98 research outputs found
Effective Call Center Management: Evidence from Financial Services
Call centers are quickly becoming the major point of contact for serving customers and generating new revenue in a variety of industries. No where is this growth in the importance of call centers more apparent than in the financial services industry. This paper presents the results of a survey of the management of call center operations at major financial service firms. The results clearly indicate the importance of human resource management practices and technology in creating high-performance call center environments.
Comparison of a nurse initiated insulin infusion protocol for intensive insulin therapy between adult surgical trauma, medical and coronary care intensive care patients
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Sustained hyperglycemia is a known risk factor for adverse outcomes in critically ill patients. The specific aim was to determine if a nurse initiated insulin infusion protocol (IIP) was effective in maintaining blood glucose values (BG) within a target goal of 100â150 mg/dL across different intensive care units (ICUs) and to describe glycemic control during the 48 hours after protocol discontinuation.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A descriptive, retrospective review of 366 patients having 28,192 blood glucose values in three intensive care units, Surgical Trauma Intensive Care Unit (STICU), Medical (MICU) and Coronary Care Unit (CCU) in a quaternary care hospital was conducted. Patients were > 15 years of age, admitted to STICU (n = 162), MICU (n = 110) or CCU (n = 94) over 8 months; October 2003-June 2004 and who had an initial blood glucose level > 150 mg/dL. We summarized the effectiveness and safety of a nurse initiated IIP, and compared these endpoints among STICU, MICU and CCU patients.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The median blood glucose values (mg/dL) at initiation of insulin infusion protocol were lower in STICU (188; IQR, 162â217) than in MICU, (201; IQR, 170â268) and CCU (227; IQR, 178â313); <it>p </it>< 0.0001. Mean time to achieving a target glucose level (100â150 mg/dL) was similar between the three units: 4.6 hours in STICU, 4.7 hours in MICU and 4.9 hours in CCU (<it>p </it>= 0.27). Hypoglycemia (BG < 60 mg/dL) occurred in 7% of STICU, 5% of MICU, and 5% of CCU patients (<it>p </it>= 0.85). Protocol violations were uncommon in all three ICUs. Mean blood glucose 48 hours following IIP discontinuation was significantly different for each population: 142 mg/dL in STICU, 167 mg/dL in MICU, and 160 mg/dL in CCU (<it>p </it>< 0.0001).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The safety and effectiveness of nurse initiated IIP was similar across different ICUs in our hospital. Marked variability in glucose control after the protocol discontinuation suggests the need for further research regarding glucose control in patients transitioning out of the ICU.</p
Farmers\u27 market use is associated with fruit and vegetable consumption in diverse southern rural communities
Background
While farmersâ markets are a potential strategy to increase access to fruits and vegetables in rural areas, more information is needed regarding use of farmersâ markets among rural residents. Thus, this studyâs purpose was to examine (1) socio-demographic characteristics of participants; (2) barriers and facilitators to farmersâ market shopping in southern rural communities; and (3) associations between farmersâ market use with fruit and vegetable consumption and body mass index (BMI). Methods
Cross-sectional surveys were conducted with a purposive sample of farmersâ market customers and a representative sample of primary household food shoppers in eastern North Carolina (NC) and the Appalachian region of Kentucky (KY). Customers were interviewed using an intercept survey instrument at farmersâ markets. Representative samples of primary food shoppers were identified via random digit dial (RDD) cellular phone and landline methods in counties that had at least one farmersâ market. All questionnaires assessed socio-demographic characteristics, food shopping patterns, barriers to and facilitators of farmersâ market shopping, fruit and vegetable consumption and self-reported height and weight. The main outcome measures were fruit and vegetable consumption and BMI. Descriptive statistics were used to examine socio-demographic characteristics, food shopping patterns, and barriers and facilitators to farmersâ market shopping. Linear regression analyses were used to examine associations between farmersâ market use with fruit and vegetable consumption and BMI, controlling for age, race, education, and gender. Results
Among farmersâ market customers, 44% and 55% (NC and KY customers, respectively) reported shopping at a farmersâ market at least weekly, compared to 16% and 18% of NC and KY RDD respondents. Frequently reported barriers to farmersâ market shopping were market days and hours, âonly come when I need somethingâ, extreme weather, and market location. Among the KY farmersâ market customers and NC and KY RDD respondents, fruit and vegetable consumption was positively associated with use of farmersâ markets. There were no associations between use of farmersâ markets and BMI. Conclusions
Fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with farmersâ market shopping. Thus, farmersâ markets may be a viable method to increase population-level produce consumption
FarmersĂ¢âââ⢠market use is associated with fruit and vegetable consumption in diverse southern rural communities
Background
While farmersââŹâ˘ markets are a potential strategy to increase access to fruits and vegetables in rural areas, more information is needed regarding use of farmersââŹâ˘ markets among rural residents. Thus, this studyââŹâ˘s purpose was to examine (1) socio-demographic characteristics of participants; (2) barriers and facilitators to farmersââŹâ˘ market shopping in southern rural communities; and (3) associations between farmersââŹâ˘ market use with fruit and vegetable consumption and body mass index (BMI).
Methods
Cross-sectional surveys were conducted with a purposive sample of farmersââŹâ˘ market customers and a representative sample of primary household food shoppers in eastern North Carolina (NC) and the Appalachian region of Kentucky (KY). Customers were interviewed using an intercept survey instrument at farmersââŹâ˘ markets. Representative samples of primary food shoppers were identified via random digit dial (RDD) cellular phone and landline methods in counties that had at least one farmersââŹâ˘ market. All questionnaires assessed socio-demographic characteristics, food shopping patterns, barriers to and facilitators of farmersââŹâ˘ market shopping, fruit and vegetable consumption and self-reported height and weight. The main outcome measures were fruit and vegetable consumption and BMI. Descriptive statistics were used to examine socio-demographic characteristics, food shopping patterns, and barriers and facilitators to farmersââŹâ˘ market shopping. Linear regression analyses were used to examine associations between farmersââŹâ˘ market use with fruit and vegetable consumption and BMI, controlling for age, race, education, and gender.
Results
Among farmersââŹâ˘ market customers, 44% and 55% (NC and KY customers, respectively) reported shopping at a farmersââŹâ˘ market at least weekly, compared to 16% and 18% of NC and KY RDD respondents. Frequently reported barriers to farmersââŹâ˘ market shopping were market days and hours, ââŹĹonly come when I need somethingââŹďż˝, extreme weather, and market location. Among the KY farmersââŹâ˘ market customers and NC and KY RDD respondents, fruit and vegetable consumption was positively associated with use of farmersââŹâ˘ markets. There were no associations between use of farmersââŹâ˘ markets and BMI.
Conclusions
Fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with farmersââŹâ˘ market shopping. Thus, farmersââŹâ˘ markets may be a viable method to increase population-level produce consumption
FarmersÂż market use is associated with fruit and vegetable consumption in diverse southern rural communities
Abstract Background: While farmersâ markets are a potential strategy to increase access to fruits and vegetables in rural areas, more information is needed regarding use of farmersâ markets among rural residents. Thus, this studyâs purpose was to examine (1) socio-demographic characteristics of participants; (2) barriers and facilitators to farmersâ market shopping in southern rural communities; and (3) associations between farmersâ market use with fruit and vegetable consumption and body mass index (BMI). Methods: Cross-sectional surveys were conducted with a purposive sample of farmersâ market customers and a representative sample of primary household food shoppers in eastern North Carolina (NC) and the Appalachian region of Kentucky (KY). Customers were interviewed using an intercept survey instrument at farmersâ markets. Representative samples of primary food shoppers were identified via random digit dial (RDD) cellular phone and landline methods in counties that had at least one farmersâ market. All questionnaires assessed socio-demographic characteristics, food shopping patterns, barriers to and facilitators of farmersâ market shopping, fruit and vegetable consumption and self-reported height and weight. The main outcome measures were fruit and vegetable consumption and BMI. Descriptive statistics were used to examine socio-demographic characteristics, food shopping patterns, and barriers and facilitators to farmersâ market shopping. Linear regression analyses were used to examine associations between farmersâ market use with fruit and vegetable consumption and BMI, controlling for age, race, education, and gender. Results: Among farmersâ market customers, 44% and 55% (NC and KY customers, respectively) reported shopping at a farmersâ market at least weekly, compared to 16% and 18% of NC and KY RDD respondents. Frequently reported barriers to farmersâ market shopping were market days and hours, âonly come when I need somethingâ, extreme weather, and market location. Among the KY farmersâ market customers and NC and KY RDD respondents, fruit and vegetable consumption was positively associated with use of farmersâ markets. There were no associations between use of farmersâ markets and BMI. Conclusions: Fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with farmersâ market shopping. Thus, farmersâ markets may be a viable method to increase population-level produce consumption
Associations Between Neighborhood-Level Factors Related to a Healthful Lifestyle and Dietary Intake, Physical Activity, and Support for Obesity Prevention Polices Among Rural Adults
To examine cross-sectional associations among neighborhood- and individual-level factors related to a healthful lifestyle and dietary intake, physical activity (PA), and support for obesity prevention polices in rural eastern North Carolina adults
Associations Between Neighborhood-Level Factors Related to a Healthful Lifestyle and Dietary Intake, Physical Activity, and Support for Obesity Prevention Polices Among Rural Adults
PURPOSE: To examine cross-sectional associations among neighborhood- and individual-level factors related to a healthful lifestyle and dietary intake, physical activity (PA), and support for obesity prevention polices in rural eastern North Carolina adults. METHODS: We examined perceived neighborhood barriers to a healthful lifestyle, and associations between neighborhood barriers to healthy eating and PA, participantsâ support for seven obesity prevention policies, and dependent variables of self-reported dietary and PA behaviors, and measured body mass index (BMI) (n = 366 study participants). We then used participantsâ residential addresses and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software to assess neighborhood-level factors related to access to healthy food and PA opportunities. Correlational analyses and adjusted linear regression models were used to examine associations between neighborhood-level factors related to a healthful lifestyle and dietary and PA behaviors, BMI, and obesity prevention policy support. RESULTS: The most commonly reported neighborhood barriers (from a list of 18 potential barriers) perceived by participants included: not enough bicycle lanes and sidewalks, not enough affordable exercise places, too much crime, and no place to buy a quick, healthy meal to go. Higher diet quality was inversely related to perceived and GIS-assessed neighborhood nutrition barriers. There were no significant associations between neighborhood barriers and PA. More perceived neighborhood barriers were positively associated with BMI. Support for obesity prevention policy change was positively associated with perceptions of more neighborhood barriers. CONCLUSIONS: Neighborhood factors that promote a healthful lifestyle were associated with higher diet quality and lower BMI. Individuals who perceived more neighborhood-level barriers to healthy eating and PA usually supported policies to address those barriers. Future studies should examine mechanisms to garner such support for health-promoting neighborhood changes
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