Site amplification in the Kathmandu Valley during the 2015 M7.6 Gorkha, Nepal earthquake

The 25th April 2015 M7.6 Gorkha earthquake caused significant damage to buildings and infrastructure in both Kathmandu and surrounding areas as well as triggering numerous, large landslides. This resulted in the loss of approximately 8600 lives. In order to learn how the impact of such events can be reduced on communities both in Nepal and elsewhere, the Earthquake Engineering Field Investigation Team (EEFIT) reconnaissance mission was undertaken, aiming to look at damage patterns within the country. Passive, microtremor recordings in severely damaged areas of the Kathmandu Valley, as well as at the main seismic recording station in Kathmandu (USGS station KATNP) are used to determined preliminary shear wave velocity (Vs) profiles for each site. These profiles are converted into spectral acceleration using the input motion of the Gorkha earthquake. The results are limited, but show clear site amplification within the Siddhitol Region. The resulting ground motions exceed the design levels from the Nepalese Building Codes, indicating the need for site-specific hazard analysis and for revision of the building code to address the effect of site amplificatio

Patient-reported experience measure in sickle cell disease.

OBJECTIVES: To develop patient-reported experience measure surveys for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) to understand their healthcare and lived experience in the UK and for their use in future to inform healthcare service development. DESIGN: Picker methodology was used as follows: (1) qualitative scoping by focus group discussions; (2) questionnaire development through stakeholder consultations; (3) construct validation of questionnaires through cognitive testing; and (4) further assessment of construct validity by a nationwide pilot survey. SETTING: Patients with SCD and their carers were eligible. Focus group discussions took place in non-hospital settings, arranged out of hours. Cognitive testing took place in specialist sickle cell clinics. The pilot survey was available to UK participants only and was administered through web-based questionnaires, face-to face completion and in sickle cell community events. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-three patients and carers took part in the focus groups, 21 participants undertook cognitive testing and 722 respondents completed the pilot survey. RESULTS: Findings highlighted a widespread prevalence of poor knowledge about SCD among healthcare providers and the public. Poorer experience of care was present in the emergency setting compared with planned care, of which lack of timely provision of pain relief was of concern. Adolescents and young people reported significantly poorer experience of care in several domains compared with children or adults. CONCLUSIONS: The new surveys functioned well, with good evidence of validity, and were accessible to the SCD patient population, supporting their future use in assessing patient experience to inform service delivery and improvements in care quality

Patient reported experience measure in Sickle Cell disease

Objectives: To develop Patient Reported Experience Measure surveys for patients with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) to understand their healthcare and lived experience in the UK and for their use in future to inform healthcare service development. Design: Picker methodology was used as follows: 1. Qualitative scoping by focus group discussions 2. Questionnaire development through stakeholder consultations 3. Construct validation of questionnaires through cognitive testing 4. Further assessment of construct validity by a nationwide pilot survey Setting: Patients with SCD and their carers were eligible. Focus group discussions took place in non-hospital settings, arranged out-of-hours. Cognitive testing took place in specialist Sickle Cell clinics. The pilot survey was available to UK participants only and was administered through web-based questionnaires, face-to face completion and in sickle cell community events. Participants: Thirty-three patients and carers took part in the focus groups, 21 participants undertook cognitive testing and 722 respondents completed the pilot survey. Results: Findings highlighted a widespread prevalence of poor knowledge about SCD among healthcare providers and the public. Poorer experience of care was present in the emergency setting compared to planned care, of which lack of timely provision of pain relief was of concern. Adolescents and young people reported significantly poorer experience of care in several domains compared to children or adults. Conclusions: The new surveys functioned well, with good evidence of validity, and were accessible to the SCD patient population, supporting their future use in assessing patient experience to inform service delivery and improvements in care quality

Correction to: Site amplification in the Kathmandu Valley during the 2015 M7.6 Gorkha, Nepal earthquake

This erratum is published as author name was published as V. Novellis and needs to be correctly read as Viviana Novelli