Status of occupancy and structure of homes, institutions and workshops for the handicapped-results of a survey in Baden-Württemberg

Despite an increasing availability of smaller decentralized facilities, the main responsibility for provision of inpatient nursing and care of disabled persons continues to lie with the homes and institutions traditionally providing long-term services for disabled people. In Baden-Wuerttemberg, a total of 70 homes and institutions, which vary greatly in size and structure, as available, comprising a total of 10,457 places in their nursing and residential sections. By far the greatest portion of the existing places (78.5 percent) is provided by institutions catering people with mental retardation. The average utilisation of the places available in homes and institutions is 97.4 percent. Client population structure in the facilities for mentally retarded persons differs appreciably from that of other facilities. This applies in particular to client age and to the treatment and therapy the individual receives. According to a 1979-1980 survey, the waiting lists of the homes and institutions comprised 785 applications for admission of disabled persons among them 290 applications for urgent admission and 495 made for precautionary reasons. A total of 9,148 places are available in sheltered workshops in Baden-Wuerttemberg. Average utilisation is 92.2 percent. Workshop population structure is characterised by a high share of younger clients. Only few openings will therefore presumably contrast with a high number of applications for entry that are expected to be forth-coming The need for sheltered workshop places will therefore continue to rise over the years ahead.     

Evaluating quality of life of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation survivors using the pediatric quality of life inventory survey

Purpose

This study assesses the impact of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) associated morbidities on long-term quality of life (QOL) outcomes.

Prospective study of device-related complications in intensive care unit detected by virtual autopsy

Background

There has been increasing use of invasive techniques, such as extracorporeal organ support, in intensive care units (ICU), and declining autopsy rates. Thus, new measures are needed to maintain high-quality standards. We investigated the potential of computed tomography (CT)-based virtual autopsy to substitute for medical autopsy in this setting.

Occupational Characteristics of Adults with Pediatric-Onset Spinal Cord Injury

Background:

Employment rates among individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) are lower than in the general population and little is known about the specific occupations in which they are employed.

Objectives:

To describe specific occupations of adults with pediatric-onset SCI using the 2010 Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system and to determine associations between SOC occupations and demographic factors.

Methods:

Cross-sectional data specific to education and employment were collected from the last interviews of a larger longitudinal study. Occupations were categorized according to the 2010 SOC system. SOC groups were compared within gender level of injury and final education.

Results:

Of the 461 total participants 219 (47.5%) were employed and specific occupations were available for 179. Among the SOC groups Education Law Community Service Arts and Media Occupations were most prevalent (30.2%) followed by Management Business and Finance Occupations (21.1%) Computer Engineering and Science Occupations (10.6%) Administrative and Office Support Occupations (10.0%) Service Occupations (7.3%) Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations (3.9%) and Production Occupations (3.4%). Differences were found in the distribution of SOC groups between gender levels of injury and final education groups.

Conclusion:

A wide variety of occupations were reported in adults with pediatric-onset SCI generally in concordance with final education and functional ability levels.