Number Of Accreditation Research Articles

67-LB: Factor Structure and Effects of Illness Perception on Depression and Anxiety in Patients with Diabetes

Objective: Illness perception represents how a patient perceives his or her health and illness. The Brief Illness Perception Scale (BIPQ; Broadbent et al. 2006) is often used to assess illness perception. However, the factor structure of the BIPQ is inconsistent across studies. The present study aimed to confirm the factor structure of the BIPQ in diabetic patients and to examine its impact on depression and anxiety. Methods: Patients with diabetes (N = 340, type 1: 39. type 2; 296, others: 5) provided demographic and clinical information and completed the Japanese version of the BIPQ, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder -7. This research was conducted with the approval of Waseda University's Ethics Review Committee on Human Studies (Accreditation Number: 2021-351). Results: We eliminated one item on the timeline because of the ceiling effect. Then, we conducted an exploratory factor analysis and adopted a two-factor structure. Moreover, a confirmatory factor analysis with the same two-factor structure indicated the sufficient model fit (GFI = .93, AGFI = .86, CFI = .87) Furthermore, from multiple regression analyses, assessed the effects of "Impact on daily life" and "Sense of control", the two factors we named, on depression and anxiety indicated a significant coefficient of determination (R 2 = .31, p < .001, R 2 = .30, p < .001). Additionally, the Impact on daily life (β = .36, p < .01, β = .29, p < .01) and the Sense of control (β = - .29, p < .001, β = -.23, p < .001) had significant effects on depression and anxiety. Conclusion: The results supported the two-factor structure of the BIPQ, similar to that for cancer survivors (Hata et al., 2020), even though we eliminated one item. Illness perception in patients with diabetes consists of the impact of the disease on their daily lives and their sense of control over diabetes and its symptoms. Improving these perceptions would reduce depression and anxiety. Disclosure E. Tajima: None. K. Hata: None. S. Suzuki: None. Funding Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (19J22933)

Using an ePRO tool to help meet quality metric reporting standards: Screening for tobacco usage and falls risk.

e19191 Background: ASCO has implemented the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI), a certification program established to evaluate oncology practice performance. Also, a growing number of accreditation (JCAHO) and merit-based organizations (MIPS) maintain falls risk assessment standards. Practices often lack the necessary resources to comply with required metric reporting standards. The study purpose was to document the effectiveness of using an electronic Patient Reported Outcome (ePRO) system to facilitate compliance with a core QOPI standard, documentation of smoking status by second office visit, and with JCAHO and MIPS falls risk assessment. Methods: This study used a retrospective, observational design with ePRO collected via the Patient Care Monitor (PCM), a web-based ePRO system linked to electronic medical record data. All study data were collected as part of routine clinical care at a community oncology practice during an 11-month interval (1/2019–11/2019). Patients at an initial clinic visit completed a tobacco usage survey and a brief falls risk survey on the PCM platform via a handheld e-tablet. Results: Overall, 6,613 unique patients completed the PCM survey (mean age 59; 33% male/67% female; 55.4% White, 38% Black). Cancer type was known for a subset of patients (22% breast, 9% hematologic, 4% lung, 5% colorectal, 3% prostate, 11% other types). Across the collected PRO measures, there was an over 98% completion rate with only 1-2% missing data. A relatively significant proportion (51%) indicated they had never used tobacco products and 15% indicated that they were current users. Among patients who ever used tobacco products, 34% indicated they smoked cigarettes, 4% smoked cigars, and 3% used electronic cigarettes. Over a fifth of patients (22%) indicated they had at least one fall over six months; 10% indicated having experienced one fall; 6% indicated two falls; 6% indicated 3 falls or more. 17% indicated they use an ambulatory aid and 12% reported a recent fall within the past 3 months. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that using an ePRO system is an effective way to screen for tobacco usage and falls risk and can be used to: 1) monitor health-related behaviors to enhance physician-patient communication; 2) provide an audit trail for QOPI, JCAHO, MIPS and other quality metric reporting. Automated collection of PRO data allows the healthcare team to focus their clinical time on patients showing increased risk. Overall, an ePRO system contributes to creating a culture of excellence at community oncology practices.

Impact of HIV/simian immunodeficiency virus infection and viral proteins on adipose tissue fibrosis and adipogenesis

HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) often present adipose tissue accumulation and/or redistribution. adipose tissue has been shown to be an HIV/SIV reservoir and viral proteins as Tat or Nef can be released by infected immune cells and exert a bystander effect on adipocytes or precursors. Our aim was to demonstrate that SIV/HIV infection per se could alter adipose tissue structure and/or function. Morphological and functional alterations of subcutaneous (SCAT) and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) were studied in SIV-infected macaques and HIV-infected ART-controlled patients. To analyze the effect of Tat or Nef, we used human adipose stem cells (ASCs) issued from healthy donors, and analyzed adipogenesis and extracellular matrix component production using two dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) culture models. Adipocyte size and index of fibrosis were determined on Sirius red-stained adipose tissue samples. Proliferating and adipocyte 2D-differentiating or 3D-differentiating ASCs were treated chronically with Tat or Nef. mRNA, protein expression and secretion were examined by RT-PCR, western-blot and ELISA. SCAT and VAT from SIV-infected macaques displayed small adipocytes, decreased adipogenesis and severe fibrosis with collagen deposition. SCAT and VAT from HIV-infected ART-controlled patients presented similar alterations. In vitro, Tat and/or Nef induced a profibrotic phenotype in undifferentiated ASCs and altered adipogenesis and collagen production in adipocyte-differentiating ASCs. We demonstrate here a specific role for HIV/SIV infection per se on adipose tissue fibrosis and adipogenesis, probably through the release of viral proteins, which could be involved in adipose tissue dysfunction contributing to cardiometabolic alterations of HIV-infected individuals.

Current American landscape in laboratory accreditation according to ISO/IEC 17025

The number of laboratories worldwide seeking accreditation has increased considerably in the last years. These laboratories are from different institutions, some of them higher education institutions (HEIs) and research institutes. The aim of this work is to present the current landscape of accreditation of testing and calibration laboratories, according to ISO/IEC 17025 standard, in the American Continent (North, Central and South America). Data on accredited laboratories were taken from the Web sites of accreditation bodies signatories to the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation Mutual Recognition Arrangement. The accredited laboratories were classified by institution type. Countries with a high number of accredited HEI laboratories were identified, as well as a correlation between gross domestic product and total number of accredited laboratories. North American countries have the highest total numbers of accredited laboratories, except for Brazil in South America. This survey highlights strategies and activities adopted in some countries that resulted in high number of accredited HEI laboratories.

간호학과 실습생이 관찰한 간호사의 환자안전 간호활동 수행 정도

Purpose: Objective of this study was to investigate how often nurses to perform patient safety activities. Methods: 521 observations were collected in 9 hospitals by 107 nursing students. Nurses' patient safety care activities were measured 0 (not at all) to 10 (all the time) scores. Descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one way ANOVA, correlation, multiple regression used to analyse data. Results: Items like 'Initial nursing assessment', 'drug management bring on', 'preparation for radiology test', 'falls assessment', 'nursing record' got high scores. But, scores of 'patient identification', 'verbal order management', 'hand hygiene' were lower than others. Each scores were different significantly according to institutions and departments. Within a same institution, the variance of scores, especially in 'patient identification', 'hand hygiene' were great. Scores of activities were different according to characteristics of institutions like type, location, number of beds, teaching hospital, number of accreditation, JCI accreditation. Predictors influencing nurses' patient safety activities were type, location and accreditation. These predictors account for 19.4% of variance. Conclusion: Performance of nurses' patient safety activities were different significantly according to characteristics of institutions. The important items like 'patient identification', 'hand hygiene' had achieved lowest performance. Further researches are needed to improve the basic safety activities.

In-vivo comparison of chemically polished vs. unpolished magnesium-based screws in ovine tibiae

Event Abstract Back to Event In-vivo comparison of chemically polished vs. unpolished magnesium-based screws in ovine tibiae Leopold Berger1, Johannes Eichler2, Martina Cihova3, Elisabeth Martinelli2, Claudia Kleinhans2, Jörg Löffler3 and Annelie-Martina Weinberg2 1 TU Wien, Institute for Building Construction and Technology, Austria 2 Medical University of Graz, Department of Orthopaedic and Orthopaedic Surgery, Austria 3 ETH Zurich, Laboratory of Metal Physics and Technology, Department of Materials, Switzerland Introduction: Magnesium (Mg) and its alloys possess ideal characteristics in mecha­nical properties and biological acceptance, and thus are of great promise for deployment as implant material, particularly in surgical stabi­lisation of bone fractures. The relatively fast degradation ability avoids second surgeries for removal of the implant [1]. Essential for their applicability is a sufficient load baring capacity for a clinically relevant time frame, which is directly linked to a reliable degradation rate and good bone ingrowth. , The purpose of this study was therefore to (1) analyse the general applicability of Mg-based screws for their use in cortical bone (2) study whether an improved degradation and therefore biomechanical performance can be achieved by chemical surface treatment. Methods: Screws (diameter: 3.5 mm, length: 16 mm) were dry-machined from the biodegradable Mg alloy ultrahigh-purity (XHP) ZX00 (Mg-0.3Zn-0.4Ca). The surface of 4 screws was chemically polished (mixture of ethanol and phosphoric acid), whereas the others remained untreated. Seven screws (4 chemically polished and 3 unpolished) were gamma-sterilized and inserted into two ovine right tibiae (experimental, N=2 animals), and six further screws were implanted in the cadaveric right tibiae (control, N=2) after sacrificing the animal six weeks after implantation. These control screws were placed exactly on contralateral positions. All animal studies were performed in accordance with the Austrian Ministry of Science and Research (accreditation number BMWFW-66.010/0190-WF/V/3b/2014). An axial pull-out test was performed on the screws of the in vivo groups, and the same method was also applied on the cadaveric control bones. Fig. 1: Pull-out test method performed on XHP-ZX00 screws in sheep tibiae. Results: The pull-out tests revealed lower strength of screws that stayed in the tibia for 6 weeks in comparison to the control group (Fig. 1). Chemically polished screws exhibited lower pull-out strength than untreated samples (sample size not sufficient for statistical comparison). [MC1] Analysis of bone cross section after pull-out tests revealed that the screws of both groups partly failed by shearing-off the thread flanks and partly by failure of the bone tissue. Fig. 2: Pull-out test of XHP ZX00 screws (chemically polished and untreated) inserted in ovine tibiae (diaphysis and distal epiphysis) for 6 weeks vs. ex vivo control group. Discussions and Conclusions: These first experiments show that screws made of XHP-Mg-alloy ZX00 revealed good bone integration. For all screws tested, after 6 weeks of implantation the pull-out test reveals lower load-bearing capacity in comparison to the non-degraded control. This loss in strength is associated with initial degradation of the screws and according to expectations. The lower pull-out strength of chemically polished screws may be due to volume loss resulting from the chemical surface treatment. Facing the importance of surface finish for medical implants, results emphasize the need of (1) careful adjustment of the polishing protocol and (2) thorough evaluation of its in vivo response. The interface strength still appears to be sufficient for clinical applications. Obtained data is subject of high volatility. Thus, further studies need to be performed to evaluate degradation, ingrowth and tissue reactions of Mg-screws in more detail. Laura Bassi BRIC, Austrian Promotion Agency

Summary of Outside Micrometer Calibration Proficiency Testing (PT2014-KA02) in Taiwan

Abstract:Proficiency testing is an established way to demonstrate a laboratory's measurement capabilities. Accredited laboratories are usually requested to participate in proficiency testing conducted by the laboratory accreditation organizations in their countries. The Center for Measurement Standards / Industrial Technology Research Institute (CMS/ITRI) has long been committed to measurement technologies and statistical engineering in Taiwan and is one of the Proficiency Testing Providers (PTPs), with an accreditation number of P002, accredited by Taiwan Accreditation Foundation (TAF). This paper summarizes the results of a 2014 outside micrometer calibration proficiency testing scheme, number PT2014-KA02, held in Taiwan. Twenty-five TAF accredited calibration laboratories participated in the proficiency testing, and the |En| values of each participating laboratory are smaller than one. This implies that all the participants' results are satisfactory with respect to each other and that the measurement c...

Receptive multilingualism and its relevance to translation studies with data from interpreters of the Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian languages

This paper examines the phenomenon of receptive multilingualism where speakers of two different languages communicate through each speaking his/her own language and understanding the other’s. Comprehension in such an interaction is aided by the speaker and the listener employing linguistic, discourse-pragmatic and other features which represent strategies of accommodation (i.e. reduction of linguistics dissimilarities). This phenomenon is not presented as an alternative to interpreting, but in the context of interpreters who work from or into a language which is closely related, but not identical to the language spoken by one of the participating clients. Background information is provided from language pairs with a high level of mutual intelligibility and the experiences of interpreters, while the focus of the data sample is on 23 interpreters who have accreditation in one, two or three of the following closely-related languages: Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian. Responses are elicited on the following: self-reported incidence of accommodation in non-interpreted interactions; linguistic and ethical protocols when a different, but closely-related language is used by a client; comments from clients about interpreters’ proficiency and ethnicity; attitudes on the distinctiveness of the three languages and future intelligibility. Informants’ linguistic behaviour is analysed according to the number of accreditations held and, in general, those with three accreditations report the highest levels of accommodation.

Interpreting in one’s own and in closely related languages

Interpreters may see affinities between their own or working language(s) and others in the same family as an opening to a broader range of professional opportunities. This paper presents data from an online survey, completed by 23 mainly Australian-based interpreters for the Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian languages. Main points include: number of accreditations (one, two or three languages); willingness to work in languages other than one’s ‘own’; and views on adapting language to the variety spoken by interlocutors (in both everyday usage and interpreted speech). Other questions examine negotiation of mismatches between ethnicity and the language variety expected by the client, as well as personal views regarding the distinctness of the three languages. Informants form three main groups: some work in one language only, with no accommodation to others; some consider the languages as separate but might accommodate to other varieties, extemporaneously or by prior arrangement; others consider that their native-speaker status in two or three languages makes accommodation superfluous. Two smaller groups (totalling four interpreters) consider substantial accommodation unnecessary: in one case they see the languages as separate but mutually understandable, in the other they see them as one single language. Quantitative data are complemented by informants’ comments.

UNE-EN ISO/IEC 17025:2005-accredited method for the determination of pesticide residues in fruit and vegetable samples by LC-MS/MS

A rapid, simple and sensitive multi-residue method was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantification and confirmation of 69 pesticides in fruit and vegetables using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The samples were extracted following the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged and safe method known as QuEChERS. Mass spectrometric conditions were individually optimised for each analyte in order to achieve maximum sensitivity in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. Using the developed chromatographic conditions, 69 pesticides can be separated in less than 17 min. Two selected reaction monitoring (SRM) assays were used for each pesticide to obtain simultaneous quantification and identification in one run. With this method in SRM mode, more than 150 pesticides can be analysed and quantified, but their confirmation is not possible in all cases according to the European regulations on pesticide residues. Nine common representative matrices (zucchini, melon, cucumber, watermelon, tomato, garlic, eggplant, lettuce and pepper) were selected to investigate the effect of different matrices on recovery and precision. Mean recoveries ranged from 70% to 120%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) lower than 20% for all the pesticides. The proposed method was applied to the analysis of more than 2000 vegetable samples from the extensive greenhouse cultivation in the province of Almería, Spain, during one year. The methodology combines the advantages of both QuEChERS and LC-MS/MS producing a very rapid, sensitive, accurate and reliable procedure that can be applied in routine analytical laboratories. The method was validated and accredited according to UNE-EN-ISO/IEC 17025:2005 international standard (accreditation number 278/LE1027).

Continuing medical education challenges in chronic fatigue syndrome

BackgroundChronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) affects at least 4 million people in the United States, yet only 16% of people with CFS have received a diagnosis or medical care for their illness. Educating health care professionals about the diagnosis and management of CFS may help to reduce population morbidity associated with CFS.MethodsThis report presents findings over a 5-year period from May 2000 to June 2006 during which we developed and implemented a health care professional educational program. The objective of the program was to distribute CFS continuing education materials to providers at professional conferences, offer online continuing education credits in different formats (e.g., print, video, and online), and evaluate the number of accreditation certificates awarded.ResultsWe found that smaller conference size (OR = 80.17; 95% CI 8.80, 730.25), CFS illness related target audiences (OR = 36.0; 95% CI 2.94, 436.34), and conferences in which CFS research was highlighted (OR = 4.15; 95% CI 1.16, 14.83) significantly contributed to higher dissemination levels, as measured by visit rates to the education booth. While print and online courses were equally requested for continuing education credit opportunities, the online course resulted in 84% of the overall award certificates, compared to 14% for the print course. This remained consistent across all provider occupations: physicians, nurses, physician assistants, and allied health professionals.ConclusionThese findings suggest that educational programs promoting materials at conferences may increase dissemination efforts by targeting audiences, examining conference characteristics, and promoting online continuing education forums.