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Background: Although introduced nearly 40 years ago, Geographic Information Systems (GISs) have never been used to study Occupational Health information regarding the different types, scale or sources of data. The geographic distribution of occupational diseases and underlying work activities were always analyzed independently. Our aim was to consider the French Network of Occupational Disease (OD) clinics, namely the "French National OD Surveillance and Prevention Network" (rnv3p) as a spatial object in order to describe its catchment. Methods: We mapped rnv3p observations at the workplace level. We initially analyzed rnv3p capture with reference to its own data, then to the underlying workforce (INSEE "Employment Areas"), and finally compared its capture of one emblematic occupational disease (mesothelioma) to an external dataset provided by a surveillance system thought to be exhaustive (PNSM). Results: While the whole country is covered by the network, the density of observations decreases with increase in the distance from the 31 OD clinics (located within the main French cities). Taking into account the underlying workforce, we show that the probability to capture and investigation of OD (assessed by rates of OD per 10,000 workers) also presents large discrepancies between OD clinics. This capture rate might also show differences according to the disease, as exemplified by mesothelioma. Conclusion: The geographic approach to this network, enhanced by the possibilities provided by the GIS tool, allow a better understanding of the coverage of this network at a national level, as well as the visualization of capture rates for all OD clinics. Highlighting geographic and thematic shading zones bring new perspectives to the analysis of occupational health data, and should improve occupational health vigilance and surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ACCIDENTS AT WORK, OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES AND WORK-RELATED. DISEASES: TO SEE MORE CLEARLY. Occupational factors have a major impact on population health. Occupational diseases or work-related diseases and accident at work are diverse and multifactorial. Nevertheless, exposure to occupational risk factors and associated disorders are avoidable. Preventive actions must be applied and adapted to working conditions and working population characteristics. Recognition of the professional origins allows for treatment and various financial compensation. Medical professions have a major role in supporting patients by considering the possibility of a professional origin., Competing Interests: L’auteure déclare n’avoir aucun lien d’intérêts.

Although recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of stroke are available, the aim of this study was to identify indicators of quality and risk management for acute ischemic stroke hospital patients. We conducted a descriptive study of stroke patients who were diagnosed less than 12 hours before admission to the Pitié-Salpêtrière hospital's neurology and stroke unit. Data were collected using a literature review and from existing recommendation. During the study period (August 2003 through April 2005) 310 eligible patients were identified. In 87.5% of the cases, patients suffered from a cerebral infarction and in 10.3% from an intracranial haemorrhage. The initial deficit was mild to severe. The average time between the first symptoms and admission in the stroke unit was 212 +/- 130 minutes. Forty percent of patients who underwent a thrombolysis did so within the first 3 hours. The average length of stay in the stroke unit was 17.5 days. Thirty-one percent of the patients were discharged to go home, 47% to a rehabilitation unit and 8% died. Ten indicators of quality and risk management are proposed, taking in account the events before admission, hospital care, side effects, duration of stay, discharge location and the handicap.