Microbiological Contamination in Different Food Service Units Associated with Food Handling

Background: A microbiological analysis of samples taken from hands of food handlers and utensils/crockery in food service units was used to assess the risk of food contamination. We aimed to assess indicators of microbiological contamination in different food service units. Methods: We used data for an official inspection proposal (2018–2019) in different food service units serving a district in Northeast Portugal. We showed the proportion of positive samples for each microorganism assessed in samples taken from hands and kitchen utensils/crockery. Results: Out of 471 samples taken from hands of food handlers, 26.8% (n = 126) were classified as “unsatisfactory” due to the presence of at least Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and/or total and fecal coliforms. Such a proportion varied according to the type of food service unit with a higher proportion being observed in Canteens (40.0%) and in Retirement Home/Day Care Centers (37.8%). More than one third of 649 samples taken from kitchen utensils/crockery were classified as “unsatisfactory” (n = 181; 27.9%) or “bad” (n = 49; 7.6%). There were significant differences in these proportions across food service units, with a higher proportion of “unsatisfactory” samples being observed in Fishmongers and Butcher Shops/Charcuteries (50.0% and 45.1%, respectively), while a higher proportion of “bad” samples was observed in both Pastry/Bakery and Fishmonger establishments (33.3%), followed by Butcher Shops/Charcuteries (14.1%). Conclusions: Our results emphasize the need of awareness of hygiene practices among food handlers of different food service units, particularly in Fishmongers, Pastry/Bakery establishments and Butcher Shops/Charcuteries, highlighting the need of a periodic hygienic evaluation.

The liminal space palliative care volunteers occupy and their roles within it: a qualitative study

ObjectivesVolunteers have an important place in palliative care (PC), positively influencing quality of care for seriously ill people and those close to them and providing a link to the community. However, it is not well understood where volunteers fit into PC provision or how to support them adequately. We therefore chose to describe volunteer roles across care settings through the perspective of those closely involved in the care of terminally ill people.MethodsA qualitative study was conducted using both focus groups with volunteers, nurses, psychologists and family physicians and individual semistructured interviews with patients and family caregivers. Participants were recruited from hospital, home, day care and live-in services.Results79 people participated in the study. Two volunteer roles were identified. The first was ‘being there’ for the dying person. Volunteers represent a more approachable face of care, focused on psychological, social and existential care and building relationships. The second was the ‘liaison’ role. Volunteers occupy a liminal space between the professional and the family domain, through which they notice and communicate patient needs missed by other caregivers. Patient-volunteer matching was a facilitator for role performance; barriers were lack of communication opportunities with professional caregivers and lack of volunteer coordination.ConclusionVolunteers complement professional caregivers by (1) occupying a unique space between professionals, family and patients and fulfilling a liaison function and (2) being a unique face of care for patients. Healthcare services and policy can support volunteer role performance by ensuring frequent communication opportunities and volunteer coordination.

MANAJEMEN SARANA PRASARANA DI DAY CARE BABY’S HOME SALATIGA

<p><em>Day Care is one form of early childhood education </em><em>in</em><em> non</em><em> </em><em>formal education program that organize nurturing and social welfare of children from birth up to the age of 6 years</em><em>. This</em><em> study </em><em>aimed </em><em>to identify the suitability of existing infrastructure in Baby's Home day care with </em><em>the ACT of Minister of Education and Culture No. </em><em>137 of 2014 Article 32 Paragraph 3; and to provide an overview </em><em>why the</em><em> planning, maintenance and inventory in Baby's Home day care</em><em> were not optimal. </em><em>This </em><em>study</em><em> </em><em>was</em><em> qualitative research. The subject was</em><em> </em><em>Baby's Home day care</em><em> </em><em>Salatiga.</em><em> Technique</em><em> of collecting data using interviews, observation and documents. Data were analyzed using Miles and Huberman Model.</em><em> Data validation using </em><em>triangulation</em><em> technique of data</em><em>. Facilities and infrastructure in Baby's Home day care </em><em>which</em><em> </em><em>conform</em><em> with </em><em>ACT of Minister of Education and Culture No. </em><em>137 of 2014 Article 32 Paragraph 3</em><em> </em><em>of </em><em>were </em><em>the area of land, space</em><em> of</em><em> activities inside and outside, hand washing facilities, showers and latrines, </em><em>and </em><em>access to health facilities.</em><em> </em><em>While </em><em>things were not conform included</em><em> the bedroom, dining room, </em><em>and </em><em>covered trash. The cause of the planning, maintenance and inventory of facilities and infrastructure have not optimally done </em><em>because the </em><em>plan </em><em>was</em><em> not carried out continuously, the lack of personnel to assist in the maintenance, </em><em>and did </em><em>not have the administrative staff specifically for inventory.</em><em> </em><em>Advice can be given to Baby's Home day care is to conduct procurement planning infrastructure</em><em> on</em><em> sleeping room, dining room and trash. In addition, the maintenance </em><em>to</em><em> existing infrastructure must be made as well as the inventory of infrastructure in order to facilitate the planning </em><em>purchasing</em><em>.</em><em> </em><em></em></p>