Hospital visiting in obstetrics and gynecology: a tool for the advancement of training.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the improvement of obstetric and gynecologic training brought about by peer influence in Europe. METHODS: In 1996, the European Board and College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (EBCOG) initiated a visiting process by international and local peers to improve training and decrease differences in health care standards. RESULTS: A large number of visits of obstetrics and gynecology departments have been conducted across Europe at teaching hospitals by the Hospital Visiting Committee. Compliance with the structured approach of the visiting policy and problems met during these visits are reported. CONCLUSION: The program focuses on the continuous improvement of the competencies of all persons trained in the obstetrics and gynecology departments of teaching hospitals throughout Europe. It also increases the understanding of diversity in training methods and can gradually lead to the convergence of training and health care standards in Europe.     

Dermatitis from hexavalent chromate in the accelerator of an epoxy sealant (PR1422) used in the aircraft industry

4 aircraft construction workers developed allergic contact dermatitis of the hands and forearms. The allergen was hexavalent chromate in the accelerating solution of an epoxy-based sealant (PR1422). Although chromate dermatitis from an epoxy resin has been described, epoxy system accelerators are a hitherto unrecognized source of occupational chromate dermatitis.     

Psychosocial factors at work and perceived health among agricultural meat industry workers in France

Objective  The objective of this study was to describe the perceived health status of the meat industry employees—i.e., working in the slaughtering, cutting, and boning of large animals and poultry—and its relation to their organisational and psychosocial constraints at work. Methods  This postal survey included all 3,000 employees of the meat industry (beef, pork and poultry) in four districts in Brittany, France, whose companies were affiliated with the agricultural branch of the national health insurance fund. The questionnaire asked for social and demographic data and information describing their job and the organisation of their work. The psychosocial factors at work were described according to Karasek’s questionnaire (demand, latitude and social support at work). Perceived health was measured with the Nottingham Health Profile perceived health indicator. Results  This study shows the high prevalence of poor health reported by the workers in this industry. This poor perceived health was worse in women and increased regularly with age. Among the psychosocial factors studied, high quantitative and qualitative demand at work, inadequate resources for good work and to a lesser extent, inadequate prospects for promotion appear especially associated with poor perceived health. Other factors often associated with poor perceived health included young age at the first job and work hours that disrupt sleep rhythms (especially for women). Conclusion  Our results show that this population of workers is especially vulnerable from the point of view of perceived physical and psychological health and is exposed to strong physical, organisational and psychosocial constraints at work. They also demonstrate that poor perceived health is associated with some psychosocial (such as high psychological demand and insufficient resources) and organisational factors at work. These results, in conjunction with those from other disciplines involved in studying this industry, may help the companies to develop preventive activities.     

A liquid-scintillation-based primary standardization of Pb

A new radioactivity solution standard of ²¹⁰Pb has been developed and will be disseminated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as standard reference material (SRM) 4337. This new ²¹⁰Pb solution standard is contained in a 5 mL flame-sealed borosilicate glass ampoule, consists of (5.133±0.002) g of a nominal 1 mol L⁻¹ nitric acid solution, has a density of (1.028±0.002) g mL⁻¹ at 20 °C, has carrier ion concentrations of about 11 μg Pb²⁺ and 21 μg Bi³⁺ per gram of solution, and is certified to contain a massic activity (9.037±0.22) kBq g⁻¹ as of the reference time 1200 EST, 15 June 2006. All of the uncertainties cited above correspond to standard uncertainties multiplied by a coverage factor k=2. The standardization for the ²¹⁰Pb content of the solution was based on 4πβ liquid scintillation (LS) measurements using CIEMAT/NIST ³H-standard efficiency tracing (CNET). Confirmatory determinations were also performed by high-resolution HPGe γ-ray spectrometry, by 2π spectrometry with a Si surface barrier detector of separated ²¹⁰Po, and by 4πβ(LS)–γ(NaI) anticoincidence counting.     

Prevalence of vibration-induced white finger and assessment of vibration exposure among travertine workers in Italy

Summary Among 76 stonedrillers and stonecutters/chippers working in the Rapolano travertine quarries (Tuscany, Italy), 27 subjects (35.5%) were affected with vibration-induced white finger (VWF). The median latent period for VWF was ten years (range 0.1–26 years). A VWF prevalence of 8% was found among 60 comparable controls (P < 0.0001). Vibration measurements showed that the frequency-weighted accelerations for two rock-drills and two small chipping hammers ranged from 19.7 to 36.4 m/s². Weighted accelerations between 2.4 and 4.1 m/s². were measured on the handles of a vertical grinder and a hand cutter. Vibration data, daily exposure time and total duration of exposure period were used to calculate two indicators of vibration dose such as the four-hour, energy-equivalent, frequency-weighted acceleration (m/s²) and the vibration exposure level (dB). A significant association between the vibration exposure level and the severity of VWF stages was observed among the travertine operators. The dose-effect relationship proposed by ISO 5349 was not suitable for the data of the present study because it overestimates the risk due to hand-transmitted vibration in the travertine workers. Finally, the results of a cold test indicated that the rewarming time of fingertips to room temperature was more prolonged in the operators with VAT than in those without VWF and in the controls.     

某化工厂1987～2000年164例工伤事故调查分析

目的调查分析某化工厂工伤事故的分布规律及其危险因素,以便采取相应的预防干预措施。方法对1987～2000年该化工厂发生的工伤事故进行回顾性调查分析,建立数据库,并统计分析。结果 ①事故以轻伤为主,约占80.0％。②事故类别主要是灼烫烧伤和机械伤害,分别为工伤事故总数的35.8％、28.5％。③工伤伤害性质以骨折多见,约为总数的56.1％。④受伤工人的年龄分布以30～40岁段为主,约为总数的31.1％。⑤工伤事故原因中注意力不集中和违反操作规程分别为总数的43.0％,38.3％。结论12根据上述流行病学特点,采取相应的措施来减少工伤事故的发生。     

关于军工研究所发展民品产业的几点思考

探索军工研究所发展民品产业之路.本文对军工研究所发展民品产业进行了优劣势分析,继而从机制转换,组织结构,产品战略,市场营销,人才队伍建设等方面提出了一些改革措施.     

现代医院手术室建设中的问题及动态研究

手术室是医学技术与工程技术结合的产物。随着医疗技术和新的手术工具的不断涌现,带动了手术量的迅猛上升。旧的手术室空间布局、实施标准、功能配置等方面已经无法满足新技术的应用要求,同时人们对手术环境和手术质量也提出了更高的标准。而今第四代手术室已开始步入我们的时代。洁净化、数字化和人性化则是其主要代表特征。本文分别从洁净手术室、数字化手术室和人性化手术室三个方面来探讨现代医院手术室建设中应注意的问题及动态研究。层流手术室已经是手术室建设不可逆转的发展趋势,除了按照《医院洁净手术部建筑技术规范》来建造外,其布局、人流、物流、质量监控等等都要进行合理的安排才能达到最优的手术环境。数字化手术室是将温度、湿度、压力、通风量、新风量等一切参数系统的由计算机来分配统筹,从而实现精确高效的手术管理。人性化手术室则是手术室建设的软件部分,是一种“以病人为中心”的服务理念,它打破了传统的生物医学模式,转变为生物—心理—社会模式,这是病人需求与市场竞争的必然选择。     

Occupational dermatitis from Synacril Red 3B liquid (Cl Basic Red 22)

A carpet factory worker, exposed to a number of different dyes, developed a severe hand dermatitis. The handling of warm, wet and freshly-dyed yarn with unprotected hands was thought to have caused the onset of dermatitis. Patch testing indicated that the patient was sensitive to only one of the dyes handled, namely Synacril Red 3B liquid, which is based on the single dyestuff Basic Red 22 (CI 11055). Chemical analysis revealed the dyestuff to be of high purity (greater than 95%), suggesting that sensitization was caused by the Basic Red 22 dyestuff itself and not by an avoidable impurity.