Perceived Needs of Associates of Riding Lawn Equipment

The purpose of this study was to determine the training needs as perceived by the associates of mass-market retailers of riding lawn equipment

SAFETY ORGANIZED PRACTICE TRAINING AND IMPLEMENTATION IN CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

This study focused on the macro level implementation of the Safety Organized Practice framework for best practice in Child Welfare social work. Safety Organized Practice is a social work framework for engagement with families that is used in California and various other states. It is a relatively new approach to social work in Child Welfare so many agencies are in various stages of implementation. This study gathered qualitative data through virtual interviews with social workers. The key findings of this study were that Safety Organized Practice implementation needs to start at the supervisor and management level to ensure social workers have the support they need when applying the new tools and techniques in their direct practice. The other key finding in this study was that social workers need the time to invest in trying a new approach and that is always going to be a challenge in this field. If an agency is hoping to fully implement Safety Organized Practice, consideration has to be made to the demands of Child Welfare social work and the worker’s ability to learn and practice a new skill. This study can be used for Child Welfare agencies to reference when starting to implement or considering the implementation of Safety Organized Practice to help the process be more efficient, successful, and supportive for the social workers and agency

An Assessment of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Outside Hospital Settings in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is an infectious disease that has been a cause of nosocomial infections since the 1960s, but has more recently become an emergent disease in community settings. MRSA infections that develop outside hospitals have been associated with risk factors such as young age, recent antibiotic use, recent contact with health care, and dermatological conditions. To provide descriptive epidemiological data and evaluate potential risk factors, we undertook a case-control study of Allegheny County residents with laboratory-confirmed MRSA and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) cultures from January through August of 2007. A random sample of each group was contacted and interviewed using a standardized questionnaire. Comparing 54 MRSA culture-positive residents to 50 MSSA culture-positive residents, we found that having a reported self history of MRSA (p<.001), having a household member or self recently having been in the hospital (p=.041), and having a household member or self recently having been in a community living setting (p=.032) were significant risks of having a positive MRSA culture. These findings have public health significance because as a greater number of people become infected or colonized by MRSA, the reservoir in the community will continue to grow, resulting in a greater number of infections and increased morbidity and mortality from the disease

A Comprehensive Rehabilitation Program for Treating Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy

Scapular muscle weakness in patients with lateral elbow tendinopathy is an identified impairment and is part of a multimodal rehabilitation approach. The published literature provides little information regarding specific rehabilitation guidelines that address both the proximal scapular muscle weakness and local elbow/ wrist dysfunctions common in patients with lateral elbow tendinopathy. The purpose of this clinical commentary is to describe a comprehensive rehabilitation strategy for individuals with lateral elbow tendinopathy. This program emphasizes a phased therapeutic strategy that addresses proximal and local dysfunction along the kinetic chain. This clinical protocol is currently being tested for efficacy as part of a randomized controlled trial. The information in this commentary is intended to provide clinicians with sufficient detail to comprehensively guide the rehabilitation of a patient with lateral elbow tendinopathy. Level of Evidence:

Upper Extremity Strength Characteristics in Female Recreational Tennis Players With and Without Lateral Epicondylalgia

STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive, cross-sectional. OBJECTIVES: To compare static strength characteristics of the upper extremity musculature in female recreational tennis players with lateral epicondylalgia to those of nonsymptomatic tennis players and a control group of women who did not play tennis. BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of research describing the relationship between lateral epicondylalgia and strength characteristics of the upper extremity musculature, despite the functional relationship between the shoulder, elbow, and wrist. METHODS: Sixty-three women were recruited into 3 groups (n = 21 per group): symptomatic tennis players (SIP) with lateral epicondylalgia, nonsymptomatic tennis players, and controls. Data collection was performed during a single session, during which the strength of selected muscle groups of the dominant upper extremity was measured using a combination of force transducers. Strength ratios of selected muscle groups were then calculated. RESULTS: The SIP group reported median pain level of 3/10 on a numeric pain rating scale and a symptom duration of 16 weeks. The SIP group had weaker lower trapezius strength (mean difference, -9.0 N; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -13.5, -4.4) and wrist extensor strength (-12.7 N; 95% CI: -24.4, -1.1), and a higher shoulder internal/external rotation strength ratio (0.19; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.35) and upper/lower trapezius strength ratio (1.32; 95% CI: 0.41, 2.23), compared to those of the nonsymptomatic group. Compared to the control group, the SIP group demonstrated a significantly higher shoulder internal/external rotation strength ratio (0.21; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.38) and wrist flexion/extension strength ratio (0.14; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.27). CONCLUSION: In this group of recreational female tennis players, significant differences in strength and strength ratio characteristics were identified. Although the design of the study precludes establishing a cause-and-effect relationship, the results suggest further study and treatment of the muscle groups of interest

1988: Abilene Christian College Bible Lectures - Full Text

MISSIONS IN CRISIS: CHALLENGE AND OPPORTUNITY Being the Abilene Christian University Annual Bible Lectures 1988 Published by ACU PRESS 1634 Campus Court Abilene, Texas 7960