Socio-technical Challenges to the Effective Use of Health Information Systems (IS) and Data Protection: A Contextual Theorization of the Dark Side of IS Use

Information Systems (IS) research on health IS use has suffered from a positivity bias – largely focusing on upside gains rather than the potential dark side of usage practices. Exploring the dark side and failures in health IS use, such as shortcomings in data privacy and cybersecurity, can provide useful insights for research, practice, and policy. Through qualitative analyses of three datasets collected between 2015 and 2021, we theorize challenges to the effective use of IS and data protection in Australian health services. We propose a contextualized theory of ‘health records misuse’ with two overarching dimensions: data misfit and improper data processing. We explain sub-categories of data misfit: availability misfit, meaning misfit, and place misfit, as well as sub-categories of improper data processing: improper interaction and improper data recording and use. Our findings demonstrate how health records misuse arises from socio-technical systems, and impacts health service delivery and patient safety

On the Complexity of Health Data Protection-in-Practice: Insights from a Longitudinal Qualitative Study

Digitalization of healthcare presents opportunities for improving the quality of healthcare services and promises economic benefits. However, the success of digital health and the benefits cannot be actualized without considering health data protection practices in the process of healthcare service delivery. Despite the criticality of protecting health data in the system use lifecycle (from recording to consuming and taking informed actions), there is a paucity of research to investigate this complex phenomenon. Using longitudinal qualitative data on a state-wide digital health transformation project, we contextually theorize the practices for protecting health data. Our study reveals five types of health data protectionin-practice, namely data minimization, informal encoding, accuracy, improving cyber-awareness, and appropriate access management. Our results provide new insights into information system use (especially, effective use), and highlight practices that can improve health data protection

Ten‐Year Secular Trends in Youth Violence: Results From the Philadelphia Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2003‐2013

BACKGROUNDYouth violence reduction is a public health priority, yet few studies have examined secular trends in violence among urban youth, who may be particularly vulnerable to numerous forms of violence. This study examines 10‐year secular trends in the prevalence of violence‐related behaviors among Philadelphia high school students.METHODSRepeated cross‐sectional data were analyzed from 5 waves of the Philadelphia Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) from 2003 to 2013. Sex‐specific multivariate regression models were used to examine secular trends in multiple types of violence, accounting for age, race/ethnicity, and sampling strategy.RESULTSIn 2013, the most prevalent violent behavior was physical fighting among boys (38.4%) and girls (32.7%). Among girls, the prevalence of sexual assault and suicide attempts declined between 2003 and 2013 (β = −0.13, p = .04 and β = −0.14, p = .007, respectively). Among boys, significant declines in carrying a weapon (β = −0.31, p < .001), carrying a gun (β = −0.16, p = .01), and physical fighting (β = −0.35, p = .001) were observed.CONCLUSIONSWhereas the prevalence of some forms of violence stabilized or declined among Philadelphia youth during 2003‐2013 time span, involvement in violence‐related behaviors remains common among this population. Continued surveillance and evidence‐based violence reduction strategies are needed to address violence among urban youth.Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/136403/1/josh12491_am.pdfhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/136403/2/josh12491.pd

Characterization of Suspect Fuel Rod Pieces from the 105 K West Basin

This report provides physical and radiochemical characterization results from examinations and laboratory analyses performed on ~0.55-inch diameter rod pieces found in the 105 K West (KW) Basin that were suspected to be from nuclear reactor fuel. The characterization results will be used to establish the technical basis for adding this material to the contents of one of the final Multi-Canister Overpacks (MCOs) that will be loaded out of the KW Basin in late FY2006 or at a later time depending on project priorities. Fifteen fuel rod pieces were found during the clean out of the KW Basin. Based on lack of specific credentials, documentation, or obvious serial numbers, none of the items could be positively identified nor could their sources or compositions be described. Item weights and dimensions measured in the KW Basin indicated densities consistent with the suspect fuel rods containing uranium dioxide (UO2), uranium metal, or being empty. Extensive review of the Hanford Site technical literature led to the postulation that these pieces likely were irradiated test fuel prepared to support of the development of the Hanford “New Production Reactor,” later called N Reactor. To obtain definitive data on the composition of the suspect fuel, 4 representative fuel rod pieces, with densities corresponding to oxide fuel were selected from the 15 items, and shipped from the KW Basin to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s (PNNL) Radiological Processing Laboratory (RPL; also known at the 325 Building) for examinations and characterization. The three fuel rod that were characterized appear to contain slightly irradiated UO2 fuel, originally of natural enrichment, with zirconium cladding. The uranium-235 isotopic concentrations decreased by the irradiation and become slightly lower than the natural enrichment of 0.72% to range from 0.67 to 0.71 atom%. The plutonium concentrations, ranged from about 200 to 470 grams per metric ton of uranium and ranged in Plutonium-239 concentration from about 97 to 99 atom%

End-of-life care across Southern Europe: A critical review of cultural similarities and differences between Italy, Spain and Portugal

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Characterization of Suspect Fuel Rod Pieces from the 105 K West Basin

This report provides physical and radiochemical characterization results from examinations and laboratory analyses performed on {approx}0.55-inch diameter rod pieces found in the 105 K West (KW) Basin that were suspected to be from nuclear reactor fuel. The characterization results will be used to establish the technical basis for adding this material to the contents of one of the final Multi-Canister Overpacks (MCOs) that will be loaded out of the KW Basin in late FY2006 or at a later time depending on project priorities. Fifteen fuel rod pieces were found during the clean out of the KW Basin. Based on lack of specific credentials, documentation, or obvious serial numbers, none of the items could be positively identified nor could their sources or compositions be described. Item weights and dimensions measured in the KW Basin indicated densities consistent with the suspect fuel rods containing uranium dioxide (UO2), uranium metal, or being empty. Extensive review of the Hanford Site technical literature led to the postulation that these pieces likely were irradiated test fuel prepared to support of the development of the Hanford ''New Production Reactor'', later called N Reactor. To obtain definitive data on the composition of the suspect fuel, 4 representative fuel rod pieces, with densities corresponding to oxide fuel were selected from the 15 items, and shipped from the KW Basin to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory's (PNNL) Radiological Processing Laboratory (RPL; also known at the 325 Building) for examinations and characterization. The three fuel rod that were characterized appear to contain slightly irradiated UO2 fuel, originally of natural enrichment, with zirconium cladding. The uranium-235 isotopic concentrations decreased by the irradiation and become slightly lower than the natural enrichment of 0.72% to range from 0.67 to 0.71 atom%. The plutonium concentrations, ranged from about 200 to 470 grams per metric ton of uranium and ranged in Plutonium-239 concentration from about 97 to 99 atom%

Assessing the Accuracy of Adherence and Sexual Behaviour Data in the MDP301 Vaginal Microbicides Trial Using a Mixed Methods and Triangulation Model

Background: Accurate data on adherence and sexual behaviour are crucial in microbicide (and other HIV-related) research. In the absence of a “gold standard” the collection of such data relies largely on participant self-reporting. The Microbicides Development Programme has developed a mixed method/triangulation model for generating more accurate data on adherence and sexual behaviour. Methodology/Principal Findings: Data were collected from a random subsample of 725 women using structured case record form (CRF) interviews, coital diaries (CD) and in-depth interviews (IDI). Returned used and unused gel applicators were counted and additional data collected through focus group discussions and ethnography. The model is described in detail in a companion paper [1]. When CRF, CD and IDI are compared there is some inconsistency with regard to reporting of sexual behaviour, gel or condom use in more than half. Inaccuracies are least prevalent in the IDI and most prevalent in the CRF, where participants tend to under-report frequency of sex and gel and condom use. Women reported more sex, gel and condom use than their partners. IDI data on adherence match the applicator-return data more closely than the CRF. The main reasons for inaccuracies are participants forgetting, interviewer error, desirability bias, problems with the definition and delineation of key concepts (e.g. “sex act”). Most inaccuracies were unintentional and could be rectified during data collection. Conclusions/Significance: The CRF – the main source of self-report data on behaviour and adherence in many studies – was the least accurate with regard to measuring sexual behaviour, gel and condom use. This has important implications for the use of structured questionnaires for the collection of data on sexual behaviour and adherence. Integrating in-depth interviews and triangulation into clinical trials could increase the richness and accuracy of behavioural and adherence data

The effect of protons on the performance of second generation Swept Charge Devices

The e2v technologies Swept Charge Device (SCD) was developed as a large area detector for X-ray Florescence (XRF) analysis, achieving near Fano-limited spectroscopy at -15 °C. The SCD was flown in the XRF instruments on board the European Space Agency's SMART-1 and the Indian Space Research Organisation's Chandrayaan-1 lunar missions. The second generation SCD, proposed for use in the soft X-ray spectrometer on the Chandrayaan-2 lunar orbiter and the soft X-ray imager on China's HXMT mission, was developed, in part, using the findings of the radiation damage studies performed for the Chandrayaan-1 X-ray Spectrometer. This paper discusses the factor of two improvement in radiation tolerance achieved in the second generation SCD, the different SCD sizes produced and their advantages for future XRF instruments, for example through reduced shielding mass or higher operating temperatures