The relation between shift work, sleepiness, fatigue and accidents in Iranian Industrial Mining Group workers.

The aim of this study was to examine the rate of fatigue and sleepiness around the shift and non-shift workers and its relation to occupational accidents. This was a cross-sectional study on the workers of Iranian Industrial Mining Group. They included 137 shift workers as the case and 130 non-shift workers as the control. A multi-part questionnaire including demographic characteristics, Piper Fatigue Scale and Epworth Sleepiness Scale were applied. The chi(2) test and t-test were used to measure differences between variables. The mean of PFS scores in the two groups was significantly different (p=0.045), but the difference in the mean of ESS scores was not significant. Shift workers with the reported accident had a higher score on fatigue than shift workers with no accident (p<0.001) whereas the difference in the number of accidents in the two groups was not related significantly to the rate of sleepiness. The rate of fatigue and the number of the work accidents was more in the shift workers. Also, fatigue had a stronger relationship with the occupational accidents as compared to sleepiness. It seems that evaluation of fatigue as compared to sleepiness is a more accurate factor for preventing work accidents

Application of a hazard and operability study method to hazard evaluation of a chemical unit of the power station.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify the hazards, evaluate their risk factors and determine the measure for promotion of the process and reduction of accidents in the chemical unit of the power station. METHODS: In this case and qualitative study, HAZOP technique was used to recognize the hazards and problems of operations on the chemical section at power station. Totally, 126 deviations were documented with various causes and consequences. RESULTS: Ranking and evaluation of identified risks indicate that the majority of deviations were categorized as "acceptable" and less than half of that were "unacceptable". The highest calculated risk level (1B) related to both the interruption of acid entry to the discharge pumps and an increased density of the acid. About 27% of the deviations had the lowest risk level (4B). CONCLUSION: The identification of hazards by HAZOP indicates that it could, systemically, assess and criticize the process of consumption or production of acid and alkali in the chemical unit of power plant

Satisfaction of Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences\' alumni about the quality of medical education

Introduction: In order to achieve acceptable quality in educations, the quality of learning should be assessed. opinion of alumni in assessment of the quality of education is important, This study aims to assess the quality of medical education in basic and clinical sciences according to the opinion of alumni of Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences during 2008-2012 Method: This cross-sectional study conducted on alumni graduated from 2008-2012. Data was collected using a questionnaire which validity and reliability was confirmed. The questions were asked from 183 individuals were interviewed by telephone in 2012. Results: Mean satisfaction score of quality of education was 3.86/5 and 3.18/5 for basic and clinical sciences, respectively. The average satisfaction score for regular presence of faculty members in classes was 4.11/5 and 3.98/5 for basic and clinical sciences, respectively. The difference between the two groups regarding the satisfaction from quality of education was not diufferent (P=0.237). However, this difference was significant for satisfaction from regular presence in classes and time spent for education (P<0.001). Conclusion: The condition of education in Yazd University of Medical Sciences was satisfactory from the alumni viewpoint and the satisfaction level was higher for basic sciences than clinical science education

Projected future risk of leukemia and brain tumors from unnecessary brain CT scans: a multi-center study in Iran

Introduction: Computer Tomography (CT) scans can deliver a relatively high radiation dose to the patient, therefore radiation protection for this modality is paramount. The present study determined the frequency of no abnormality detected (NAD) brain CT scans and probability of cancer induction in different age groups and genders. Methods: In this study, brain CT reports were used to identify any findings as abnormality detected (AD) and others as NAD. Then probability of future leukemia and brain cancer was estimated for different age and gender groups. Results: On average, in 65% of the cases the results were NAD (56% and 76% among males and females, respectively). Among children, 79% of the reports were NAD. The total number of projected brain cancers was 1.8 and 1.3 for males and females, respectively. The number of projected leukemia cases was 0.75 and 0.7 for males and females, respectively. For pediatric patients, brain CT scans can lead to leukemia cases about 4.5 times more often than adults. Conclusion: Brain CT scans can lead to additional cases of brain cancer and leukemia. A significant fraction of brain CTs were NAD (non-pathologic) and could practically be replaced by other radiation-free imaging modalities, especially in pediatric and young patients

Radiation exposure of interventional cardiologists for different types of procedures in catheterization lab, is it more concern about extremities?

Introduction: Angiography and angioplasty expose cardiologists to a high level of X-ray comparing other radiographic methods, due to the high dose of radiation and the presence of the physician beside the patient bed during the procedure. Therefore, this study was designed to measure the absorbed dose in some important organs and extremities in cardiologists during different angiography and angioplasty procedures in catheterization lab. Methods: The entrance skin dose and extremity absorbed dose of the physicians in 100 angiography and angioplasty procedures were measured by TLD chips. The points on the physicians’ body, which were measured in this study, included: thyroid, right and left chest, right and left wrists, and left leg. The correlation of entrance skin dose in these six points to the exposure parameters is also evaluated. Results: The left leg has maximum dose and maximum correlation with total DAP for all three physicians in all procedure types. There was a weak correlation between left wrist absorbed dose and number of views among three physicians. Also, the maximum annual absorbed dose of the physicians in the left leg was lower than 150 mSv. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it can be stated that periodic leg and hand dosimetry during operation is necessary for interventional cardiologists. Results also showed that, regardless of the type of procedure, the characteristics of device output, especially DAP, have a direct role in the absorbed dose of the organs and extremities, especially those outside the shield