Environmental Assessment Survey Research Articles

Examining the Relationship Between Environmental Factors and Inpatient Hospital Falls: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study.

BackgroundPatient falls are the most common adverse events reported in hospitals. Although it is well understood that the physical hospital environment contributes to nearly 40% of severe or fatal hospital falls, there are significant gaps in the knowledge about the relationship between inpatient unit design and fall rates. The few studies that have examined unit design have been conducted in a single hospital (non-Veterans Health Administration [VHA]) or a small number of inpatient units, limiting generalizability. The goal of this study is to identify unit design factors contributing to inpatient falls in the VHA.ObjectiveThe first aim of the study is to investigate frontline and management perceptions of and experiences with veteran falls as they pertain to inpatient environmental factors. An iterative rapid assessment process will be used to analyze the data. Interview findings will directly inform the development of an environmental assessment survey to be conducted as part of aim 2 and to contribute to interpretation of aim 2. The second aim of this study is to quantify unit design factors and compare spatial and environmental factors of units with higher- versus lower-than-expected fall rates.MethodsWe will first conduct walk-through interviews with facility personnel in 10 medical/surgical units at 3 VHA medical centers to identify environmental fall risk factors. Data will be used to finalize an environmental assessment survey for nurse managers and facilities managers. We will then use fall data from the VA Inpatient Evaluation Center and patient data from additional sources to identify 50 medical/surgical nursing units with higher- and lower-than-expected fall rates. We will measure spatial factors by analyzing computer-aided design files of unit floorplans and environmental factors from the environmental assessment survey. Statistical tests will be performed to identify design factors that distinguish high and low outliers.ResultsThe VA Health Services Research and Development Service approved funding for the study. The research protocol was approved by institutional review boards and VA research committees at both sites. Data collection started in February 2018. Results of the data analysis are expected by February 2022. Data collection and analysis was completed for aim 1 with a manuscript of results in progress. For aim 2, the medical/surgical units were categorized into higher- and lower-than-expected fall categories, the environmental assessment surveys were distributed to facility managers and nurse managers. Data to measure spatial characteristics are being compiled.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this study is the first to objectively identify spatial risks for falls in hospitals within in a large multihospital system. Findings can contribute to evidence-based design guidelines for hospitals such as those of the Facility Guidelines Institute and the Department of Veterans Affairs. The metrics for characterizing spatial features are quantitative indices that could be incorporated in larger scale contextual studies examining contributors to falls, which to date often exclude physical environmental factors at the unit level. Space syntax measures could be used as physical environmental factors in future research examining a range of contextual factors—social, personal, organizational, and environmental—that contribute to patient falls.International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/24974

PCA analysis of soil geochemical data and environmental assessment of the pre-mining Shuteen area, South Mongolia

There are widespread mineralized systems, occurrences, deposits that occurred in the South Gobi, Mongolia, where many of them already undergone mining activity. However, not all of them have a pre-mining environmental assessment. The Shuteen area is one of these highly prospective areas for mining; due to the porphyry copper system observed, prospecting and exploration projects have been carried out since 1980. Numerous prospecting and exploration works have been done during 1997–2007 and suspended last decade because of economic and political reasons. The area is located in a Gobi-desert environment and wind plays a main role in the transport and mobility of the elements. This research was conducted to assess the environmental condition of the area, based on soil, dry river sediment, and drinking water geochemistry. We are expecting the area has a naturally high concentration of some heavy metals in soil, concerning the geology and mineralization. The results show that the heavy metal content in the soil does not exceed the permissible limit of the Mongolian National standard on soil quality. Whereas, the water samples contain F- above the permissible limit guided in the Mongolian National Standard on drinking water quality. The unusual chemical composition of the water is related to the soil composition characteristic of the Gobi region. They are characterized by low alkali, high salinity and mineral/water ratios are high. Environmental assessment surveys determine the characterization of an areal geochemical base prior the development of later exploration or mining project, might have affect it and establish the initial environmental status.

Associations among particulate matter, hazardous air pollutants and methane emissions from the Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility during the 2015 blowout

In October of 2015, a large underground storage well at the Aliso Canyon natural gas storage facility experienced a massive methane leak (also referred to as “natural gas blowout”), which resulted in the largest ever anthropogenic release of methane from a single point source in the United States. Additional sampling conducted during the event revealed unique gas and particle concentrations in ambient air and a characteristic “fingerprint” of metals in the indoor dust samples similar to samples taken at the blowout site. We further investigated the association between the Aliso Canyon natural gas storage site and several measured air pollutants by: (a) conducting additional emission source studies using meteorological data and correlations between particulate matter, methane, and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) collected during the natural gas blowout at distances ranging from 1.2 to 7.3 km due south of well SS25, (b) identifying the unique i/n-pentane ratio signature associated with emissions from the blowout event, and (c) identifying characteristics unique to the homes that tested positive for air pollutants using data collected from extensive indoor environmental assessment surveys. Results of air quality samples collected near Aliso Canyon during the final weeks of the event revealed that elevated levels of several HAP compounds were likely influenced by the active natural gas blowout. Furthermore, the final attempts to plug the well during the days preceding the well kill were associated with particle emissions likely from the well site. Together, this investigation suggests uncontrolled leaks or blowout events at natural gas storage facilities have the potential to release harmful pollutants with adverse health and environmental consequences into proximate communities. With this evidence, our recommendations include facility-specific meteorological and air quality data-collection equipment installed at natural gas storage facilities and support of environmental surveillance after severe off-normal operation events.

The family Apseudidae Leach, 1814 (Crustacea: Tanaidacea) in the Gulf of Gabès (Mediterranean Sea): taxonomic and biogeographic remarks and description of Apseudopsis gabesi Esquete sp. nov.

Species of Apseudidae Leach, 1814 are often found in high numbers in benthic samples and represent an important element of the infaunal assemblages of the coasts of the NE Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. Precise knowledge of the species diversity, as well as accurate identification tools, is a need for obtaining reliable conclusions from benthic ecological studies and environmental assessment surveys. During a benthic survey carried out in the Gulf of Gabes (Tunisia), one Apseudes Leach, 1814 and four Apseudopsis Norman, 1899 species were identified, including one species new to science. Apseudopsis gabesi Esquete sp. nov. is distinguished from other species of the genus for having double ventral apophyses on pereonite 2, pereonites 2–6 with lateral indentations, ventral protuberances on antennule peduncle articles 2 and 3, three ventral spines on pereopod 1 propodus and no spine on merus. A ventral apophyse on cephalothorax is a newly recorded taxonomic character for Apseudopsis mediterraneus (Băcescu, 1961). Apseudopsis annabensis (Guţu, 2002) and Apseudopsis ostroumovi Băcescu and Cărăusu, 1947 are new records for Tunisian waters. Additionally, we comment on the taxonomic characters allowing the identification of the species and the diagnosis of the genus and propose the original name to Apseudes robustus Sars, 1882, and Apseudes israeliticus (Băcescu, 1961) comb. nov. is herein accepted and elevated to species rank. Additionally, the presence of abnormal numbers of spines on pereopod 1 propodus is discussed. The distribution of the Apseudopsis in the Mediterranean Sea is commented.

Study of sand wave migration over five years as observed in two windfarm development areas, and the implications for building on moving substrates in the North Sea

ABSTRACTSand waves are well known indicators of a mobile seabed. What do we expect of these features in terms of migration rates and seabed scour? We discuss these effects on seabed structures, both for the Oil and Gas and the Windfarm Industries, and consider how these impact on turbines and buried cables. Two case studies are presented. The first concerns a windfarm with a five-year gap between the planning survey and a subsequent cable route and environmental assessment survey. This revealed large-scale movements of sand waves, with the displacement of an isolated feature of 155 m in five years. Secondly, another windfarm development involved a re-survey, again over a five-year period, but after the turbines had been installed. This showed movements of sand waves of ∼50 m in five years. Observations of the scour effects on the turbines are discussed. Both sites revealed the presence of barchans. Whilst these have been extensively studied on land, there are few examples of how they behave in the marine environment. The two case studies presented show that mass transport is potentially much greater than expected and that this has implications for choosing turbine locations, the effect of scour, and the impact these sediment movements are likely to have on power cables.

Evaluation of suitability and comparability of stream assessment indices using macroinvertebrate data sets from the Northern Lakes and Forests Ecoregion

Researchers and managers within the Upper Midwest currently use a variety of sampling methodologies and biological indices to assess ecological condition of stream systems. With multiple entities collecting bioassessment data it is important that we determine the comparability of data and the indices derived from these data for effective assessment of natural systems. In this study we assessed the similarity of data collected by different agencies and we focused on data from one watershed to examine the outputs of different indices for stream assessment, and the temporal variation of index score within sites. We compared duplicate macroinvertebrate community data collected by the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality for overall community composition and index scores derived from these data. Duplicate samples were similar in composition index scores. Taxonomic resolution was addressed and indicated that genus level resolution gives a more favorable score when using indices. We also evaluated the utility of currently available macroinvertebrate indices of biotic integrity to assess data from the Big Manistee River watershed. The indices evaluated were the Hilsenhoff biotic index, the benthic community index for the Northern Lakes and Forests (NLFBCI), the Great Lakes Environmental Assessment Survey (GLEAS) procedure 51 for macroinvertebrates and a biological condition gradient model for the Upper Midwest. Outputs from the indices were moderately correlated (Spearman rank order correlation, r=0.35–0.698) though they indicated different assessments of overall site integrity. Compared with larger scale regional indices, locally calibrated indices generally classified sites as having better biological condition. Replicate samples collected within sites indicated the GLEAS had higher levels of variability (0–265%CV) within sites than the other indices (<10%CV). Data from long-term (10 year) monitoring stations were used to evaluate seasonal and long-term index performance. There were differences in index score classifications from spring and fall samples indicating that standardization of sampling time is necessary for comparative analysis. Temporal trends over 10 years reveal natural variation and set the baseline for evaluating the influence of anthropogenic effects. Overall, results indicate that choice of index can alter assessment of site condition. For bioassessment in the Big Manistee River watershed the NLFBCI performs well and accurately reflects site condition.

Use of ROVs for Deepwater-Biodiversity Assessment: Case Study, Offshore Nigeria

This article, written by Senior Technology Editor Dennis Denney, contains highlights of paper SPE 146439, ’Using Industrial Remotely Operated Vehicles in Standby Time for Deepwater-Biodiversity Assessment: A Case Study Offshore Nigeria,’ by Daniel Jones, National Oceanography Centre; Charles Mrabure, SPE, Total E&amp;P Nigeria; and Andrew Gates, National Oceanography Centre, prepared for the 2011 SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Denver, 30 October-2 November. The paper has not been peer reviewed. Very limited information is available on the deepwater biodiversity offshore Nigeria. Detailed information on seabed communities is vital for effective environmental management of offshore-drilling disturbance, but collection of environmental data usually requires a dedicated research vessel with associated high costs. An environmental-survey approach was developed that used remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) already in place on survey/supply boats during standby time in drilling operations for low-cost and high-quality operations. Introduction There is little information on the mega-benthic communities of the waters in the region of the Gulf of Guinea. Most studies focused on the Canary region to the north. The Benguela region to the south of the Gulf of Guinea also has received some attention, particularly on the shelf, slope, and the abyss. The Gulf of Guinea region is heavily exploited for natural resources, primarily hydrocarbon resources and fish, and is subject to high levels of anthropogenic effect from pollution. The environmental information is collected mostly by oil and gas companies and is not available in scientific literature. Baseline quantitative environmental information is needed for successful management of this increasingly exploited ecosystem. Typically, environmental-assessment surveys do not quantify the larger epibenthic megafauna, which are important in benthic processes. Megafauna have a valuable role in the ecosystem, particularly in dispersing and redistributing organic matter and sediment, which may be important in the recovery of benthic systems from disturbance. Deep-sea megabenthic ecology traditionally has relied on semiquantitative sampling with trawls and sledges; more-recent advances used imaging methods to obtain quantitative data. Imaging studies enable a nondestructive fine-scale survey of megabenthic abundance, diversity, and distribution and can have a much larger spatial coverage than is possible with conventional macro faunal sampling. Recent advances and application of detailed navigation technology for deep-sea studies, coupled with increasing availability of high-resolution spatially accurate acoustic data on submarine topography and sediment properties, allow the first attempts at linking fine-scale patterns in biology to the broad-scale patterns in habitat type and subsea landscape. Given the sheer size and difficulties of accessing the deep-sea environment, accurate extrapolation of the fine-scale observations with information on the important physical controls for distribution is vital to describe the important broad-scale patterns in benthic biology.

Evaluation of Alabama Public School Wellness Policies and State School Mandate Implementation

This study evaluated wellness policies created by Alabama public school districts and progress made in the implementation of Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) school food and nutrition mandates. Wellness policies from Alabama public school districts were compared to minimum requirements under the Child Nutrition and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Reauthorization Act of 2004. Additionally, data were analyzed from a survey of school district superintendents regarding compliance with ALSDE mandates. Districts were graded based on the percentage of 7 components addressed in wellness policies, and on the percentage of ALSDE mandates implemented. The majority of school districts (71%) were in compliance with all federal wellness policy requirements. An average 6.4 components were addressed, for a mean score of 92%. Mean implementation of ALSDE mandates was 79%; only 7% of districts indicated implementing all of the mandates. No significant differences were found in federal wellness policy or ALSDE mandate compliance scores based on district type, enrollment, percentage of students eligible for free and reduced-price meals, use of an environmental assessment survey, and use of wellness committee and a nutrition professional during policy development. The majority of Alabama school districts created school wellness policies with appropriate content. This does not, however, guarantee effective policies. School districts have not done as well implementing ALSDE mandates, demonstrating delay between policy creation and implementation. Future research is needed regarding progress the school districts make in the implementation of school health policy and on factors influencing that progress.

Don't KnowResponses in Environmental Surveys

Abstract Don't know responses in environmental assessment surveys pose difficulties in data interpretation. In this study, the issue of don't know responses on knowledge items in environmental surveys was addressed by ascertaining if the frequency of these responses was related to the sociodemographics of the respondents and to the types of environmental issues. The data showed fewer don't know responses when the environmental issue in question was highly observable. Gender and residence status in the community affected the propensity of respondents to give a don't know response. The findings suggest that even at the local level there is a need for a program of environmental education to help the citizenry become more informed and more involved in the decisionmaking process.