means of nominating chemicals are provided, and ...

Different methods of percutaneous management offer an approach to nearly every type of failing hemodialysis fistula. Technically, shunt intervention is highly successful and associated with a low complication rate. It is quick, inexpensive and can be performed on an outpatient basis with immediate dialysis via the fistula thereafter. Nearly all ...

The article presents an explanation of the selection process for German Air Force (GAF) officers in general, and those for flying duty in particular. The text includes an overview of the entire selection and training process, the desired profiles and characteristics of GAF officers, criteria for evaluating current officers, and ...

In a lecture, developing a strong organization assures strong delivery and a clear message. In this article preparation steps that will support the lecture are identified and described. These steps include: understanding the background and needs of the audience, establishing a clear purpose for the presentation, and being cognizant of ...

Molecular epidemiology is a new field that has recently emerged from the integration of molecular biology into epidemiologic research. As yet, few countries have significant capabilities in molecular epidemiology due to a lack of trained molecular epidemiologists, and a shortage of necessary equipment and supplies. Thus, there is a great ...

The Permanent Working Group of European Junior Hospital Doctors (PWG) represents the interests, in international matters, of trainees from 23 member states. The PWG recognizes the importance of postgraduate training (PGT) in the maintenance of high quality health care delivery, and in this paper presents its current policy on PGT. ...

The donation of organs and tissues for the benefit of another person is an altruistic act and one that is a guaranteed option for the next-of-kin through various national Required Request legislations. At the Washington Hospital Center we have developed an approach that permits organ recovery from non-heart beating donors. ...

The emergence and reemergence of infectious diseases, as the result of recent and ongoing social and environmental changes, urgently calls for a global surveillance system, so that unusual outbreaks can be recognized and controlled at an early stage. ProMED, an international non-governmental group of infectious disease experts, was organized by ...

Primary care physicians are in an excellent position to identify women most at risk for cancer precursors. They can use a variety of modalities, including colposcopy thus reducing patient anxiety and waiting time. This article describes a training program for such a service, which includes at least 100 colposcopy examinations ...

A novel strategy using videotape recordings of initial trauma resuscitations was incorporated into the quality assurance program at a level 1 trauma center. Described are the process of taping the resuscitations, the multidisciplinary nature of the resuscitation team, the security measures taken to assure patient confidentiality, and the review process ...

OBJECTIVE: To provide an overview of point of care testing (POCT) regulatory and accrediting agencies and their requirements. DATA SOURCES: Current literature and the author's experience. DATA SYNTHESIS: To develop and successfully run a POCT program that meets the federally mandated standards evaluated by accrediting agencies with Health Care Financing ...

Quality assurance is as much concerned with cost, turnaround time, and use of resources as with test reliability and outcome. The cytopathologist needs to be aware of the knowledge base and expectations of clinicians who perform fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies of superficial lesions without technical assistance. To this end, ...

At the AAMI/Food and Drug Administration (FDA) International Standards Conference in March, Ronald Chesemore, associate commissioner for regulatory affairs at the FDA, explained the agency's rationale for several pilot programs announced the following week. The programs involve preannounced inspections, annotations of items on form FDA-483-List of Inspectional Observations (FDA 483), ...

This update of six chemistry analyzers available to the clinician discusses several points that should be considered prior to the purchase of equipment. General topics include how to best match an instrument to clinic needs and the indirect costs associated with instrument operation. Quality assurance recommendations are discussed and common ...

OBJECTIVES: The authors assessed whether practitioners' attitudes toward quality assurance after the intervention are related to their performance before and after the intervention. METHODS: A data base was compiled including a survey of practitioners participating in a randomized, controlled trial of externally coordinated quality assurance in 16 practices. The survey ...

The Amblyomma variegatum eradication campaign was officially started in April 1994 in Martinique and in Guadeloupe, including its dependencies of Marie Galante, Desirade and St Martin. A budget of $10.5 and $5.9 million for Guadeloupe and Martinique, respectively, was initially (1991) calculated and considered necessary to achieve the program. However, ...

INTRODUCTION: In June of 1993, the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) Quality Management Committee surveyed 240 air medical programs regarding their Quality Assurance and Continuous Quality Improvement activities. METHODS: The survey tool consisted of questions related to Quality Assurance/Continuous Quality Improvement program structure and specific Quality Assurance indicators contained ...

Since the Medical Library Association (MLA) adopted the Code for the Training and Certification of Medical Librarians in 1949, MLA members have reviewed and revised the program regularly. This paper traces the history of MLA's professional recognition program to illustrate how the program has changed over time and to identify ...

Prehospital 12-lead electrocardiographic (ECG) diagnostic strategies have been proven feasible and effective, provided they are designed and implemented properly. The authors of this communication have expended considerable time and effort in determining appropriate planning, implementation, and process monitoring necessary for successful implementation of a variety of prehospital diagnostic strategies. Many ...

A brucellosis task force was established in Ontario, California, in March 1989 for the purpose of attempting to eliminate brucellosis from a nearby, densely concentrated, community of dairy farms. The task force was a uniquely composed organization of both state and federal animal health agency personnel, diary owners and diary ...

The incorporation of livestock into agricultural systems ensures a more sustainable agriculture. Sustainable swine production systems are defined as those that combine production and management techniques to enhance profit and improve the ecological and socioeconomic surroundings. Over the long term, the systems should maintain or enhance the environment and resource ...

Studies indicate that rapid sequential movements are preprogrammed and that preprogramming increases with complexity, but more complex sequences that require on-line programming have been seldom been studied. The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether on-line programming occurs in a 7-target sequence in which there is a unique target ...

BACKGROUND: Cleaning and disinfection procedures play an essential role in the prevention of infection transmission in gastrointestinal endoscopy. In spite of published detailed guidelines, several variants and weak points still exist. METHODS: Cleaning-disinfection procedures were carried out according to "Working Party, Sydney 1990." A microbiologic surveillance protocol tested the contamination ...

Iodine deficiency is a problem for almost all countries of the world. Goiter is its most obvious consequence, but others do more damage, particularly effects on the developing brain. In 1990, most countries and international agencies pledged the virtual elimination of iodine deficiency by the year 2000. The technology for ...

It is increasingly recognized that the repeated rhetorical emphasis from 1989 to date on achieving measurable benefits to patients from audit, in the face of inattention to the development of methodologies with which to realize such benefits in operational practice, has represented a serious deficiency in strategic planning and direction ...

This article describes the utilization and satisfaction patterns of Native Hawaiian elders with the Ke Ola Pono No Na Kupuna ("Good Health and Living for the Elderly") project funded under Title VI-B of the Older Americans Act. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. Its unique, one of a kind, ...

This overview of medical device vigilance at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) discusses the basic reporting regulation and program at FDA. The FDA program has grown to the point where we now receive over 100,000 reports per year. How FDA examines the data patterns in overall reporting, to ...

A task force has created a recommended set of technology competencies for occupational therapy practitioners at three levels of practice: entry/basic, intermediate, and advanced. The competencies relate to assistive technology (AT) evaluation, intervention, and resource coordination and reflect minimum knowledge and skills for registered occupational therapists (O.T.R.'s) and certified occupational ...

A sustainable quality assurance (QA) program depends on development of a QA structure, ongoing standard setting, routine monitoring, quality improvement activities and the development of a culture of quality. A review of QA implementation in five countries identifies some practical guidelines for successful institutionalization of QA. These experiences underscore the ...

Toxicology and Quality Assurance (QA) at Eli Lilly and Company are well integrated, yet still independent organizations that are aligned with the same overall business objective: to efficiently deliver a high-quality product to the customer. One of the keys to success has been the implementation of a monitoring/metric and trend ...

A 1.5-h satellite video program was developed for a statewide Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) producer education activity. Twenty-seven downlink sites were identified across the state, and additional known downlink sites included one each in Minnesota, Indiana, and Monterrey, Mexico. The videoconference was formally evaluated by viewers and resource people at ...

Biological monitoring is of fundamental importance in Germany. The successful strategy of biological monitoring is based on four factors. Recommendations for the pre-analytical phase have been issued by official societies. For the analyses in blood and urine specimens around 100 methods have been recommended and standardized. All measurements must be ...

Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have played a major role in the diffusion of biomedical engineering training to developing nations. This paper reviews the roles and unique attributes of NGOs in biomedical engineering training programs. The activities of one leading NGO in this field, Project HOPE, are discussed with examples drawn from ...

Since the late 1980s, federal legislation has required industries to publicly report their annual emissions of toxic compounds. Industry reports show the largest contributor to toxic emission levels in Texas is the massive concentration of petrochemical industries along the Gulf Coast. It is interesting to note that although Texas produces ...

A practical framework for program administrators seeking to improve the effectiveness of their incident reporting and investigation procedures and practices was provided. Too often, these systems, which are designed by outside parties, are viewed by program administrators as instruments of risk exposure rather than viable tools for risk management and ...

PURPOSE: This quality assurance program is designed for stereotactic radiosurgical units, gamma knife, to check and maintain the unit to preclude accidents and comply with current regulations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over 58 stereotactic radiosurgical units using 201 focused 60Co beams have been installed in the last 7 years and are ...