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PubMedDate not supplied

Work stress and patient safety: observer-rated work stressors as predictors of characteristics of safety-related events reported by young nurses.

This study investigates the link between workplace stress and the 'non-singularity' of patient safety-related incidents in the hospital setting. Over a period of 2 working weeks 23 young nurses from 19 hospitals in Switzerland documented 314 daily stressful events using a self-observation method (pocket diaries); 62 events were related to patient safety. Familiarity of safety-related events and probability of recurrence, as indicators of non-singularity, were the dependent variables in multilevel regression analyses. Predictor variables were both situational (self-reported situational control, safety compliance) and chronic variables (job stressors such as time pressure, or concentration demands and job control). Chronic work characteristics were rated by trained observers. The most frequent safety-related stressful events included incomplete or incorrect documentation (40.3%), medication errors (near misses 21%), delays in delivery of patient care (9.7%), and violent patients (9.7%). Familiarity of events and probability of recurrence were significantly predicted by chronic job stressors and low job control in multilevel regression analyses. Job stressors and low job control were shown to be risk factors for patient safety. The results suggest that job redesign to enhance job control and decrease job stressors may be an important intervention to increase patient safety.

Ergonomics↗

PubMed2006

Background to sitting at work: research-based requirements for the design of work seats.

The body's responses to sitting are complex and involve the anatomy and physiology of the sitter as well as the structure of the seat, the desk and the environment. In the light of recent research, the major reactions of the spine, the muscles and the spinal discs are discussed. Their interactions when adopting sitting postures are described. Reasons are given why certain sitting postures are to be preferred. The mechanisms that may give rise to muscle and disc damage, as well as back pain, as a result of adverse sitting postures are outlined. The design consequences of the research are then presented, showing how the seat shape arises from the previously described data. The influence of backrest design on sitting comfort and in the reduction of loading on the body is shown. Finally, a brief discussion of the influences from the work surface illustrates how the combination of seat and workplace can reduce the risks of injury by mitigating body loadings over the working day.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

To work or not to work: nonfinancial employment commitment and the social desirability bias.

The so-called "lottery question," which asks whether individuals would stop or continue working if there were no economic reasons to do so, was used to evaluate non-financial employment commitment. Data were collected through a survey conducted among a representative sample of the adult population in Israel. The sample included 501 respondents, who were interviewed via telephone in their homes by professional interviewers from a national survey agency. The additional contribution of social desirability to the prediction of nonfinancial employment commitment, beyond the contribution of age, is significant. There is a higher likelihood of indicating a desire to continue working under conditions of high social desirability rather than under those of low social desirability. It is suggested that, in order to examine the actual scope of nonfinancial employment commitment, some measures of detecting or reducing the social desirability bias should be taken.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Blood pressure variations during a working day at age 28: effects of different types of work and blood pressure level at age 18.

During an ordinary work day blood pressure was self-monitored once every hour in two samples of asymptomatic nonmedicating 28-year-old men. They were selected on the basis of previous compulsory blood pressure recordings made at the age of 18 when they had been drafted for military service. Subjects in the "original hypertensive sample" with "strain" occupations (hectic and uncontrollable, such as waiter, driver and cook) had more marked elevations of systolic blood pressure during work hours than other subjects.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

How rats perform spatial working memory tasks: limitations in the use of egocentric and idiothetic working memory.

Rats of the Dark Agouti strain were trained on delayed alternation under conditions that should encourage egocentric working memory. In two experiments a T-maze was set within a cross-maze so that different arms could be used for the sample and test runs. The maze had high opaque side-walls, and testing was conducted in low light levels so that distal visual cues might be eliminated. By rotating the maze 90 degrees between the sample and choice run and by using two identical mazes set side by side it was possible to nullify other spatial strategies. Experiments 1 and 2 showed that rats preferentially used place information, intramaze cues, and direction cues, even though only egocentric or idiothetic (nonmatch-to-turn) working memory could successfully solve every trial. Rats were able to maintain an accurate sense of location within the maze even though distal cues were not visible and the animal was moved between the sample and choice runs. Experiment 2 confirmed that another rat strain (Long-Evans) shows the same learning profiles. Both experiments indicate that rats are very poor at using either egocentric or idiothetic information to alternate, and that retention delays as short as 10 s can eliminate the use of these forms of memory.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Short-term memory and working memory as indices of children's cognitive skills.

In the current literature, empirical and conceptual distinctions have been drawn between a more or less passive short-term memory (STM) system and a more dynamic working memory (WM) system. Distinct tasks have been developed to measure their capacity and research has generally shown that, for adults, WM, and not STM, is a reliable predictor of general cognitive ability. However, the locus of the differences between the tasks has received little attention. We present data from children concerning measures of matrices reasoning ability, reading, and numerical skill along with forward and backward order serial recall of WM, STM, and STM with articulatory suppression tasks. As indices of children's cognitive skills, STM and WM are shown to be rather similar in terms of memory per se. Neither the opportunity for rehearsal nor task complexity provides satisfactory explanations for differences between memory tests.

Child↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Working memory in spelling: evidence from backward typing.

Theories of spelling (Margolin, 1984; Nolan & Caramazza, 1983) propose a working memory system for storing order and identity information of letters during the spelling process. Capacity limitations related to the use of such a graphemic buffer were explored. Participants had to type words backwards. Longer pauses between key presses were assumed to signal points at which graphemic buffer contents were refreshed. Five- and six-letter words were divided by a major pause into chunks of two and three letters, partly coinciding with syllables. Articulatory suppression had no effect on performance. Increasing the length of the stimuli to seven to eight letters resulted in major pauses occurring at syllable boundaries, and performance becoming vulnerable to articulatory suppression but not foot tapping. Forward typing resulted in a similar pause pattern. The results suggest that chunks of approximately three letters can be handled at any one time. For short words the task seems to rely on non-phonological modes of coding, whereas longer words appear to require the use of a phonological code, possibly for keeping track of progress through the word.

Humans↗

PubMed1999

Experimental verification of the computerized method for work space optimization in conditions of static work.

The aim of this study was to verify a theoretical model for upper extremity work space optimization. In order to do that, experimental studies were conducted in which two parameters of the electromyography (EMG) signal were analyzed: AMP (amplitude calculated as Root Mean Square) and SZC (coefficient of the slope of the regression line between time and Zero Crossing values). Values of forces in muscles (parameter MOD) were calculated from theoretical studies. A comparison of experimental (AMP, SZC) and theoretical (MOD) parameters was performed by analyzing the coefficient of correlation between those parameters and differentiation of muscular load according to external load value. Analysis showed that the theoretical and experimental results are in step, which means that the developed model can be used for upper extremity work space optimization.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

The hippocampus: a "working memory" structure? The effect of hippocampal sclerosis on working memory.

Patients with medically intractable epilepsy and either hippocampal sclerosis or frontal lobe lesions were compared with healthy controls, to investigate a possible neuroanatomical correlate of a component of working memory: the central executive. Patients were tested on a short-term memory task which comprised visuo-spatial and verbal components, in single and concurrent trials. Differences were found between the patient groups for dual-task capacity, despite being equated on single-task trials. Patients with frontal lobe damage were the most affected by the demands of attention division. The results of this study do not support the thesis of a hippocampal role in the working memory component examined, but point to a frontal lobe focus for this janusian cognitive function. An unexpected finding of an increment in performance over the trials of visuo-spatial assessment, in patients with hippocampal sclerosis, is presented.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1993

Dobutamine restores the reduced efficiency of energy transfer from total mechanical work to external mechanical work in stunned porcine myocardium.

OBJECTIVE: In order to determine whether the relatively high oxygen consumption of stunned myocardium is related to decreased mechanical efficiency, myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) and its major determinants were studied in 10 open chest anaesthetised pigs. METHODS: According to the time varying elastance concept, MVO2 is determined by contractility (Emax) and total mechanical work (PLA), which is the sum of the external work (EW) and potential energy (PE). Mechanical efficiency (EW/MVO2) equals the product of EW/PLA (= efficiency of energy transfer or EET) and PLA/MVO2. Emax is the slope of the end systolic pressure-segment length relationship, determined by gradually clamping the aorta. PLA is the area enclosed by the end systolic pressure-segment length relationship and the pressure-segment length trajectory. EW is the area of the pressure-segment length loop. Systemic haemodynamics, regional segment shortening, and MVO2 were determined at baseline, during stunning (two sequences of 10 min occlusion and 30 min of reperfusion), after a subsequent 50 beats.min-1 increase in heart rate by atrial pacing and additional infusion of 2 micrograms.kg-1.min-1 dobutamine. RESULTS: Stunning decreased segment shortening from 18.2(SEM 1.9)% to 10.2(1.5)%, MVO2 from 4.16(0.27) x 10(-2) to 2.84(0.25) x 10(-2) mumol.beat-1.g-1, and Emax from 47(9) to 23(3) mm Hg.mm-1 (all p < 0.05). PLA decreased by 13(4)%, as EW decreased by 42(6)%, and PE tended to increase. Although EET decreased from 0.58(0.04) to 0.40(0.03) (p < 0.05), there was no decrease in the mechanical efficiency, as an increase in PE caused an increase in PLA/MVO2 which compensated for the decrease in EET. Dobutamine infusion increased Emax and EW per beat to 120(23)% and 67(8)% of baseline, respectively, while MVO2 [4.12(0.53) mumol.beat-1.g-1] and EET [0.57(0.04)] returned to baseline. CONCLUSIONS: In stunned myocardium, mechanical efficiency is not decreased despite a decrease in EET. The increase in EET after dobutamine may explain the lack of the excessive increase in MVO2.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Developing a parent-professional team leadership model in group work: work with families with children experiencing behavioral and emotional problems.

Building on the respective strengths of parent-led and professional-led groups, a parent-professional team leadership model for group interventions was developed and evaluated for families of youths with emotional and behavioral problems. The model was developed based on feedback from 26 parents in focus group sessions and recommendations from mental health professionals in staff meetings. Evaluations of an implementation of the model in a support, empowerment, and education group intervention (S.E.E. group) have demonstrated the usefulness of this approach in work with families of children with behavioral and emotional problems. This article discusses the challenges of instituting the model in an S.E.E. group. It explores how parents and professionals build the team leadership model and the strengths of this approach in working with parents of youths with serious emotional disturbances.

Child↗

PubMed2000

What's working in working memory: a role for the Central Executive.

Two experiments are reported which seek to explore the nature of the Central Executive of Baddeley's (Baddeley and Hitch, 1974) model of working memory. Experiment 1 uses a dual task methodology to compare performance on two storage tasks, making use of the two slave systems, the Phonological Loop (PL) and the Visuo-Spatial Scratch Pad (VSSP). Results suggest that storage can be thought of as based on the use of slave system independent resources. Experiment 2 uses a similar approach to compare performance on 2 processing tasks, again one PL based, the other VSSP based. These results suggest that processing is based on a central, shared set of resources. The two experiments support both a multiple resources model of working memory and more specifically identify a role for the Central Executive.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

Incidence of shoulder and neck pain in a working population: effect modification between mechanical and psychosocial exposures at work? Results from a one year follow up of the Malmö shoulder and neck study cohort.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of mechanical exposure and work related psychosocial factors on shoulder and neck pain. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: 4919 randomly chosen, vocationally active men and women ages 45-65 residing in a Swedish city. Neck and shoulder pain were determined by the standardised Nordic questionnaire. Mechanical exposure was assessed by an index based on 11 items designed and evaluated for shoulder and neck disorders. Work related psychosocial factors were measured by the Karasek and Theorell demand-control instrument. MAIN RESULTS: High mechanical exposure was associated with heightened risk for shoulder and neck pain among men and women during follow up. Age adjusted odds ratios (OR) were 2.17 (95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.65, 2.85) and 1.59 (95% CI: 1.22, 2.06), respectively. In women, job strain (high psychological job demands and low job decision latitude) correlated with heightened risk (OR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.29, 2.31). These risk estimates remained statistically significant when controlled for high mechanical exposure regarding job strain (and vice versa), and for sociodemographic factors. Testing for effect modification between high mechanical exposure and job strain showed them acting synergistically only in women. CONCLUSION: Job related mechanical exposure in both sexes, and psychosocial factors in women, seem independently of each other to play a part for development of shoulder and neck pain in vocationally active people. The effect of psychosocial factors was more prominent in women, which could be the result of biological factors as well as gender issues. These results suggest that interventions aiming at reducing the occurrence of shoulder and neck pain should include both mechanical and psychosocial factors.

Aged↗

PubMed1986

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and exposure to phenoxyherbicides, chlorophenols, fencing work, and meat works employment: a case-control study.

A previous case-control study which used the occupational information available on the New Zealand Cancer Registry found that agricultural workers were at increased risk of developing non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The findings are now presented for the second phase of the study which entailed interviewing 83 cases of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma registered under code 202 of the International Classification of Diseases together with 168 controls with other types of cancer and 228 general population controls. The findings for the two control groups were similar, and there were no significant differences between cases and controls regarding potential exposure to phenoxy-herbicides (odds ratio = 1.4, 90% confidence limits 0.7-2.5, p = 0.26) or chlorophenols (odds ratio = 1.3, 90% confidence limits 0.6-2.7, p = 0.39). The odds ratio for fencing work, necessitating exposure to several potential risk factors including arsenic and sodium pentachlorophenate was 2.0 (90% confidence limits 1.3-3.0, p = 0.01). The odds ratio for employment in a meat works, necessitating potential exposure to 2, 4, 6-trichlorophenol and zoonotic viruses, was 1.8 (90% confidence limits 1.1-3.1, p = 0.04). There was a significant statistical interaction between the risks associated with these two activities, the odds ratio for involvement in both activities compared with involvement in neither being 5.7 (90% confidence limits 2.3-14.3, p = 0.03).

2,4,5-Trichlorophenoxyacetic Acid↗

PubMed2002

Prevention of work related skin problems: an intervention study in wet work employees.

AIMS: To evaluate the effect of implementation of an evidence based skin care programme for wet work employees as part of an occupational health and safety management system. METHODS: 375 wet work employees were included in a prospective randomised controlled trial, allocated to either intervention (n = 207) or control (n = 168). The intervention group was exposed to a skin care programme during the five month study period. The intervention included an educational programme for a group of frontline employees, who underwent formalised training, and subsequently introduced the information to their colleagues. As part of the intervention a skin care policy including written instructions was established at each workplace. Both groups answered a test quiz, completed questionnaires on behaviour and symptoms, and underwent clinical examination of their hands before and after the five month period. RESULTS: No difference between the intervention and the control group was found at baseline with respect to clinical symptoms or behaviour. Evaluation after the five months of intervention revealed a significantly higher information level on skin care in the intervention group compared to the control group, a significant change in behaviour in the intervention group but not in the control group, and significantly less skin symptoms as evaluated clinically in the intervention group but not in the control group. No significant difference was found for self reported skin problems. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention was successful with respect to information level (knowledge), behaviour, and clinical symptoms. Implementation of a skin care programme as part of an occupational health and safety management system is recommended as a prophylactic measure for employees in wet occupations.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Observations of shipboard illness behavior: work discipline and the sick role in a residential work setting.

In this article, the author reports on a small-scale ethnographic study of illness behavior in a residential work setting, a large merchant cargo ship with a multinational crew. Although parallels with previous observational work on illness behavior in residential settings (where illnesses result in treatment only if there is a break in accommodation to symptoms) exist, it is clear that type of setting is pivotal in shaping illness careers. Here, accommodation to symptoms was overlain by the economic imperative to keep the ship functioning: Management feared that the right to the sick role would allow "malingering," whereas workers feared adoption of the sick role would exclude them from employment. In the latter case, the worker might experience illness or disability in a manner parallel to a Marxist analysis of the product of workers'labor: as an alien object of control and oppression, grounds for his or her removal from the workforce.

Employment↗

PubMed1998

Impact of work site health promotion on stages of dietary change: the Working Well Trial.

The stages of change construct has been applied to healthful dietary behavior in cross-sectional studies. This report examines associations of stages of change with diet prospectively and addresses whether (1) baseline stage of change predicts participation, (2) forward changes in stage movement were greater in treatment work sites, and (3) change in stage was associated with adoption of healthful diets, using data from a cohort of 11,237 employees. Findings indicate that persons in later stages of change reported higher participation levels. Employees from intervention work sites who were in preaction stages at baseline were much more likely to shift into action and maintenance stages than controls. Changes in dietary stage of change were associated with decreases in fat intake and increases in fiber, fruit and vegetable intake. Net change in diet due to the intervention was modest. Stage of change appears to be useful for understanding mediators of health promotion intervention effectiveness.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Implications of Working Time Regulations for theatre nurses working in the NHS.

The European Working Times Regulations have implications for staff throughout the NHS. In particular, theatre staff and others working on call and shifts need to be aware of the implications of these regulations. In this article, Jon Richards, National Officer for Unison, explains the background to and implications of these regulations for theatre staff.

Guidelines as Topic↗