Role Of Technicians Research Articles

Storia dello spettacolo e architettura. La restituzione virtuale della macchina del mare del teatro barocco


 
 
 The aim of this article is to propose a hypothesis of virtual restitution of the “maritime machine” of Renaissance and Baroque theatre based on the specific case of the opening performance of the Farnese Theatre in Parma (1628). The celebrations of the wedding of Odoardo Farnese and Margherita de’ Medici culminate in the opera-tournament Mercurio e Marte, written by Claudio Achillini, set to music by Claudio Monteverdi, with scenes and machinery by Giovan Battista Aleotti and Francesco Guitti. It is a composite performance, with a strong symbolic value, conceived to celebrate the patrons and in which the main elements of the Renaissance “intermezzo” (music, dance, stage wonder) merge. The first part of the article – by Benedetta Colasanti – highlights the extent of the stage machinery, the phenomenon of technological precipitation from the construction site to the stage and the role of the state technician, tracing the story from a historical perspective and the analysis and intersection of sources (treatises, notebooks, correspondence, iconography), an operation aimed at providing the necessary data for the virtual restitution process. The second part – by Beatrice Cecchelli – describes the process of virtual restitution from a more technical point of view, illustrating the role of digital technologies and their application to the history of the performing arts.
 
 

Decreasing Technology Burdens to Bedside Staff Through the Introduction of a Patient Technology Technician Role: A Quality Improvement Project.

With increased technology integration into health care, the focus and time of nurses are often shifting toward technology and away from direct patient care. The goal of this quality improvement project was to implement a patient technology technician role on 3 acute care units in order to reduce the time burden of technology to nurses. During this quality improvement project, the patient technology technician role focused on addressing technology issues and ensured adequate, functioning technology supplies were available on nursing units. Outcomes assessed included self-reporting of the technology time burden, the satisfaction associated with technology, and the impact on telemetry calls from the virtual telemetry monitoring center. In the pretest survey, only 10% to 14% of bedside staff were somewhat satisfied or very satisfied with the time spent managing technology. In the posttest survey, that number increased from 92% to 96%. In the pretest survey, 64% to 83% of bedside staff reported often or frequently fixing, managing, or looking for technology. In the posttest survey that number decreased from 4% to 16%. There was also a reduction in telephone calls from the virtual telemetry monitoring center after implementation. The patient technology technician role was able to successfully relieve the technology time burden for bedside staff.

ASHP National Survey of Pharmacy Practice in Hospital Settings: Workforce - 2022.

Results of the 2022 ASHP National Survey of Pharmacy Practice in Hospital Settings are presented. Pharmacy directors at 1,498 general and children's medical/surgical hospitals in the United States were surveyed using a mixed-mode method of contact by email and mail. Survey completion was online. IQVIA supplied data on hospital characteristics; the survey sample was drawn from IQVIA's hospital database. The response rate was 23.7%. Inpatient pharmacists independently prescribe in 27.1% of hospitals. Advanced analytics are used in 8.7% of hospitals. Pharmacists work in ambulatory or primary care clinics in 51.6% of hospitals operating outpatient clinics. Some level of pharmacy service integration is reported in 53.6% of hospitals. More advanced pharmacy technician roles are emerging. For health systems offering hospital at home services, 65.9% of pharmacy departments are involved. Shortages of pharmacists and technicians were reported but are more acute for pharmacy technicians. Aspects of burnout are being measured in 34.0% of hospitals, and 83.7% are attempting to prevent and mitigate burnout. The average number of full-time equivalents per 100 occupied beds is 16.9 for pharmacists and 16.1 for pharmacy technicians. Health-system pharmacies are experiencing workforce shortages; however, these shortages have had limited impact on budgeted positions. Workforce challenges are influencing the work of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. Adoption of practice advancement initiatives has continued the positive trend from past years despite workforce issues.

Android Based Online Computer Technician Application

This study aims to analyze the role of the Android-based Online Computer Technician. This study uses a quantitative description. An online Computer Technician application is to make it easier for customer actors to seek online computer technician services to repair damaged computers and provide convenience for users. The results of the study previously showed that computer users repairing computers by approaching technicians directly to offline stores and transforming into technicians approaching computer users' homes became a good solution. Using an Online Computer Technician Application can make it easier for computer users and not waste time, so they can optimize time properly and correctly.

Innovation, technician skills, and vocational education and training: connecting innovation systems and vocational education and training

ABSTRACT The paper adds to the literature on vocational education and training by developing an account of the role played by technicians, and vocational education and training, in innovation. It also fills a gap in the innovation systems literature by analysing the neglected role of technicians and providers of vocational education and training in innovation. It outlines technicians’ contribution to innovation, sets out a theoretical framework for analysing the role of providers of vocational education and training in the innovation system, and discusses what ‘system failure’ involves in this context, as well as possible policy responses, using England as a case study.

From hazard identification to risk assessment: The role of the prevention technician in the carcinogenic risk assessment for formaldehyde.

The Prevention Technician in the Environment and Workplaces (PTEW) is a health professional who works in the identification, assessment, and management of risk in living and working places. The PTEW implements specific corrective actions at reducing exposure levels to chemicals such as formaldehyde. The aim of this report was to update the formaldehyde risk assessment document (RAD). The risk assessment process was divided into three steps as follows: (1) preliminary data collection, (2) an on-site visit to identify the use patterns and process, and (3) application of the algorithm to calculate the exposure levels of healthcare workers. In addition, with the introduction of closed-circuit systems, 23 devices were evaluated to identify possible airborne dispersion of formaldehyde. The algorithm was applied in 31 hospital units and the results allowed us to classify the staff in two levels of exposure for each hospital unit; healthcare workers were classified as "exposed" or "potentially exposed." Most of the HCWs are categorized as potentially exposed, and only workers working in laboratories are considered to be exposed. The results showed that devices must be used properly according to the user manual. To increase the level of worker safety, we have proposed to introduce closed-circuit safe handling systems and keeping the duration and intensity of exposure at the lowest possible levels according to the "ALARA" principle. The assignment of the Italian PTEW is to achieve excellence in the levels of health and safety of patients and hospital workers by pursuing a shared mission: improving the quality of public health.

Innovating the Model for Student Pharmacists to Increase Access to Hepatitis C Testing (Project IMPACT)

BackgroundPrevious initiatives have described the feasibility of conducting point-of-care testing (POCT) for hepatitis C virus (HCV) within community pharmacies. Limited research has been conducted to evaluate the role of student pharmacists and technicians in providing these services. ObjectiveDescribe the implementation of a student pharmacist–run HCV POCT initiative within an independent community pharmacy and evaluate the linkage to care process. Practice descriptionOne specialty and 3 community pharmacies managed by one independent pharmacy chain. Practice innovationPharmacy students screened participants for HCV and referred those with a reactive result or reporting untreated HCV to a partnering medical facility for confirmatory testing. Individuals with confirmed HCV had the option to receive their prescriptions, along with monthly telephonic monitoring services from the independent pharmacy’s specialty pharmacy. Evaluation methodsResearchers evaluated the number of participants who screened reactive or reported current HCV infection, successful referrals to medical care, and prescriptions dispensed by the specialty pharmacy for HCV treatment. ResultsFrom September 2020 to September 2022, 236 individuals were screened for HCV at the pharmacy, of whom 11 screened reactive (4.7%) and 4 participants reported untreated HCV infection. In total, 15 participants were referred to care and 4 of these participants (26.7%) were successfully linked. One participant received prescriptions and telephonic monitoring for HCV treatment from the specialty pharmacy as a direct result of Project IMPACT (Innovating the Model for Student Pharmacists to Increase Access to Hepatitis C Testing). Practice implications and conclusionsProject IMPACT demonstrated that community pharmacies can increase access to HCV screenings by using student pharmacists and technicians. Potential strategies to improve the linkage to care process include enhancing the quality of patient education and implementing telehealth services.

Insights from the remote co‐creation of an Indigenous knowledge questionnaire about aquatic ecosystems in Kinngait, Nunavut

Abstract There is growing interest in co‐developing research projects that more fully address the priorities of Indigenous communities throughout the Canadian Arctic and beyond. However, details regarding collaborative methods are often not adequately described in the literature. Here, we describe a process to remotely co‐create a questionnaire compiling Indigenous knowledge about local aquatic species and their habitats with the community of Kinngait, Nunavut. This project was undertaken in response to interest expressed by the Aiviq Hunters and Trappers Association in understanding and assessing the impacts of climate change on coastal ecosystems. Researchers from Fisheries and Oceans Canada and academic partners drafted an initial questionnaire that was revised through a series of collaborative sessions with community‐based technicians. We detail the stages of this process and discuss elements that enabled co‐creation including: adaptable and frequent communication, community technician roles, and a pre‐existing partnership. This paper emphasizes that project co‐development and the co‐creation of research tools can be a mutually beneficial process that can broaden our collective understanding of the impacts of climate change on Arctic aquatic ecosystems.

Epistemic communities and the challenges of training health technicians during the COVID-19 pandemicComunidades epistémicas y retos en cuanto a la educación de los técnicos en salud durante la pandemia de COVID-19

This article discusses the role of the epistemic community linked to the training of health technicians through analysis of the actions initiated by the Pan-American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) Collaborating Center for the education of these technicians during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the aim of comparing these actions with the main elements that define the constitution and functioning of epistemic communities according to the specialized literature. It is argued that, despite the differences in the historical configuration of national healthcare and training systems, the emergence of common challenges in the training of technicians allowed the articulation of demands, the sharing of diagnostic assessments, and the cooperation between the International Network of Health Technicians Education, the Ibero-American Network of Health Technicians Education, and the Community of Portuguese Language Countries Network of Health Technician Schools, promoting the exchange of experiences, the search for strategic solutions, and the dissemination of recommendations across countries. By reaffirming the central role of health technicians in epidemiological surveillance, diagnosis and assistance, the COVID health emergency demanded immediate and consistent responses from governments and educational institutions, favoring the strengthening of the health technician epistemic community through the circulation of discourses and the hegemonization of meanings for the education of technicians. These actions, however, do not translate into stability or homogeneity for the epistemic community, since their articulation is always provisional and contingent, nor do they ensure the capacity to directly influence policies in each country.

The impact of digital transformation on innovation performance - The mediating role of innovation factors

Existing digital transformation research has focused on economic and environmental performance, which few studies directly explored the relationship between digital transformation and innovation. Based on the innovation factor perspective, we explored the relationship between digital transformation and innovation by using firm data between 2009 and 2019. The findings are as follows: (1) The corporate digital transformation was measured through based on textual analysis methods and it was found that digital transformation can promote corporate innovation. (2) Knowledge flow, technical personnel, R&D investment, and innovation awareness are important mediating paths. (3) In the innovation quantity dimension, the mediating role of innovation awareness is greater. And in the innovation quality dimension, the mediating role of technicians is greater. (4) Digital transformation has a greater impact on innovation of non-SOEs, non-high-tech enterprises and non-heavily polluting enterprises, alleviating the gap between different types of firms. The results of this paper alleviate the concerns of digital transformation in developing countries such as China and provide experiences and evidence for them to promote Industry 4.0 and sustainable innovation.

(L)earning: Exploring the value of paid roles for medical students.

The Medical Student Technician (MST) role is a paid position established in Northern Ireland in 2020. The Experience-Based Learning (ExBL) model is a contemporary medical education pedagogy advocating supported participation to develop capabilities important for doctors-to-be. In this study, we used the ExBL model to explore the experiences of MSTs and how the role contributed to students' professional development and preparedness for practice. A convenience sampling strategy was used to recruit a total of 17 MSTs in three focus groups. Semi-structured interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using the ExBL model as a framework. Transcripts were independently analysed and coded by two investigators and discrepancies resolved with the remaining investigators. The MST experiences reflected the various components of the ExBL model. Students valued earning a salary; however, what students earned transcended the financial reward alone. This professional role enabled students to meaningfully contribute to patient care and have authentic interactions with patients and staff. This fostered a sense of feeling valued and increased self-efficacy amongst MSTs, helping them acquire various practical, intellectual and affective capabilities and subsequently demonstrate an increased confidence in their identities as future doctors. Paid clinical roles for medical students could present useful adjuncts to traditional clinical placements, benefiting both students and potentially healthcare systems. The practice-based learning experiences described appear to be underpinned by a novel social context where students can add value, be and feel valued and gain valuable capabilities that better prepare them for starting work as a doctor.

Pharmacy Technician Efficacies and Workforce Planning: A Consensus Building Study on Expanded Pharmacy Technician Roles

The expansion of pharmacy technician scope of practice in recent years, though remaining somewhat contentious, has afforded multiple opportunities for pharmacy technicians to provide additional assistance within the pharmacy. However, much of the research examining this growth has focused on specific tasks, which were determined by either the researchers themselves or the respective state boards of pharmacy. This study aimed to gain a better understanding of what expanded tasks pharmacists believe technicians should have an increased role in performing. A consensus-building research methodology was used to survey practicing pharmacists to determine which tasks those pharmacists believed technicians should take an increased role in performing. This study used modified Delphi techniques to build consensus among panels of both hospital and community pharmacists regarding 20 setting-specific technician tasks. Results of our study indicated that both hospital and community pharmacists believed technicians should have an increased involvement in performing tasks which are more related to the operations of the pharmacy rather than tasks which are more clinical in nature. This finding illustrates a belief among a segment of pharmacists that expanded roles for technicians should do more to alleviate the managerial and operational burden placed on pharmacists, potentially allowing pharmacists to take on increased clinical roles.

The role of the radiotherapy technician during prostate radiation treatment

Introduction: Increasing positioning security is one of the main challenges of radiotherapy. The main movements of the prostate during radiotherapy are as a result of poor positioning of the patient, as well as by bladder and rectum volumes. These movements can be detected using various visualization techniques such as CBCT and radiographic images before each treatment session. Purpose: The purpose of this work is to highlight the role of radiotherapy technician in the management of the patient’s movements during prostate treatment. Methods: 8 patients after customized positioning and immobilization performed the treatment with Varian TrueBeam HD linear accelerator. CBCT’s were performed on different days during the course of treatment as well as radiographic images on other days to verify the position. These positions were compared with the positions planned by the simulation scanner and the daily movements of the patient and the prostate were corrected, thus creating a new isocenter. In cases where and with the new isocenter the prostate and seminal vesicles are located outside the planned PTV, it is performed a new simulation CT scan and a new treatment plan. Results: From 8 patients with primary prostate cancer, 42 CBCT controls and 207 MV-KV controls were considered. Patients required an average movement of 0.27 cm in the vertical direction, 0.28 cm in the longitudinal direction, and a displacement of 0.17 cm in the lateral one. Regarding the rotation of the bed according to the X; Y; Z axes, we have an average Pitch of 1.32°, Roll of 0.5° and Rotation of 0.63°. Conclusions: 50% of these patients, needed a rescanning and replanning of treatment, and 12.5% more than one rescan. Key words: Prostate cancer, Radiotherapy technician, Movement, CBCT, Radiographic imaging.

The contrast in reactions to growing roles for pharmacy technicians and physician associates

The contrast in reactions to growing roles for pharmacy technicians and physician associates

PENGUKURAN PERSEPSI TENAGA TEKNIS KEFARMASIAN DI KOTA DAN KABUPATEN SEMARANG TERHADAP APOTEK ONLINE

The development of online pharmacies in Indonesia will have an impact on the existence and role of Pharmaceutical Technicians. The number of pharmacies in Semarang City and Regency has reached almost 500 units. The number of Pharmaceutical Technicians who have practice permits in Semarang City is 477 people and in Semarang Regency is 115 people. Objective: This study aims to measure the perception of Pharmaceutical Technicians in Semarang City and Regency towards online pharmacies. Method: This research is a descriptive observational study using a cross sectional study design with using purposive sampling technique. The research data was obtained through a questionnaire in the form of a Likert scale which was distributed via google form in the Whatsapp group of Persatuan Ahli Farmasi Indonesia of Semarang City and Regency. Perceptions that are measured are drug guarantees, prices and consumer services. Pharmaceutical Technicians is said to have a positive perception of online pharmacies if the average score of the three parameters is in the range of 802.5 – 1284. Results: Respondents involved in this study were 321 respondents. Female respondents were 288 respondents (89.72%), 270 respondents (84.11%) aged less than 36 years and 177 respondents (55.14%) had Diploma III Pharmacy education. The drug guarantee parameter got a score of 1098, the drug price parameter got a score of 904 and the consumer service parameter got a score of 1035.5. The average score for the three parameters is 1012.5. Conclusion: Pharmaceutical Technicians in Semarang City and Regency have a positive perception toward online pharmacies.

Implications of a technician-led pharmacy service on a day case unit in a tertiary oncology centre.

Medicines Management Technicians have been shown to be an underused resource in medicines optimisation and medicines waste. In the United Kingdom, there are national recommendations for the clinical pharmacy service in cancer services ambulatory units, despite these recommendations, there was no clinical pharmacy service on the day case unit at a specialist tertiary centre in England. A lot of the patient pathways had been in place for many years and had not progressed with the changes in the clinical pathways. The main objectives of this study were to analyse how a medicines management technician could reduce medicines waste, improve the current pathway, increase medicines optimisation and ultimately improve the patient experience in an oncology day case unit at a specialist tertiary centre in England. A prospective mixed methods study was carried out at Weston Park Hospital. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted on the quantitative data collected, and thematic analysis was carried out on the qualitative data collected by questionnaire to staff members and patients. This study has shown that a medicines management technician can complete some of the tasks more traditionally done by the chemotherapy nurses on the day case unit, increasing their capacity for more clinically appropriate tasks. A medicines management technician can work as part of the wider multidisciplinary team on a day case unit contributing to medicines optimisation and cost savings for the oncology directorate. This study has shown that a medicines management technician can act as a valued member of the wider multidisciplinary team, improving communication and patient pathways, improving medicines optimisation and contributing to cost saving initiatives. Further studies are required to assess whether a medicines management technician role can be of the same value on a haematology day case unit.

A qualitative study of the roles, motivations, and challenges of academic veterinary technicians.

A qualitative study based on one-on-one interviews was conducted to better understand the role of the academic veterinary technician (AVT) and identify the motivations and challenges that AVTs face during their academic careers. 34 AVTs from 12 accredited US colleges of veterinary medicine. Virtual, semi-structured interviews were conducted between July and December 2020. Transcripts were analyzed using discourse analysis within the context of social identity theory. Five themes and seven accompanying sub-themes emerged: one title but many roles and responsibilities (professional/work; other obligations); workplace culture (belonging/inclusivity, administrative/policies); unique challenges of being in the ivory tower (impostor syndrome, educator role, technical skills for academia); entry into the profession and career progression; and motivation. AVTs have great passion for and dedication to their profession. Overwhelmingly, they want their voices to be heard and their skillsets to be both utilized and respected. Recognition of and consideration for the themes uncovered in this study may help to better support and retain technicians in their academic career paths.

Clinical pharmacy service evaluation of hepatology services at a large tertiary centre

Abstract Introduction Kings College Hospital (KCH) provides tertiary level care to patients with liver disease across the UK. These patients are often under the joint care of primary and/or secondary care centres. As a result, several medications related enquires are received from patients and healthcare professionals including, doctors, nurses, and pharmacists to continue and optimise pharmacotherapy. The KCH liver pharmacy team does not provide a formal medicines information service, although a large amount of pharmacy resource is used to provide high level medicines information locally, regionally, and nationally by the team. In addition, significant time and input is provided in optimising access to hospital only medication. Aim To describe activities conducted by a specialist clinical pharmacy team out with an inpatient or formal outpatient setting which contribute to medicines optimisation and improve access to specialist medication. Methods Retrospective data collection was carried out over 2 separate four-week periods in November 2020 and November 2021 by the specialist liver pharmacy team. The data was analysed on an 8-week average using Microsoft Excel. Ethical approval was not required as this is a service evaluation data collection. Results Over eight weeks, the specialist clinical pharmacy team (pharmacists and pharmacy technicians) received 206 queries, of which (72%) were received by email and (28%) by phone. The team spends an average of 15 hours per week on clinical activities outside of formal inpatient and outpatient settings. Most of the queries received were from patients (64%), followed by healthcare professionals including doctors (11%), nurses (9.5%), and pharmacy staff (7.7%). The clinical interventions made by the team included supply of medications (37%), prescribing events (36%) and medicines intervention (20%) which included drug selection, administration, optimisation, deprescribing, therapeutic drug monitoring, drug-drug interaction, transfer of care and advice given following adverse drug reactions. Discussion/Conclusion The ease of accessibility to the specialist clinical pharmacy team plays a significant role in providing access to specialist medications to patients and a positive impact on other healthcare services, including decreasing the burden upon primary care. A structured medicines information line provided by the specialist team would be effective for patients and healthcare professionals as the specialist team spends substantial amount of time providing medicines intervention and medicines information. The involvement of specialist pharmacy technicians in medicines information services and interventions, provides an opportunity for role development and up-skill the pharmacy technician role in a specialist team. A formal and structured medicine information service for hepatology by the specialist clinical pharmacy team should be considered to improve access to specialist medication and medicines optimisation.

Improving Anesthesia Technician Education

Introduction: The anesthesia technician is an integral asset to the anesthesia care team, increasing provider support and decreasing stress possibly leading to improved patient outcomes. While the profession of anesthesia has experienced advancement in recent years, the role of the anesthesia technician has remained underdeveloped. One basic role is the set-up of the anesthesia workstation. The purpose of this project was to design and administer anesthesia technician education on the operation of the anesthesia machine and to measure knowledge gained. Methods:A six-item multiple choice pre-test was administered to the participants assessing basic anesthesia machine knowledge which was included in the education module. A post-test was administered immediately after the education to measure knowledge gained.The post-test included several demographic and qualitative questions for quality improvement. Results: A pre-post test comparison demonstrated statistical significance. Overall test mean score increased from 38.9% to 62.5%. Demographics revealed many technicians were inexperienced and not certified. The education was received positively by participants with many requesting additional training. Discussion: The benefits of trained technicians inside and outside of the operating room where support may not be readily available has been demonstrated. Trained technicians can reduce stress of the anesthesia providers improving team dynamics and most importantly patient safety with the potential for better outcomes. Keywords: anesthesia support staff, anesthesia technician, education, training

Evaluation of Point-of-Care Testing in Pharmacy to Inform Policy Writing by the New Brunswick College of Pharmacists.

Pharmacy practice continues to advance, allowing professionals to contribute further to patient care and the healthcare system. Pharmacists are authorized to perform point-of-care testing (POCT) in seven out of ten Canadian provinces. In considering the potential for enhanced clinical decision-making with the opportunity to gain patient data at the site of care, the New Brunswick College of Pharmacists (NBCP) proceeded to draft regulatory amendments and a policy to enable POCT scope in New Brunswick. Policy writing is a core function of Provincial Regulatory Authorities in Canada as the process determines principles that direct pharmacy practice. Each province has a differing scope of practice and method for developing documents. This paper highlights the approach, analysis, and findings of the NBCP pursuant to drafting a POCT policy. The policy development process included a literature search and environmental scan of the ten Canadian provincial regulatory authorities along with other countries. The findings highlighted in this paper describe the use of POCT, quality assurance, regulatory framework, educational opportunities, and the role of pharmacy technicians in relation to POCT in a pharmacy setting. The approach NBCP took to engage professionals and decisions on the direction of the policy are described. As point-of-care services continue to expand in pharmacies, the insights by the NBCP can be utilized by other regulatory bodies or pharmacy professionals who are implementing or enhancing POCT policies or procedures within their organizations.