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PubMed1991

An evaluation of experimental practices for abatement of residential lead-based paint: report on a pilot project.

In this pilot study, we prospectively evaluated experimental practices for abating lead-based paint in six dwellings. These experimental abatements were based upon a new approach to abatement which reflects current understanding of low-level lead toxicity in children and the role of lead-contaminated dust as an important contributor to children's total body burden. Our previous study of traditional abatement practices in Baltimore showed them to be inadequate for reducing lead in both house dust and children's blood. Our experimental abatements resulted in significant reductions in house dust-lead levels (PbD) which persisted during 6-9 months of followup. Geometric mean PbD at floors, window sills, and window wells were respectively 5.6, 49.6, and 316.7 mg/m2 at preabatement, and respectively 0.6, 4.4, and 10.8 mg/m2 at 6-9 months. Experimental abatements involved (1) treatment of lead-painted surfaces above and below 4 ft from the floor, including interior and exterior components of windows; (2) sealing or covering of wooden floors; (3) procedures for containment of dust during abatement; and (4) a final cleanup using a high-efficiency particle air (HEPA) vacuum. We recommend that more research be done to further evaluate and compare the long-term efficacy of these and other abatement methodologies.

Dust↗
PubMed2006

Error classification in community optometric practice - a pilot project.

OBJECTIVE: A pilot study was conducted to undertake a baseline assessment of errors reported in community optometric practice. The feasibility and acceptability of a method for recording staff-reported errors in optometric community practice was investigated. DESIGN: An anonymous self-reporting system was introduced in order to collect information regarding errors/untoward events in community optometric practice. SETTING: UK community optometric practice. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Classification of errors according to a previously published study pertaining to general medical practice in the same geographical area. RESULTS: Thirty-six notebooks were distributed to 10 participating community optometric practices. At the end of the 1 month study period the note books were returned and the 439 entries made were classified into seven categories: optical prescriptions (18.2%), communication (35.5%), administrative (15%), appointments (2.3%), equipment (11.9%), clinical (10.3%) and other (6.9%). CONCLUSION: A previously developed classification of errors in general medical practice was found to be equally applicable to community optometric practice. This study forms the basis of providing an acceptable and practical methodology, which can be applied by Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) when developing their risk management strategy to include optometry.

Appointments and Schedules↗
PubMed2000

The occupation of gardening in life-threatening illness: a qualitative pilot project.

This qualitative pilot study was completed as an exploratory study of the meaning of gardening using attention restoration theory. Three women with breast cancer who garden for leisure were recruited from a cancer support group. Each participant was interviewed at her home on two occasions. To complement the qualitative data, participants also completed the Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS) (Hartig, Korpela, Evans, & Garling, 1996). The interviews revealed six major themes some of which were concerned with the interactions between the gardener and the garden, and others which focused on gardening within the context of having cancer. The qualitative and quantitative outcomes supported the perspective of attention restoration theory. Spirituality was interwoven throughout the comments of two participants but was less important for one participant. The implications of this study for practice and future research are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

A teleconference course for clinical laboratory personnel: a pilot project.

This article describes a pilot project teleconference course offering made possible through inter-institutional and intra-institutional cooperation. A continuing education program for clinical laboratory personnel was planned and delivered in six locations in northwest Illinois using teleconference equipment and a telelecture delivery mode. The program was evaluated by two techniques, a videotape interview with participants at one site and a mailed post-program form. Both evaluation methods are described. The evaluation results indicated that the majority of participants were receptive to the new instructional mode and would recommend it to their professional peers.

Area Health Education Centers↗
PubMed1995

[Patient consultation via broad-band network--pilot project in hand surgery].

A pilot project launched at Esbjerg was designed to ascertain whether broad-band audiovisual transmission of clinical examination can replace direct contact between patient and physician, and if so to what extent. Provided the technique can be improved and simplified, video consultation is an obvious and economically advantageous alternative to referral to a specialised tertiary clinic. Not only will the technique need to be further tested and improved, however, but doctors will require training in the assessment of moving two-dimensional images and diagnosis via a visual display unit (VDU).

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed1993

[Incidence of findings in pediatric sentinel practices: the Hamburg-Harburg pilot project].

In a one year pilot project in Hamburg, the feasibility of a sentinel practice system was tested by paediatricians and the health officials. The items to be documented were four symptoms of possible allergic pathogenesis. The mean of contacts per practice and week was 42 for rhinitis, 9 for wheeze, 8 for acute conjunctivitis and 4 for urticaria. Rhinitis, conjunctivitis and wheeze showed clear seasonal trends, but also shortterm peaks running against the seasonal trends were detectable. Seasonal covariations between symptoms and environmental parameters were strongest between wheeze, temperature and sulfur dioxide concentration of the air. But only a part of the wheeze-peaks followed peaks of temperature or sulfur dioxide. The implications of the feasibility study results for a long-term sentinel system in Hamburg are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

Evaluation of a telepsychiatry pilot project.

We assessed a telepsychiatry pilot project in which a psychiatric hospital was linked with mental health clinics in five general hospitals. Information was collected through questionnaires administered to patients, service providers and psychiatric consultants, and by interviews. The technology was considered easy to use by participating health-care professionals and patients, and the quality of the sound and picture was adequate. Survey data suggested acceptance and satisfaction on the part of patients, service providers and psychiatric consultants. An economic analysis indicated that at 396 consultations per year the service cost the same as providing a travelling psychiatrist (C$610 per consultation); with more consultations, telepsychiatry was cheaper. Information gathered during the evaluation suggested that the use of videoconferencing for psychiatric consultations was a viable option for an integrated, community-based mental health service.

Canada↗
PubMed1981

Treatment of chronic patients by therapy aides: a pilot project.

A three-month pilot project was devised to test the effectiveness of treatments designed by therapy aides for improving the daily living skills of long-term chronic psychiatric patients. The study was conducted on two male and two female wards; one male and one female ward were chosen for experimental treatment, the other two as controls. Patients behaviors were rated by a nurse or therapy aide and by one of the investigators both before and after the trial began. Ratings by nursing staff-showed no over-all effect of treatment on male and female patients combined but significant improvement among the males. Investigators rated both male and female treatment groups as significantly improved. The results suggest that improvements in behavior can be achieved using procedures that are much simpler and less costly than formal behavior modification programs.

Allied Health Personnel↗
PubMed1996

Quality of life and quality of care data from a 7-year pilot project for home ventilator patients.

A research demonstration pilot project for hospitalized adult and pediatric long-term ventilator-dependent patients was conducted by Kaiser Permanente Southern California Region from 1985 until 1992. The purpose of the pilot project was to investigate if home care was a realistic alternative to continued hospital care. Many aspects of home care as compared to hospital care were studied. The results of the quality of life and quality of care study in addition to cost data are presented in this paper. Standardized questionnaire tools were used to obtain patient data from the perspective of the patient, as well as others providing direct patient care. Respondents were asked to measure perceptions of quality of life and quality of care at home versus at the hospital in regard to health status, life satisfaction, emotional well-being, caregiver ability, and professional care and services. Quality of care was found to be similar to hospital care. Quality of life was judged to be better at home.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Using technology to teach health: a collaborative pilot project in Alabama.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identified six adolescent risk behaviors that contribute to chronic diseases and disorders, including poor dietary habits, sedentary lifestyle, and abuse of alcohol, tabacco, and other drugs. This project pilot-tested a "train-the-trainer" model to diffuse an interactive health education software program into Alabama middle schools during a school year. Developmentally appropriate content included nutrition, physical activity, and prevention of substance use. Twenty-four site facilitators selected from 18 public school systems trained 364 colleagues and 2,249 students to use the software. During a school year, facilitators created 150 student assignments; they reported increased interest among students in health instruction. An essential feature of the project involved an active partnership among the funder, state department of education, university, and public schools. Planners provided technical assistance through face-to-face interaction, distance learning, telephone and e-mail communications, and a Web site. Planners and facilitators worked together to overcome barriers to the use of technology for health instruction.

Alabama↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of midwifery care to medical care in hospitals in the Quebec pilot projects study: clinical indicators. L'Equipe dEvaluation des Projets-Pilotes Sages-Femmes.

The purpose of this study was to compare indicators of process and outcome of midwifery services provided in the Quebec pilot projects to those associated with standard hospital-based medical services. Women receiving each type of care (961 per group) were matched on the basis of socio-demographic characteristics and level of obstetrical risk. We found midwifery care to be associated with less obstetrical intervention and a reduction in selected indicators of maternal morbidity (caesarean section and severe perineal injury). For neonatal outcome indicators, midwifery care was associated with a mixture of benefits and risks: fewer babies with preterm birth and low birthweight, but a trend toward a higher stillbirth ratio and more frequent requirement for neonatal resuscitation. The study design does not permit to conclude that the associations were causal in nature. However, the high stillbirth rate observed in the group of women who were selected for midwife care raises concerns both regarding the appropriateness of the screening procedures for admission to such care and regarding the quality of care itself.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Increasing aging and advocacy competency: the intergenerational advocacy pilot project.

The Council on Social Work Education's (CSWE) Strengthening Aging and Gerontology Education for Social Work (SAGE-SW) project, funded by the John A. Hartford Foundation partnered with the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM) to develop an Intergenerational Policy and Advocacy Project (IAP). This curriculum pilot project, based on a community organization model, was conducted with 13 baccalaureate social work (BSW) and master's social work (MSW) programs across the country and 122 students. The project was one method to pursue CSWE SAGE-SW's efforts to infuse aging content into social work foundation curricula, to support intergenerational teaching, to strengthen social work advocacy skills, and to provide social work students with positive experiences working with older adults. Pilot sites were asked to carry out the project as part of an existing course foundation or field practicum course. Project activities included collaboration with a variety of community agencies, holding issues or "town hall" forums in order to educate community members about critical policy issues affecting older adults; making contacts and establishing relationships with local, state and/or federal legislators; and conducting assessments of the service needs of older adults in the students' communities. Questionnaires, feedback, pre-post evaluations as well as brief accounts of each project are presented. Participants considered the IAP to be a successful project in terms of the objectives of increasing awareness and competency among social work students of aging issues and of promoting intergenerational linkages between older people and social work students.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Life enrichment programme; enhanced dining experience, a pilot project.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this pilot project is to highlight how food intake, nutrition status and quality of life could be improved for long stay residents of a community nursing unit and demonstrate that assisted feeding can be a more dignified experience for them. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: A good dining experience involves not just the food, but also its presentation and the environment in which it is served. A review of the literature identified projects with similar objectives but differing approaches. A survey of residents informed the planning phase. A home style dining room was created with a more traditional ambiance and decoration. The pace of dining was leisurely. Personal choice and independence in eating were supported. A schedule of dining activities was delivered by two staff facilitators. FINDINGS: Eight dining sessions facilitated 23 residents over three months. "Minced" meals were not served, help was given to cut up meat and cues or prompts offered to maximize independence and demonstrate the value of this approach to care staff. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The project illustrated the advantages of stepping outside the purely clinical framework in addressing issues around poor food intake. It highlighted and how small but valuable changes can be implemented even where resources and space is limited. Involvement with the project allowed staff to observe and reflect on the benefits of enhancing the social and aesthetic aspects of dining.

Aged↗
PubMed1981

The pharmacist as prescriber of drug therapy: the USC pilot project.

Recent legislation in California allows pilot projects to investigate prescribing by pharmacists. The University of Southern California School of Pharmacy project was approved in October, 1978. To be certified as prescribers, pharmacists must successfully complete a physical assessment course and a certifying examination. From an original group of 30 interested pharmacists, 25 were certified; five different pharmacists were added later. Prescribing pharmacists must meet with their supervising physician once every two weeks, and are restricted to the project formulary. A variety of health care settings are represented in the project, with pharmacists prescribing for ambulatory patients with chronic diseases, geriatric patients in extended care facilities, psychiatric patients, and selected inpatients. Project evaluation will continue through 1982 and will focus on safety and quality of care, patient acceptance, and cost of care.

California↗
PubMed1997

Patient-oriented pharmacy on a special ward: results of a pilot project in Germany.

In Germany a pilot project in patient-oriented pharmacy has been started in the Berufsgenossenschaftliche Unfallklinik Ludwigshafen to demonstrate the efficiency of this modem way of practising pharmacy in hospital. A special ward of the orthopaedic department (spinal injuries, 25 beds) was chosen for this project. Since February 1st, 1994, the pharmacists have taken over the stock management on the ward and dispense oral drugs in unit-dose systems for each patient. The pharmacists participate also in ward rounds and check the patients' medication charts in order to support and inform the physicians. So the project is a combination of improved patient care and an advisory service in pharmaceutical questions for the medical staff. In the first year of this project, which is still ongoing (February 1994-January 1995), 123 patients were treated on the ward; the average duration of stay was about 77 days. During this first year the pharmacists registered 111 questions and events leading to pharmaceutical interventions. The most important results of the project are the improvement in drug safety and more effective drug use. Other positive results are: during the course of the project the cooperation between the medical and pharmaceutical staff has been improved and the drug management by the pharmacy has resulted in a 17 per cent reduction of medication costs in comparison to the year before. All these results clearly demonstrate the success of these first steps in patient-oriented pharmacy.

Germany↗
PubMed2006

Cytology is useful in breast screening: results and long-term follow-up of the Singapore Breast Screening Pilot Project.

OBJECTIVE: The Singapore Breast Screening Pilot Project (SBSPP) was embarked upon (1994-1997) to determine if mammography was useful in early breast cancer detection among Asian women. PATIENTS AND MEASUREMENTS: Of 28 231 women screened, fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was performed in 232 individuals as part of the triple assessment. RESULTS: Absolute and complete sensitivities for the diagnosis of carcinoma were 46.7% and 82.2%, respectively, based on the results of FNAC. Specificity was 63.3%. The inadequate rate was 31%. Five women who were considered cancer-free on triple assessment and, in two cases open diagnostic biopsy during the SBSPP, subsequently developed breast cancer after a median follow-up of 6 years. CONCLUSION: Although our FNAC results compared relatively well with international standards, they reflect a small cohort, and may face additional difficulties in a larger programme.

Biopsy, Fine-Needle↗
PubMed1987

Translating pilot project success into national policy development: two projects in Bangladesh.

"This article reviews the experience of two pilot projects in Bangladesh that have addressed the question of how [operations] research can be designed to foster its utilization. In a rural field experiment [begun in 1972] in Matlab subdistrict, research has demonstrated that contraceptive services, if carefully designed and properly implemented, can influence demographic dynamics even where social and economic circumstances are not conducive to fertility change. Despite the success that Matlab represents, the project was not systematically utilized for policy until a second study [begun in 1981] was launched to address government questions concerning its replicability in the public sector programme. Results suggest that pilot projects, if fielded in conjunction with research systems for testing their replicability, can foster organizational development in contexts that are not conducive to bureaucratic change."

Asia↗
PubMed2001

A sustainable community-based arsenic mitigation pilot project in Bangladesh.

A sustainable community-based arsenic mitigation pilot project has been successfully operating for 22 months in the Chapainawabganj arsenic hot spot (Bangladesh) where safe treated drinking and cooking water derived from tubewells is being supplied below the Bangladesh maximum permissible limit (0.05 ppm total arsenic). There has been close community involvement in all stages and the arsenic removal mechanism used adapted from the simple process of adsorption by natural ferric oxyhydroxide. Supplemented ferric oxyhydroxide produces daily de-contaminated water batches until replaced at the end of the cycle. A regional renewal/recycling centre supplies new, and safely stores used, ferric oxyhydroxide. Recycling is beginning where adsorbed arsenic can be separated prior to ferric oxyhydroxide reuse. The mechanism is flexible regarding water volumes, cycle lengths, pre and post-treatment arsenic concentrations, tubewell chemistries and is cost-effective. Pilot project parameters were set at 60 l per day ( < 0.05 ppm total arsenic) and 16 day cycles per tank for each of the four selected families with pretreatment concentrations up to 1.1 ppm. A maximum of ~ 24 g of arsenic is produced from the approximately 900 g (dry) of ferric oxyhydroxide used per tank per year. Anecdotal evidence possibly suggests positive health effects within a few months and villagers report an improved water taste. The project should contribute to coping with such arsenicosis crises and expansion is planned.

Arsenic↗