scholarly journals Assessing a Novel Method to Reduce Anesthesia Machine Contamination: A Prospective, Observational Trial

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuck J. Biddle ◽  
Beverly George-Gay ◽  
Praveen Prasanna ◽  
Emily M. Hill ◽  
Thomas C. Davis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Anesthesia Machine ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Anesthetic Care ◽  
Signed Rank ◽  
Signed Rank Test ◽  
Anesthesia Machines ◽  
The Impact

Background. Anesthesia machines are known reservoirs of bacterial species, potentially contributing to healthcare associated infections (HAIs). An inexpensive, disposable, nonpermeable, transparent anesthesia machine wrap (AMW) may reduce microbial contamination of the anesthesia machine. This study quantified the density and diversity of bacterial species found on anesthesia machines after terminal cleaning and between cases during actual anesthesia care to assess the impact of the AMW. We hypothesized reduced bioburden with the use of the AMW. Methods. In a prospective, experimental research design, the AMW was used in 11 surgical cases (intervention group) and not used in 11 control surgical cases. Cases were consecutively assigned to general surgical operating rooms. Seven frequently touched and difficult to disinfect “hot spots” were cultured on each machine preceding and following each case. The density and diversity of cultured colony forming units (CFUs) between the covered and uncovered machines were compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Student’s t-tests. Results. There was a statistically significant reduction in CFU density and diversity when the AMW was employed. Conclusion. The protective effect of the AMW during regular anesthetic care provides a reliable and low-cost method to minimize the transmission of pathogens across patients and potentially reduces HAIs.

scholarly journals Improving indicators of tuberculosis program cascades by leveraging HIV program strategies

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 191-195
Author(s):  
S. C. Meribe ◽  
E. Harausz ◽  
I. Lawal ◽  
A. Ogundeji ◽  
C. Mbanefo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Standard Of Care ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Military Hospitals ◽  
Us Army ◽  
Signed Rank ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Army Medical Research ◽  
Signed Rank Test ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Number Of Individuals

Background: To improve rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) case detection and treatment, the Nigerian Ministry of Defense Health Implementation Program and the US Army Medical Research Directorate-Africa/Nigeria introduced a HIV standard of care (SOC) package. Given the integration of tuberculosis (TB) and HIV programs and evolving policies, we evaluated the impact of this strategy on TB program indicators.Methods: Routine, de-identified program data from 27 Nigerian military hospitals were analyzed. Using Wilcoxon signed-rank test, bivariate analyses were performed to compare data from 12 months before and after implementation of the SOC package.Results: Our data showed improvements post-implementation as follows: the number of individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) screened for TB increased from 14 530 to 29 467 (P < 0.001); the number of individuals with presumptive TB identified increased from 803 to 1800 (P < 0.001); the number of ART clients bacteriologically tested for TB increased from 746 to 1717 (P < 0.001); and the number of ART clients treated for TB increased from 152 to 282 (P < 0.001). Newly registered or relapsed TB cases increased from 436 to 906 (P < 0.001), the number of TB cases with known HIV status increased from 437 to 837 (P < 0.001), the number of TB-HIV co-infected cases increased from 182 to 301 (P = 0.006), and the number of TB-HIV co-infected clients who started ART increased from 101 to 176 (P = 0.003).Conclusion: The implementation of the updated HIV SOC package led to the improvement in key TB diagnosis and treatment indicators. When emulated, this could help improve the performance of other TB programs in countries other than Nigeria.

scholarly journals Objective Behavioral Measures in Children before, during, and after the COVID-19 Lockdown in Israel

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (16) ◽  
pp. 8732
Author(s):  
Einat Shneor ◽  
Ravid Doron ◽  
Jonathan Levine ◽  
Deena Rachel Zimmerman ◽  
Julia S. Benoit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Light Exposure ◽  
Vigorous Physical Activity ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Wake Time ◽  
Signed Rank ◽  
Social Restriction ◽  
Signed Rank Test ◽  
The Impact

Studies using questionnaires report that COVID-19 restrictions resulted in children spending significantly less time outdoors. This study used objective measures to assess the impact of pandemic-related restrictions on children’s behavior. A total of 19 healthy 8–12-year-old boys were observed before and during social restriction periods. Of these, 11 boys were reassessed after restrictions were lifted. For each session, Actiwatches were dispensed for measures of time outdoors, activity, and sleep. Changes overall and by school status were assessed using signed-rank test and Wilcoxon rank sum tests. During restrictions, children spent significantly less time outdoors (p = 0.001), were less active (p = 0.001), and spent less time engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (p = 0.004). Sleep duration was not significantly different between sessions (p > 0.99), but bedtime and wake time shifted to a later time during restrictions (p < 0.05 for both). Time outdoors and activity returned close to pre-pandemic levels after restrictions were lifted (p > 0.05 for both). Children’s behaviors significantly changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The reduction in outdoor light exposure is of importance due to the role of light in the etiology of myopia and vitamin D production. The reduction in physical activity may have negative health effects in terms of obesity and depression, although further research is required to ascertain the long-term effects.

Development and Assessment of an Inexpensive Smartphone-Based Respiratory Droplet Simulation Model

2021 ◽  
pp. 155335062110658
Author(s):  
Amir A. Hakimi ◽  
Dana M. Hutchison ◽  
Asher Park ◽  
Natasha Atanaskova Mesinkovska ◽  
Sehwan Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Simulation Model ◽  
Blue Light ◽  
Open Source Software ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Smartphone Application ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Signed Rank ◽  
Signed Rank Test ◽  
Fluorescein Dye ◽  
Cobalt Blue

Background. Droplet simulation often requires expensive and inaccessible equipment. Herein, we develop and assess a low-cost droplet simulation model using easily accessible materials, open-source software, and a smartphone-based cobalt blue light. Methods. The simulation model was developed using commercial-grade materials and fluorescein dye. A clear face shield was assessed ten times following a simulated cough using fluorescein dye. A conventional ultraviolet Woods lamp was compared to a smartphone-based cobalt blue light to detect fluorescein illumination. Results. The simulation platform and smartphone-based cobalt blue light cost $20.18. A Wilcoxon signed rank test revealed that the median droplet area of fluorescence under the UV Wood’s lamp was not significantly different than that of the smartphone-based cobalt blue light (2.89 vs 2.94, P = .386). Conclusions. This simulation model is inexpensive and easily reproducible. The smartphone application may be a convenient alternative to standard ultraviolet lights. This model has great potential for use in financially restricted academic centers during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

scholarly journals The Effect of Courageous Learning on the Clinical Practice Ability of Midwifery Students During the Covid-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dewi Nurlaela Sari
Keyword(s):  
Online Learning ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Clinical Skills ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
P Value ◽  
Normality Test ◽  
Signed Rank ◽  
Signed Rank Test ◽  
The Impact

Online learning is one of the learning efforts developed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Online learning is felt to be effectiveat all levels of education. However, this is not the case with vocational education, especially in the health sector. Onlinelearning can also have an impact on the competencies that students must achieve because there is no direct interactionbetween students, lecturers, props/phantoms and place settings that can support the implementation of clinical skills. Thepurpose of this study was to determine the effect of online learning on the Practice Ability of Midwifery Students during theCovid-19 Pandemic . The type of research method used is pre eksperimental . Sampling was done by using purposivesampling totaling 30 respondents . The instrument used to measure students ' clinical practice skills is a checklist forchildbirth assistance, the statistical test carried out is through the normality test stages using Shapiro Wilk with the resultsof the data not being normally distributed so that an analysis test is carried out using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. Theresults of the study obtained a p-value of 0.000 < from the alpha value (0.05). It can be concluded that there is asignificant influence between students ' ability to perform midwifery care related to the impact of online learning duringmidwifery clinical practice . It is hoped that the results of this study can be used as the basis for policies regarding thedevelopment of online learning methods that can support the achievement of competencies, especially clinical skills.

scholarly journals Comparative evaluation of a new frugal binocular indirect ophthalmoscope

Eye ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Obaid Kousha ◽  
Sharma Ganesananthan ◽  
Bayan Shahin ◽  
John Ellis ◽  
Andrew Blaikie
Keyword(s):  
Low Cost ◽  
Optical Quality ◽  
Ease Of Use ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Design Characteristic ◽  
Signed Rank ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Signed Rank Test ◽  
Solar Powered ◽  
Indirect Ophthalmoscope

Abstract Objectives We compare the optical quality and design characteristic a new low cost solar powered binocular indirect ophthalmoscope (BIO), Holo, to Keeler BIO. Methods Twenty-four participants each examined 10 simulation eyes using both the Holo and the Keeler BIO with a 30-diopter condensing lens. Number of Lea symbols printed on the retina of simulation eyes seen and time taken to identify them was recorded. Stereoacuity of 12 participants was tested while using the BIOs. Using 7-point Likert scale, participants gave feedback on design characteristic of both BIOs. Results There was no statistical difference in number of Lea symbols correctly identified (15.63/20 for Holo vs. 15/20 for Keeler BIO, p = 0.366, paired t test) or time taken to correctly identify each symbol (Holo 0.39 s faster; 95% confidence interval −2.24 to 3.03 s, p = 0.763) using each device. 12 out of 12 participants achieved stereoacuity of 60 arcsec using the Holo while with the Keeler BIO 11 achieved 60 arcsec and one 90 arcsec. There was no statistically significant difference in the scores for clarity of view, quality of illumination, field of view, binocularity, eye strain and robustness between the two devices. The Holo, scored higher for ease of use (6.5 vs. 6, p = 0.00488, Wilcoxon signed-rank test), comfort of wear (6 vs. 5, p = 0.000337) and portability (7 vs. 6, p = 0.000148). Conclusion The Holo has the potential to be a clinically useful yet affordable diagnostic tool suitable for the first time of equipping eye care workers in low resource settings with a BIO at volume.

A Measure to Detect Sleep Onset Using Statistical Analysis of Spike Rhythmicity

2015 ◽  
pp. 1567-1578
Author(s):  
B.R. Purnima ◽  
N. Sriraam ◽  
U. Krishnaswamy ◽  
K. Radhika
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Sleep Onset ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
P Value ◽  
Sleep State ◽  
Statistical Measures ◽  
Plot Analysis ◽  
Signed Rank ◽  
Signed Rank Test ◽  
The Impact

Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals derived from polysomnography recordings play an important role in assessing the physiological and behavioral changes during onset of sleep. This paper suggests a spike rhythmicity based feature for discriminating the wake and sleep state. The polysomnography recordings are segmented into 1 second EEG patterns to ensure stationarity of the signal and four windowing scheme overlaps (0%, 50%, 60% and 75%) of EEG pattern are introduced to study the influence of the pre-processing procedure. The application of spike rhythmicity feature helps to estimate the number of spikes from the given pattern with a threshold of 25%.Then non parametric statistical analysis using Wilcoxon signed rank test is introduced to evaluate the impact of statistical measures such as mean, standard deviation, p-value and box-plot analysis under various conditions .The statistical test shows significant difference between wake and sleep with p<0.005 for the applied feature, thus demonstrating the efficiency of simple thresholding in distinguishing sleep and wake stage .

scholarly journals The Impact of Hopscotch Game towards the Growth of Kinesthetic Intelligence on 3-4 Year Old Children

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-28
Author(s):  
Khusnul Laely ◽  
Dede Yudi
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Learning Activity ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Analysis Technique ◽  
Signed Rank ◽  
Final Measurement ◽  
Signed Rank Test ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Traditional Game ◽  
Work Method

This research aims to understand the impact of traditional game hopscotch towards the growth of kinesthetic intelligence on children enrolled at PAUD ALIF Kalinegoro, Kecamatan Mertoyudan, Kabupaten Magelang. The research employs experimental research design with One Group Pre-Postest Design. The experiment is conducted to one group without comparison group by using initial and final measurement. The variables in this research include children within 3-4 age group, amounting to 15 children enrolled at PAUD ALIF Kecamatan Mertoyudan Kabupaten Magelang. The samples are acquired using Total Sampling technique. The method for data collection is by using observation sheet and work method. The data analysis technique used is Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test with the help of computer program SPSS for Windows version 19.00.The results find asymp.sig. column (2-tailed)/asymptotic significance for two-tailed test is 0,001. Since the studied case is one-tailed test, the acquired probability is 0.001 / 2 = 0.0005. Based on this data, the probability is that 0.05 (0.0005<0.05), in which Ho is rejected, or in other words, there is a difference of kinesthetic intelligence on the initial and final measurement after the implementation of learning activity through traditional game hopscotch.

scholarly journals COVID-19, Lockdown and Its Effect on Consumption Behavior of Household: Evidence from Maharashtra State, India

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-82
Author(s):  
Sachin Pawar ◽  
Abhijeet Birari ◽  
Jitendrasinh Jamadar
Keyword(s):  
Positive Relationship ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Consumption Behavior ◽  
Logistics Regression ◽  
Signed Rank ◽  
Signed Rank Test ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Structured Questionnaire

The purpose of this paper is to assess the effect of COVID-19, nationwide lockdown, and measures taken by the central bank to adjust the consumer behavior of households in Maharashtra, India. This study used a structured questionnaire to achieve the objectives with a sample size of 221 and statistical tools like Logistics regression, Kruskal Wallis Test, Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test, and Chi-Square Test. The results indicate that COVID-19 decreased the consumption of the household and that there was a significantly positive relationship between the level of consumption during lockdown and age, gender, number of dependents, income, education level, and region. People tend to lower their consumption for non-essential categories and increase for essential ones. The current study is considered the first of its kind conducted in Maharashtra, India. To the best of our knowledge, there were no such studies regarding measuring the impact of COVID-19 on household consumption.

scholarly journals In VitroSusceptibility ofMycobacterium tuberculosisto Amikacin, Kanamycin, and Capreomycin

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Dijkstra ◽  
T. van der Laan ◽  
O. W. Akkerman ◽  
M. S. Bolhuis ◽  
W. C. M. de Lange ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Daily Practice ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Concentration Method ◽  
Resistant Tuberculosis ◽  
Signed Rank ◽  
Signed Rank Test ◽  
A Prospective Study ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTAmikacin, kanamycin, and capreomycin are among the most important second-line drugs for multidrug-resistant tuberculosis. Although amikacin and kanamycin are administered at the same dose and show the same pharmacokinetics, they have different WHO breakpoints, suggesting that the two drugs have different MICs. The aim of this study was to investigate possible differences in MICs between the aminoglycosides and capreomycin. Using the direct concentration method, a range of concentrations of amikacin, kanamycin, and capreomycin (0.25, 0.50, 1.0, 2.0, 4.0, 8.0, 16.0, 32.0, and 64.0 mg/liter) were tested against 57 clinicalMycobacterium tuberculosisstrains. The 7H10 agar plates were examined for mycobacterial growth after 14 days. At 2 mg/liter, 48 strains (84%) were inhibited by amikacin and only 5 strains (9%) were inhibited by kanamycin (P< 0.05, Wilcoxon signed-rank test). The median MICs of amikacin, kanamycin, and capreomycin were 2, 4, and 8 mg/liter, respectively. No difference in amikacin, kanamycin, and capreomycin MIC distributions was observed between multidrug-resistant strains and fully susceptible strains. The results indicate that amikacin is more active than kanamycin and capreomycin againstM. tuberculosiswith the absolute concentration method. Determination of the impact of this difference on clinical outcomes in daily practice requires a prospective study, including pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluations.

scholarly journals Pharmacist-Driven Culture and Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing Follow-Up Program in the Emergency Department

Pharmacy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 72
Author(s):  
Stephanie C. Shealy ◽  
Christine Alexander ◽  
Tina Grof Hardison ◽  
Joseph Magagnoli ◽  
Julie Ann Justo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Hospital Admissions ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Transmitted Infection ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Signed Rank ◽  
Outpatient Intervention ◽  
Signed Rank Test ◽  
The Impact

Expanding pharmacist-driven antimicrobial stewardship efforts in the emergency department (ED) can improve antibiotic management for both admitted and discharged patients. We piloted a pharmacist-driven culture and rapid diagnostic technology (RDT) follow-up program in patients discharged from the ED. This was a single-center, pre- and post-implementation, cohort study examining the impact of a pharmacist-driven culture/RDT follow-up program in the ED. Adult patients discharged from the ED with subsequent positive cultures and/or RDT during the pre- (21 August 2018–18 November 2018) and post-implementation (19 November 2018–15 February 2019) periods were screened for inclusion. The primary endpoints were time from ED discharge to culture/RDT review and completion of follow-up. Secondary endpoints included antimicrobial agent prescribed during outpatient follow-up, repeat ED encounters within 30 days, and hospital admissions within 30 days. Baseline characteristics were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Time-to-event data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. One-hundred-and-twenty-seven patients were included, 64 in the pre-implementation group and 63 in the post-implementation group. There was a 36.3% reduction in the meantime to culture/RDT data review in the post-implementation group (75.2 h vs. 47.9 h, p < 0.001). There was a significant reduction in fluoroquinolone prescribing in the post-implementation group (18.1% vs. 5.4%, p = 0.036). The proportion of patients who had a repeat ED encounter or hospital admission within 30 days was not significantly different between the pre- and post-implementation groups (15.6 vs. 19.1%, p = 0.78 and 9.4% vs. 7.9%, p = 1.0, respectively). Introduction of a pharmacist culture and RDT follow-up program in the ED reduced time to data review, time to outpatient intervention and outpatient follow-up of fluoroquinolone prescribing.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document