scholarly journals Dinesafe Toronto

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anya Besharah ◽  
BCIT School of Health Sciences, Environmental Health ◽  
Helen Heacock
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Food Service ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Health It ◽  
Plain Language ◽  
The Public ◽  
Time Periods

  Background: The purpose of this research study was to analyse the success of Toronto’s placard system (Dinesafe) in reducing the number of violations in food service establishments. The placard system is designed to inform the public about restaurant inspection results and to boost operator compliance. Inspections are a point-in-time check of the facility’s ability to manage the risk it poses to public health. It is accepted that if best practices are implemented as designed by an establishment’s food safety and sanitation plan, the risk of a foodborne illness/outbreak can be minimized. Methods: From the Dinesafe program, the number of violations cited at each inspection from all relevant food service establishments receiving a conditional pass from two time periods, 2004-2006 (Before) and 2012-2014 (After), were compared to see if there was a decrease in violations. The reports, completed by Public Health Inspectors (PHI), were retrieved from a publicly available website. Data were analysed using a two-sample T-test. Results: The anticipated decrease in violations in the second time frame was not significant [p = 0.85] nor strong (α = 0.001). The means were similar (3.83 Before and 3.71 After), with standard deviations of 1.91 and 1.79 respectively. A greater number of restaurants were cited in the After analysis (3169 compared to 572). Inspections from 2004-2006 had fewer violations (12 or less) than 2012-1014 (14 or less). The majority of violations (71% Before and 73% After) were between 2 and 4. Reoffenders comprised of 16.3% of total violations in 2004-2006 and 17.5% in 2012-2014. Conclusion: There is no evidence that the placard system has decreased violations or that counting the number of violations a good measure for compliance. Pushback among operators could explain the increase in the number of establishments cited. The increase in maximum citation could be due to an increase in citations available from 2012-2014. The number of establishments that received a conditional pass twice in a time frame increased from 59% to 68%. The maximum number of times an establishment received a conditional pass dropped from 10 to 8. It is recommended that Health Units use plain language narrative on the website rather than violations as a measure to communicate findings to the public. The placard significance should be better communicated to the public.  

scholarly journals Rubella Immunity among Pregnant Women in a Canadian Provincial Screening Program

2009 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 73-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark J Kearns ◽  
Sabrina S Plitt ◽  
Bonita E Lee ◽  
Joan L Robinson
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Childbearing Age ◽  
Younger Women ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Significance ◽  
Health Database ◽  
Northern Alberta

BACKGROUND: There are limited recent data on rubella immunity in women of childbearing age in Canada. In the present paper, the proportion of rubella seroreactivity and redundant testing (testing of women previously seropositive when tested by the same physician) in the Alberta prenatal rubella screening program were studied.METHODS: In the present retrospective observational study, data on all specimens submitted for prenatal screening in Alberta between August 2002 and December 2005 were extracted from the Provincial Laboratory for Public Health database. The proportion of rubella screening and immunoglobulin G (IgG) seroreactivity were determined. Demographic variables were compared between rubella seroreactors and nonseroreactors. The proportion of redundant testing was determined.RESULTS: Of 159,046 prenatal specimens, 88.3% (n=140,473) were screened for rubella immunity. In total, 8.8% of specimens tested negative for rubella IgG. Younger women (23.2% of women younger than 20 years of age versus 4.7% of women between 35 and 39 years of age; P<0.001) and women from northern Alberta (11.9% versus 8.1% [overall]; P<0.001) were significantly more likely to have seronegative specimens. Of the 20,044 women who had multiple rubella immunity screenings, 88.1% (n=17,651) had multiple positive test results. In total, 20.7% of the 42,274 specimens submitted from women with multiple screenings were deemed redundant.DISCUSSION: Younger women were most likely to be seronegative for rubella. The public health significance of women entering their childbearing years with low or undetectable rubella IgG levels remains to be determined. A large number of women with documented rubella immunity were unnecessarily retested.

scholarly journals Abordagem conceitual sobre a sífilis na gestação e o tratamento de parceiros sexuais

2011 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dayanne Rakelly De Oliveira ◽  
Mayanne Santana Nóbrega De Figueiredo
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Sexual Partners ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Health It ◽  
The Public ◽  
And Control ◽  
In Pregnancy

Este texto tem como objetivo trazer considerações epidemiológicas e conceituais sobre a sífilis, o tratamento de parceiros sexuais e a inserção do enfermeiro em ações de prevenção e controle desse importante agravo à saúde pública. Enfatiza os aspectos relacionados às medidas de controle dos casos, à terapêutica da doença e à magnitude das complicações visando a contribuir para o aprofundamento da temática e reflexão da prática profissional.Descritores: Sífilis, Parceiros Sexuais, Enfermagem, Saúde Pública.Conceptual approach on syphilis in pregnancy and the treatment of sexual partnersThis text aims to bring epidemiological and conceptual considerations on syphilis, the treatment of sexual partners and the insertion of the nurse in prevention actions and control of this relevant grievance to the public health. It emphasizes the aspects related to control measures of the cases, to the therapeutics of disease and the magnitude of the complications seeking to contribute to the deepening of the theme and the reflection of professional practice.Descriptors: Syphilis, Sexual Partners, Nursing, Public Health.Abordaje conceptual sobre la sífilis en la gestación y lo tratamiento de las parejas sexualesEnfoque conceptual de la sífilis en el embarazo y el tratamiento de las parejas sexuales. Este texto tiene como objetivo integrar consideraciones conceptuales y epidemiológicas sobre la sífilis, el tratamiento de las parejas sexuales y la inclusión de los enfermeros en la prevención y control de este importante agravio de salud pública. Destaca los aspectos relacionados con los casos, con la terapéutica de la enfermedad y con la magnitud de las complicaciones con el objetivo de contribuir a la profundización de la temática y la reflexión de la práctica profesional.Descriptores: Sífilis, Las Parejas Sexuales, Enfermería, Salud Pública.

scholarly journals Multiplex tests to identify gastrointestinal bacteria, viruses and parasites in people with suspected infectious gastroenteritis: a systematic review and economic analysis

2017 ◽  
Vol 21 (23) ◽  
pp. 1-188 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karoline Freeman ◽  
Hema Mistry ◽  
Alexander Tsertsvadze ◽  
Pam Royle ◽  
Noel McCarthy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Cost Effectiveness ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Test Accuracy ◽  
Test Results ◽  
The Public ◽  
Infectious Gastroenteritis ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Future Work

Background Gastroenteritis is a common, transient disorder usually caused by infection and characterised by the acute onset of diarrhoea. Multiplex gastrointestinal pathogen panel (GPP) tests simultaneously identify common bacterial, viral and parasitic pathogens using molecular testing. By providing test results more rapidly than conventional testing methods, GPP tests might positively influence the treatment and management of patients presenting in hospital or in the community. Objective To systematically review the evidence for GPP tests [xTAG® (Luminex, Toronto, ON, Canada), FilmArray (BioFire Diagnostics, Salt Lake City, UT, USA) and Faecal Pathogens B (AusDiagnostics, Beaconsfield, NSW, Australia)] and to develop a de novo economic model to compare the cost-effectiveness of GPP tests with conventional testing in England and Wales. Data sources Multiple electronic databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and the Cochrane Database were searched from inception to January 2016 (with supplementary searches of other online resources). Review methods Eligible studies included patients with acute diarrhoea; comparing GPP tests with standard microbiology techniques; and patient, management, test accuracy or cost-effectiveness outcomes. Quality assessment of eligible studies used tailored Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2, Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards and Philips checklists. The meta-analysis included positive and negative agreement estimated for each pathogen. A de novo decision tree model compared patients managed with GPP testing or comparable coverage with patients managed using conventional tests, within the Public Health England pathway. Economic models included hospital and community management of patients with suspected gastroenteritis. The model estimated costs (in 2014/15 prices) and quality-adjusted life-year losses from a NHS and Personal Social Services perspective. Results Twenty-three studies informed the review of clinical evidence (17 xTAG, four FilmArray, two xTAG and FilmArray, 0 Faecal Pathogens B). No study provided an adequate reference standard with which to compare the test accuracy of GPP with conventional tests. A meta-analysis (of 10 studies) found considerable heterogeneity; however, GPP testing produces a greater number of pathogen-positive findings than conventional testing. It is unclear whether or not these additional ‘positives’ are clinically important. The review identified no robust evidence to inform consequent clinical management of patients. There is considerable uncertainty about the cost-effectiveness of GPP panels used to test for suspected infectious gastroenteritis in hospital and community settings. Uncertainties in the model include length of stay, assumptions about false-positive findings and the costs of tests. Although there is potential for cost-effectiveness in both settings, key modelling assumptions need to be verified and model findings remain tentative. Limitations No test–treat trials were retrieved. The economic model reflects one pattern of care, which will vary across the NHS. Conclusions The systematic review and cost-effectiveness model identify uncertainties about the adoption of GPP tests within the NHS. GPP testing will generally correctly identify pathogens identified by conventional testing; however, these tests also generate considerable additional positive results of uncertain clinical importance. Future work An independent reference standard may not exist to evaluate alternative approaches to testing. A test–treat trial might ascertain whether or not additional GPP ‘positives’ are clinically important or result in overdiagnoses, whether or not earlier diagnosis leads to earlier discharge in patients and what the health consequences of earlier intervention are. Future work might also consider the public health impact of different testing treatments, as test results form the basis for public health surveillance. Study registration This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD2016033320. Funding The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

scholarly journals Control of the Public Health IT Physical Infrastructure

2016 ◽  
Vol 22 ◽  
pp. S13-S17
Author(s):  
Kelley Chester ◽  
Barbara L. Massoudi ◽  
Gulzar H. Shah
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health It ◽  
The Public ◽  
Physical Infrastructure

scholarly journals Preliminary Look into the ICD9/10 Transition Impact on Public Health Surveillance

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Hicks ◽  
Julie A. Pavlin ◽  
Atar Baer ◽  
David J. Swenson ◽  
Rebecca Lampkins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Community Of Practice ◽  
Syndromic Surveillance ◽  
Public Health Surveillance ◽  
Health Surveillance ◽  
Health Impacts ◽  
Health Practices ◽  
The Public ◽  
Icd 10

The "Preliminary Look into the Icd9/10 Transition Impact on Public Health Surveillance" roundtable will provide a forum for the syndromic surveillance Community of Practice (CoP) to discuss the public health impacts from the ICD-10-CM conversion, and to support jurisdictional public health practices with this transition. The discussion will be aimed at identifying conversion challenges, solutions, and best practices.

scholarly journals Between worst and best: developing criteria to identify promising practices in health promotion and disease prevention for the Canadian Best Practices Portal

2017 ◽  
Vol 37 (11) ◽  
pp. 386-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia Fazal ◽  
Suzanne F. Jackson ◽  
Katy Wong ◽  
Jennifer Yessis ◽  
Nina Jetha
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Chronic Disease ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Disease Prevention ◽  
Health Agency ◽  
Chronic Disease Prevention ◽  
Promising Practices ◽  
Screening Criteria ◽  
The Public

Introduction In health promotion and chronic disease prevention, both best and promising practices can provide critical insights into what works for enhancing the healthrelated outcomes of individuals and communities, and how/why these practices work in different situations and contexts. Methods The promising practices criteria were developed using the Public Health Agency of Canada’s (PHAC’s) existing best practices criteria as the foundation. They were modified and pilot tested (three rounds) using published interventions. Theoretical and methodological issues and challenges were resolved via consultation and in-depth discussions with a working group. Results The team established a set of promising practices criteria, which differentiated from the best practices criteria via six specific measures. Conclusion While a number of complex challenges emerged in the development of these criteria, they were thoroughly discussed, debated and resolved. The Canadian Best Practices Portal’s screening criteria allow one to screen for both best and promising practices in the fields of public health, health promotion, chronic disease prevention, and potentially beyond.

The Three Mile Island (TMI) Accident

1985 ◽  
Vol 1 (S1) ◽  
pp. 398-401
Author(s):  
Gordon K. MacLeod
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Burn Injuries ◽  
Health It ◽  
Nuclear War ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Past ◽  
Medical Response ◽  
Nuclear Warfare

On March 28,1979, a near nuclear catastrophe occurred at Three Mile Island (TMI) near Harrisburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. I was at that time Pennsylvania's Secretary of Health. It was an accident that just “could not happen.” After all, nuclear power plants were built so safely that they could not possibly affect public health.As a physician, lam compelled to say that I am unalterably opposed to nuclear warfare. I am sure that most physicians would agree that there can be no adequate preparedness for the devastating medical consequences of nuclear war. Prevention of nuclear war is the only reasonable medical response to the hazards posed by nuclear weapons.By contrast, many of you may not share my position on nuclear power. Nuclear power can be made relatively safe if we do not ignore the public health lessons of the past. I belive that physicians need to increase and update their understandings of the medical consequences of radiation accidents and be trained to triage and to treat blast, radiation, and burn injuries.

Business and Public Health: Why Corporate America Will Soon Help Lead the Public Health Charge

2019 ◽  
pp. 61-66
Author(s):  
Scott Hall
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Corporate America ◽  
Health It ◽  
Best Interest ◽  
The Public ◽  
Growing Body

This chapter is concerned with the influence of business on public health. It argues that it makes sense that business should be concerned with public health for it is in the best interest of that sector that workers are healthy. It illustrates this with “The Widget Story”. A growing body of data is accumulating that is beginning to demonstrate the principles behind this theoretical story. The chapter then asks: what role can business play in promoting public health?

The Health Profession's Attitudes toward Single-Use Food and Beverage Containers

1977 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 120-124 ◽  
Author(s):  
BAILUS WALKER ◽  
MELBA S. PRICE
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Solid Waste ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Food Service ◽  
The Public ◽  
Beverage Containers ◽  
Food And Beverage ◽  
Public Health Workers ◽  
Single Use

A national survey was conducted to determine the attitudes of the public health profession toward single-use food and beverage containers. Data summarized in this report were obtained from 2,760 of 3,000 questionnaires mailed to survey participants. Results of this study reveal that public health workers identify single-use food and beverage containers as beneficial in terms of reducing the potential for cross-infection and disease transmission among users. Respondents also recognize the importance of these products in eliminating the need for dishwashing facilities and in conserving energy. Accordingly, most public health workers are of the opinion that single-use products “contribute very much” to sanitation levels in food service facilities. While realizing the benefits derived from paper and plastic food service products, public health professionals recognize that they contribute to solid waste problems. However, most of the respondents agree that the public health benefits of paper and plastic food service products are greater than the possible disadvantages, such as the contribution of these products to the character and volume of urban solid waste.

scholarly journals Private Policing and Public Health: A Neglected Relationship

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-38
Author(s):  
Jennifer D. Wood
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Order ◽  
Crime Control ◽  
Mental Illnesses ◽  
Health It ◽  
The Public ◽  
Access To Health ◽  
Private Policing ◽  
Vulnerable People ◽  
Forms Of Violence

Policing, in its various forms and dimensions, has indelible and complex connections to public health. The conventional functions of policing—promoting social order, security, and crime prevention—are animated by many issues easily framed by a public health lens (e.g., forms of violence, mental illnesses, drug abuse, homelessness). Policing with a crime control focus can make public health worse by criminalizing vulnerable people and undermining access to health and harm reduction resources. Conversely, policing with a health focus can help link vulnerable people to treatment and recovery-oriented resources. Recognizing these connections, researchers have largely focused on the public health effects of policing by the public police, and practitioners have worked to transform the public police with population health in mind. This article suggests that although this focus on transforming the public police is necessary to the advancement of public health, it neglects to understand connections between private policing and public health. This conceptual article argues for the need to widen our focus beyond the public police when exploring policing’s relationship to public health. This expanded view, I suggest, is important to discovering the ways in which the health vulnerabilities of people and places may be compromised by different policing mentalities and practices. At the same time, it may provide clues about ways in which policing beyond the police might creatively and virtuously promote public health.

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