14 research outputs found
Calculation of comparative utilisation and cost: a South African perspective on intravenous vs. inhalational anaesthesia for procedures of differing duration
No full textObjectives: The cost of various anaesthetic techniques fluctuates and is seldom transparent, because of complicated anaesthetic protocols. The theoretical costs of different anaesthetic techniques were compared in this study.Design: This comparative study utilised protocols that determined the cost of inhalational anaesthesia, based on evidence from relevant literature. Propofol target-controlled infusion (TCI) was used as the intravenous protocol [Alaris® PK syringe pump (Schnider model), Cardinal Health, UK].Setting and subjects: No patients were involved in this theoretical cost analysis.Outcome measures: The calculated costs of high- vs. low-flow inhalational anaesthesia and inhalation vs. intravenous anaesthesia with propofol, with or without N2O, and procedures of a longer and shorter duration were compared.Results: Trends were noted. High-flow inhalational anaesthesia tended to be more expensive than low-flow inhalational anaesthesia. The savings that were gained by implementing low-flow anaesthesia increased with the duration of procedure. The savings were greater when less soluble inhaled anaesthetics were used. Isoflurane and halothane anaesthesia cost more when N2O was added. Inhalational anaesthesia with isoflurane was the most cost-effective option consistently. Anaesthesia with desflurane was always the most expensive option. Propofol TCI was less expensive than sevoflurane for long procedures.Conclusion: Anaesthetic drugs account for only 3-4% of the total cost of a surgical procedure, but economic use thereof frees up resources for other essentials in financially challenging times. Isoflurane should be used widely. N2O should probably be used conservatively as it increases the anaesthetic cost and contributes to pollution and ozone depletion. Propofol TCI can be considered instead of sevoflurane inhalational anaesthesia for longer procedures.Keywords: cost of anaesthesia; inhalational anaesthesia, intravenous anaesthesia, nitrous oxideSouth Afr J Anaesth Analg 2012;18(6):310-31
The effects of motor vehicle accidents on careers and the work performance of victims
No full textOrientation: Research into the long-term effects of motor accidents on the work performance and careers of victims in South Africa is limited. Results of this research are important for employers who must assist the employees after they return to work.
Research purpose: The purpose of this study was to contribute to research on the effects of the injuries by investigating the relationship between the severity of the injuries and the careers and growth potential of victims.
Motivation for the study: Employers could use the information on the effects of the injuries on the careers of victims to plan interventions and job accommodations to retain employees and to manage their well-being and performance.
Research design, approach and method: The author conducted a quantitative survey on a
purposive sample (N = 199) of adult victims of motor vehicle accidents in 2010 in South Africa.
She used descriptive and inferential statistics to analyse the data.
Main findings: The author observed a number of significant relationships between the effects of the different injuries on the careers and growth potential of victims.
Practical/managerial implications: Organisations and managers need to recognise the physical and psychological effects of injuries victims sustain in motor accidents and the associated responsibility of organisations to accommodate these employees.
Contribution/value-add: The findings of the study can add to the literature and provide
insights into the consequences of the injuries. They also provide information that can assist organisations to create an awareness of job accommodation and employee wellness of accident victims.Industrial and Organisational Psycholog
The effects of motor vehicle accidents on careers and the work performance of victims
No full textOrientation: Research into the long-term effects of motor accidents on the work performance and careers of victims in South Africa is limited. Results of this research are important for employers who must assist the employees after they return to work.
Research purpose: The purpose of this study was to contribute to research on the effects of the injuries by investigating the relationship between the severity of the injuries and the careers and growth potential of victims.
Motivation for the study: Employers could use the information on the effects of the injuries on the careers of victims to plan interventions and job accommodations to retain employees and to manage their well-being and performance.
Research design, approach and method: The author conducted a quantitative survey on a purposive sample (N = 199) of adult victims of motor vehicle accidents in 2010 in South Africa. She used descriptive and inferential statistics to analyse the data.
Main findings: The author observed a number of significant relationships between the effects of the different injuries on the careers and growth potential of victims.
Practical/managerial implications: Organisations and managers need to recognise the physical and psychological effects of injuries victims sustain in motor accidents and the associated responsibility of organisations to accommodate these employees.
Contribution/value-add: The findings of the study can add to the literature and provide insights into the consequences of the injuries. They also provide information that can assist organisations to create an awareness of job accommodation and employee wellness of accident victims
Errors in drug administration by anaesthetists in public hospitals in the Free State
No full textObjective. To investigate errors in administering drugs by anaesthetists working in public hospitals in the Free State province. Methods. Anonymous questionnaires were distributed to doctors performing anaesthesia in public hospitals in the Free State, i.e. 188 doctors at 22 public sector hospitals. Outcomes included demographic information on respondents, information regarding the administration of anaesthetics, reporting of errors, and the occurrence of errors during anaesthesia. Results. The response rate was 46.3%; 48.8% were medical officers, and 39.3% of participants were involved in at least one event of erroneous drug administration. Registrars and specialists reported the most errors. Most events were of no clinical significance, caused no permanent harm to patients, and most commonly involved fentanyl and suxamethonium. Of the respondents, 23.8% indicated that they were aware of a South African standard for colour-coding syringe labels, and 92.9% indicated that they would report anaesthetic errors if a single reporting agency for such events existed. Conclusions. More than a third of participating anaesthetists were involved in a drug error at some stage in their practice. Preventive systems and precautionary measures should be put in place to reduce drug administration errors
Population health AI researchers’ perceptions of the public portrayal of AI : A pilot study
No full textThis article reports how 18 UK and Canadian population health artificial intelligence researchers in Higher Education Institutions perceive the use of artificial intelligence systems in their research, and how this compares with their perceptions about the media portrayal of artificial intelligence systems. This is triangulated with a small scoping analysis of how UK and Canadian news articles portray artificial intelligence systems associated with health research and care. Interviewees had concerns about what they perceived as sensationalist reporting of artificial intelligence systems – a finding reflected in the media analysis. In line with Pickersgill’s concept of ‘epistemic modesty’, they considered artificial intelligence systems better perceived as non-exceptionalist methodological tools that were uncertain and unexciting. Adopting ‘epistemic modesty’ was sometimes hindered by stakeholders to whom the research is disseminated, who may be less interested in hearing about the uncertainties of scientific practice, having implications on both research and policy. © The Author(s) 2020
All we crave is pleasure! The motivation behind millennial men's clothing store choices when purchasing semi-formal/smart workwear for themselves
No full textDATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT :
The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.Multi-method research was conducted in South Africa to explore the personal values that shape millennial men's clothing retail store choices when purchasing semi-formal/smart workwear for themselves. The qualitative phase comprised in-depth, personal interviews with 25 participants, implementing soft laddering to elicit the preferred attributes and desired consequences that drive clothing retail store choices. These ‘easier to communicate’ properties formed the crux of the phase 2 measuring instrument. The online quantitative questionnaire, an interactive version of the established Association Pattern Technique (APT), was completed by 408 millennial men as part of the means-end chain (MEC) procedure. The stepwise process produced a series of hierarchical value maps (HVMs), disclosing two prominent underlying personal values that drive millennial men's clothing store choices. ‘Pleasure’ emerged as the most prominent personal value, signalling millennials' high regard for enjoyable shopping experiences. The importance of a sense of ‘security’ should also be noted. Accordingly, the underlying forces that drive this financially lucrative cohort's clothing retail store choices extend beyond the marketing principles taught in business schools. Retailers will, therefore, have to delve deeper to understand their target markets' needs to prosper in a highly competitive marketplace.http://wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/cbhj2024Consumer ScienceFood ScienceGordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)Non
Author Correction: The European Reference Genome Atlas: piloting a decentralised approach to equitable biodiversity genomics.
No full textAuthor Correction: The European Reference Genome Atlas: piloting a decentralised approach to equitable biodiversity genomics
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