Staff Knowledge Research Articles

Analyzing the influence of smart and digital manufacturing on cost stickiness: A study of U.S. manufacturing firms

In the digital economy, smart and digital manufacturing has become an essential tool for firms to increase their industrial intelligence in recent years. This research uses data from U.S. manufacturing firms from 2011 to 2021 to investigate the effect of smart and digital manufacturing and its mechanism on firm cost stickiness. The findings demonstrate that the adoption of smart and digital manufacturing negatively impacts a firm's cost stickiness, suggesting that the adoption of smart and digital manufacturing has a deterrent effect on cost stickiness. Mechanism test results show that smart and digital manufacturing primarily lowers the cost stickiness of businesses by enhancing resource allocation effectiveness and improving information processing capabilities. Smart and digital manufacturing has a significantly stronger inhibitory effect on cost stickiness compared to collaborative smart and digital manufacturing modes. According to the examination of heterogeneity variables, firms with higher staff knowledge levels and non-SOE status experience a more pronounced inhibitory effect of smart and digital manufacturing on their cost stickiness. The value effect analysis indicates that smart and digital manufacturing eventually increases a company's present and future performance, enhancing long-term value by reducing cost stickiness. This study offers guidance and insights for the development of firm operational strategies and the promotion of national industrial intelligence policies.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of non-ophthalmic medical staff toward myopia-related fundus lesions

This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of non-ophthalmic medical staff towards myopia-related fundus lesions. This multicenter, cross-sectional study enrolled non-ophthalmic medical staff of Suining City between January and May 2023 using a self-designed questionnaire. A total of 505 (93.19%) valid questionnaires were included. Their mean KAP scores were 8.10 ± 2.32 (range: 0–12), 20.27 ± 2.68 (range: 0–24), and 17.77 ± 5.04 (range: 0–28), respectively. Structural equation modeling indicated that knowledge has a positive effect on attitude (β = 0.307, P < 0.001), and attitude has a positive effect on practice (β = 0.604, P < 0.001). Moreover, a higher degree of myopia exhibited a positive effect on knowledge (β = 0.510, P < 0.001). Nurses and other medical staff showed a negative effect on knowledge (β = − 0.706, P < 0.001) compared to doctors. Working in secondary and tertiary public hospitals, as well as private hospitals, demonstrated a negative effect on practice (β = − 1.963, P < 0.001) compared to those working in primary hospitals. Non-ophthalmic medical staff exhibited moderate knowledge, positive attitudes, and moderate practices toward myopia-related fundus lesions. The degree of myopia, doctors vs. other medical staff, and the hospital level influence the KAP of non-ophthalmic medical staff.

Tingkat Pengetahuan dan Sikap Pada Penerapan Hygiene Perorangan Pengolahan Makanan di Hotel Bumi Senyiur Samarinda

Personal hygiene is an action to maintain cleanliness and health, both physical and psychological. The goal is to maintain cleanliness, prevent contamination of dangerous bacteria from the body to the food being processed, and prevent disease. The aim of this research is to determine the level of knowledge and attitudes of food processing staff regarding the implementation of personal hygiene. This research is survey research, survey research is research that takes samples from a population and uses questionnaires as a data collection tool, one of the uses of survey research is for descriptive purposes. The sample is 12 food processing staff who work at the Bumi Senyiur Samarinda Hotel. Data collection uses questionnaires, questionnaires and observations. Analysis uses descriptive. Based on the results of descriptive analysis research, staff knowledge was 66.7% and staff attitude was 75%. For observation results, food processors got a value of 66.7%. In this way, the researchers found that the level of knowledge and attitudes of food processors at the Bumi Senyiur Samarinda Hotel generally obtained good results

Integration Experiences of International Students: A Case Study of Sub-Saharan Students in a Moroccan School of Design and Engineering

An increasing number of international Students opt for studying at a university in a foreign country. It is believed that this mobility makes these students face academic and social integrating challenges in their new learning environment. In Morocco, thousands of students, who are scholarship-granted by the Moroccan government, coming from different countries, chiefly from Sub-Saharan Africa seek education in different universities of the kingdom. The main aim of this study extends its focus to explore two outcomes. Particularly, it investigates the social and academic integration experiences of a case study of international students undertaking an undergraduate programme at a Moroccan school of design and engineering along with the challenges these students encounter. Moreover, the study situates these experiences within the institutional conscious efforts that are implemented to achieve an integrational goal. Data were collected from a case study in spring 2019 by interviewing 20 Sub-Saharan students studying at the Moroccan Design and Technology engineering school in Meknes (ENSAM: Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Arts et Métiers) and 3 of the school staff members. Using thematic analysis and then interpretative phenomenology as a guiding framework to analyse and present the data, the findings revealed that the study's participants have experienced both their social and academic integrative patterns at the school in the same way. Indeed, three major themes were identified and analysed, namely, Programmes promoted by ENSAM on integration, relationship patterns between Sub-Saharan and Moroccan students and barriers to integration. The study revealed that the various integration efforts carried out by the school do not sufficiently cater for Sub-Saharan students' perspectives on their social and academic integration experiences. Additionally, staff knowledge regarding the integration of these minority groups is not adequately enhanced through pre-service training that covers best practices for successful integration. Language barrier and interaction patterns between Sub-Saharan students with their host ones are also found to influence Sub-Saharan students' social and academic integration. It is suggested that Moroccan Higher education institutions (HEIs) should acknowledge integration as a long and challenging process for Sub-Saharan students, and that an evaluation of integrative practices promoted at the school is needed.

Efficient Biomedical Waste Management- Need of the Time: A Lesson Learnt From COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: Medical waste management (MWM) is of concern to the medical and general com-munity. Adequate knowledge regarding the management of healthcare waste is an important precursor to the synthesis of appropriate attitudes and practices of proper handling and disposal of medical waste by healthcare workers (HCWs). This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of doctors, nurses, laboratory technicians, and housekeeping staff, regarding BMW management at a tertiary hospital in Telangana.Subjects and Method: This was a cross‑sectional study carried out at a tertiary health care center in Mahbubnagar district, Telangana, India. A stratified sampling technique was used to select the different cadre of healthcare providers from the hospital. A self‑administered questionnaire assessing the knowledge, attitude, and practices of 300 study participants was prepared. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 26. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data.Results: The majority of respondents were nursing staff 43% (143/300) followed by doctors, interns, sanitation workers, and lab technicians. About 3/4th of the HCWs had experience of more than 3 years. Only 65% of the doctors have correct knowledge of the colour coding of bags. About only 20% of the nursing staff practiced segregation of the waste on-site. The practice of hand washing was significantly higher among female HCWs (p = 0.010).Conclusion: This study showed that there is a clear lack of BMW management among the HCW especially class IV staff who handle a large. Thus ongoing training should be provided to HCWs on MWM, with more attention to knowledge of regulatory requirements, and involvement of HCWs in the development of MWM policies to enhance compliance.

Geographical targeting of active case finding for tuberculosis in Pakistan using hotspots identified by artificial intelligence software (SPOT-TB): study protocol for a pragmatic stepped wedge cluster randomised control trial

IntroductionPakistan has significantly strengthened its capacity for active case finding (ACF) for tuberculosis (TB) that is being implemented at scale in the country. However, yields of ACF have been lower...

Effectiveness of a Community-Based Ostomy Nursing Technique to Enhance the Delivery of Patient Care and Quality of Life

ABSTRACT This study aimed to develop and validate a community-based ostomy care training program for nursing staff, with the goal of enhancing their ostomy nursing competencies and improving patient satisfaction. Between March 2021 and October 2021, 20 registered nurses and 50 patients with enterostomy surgery who took part in the promotion of a new nursing technique in five community health service centers in the Wuxing District, Huzhou City, were enrolled in this study (forming the intervention group). In addition, 15 registered nurses and 40 patients with enterostomy surgery from four community health service centers with similar economic and health conditions in the same area were randomly selected as the control group. All community health service centers were independent institutions. The indexes before and after the promotion of the technique were compared, and the effectiveness of the training was evaluated by observing the improvement in nursing skills and changes in patient quality of life after the training. The “quality-of-life scale” was used to analyze the quality of life of patients who had undergone colostomy surgery. The new approach to ostomy care delivered in a community setting was found to improve staff knowledge and skill in ostomy care (p < 0.001), improve the quality-of-life scores of patients and reduce patient travel time and medical expenses. The promotion of ostomy nursing techniques in community health service centers has several benefits. It improves the ostomy nursing skill levels of community medical staff. This reduces the occurrence of ostomy complications. Additionally, it establishes an effective connection between tertiary hospitals and community health service centers. This connection is conducive to better nursing care for patients who have undergone ostomy surgery. The hospital – community – family nursing model can improve self-management abilities and reduce the incidence of complications of enterostomies.

Decreasing Premedication for Blood Transfusions: A Quality Improvement Project.

Premedication administration to patients who are to receive blood transfusions continues despite evidence of a lack of benefit when given to prevent febrile nonhemolytic or mild allergic transfusion reactions. Reviews of ordering practices and staff surveys on an adult inpatient hematology-oncology unit in our multisite oncology medical center indicated a lack of standardization and overuse of premedication in blood transfusions and a lack of knowledge of when it was appropriate to use premedication. A literature search was performed, and the evidence led to a proposal for a quality improvement (QI) project focused on development of an evidence-based algorithm to guide clinicians in when to administer which premedication, development of clear documentation for premedication plans, integration of the documented premedication plans into electronic orders for blood products, and staff education. Interventions included a hospital-wide algorithm and an electronic order to be integrated with a premedication plan for each patient on the adult hematology-oncology unit. Seven months after implementation of the intervention, premedication use among patients decreased by 57.6%, and the transfusion reaction rate decreased from 1% to 0.8%. Staff knowledge as measured by responses to pre- and postintervention surveys on the appropriate use of premedication also improved. Evidence-based interventions can reduce the incidence of premedication use in patients receiving blood transfusions.

Evaluation of Current and Future Medical Staff Knowledge on the Course of Trauma Patient Management.

Management of injuries, especially in life-threatening situations, is critical to morbidity and mortality for trauma patients. The qualifications of medical staff and students in medicine, emergency medical services, and nursing help to ensure consistent, high-quality care for patients. The study aimed to assess the knowledge of our staff and learners in the management of trauma patients. The study was carried out using a proprietary research tool consisting of 47 questions, including six independent variables. The knowledge assessment tool has been divided into five categories according to the degree of difficulty. The questions have been created based on the current guidelines of the ERC 2021, ITLS, PTLS, and TCCC. The study included 295 subjects (medical students, nursing students, students of emergency medical services, physicians, paramedics, and nurses). The vast majority of respondents (79.7%) have never participated in a certified trauma course. Respondents could obtain a total of 117 points for answering all questions. The highest score was 111 points, and the lowest was 26 points. The average score was 63 points. Paramedics received the highest average score of 78 points. The question with the smallest number of correct answers concerned the priority procedure in the case of an electric shock victim. Better training in trauma patient management is needed for both current medical staff and students. A certified trauma course is a good source of knowledge and skills, but it would need to be repeated periodically. This would ensure an increase in the competence of medical staff involved in the care of trauma patients.

The impact of sensory modulation in acute mental health units: an organisational case study analysis

PurposeSensory modulation intervention involves using calming and grounding sensory stimuli to support coping with distress and intense emotions. Evaluating the impact of sensory modulation is challenging in inpatient settings due to the numerous variables influencing outcomes in ward environments. This study aims to determine the impact of sensory modulation across all organisational levels including service users, staff confidence and attitudes, ward climate and seclusion events.Design/methodology/approachOrganisational case studies were conducted in two Aotearoa New Zealand inpatient mental health services, using qualitative and quantitative data to explore the effects of a sensory modulation programme.FindingsResults showed that sensory modulation enhanced staff knowledge and confidence in fostering therapeutic relationships and reducing restrictive practices, positively impacted ward climate and provided service users with sensory strategies to use in everyday life.Practical implicationsThe findings captured the complexity of implementation and impact of sensory modulation programmes at individual, group and organisational levels. It is important to recognise the influencing factors and impact of sensory modulation across all levels of service delivery.Originality/valueOrganisational case study methodology offered a unique approach to evaluating the impact of sensory modulation within inpatient mental health services. Data analysis suggests that in addition to managing acute service user distress, sensory modulation impacts broader staff, team and service level outcomes.

Policy and Practice with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer (LGBTQ+) Care-Experienced Young People—A National Survey of Local Authorities in England

Abstract There is scant research on the experiences and needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer/questioning young people growing up in care in the UK. This article reports on a national survey of local authorities (LAs) in England, which aimed to explore what data LAs collect relating to sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as exploring existing LA policies and practices in relation to LGBTQ+ young people growing up in out-of-home care. The survey asked about policy, recording, support and training. Respondents were senior managers in LAs with responsibility for looked after children. The survey response rate was 78 per cent (n = 118). The survey found a lack of specific policy relating to this population and little central recording of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data, although most LAs suggested information would be recorded in individual case records. LAs described a variety of ways in which they supported LGBTQ+ young people in practice at both individual and organisational levels but highlighted a lack of staff knowledge and confidence. Training provision was more likely to be provided for social workers than for foster carers or residential staff. Implications for practice are discussed.

Exploring the implementation of whole school emotionally based school non-attendance (EBSN) guidance in a secondary school

Aim:This research aims to explore the implementation of whole school guidance for Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSN).Method/Rationale:School attendance is an area of increasing concern and many local authorities have produced guidance to support schools and others in their practice. How such guidance is implemented is likely to have a key influence on improving outcomes however, available implementation frameworks tend to focus on time-limited, specific universal or group programmes with little guidance on the implementation of more complex multi-component whole school approaches. Action research within a mainstream secondary school in the Northwest of England was used to explore the implementation of EBSN guidance through the following research question: What do school staff perceive as key factors (facilitators and barriers) influencing implementation of EBSN guidance in their school context?Findings:Key factors identified as influencing implementation in the school context were leadership and compatibility of practice and expectations; staff knowledge, perceptions and attitudes; and resources. These themes require communication, cohesion and consistency, and they sit within the current context and its internal and external systems, including parents and the community.Limitations:Initial stages of implementation are explored but timescales did not allow for exploration of how implementation of the guidance would be sustained.Conclusions:Key reflections are explored, and findings are used to further delineate a recently developed framework relating to facilitators and barriers to implementing whole school approaches. Implications for practice and future research are outlined.

Evaluating staff knowledge on pediatric parenteral drug administration: A call for enhanced training programs

Evaluating staff knowledge on pediatric parenteral drug administration: A call for enhanced training programs

Системный подход к оценке качества образовательных услуг

The subject of the study is the process of assessing the quality of education. The purpose of the work is to study the problems and features of the process of evaluating educational services. The objective of the research is to develop a system for assessing the quality of educational services provided. The novelty of the research is that the assessment of educational potential is formed as an integral quality assessment, which includes a variety of educational services, the experience and knowledge of the teaching staff, the quality of the material and technical base, the available classroom fund and the quality of educational and methodological support. Conclusions: to objectively assess the quality of education, it is necessary to take into account the opportunities provided for the learning process, the availability of qualified personnel capable of training specialists, and also make predictive assessments for the further development of the level of education.

The effectiveness of non-attendance triage training based on the ESI-IV system on the knowledge and ability of pre-hospital emergency staff in the academic hospitals of Ahvaz Jundishapur university of medical sciences

Introduction: In recent decades, E-learning has gained widespread recognition globally as a vital application of information and communication technology. Objectives: The present study investigated the effectiveness of non-attendance triage training based on the ESI-IV system on the knowledge and ability of pre-hospital emergency staff. Patients and Methods: This study was a semi-experimental interventional study, and the study population consisted of the pre-hospital emergency staff of Ahvaz university of medical sciences academic hospitals in 2021. The study tool was a questionnaire on the awareness and performance of the triage system of hospital emergency (ESI). Initially, both questionnaires were completed, and submitted the triage training file to the intervention group. Two weeks after the first phase—completion of the questionnaire for the first time— and the study of the file by the subjects, the questionnaire was completed again by the intervention group, and the data of both groups were compared. Results: According to the results, the mean of awareness and decision-making in the control group before and after the intervention was (11.8, 10.85, and 13.82) and (7.51, 7.36, and 8.86) respectively. The results indicate that non-attendance triage training based on the ESI-IV system was effective in the knowledge and ability of the pre-hospital emergency personnel had a positive and significant impact, and remains at a good level. Conclusion: The present results of the research indicate that the use of non-attendance training as an effective method can improve interns’ knowledge and ability.

Improvement of family-centered care in the pediatric rehabilitation ward: a participatory action research.

The improved life expectancy of children with disability in recent years has led to their increased request for using lifelong rehabilitation services. Family-centered care (FCC) is a model with potential positive effects on the rehabilitation of children with disability. The present study aimed at improving FCC in the pediatric rehabilitation ward. This participatory action research was conducted in 2021-2023 in the pediatric rehabilitation ward of a hospital in Tehran, Iran. Participants were 16 rehabilitation staff and 48 mothers recruited via convenient and purposive sampling methods. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and the 20-item and the 27-item Measures of the Processes Of Care (MPOC). Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis as well as the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and the Wilcoxon's tests. The major barrier to the implementation of FCC was staff and family limited knowledge about the importance and the benefits of FCC and the best facilitator to change was improvement of their knowledge. Therefore, an action plan based on staff and family education was designed and implemented. Participants' positive experiences of the plan were improvement of satisfaction, knowledge, collaboration, and coordination in care and their negative experiences were educational problems and dissatisfaction with the ward atmosphere. The strengths of the plan were adequate number of staff, long enough hospital stay of children, chronic course of disability, and mothers' previous experiences. Its weaknesses were the long course of a single action plan cycle, exclusive focus on education, and the high risk of plan termination after the study. The practical problems of the study were also small physical space of the ward, transfer of some trained staff to other wards, and child discharge from the hospital. Staff and family limited knowledge about the importance and the benefits of FCC is a major barrier to effective FCC. Continuous education as well as family and staff collaboration may improve FCC in pediatric rehabilitation ward.

An Investigation of the Knowledge of Infection Control Practices Held by Healthcare Professionals.

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), arising from inadequate hygiene practices, significantly increase morbidity and mortality rates in hospitalized patients. This descriptive study involved 350 healthcare workers from private hospitals in Wuhan, China. Participants responded to a questionnaire with close-ended questions, distributed physically and via email. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0. The analysis indicated a gap in healthcare workers' knowledge of infection control, affecting hospital hygiene standards. About 60% of respondents hold a diploma or higher qualification. The findings underscore the importance of targeted training and educational initiatives in infection control procedures. A significant factor in hospitals' inadequate hygiene practices is the gap in staff training and knowledge.

KNOWLEDGE TOWARDS THE PREVENTION OF SURGICAL SITE INFECTION AND SOME ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG MEDICAL STAFF WORKING AT 19-8 HOSPITAL, MILITARY OF PUBLIC SECURITY IN 2020

Objectives: To assess knowledge and some associated factors toward surgical site infection (SSI) prevention among medical staff working at 19-8 Hospital, Ministry of Public Security in 2020. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study analysing 189 medical staff in 10 surgical departments in 19-8 Hospital, Ministry of Public Security by direct interview. Results: The percentage of medical staff that had good knowledge about SSI prevention was found to be 83.6%. 75.1% of participants had good preoperative knowledge while 72% of them had good postoperative knowledge. Taking more than 3 times on SSI prevention training programs were found to be significantly associated with the knowledge regarding SSI prevention (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: Knowledge of medical staff in 19-8 Hospital, Ministry of Public Security was quite sufficient, indicating the need for ongoing training programs for medical staff to preserve or enhance their understanding of infection prevention.

Case study on a scientific oral history project using information practice analysis

Introduction. This investigation explored 21st century stewardship of a late 20th century scientific oral history project through the lens of information practice. Oral history project stewardship and reuse are understudied. Literature review. Oral histories foreground human agency in the world. Often studied singly, many reflect an oral history project’s historiographic context. Stewardship documentation by multiple stakeholders accrues over time. The author developed an information practice analysis tool for systematic exploration of oral history stewardship documentation. Method. A case study approach and qualitative content analysis techniques guided investigation of documentation for an oral history project held at Science History Institute in Philadelphia. Textual data was collected for a purposive sample. Analysis and results. Multiple stakeholders’ documentation schema for the purposive sample were analysed in Excel and Word. Results coded five information work models for stakeholder information practices. Discussion. The information work models portrayed stakeholder information practices as mechanisms for stability in the stewardship of contextual assets, and mechanisms for transformation through staff knowledge, as situational assets. Conclusion. Information practice analysis of oral history stewardship in this case study systematised stakeholders’ and user perspectives on access. Implications for theory development lie in leveraging the stability and transformative agency of stewardship and reuse.

Capacities and needs of health care facilities for schistosomiasis diagnosis and management in elimination settings

BackgroundSchistosomiasis is a debilitating neglected tropical disease endemic in sub-Saharan Africa. The role of health facilities in the prevention, diagnosis, control, and elimination of schistosomiasis is poorly documented. In a setting targeted for schistosomiasis elimination in Zanzibar, we assessed the prevalence of Schistosoma haematobium among patients seeking care in a health facility and investigated schistosomiasis-related knowledge of staff, and health facilities’ capacities and needs for schistosomiasis diagnosis and management.MethodsWe conducted a health facility-based mixed-method study on Pemba Island from June to August 2023. Patients aged ≥ 4 years seeking care in four health facilities were screened for S. haematobium infection using urine filtration and reagent strips. Those patients aged ≥ 10 years were additionally interviewed about signs and symptoms. Staff from 23 health facilities responded to a questionnaire assessing knowledge and practices. Ten staff participated in a focus group discussion (FGD) about capacities and needs for schistosomiasis diagnosis and management.ResultsThe prevalence of S. haematobium infection in patients attending the health facilities, as determined by the presence of eggs in urine, was 1.1% (8/712). Microhaematuria was detected in 13.3% (95/712) of the patients using reagent strips. Among patients responding to the questionnaire, pelvic pain, pain during sex, and painful urination were reported by 38.0% (237/623), 6.3% (39/623), and 3.2% (20/623), respectively. Among the health facility staff, 90.0% (44/49) and 87.8% (43/49) identified blood in urine and pelvic pain, respectively, as symptoms of urogenital schistosomiasis, 81.6% (40/49) and 93.9% (46/49) reported collecting a urine sample and pursuing a reagent strip test, respectively, for diagnosis, and 87.8% (43/49) administered praziquantel for treatment. The most reoccurring themes in the FGD were the need for more staff training about schistosomiasis, requests for diagnostic equipment, and the need to improve community response to schistosomiasis services in health facilities.ConclusionsThe prevalence of S. haematobium infection in patients seeking care in health facilities in Pemba is very low and similar to what has been reported from recent community-based cross-sectional surveys. The health facility staff had good schistosomiasis-related knowledge and practices. However, to integrate schistosomiasis patient management more durably into routine health facility activities, scalable screening pathways need to be identified and capacities need to be improved by regular staff training, and an unbroken supply of accurate point-of-care diagnostics and praziquantel for the treatment of cases.Graphical abstract