Covert Observation Research Articles

EVOLUTION OF INQUIRY AS A FORM OF PRE-TRIAL INVESTIGATION

The article deals with the process of origin and formation of inquiry as one of the forms of pre-trial (preliminary) investigation. Despite the long period of development of this institution, the search for ways to improve it continues, which attracts the attention of scientists and practitioners and indicates the relevance of the study. The purpose of the article is to study the institution of inquiry as a form of pretrial investigation, its normative regulation and, on this basis, to develop recommendations for further improvement. Investigation of crimes is considered as an information-cognitive process of activity of state bodies specially authorized for this purpose – inquiries, and investigations. In the historical aspect, the difference in the powers of these bodies was determined by the degree of complexity of the crime under investigation. It is noted that the first mention of inquiry (search) is associated with the emergence of elements of the search process in Western Europe in the 13th century. Its essence consisted in the production of investigative actions, verbal inquiries, and covert observations. The production of formal procedural actions (interrogations) was not allowed. Several provisions on the inquiry, enshrined in the Charter of Criminal Proceedings of 1864, were developed in the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Ukrainian SSR as of 1922. The bodies of inquiry were divided into three groups, which contributed to the delimitation of their competence. At this time, there is a separation of two types of inquiry: one of them preceded the preliminary investigation, and the second took place in cases where the investigation was not conducted. It is noted that the further regulatory regulation of the institution of inquiry in the Code of Criminal Procedure of Ukraine in 1960 did not answer several questions. The general concept of the body of inquiry is not formulated, and instead of procedural powers, which is quite natural, the bodies of inquiry are obliged to take operational-search measures. The next stage in the development of the institution of inquiry is associated with the adoption of the current Code of Criminal Procedure of Ukraine. Even though the substantive law did not determine which criminal offenses were misdemeanors, Chapter 25 was singled out in the Code of Criminal Procedure, in which the norms on the peculiarities of the conduct of an inquiry were concentrated. They concerned non-essential moments of the investigation: the application of not all preventive measures, the prohibition of undercover investigative actions, and the peculiarities of the end of the inquiry. At present, in the bodies of the National Police of Ukraine, investigation units have been created, which are entrusted with the function of investigating criminal offenses. According to statistics, the workload on investigators was reduced by a third, which allowed investigators to focus on investigating serious and especially serious crimes. Attention is drawn to the expansion of methods for collecting information about misconduct until the moment when information about misconduct is entered into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations and Sources of Evidence in the process of inquiry. The conclusions suggest: to clarify the concept of “authorized persons of other units”, which may be entrusted with the obligation to conduct an inquiry; develop a procedural form of actions that can be carried out at the initial stage of the inquiry to clarify the circumstances of the offense; to continue the study of the issue of the relationship between the expert and the expert. Key words: inquiry, a body of inquiry, investigator, a form of investigation, investigation, evidence, means of forming evidence.

Understanding hosts’ task performance antecedents in e-rentals

摘要探究房东在电子租赁中的任务表现的前因研究目的在评估预订查询时, 房东依靠 P2P 住宿平台 (P2PAP) 做出明智的决定。因此, 接受或拒绝预订受 P2PAP 向房东传达有关客人的有价值信息的能力的影响。本研究解释了房东在短期租赁（电子租赁）中的任务表现。研究设计/方法/路径本研究的模型将房东在电子租赁中的任务表现解释为特定任务的用户能力和技术能力的组合。该模型使用偏最小二乘路径建模 (PLS-SEM) 技术进行了测试。研究发现本研究发现隐蔽观察和询问的任务相关用户能力对任务表现有积极影响。此外, 研究发现自我表露和任务表现之间的关系被表现显著调节, 但与假设相反。研究原创性这项研究的结果有助于发展特定任务用户能力在塑造任务表现方面的概念。

Вербальные и невербальные стратегии взаимодействия активных и пассивных курильщиков в ситуациях курения в общественных местах: метод формулирования кейсов

Objective. Identification of the features of social perception in situations of smoking in public places, as well as patterns and strategies of interaction in the communicative practices of active and passive smokers in public urban spaces using the “case formulation” method.Background. Because of the non-compliance with the law on smoking in public places, the issue of combating such violations becomes urgent. But it is important to use not only the administrative resources of the state, but also social control. Searching for the features of communicative practices of both active and passive smokers in relation to each other, their mutual social perception and factors influencing the interaction between them will help to suggest effective ways to use social capital to combat the problem of smoking in public places.Study design. The paper studied cases related to the behavior of smokers and non-smokers in an open urban space. Using the interpretation of qualitative data, categories and subcategories corresponding to the patterns of behavior of subjects and their mutual perception from both interacting groups were identified. Categories and subcategories were formed by data encoding.Participants. For the study, 4 cases of interaction between active and passive smokers in Tverskaya Street were selected by random sampling.Measurements. The method of covert observation with a passive type of participation was chosen. 4 observation sessions were conducted the results of which formed the basis of the cases. The observation involved the study of the behavior of subjects in relation to each other, including verbal and nonverbal signs exchanged by communication participants; features of urban spaces in which communication takes place; the place of interaction.Results. Active and passive smokers use verbal and nonverbal interaction strategies, which are characterized by some features of social perception. Thus, verbal ones include an impersonal expression of discontent, an appeal to the fact of smoking, an appeal to the smell; non-verbal ones — most often motor ones: slowing down the step, accelerating the step/overtaking, as well as changing the trajectory of smoke.Conclusions. The using of the case formulation method opens up opportunities for studying various communicative practices in the modern urban environment. It is important to conduct communication campaigns aimed at both violators and people affected by their actions. The former should be encouraged to behave responsibly by the immersive transfer of “someone else’s” social experience, the victims should be mobilized to use the advantages of their existing social coercion apparatus by verbalizing demands.

A Strategi Pengembangan Kompetensi Pustakawan di Dinas Perpustakaan dan Kearsipan Kabupaten Gunung Kidul

ABSTRACT
 Introduction. This study aims to determine the strategy of developing the competence of librarians at the Office of the Dinas Perpustakaan dan Kearsipan Kabupaten Gunung Kidul.
 Data Collection Method. This research uses descriptive qualitative method. Methods of data collection using frank or covert observation, semi-structured interviews, and documentation. The technique of determining the informants used purposive sampling. The data analysis technique in this study uses the theory of Miles and Hubermen, namely data reduction, data presentation, and drawing conclusions. Test the validity of the data in this study using a credibility test which includes: extension of observation, triangulation, and member check. Transferability test, depenability test, and confirmability test.
 Result and Discussions. The research results are; (1) The librarian competency development strategy is divided into two, namely formal and informal development. Formal development is in the form of: training, technical guidance, workshops, seminars, professional organizations, competitions for outstanding librarians and fostered areas for librarians. Meanwhile, informal librarian competency development includes: being a resource person or speaker, coordinating fellow librarians, networking, and relationships. (2) supporting factors in the implementation of librarian competency development include: motivation within the librarian itself and full support from the service and the Head of the Dinas Perpustakaan dan Kearsipan Kabupaten Gunung Kidul Service. While the inhibiting factors that need special attention are related to the budget for developing the competence of librarians and limiting quotas in an activity.
 Conclusions. The suggestion to be given for the strategy of developing the competence of librarians at the Office of the Dinas Perpustakaan dan Kearsipan Kabupaten Gunung Kidul is to maximize the available budget for developing the competence of librarians by being more selective in choosing the development activities to be carried out. And for librarians who have the opportunity to take part in training activities, seminars, workshops, technical guidance and other competency development, they can share their knowledge and knowledge with other librarians.
 Keywords: Strategy, Development, Librarian Competence

Evaluation of compliance to the World Health Organization's five moments of hand hygiene: Cross-sectional observation of healthcare professionals.

Human hands are home to thousands of microorganisms, which may be transmitted to surfaces that the hands come into contact with. When in contact with people who are ailing or have weakened immune systems, some of these microorganisms can cause infections and disease. Correct hand hygiene goes a long way in eradicating these potentially infective microorganisms and forms the cornerstone of infection prevention and control (IPC) within healthcare facilities and beyond. The healthcare industry is constantly challenged by healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and their negative effects on patient safety and clinical outcomes. Hospitals in Pretoria are facing similar challenges posed by HAIs and there is no report available on compliance of healthcare professionals (HCPs) to the World Health Organization's (WHO) 'five moments of hand hygiene'. Healthcare professional's compliance to all of the five moments of hand hygiene, particularly within the patient zone, is crucial in mitigating and reducing the spread of contact-based infections in the healthcare setting. A quantitative longitudinal design was used in a covert direct observation of HCP compliance to the WHO's five moments of hand hygiene. The observations were conducted over 4 weeks in three hospitals, covering 25 wards, inclusive of four adult critical care units using the WHO's 'five moments of hand hygiene' observation form. A total of 1906 hand hygiene opportunities were directly observed in three hospitals. Hand hygiene compliance was 17.26% (n = 329). Allied health professionals had higher compliance (23.02%) than medical (19.26%) and nursing professionals (15.76%). The moment before patient contact had the lowest compliance (8.21%) as compared with all other moments. In general, HCPs had low compliance to the five moments of hand hygiene within the patient zone. Allied health professionals had higher compliance than medical and nursing professionals. Compliance in public hospitals was lower than in private hospitals. Critical care units had higher compliance compared to general wards. Healthcare professionals better complied to the moments meant for their safety as compared to those indicated for patient safety.

Assessing the Impacts of Engaging with a Touch Table on Safari Park Visitors

Modern zoos are increasingly viewed as educational facilities, with informal education programmes attempting to engage with visitors through a wide variety of methods. A ‘touch table’ consists of two collapsible tables which display a variety of artefacts to the public. This study investigated visitor engagement with touch tables alongside types of conversations being initiated by visitors. Covert observations recorded the type of groups visiting, their dwell time, perceived engagement level and the types of interactions and conversations they were initiating at the touch table. Dwell time was affected by the season, member of staff present, type of group visiting the touch table and engagement level of the group. Engagement level was also affected by group type. Longer average dwell time and higher engagement levels were displayed at a long-established touch table location, whereas more visitors engaged at the touch table when it was at a new location with predicted high footfall. Here, 68.3% of visitors initiated ‘surface level’ conversation, 27.2% initiated ‘deeper level’ conversation and 89.6% initiated ‘other’ conversation. This study resulted in touch table offerings being adapted to further increase their effectiveness as an informal education tool and to suggests ways in which touch tables can continue in a post COVID-19 world.

Ethics and governance for internet-based conservation science research.

Internet-based research is increasingly important for conservation science and has wide-ranging applications and contexts, including culturomics, illegal wildlife trade, and citizen science. However, online research methods pose a range of ethical and legal challenges. Online data may be protected by copyright, database rights, or contract law. Privacy rights may also restrict the use and access of data, as well as ethical requirements from institutions. Online data have real-world meaning, and the ethical treatment of individuals and communities must not be marginalized when conducting internet-based research. As ethics frameworks originally developed for biomedical applications are inadequate for these methods, we propose that research activities involving the analysis of preexisting online data be treated analogous to offline social science methods, in particular, nondeceptive covert observation. By treating internet users and their data with respect and due consideration, conservationists can uphold the public trust needed to effectively address real-world issues.

Impact of an unannounced standardized veteran program on access to community-based services for veterans experiencing homelessness

BackgroundThe United States Department of Veterans Affairs established a program in which actors incognito portray veterans experiencing homelessness with pre-determined needs to identify barriers to access and services at community-based organizations.MethodsFrom 2017 to 2019, actors who varied in gender, skin color and age portrayed one of three scripts at all VA Community-Based Resource and Referral Centers (CRRCs) serving veterans experiencing homelessness in 30 cities and completed an evaluative survey. They carried authentic VA identification and were registered in a VA patient database for each identity. CRRCs were provided with reports annually and asked to implement corrective plans. Data from the survey were analysed for change over time.ResultsAccess to food, counselling, PTSD treatment, and hypertension/prediabetes care services increased significantly from 68–77% in year 2 to 83–97% in year 3 (each P < 0.05 adjusted for script present). A significant disparity in access for African American actors resolved following more uniform adherence to pre-existing policies.ConclusionsThe ‘unannounced standardized veteran’ (USV) can identify previously unrecognized barriers to needed services and care. Audit and feedback programs based on direct covert observation with systematic data collection and rapid feedback may be an effective strategy for improving services to highly vulnerable populations.

How ethical challenges of covert observations can be met in practice

This paper aims to bring into the ethical debate on covert research two aspects that are neglected to date: the perspective of the research subjects and the special responsibility of investigators towards their observers. Both aspects are falling behind, especially in quantitative social research. From a methodological point of view, quantitative forms of covert observation involve a great distance between the researcher and the research subjects. When human observers are involved, the focus is usually on the reliable application of the measuring instrument. Therefore, herein, a quantitative study is used as an example to show how the protection needs of both the observed persons and the observers can be met in practice. The study involved 40 student observers who covertly captured everyday conversations in real-world settings (e.g. in cafés or trains) by a highly standardised observation scheme. The study suggests that the anonymity of the research subjects and their trust in the observers are crucial for their subsequent consent. However, many participants showed only little or even no interest in the written information they were provided. Further, this study strongly emphasises how mentally stressful covert observations are to the observers. Almost all observers were worried in advance that the people they were observing would prematurely blow their cover and confront them. Role-playing and in-depth discussions in teams are good strategies to alleviate such and other fears and to prepare student assistants well for their demanding work in the field.

Measuring the Impact of Audio/Visual Aids on Learning Process: A Case Study of South Punjab

The present research was designed to evaluate the effects of audio visual aids on the learning process of student of Multan city in Punjab (Pakistan).This study employed field observation method as a research design of this research. For the purpose of measurement, the researcher has installed hidden cameras inside the classrooms and followed the covert observation for measuring the level of attention of the students through recoding during the lecture. The sample was drawn using convenient sampling techniques. For the purpose of investigation, 112 research subjects from Punjab government’s registered school were selected for the purpose of data collection. The findings of the study revealed that the experimental group students got better grade than control group. 57.1% students secure A and 42.9% students secure b grade. Findings further explained that a majority of the students form experimental group have high and medium level of attention in multimedia lecture. The study concluded that education with the help of audio visual (A/V) aids is more beneficial for school going students.

Patient, family, and visitor hand hygiene knowledge, attitudes, and practices at pediatric and maternity hospitals: A descriptive study

BackgroundPatient, family, and visitor hand hygiene can prevent health care-associated infections, but little is known about their hand hygiene knowledge, attitudes, and practices. We aimed to assess patient, family, and visitor hand hygiene knowledge, attitudes, and practices at a pediatric and maternity hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. MethodsSurveys based on the Theoretical Domains Framework were distributed to patients, families, and visitors to provide cross-sectional qualitative and quantitative data. This was supplemented with covert observations by trained medical students to determine patient, family, and visitor hand hygiene rates. ResultsOf 348 survey respondents, there was a clear preference for hand washing with soap and water over use of alcohol-based hand rub. Beliefs about consequences were the main driver for hand hygiene. Self-reported hand hygiene rates were higher than observed rates. The overall hand hygiene rate was observed to be 10.3% (72/701), with soap and water used for 75% of hand hygiene events. ConclusionThere are misconceptions regarding hand hygiene practices and low hand hygiene rates among patients, families, and visitors. Development of interventions to improve hand hygiene should focus on correcting misconceptions and emphasizing consequences of failing to perform hand hygiene in the health care setting.

“Is there no balm in Gilead?” : Exploring Effects of Traditional Medicine on Reproductive Health of Rural Women in Allandale, Mpumalanga

The negative reports associated with traditional medicine come from bogus traditional practitioners who expose women to the harmful consequences of concoctions supplied and administered on them. However, factors such as people’s confidence in traditional medicine and the high costs associated with conventional Western medical treatments lead most rural women to traditional medicine usage. This study is grounded in critical and sociocultural theory. An explorative qualitative research was used. Data were collected through open-ended questions, non-participant covert observations as well as focus group discussions and then analysed using the thematic analysis method. The study participants consisted of seven rural women, five traditional health practitioners, three elderly people and 3 Western-trained doctors who were all sampled using non-probability sampling methods (purposive and snowball sampling) in Allandale village. The findings of the study showed that African traditional medicine plays a pivotal role in reproductive health care by offering readily available, cheap, culturally oriented and accessible health care for most rural women. Thus, the study recommends an introduction of a regulatory framework on the production, storage, use and trade of African traditional medicine.

Effectiveness of peer to peer strategy in reducing accidents and injuries at a selected platinum mine in Zimbabwe

The selected mining company implemented the "Peer to Peer" strategy in 2008 to fast track achievement of zero tolerance to injuries and fatalities incidents at its workplace. Our study, therefore, sought to assess the effectiveness of this strategy in reducing accidents and injuries at this selected platinum mine in Zimbabwe. A mixed-method cross-sectional survey was conducted on 32-day shift employees using a semi-structured questionnaire with closed and open-ended questions. Furthermore, incident trend analysis was done on data obtained from the records from 2004 to 2017. Covert observations were then employed to triangulate findings from data collected using the questionnaire on practices. The tests Hotelling, Chi-square, time series plots, and Multiple Logistic Regressions were employed to compare the variables of interest before and after implementing the peer to peer strategy. There was a significant drop in the number of incidents after implementing the peer to peer strategy. There was no association between tested demographic characteristics and the level of employees' knowledge of the strategy. Employees were afraid to implement the strategy to their superiors fully. Findings pointed out that this strategy was effective despite being part of a cocktail of strategies. There was a vast decrease in the rate of occurrence of incidents after the implementation of this strategy. However, there is a need for engagement to address the subordinate management dynamics that was observed to be a threat in the comprehensive implementation of this strategy.

A technique for accuracy evaluation for airborne target movement parameters determining under condition of its covert observation based on iteration method application

A technique for accuracy evaluation for airborne target movement parameters determining under condition of its covert observation based on iteration method application

Ethics in criminological research of online communities

The aim of this paper is to outline and critically analyse the ethical dilemmas faced by criminologists tasked with online community research. Online communities and online content serve as a valuable sources of criminological knowledge about online crime and deviance as well as formal and informal norm-making and means of social control. From discussion forum texts and blogs to multimedia posts in open and closed social networking groups, from visual and video materials on Instagram, Youtube, or Tiktok to organized crime group data exchanges in publicly inaccessible communication channels, there is great diversity and variety of the contents and forms of online communication enacted by online communities. Correspondingly, research projects are different – some focusing on the content as a linguistic object, others focusing on social relations, social network structure, and its ethnographic characteristics, while many fall in between. In addition, depending on the research goals and sensitivity of the research questions, researchers may opt for active interaction or passive (and sometimes covert) observation. Therefore there is no one-size-fits-all ethical solution for approaching online communities in criminology. Based on an in-depth analysis of methodological literature, the paper suggests that online community research is largely a matter of situational ethics, wherein researchers must make situation-aware ethical decisions about several key issues. In particular, they should aim to choose and provide arguments regarding: 1) expectations of publicity or privacy in publicly accessible information; 2) the need for informed consent or absence of such need; 3) ensuring balance between anonymity and authorship attribution; 4) securing collected data; and 5) correctly assessing risks to the researched individuals and communities, and the researchers themselves.

The psychiatric facility: how patients with schizophrenia respond to place

There is strong evidence that people with psychosis are highly responsive to environmental changes. The institutional tradition has been blamed for chronic psychotic illness in the past, but there has been little evidence to identify the negative influences that it has perpetrated. This study attempts to identify hitherto unknown factors embedded in the physical design of psychiatric environments. A grounded theory method was chosen for this study. The study was undertaken from April 2013 until May 2015 in a mental health facility with 110 male patients with psychosis mostly diagnosed with chronic schizophrenia. Data were collected by covert non-participant observation and unstructured interviews with nine centre staff. The study found that there are standing patterns of behaviour around affordances – that is, around opportunities for action. When these encourage self-expression, better sensory, and bodily engagement and form meaningful experiences, they are positive and recovery-oriented. However, when they involve competition for territory and relative comfort, they are deleterious to mental health. Standing patterns of behaviour are predictable – be they good or bad. An understanding of these patterns will enable better mental health facility design in the future.

SPARC-ing Change—The Maryland Statewide Prevention and Reduction of Clostridioides difficile (SPARC) Collaborative

Background: In 2018, the Maryland Department of Health, in collaboration with the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University, created the Statewide Prevention and Reduction of Clostridioides difficile (SPARC) collaborative to reduce C. difficile as specified in Healthy People 2020. Methods: The SPARC collaborative recruited hospitals contributing most cases to statewide C. difficile standardized infection ratio (SIR), according to data reported to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). SPARC developed intervention bundles around 4 domains: infection prevention, environmental cleaning, and diagnostic and antimicrobial stewardship. Each facility completed a self-assessment followed by an on-site, day-long, peer-to-peer (P2P) evaluation with 8–12 SPARC subject matter experts (SMEs) representing each domain. The SMEs met with hospital executive leadership and then led 4 domain-based group discussions with relevant hospital team leaders. To identify policy and practice gaps, SMEs visited hospital inpatient units for informal interviews with frontline staff. In a closing session, SPARC SMEs, hospital executives, and team leaders reconvened to discuss preliminary findings. This included review of covert observation data (hand hygiene, personal protective equipment compliance, environmental cleaning) obtained by SPARC team 1–2 weeks prior. Final SPARC P2P written recommendations guided development of customized interventions at each hospital. SPARC provided continuous support (follow up phone calls, educational webinars, technical support, didactic training for antimicrobial stewardship pharmacists) to enhance facility-specific implementation. For every quarter, we categorized C. difficile NHSN data for each Maryland hospital into “SPARC” or “non-SPARC” based on participation status. Using negative binomial mixed models, we analyzed difference-in-difference of pre- and postincidence rate ratios (IRRs) for SPARC and non-SPARC hospitals, which allowed estimation of change attributable to SPARC participation independent of other time-varying factors. Results: Overall, 13 of 48 (27%) hospitals in Maryland participated in the intervention. The baseline SIR for all Maryland hospitals was 0.92, and the post-SPARC SIR was 0.67. The SPARC hospitals had a greater reduction in hospital-onset C. difficile incidence; 8.6 and 4.3 events per 10,000 patient days for baseline and most recent quarter, respectively. For non-SPARC hospitals, these hospital-onset C. difficile incidences were 5.1 preintervention and 4.3 postintervention. We found a statistically significant difference-in-difference between SPARC and non-SPARC hospital C. difficile reduction rates (ratio of IRR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.44−0.89; P = .01). Conclusions: The Maryland SPARC collaborative, a public health-academic partnership, was associated with a 25% reduction in the Maryland C. difficile SIR. Hospitals participating in SPARC demonstrated significantly reduced C. difficile incidences to match that of high-performing hospitals in Maryland.Funding: NoneDisclosure: Aaron Milstone, BD – consulting.

“The same but different” Triaging in primary healthcare settings: A focused ethnography study

<h2>ABSTRACT</h2><h3>Aims</h3> To explore the experiences of nurses working in triage stations of primary health care centres. <h3>Background</h3> Primary healthcare system evolves according to the demographical and epidemiological transitions within the nation. The escalating demand on healthcare due to the aging population have seen a rising need from patients with onset of an acute condition or the deterioration of chronic conditions. This has led to a stress in the primary healthcare system where more patients were referred to the tertiary hospitals for the management of more complex conditions. <h3>Design</h3> A focused ethnographic study was conducted in five primary healthcare centres in Singapore. Twenty-two registered nurses were selected through purposive sampling where data was collected through field notes, covert observations and semi-structured interviews from August 2017 to November 2017. Source, time, space and person triangulation generated emerging themes. <h3>Results</h3> Thematic analysis revealed a central exhaustive description of ‘the same but different', was supported by three themes including: valuing previous nursing experience; (2) acknowledging patients' and relatives' concerns, and (3) affirming of nurses' triage decisions with primary health care doctors. <h3>Conclusions</h3> This study provides a pioneering exploration of the experiences of nurses working in a triage area within primary healthcare centres. Data generated herein afford a deeper understanding of the decision and communication involving primary healthcare triage nurses and the importance of interprofessional communication between doctors and nurses in order for them to gain understanding on their decision making process.

Quality Assessment and Validation of a Direct Observation Hand Hygiene Program

<h3>Background</h3> Hand hygiene (HH) is a critical infection prevention practice to prevent transmission of microorganisms in healthcare settings. Direct overt HH observation programs provide opportunities for direct feedback, but face concerns over potential Hawthorne effect. We sought to compare our overt HH program to covert observations and perform quality assessments. <h3>Methods</h3> During May-July 2019, covert HH observations were conducted on inpatient units of healthcare personnel (HCP) in direct contact with patients and patient surroundings. An observer was trained to perform observations using the World Health Organization's Five Moments for HH. Electronic data collection included time, unit, HCP role, moments of HH and compliance. Quality metrics included duration of alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR), hand areas missed and compliance with nail policy. Observations included varying times and days covering all shifts and roles. Data was excluded if the observer was unable to fully visualize HH or if staff became aware of observations. Simultaneously, the institutional HH overt observations continued. <h3>Results</h3> During the study period, 189 covert observations were obtained, compared to 1826 overt observations on study units. We found no significant difference (p=0.217) between the rate of compliance of overt HH observations (99%, n=1804) and covert HH observations (95%, n=179). The majority of staff were nurses (77%). The median ABHR was 6 seconds (range: 2-15 seconds), with 10% of HCP completing the recommended 15 second hand rub. Most commonly missed areas (n=48) included the fingertips (65%, n=31) and between the fingers (65%, n=31). Staff were compliant with our nail policy (98%). <h3>Conclusions</h3> We describe the validation of a direct, overt HH program. The Hawthorne Effect did not make a statistically significant difference in compliance rates and HCP maintained high compliance (>95%) whether or not they knew they were observed. Quality metrics including appropriate duration of AHBR and coverage of hands were identified as opportunities for improvement.

Exploring long-term volunteerism in a community family service centre in Singapore: A Focused Ethnographic Study.

Volunteerism contributes significantly to the social development of a country. Although the rate of volunteerism has steadily increased over the years, the numbers of regular volunteers remains small. While the existing literature has elucidated individuals' motivations for volunteerism, research is lacking on their motivations and challenges in sustaining long-term volunteerism. A focused ethnographic approach was adopted in this study to explore 20 participants' motivations and challenges towards long-term volunteerism. Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants in one single-family service centre in Singapore from October to December 2018. Data were collected through covert observations and semi-structured interviews. Field notes, observational data and findings from the interviews were triangulated and analysed through thematic analysis. In this study, a central exhaustive description of the volunteers 'providing help while receiving good deeds' is established. This was supported with three main themes revolving around the volunteers: fulfilling life goals, deriving meaning from experiences and striking a balance in the life. These themes characterised the motivations and challenges faced by them amidst their voluntary works. They reported that the satisfaction and fulfilment through volunteering had brought personal growth, well-being and happiness to them. The sense of purpose through volunteering further enhanced their experiences. Finally, some volunteers reported that volunteering enabled them to strike a balance in their own life by engaging it as a form of solace. The findings suggest that sustained volunteerism is a multidimensional construct involving the interplay of different factors in the individual's life. By understanding motivations underlying long-term volunteerism, voluntary organisations can create volunteering opportunities that dovetail with volunteers' personal goals, thus boosting their satisfaction and incentivising their sustained engagement. Additionally, the organisations can hold regular bonding activities to promote rapport among their volunteers, beneficiaries and staff, thus encouraging the volunteers to persevere on their volunteering journey.