1. Vaccines immunize people; legislation immunizes vaccine manufacturers. Legislation in the United States Regulating liability for the manufacture, distribution and administration of vaccinesThomas Allan Heller, 2021, original scientific article Abstract: Infectious diseases have caused widespread misery, and have wreaked havoc physically, mentally, economically, politically, and socially. Fortunately, in more recent years, scientists have developed vaccines. Vaccines are generally very safe, but cause side effects in a small percentage of cases. The United States Congress has passed two major pieces of legislation that provide sweeping tort immunity to vaccine manufacturers and others. In 1986 Congress passed the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act (NCVIA) and in 2005 it passed the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act (PREP ACT). Both Acts were passed to encourage manufacturers to develop vaccines, particularly in times of public emergencies, in exchange for expansive liability protection. Both Acts established no-fault type compensation schemes to compensate those suffering injury or death from vaccines without having to resort to typical litigation. The author discusses both Acts in detail, in the context of the current Covid-19 crisis. Keywords: vaccines, pandemics, Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act, immunity from liability, National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act Published in DKUM: 19.08.2024; Views: 68; Downloads: 8 Full text (653,52 KB) This document has many files! More... |
2. Exploring the feelings of nurses during resuscitation : a cross-sectional studyAnton Koželj, Maja Šikić Pogačar, Sabina Fijan, Maja Strauss, Vita Poštuvan, Matej Strnad, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is one of the most stressful situations in emergency medicine. Nurses involved in performing basic and advanced resuscitation procedures are therefore exposed to a certain amount of stress. The purpose of this study was to determine the stressors and the level of stress experienced by nurses during resuscitation. A cross-sectional quantitative study was done. The sample consisted of 457 nurses who worked in emergency units. First demographic data were collected, followed by a questionnaire regarding the effect of different situations that occur during and after resuscitation on nurses including Post-Code Stress Scale questionnaire. The most disturbing situations for respondents were resuscitation of young person (MV = 3.7, SD = 1.4), when they fail to establish an intravenous pathway (MV = 3.5, SD = 1.4), chaotic situation during resuscitation (MV = 3.4, SD = 1.4) and making decision about termination of resuscitation (MV = 3.1, SD = 1.5). Research has shown that nurses are exposed to a certain amount of stress during resuscitation, but most of them manage to compensate for stress effectively. Keywords: emergency nurses, resuscitation, stress, emotions Published in DKUM: 10.07.2024; Views: 108; Downloads: 9 Full text (453,74 KB) This document has many files! More... |
3. Challenges that need to be addressed before starting new emergency remote teaching at HEIs and proposed solutionsSimona Šinko, Joan Navarro, Xavier Solé-Beteta, Agustín Zaballos, Brigita Gajšek, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT) aims to swiftly adapt conventional face-to-face educational methods to alternative (typically virtual) formats during crises. The recent COVID-19 pandemic accentuated the vulnerability of traditional educational systems, revealing limitations in their ability to effectively withstand such unprecedented events, thereby exposing shortcomings in the adopted ERT strategies. The goal of this study is to discuss the establishment of resilient, sustainable, and healthy educational systems in non-crisis times, which will enable teachers and students to make a smoother and less stressful transition to Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT) when necessary. A comprehensive hybrid approach, combining quantitative (interviews) and qualitative (online survey) methods has obtained data from 276 professors in 29 countries. These data have been used to identify a range of challenges related to ERT and their perceived level of difficulty. The methodological and social challenges (overshadowed by technical issues at the beginning of the crisis) identified in this research—such as the lack of personal contact or poor feedback from students—have been found to be the most demanding. From the collected insights regarding the perceived level of difficulty associated with the identified challenges, the present study aims to contribute to making higher education systems more robust in non-crisis times. Keywords: emergency remote teaching, technical challenges, methodological challenges, social challenges, education, students’ engagement Published in DKUM: 19.02.2024; Views: 229; Downloads: 18 Full text (1,42 MB) This document has many files! More... |
4. Association between triage nurses' job satisfaction and professional capability: results of a mixed-method studyUrška Fekonja, Matej Strnad, Zvonka Fekonja, 2022, original scientific article Abstract: Aim
This study aims to examine factors related to the job satisfaction of triaging nurses and their professional capability in the clinical setting.
Background
Triage is a complex process that relies on making decisions in favour of the patient and his treatment. The professional capability of a triaging nurse is an important psychological construct of job satisfaction.
Methods
The study used a mixed-method methodology, with data collection based on an explanatory research design. The research instrument in the quantitative part was a survey questionnaire, and in the qualitative part, a semi-structured interview. The results were integrated using the ‘Pillar Integration Process’.
Results
There are significant relationships between professional capability and job satisfaction. Six main topics were exposed: characteristics and traits, work organization, safety is the key, burdening circumstances, capability and self-evaluation.
Conclusion
Professional capability is associated with job satisfaction. The necessary managerial changes should be made to achieve job satisfaction and develop professional competence while focusing on already trained and competent triage nurses, as satisfied triage nurses will stay longer in the institution.
Implications for Nursing Management
The manager's job is to be aware of the level of job satisfaction, take care to develop their employee's professional capability and take action in case of disrupted balance.
Keywords: emergency, job satisfaction, joint display, nurse, professional capability, triage Published in DKUM: 02.10.2023; Views: 436; Downloads: 42 Full text (331,74 KB) This document has many files! More... |
5. Emergency Remote Teaching During the COVID-19 Epidemic in Slovene Primary Schools From the Perspective of Teachers : master's thesisCiril Kolar, 2022, master's thesis Abstract: The emergence of COVID-19 has heavily impacted specific sectors around the globe, including the education sector. What followed were global school closures. This thesis aims to identify which methods and strategies are the most effective in emergency remote teaching (ERT) in primary schools to determine a suitable work plan for other instances of emergency remote teaching. Firstly, we present definitions of ERT and legislation in Slovenia and discuss the importance of digital competence in today's digital society. We employed a questionnaire and a semi-structured interview to explore the thoughts and opinions of primary school teachers of English in Slovenia. Our respondents did not have much experience with remote teaching; the predominant challenge they faced during this period was a lack of time for preparation to teach remotely, followed by a lack of knowledge about online/remote teaching strategies and remote communication tools—the teachers prepared for this shift predominantly by connecting with colleagues. The teachers used video conferencing tools the most. Their biggest challenge was creating content for online spaces. The critical lesson they learned from this experience was an improvement of their digital skills. As for the strategies that should be employed in future instances of ERT, they suggested training programs for teachers. Advice for future cases of ERT from the surveyed teachers is simple: do not panic, do not cause yourself too much stress, and teach calmly. The interviews with teachers further emphasize the importance of ICT and digital competence among students and teachers for quality teaching. Both interviewed teachers call for ICT learning tools and the development of digital competency, which they think is of utmost importance. Keywords: emergency remote teaching, ERT, remote education, primary education, COVID-19 Published in DKUM: 19.10.2022; Views: 608; Downloads: 57 Full text (1,10 MB) |
6. Factors impacting on the activation and approach times of helicopter emergency medical services in four Alpine countriesIztok Tomazin, Miljana Vegnuti, John Ellerton, Oliver Reisten, Guenther Sumann, Janko Kersnik, 2012, original scientific article Abstract: Background: The outcome of severely injured or ill patients can be time dependent. Short activation and approach times for emergency medical service (EMS) units are widely recognized to be important quality indicators. The use of a helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) can significantly shorten rescue missions especially in mountainous areas. We aimed to analyze the HEMS characteristics that influence the activation and approach times.
Methods: In a multi-centre retrospective study, we analyzed 6121 rescue missions from nineHEMS bases situated in mountainous regions of four European countries.
Results: We found large differences in mean activation and approach times among HEMS bases. The shortest mean activation time was 2.9 minutes; the longest 17.0 minutes. The shortest mean approach time was 10.4 minutes; the longest 45.0 minutes. Short times are linked (p < 0.001) to the following conditions: helicopter operator is not state owned; HEMS is integrated in EMS; all crew members are at the same location; doctors come from state or private health institutions; organization performing HEMS is privately owned; helicopters are only for HEMS; operation area is around 10.000 km2; HEMS activation is by a dispatching centre of regional government who is in charge of making decisions; there is only one intermediator in the emergency call; helicopter is equipped with hoist or fixed line; HEMS has more than one base with helicopters, and one team per base; closest neighboring base is 90 km away; HEMS is about 20 years old and has more than 650 missions per year; and modern helicopters are used.
Conclusions: An improvement in HEMS activation and approach times is possible. We found 17 factors associated with shorter times. Keywords: emergency medical services, air ambulances, emergency helicopters, quality of health care, activation and approach time Published in DKUM: 29.06.2017; Views: 1654; Downloads: 313 Full text (1,22 MB) This document has many files! More... |
7. Emergency gate vibration of the pipe-turbine modelAndrej Predin, Roman Klasinc, 2000, original scientific article Abstract: The vibration behaviour of an emergency gate situated on a horizontal-shaft Kaplan turbine is studied. The analysis and transfer of the dynamic movements of the gate are quite complex. In particular the behaviour is examined of the emergency gate for the case when the power unit is disconnected from the system or there is a breakdown of the guide vane system at the moment when the maximal head and capacity are achieved. Experimental-numerical methods both in the time domain and in the frequency are employed. Natural vibrations characterize a first zone, corresponding to relatively small gate openings. As the gate opening increases, the vibration behaviour of the gate becomes increasingly dependent on the swirl pulsations in the draft tube of the turbine. Finally, the data transfer from the model to the prototype by use of the dinamic similitude law is discussed. Keywords: water turbines, emergency gates, vibrations, vibration measurement Published in DKUM: 15.06.2017; Views: 1393; Downloads: 355 Full text (2,45 MB) This document has many files! More... |
8. The impact of demographic changes on the organization of emergency medical services : the case of SloveniaTatjana Kitić Jaklič, Jure Kovač, 2015, original scientific article Abstract: Background and Purpose: The modern environment requires that organizations (profit and non-profit) continually harmonize their organizational models with changes in their respective environments and with their own visions and strategies for further development. The organizational structure of Emergency Medical Services (hereinafter EMS) is currently a very topical issue in Slovenia, given that a project to establish a new organization of EMS is currently underway at the national level. By examining the case of one region in Slovenia, this article presents an analysis of factors that impact on the number and types of EMS activities and depicts a forecast of future trends for the requirement of EMS. The analysis presents the initial phase of a strategic planning process for the mentioned activity and consequently, a starting point for the formation of an organizational EMS model.
Methodology: This article presents an analysis of factors that impact on the formulation of an EMS model on the basis of research carried out for one geographical region of Slovenia. For the previous period, data was collected from 2002 to 2014. The software tool used for the analysis was STATA 13.0. For the purpose of forecasting a five-year period trend we used statistical package RStudio and Hyndman’s Forecast package given that this package contains algorithms for forecasting univariate time series including exponential smoothing using automated spatial models and ARIMA modelling.
Results: The research has confirmed a correlation between social/environmental factors and the rate of increase in the demand for EMS. A population’s age structure has been identified as the key social factor that increases the need for EMS. On the basis of this finding, this article presents a model for forecasting growth trends in the scope of EMS activities.
Conclusion: The research study has identified some important elements that are imperative to take into consideration when formulating an EMS network at the prehospital level. Population ageing has emerged as a key social factor. In the accordance with forecasted trends, an increase in the burden placed on EMS activities may also be anticipated in the future. Keywords: strategic planning, foresight, trends, emergency medical services, Slovenia Published in DKUM: 04.04.2017; Views: 1545; Downloads: 176 Full text (1,13 MB) This document has many files! More... |
9. Zastrupitev z etilenglikolomNina Vodošek Hojs, Robert Ekart, Franc Svenšek, 2011, professional article Abstract: Zastrupitve z etilenglikolom so dokaj redke. Etilenglikol je sam po sebi malo toksičen, hudo zastrupitev povzročajo predvsem njegovi presnovni produkti. Prikazani primer obravnava značilno klinično sliko (nevrološka, kardiopulmonalna in ledvična faza) in laboratorijske rezultate (povišana serumska osmolalnost, povišana osmolalna vrzel, metabolična acidoza s povišano anionsko vrzeljo, kristali kalcijevega oksalata v urinu) ob zastrupitvi z etilenglikolom. Hitra prepoznava je nujna, saj sta obolevnost in smrtnost po zastrupitvi visoki. Zdravljenje vključuje vzdrževanje dihalne poti, dihanja in krvnega obtoka, infuzijo bikarbonata, dajanje antidota (etanol, fomepizol), hemodializo, včasih tudi zdravljenje s kofaktorji presnove etilenglikola (tiamin, piridoksin, magnezij). Keywords: Acid-Base Equilibrium, Acido-bazno ravnotežje, diagnosis, Diagnostika, Emergency Treatment, Ethylene Glycol, Etilenglikol, klinična slika, Nujno ukrepanje, Osmolar Concentration, Osmolarna koncentracija, poisoning, therapy, Zastrupitve, Zdravljenje Published in DKUM: 30.12.2015; Views: 3338; Downloads: 106 Link to full text |
10. GEPSUS : simulation-based decision making system for air pollution accidentsRadovan Stojanović, Andrej Škraba, Simon M. Berkowicz, Raffaele De Amicis, Doron Elhanani, Giuseppe Conti, Davorin Kofjač, Marko Dragović, Nedeljko Lekić, Gojko Nikolić, 2012, original scientific article Abstract: We describe a GIS-based real-time system for emergency response and management of air pollution accidents in an urban area. The system architecture emphasises the integration of meteorological, chemical and GIS data, dispersion modeling, decision-making and geo-spatial visualization. The threat zones, unsafe areas and safe traffic routes are obtained using an improved Gaussian plume model with a decision-making module and then exported to the Google Earth browser via “kml” file format. Several simulation scenarios were conducted and verified for notable industrial sites in Montenegro using recorded meteorological data. The results demonstrate that emergency response authorities can use the proposed methodology and system as a cost effective and accurate support tool in case of industrial or deliberate air pollution incidents. Keywords: hazardous gas releases, air pollution simulation, emergency management, GIS Published in DKUM: 10.07.2015; Views: 1618; Downloads: 165 Full text (1,12 MB) This document has many files! More... |