Assurance Standards Research Articles

QLTI-05. EUROPEAN NEURO-ONCOLOGY QUALITY ASSURANCE (ENOQUA): AN EORTC BRAIN TUMOR GROUP STUDY

Abstract INTRODUCTION Neuro-Oncology, a complex and multidisciplinary field that is relatively recent, lacks well-established quality assurance measures and standards for patient care. METHODS We assessed the performance of 14 potential quality indicators across 19 EORTC Neuro-Oncology centers to validate these indicators as effective measures of quality. For each center, we abstracted records from 20 patients diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2018 who were not enrolled in an investigational study. We tested associations between patient survival, center characteristics, and the performance of these quality measures. RESULTS Most centers met several standard requirements, suggesting their potential acceptance for prospective validation. IDH expression data was universally recorded in the patients’ chart. Performing MRI within 72 hours of surgery and providing patient education for chemotherapy correlated with improved overall survival (OS). Standards met in the majority of centers were the presence of a multidisciplinary plan, a radiation plan and the extent of surgery recorded in the chart, as well as the referral for radiation within six weeks of diagnosis. Preliminary results indicate that academic centers outperformed others in most measures, although analysis is ongoing. Performance varied significantly across centers; some standards were consistently met poorly, highlighting areas needing improvement. Lack of universal acceptance of certain practices as necessary and/or important may render some standards inappropriate for further development. Final analysis will be presented at the meeting. CONCLUSION We are developing a comprehensive set of standards and measures for QA in neuro-oncology, which will require future prospective validation.

Gene editing technology: shaping international standards for health and food safety assurance

The emergence of gene editing technologies like CRISPR-Cas9 has revolutionized health and food safety, necessitating robust international standards. This Science & Society examines how these advances have shaped global regulatory frameworks, ethical standards, and international collaborations, emphasizing the need for cohesive and ethical applications across various sectors.

Enhancing the accreditation of Indonesian private universities through the integration of EduQual and accreditation standards of the BAN-PT

Higher education institutions in Indonesia are currently facing significant challenges in maintaining public trust, requiring them to uphold autonomy, transparency, accountability, and continuously meet standards for quality assurance and improvement. This research aims to identify and address the unmet quality aspects in education to elevate the accreditation of private universities from C/Good to B/Very Good or even A/Excellent. By integrating the EduQual model with certification requirements from the Board of National Accreditation for Higher Education (Badan Akreditasi Nasional Perguruan Tinggi, BAN-PT), the research is supported by comprehensive studies of university accreditation reports, questionnaires, focus group discussions (FGD), and expert judgment through interviews and consultations. The data analysis employs gap analysis, importance-performance analysis, and quality function deployment. The study identified twenty-one priority improvement points to enhance accreditation, with six key improvements prioritized from the ninety indicators examined based on customer needs analysis. In the accreditation of private universities, the unmet aspects of education quality lie in the dimension of physical facilities, particularly human resources, as well as in the dimension of personal development, especially in the criteria for research and community service. The study recommends prioritizing investments in human resource development and strengthening research and community service initiatives, as these are critical areas where private universities fall short in meeting accreditation standards and fulfilling educational quality expectations.

Manajemen Strategi Peningkatan Mutu Pendidikan Di Smp Al Bayan Kota Makassar

The purpose of this study is to describe the strategic management approach used to improve teaching standards at Al Bayan Junior High School Makassar City. This type of research is descriptive qualitative. The data collection techniques used include notes, interviews, and observations. This research uses three activity streams for qualitative data analysis, namely data reduction, data presentation, and verification/conclusion drawing. The data triangulation technique was used in assessing the validity of the data. The findings show that: (1) Al Bayan Junior High School Makassar City conducts integrated, methodical, and comprehensive planning through the following stages in order to realize the quality of education: a) Examining the school's internal environment both material, technical, and human resources. b) Examining the geographical, social, and economic context outside the school. c) Careful observation and in-depth analysis. (2) In implementing initiatives aimed at raising educational standards, Al Irsyad leaders use the following policies: a) Continuous process improvement. b) Creating standards for school improvement and quality assurance. c) Establishing a school culture. d) Modifying the organizational structure. e) Maintaining positive interactions with customers. (3) To verify that a high-quality education program has been achieved, evaluation is also conducted in the following ways: a) by tracking all results from planning and implementing strategic management activities. b) evaluating student and individual performance. c) providing reports on how all actions were carried out; and d) making necessary corrections.

Structures for quality assurance and measurements for kidney replacement therapies: A multinational study from the ISN-GKHA.

Optimal care for patients with kidney failure reduces the risks of adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular events and death. We evaluated data from the third iteration of the International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA) to assess the capacity for quality service delivery for kidney failure care across countries and regions. We explored the quality of kidney failure care delivery and the monitoring of quality indicators from data provided by an international survey of stakeholders from countries affiliated with the ISN from July to September 2022. One hundred and sixty seven countries participated in the survey, representing about 97.4% of the world's population. In countries where haemodialysis (HD) was available, 81% (n = 134) provided standard HD sessions (three times weekly for 3-4 h per session) to patients. Among countries with peritoneal dialysis (PD) services, 61% (n = 101) were able to provide standard PD care (3-4 exchanges per day). In high-income countries, 98% (n = 62) reported that >75% of centers regularly monitored dialysis water quality for bacteria compared to 28% (n = 5) of low-income countries (LICs). Capacity to monitor the administration of immunosuppression drugs was generally available in 21% (n = 4) of LICs, compared to 90% (n = 57) of high-income countries. There was significant variability between and within regions and country income groups in reporting the quality of services utilized for kidney replacement therapies. Quality assurance standards on diagnostic and treatment tools were variable and particularly infrequent in LICs. Standardization of delivered care is essential for improving outcomes for people with kidney failure.

Quality Assurance Practices in the University: "The impact of Quality Services and Teaching Quality Services on Students' Satisfaction using Data Science Techniques."

This study investigates student satisfaction regarding quality assurance practices in universities, the impact of quality services, which include infrastructure-related services/facilities, and teaching quality (such as teaching contents, teaching methods, and teaching attitudes). By paying close attention to these factors and constantly looking for ways to improve, universities can ensure the highest possible experience. This will not only increase satisfaction but will also attract more students to their institution. The study will be exploratory in nature, with a structured questionnaire used to collect data from students. Moreover, using data science techniques, collect and analyzed the students feedback data and academics performance metrics. This data will then be analyzed using research tools to calculate the study's findings. The study's findings indicate that quality assurance practices such as quality services and teaching quality services have a significant effect on student satisfaction. As a result, it is concluded that yes, that is correct, universities must focus on providing quality services and teaching quality services to increase student satisfaction. This includes adapting to updated quality assurance standards and using appropriate pedagogical tools to effectively impact student satisfaction.

Management Framework for Quality Assurance to Strengthen Technology and TVET Pre-service Teacher Education

This study developed a management framework for quality assurance to enhance Technical-Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and technology pre-service teacher education programs in CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon). Using the three-round Delphi consensus-building technique, the research assessed quality assurance practices and challenges in managing Bachelor of Technology and Livelihood Education (BTLEd) and Bachelor of Technical Vocational Teacher Education (BTVTEd) programs. The study also examined key factors affecting student performance in licensure examinations, career decision influences, and strategies to improve program appeal. Thirteen Delphi experts, including College Deans and program chairs, and 117 BTLEd and BTVTEd graduates participated. Thematic and statistical analyses, including the Mann-Whitney U test, compared assessment differences between graduates concerning licensure exam performance, career decisions, and program appeal strategies. The findings highlight that Teacher Education Institutions (TEIs) in the region prioritize quality assurance through curriculum reviews, faculty engagement, accreditation, facility maintenance, and continuous improvement. However, they face challenges such as resource limitations, curriculum misalignment, faculty development issues, and lack of specific quality assurance standards for TVET programs. Graduates noted factors influencing their licensure exam performance and career decisions, emphasizing the importance of review preparation, teaching strategies, and professional development. To enhance program appeal, there is a need for sustained career guidance, institutional initiatives, and program awareness efforts. The study recommends strengthening collaboration with stakeholders and implementing the proposed management framework to align with national and international standards.

Constricting Gaps: Protocol development, implementation challenges and lessons learned for the reality map of unmet needs for Palliative Care Interventions in advanced cancer patients study in Romania and Switzerland

BackgroundPatients with advanced cancer experience many symptoms and needs requiring a Palliative Care Intervention (PCI). Identifying gaps between needs for PCIs and experienced delivery may improve health care, furthermore the association of gaps with quality indicators (QI). The multicentre Romanian (RO)-Swiss (CH) reality map study implemented a novel protocol based on needs concepts and culturally adapted quality indicators (QI). MethodsAn interactive mapping guide measuring unmet needs for PCIs monthly over six months, patient characteristics (cognition, EAPC basic data set, Cofactors) and QI (Inappropriate Anticancer Treatment, High Symptom Burden [IPOS, EQ5D], Repeated ER Admissions, Aggressive End-of-Life Care, and Quality of Death-and-Dying) were developed, applying swiss standards for quality assurance. A composite endpoint (QI, cofactors) was planned. Finally, local solutions responding to gaps were piloted. ResultsFrom 308 patients (RO: 262, CH: 46, age 62j [mean], 74 % ECOG PS 1&2, 81 % current anticancer treatment) baseline and first follow-up data revealed main gaps (symptom management, spiritual needs, family support), country differences (e.g. illness understanding, spiritual needs) and a significant association of the number of gaps with depression. Later data become less, and data quality on QI variable, revealing gaps in research conduct competences, resources, and applicability of over-sophisticated quality assurance tools. Nevertheless, the unmet needs data promoted local initiatives, 81 patients participated in feasibility studies. Finally, the joint experience stimulated academic developments and national integration of palliative care into oncology. ConclusionsPairing motivation and enthusiasm with more modest aims, feasibility testing of all outcomes and investment in research competences may disperse gaps.

How hours allocated to year-round auditing procedures affect audit quality

PurposeThis paper aims to examine how the allocation of audit hours to the year-round procedures, based on the risk of material misstatements in financial statements, impacts audit quality.Design/methodology/approachUsing a data set on audit hours spent on year-round and year-end procedures, the authors build an empirical model for testing the effectiveness of year-round auditing of Korean public firms during the period of 2014–2018.FindingsThe initial tests do not show that proportionate increases in year-round procedures increase audit quality. However, after the authors control for the risk of material misstatements, the authors find that proportionate increases in year-round audit hours generally increase audit quality, except for high-risk firms where audit quality increases only as year-end hours proportionately increase. For high-risk firms, the results suggest that increases in year-round audit procedures occur at the cost of the essential year-end work. Similarly, except for high-risk firms, the authors find that the allocation of more audit effort to year-round procedures improves audit efficiency.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study provides some of the first empirical evidence showing how a risk-based approach to allocating audit effort over the duration of an audit can impact audit quality and efficiency. Regulatory bodies, such as the International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, which consider the proper allocation of audit hours as a key audit quality indicator, should find the results useful.

Teaching Hospital Governance Model for Service Quality Performance: Case Study of Indonesian Central General Hospital

This study aims to investigate the effect of teaching hospital management practices on the quality performance of health services by involving elements such as hospital accreditation standards, quality management, and JCI Academic Hospital-specific standards that are indirectly connected. This study chose a survey-based quantitative approach to clinical professional students in vertical teaching hospitals under the direct management of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia. Six proposed hypotheses were tested by Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis. The test results showed a positive influence between hospital teaching governance and hospital accreditation compliance, quality assurance and JCI Academic Hospital standards. Third, compliance with teaching hospital standards was also found to have a significant positive effect on the performance of teaching hospital service quality. Understanding the role of governance in encouraging the performance of teaching hospital service quality can help develop effective managerial strategies in achieving complete service quality for patients and clinical profession participants. This research resulted in contributions to existing practices and literature as governance modeling in dual quality standards charged to teaching hospitals.

Financial Reporting & Assurance Standards (FRAS) Canada Corner

Financial Reporting &amp; Assurance Standards (<scp>FRAS</scp>) Canada Corner

Commercial Versus Compounded Preparations in Pediatric Ophthalmology.

Many conditions managed by pediatric ophthalmologists are rare diseases, and even if pharmacological treatments are available, these have often not been evaluated in children. Off-label prescribing is a common practice in pediatric ophthalmology. In addition, there is often no commercial case for the production of a medicine that may only be used for a small number of patients worldwide. Compounded preparations prepared locally are therefore still in frequent use, although it is known that production may not meet stringent quality assurance standards. For several indications, commercial preparations, evaluated in rigorous clinical trials with children, are now available. Myopia management is joining the list of these indications, with low-concentration atropine formulations derived from recent clinical trials in Australia, USA, and Europe now entering the market. This short article gives an overview of the background and recent developments of compounded and commercial preparations for use in pediatric ophthalmology.

A veterinary-calibrated point-of-care glucometer accurately measures blood glucose concentration in dogs and cats.

To determine the clinical and analytical accuracy of a new veterinary-calibrated portable blood glucose monitor (PBGM) compared to a reference laboratory analyzer. Client-owned dogs (n = 77) and cats (n = 64). Peripheral and paired capillary whole-blood glucose concentrations measured via PBGM were compared to plasma glucose concentrations measured via a Cobas c501 reference analyzer (Roche). Analytical accuracy was evaluated with the Spearman rank correlation coefficient, Bland-Altman difference plot analysis, and Deming regression. Clinical accuracy was evaluated with Parkes error grid analysis. Paired peripheral and capillary blood samples were compared with the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test. There was a high correlation between PBGM and reference analyzer readings in dogs and cats. Human quality assurance standards (International Organization for Standardization 15197:2013 guidelines) for analytical accuracy were met for 95% of feline peripheral blood samples and 89% of canine samples. Similar veterinary standards (American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathology guidelines) were met for 89% of canine and 92% of feline peripheral blood glucose measurements. Error grid analysis showed that all peripheral canine and 97% of feline measurements were clinically accurate (zone A). Any altered clinical decision for the remaining feline measurements was expected to minimally impact outcome (zone B). No significant difference was found between peripheral and capillary blood glucose measurements in either species. The PBGM produced clinically accurate results and is suitable for use in veterinary and home settings to measure blood glucose.

The burden of iatrogenic obstetric fistulas in Sub-Saharan Africa: Systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

Obstetric fistulas are abnormal open connection(s) between the vagina and the urinary tract or the rectum resulting from tragic injuries sustained by mothers during childbirth that lead to urine and/or faecal incontinence. Due to the rapidly growing middle class in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and the corresponding quest for hospital delivery and caesarean section, surgery-related (iatrogenic) obstetric fistulas are on the rise. Worryingly, there is scanty data on surgery-related fistulas. This review aims to collate empirical evidence on the magnitude of iatrogenic obstetric fistulas in SSA, generate country-specific data and explore factors that influence obstetric surgery-related fistulas. All relevant databases, PubMed, LILACS, CINAHL, SCOPUS and Google Scholar will be searched from 1st January 2000 to 31st March 2024 using search terms developed from the major concepts in the title without restrictions by language. The Cochrane Library, African Journals Online, Data Base of African Thesis and Dissertations Including Research (DATAD-R D Space) and preprint repositories will also be searched. Reference lists of relevant studies will be searched and experts in the field will be contacted for additional (unpublished) studies. The search output will be exported to Endnote where duplicate studies will be removed. The deduplicated studies will be exported to Rayyan where study screening and selection will be conducted. At least two authors will independently select studies, extract data and assess quality in the included studies using pretested tools. Disagreements between reviewers will be resolved through discussion. Data analysis will be performed with RevMan 5.4. Comparative binary outcomes will be reported as odds ratio (OR) or risk ratio (RR) and for continuous outcomes, mean difference and standard deviations (SDs) will be used. Non-comparative studies will be analysed as weighted proportions. Heterogeneity between studies will be assessed graphically and statistically, and where a significant level is detected, the random-effects model meta-analysis will be performed. All estimates will be reported with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Where data permit, we will conduct subgroup and sensitivity analyses to test the robustness of the estimates on key quality domains. The overall quality of the evidence will be assessed using GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation). This systematic review and meta-analysis uses rigorous methods and best practices to attempt to collate all empirical evidence and estimate country-specific proportions of iatrogenic (surgery-related) fistulas among obstetric fistula patients across countries in SSA. This review will explore context-specific variables, provide insights into their impact and relate them to the type and experience of personnel performing the obstetric procedures that lead to obstetric fistulas. The findings of the full review are expected to inform the development of national and regional Training Programs for Medical Officers, support the development of a consensus "minimum acceptable standard of care" and inform quality assurance standards for clinicians involved in the provision of surgical obstetric care.

Church Involvement in Curriculum Planning and Quality Assurance Standards of Anglican Church of Uganda Universities in Uganda

Church Involvement in Curriculum Planning and Quality Assurance Standards of Anglican Church of Uganda Universities in Uganda

Using Accreditation Standards for Internal Quality Assurance for Tertiary General English Program in Vietnam

The mixed-method study used a quantitative questionnaire to collect feedback from teachers and program directors regarding the current practices of quality assurance approaches in General English (GE) training programs at their higher education institutions (HEIs). Additionally, the study sought their evaluation of applying accreditation schemes to ensure the quality of GE training programs using a semi-structured interview. The results indicated that the quality assurance measures implemented in the GE training program were generally perceived as effective and aligned with industry standards and best practices. However, there needs to be a comprehensive QA approach that covers areas of improvement related to the learners' needs and expectations and the implementation of QA approaches for curriculum effectiveness. Informants were found to have positive evaluations of the application of the existing accreditation schemes for GE training programs at HEIs in Vietnam. Research on the effectiveness of a specific accreditation scheme implemented at particular HEIs in Vietnam will be conducted in the future.

809 A Systematic Review of Quality Assurance Processes in Simulated Surgical Training Programmes

Abstract Aim To provide a comprehensive overview of quality assurance processes implemented within published simulated surgical training programmes, identifying areas of deficit. Method A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Databases were searched from 1947 until April 2023 to identify studies reporting structured simulation programmes undertaking qualitative assessment of laparoscopic technical skills. The assessment had to be procedural (e.g., appendicectomy) versus tasks (e.g., bean drop). Simulation had to be physical modalities (synthetic/cadaveric). Virtual and augmented reality modalities were excluded. Data was extracted against an existing quality assurance standards framework for simulation-based education, developed by the Association for Simulated Practice in Healthcare (ASPiH) in partnership with Health Education England. Study quality was appraised using the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument (MERSQI). Results 39 studies were included, with 17 from USA and 3 from UK simulation programmes. Range of participants was 6-256, with 7 studies reporting &amp;gt;50 participants. Faculty: 40% (n=15) of studies reported no description of faculty expertise or selection. 60% (n=24) of studies implemented no assessor training. 90% (n=35) described no faculty evaluation or feedback. Activity: Variability was seen in assessment methods including number of stations, assessors, and assessment tools. 60% (n=24) of studies sought no feedback on their programme. 90% (n=35) of the programmes were not aligned to curricula or learning needs analyses. Conclusions This review highlights deficits in the implementation of quality assurance processes including faculty selection, training, and programme feedback. It also highlights the variability of assessment methods, reiterating the need for individualised robust validation processes.

Normal-Incidence Germanium Photodetectors Integrated with Polymer Microlenses for Optical Fiber Communication Applications.

We present a novel photon-acid diffusion method to integrate polymer microlenses (MLs) on a four-channel, high-speed photo-receiver consisting of normal-incidence germanium (Ge) p-i-n photodiodes (PDs) fabricated on a 200 mm Si substrate. For a 29 µm diameter PD capped with a 54 µm diameter ML, its dark current, responsivity, 3 dB bandwidth (BW), and effective aperture size at -3 V bias and 850 nm wavelength are measured to be 138 nA, 0.6 A/W, 21.4 GHz, and 54 µm, respectively. The enlarged aperture size significantly decouples the tradeoff between aperture size and BW and enhances the optical fiber misalignment tolerance from ±5 µm to ±15 µm to ease the module packaging precision. The sensitivity of the photo-receiver is measured to be -9.2 dBm at 25.78 Gb/s with a bit error rate of 10-12 using non-return-to-zero (NRZ) transmission. Reliability tests are performed, and the results show that the fabricated Ge PDs integrated with polymer MLs pass the GR-468 reliability assurance standard. The demonstrated photo-receiver, a first of its kind to the best of our knowledge, features decent performance, high yield, high throughput, low cost, and compatibility with complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) fabrication processes, and may be further applied to 400 Gb/s pulse-amplitude modulation four-level (PAM4) communication.

Quantum computing challenges and solutions in software industry—A multivocal literature review

AbstractQuantum computing (QC) hinged upon the bedrock principles of quantum theory and holds promise for reforming a large number of industries. The researcher in this area aims to deliver a comprehensive understanding of the current state of the art and future trajectories of QC. The authors have discovered that most academic studies have concentrated upon dissecting specific aspects of QC. This discernment underscores the exigency of identifying challenges that might impede the seamless integration of QC within the software industry. Moreover, it becomes crucial to ascertain the panoply of solutions/practices required to overcome these barriers. A comprehensive multi‐vocal literature review was performed and culled a total of 49 academic papers for data extraction. A total of 13 challenges encountered by organisations were identified during the adoption of QC. Subsequently, these challenges were examined deeply and determined that five of them are the most critical, these are ‘Lack of quantum specific algorithms, dev and testing methodologies’, ‘Difficult compilation and debugging’, ‘Lack of development tools and technology’, ‘Lack of development guidelines &amp; Quality Assurance Standards’ and ‘Lack of professional expert’, together founding over 30% of occurrences. These challenges from various perspectives were evaluated, including time frame, methodology, geographical region and publication platform. To address these barriers and implement the QC in software industry effectively, a total of 53 practices/solutions. This research aims to share valuable knowledge to simplify and amplify quantum application development.

Financial Reporting &amp; Assurance Standards (FRAS) Canada Corner

Financial Reporting &amp; Assurance Standards (<scp>FRAS</scp>) Canada Corner