Prevalence of school policies, programs, and facilities that promote a healthy physical school environment.
(9/58)
OBJECTIVES: We examined the extent to which schools in the United States have health-promoting policies, programs, and facilities. METHODS: We analyzed data from the School Health Policies and Programs Study 2000. RESULTS: We found that public schools (vs private and Catholic schools), urban schools (vs rural and suburban schools), and schools with larger enrollments (vs smaller schools) had more health-promoting policies, programs, and facilities in place. On average, middle schools had 11.0 and middle/junior and high schools had 10.4 out of a possible 18 policies, programs, and facilities. CONCLUSIONS: Although some schools had many healthy physical environment features, room for improvement exists. Resources are available to help schools improve their health-promoting policies, programs, and facilities. (+info)
Cost analysis of the built environment: the case of bike and pedestrian trials in Lincoln, Neb.
(10/58)
We estimated the annual cost of bike and pedestrian trails in Lincoln, Neb, using construction and maintenance costs provided by the Department of Parks and Recreation of Nebraska. We obtained the number of users of 5 trails from a 1998 census report. The annual construction cost of each trail was calculated by using 3%, 5%, and 10% discount rates for a period of useful life of 10, 30, and 50 years. The average cost per mile and per user was calculated. Trail length averaged 3.6 miles (range = 1.6-4.6 miles). Annual cost in 2002 dollars ranged from 25,762 to 248,479 (mean = 124,927; median = 171,064). The cost per mile ranged from 5735 to 54,017 (mean = 35,355; median = 37,994). The annual cost per user was 235 (range = 83-592), whereas per capita annual medical cost of inactivity was 622. Construction of trails fits a wide range of budgets and may be a viable health amenity for most communities. To increase trail cost-effectiveness, efforts to decrease cost and increase the number of users should be considered. (+info)
Impact of a lead-safe training program on workers conducting renovation, painting, and maintenance activities.
(11/58)
OBJECTIVE: An important source of lead exposure is lead-based paint that is disturbed when unsafe work practices are used during renovation, remodeling, and maintenance activities. This study explores the success of a pilot lead-safe skills training program for home improvement contractors and their employees (including renovators, remodelers, and painters) and small property owners. METHODS: The study evaluates whether attendees at eight-hour lead-safe work practices training courses learned and retained information about lead exposure; developed and retained positive attitudes toward lead-safe work practices; and developed lasting, positive behavioral intentions to use lead-safe work practice skills and techniques. A questionnaire was administered immediately before, immediately following, and several months following the training program. Coded data from the questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS software. RESULTS: Respondents showed statistically significant changes from before to after the training program, and the changes were maintained over time. Knowledge improved, and attitudes and behavioral intentions changed in a favorable direction. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that lead-safe training can be successful and can create lasting changes in lead-safe knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors. (+info)
Improving and monitoring autoclave performance in dental practice.
(12/58)
The sterilisation of instruments is central to the infection control process in the dental surgery, with the autoclave being most frequently used for this process. For effective operation, among other factors, it is essential that the autoclave is loaded correctly and tested regularly to ensure that it is operating at a temperature and pressure which will kill all micro-organisms. Biological indicators are another method of verifying the sterilisation process, since the sterilisation of the bacterial spores within the test ampoule provides a guarantee that sterilising conditions have been achieved. (+info)
Perceptual countermeasures to speeding.
(13/58)
An on-road evaluation of two perceptual countermeasure treatments (an enhanced curve post treatment and peripheral transverse edgelines on the approach to an intersection) was conducted over one year to indicate potential for reducing travel speed. Measures included speed and deceleration profiles, braking, and lateral placement observations taken from video recordings at each site. Data were collected before treatment, immediately after treatment, and 12 months after treatment. The results obtained were quite variable across sites and treatments. At curves, speed effects were mixed with both speed reductions and increases observed immediately after and 12-months later. Braking results tended to support travel speed findings and some improvement in lateral placement were also observed at these locations. At intersections, the results were more stable where speed reductions were more common both immediately after treatment as well as longer-term. There were no differences in braking and lateral placement at these straight-road locations. The findings seem to have been unduly influenced to some degree by misadventure and wear and tear at these sites. It is argued that while the effectiveness of these treatments may be site specific to some degree, they do offer a low-cost solution to reducing travel speed at hazardous locations. (+info)
Medicare program; payment for respiratory assist devices with bi-level capability and a backup rate. Final rule.
(14/58)
This final rule clarifies that respiratory assist devices with bi-level capability and a backup rate must be paid as capped rental items of durable medical equipment (DME) under the Medicare program and not paid as items requiring frequent and substantial servicing (FSS), as defined in section 1834(a)(3) of the Social Security Act. Before 1999, respiratory assist devices with bi-level capability (with or without a backup rate feature) were referred to as "intermittent assist devices with continuous positive airway pressure devices'' under the Medicare program and in the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS). This final rule responds to public comments received on a proposed rule published in the Federal Register on August 22, 2003, and finalizes the policy in that proposed rule. The rule will ensure that respiratory assist devices are consistently and properly paid under Medicare as capped rental items. (+info)
Issues in maintenance and repairs of wheelchairs: A pilot study.
(15/58)
In this pilot study, we assessed wheelchair durability and its effect on user satisfaction. Specifically, we examined the characteristics of the participants' wheelchairs, the types of maintenance and repairs completed, and whether the participants' satisfaction was affected by problems with their wheelchairs. A convenience sample of 130 participants who used wheelchairs as their primary means of mobility was recruited. Participants completed a questionnaire about their wheelchairs, the maintenance and repair history, and their satisfaction levels. Results showed that 26% of the participants had completed a wheelchair repair in the past 6 months, 16% had completed general maintenance, and 27% had completed tire repairs. Neither hours of wheelchair use nor wheelchair age affected repair or maintenance frequency. Participants were generally satisfied with their wheelchairs. Better understanding of wheelchair maintenance and repair issues will guide improvements in wheelchair design and enhance the community participation of individuals who use wheelchairs. (+info)
Occupational exposure to base stations-compliance with EU directive 2004/40/EC.
(16/58)
The rapid growth of mobile communications has not only led to a rising number of mobile telephones. It has also made base stations essential for these services widespread on many roofs. However, not everyone is aware that working close to sources of high frequency electromagnetic fields (EMF), such as transmitter antennas for mobile phones, pagers and police, fire and other emergency services, can result in high EMF exposure. This paper deals with measurements and calculations of the compliance boundary for workers in one typical roof top base station setting according to EU Directive and other relevant EN standards. (+info)