Relationship between Work Ability Index and Cognitive Failure among Nurses

Introduction: Frequent nursing errors are considered as factors that affect the quality of healthcare of patients. Capable nurses who are compatible with work conditions are more focused on their tasks, and this reduces their errors and cognitive failures. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of investigating the relationship between work ability index (WAI) and cognitive failures (CFs) as well as some factors that affect them in nurses working in the ICU, CCU, and emergency wards. Methods: This descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study was conducted with 750 nurses at educational hospitals affiliated with the Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2015. A questionnaire of work ability index and cognitive failures was used to collect data. The data were analyzed using SPSS 20 and the Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients, chi-squared, ANOVA, and the Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results: Using the Pearson correlation test, the results of this study showed that there is a significant, inverse relationship between WAI, personal prognosis of work ability, and mental resources with CFs along with all its subscales in nurses (p < 0.05). In addition, there was an inverse and significant relationship between the total score of CFs and the estimated work impairment due to diseases (p < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation of CFs with age and experience, while WAI was inversely related to age, work experience, and body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.05). WAI and CFs were related significantly to working units (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Considering the results obtained in this study, WAI and the cognitive status of nurses were lower than the specified limit. It is suggested that the work ability of nurses be improved and that their CFs be reduced through various measures, including pre-employment examinations, proper management of work-shift conditions, and using engineering and administrative strategies to ensure the safety of hospitalized patients

Use of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis in Improving Safety: A case Study in An Oil Company

Introduction: The Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), first of all, identifies dangerous modes in a process and, then, provides proper control measures that are required to reduce the level of risk. This study aims to investigate the risk level before and after the implementation of control measures in an edible oil factory. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in an edible oil factory in Tehran, Iran. The FMEA technique was used to identify failure modes related to equipment that existed in five units of this factory. After that, in all units, Risk Priority Numbers of all the processes were assessed on the basis of the FMEA method. With regard to the Risk Priority Number (RPN), some control measures were taken to reduce the risk of events. After nine months, risk assessment was repeated, and primary and secondary RPNs were compared with each other to investigate the effects of interventions. Results: The results showed that the highest probability of danger was related to the installation unit. The probability of danger in this unit before and after interventional actions was 4.5 and 3.25 respectively and the highest degree of severity was related to tool production. The marginal homogeneity test showed the positive effect of control measures on the risk level in the factory. There was a significant inference between before- and after-data in RPN in the unit tool production, neutralization unit, and installation unit. The Tests of Repeated Measure showed that there was a statistically significant inference between before- and after-data in the total average of RPN criterion (pvalue < 0.001). Conclusion: It can be concluded that the high risk level in the factory units was reduced after the application of interventional corrective measures. These actions have been useful. It can be mentioned that the FMEA has been successfully able to identify and control the level of risk in this factory.&nbsp

The relationship between fatigue, stress and job performance with some demographic variables in dental prosthesis technicians

Background and Aims: Making dental prostheses is sensitive and accurate work and requires powerful and skilled hands. Because of this, the dental prosthesis technicians may suffer harmful effects such as stress and fatigue during the course. The aim of this study was to investigate fatigue, stress and job performance and their relationship with some demographic variables in this community. Materials and Methods: The present study was cross-sectional and done in 2016. The study population was a group of dental prosthesis technicians that had participated in a national congress in Tehran. Sampling was done by census Two standardized questionnaires on the subjects of fatigue and stress which were distributed among 100 female and male participants and sampling was done by census. Then, the obtained data was analyzed using SPSS16 software and applying descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation test, and ANOVA, T-test. Results: From the 100 samples, there were 16 females and 84 males with mean age 34.71&plusmn;7.90 and average work experience of 10.82&plusmn; 9.01 years. 82 percent of the subjects were married and 42 percent of them were smokers. The results showed that 100 percent of dental prostheses technicians were facing with moderate to severe stresses. The stress and fatigue scores in married ones were higher than the single ones. The results showed a significant relationship between smoking, stress, and fatigue scores (P<0.05). Conclusion: According to the high level of job stress in the dental prostheses technicians, this problem must be considered, minimized, and more attention should be paid to their psychological and emotional problems

Investigation of the Effect of Control Measures on Reduction of Risk Events in an Edible Oil Factory in Tehran, Iran

Background & Aims of the Study: Identification of hazards is one of the first goals of risk analysis. Failure mode and effect analysis method (FMEA) is universally defined as efficient procedures for finding potential failures aimed to remove or decrease the risk which is related to them. This study aimed to investigate the effect of control measures on reduction of risk events in an edible oil factory in Tehran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in an edible oil factory in Tehran, Iran. For this, a four-member team of safety engineer experts was formed. Some factory units were selected randomly. After that, in all units, probability, severity and detection probability of hazards in all processes and tasks were assessed based on FMEA method. Regarding to the RPN, some control measures were taken to reduce the risk of events. After 9 months, risk assessment was repeated; primary and secondary RPNs were compared with each other to investigate the effect of interventions. Results: The results showed that highest and lowest probability of hazard were related to installation and can production unit, respectively. The highest and lowest severity of hazard were related to tool and can production unit, respectively. There was a significant difference between the probability of hazard in can-making and filling units, before and after the interventions. There was a significant difference between the severity of hazard in can-making, filling and neutralization units, before and after the interventions. As well, total probability, severity and RPN had a significant difference in all parts of the factory before and after the interventions. Conclusions: According to the results of this study and the overall risk reduction caused by interventional measures, it can be concluded that, FMEA is a successful method for identifying hazards and risk control measures

Assessment of role of job components and individual parameters on the raised blood pressure in a noisy industry

The present study aimed to determine the role of job components and individual parameters on the raised blood pressure among male workers of textile industry who were exposed to continuous high noise level. Information of all eligible subjects including demographic and individual characteristics, medical history and job characteristics were obtained by direct interview and referring to the medical records. All blood pressure measurements were done using mercury sphygmomanometer in the morning before work. The 8-hours equivalent A-weighted sound pressure level, the level of blood cholesterol and triglyceride, and noise annoyance was determined for each worker. As the result of weighted regression in path analysis (direct effect), only the work shift did not have a significant effect on blood pressure among the studied variables. It can be seen that variables including the level of triglyceride, cholesterol, and noise exposure have the most direct effects on blood pressure. The results of total effects showed that variables, including using the hearing protection device, age, work experience and visibility of sound source, did not have a significant effect on blood pressure. The results of this study indicate that occupational noise exposure alone and combined with other job components and individual parameters is associated with raised blood pressure. However, noise exposure was probably a stronger stressor for increased blood pressur