The impact of a school-based water supply and treatment, hygiene, and sanitation programme on pupil diarrhoea: a cluster-randomized trial.

The impact of improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) access on mitigating illness is well documented, although impact of school-based WASH on school-aged children has not been rigorously explored. We conducted a cluster-randomized trial in Nyanza Province, Kenya to assess the impact of a school-based WASH intervention on diarrhoeal disease in primary-school pupils. Two study populations were used: schools with a nearby dry season water source and those without. Pupils attending 'water-available' schools that received hygiene promotion and water treatment (HP&WT) and sanitation improvements showed no difference in period prevalence or duration of illness compared to pupils attending control schools. Those pupils in schools that received only the HP&WT showed similar results. Pupils in 'water-scarce' schools that received a water-supply improvement, HP&WT and sanitation showed a reduction in diarrhoea incidence and days of illness. Our study revealed mixed results on the impact of improvements to school WASH improvements on pupil diarrhoea

Current Emergency Locator Transmitter (ELT) deficiencies and potential improvements utilizing TSO-C91a ELTs

An analysis was conducted of current ELT problems and potential improvements that could be made by employing the TSO-C91a ELTs to replace the current TSO-C91 ELTs. The scope of the study included the following: (1) validate the problems; (2) determine specific failure causes; (3) determine false alarm causes; (4) estimate improvements from TSO-C91a; (5) estimate benefits from replacement of the current ELTs; and (6) determine need and benefits for improved ELT inspection and maintenance. A detailed comparison between the two requirements documents (TSO-C91 and -91a) was made to assess improved performance of the ELT in each category of failure cause and each cause of false alarms. The comparison and analysis resulted in projecting a success of operation rate approximately 3 times the current rate and a reduction in false alarms to 0.25 of those generated by TSO-C91 ELTs. These improvements led to a projection of benefits of approximately 25 additional lives to be saved each year with TSO-C91a ELTs and an improved inspection and maintenance program

An Overview of the Bradley Summer Forensics Institute

The 1988 edition of the Summer Forensics Institute (SFI) at Bradley University attracted over 200 students from 15 states. The SFI is now national in scope as enrollment continues to increase each year. Students spend two weeks each summer developing and improving their skills at both oral interpretation and public address. This paper gives a brief overview of the Bradley SFI including the schedule of activities, goals, learning experiences, resources, and evaluation of SFI

Utilizing a Web-Based Program for Educational Material Distribution in an OBGYN Residency Program

Background: Online modules and assignments are commonly used for continuing education among residents. Ensuring ease of distribution and access to learning modules, assignments and simulations allows for the efficient completion of these tasks. Objective: The purpose of this quality improvement project is to propose a new method for distribution of educational material and assignments to improve resident satisfaction and ease of completion as well as tracking completion by the program manager. Methods: A survey was sent to the 2020-21 academic year OBGYN residents regarding the current in-hospital folder-based distribution of resources. Based on the survey feedback, a checklist was designed in a web-based program (New Innovations). A repeat survey was sent out to current OBGYN residents in the 2021-22 academic year to assess resident satisfaction with the new distribution system. Results: The checklist-based system proposed in this project utilizing a web-based system resulted in improved resident satisfaction and reported ease of use compared to the in-hospital folder-based computer system, with 86% preferring the web-based checklist

Evaluating the Effect of Neuraxial Analgesia on External Cephalic Version Success

Abstract Background: External cephalic version (ECV) can be a helpful procedure in attempts to decrease the overall cesarean section rate. ECV involves the application of external pressure to the pregnant woman’s abdomen in attempts to turn the fetus to a vertex presentation and allow for subsequent vaginal delivery. Tocolytics are routinely used to increase ECV success rates, and neuraxial analgesia has been presented as another adjunct to increase overall success. The purpose of this quality improvement project is to evaluate the effect neuraxial analgesia may have on ECV success rates. Methods: Patients scheduled for ECV between the dates of January 2020 and September 2021 were reviewed. Data collected includes patient age, BMI, gestational age, success of ECV and use of neuraxial analgesia (epidural anesthesia). Results: Of the 21 patients, 6 (29%) were found to be vertex on their scheduled ECV date. Six (29%) patients who did not have an epidural failed ECV. Four (19%) patients who had an epidural failed ECV. Five (24%) patients who had an epidural had a successful ECV. Interestingly, no patients had a successful ECV without an epidural. Conclusion: No attempts at ECV were successful without an epidural in the 21 patient charts reviewed. Further evaluation through expanded chart review to increase the sample size would allow for meaningful statistical evaluation of this salient finding