The effect of age on peripheral stem cell mobilization in healthy donors,single center experience

Purpose : Peripheral stem cell transplantation is used as a life‐saving therapeutic option in hematological malignancies. As previously established, most hematological malignancies are seen in the elderly population. Therefore, possible HLA‐identical sibling donors of elderly patients are generally of an advanced age. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of old age on stem cell mobilization and quality in older adult healthy sibling donors. Materials and Methods : Between 2006 and 2014, we evaluated 38 healthy donors aged ≥55 years. The granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor (G‐CSF) analogs were used at a dose of 5 µg/kg/day and administered subcutaneously twice a day for five days. CD34+ cells were estimated in the peripheral blood before collection of the apheresis product. The National Marrow Donor Program selects healthy unrelated donors if they are younger than 60 years. Therefore, we compared the product quality in donors over the age of 60 to that in donors aged 60 years or less. Results : We collected sufficient products from all the donors with one to three apheresis procedures. No serious complication was detected in all donors. Reaching the target CD34+ cell count in one day were detected in 83% of younger and 79% of older donors (P = NS). Collected CD34+ cells x10e6/recipient body weight (kg) was same and 5.1 in the groups (P = NS). There were no correlation between the donor age and these parameters. Conclusion : Healthy donor apheresis in older adults can be performed effectively and possible donors should be evaluated regardless of their age. J. Clin. Apheresis 32:16–20, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Applying Health Belief Model to Unveil Employees’ Workplace COVID-19 Protective Behaviors: Insights for the Hospitality Industry

The overwhelming majority of the countries around the globe have witnessed severe cases of the COVID-19 outbreak. Unfortunately, many countries are still beset with such an infectious disease. Despite the fact that there is currently no specific approved cure for this deadly infection, restrictions (e.g., lockdown and border closing) are gradually eased. Meanwhile, businesses are reopening and outdoor leisure activities are about to start again based on strict health, social distancing, and hygiene rules. However, as we still have a long way to reach an ultimate treatment for such deadly virus, changing human behavior sounds the best defense in tackling this challenge till a vaccine is developed for protection against COVID-19. With this realization, using Health Belief Model as the theoretical underpinning, our study endeavors to unveil employees’ adherence to protective health behaviors (PHBs) in the hospitality industry, which is known as a people-focused, labor-intensive, and service-oriented business. This is so crucial since there is a high degree of (frequent) interaction between employees and customers in hotels. Moreover, such establishments are known as areas where customers engage in a variety of activities that make health concerns even more crucial. To achieve the objectives of this research, we used secondary data obtained from one of the largest hotel-related online communities in the world: the ‘Tales from the front desk’. Using template analysis approach, 1680 employees’ comments were examined. The results revealed that hotel employees found themselves at high risk of being infected and several obstacles that impeded their PHBs in the workplace were identified. Our study will provide momentous implications about PHBs against COVID-19 for the hospitality industry.     

Roadmap for the international collaborative epidemiologic monitoring of safety and effectiveness of new high priority vaccines

With the advent of new vaccines targeted to highly endemic diseases in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) and with the expansion of vaccine manufacturing globally, there is an urgent need to establish an infrastructure to evaluate the benefit-risk profiles of vaccines in LMIC. Fortunately the usual decade(s)-long time gap between introduction of new vaccines in high and low income countries is being significantly reduced or eliminated due to initiatives such as the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI) and the Decade of Vaccines for the implementation of the Global Vaccine Action Plan. While hoping for more rapid disease control, this time shift may potentially add risk, unless appropriate capacity for reliable and timely evaluation of vaccine benefit-risk profiles in some LMIC's are developed with external assistance from regional or global level. An ideal vaccine safety and effectiveness monitoring system should be flexible and sustainable, able to quickly detect possible vaccine-associated events, distinguish them from programmatic errors, reliably and quickly evaluate the suspected event and its association with vaccination and, if associated, determine the benefit-risk of vaccines to inform appropriate action. Based upon the demonstrated feasibility of active surveillance in LMIC as shown by the Burkina Faso assessment of meningococcal A conjugate vaccine or that of rotavirus vaccine in Mexico and Brazil, and upon the proof of concept international GBS study, we suggest a sustainable, flexible, affordable and timely international collaborative vaccine safety monitoring approach for vaccines being newly introduced. While this paper discusses only the vaccine component, the same system could also be eventually used for monitoring drug effectiveness (including the use of substandard drugs) and drug safety.     

Using Emergency Obstetric Drills in Maternity Units as a Performance Improvement Tool

ABSTRACT: Background: Obstetric drills are being used increasingly to test, improve, and maintain knowledge and skills related to obstetric emergencies as a means to improve proficiency and efficiency of practitioners. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and usefulness of conducting drills to evaluate the response to obstetric emergencies using a holistic approach that tested the hospital system. Methods: A prospective trial was conducted at three hospitals (two tertiary referral centers and one small community hospital) in Beirut, Lebanon. Two different emergency obstetric drills at two points in time were conducted between April and May 2006 either in the emergency room or on the labor floor. The drills included medical and paramedical staff, a female actor (simulating a pregnant woman), a research assistant (acting as her companion), and a physician trained in obstetrics (the drill leader). Responses were recorded and critically analyzed. Results: Although overall quality of care was within standards of care, problems were identified related to hospital policies, supplies and equipment, communication, and clinical management. Some technical problems related to administration of the drills were identified. Most drill participants appreciated the exercise and found it beneficial. Conclusions: Obstetric drills provide a useful tool to identify and address deficiencies in the hospital system. This finding could have implications on improving quality of care provided to obstetric patients. (BIRTH 36:1 March 2009)