Practical Solutions for Pesticide Safety: A Farm and Research Team Participatory Model

Development of the Practical Solutions for Pesticide Safety guide used participatory research strategies to identify and evaluate solutions that reduce pesticide exposures for workers and their families and to disseminate these solutions. Project principles were (1) workplace chemicals belong in the workplace, and (2) pesticide handlers and farm managers are experts, with direct knowledge of production practices. The project’s participatory methods were grounded in self-determination theory. Practical solutions were identified and evaluated based on five criteria: practicality, adaptability, health and safety, novelty, and regulatory compliance. Research activities that had more personal contact provided better outcomes. The Expert Working Group, composed of farm managers and pesticide handlers, was key to the identification of solutions, as were farm site visits. Audience participation, hands-on testing, and orchard field trials were particularly effective in the evaluation of potential solutions. Small work groups in a Regional Advisory Committee provided the best direction and guidance for a “user-friendly” translational document that provided evidence-based practical solutions. The “farmer to farmer” format of the guide was endorsed by both the Expert Working Group and the Regional Advisory Committee. Managers and pesticide handlers wanted to share their solutions in order to “help others stay safe,” and they appreciated attribution in the guide. The guide is now being used in educational programs across the region. The fundamental concept that farmers and farmworkers are innovators and experts in agricultural production was affirmed by this study. The success of this process demonstrates the value of participatory industrial hygiene in agriculture.     

Congenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS): Natural history,prenatal management strategies,and outcomes at a single comprehensive fetal center

PurposeCongenital high airway obstruction syndrome (CHAOS) is a devastating fetal condition of complete airway discontinuity resulting in significant hydrops and extreme lung hyperplasia. It is universally fatal with survival reported only in the rare spontaneous fistulization or EXIT intervention (Ex Utero Intrapartum Treatment). Even in these cases, mortality remains high, and current investigations are targeting prenatal interventions. This report describes our experience with management and fetal interventions for CHAOS, including laser laryngotomy.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed all patients diagnosed with CHAOS at a single academic institution between 2006 and 2017.ResultsFifteen patients were identified. Eight had obstruction at the trachea and seven at the larynx. In the laryngeal obstructions, three expired shortly after birth, and one survived after spontaneous fistulization and subsequent EXIT to tracheostomy. The remaining three underwent in-utero treatment with laser laryngotomy. One had preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), delivered 3 days post-operatively, and died. Two underwent EXIT to tracheostomy with one surviving to discharge and is currently 2 years old.ConclusionOur study demonstrates the outcomes of a large series of patients diagnosed with CHAOS. While mortality remains high, options for fetal intervention are being explored to allow alterations in the prenatal natural history and improve postnatal outcomes.Type of StudyRetrospective Treatment Study.Level of EvidenceLevel IV.     

DEVELOPMENT OF INDICATORS TO MEASURE

This paper describes a study to capture the key roles and activities of nephrology nurses across different countries in Europe. The concept of the study and the need to clarify the activities of the nephrology nurse arose as part of a larger study to develop the European Practice Database (EPD) (1). The Research Board (EDTNA/ERCA) needed to identify key questions that would detect significant differences in the role and responsibilities of nephrology nurses in different countries and monitor the evolution over time of nephrology nursing practice in Europe. It was therefore appropriate to devise a separate small study to generate evidence based questions for the EPD and confirm the reliability and usefulness of the information captured.