Facilities In Poland Research Articles

The IncC and IncX1 resistance plasmids present in multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli strains isolated from poultry manure in Poland

The study describes the whole-genome sequencing of two antibiotic-resistant representative Escherichia coli strains, isolated from poultry manure in 2020. The samples were obtained from a commercial chicken meat production facility in Poland. The antibiotic resistance profile was characterized by co-resistance to β-lactam antibiotics, aminoglycosides, and fluoroquinolones. The three identified resistance plasmids (R-plasmids), pECmdr13.2, pECmdr13.3, and pECmdr14.1, harbored various genes conferring resistance to tetracyclines (tetR[A]) for, aminoglycoside (aph, aac, and aad families), β-lactam (blaCMY-2, blaTEM-176), sulfonamide (sul1, sul2), fluoroquinolone (qnrS1), and phenicol (floR). These plasmids, which have not been previously reported in Poland, were found to carry IS26 insertion elements, the intI1-integrase gene, and conjugal transfer genes, facilitating horizontal gene transfer. Plasmids pECmdr13.2 and pECmdr14.1 also possessed a mercury resistance gene operon related to transposon Tn6196; this promotes plasmid persistence even without antibiotic selection pressure due to co-selection mechanisms such as co-resistance. The chicken manure–derived plasmids belonged to the IncX1 (narrow host range) and IncC (broad host range) incompatibility groups. Similar plasmids have been identified in various environments, clinical isolates, and farm animals, including cattle, swine, and poultry. This study holds significant importance for the One Health approach, as it highlights the potential for antibiotic-resistant bacteria from livestock and food sources, particularly E. coli, to transfer through the food chain to humans and vice versa.

Multi-use of small performance halls – case studies of modern cultural facilities in Poland

Contemporary architecture is expected to meet not only functional goals and high aesthetic quality, but also to take into account changing social needs, which is in line with the trend towards sustainable building. It is therefore important to consider the idea of multifunctionality when implementing new developments, especially in small towns. The subject of this paper is the analysis of three buildings in Wieliczka, Dąbrowa and Pszczyna, in which the aspect of multifunctionality was considered differently. At the same time, the discussed examples will benefit researchers, investors and designers alike, as they present specific architectural aesthetic and technological solutions related to the realization of small auditoriums – a subject that is rarely dealt with in scientific publications. The main aim of this paper was to draw attention to the need for an individual approach to the design process and a multi-criteria search for optimal design solutions for the hall, moving away from standardization. Finally, the realization of small multifunctional performance space fits in with the idea of sustainable development, which is based on combining the needs of the present generation with the ability to meet the needs of future generations.

Polish tourist facilities' engagement in the communication of the low-emission activities and sustainable development

AbstractIn 2021, Booking.com, one of the largest web portals for tourist facilities online reservations, started the Sustainable Travel Program. The main purpose behind it was to promote environmental consciousness among tourists as well as engage the tourist facilities owners to implement sustainable practices in their companies, and, as a consequence of such practices, reward them with a Sustainable Travel Badge. The objective of this research is to examine the engagement of Polish tourist facilities in low-emission and sustainable development activities. To meet the defined purpose, the research was conducted on the data about the facilities in Poland, included in the Booking.com Sustainable Travel Program. The study examines what types of facilities possess the sustainable badge more than others; in which voivodeships (provinces) of Poland there are more objects with the badge, and which Sustainable Travel Practices (out of 30) are realized more frequently. Such information may be useful when choosing a tourist destination, especially for tourists sensitive to environmental issues. The sustainable development practices introduced by Booking.com are mostly possible to be realized by large hotel enterprises. However, it is sometimes difficult to verify whether a certain practice is indeed implemented by a facility, or what exactly its implementation looks like in reality. The number of tourist objects engaged in the Booking.com Sustainable Travel Program has a low correlation with the level of wealth of the voivodeship where an object is located. It is justified by the fact that the wealthiest voivodeships in Poland are not necessarily the most attractive for tourists. The collected data can be a recommendation for both owners of tourist facilities and tourists regarding Polish regions and holiday destinations that meet the criteria of being sustainable, in accordance with the Booking.com guidelines.

Impact of COVID-19 on the functioning of medical facilities in Poland

The COVID-19 pandemic in Poland lasted from March 2020 to May 2022. As a result of the new strain of the virus, it was necessary to change the way primary health care units work. In order to allow patients to interact with medical staff, teleconsultations were introduced. This was thought to reduce the spread of the virus and reduce the risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2. Many other countries have seen a reduction in in-person visits and an increase in online doctor consultations. The aim of the study was to examine the level of services provided by medical facilities, including efficiency, effectiveness and patient satisfaction. The survey, which included 246 people, showed that most respondents used remote visits during the pandemic and more than 50% of them believe that clinics were not adequately prepared for the epidemiological situation. Despite the rapid development of technology in the medical sector, patients still prefer the traditional form of medical consultation, which they argue is more accurate and insightful for the doctor during this type of visit.

Hospital Disaster Preparedness: A Comprehensive Evaluation Using the Hospital Safety Index

Mass-casualty incidents and disaster scenarios pose significant challenges for medical facilities, necessitating robust preparedness measures. This study aimed to evaluate the preparedness of a specific medical facility in Poland, using the hospital safety index (HSI). A comprehensive analysis of structural, functional, and organizational factors was conducted, assessing facility infrastructure, technical facilities, safety standards, work organization, cooperation with external facilities, human resource management, crisis planning, and communication strategies. The facility exhibited strengths in infrastructural requirements and inter-facility cooperation. Areas of improvement included adherence to safety procedures, crisis communication, and the frequency of evacuation drills. Furthermore, recommendations were provided for enhancing nurse reserves, adopting lean management, promoting a safety culture, and refining business continuity plans. The findings should be interpreted with caution, due to the single-facility focus, potential HSI protocol subjectivity, and the possible Hawthorne effect. This study underscores the importance of continuous research and improvement in crisis management strategies and disaster-victim care, emphasizing the pivotal role of the HSI as an evaluative tool.

Analgesic use among residents of youth sociotherapy centres and youth correctional centres

Introduction and aim: International and national studies indicate that analgesic use is common among adolescents. Research projects on this issue in Poland to date have been conducted among youth attending mainstream schools. However, data on the analgesic use among adolescents attending special education institutions, i.e. youth sociotherapy centres (młodzieżowe ośrodki socjoterapii, MOS) and youth correctional centres (młodzieżowe ośrodki wychowawcze, MOW) is missing. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of analgesic use among youth attending special education centres. Materials and methods: The study was conducted in 2018 among youth aged 12–19 years from randomly selected MOS/MOW facilities in Poland (N = 1,730). Data was collected with a self-administered questionnaire. A chi-square test was used to assess differences in analgesic consumption rate by gender and facility type. Results: Approximately 60% and 44.5% of study participants used analgesics for headache and stomach-ache, respectively, at least 1–2 times in the past month. Girls are significantly more likely than boys to use medications for headache and stomach-ache. The analgesic consumption rate among MOS/MOW youth is higher than among adolescents attending mainstream schools. Conclusions: Due to the risk associated with medicine use preventive measures addressing youth should include activities aimed at improving knowledge and skills regarding safe medication use. A history of analgesic use by an adolescent should be part of a family doctor’s routine interview.

Predictors of long-term care use - informal home care recipients versus private and public facilities residents in Poland

BackgroundThe population aging, together with the shrinking caring potential of families, is a major challenge for social policy in the coming years. The aim of the study is to identify the factors that determine not only the use of long-term care (LTC) but also the selection of individual types of such care in Poland.MethodsUsing unique data collected from inpatient LTC facilities in Poland and the Survey on Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) database, we estimate logistic regressions explaining the choice of LTC solution.ResultsOur results suggest that social inequalities play a role in choosing the type of LTC. Better educated people choose private institutions, while people without support network use more often social residential homes. The impact of multimorbidity on choosing different types of inpatient facilities is limited, thus the number of ADL limitations remains a better indicator of long term care utilization.ConclusionsThe study confirms that social inequalities influence decisions about the choice of LTC. However, multi-morbidity is a predictor of using LTC to a limited extent. The differences in LTC selection determinants between women and men are noticeable.

Subjective and Objective Assessment of Recommended Physical Activity in Female Healthcare Professionals

This study aimed to compare subjective and objective measures of physical activity (PA) in healthcare professionals and assess their adherence to recommended guidelines. A convenience sample of 153 female healthcare professionals (51 nurses, 50 medical caregivers, and 52 physiotherapists) from 24 h healthcare facilities in Poland participated in the study. Subjective assessment was done using an expanded version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, while objective assessment involved wearing an Actigraph GT3X accelerometer for seven consecutive days. The results showed no significant correlation between subjective and objective measures of moderate-to-vigorous PA in both occupational and non-occupational activities. Objectively measured PA was significantly lower than self-reported PA, with a large effect size observed for both occupational and total PA. Only 44% of participants met the recommended guidelines for aerobic activity based on accelerometer data, while subjective assessment showed a higher percentage (76%) of healthcare professionals meeting the guidelines. These findings highlight the discrepancy between self-reported and objectively measured PA in healthcare professionals. It emphasizes the need for more accurate assessment methods to understand the actual PA levels of this population. Further research should explore factors influencing PA reporting accuracy and develop interventions to promote regular physical activity among healthcare professionals.

Quality costs in historic hospitality during the Covid-19 pandemic. Case studies of Jelenia Góra and Banska Bystrzyca

This publication aims to present the impact of the global Covid-19 pandemic on the quality of management of historic hotel facilities in Poland and Slovakia. A comparative analysis of historical hotels in Jelenia Góra and Banska Bystrzyca was made for publication purposes. The choice made was due to many similarities, including, in particular, the comparable size of both cities, as well as their potential for historical sites. In the theoretical part, the authors showed the specificity of the historical hotel industry in the world and discussed the concept of quality management. To achieve the assumed goals of the work, the authors conducted research in the form of a personal interview with a deliberately selected group of owners and managers of hotel facilities in Jelenia Góra and Banska Bystrzyca. The research sample consisted of about 20 hotels, 10 from each town. The empirical part of the publication presents the results of the conducted research. The research questions concerned the impact of the pandemic on the quality of hotel services and the importance of quality costs in the operation of hotels. The publication was written using compact materials, scientific publications, as well as statistical data and data obtained through a personal interview.

Opening of hotels and ski facilities: Impact on mobility, spending, and Covid-19 outcomes.

This paper investigates how reopening hotels and ski facilities in Poland impacted tourism spending, mobility, and COVID-19 outcomes. We used administrative data from a government program that subsidizes travel to show that the policy increased the consumption of tourism services in ski resorts. By leveraging geolocation data from Facebook, we showed that ski resorts experienced a significant influx of tourists, increasing the number of local users by up to 50%. Furthermore, we confirmed an increase in the probability of meetings between pairs of users from distanced locations and users from tourist and non-tourist areas. As the policy impacted travel and gatherings, we then analyzed its effect on the diffusion of COVID-19. We found that counties with ski facilities experienced more infections after the reopening. Moreover, counties strongly connected to the ski resorts during the reopening had more subsequent cases than weakly connected counties.

Psychosocial and Health Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic Experienced by Staff Employed in Social Welfare Facilities in Poland and Spain

The COVID-19 pandemic had a very significant negative impact on the physical and mental health of various professional groups. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the psychosocial and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic experienced by staff employed in social welfare institutions in Poland and Spain. The study involved 407 people, including 207 from Poland and 200 from Spain (346 women and 61 men), working in social care facilities. The research tool was the authors' questionnaire consisting of 23 closed-ended, single- or multiple-choice questions. The study has indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic had negative health and psychosocial effects on employees of social welfare facilities. In addition, it has been shown that the severity of the psychosocial and health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic differed between the countries studied. Employees from Spain statistically significantly more often declared deterioration in most of the surveyed indicators, except for mood deterioration, which was experienced more by employees from Poland than their peers from Spain.

Improving medical processes in healthcare facilities in Poland

Purpose: The work aimed to identify problems occurring in a Polish medical facility, and then to take action to improve its functioning to improve the quality of services and staff satisfaction with work in standard conditions and a crisis. Design/methodology/approach: The research identified communication bottlenecks and delays caused by them. The action was taken focused on improving communication between employees and at the level of the medical facility - patient. A strategy of actions improving logistic and organizational processes for the medical facility was adopted. Findings: The implementation of Lean Management (LM) tools in a medical facility improves its functioning, which is also evidenced by literature studies of completed projects. Research limitations/implications: The medical staff of the medical clinic was examined: communication problems were found that hinder the work and quick service of patients were found. The problems at the facility were found to be due to a lack of standards. Practical implications: Improving the efficiency of a medical facility is of particular importance during a pandemic, when work is carried out in an increased sanitary and time regime, most often with a shortage of medical staff. Social implications: The use of lean tools in health care improves the efficiency of medical staff, making them more efficient and more focused on the patient. This ultimately improves not only the comfort of work but also its safety. Originality/value: The training game for medical facilities (Koromo LeanHealtcare) developed during the research will be a tool supporting the efficient implementation of LM tools in professional medical practice. Keywords: Lean Healthcare, Lean Management, Six Sigma, Koromo Lean, flow efficiency. Category of the paper: Research paper.

Safety during medical waste transport in practice

Purpose: The aim of the article is to provide objective information about the classification of medical waste and its storage and transport based on the Silesian waste transport company – Ekomed. Generally, waste is very marginalized by society, therefore the article aims to present the further way of dealing with medical waste. Design/methodology/approach: The basic research methods were the analysis of literature on the safety of transport of medical waste, along with their categorization based on the BDO system, by example of Silesian waste transport company – EKOMED. Findings: Disposing of medical or chemical waste is a unique responsibility. Leaving such a sensitive procedure to the wrong companies or people who do not have adequate technical and personal resources may not only have dangerous consequences, but also be severely punished by applicable law. Therefore, it is worth trusting certified companies that not only have many years of experience, but also perfectly understand the responsibility of waste producers. Research limitations/implications: In the future, research will be continued in the field of medical waste transport in context of safety, especially during pandemic. Practical implications: This article provides an overview of quantitative research and diversity of medical waste from medical facilities in Poland. This review shows the importance and scale of the problem and allows for further continuation of research to manage the generated waste. The author has also noted that people generally forget about waste when they get into the bin. The main aim is to get people’s attention what is happening later with the medical waste. Originality/value: Based on empirical research, the article shows the scale of the problem that, through the new EU directives on the recycling and sustainable development, will be a forward- looking and important issue. Additionally, the article presents concepts for medical waste transport based on a Silesian company EKOMED. It’s twenty years of daily practice of transporting medical waste to the place of its disposal allowed the development of effective logistic solutions for its safe transport, which turned out to be of invaluable value during the SARS-COV-2 virus pandemic. Keywords: medical waste, transport, safety. Category of the paper: Research paper.

A crisis of exhaustion in the game of escalation: a qualitative exploration of the consequences of occupational burnout among addiction therapists.

Research shows that occupational burnout can affect health, the quality of personal relationships, and levels of job satisfaction and engagement. At the same time, the impact of individual burnout at the group and organisational levels has tended to be neglected. We aim to provide theoretical insights into the multidimensionality of burnout consequences at the individual, interpersonal and societal levels. A theory-driven, computer-assisted qualitative data analysis was conducted, comprising a thematic analysis of 40 semi- structured telephone interviews with therapists working in alcohol treatment facilities in Poland. Maximum variation sampling was used to ensure the representation of participants with different characteristics. To theorise the implications of the collected data, the different viewpoints of addiction therapists on burnout and its consequences were interpreted through the lens of Rosa's resonance theory. Four interrelated sets of consequences were identified in the data: they related to (a) the therapists themselves, (b) their patients and the therapeutic process, and - in a broader sense - (c) the therapeutic team and (d) the treatment facility. Occupational burnout in individual therapists has serious implications for their patients and colleagues. It can also lead to a reduction in the quality and ultimately the effectiveness of the treatment of alcohol use disorders leading to a negative social image of the treatment facility and thus creating a further barrier to treatment for people with alcohol-related problems. Furthermore, the complexity of the individual experience of occupational burnout and a cause-and-effect chain forms a loop, deepening the severity of its consequences.

Simulation Analysis of Heat Pumps Application for the Purposes of the Silesian Botanical Garden Facilities in Poland

Generating energy from renewable sources is becoming more and more popular and widespread. Air source heat pumps are one of the most popular types of heat pumps due to the general availability of a heat source and relatively low investment costs. The aim of the paper was to investigate the impact of the use of air heat pumps on the improvement of energy efficiency of Silesian Botanical Garden facilities in Poland. Year-round numerical analyses of energy consumption were carried out with the use of IDA ICE software, based on data received from the facility administrator. Different variants of the boiler room configuration including air-to-water heat pumps were analysed. The results showed that implementation of heat pumps led to significant decrease of energy consumption in the building and reduction of values of Primary Energy and CO2 emission.

Histamine Content in Selected Production Stages of Fish Products.

Histamine intoxication, known as scombroid fish poisoning, is caused by the consumption of foods with high levels of histamine. This biogenic amine is formed as a result of histidine decarboxylation by bacterial decarboxylases present in food, including fish and fish products. The aim of this study was to investigate the content of histamine at different production stages of canned, marinated and smoked fish. Raw fish, semi-finished fish products, and the final products of the same production batches were collected between 2019 and 2022 from different fish production facilities in Poland. A total of 133 raw fish samples and 76 smoked fish, 54 brined fish, 39 canned fish and 18 marinated fish final products were analysed using high performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector. Histamine was identified in 55 (17.2%) out of 320 tested samples, including 8 samples of raw fish with a histamine level above 100 mg/kg. However, no samples of fish products had histamine content above the European Union Commission limit. The obtained results show that fish products on the Polish market are generally safe for consumers in regard to histamine intoxication risk.

The impact of legal and organizational regulations on the nutritional behavior of patients-consumers of spa treatment services in Poland.

Health resort treatment facilities, regardless of the ownership status (public, private), most often carry out their activities based on contracts with the Polish public payer of the health care system, therefore the operation of sanatoriums is a fully-fledged element of the health care system, such as inpatient treatment, outpatient treatment and basic health care. The system designed in this way is designed to improve the organization of benefits, including by incorporating new useful organizational and legal tools. Thus, health education, along with its nutritional aspect, which is its inseparable part, is a perfect example of how to positively influence the behavior of consumers of spa treatment services. The structure of the study included the desk research method related to the consolidation and processing of information on applicable legal regulations and an individual in-depth, structured interview, using an original interview scenario. Based on the deliberate selection of the sample, 14 interviews were conducted. The interlocutors were representatives of the management of spa treatment facilities, academics and representatives of non-governmental organizations. The interview included functional and organizational, financial, competence and substantive aspects related to the implementation of nutritional education in spa treatment facilities in Poland. The use of a structured interview with experts made it possible to present the area of health education, including nutrition, in a broad light of the knowledge and experience of health care practitioners and theorists. Opinions were obtained on the optimal methods of assessing the effectiveness of education in the conditions of spa treatment and a set of system and organizational recommendations. Reporting of the results was presented using the COREQ checklist. It is justified to consider broadly understood health education in spa treatment facilities as a kind of wholesome health service, which may constitute effective systemic support for health policy and, consequently, increase the importance of prophylaxis and improve the health condition of the population. Such a legislative change will force organizational changes that may ultimately lead to a change in eating habits. Moreover, it is highly useful to use the potential of paramedical professionals, including dieticians, health educators and health promotion specialists.

Possible Interdisciplinar Standard for the Care of Pregnant Women Living with HIV-Polish Experience.

HIV data for 2020 show a decline in the number and rate of new HIV cases diagnosed in the EU during the last decade. The COVID-19 pandemic has paralyzed the functioning of healthcare facilities in Poland and worldwide, also impacting the detection of HIV infection. Early diagnosis of HIV and implementation of antiretroviral treatment limit HIV transmission. A woman with HIV diagnosed during pregnancy should be under the care of a specialist in infectious diseases experienced in antiretroviral treatment. In this way, she will be properly protected during the delivery, and relevant medications can be implemented for the newborn baby. Taking these aspects into account, the medical team should consist of: A specialist in infectious diseases, an obstetrician, a neonatologist and pediatrician, a midwife, and a dermato-venereologist. Every effort should be made to increase the scope and quality of monitoring of the spread of the epidemic in Poland, with special emphasis on diagnostics based on specific tests among populations particularly exposed to HIV infections cooperating with non-governmental organizations.

Analysis of the medical personnel's views on keeping records in an electronic form

The aim of this article is to collect and compare opinions of medical personnel on electronic medical records (EMR) systems used in health care facilities in Poland, both in outpatient (i.e. urgent care) and in inpatient (i.e. clinics and hospitals).

Revitalization of Post-Industrial Facilities in Economic and Socio-Cultural Perspectives—A Comparative Study between Poland and the USA

The article presents selected post-industrial heritage sites in Poland and the USA. Comparative studies conducted by the authors concern economic, financial and socio-cultural aspects. The research methods used include a diagnostic survey and analysis of financial documents of selected post-industrial facilities in Poland and the USA. The authors carried out financial analyses of the functioning of selected post-industrial cultural heritage facilities. The aims of the diagnostic survey were to examine public opinion regarding the financing of post-industrial facilities and the interest of young people in post-industrial monuments. Furthermore, the researchers aimed to identify potential customers and determine the most effective methods of promoting post-industrial cultural objects and post-industrial tourism. These research results can be used by authorities managing post-industrial cultural monuments as a guideline for designing marketing activities and segmenting the market for post-industrial tourism services. This will allow marketing information to reach defined target groups more effectively. Surveys showed that respondents from both countries agreed about the need to protect post-industrial heritage. Significant differences in opinions concerned interest in post-industrial tourist offerings. In Poland, 88% of respondents believed that post-industrial facilities can arouse the interest of tourists, whereas only 28% of respondents believed so in the USA. This article considers the development of post-industrial tourism and the revitalization of post-industrial facilities from the new perspective of potential users.