2,966 research outputs found
Combining social network analysis and the NATO Approach Space to define agility. Topic 2: networks and networking
No full textThis paper takes the NATO SAS-050 Approach Space, a widely accepted model of command and control, and gives each of its primary axes a quantitative measure using social network analysis. This means that the actual point in the approach space adopted by real-life command and control organizations can be plotted along with the way in which that point varies over time and function. Part 1 of the paper presents the rationale behind this innovation and how it was subject to verification using theoretical data. Part 2 shows how the enhanced approach space was put to use in the context of a large scale military command post exercise. Agility is represented by the number of distinct areas in the approach space that the organization was able to occupy and there was a marked disparity between where the organization thought it should be and where it actually was, furthermore, agility varied across function. The humans in this particular scenario bestowed upon the organization the levels of agility that were observed, thus the findings are properly considered from a socio-technical perspective
Transformative impact of Magnet designation: England case study
No full textAims:? To test the impact of the implementation of Magnet principles of improving nurses’ work environments.Background:? Magnet hospital designation developed in the USA in the 1980s to recognise hospitals that had created excellent patient care environments and supported the professional practice of nursing. A pilot initiative in England was the first test of the applicability of Magnet standards outside the USA.Methods:? Research methods included surveys of nurses in the demonstration hospital in a predesign and postdesign and comparisons to survey results of nurses practicing in a national sample of 30 National Health Service Trusts.Results:? Prior to beginning the Magnet journey, the demonstration hospital had a nurse work environment that was somewhat less positive than the national sample NHS hospitals. Nurses practicing in the demonstration hospital were somewhat less satisfied with their jobs than nurses in other NHS hospitals. Following a two-year period during which the evidence-based Magnet standards were implemented and Magnet Designation was awarded, the quality of the nurse practice environment had improved significantly, as had job satisfaction of nurses and their appraisals of the quality of patient care. The quality of the nurse practice environment after Magnet designation was better than that of a national sample of NHS trusts. Improved nurse outcomes were because of the improved practice environment rather than staffing enhancements.Conclusions:? Implementation of the Magnet hospital intervention was associated with a significantly improved nursing work environment as well as improved job-related outcomes for nurses and markers for quality of patient care.Relevance to clinical practice:? Nurses can use Magnet principles to improve the quality of their work environment
Harris County topographic watershed map of a preliminary drainage study for Harris County Flood Control
No full text1 Map of Harris County watershed, 22"x26" original size. Designed by J.H. Rafferty, drainage engineer and drawn by Irving L. Peabody, C.E. Mentions areas to be improved such as Brays Bayou, and Clear Creek and Sims Bayou to be reconstructed. Ship Channel Turning Basin on Buffalo Bayou is penciled in
Fratricide: defective decision making
No full textMotivation – to explore the applicability of a Human Factors methodology for the investigation of fratricide. Research approach – The EAST methodology was used to analyse an incident of fratricide and its ability to explore the Famous Five of Fratricide (F3) model was investigated. Findings/Design – the analysis revealed that EAST was able to provide explicit discussion of the Famous Five of Fratricide (F3) models five causal factors of communication, cooperation, coordination, schemata and situation awareness. Research limitations/Implications – the research explored a single case study and as such is couched at the initial phases of investigation. Originality/Value – the analysis provides a contribution to the knowledge urrounding fratricide both with respect to the novel application of the EAST methodology to an incident of fratricide, and also the causal factors identified by EAST within the fratricide incident. Take away message – the EAST methodology provides an innovative way of exploring causality in incidents of fratricide<br/
Great expectations: a thematic analysis of situation awareness in fratricide
No full textThis paper explores the role of Situation Awareness (SA) in accidents within the military domain, specifically in Close Air Support (CAS) missions. Several major examples of military fratricide (friendly fire) have arisen in such scenarios, and from the experience gained so far it is clear that poor SA has played a critical role. The study reported in this paper took place in a networked training facility, and two teams of army and air force personnel performed simulated CAS missions. One team performed in an effective manner, while the other team committed an error. Communications data from these two teams was subject to an analysis that enabled information networks to be created, which in turn provided a novel representation of systemic SA. The results demonstrated that SA differed in several critical and specific ways between the more effective and less effective teams. Of particular interest is that ‘better’ SA was found to be not merely ‘more’ SA, but more SA of appropriate stimuli. Linked to this is the finding that more communications do not necessarily support improvements in SA. Indeed, in this case fewer communications events were implicated in better team performance and SA. The findings confirm the importance of SA to safety within the military domain, but with several important and sophisticated caveats. The paper also contributes recommendations for improving SA in these environments, and a novel method for its measurement in challenging military contexts
The famous five factors in teamwork: a case study of fratricide
No full textThe purpose of this paper is to propose foundations for a theory of errors in teamwork based upon analysis of a case study of fratricide alongside a review of the existing literature. This approach may help to promote a better understanding of interactions within complex systems and help in the formulation of hypotheses and predictions concerning errors in teamwork, particularly incidents of fratricide. It is proposed that a fusion of concepts drawn from error models, with common causal categories taken from teamwork models, could allow for an in-depth exploration of incidents of fratricide. It is argued that such a model has the potential to explore the core causal categories identified as present in an incident of fratricide. This view marks fratricide as a process of errors occurring throughout the military system as a whole, particularly due to problems in teamwork within this complex system. Implications of this viewpoint for the development of a new theory of fratricide are offered. <br/
In Tune, BBC Radio 3: 'Berta Joncus in conversation with Sean Rafferty about her book Kitty Clive, or The Fair Songster'
No full textSean Rafferty presents a lively mix of music and arts news with live performance in the studio from mezzo-soprano Clara Mouriz with Jaume Santonja Espinós. The viol consort Fretwork join us too, and author Berta Joncus chats to Sean about her new book Kitty Clive, or The Fair Songster
Are teamwork and professional autonomy compatible, and do they result in improved hospital care?
No full textA postal questionnaire survey of 10 022 staff nurses in 32 hospitals in England was undertaken to explore the relationship between interdisciplinary teamwork and nurse autonomy on patient and nurse outcomes and nurse assessed quality of care. The key variables of nursing autonomy, control over resources, relationship with doctors, emotional exhaustion, and decision making were found to correlate with one another as well as having a relationship with nurse assessed quality of care and nurse satisfaction. Nursing autonomy was positively correlated with better perceptions of the quality of care delivered and higher levels of job satisfaction. Analysis of team working by job characteristics showed a small but significant difference in the level of teamwork between full time and part time nurses. No significant differences were found by type of contract (permanent v short term), speciality of ward/unit, shift length, or job title. Nurses with higher teamwork scores were significantly more likely to be satisfied with their jobs, planned to stay in them, and had lower burnout scores. Higher teamwork scores were associated with higher levels of nurse assessed quality of care, perceived quality improvement over the last year, and confidence that patients could manage their care when discharged. Nurses with higher teamwork scores also exhibited higher levels of autonomy and were more involved in decision making. A strong association was found between teamwork and autonomy; this interaction suggests synergy rather than conflict. Organisations should therefore be encouraged to promote nurse autonomy without fearing that it might undermine teamwork
Nurses’ shift length and overtime working in 12 European countries: the association with perceived quality of care and patient safety
No full textBackground: Despite concerns as to whether nurses can perform reliably and effectively when working longer shifts, a pattern of two 12- to 13-hour shifts per day is becoming common in many hospitals to reduce shift to shift handovers, staffing overlap, and hence costs.Objectives: To describe shift patterns of European nurses and investigate whether shift length and working beyond contracted hours (overtime) is associated with nurse-reported care quality, safety, and care left undone.Methods: Cross-sectional survey of 31,627 registered nurses in general medical/surgical units within 488 hospitals across 12 European countries.Results: A total of 50% of nurses worked shifts of <=8 hours, but 15% worked >=12 hours. Typical shift length varied between countries and within some countries. Nurses working for >=12 hours were more likely to report poor or failing patient safety [odds ratio (OR)=1.41; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.13-1.76], poor/fair quality of care (OR=1.30; 95% CI, 1.10-1.53), and more care activities left undone (RR=1.13; 95% CI, 1.09-1.16). Working overtime was also associated with reports of poor or failing patient safety (OR=1.67; 95% CI, 1.51-1.86), poor/fair quality of care (OR=1.32; 95% CI, 1.23-1.42), and more care left undone (RR=1.29; 95% CI, 1.27-1.31).Conclusions: European registered nurses working shifts of >=12 hours and those working overtime report lower quality and safety and more care left undone. Policies to adopt a 12-hour nursing shift pattern should proceed with caution. Use of overtime working to mitigate staffing shortages or increase flexibility may also incur additional risk to quality
From the 6 Ps of planning to the 4 Ds of digitization: difficulties, dilemmas, and defective decision making
No full textInterface problems have been cited as critical factor in the suboptimal performance of a large-scale digital command and control system. A live field study involving fully functioning Brigade and Battlegroup headquarters was observed. More than 3,000 communications events were extracted and analyzed in terms of their quantity, direction, and content. The effect of the interface problem was pronounced. Voice mediated communications (conducted by radio and avoiding the interface entirely) were superior at converting “data” into “information.” In cases where the interface was relied upon, users seized on a highly simplistic comms. facility and put it to use in ways that were not anticipated. The findings added significant value in terms of the phased, real-world delivery of this system. Very little human factors analysis had been performed previously. The current analysis, therefore, was able to provide a considerable amount of insight and justification for further design iterations. The take-away message: Neither networked technology nor the large quantities of raw data carried by it are sufficient to guarantee successful naturalistic decision making
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