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PubMed2003

Differences in safety climate between hospital personnel and naval aviators.

We compared results of safety climate survey questions from health care respondents with those from naval aviation, a high-reliability organization. Separate surveys containing a subset of 23 similar questions were conducted among employees from 15 hospitals and from naval aviators from 226 squadrons. For each question a "problematic response" was defined that suggested an absence of a safety climate. Overall, the problematic response rate was 5.6% for naval aviators versus 17.5% for hospital personnel (p < .0001). The problematic response was 20.9% in high-hazard hospital domains such as emergency departments and operating rooms. Problematic response among hospital workers was up to 12 times greater than that among aviators on certain questions. Although further research on safety climate in health care is warranted, hospitals may need to make substantial changes to achieve a safety climate consistent with the status of high-reliability organizations.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed1997

The effects of a newly designed air mattress upon sleep and bed climate.

In our previous study, an air mattress with three series of air cells with inflation pressure, that was increased/decreased in time interval of 20 min, did not affect sleep quality and quantity, although the relative and absolute humidity inside the bedding was kept significantly higher than that of a Futon. The purpose of this study was to confirm the effects of a newly designed air mattress upon sleep and bed climate. In this newly designed air mattress, the cell series and time interval was reduced. Six healthy female volunteers, aged 18-22, served as subjects. The experiment was carried out under two conditions: using a regular Futon (Futon), and a newly-designed air mattress with the timer and pump activated (Airmat). The room temperature and relative humidity were controlled at 22-23 degrees C and RH 50-60%, respectively. The subjects' sleep was monitored by using an EEG machine and their skin temperatures and bed climates were also measured continuously. Subjective evaluations of bed comfort and sleep were obtained before and after the recording sessions. Sleep onset latency, wake after sleep onset and the sleep efficiency index showed no significant differences between the two conditions. A significant difference was observed in the bed climate of the waist area. The temperature of the waist was lower overall under the Airmat than the Futon, while relative humidity was higher under the Airmat. Absolute humidity also tended to be higher in the Airmat. Sleep evaluation and comfort sensation were good under both conditions. Although sleep was not disturbed and subjective sleep evaluation tended to be better in Airmat, our results indicate that changing the time intervals and cell series until this air mattress level is not effective in decreasing the bed climate humidity.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

A survey of bedroom and bed climate of the elderly in a nursing home.

Bedroom and bed climate of the elderly in a nursing home were surveyed. Twenty-two elderly subjects were divided into four groups depending on their Activity of Daily Living (ADL) and gender. The four groups were: male and female subjects with almost no problems in daily life and an ADL score higher than 5 [H males, H females] and male and female subjects who normally stayed in bed all day with an ADL score lower than 2 [L males, L females]. The temperature and humidity of the bedroom and bed climate were measured continuously for 24 hours. Bedding and clothing condition, subjective sensational vote and subjective sleep evaluation were surveyed before and after sleep for five days continuously. In the daytime, bedroom and bed climate temperature was significantly lower in H females than in the other groups. At night, no significant effect of gender and ADL was observed in bed climate, which was maintained at 33-35 degrees C, RH50-60% in all the groups. Bedding under the body increased significantly in L males and L females compared with H males and H females. The number of underwear increased significantly in H females. Subjective sleep evaluation was significantly better in H females than the other groups. These results suggest that ADL and gender based differences should be taken into account with regard to the care of the elderly in a nursing home.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2003

Motivational climate, beliefs about the bases of success, and sportsmanship behaviors of professional basketball athletes.

Professional basketball players (n = 76 men and n = 41 women) completed the Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire, an early version of the Multidimensional Sportsmanship Orientations Scale, and a measure of beliefs about the bases for success. The perception of mastery-oriented climate scales were positively associated with the belief that success is due to hard work and to reports of sportsmanship behaviors. The perception of performance-oriented climate scales were positively linked with the beliefs that success is caused by deception and high ability. Most relationships reflected individual differences in perceived motivational climate of athletes within each team.

Achievement↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Team awareness, problem drinking, and drinking climate: workplace social health promotion in a policy context.

PURPOSE: (1) To determine the effectiveness of classroom health promotion/prevention training designed to improve work climate and alcohol outcomes; (2) to assess whether such training contributes to improvements in problem drinking beyond standard workplace alcohol policies. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey assessed employee problem drinking across three time periods. This was followed by a prevention intervention study; work groups were randomly assigned to an 8-hour training course in workplace social health promotion (Team Awareness), a 4-hour informational training course, or a control group. Surveys were administered 2 to 4 weeks before and after training and 6 months after posttest. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: Employees were surveyed from work departments in a large municipality of 3000 workers at three points in time (year, sample, and response rates are shown): (1) 1992, n = 1081, 95%; (2) 1995, n = 856, 97%; and (3) 1999, n = 587, 73%. Employees in the 1999 survey were recruited from safety-sensitive departments and were randomly assigned to receive the psychosocial (n = 201), informational (n = 192), or control (n = 194) condition. INTERVENTION: The psychosocial program (Team Awareness) provided skills training in peer referral, team building, and stress management. Informational training used a didactic review of policy, employee assistance, and drug testing. MEASURES: Self-reports measured alcohol use (frequency, drunkenness, hangovers, and problems) and work drinking climate (enabling, responsiveness, drinking norms, stigma, and drink with co-workers). RESULTS: Employees receiving Team Awareness reduced problem drinking from 20% to 11% and working with or missing work because of a hangover from 16% to 6%. Information-trained workers also reduced problem drinking from 18% to 10%. These rates of change contrast with changes in problem drinking seen from 1992 (24%) to 1999 (17%). Team Awareness improvements differed significantly from control subjects, which showed no change at 13%. Employees receiving Team Awareness also showed significant improvements in drinking climate. For example, scores on the measure of coworker enabling decreased from pretest (mean = 2.19) to posttest (mean = 2.05) and follow up (mean = 1.94). Posttest measures of drinking climate also predicted alcohol outcomes at 6 months. CONCLUSION: Employers should consider the use of prevention programming as an enhancement to standard drug-free workplace efforts. Team Awareness training targets work group social health, aligns with employee assistance efforts, and contributes to reductions in problem drinking.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Climatic temperature and variation in the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome between the Australian states.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the relationship between climatic temperature and the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) for the Australian States and examine the extent to which differences in climatic temperature might explain the regional variation of SIDS in Australia. DESIGN: Case series study. A generalised linear model was used to model the association between monthly average temperature and the incidence of SIDS. SETTING: The report is population based. Data are available from all Australian States. SUBJECTS: Cases of SIDS from birth to less than 12 months of age occurring in Queensland (1981-1987), New South Wales (1981-1987), Victoria (1984-1987), Tasmania (1975-1989), South Australia (1980-1989), and Western Australia (1980-1988). RESULTS: Every one degree Celsius decrease in average monthly temperature within the range 9 degrees C to 25 degrees C is associated with a 10.6% (95% confidence interval, 9.6%-11.7%) increase in the incidence of SIDS. Climatic temperature accounts for 84% of the interstate variation in the rate of SIDS. After controlling for the effect of temperature, a significant overall difference in SIDS incidence remains (P less than 0.0001) for the Australian States. CONCLUSION: Climatic temperature accounts for most but not all of the regional variation of SIDS incidence in the Australian States. The remaining variation may reflect differences in the maternal and infant characteristics of the State populations.

Australia↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Climate change and global infectious disease threats.

The world's climate is warming up and, while debate continues about how much change we can expect, it is becoming clear that even small changes in climate can have major effects on the spread of disease. Erwin K Jackson, a member of Greenpeace International's Climate Impacts Unit and a delegate to the 11th session of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (Rome, 11-15 December), reviews the scientific evidence of this new global threat to health.

Australia↗
PubMed1990

Evaluation of health care work environments via a social climate scale: results of a field study.

Health care organizations must be concerned with their work environment and its effect on their ability to function effectively. Areas such as medical protocol, professional education, and patient care receive constant attention, as they should; but perhaps training in traditional management may be lacking, especially among first-level and middle-level management. Due to a lack of in-depth management training and experience, some health care supervisors may not be fully aware of the work climate in their organization, or of the implications of that climate. This article addresses the concept of organization climate and suggests the use of a standardized scale--the Work Environment Scale (Moos 1986) for climate assessment. An example of its application in a hospital is provided.

Employment↗
PubMed2003

Establishing a practice climate in academic settings.

This article describes an innovative educational approach that was introduced and developed in one occupational therapy program, favorably assessed by students, and promoted within the occupational therapy literature. A review of educational literature from other disciplines suggests that the approach characterized as creating a practice climate, may be useful to most allied health educators. We discuss (1) the meaning of the term practice climate, (2) the rationale for creating such a climate in larger classroom sessions, (3) nine process strategies that can establish this climate, and (4) an assessment of the approach by two groups of undergraduate students. Although introduced in a senior-level undergraduate course, the approach has merit for implementation in less advanced courses and in graduate education.

Diffusion of Innovation↗
PubMed2003

Prediction of climate change effects of fish communities in the Mackinaw River watershed, Illinois, USA.

As part of an integrated assessment of multiple sector impacts produced by predicted changes in climate we have integrated a set of models, which provide predictions of fish populations under changing flow and temperature regimes. The core of the approach is the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Physical Habitat Simulation Model (PHABSIM). PHABSIM estimates habitat conditions based on flow, which are life stage specific. The output from PHABSIM is used to model fish populations, considering both flow and a temperature threshold, which affects spawning date. Water temperatures were modelled based on air temperature. The resulting assessment tool provides the means to evaluate the effect of multiple stressors produced by climate change scenarios. The model has been used to estimate smallmouth bass (Micropterus dolomieui) populations for representative reaches of the Mackinaw River, Illinois. The model has been used to illuminate population effects of changing flow and temperature under historical climate/weather conditions, as well as under climate change scenarios. The integrated models in the assessment tool have provided a useful addition to watershed management, improving our capacity to evaluate natural resources impact at temporal scales typical of climate change, and management response systems.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Future increase in harmful algal blooms in the North Sea due to climate change.

In temperate seas such as the North Sea harmful (toxic) algal blooms will probably increase as a result of climate change. This conclusion was reached after investigating the projected effect of climate change for the year 2100 in Dutch coastal waters (4 degrees C temperature rise and increased water column stratification) on the growth rates of six harmful and two non-harmful phytoplankton species. Micro algae form the basis of the marine food chain. However, toxin-producing species may seriously disrupt the food web and lead to fish kills and human intoxication. Two species with estimated doubled growth rates in 2100, F. japonica and C. antiqua, entered Europe via ship's ballast water or shellfish imports. This stresses the need to legally regulate such invasion routes in order to prevent the import of novel species. Future toxic phytoplankton blooms may further devaluate ecosystem deliverables such as fish production or recreational use. This devaluation can be estimated by monetary value assessments that are needed in cost-benefit analyses for policy guidance. The lack of understanding of future climate, ecosystem functioning and its response to climate change calls for a scientific effort to improve our knowledge on present day coastal ecosystem functioning and its resilience.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Climate change and effects on water quality: a first impression.

A number of possible relationships between climate change and water quality of Dutch surface waters have been investigated and an indicative quantification of the impact of climate change on water quality has been established. The analysis focused on water quality during periods of low flow and extreme heat, which are assumed to increase in frequency and intensity due to climate change. The results indicate that the impact of climate change on water quality cannot be generalised and should be assessed on a case by case basis. However, the impact on extreme situations (floods and droughts) seems to be largest, whilst water quality under average discharge conditions appears to be relatively unchanged.

Disasters↗
PubMed2004

The influence of indoor environment quality on psychosocial work climate among office workers.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing concern about psychosocial problem in workplaces and indoor environmental quality (IEQ) is alleged to be among the major causes of this problem. PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of indoor environmental problems on psychosocial effect among office workers in Bangkok, Thailand. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional descriptive study. METHOD: Study subjects were 1,262 office workers selected by cluster random sampling from 5 air-conditioned buildings in Bangkok. The data were collected by self-administered questionnaires during February 2004. RESULTS: Office workers in an unhealthy climate group were significantly younger, had longer weekly working hours and higher educational levels. The prevalence rates of all categories of IEQ complaints were higher in the unhealthy climate group. In crude analyses, the odds ratios of having an unhealthy psychosocial work climate were significantly associated with the number of IEQ complaints in a dose-response manner After adjusting for a set of confounding factors (sex, age groups, education, job category and working hours), temperature, noise and dust are the aspects of IEQ complaints significantly associated with having an unhealthy psychosocial work climate. CONCLUSION: Good workplace IEQ would have beneficial effects on psychological well-being of employees.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Changing the disability climate: promoting tolerance in the workplace.

Disability climate is a key determinant of the successful integration of individuals with disabilities into the work force and a major influence on the level of occupational stress experienced by this population. Industry-specific attitudes regarding disabilities have an effect on disability climate as perceived by workers, as do formal and informal policies, procedures, and practices. Occupational health nurses can impact organizational disability climates through implementation of disability climate programs, thus improving workplace conditions for workers with disabilities and reducing occupational stress.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1995

Stress characteristics in schoolchildren related to different educational strategies and school climates.

The goal of our paper is to verify the hypothesis that schools with different educational strategies and school climates, in the context of current diversification of educational system in the Czech Republic, have different impacts on the wellbeing and mental health of children. A sample of 868 schoolchildren from five Prague primary schools was studied. The schools selected for our study represent the spectrum of prevalent educational orientations in transforming compulsory education system. The following indicators of school stress were examined: general anxiety, school anxiety, emotional and psychosomatic balance, learning disabilities and behavioural disorders, type A behaviour, mental capacity, attitudes toward school, and social climate of a class as perceived by pupils. Consequently, selected sample of children underwent a thorough neuropaediatric examination. The findings confirmed our original assumption. The least negative characteristics were found at schools with the climate of confidence and respect among principals, staff, pupils and parents. An authoritarian principal who backs the demanding requirements of the traditional education system may cause a climate of mistrust and fear, anxiety and psychosomatic troubles in the pupils and in teachers as well and learning and behaviour disorders in the pupils. The negative experience endangers healthy development of school population. Thinking about application of our results on health promotion programmes at school, we have concluded that it is of greatest importance to promote changes leading to: confidence between the principal and the staff as well as among teachers themselves, participation and cooperation in school management, conditions for independent and creative work of teachers, teacher's effort to replace directive guidance of pupils by responsibility promoting education, diminishing restrictive role of grading in traditional teaching system and introducing more individual and qualitative evaluation of pupils.

Anxiety Disorders↗
PubMed1983

Climate and the evolution of brachycephalization.

Significant associations of cranial shape for 82 ethnic groups and seven climate variables are described. Variation among current populations is partially attributed to cold adaptation throughout the Pleistocene. Application of data files tabulated by the authors is described for a number of problems. Temporal distribution of 115 specimens indicates a geometric trend (CI = 76.7-1.96 log time X 10(3) ). Cranial indices are summarized within alternative taxonomic models and between climatic ecotypes. Evidence supports the hypothesis of cold adaptation among "Classic" Neandertals. Limitations of the thermodynamic model are discussed. It is probable that a decrease of the cranial index occurs from the Middle to Upper Paleolithic. During the Holocene, the index increases under all climatic conditions.

Adaptation, Biological↗
PubMed1994

Thermoregulation of paraplegic and able bodied men during prolonged exercise in hot and cool climates.

The purpose of this study was to compare the thermoregulatory responses of trained paraplegics (TP) and able bodied subjects (AB) performing submaximal exercise of the same relative intensity in both hot and cool conditions. Five TP (lesion range T12 to L3) and five AB subjects experienced in wheelchair use performed 60 minutes of constant load (55-60% of VO2 max) arm ergometry exercise in 37 degrees C and 15 degrees C climatic conditions. Heart rate (HR), sweat rate and rectal (Tr) and skin (Tsk) temperatures were recorded. In the hot climate the TP subjects recorded a significantly greater change in Tsk (delta Tsk) from 0 to 60 minutes of exercise than the AB subjects, because of greater thigh and calf temperatures, but no other significant differences were found between these groups. In the cool climate no significant differences were observed between the TP and AB groups. It was concluded that TP have a similar thermoregulatory ability to AB subjects who perform identical prolonged exercise in hot and cool conditions, although their lower limb skin temperatures are greater, probably because of venous pooling in the legs. While these results are a promising indication of the ability of TP to thermoregulate effectively while exercising in the, heat caution regarding their participation in endurance competitions in hot conditions should be expressed until data collected during wheelchair exercise (rather than arm ergometry) in the heat is available.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Ecological controls on water-cycle response to climate variability in deserts.

The impact of climate variability on the water cycle in desert ecosystems is controlled by biospheric feedback at interannual to millennial timescales. This paper describes a unique field dataset from weighing lysimeters beneath nonvegetated and vegetated systems that unequivocally demonstrates the role of vegetation dynamics in controlling water cycle response to interannual climate variability related to El Nino southern oscillation in the Mojave Desert. Extreme El Nino winter precipitation (2.3-2.5 times normal) typical of the U.S. Southwest would be expected to increase groundwater recharge, which is critical for water resources in semiarid and arid regions. However, lysimeter data indicate that rapid increases in vegetation productivity in response to elevated winter precipitation reduced soil water storage to half of that in a nonvegetated lysimeter, thereby precluding deep drainage below the root zone that would otherwise result in groundwater recharge. Vegetation dynamics have been controlling the water cycle in interdrainage desert areas throughout the U.S. Southwest, maintaining dry soil conditions and upward soil water flow since the last glacial period (10,000-15,000 yr ago), as shown by soil water chloride accumulations. Although measurements are specific to the U.S. Southwest, correlations between satellite-based vegetation productivity and elevated precipitation related to El Nino southern oscillation indicate this model may be applicable to desert basins globally. Understanding the two-way coupling between vegetation dynamics and the water cycle is critical for predicting how climate variability influences hydrology and water resources in water-limited landscapes.

Climate↗