A participatory physical and psychosocial intervention for balancing the demands and resources among industrial workers (PIPPI): study protocol of a cluster-randomized controlled trial

Background: Need for recovery and work ability are strongly associated with high employee turnover, well-being and sickness absence. However, scientific knowledge on effective interventions to improve work ability and decrease need for recovery is scarce. Thus, the present study aims to describe the background, design and protocol of a cluster randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of an intervention to reduce need for recovery and improve work ability among industrial workers. Methods/Design: A two-year cluster randomized controlled design will be utilized, in which controls will also receive the intervention in year two. More than 400 workers from three companies in Denmark will be aimed to be cluster randomized into intervention and control groups with at least 200 workers (at least 9 work teams) in each group. An organizational resources audit and subsequent action planning workshop will be carried out to map the existing resources and act upon initiatives not functioning as intended. Workshops will be conducted to train leaders and health and safety representatives in supporting and facilitating the intervention activities. Group and individual level participatory visual mapping sessions will be carried out allowing team members to discuss current physical and psychosocial work demands and resources, and develop action plans to minimize strain and if possible, optimize the resources. At all levels, the intervention will be integrated into the existing organization of work schedules. An extensive process and effect evaluation on need for recovery and work ability will be carried out via questionnaires, observations, interviews and organizational data assessed at several time points throughout the intervention period. Discussion: This study primarily aims to develop, implement and evaluate an intervention based on the abovementioned features which may improve the work environment, available resources and health of industrial workers, and hence their need for recovery and work ability

Chronic wound infections: The role of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus

Chronic leg ulcers affect 1-2% of the general population and are related to increased morbidity and health costs. Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the most common bacteria isolated from chronic wounds. They can express virulence factors and surface proteins affecting wound healing. The co-infection of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa is more virulent than single infection. In particular, S. aureus and P. aeruginosa have both intrinsic and acquired antibiotic resistance, making clinical management of infection a real challenge, particularly in patients with comorbidity. Therefore, a correct and prompt diagnosis of chronic wound infection requires a detailed knowledge of skin bacterial flora. This is a necessary prerequisite for tailored pharmacological treatment, improving symptoms, and reducing side effects and antibiotic resistance