Improvement Plan Research Articles

Model Development for an Artificial Intelligence-Based NCAA Football Ranking System: Applying the PageRank Algorithm

ABSTRACT The PageRank model has been applied in sport ranking systems; however, prior implementations exhibited limitations and failed to produce valid rankings. This study analyzed 1,466 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 football games and developed a novel, modified PageRank model. We also proposed an artificial intelligence-based ranking system that adapts the damping factor to match the specific characteristics of each dataset, optimizing it for each season. The modified PageRank model achieved a predictive validity of 71.6%, surpassing the performance of traditional PageRank (65.7%) and winning ratio (64.2%) methods. The implementation of this research holds the potential to enhance decision-making processes and provide valuable insights to stakeholders within the college football domain. Moreover, our modified PageRank-based rankings excel in discerning performance trends and patterns within conferences, enabling precise strategies for improvement and strategic planning, benefiting individual teams and entire conferences.

Development of a Subnational Health Security Capacities Assessment Tool: Lessons From Nigeria and Implications for the Implementation of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response Strategy.

The Joint External Evaluation tool is a World Health Organization-recommended method for evaluating countries' capacities under the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR). It encompasses a national preparedness assessment process for public health threats and offers a structured framework for planning and implementing effective response measures. A tailored approach is necessary for Nigeria's federated system of government, in which most constitutional requirements for public health and associated issues are decentralized to the state level. The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) developed an assessment tool to identify state-level health security gaps and support the development of improvement plans. With input from state and national public health leaders and legal experts, a legislative evaluation was conducted to determine specific IHR activities that could be implemented within the state's legal framework to accelerate the implementation of the Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response strategy and IHR. The resulting assessment instrument was piloted in Kano, Enugu, and Kebbi states, followed by a consensus meeting to identify additional areas for improvement. The revised tool contains 14 technical areas and 35 indicators tailored to implementing improvement plans. By recognizing the unique characteristics of subnational entities and their implications for pandemic preparedness, the tool provides an innovative approach to health security for countries with multilayered governance structures or geographic diversity. Conducting a subnational health security assessment is a crucial step in ensuring preparedness for public health threats and enhancing health security in Nigeria's federated system of government.

Surgical Complications for Oral Cavity Cancer: Evaluating Hospital Performance.

Complications of oral cavity cancer (OCC) surgery have an impact on the quality of life. Therefore, evaluating hospital performance on complication rates can help identify best practices for improving the quality of OCC care. As patient and tumor characteristics also impact hospital results, case-mix adjustment should be considered to provide a valid hospital comparison. This study investigated hospital variation in the quality indicator "a complicated postoperative course" after OCC surgery. This population-based cohort included all first primary OCC patients diagnosed between 2018 and 2021 who were surgically treated with curative intent. A complicated postoperative course was defined as 30-day mortality, unplanned readmission, surgical complications requiring reintervention or prolonged hospital stay, or fistula formation. Hospital performance was analyzed using funnel plots with case-mix correction. A total of 2,266 OCC patients could be included. The distribution of case-mix variables varied significantly between hospital populations. Nationally, a complicated postoperative course occurred in 13.9% and uncorrected hospital rates ranged from 2.7% to 31.1%. A WHO performance score ≥2, cT3-T4 tumors, and floor-of-mouth tumors were associated with an increased risk of a complicated postoperative course, and non-squamous cell carcinoma with a decreased risk. Significant outliers remained after case-mix correction for patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics. Complications after OCC surgery are prevalent, especially regarding extensive tumors and surgery. To identify best practices in OCC surgery, hospital performance on a complicated postoperative course should be adjusted for case-mix and treatment variables. Providing feedback on hospital performance for complications can instigate improvement plans for better outcomes. 3 Laryngoscope, 2025.

The combined effect of bed-to-nurse ratio and nurse turnover rate on in-hospital mortality based on South Korean administrative data: a cross-sectional study

Background and aimNurse staffing levels are associated with patient mortality, but little is known regarding the association between nurse turnover rate and patient mortality. This study investigated the combined effect of the bed-to-nurse ratio and the nurse turnover rate on in-hospital mortality in patients admitted to Korean acute care hospitals using national administrative data.MethodsThis study analyzed data from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) on 459,113 admitted patients and 111,342 employed nurses in 403 hospitals in South Korea from January to December 2016. Differences in in-hospital mortality and nurse turnover among hospital characteristics, including the bed-to-nurse ratio, were explored using the chi-square test. Multilevel, multivariate GEE logistic regression analyses were used to examine the combined effect of the bed-to-nurse ratio and the nurse turnover rate on in-hospital mortality.ResultsDuring the study period, 13,675 (3.0%) patients died during hospitalization, and 13,349 (12.0%) nurses left their jobs. The risk of death among patients admitted to hospitals with a bed-to-nurse ratio of < 2.5 and a nurse turnover rate of ≥ 12% was lower than among patients admitted to hospitals with a bed-to-nurse ratio of ≥ 4.5 and a nurse turnover rate of ≥ 12% (odds ratio [OR] = 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48–0.82). The risk of in-hospital mortality decreased further when the nurse turnover rate was < 12% (OR = 0.59; 95% CI, 0.44–0.79).ConclusionThe bed-to-nurse ratio and nurse turnover rate were jointly associated with patient mortality. When hospitals with a low bed-to-nurse ratio also experienced high nurse turnover, the risk of in-hospital mortality was even greater. The finding of this study will help health policy makers to better understand the importance of both nursing staffing levels and nurse turnover rates. It is necessary to create a comprehensive improvement plan that integrates policies aiming to improve nurse staffing levels and reduce turnover rates into a single strategy.

Pressure injury prevention: An educational framework to improve action planning.

ECRI and the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) Patient Safety Organization (PSO) convened an interdisciplinary pressure-injury-prevention safety collaborative to strengthen pressure injury assessment, prevention, and treatment planning. Several teams met over 5 months in 2023 to share knowledge and performance improvement tools. This article discusses the safety collaborative, which provided a learning-system platform for participating teams to develop and share improvement plans under the protection of the PSO and to strengthen their pressure-injury-related action plans.

Doing ‘detective work’ to find a cancer: how are non-specific symptom pathways for cancer investigation organised, and what are the implications for safety and quality of care? A multisite qualitative approach

BackgroundOver the past two decades, the UK has actively developed policies to enhance early cancer diagnosis, particularly for individuals with non-specific cancer symptoms. Non-specific symptom (NSS) pathways were piloted and...

Improvement Plan for the Pre-Analytical Process of the SEMEDICLAB Laboratory Period 2022

Objective: SEMEDIC is a clinical laboratory that performs tests in the areas of hematology, biochemistry, urinalysis, immunology, coprology, and immunochemistry. This work aims to implement a continuous improvement plan for the pre-analytical process of the SEMEDICLAB laboratory in 2022. Theoretical Framework: The research focuses on pre-analytical errors in clinical laboratories and their impact on the quality of results. It is based on the premise that, despite technological advances and automation, the pre-analytical phase remains a weak link in the clinical analysis process. Method: The present study adopts an observational and descriptive methodology, as it allows for the visualization of the environment in which the research is carried out. It should be noted that no population or sample was considered; it was based on the identification, definition, and standardization of sub-processes of the SEMEDICLAB company process. Clause 5.4 of the ISO 15189:2012 checklist was used to identify the gap between the sub-processes currently completed. Results and Discussion: The causes of the problem in the pre-analytical phase of the workers in the SEMEDICLAB laboratory were described, which were caused by non-compliance or omission of the ISO 15189: 2012 standard, related to clauses 5.4.2. "Information for patients and users," 5.4.4.2. "Instructions for pre-analytical activities," and 5.4.6 "Sample reception," where irregularities were observed. Implications of the research: Research on pre-analytical errors has a direct impact on the quality of patient care, the efficiency of clinical laboratories, and the sustainability of health systems. By identifying the causes of these errors and developing strategies to prevent them, it contributes to improving patient safety and the reliability of laboratory results. Originality/Value: The value of this type of research is multifaceted. Firstly, it contributes to improving the quality of patient care by reducing the incidence of erroneous laboratory results, which in turn reduces the risk of misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. Secondly, it optimizes processes in clinical laboratories, increasing efficiency and reducing costs associated with the repetition of tests and error management. Thirdly, this research promotes the development of standards and clinical practice guidelines for the prevention and management of pre-analytical errors, which helps to ensure the quality and safety of laboratory services at the national and international level.

Advanced Autonomous System for Monitoring Soil Parameters

Context: This research investigates the advantages of real-time monitoring of soil quality for various land management practices. It also highlights the significance of spatio-temporal soil modeling and mapping in providing a clear and visual understanding of how aridity changes over time and across different locations. Aims: This paper aims to provide a comprehensive guide to the key processes required for the development of a laboratory-based soil quality monitoring system. Methods: The applied methodologies involved the processes of sensor deployment, data acquisition infrastructure establishment, and sensor calibration. These procedures culminated in the development of a soil quality assessment model that was subsequently subjected to two months of laboratory testing using three distinct soil types. The analysis yielded a strong positive linear correlation between the measured and predicted soil quality values. Key Results: As expected, the assimilation of prior soil quality estimates within the modeling framework demonstrated a significant enhancement in the accuracy of real-time soil quality estimations. Conclusions: This research promotes the importance of iterative improvements of the soil quality monitoring system. The need for a long-term perspective and a plan for maintenance and continuous improvement of such systems in the ecosystem is important to improve the ease of making predictions to avoid soil aridization. The results of this research will be useful for researchers and practitioners involved in the design and implementation of soil monitoring systems.

Biomedical Industry Development in China and Japan: A Comparative Analysis of Strategic Approaches, Industry Characterization, Policies and Expected Development Strategies

With digitalization and globalization, the biomedical industry has become one of the new driving forces of the economy. Especially after the Covid-19 outbreak, the development of the biomedical industry has attracted much attention due to the increased awareness of the crisis and the growing demand for healthcare. China and Japan, as important players in Asia and the world, have made unique contributions to the biomedical industry. Both countries have similarities in aging trends and development potential, but more differences have been shown such as the policy environment and their respective development priorities, which also herald new opportunities and challenges. This paper aims to compare and analyze the status quo, characteristics, and policy environment of the two countries, find out the advantages and disadvantages of each country, analyze the disadvantages and propose reasonable improvement plans. Finally, based on the independent solutions of the two countries, this paper combines the complementary advantages of China and Japan, which is China's high productivity and replication technology with Japan's innovative and management technology, then puts forward a feasible direction for deep cooperation in big data which is of certain guiding significance.

Leading the Way: Working Towards Heritage-Led Nature Recovery in Natural England

ABSTRACT The climate and biodiversity crises are an immediate and existential threat, risking the widespread loss and degradation of habitats across England. The UK Government’s Environmental Improvement Plan commits us to being the first generation to leave the environment in a better state than we found it, and the long-term conservation and enhancement of the historic environment is an essential component of this commitment. However, as the pressure mounts to deliver nature recovery faster, at greater scale and within increasingly tighter budgets, does heritage run the risk of being overlooked? Natural England’s 2023 guidance Nature Recovery and the Historic Environment provides a best-practice framework to ensure appropriate integration of heritage into nature recovery, but it also goes further – exploring the correlations between our historic and natural environments and the ways in which heritage assets can provide added value to nature recovery projects. This paper will take this thinking a step further and consider how projects led by heritage can deliver across the full spectrum of environmental objectives: to inform, inspire and improve habitat restoration, species abundance, soil health, improved air and water quality, public access, landscape distinctiveness and rural placemaking.

Catalyzing organizational evolution: a scholarly examination of performance improvement plans and their enhancement of employee transition experiences in corporate frameworks

The rapid evolution of technological advancements in today’s corporate world is increasing exponentially, primarily due to the acquisition and retention of exceptionally intellectual and innovation-driven talented individuals. Exemplary employee performance is a key factor contributing to successful businesses and performance evaluations play a pivotal role in assessing whether employees meet, exceed job expectations, or underperform and is conducted on a quarterly or annual basis. Some organizations implement performance-based appraisals and other tangible benefits for preserving talent while others utilize strategic performance development techniques such as skill and role-focused training and development programs. Despite rigorous efforts, corporate employees’ underperformances are not uncommon. To overcome this, organizations deploy a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) as a strategic risk management measure to ensure that employee performance aligns with organizational expectations and contributes positively to the overall efficacy of the enterprise. However, employees under PIP view the process as demoralizing and career failure indicative rather than a targeted action plan to enhance job performance as superior evaluation is the only construct that defines the outcomes of the PIP process. in recent times. The study aims to broaden the scope of understanding PIP and examine the potential to facilitate positive transitions for employees within corporate environments, rather than leading to terminations. The research explores the anticipated outcomes and actual experiences associated with PIP through comprehensive analysis and pinpoints the key factors contributing to successful employee transitions. The preliminary analysis suggests successful employee PIPs are achieved by adapting to tailored managerial support and continuous feedback mechanisms. The researchers’ study utilizes a survey to collect quantitative data from participants who underwent experienced the Performance Improvement Plan (PIP). The research strives to identify best PIP practices that reinforce performance, and improve employee satisfaction and retention, thus fostering genuine organizational transformation.

Research on Path Planning of Computer Fraud and Security Teacher Quality Improvement based on Deep Reinforcement Learning

Research on Path Planning of Computer Fraud and Security Teacher Quality Improvement based on Deep Reinforcement Learning

Supporting indigenous stewardship of water: reflections on a decade of water quality research in the Tully River basin adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

ABSTRACT Water quality monitoring programs (WQMPs) are an important means for assessing water quality, particularly in river basins where agricultural intensification and development pressures raise concerns in freshwater and adjacent marine environments. WQMPs, if supported by scientists, Indigenous peoples, and local communities, and if based on the knowledge needs of all rights holders and stakeholders, can provide crucial actions to protect water resources and values. This paper presents a decade of water quality research in the Tully River basin, adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef (GBR). Identification of knowledge issues raised by Indigenous peoples during development of the Tully Water Quality Improvement Plan (WQIP) in 2008 highlighted needs for a targeted local WQMP in this basin. Subsequent development and successful implementation of a community-agreed and Indigenous-led pilot WQMP in 2012 paved the way for further Indigenous-led research in the Tully and neighboring river basins identified as containing pollutants of concern. WQMPs can successfully be led by Indigenous peoples based on collaborative partnerships to provide an evidence base for freshwater management. Recent WQMPs and other Indigenous-led research in this basin and surrounding catchments suggest genuine and respectful relationships, developed and maintained over time, can support Indigenous stewardship of water. However, they also indicate the important role of locally embedded and trusted organizations, such as Indigenous corporations and community-based not-for-profit environmental management organizations, in supporting these collaborations to produce better outcomes for people and Country.

Remediation in Pediatric Residency Training: A National Survey of Pediatric Program Directors.

The goal of graduate medical education is for residents to achieve the skills and knowledge to practice medicine independently. While remediation is not uncommon in residency training, evidence is lacking to guide best practices. We conducted a national survey of pediatric residency programs regarding their remediation experiences identifying struggling residents, documentating the process, and monitoring progress during remediation. A total of 50.8% (99/195) programs responded. Approximately 4.7% of residents underwent remediation, and 91% (262/288) of residents successfully completed remediation. Programs used data from the Clinical Competency Committee (CCC; 100%), rotation evaluations (98.9%) and direct observation (96.6%) to identify residents who need remediation. Most programs used an improvement plan to document resident progress (88.8%) and assigned a mentor or coach to support the resident (88.8%). Nearly all programs used rotation evaluations (93.3%) to monitor progress towards achieving the goals of remediation. Two-thirds (66.3%) felt their remediation process was either very effective or effective, and about half (56.2%) were very satisfied or satisfied with their remediation process. Programs with more residents who successfully completed remediation were more likely to feel satisfied with their program's remediation processess and effectiveness. Nearly 5% of pediatrics residents undergo remediation, with 91% successfully remediating. Two-thirds of program leaders feel their remediation practices are effective, and only half are satisfied with remediation processes in their program. Opportunities exist to improve remediation processes for pediatric residents and for programs to ensure graduation of competent pediatricians.

An investigation to evaluate the effectiveness of a primary school's improvement plan focusing on maths attainment and progress through problem solving.

An investigation to evaluate the effectiveness of a primary school's improvement plan focusing on maths attainment and progress through problem solving.

A review of sustainable cattle genetic improvement in the Peruvian Highlands.

Cattle breeding in the highlands of Peru is an important economic activity at the level of the entire rural extension, because it serves as an economic reserve for rural families and forms an integral part of the agricultural producer's culture. This review aimed to provide a literature- and research-based approach to the fundamental aspects of a national genetic improvement plan, emphasising the efficacy of using a bovine germplasm of high genetic quality as an initiative to implement genetic improvement programmes. The concepts to be implemented in national livestock farming include high yield, feed conversion efficiency, and minimum greenhouse gas emissions. The use of a dual-purpose germplasm to maximise the usefulness of livestock farmers and the implementation of improvement programmes, with the expectation of achieving a differential increase in genetic merit, were also considered. In addition to aspects related to milk and carcase quality, there is a territorial approach, such as the case of breeds that adapt to terminal crossbreeding and consider reproductive aspects. One of the final aspects considered is the conservation and valuation of local animals within conservation and improvement plans owing to their resistance and adaptation to temperature and altitude conditions.

Self-Regulated Learning Assessment in Young Soccer Players: Beyond Competitive Levels.

Trecroci, A, Cavaggioni, L, Rossi, A, Bongiovanni, T, Invernizzi, PL, Formenti, D, and Longo, S. Self-regulated learning assessment in young soccer players: beyond competitive levels. J Strength Cond Res 39(1): e56-e61, 2025-This study explores self-regulated learning (SRL) among young soccer players, transcending the traditional focus on competitive levels. One hundred twenty-four soccer players of regional and provincial levels from under 14 to under 17 age groups voluntarily participated in the study and were combined into a single group. A median-split method based on total time performance was used to separate players into low performers (LPs) and high performers (HPs) from a 90° change of direction dribbling test. The self-regulation of learning-self-report scale for sport practice (SRL-SRS-SP) with a 5-factor solution (planning, reflection, effort, self-efficacy, and self-supervision) and 31 items was used. The score was based on a 1-5 Likert scale. The level of significance was set at p -value < 0.05. The SRL-SRS-SP total score by HP players differed significantly from that of LP players ( p = 0.015). Regarding each subscale, HP players showed significantly higher scores than LP players ( p = 0.011) for planning, whereas no differences were observed for the remaining factors ( p ≥ 0.05). The main observation of this study revealed that HP soccer players had a greater level of engagement in the learning process with a remarkable ability to plan for specific improvement than LP peers. This suggests that the competitive level might not be the sole determinant of differences in SRL. Therefore, strength and conditioning coaches should emphasize metacognitive and motivational components because of their crucial role in enhancing technical and physical performance.

Developing a Risk-Based Compliance Improvement Plan for Customs Administrations

Developing a Risk-Based Compliance Improvement Plan for Customs Administrations

Application of SBAR-Based Quality Improvement Plan in Bedside Shift Handover in Obstetrics

Application of SBAR-Based Quality Improvement Plan in Bedside Shift Handover in Obstetrics

Improved water, sanitation, hygiene and waste services in health-care facilities, Ukraine.

Water, sanitation and waste infrastructure and services in Ukrainian health-care facilities often fail to meet global and national standards, hindering the provision of safe, quality care. The war has worsened existing problems. To incrementally improve water, sanitation, hand hygiene, environmental cleaning and health-care waste practices, the World Health Organization (WHO) is working with the health ministry, the Ukrainian Public Health Centre and regional United States Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) to implement the Water and Sanitation for Health Facility Improvement Tool (WASH FIT). In December 2022, WHO trained staff from the regional CDC, Ukrainian Public Health Centre and nine priority health-care facilities. Facility teams assessed services, and developed and implemented improvement plans in January 2023. Follow-up assessments were conducted after six months. About 4300 health-care facilities operate in Ukraine. Funding for new water and sanitation infrastructure, as well as operating and maintaining existing services, is likely inadequate. After implementation, the average WASH FIT score increased from 66 out of a maximum of 100 (range: 57-73) to 83 (range: 69-93). Facilities more effectively managed water-related risks, replaced broken taps, improved waste management practices and installed backup water supply and storage sources. WASH FIT can be used to identify gaps in water, sanitation, hygiene and waste services and track progress towards addressing these gaps. Engaged local leaders, health-based national water, sanitation, hygiene standards, regular on-site training and mentoring drive these improvements. Strengthening public health entities is critical to institutionalize the process.