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The authors aimed to examine adoption of behavioral health crisis care (BHCC) services included in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's (SAMHSA's) best practices guidelines. Secondary data from SAMHSA's Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator in 2022 were used. BHCC best practices were measured on a summated scale capturing whether a mental health treatment facility (N=9,385) adopted BHCC best practices, including provision of these services to all age groups: emergency psychiatric walk-in services, crisis intervention teams, onsite stabilization, mobile or offsite crisis responses, suicide prevention, and peer support. Descriptive statistics were used to examine organizational characteristics (such as facility operation, type, geographic area, license, and payment methods) of mental health treatment facilities nationwide, and a map was created to show locations of best practices BHCC facilities. Logistic regressions were performed to identify facilities' organizational characteristics associated with adopting BHCC best practices. Only 6.0% (N=564) of mental health treatment facilities fully adopted BHCC best practices. Suicide prevention was the most common BHCC service, offered by 69.8% (N=6,554) of the facilities. A mobile or offsite crisis response service was the least common, adopted by 22.4% (N=2,101). Higher odds of adopting BHCC best practices were significantly associated with public ownership (adjusted OR [AOR]=1.95), accepting self-pay (AOR=3.18), accepting Medicare (AOR=2.68), and receiving any grant funding (AOR=2.45). Despite SAMHSA guidelines recommending comprehensive BHCC services, a fraction of facilities have fully adopted BHCC best practices. Efforts are needed to facilitate widespread uptake of BHCC best practices nationwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Children with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) live in fear of fracturing their bones. As fractures are unpredictable, there is a need for tools and knowledge to immobilize a fracture during emergencies. Inspired by a patient with OI recognized for fracture management, the aim of this patient-initiated project was to establish best practices for the safe splinting of fractures during emergencies, including the creation of an evidence-informed OI Splint Kit. Methods: A clinical practice guideline study was conducted to create an evidence-informed splint kit for patients. A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify kits and materials used to immobilize fractures with splints during emergencies. An expert Task Force was convened to review the results and a timeline was established to create a splint kit. The prototype underwent iterative cycles of modifications based on feedback from the Task Force. Results: Four electronic databases were searched (Medline, CINHAL, PsychInfo, and Scopus), revealing zero publications pertaining to fracture immobilization kits. The Task Force used their clinical expertise and experiences to develop the OI Splint Kit. The following itemswere included: splinting tools, bilingual educational material, instructional cards, video tutorials, and memory card game. Conclusion: A gap remains in terms of validated kits to assist in fracture immobilization during emergencies. A portable and practical OI Splint Kit was developed to assist in fracture immobilization emergencies, based on interprofessional clinical expertise and patient experiential knowledge. The kit is subject to ongoing testing quality evaluations to ensure its suitability for use in various contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on teaching and learning approaches that assist novice and other educators in higher education. These principles are applied to a real-world example of an undergraduate teaching session inclusive of local and international nursing students. Educational theory pertaining to the session is briefly discussed, however, the focus is on the teaching and learning strategies applied. Specific attention is afforded to lesson planning, active learning, and the use of technology in large group teaching. The responsibility of the educator to promote teaching credibility, student engagement, and pre-lecture preparation is reviewed with reference to key literature, while strategies to achieve best practice are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this study is to develop an update of the evidence-based guidelines for the management of pain in older people. Design: Review of evidence since 2010 using a systematic and consensus approach is performed. Results: Recognition of the type of pain and routine assessment of pain should inform the use of specific environmental, behavioural and pharmacological interventions. Individualised care plans and analgesic protocols for specific clinical situations, patients and health care settings can be developed from these guidelines. Conclusion: Management of pain must be considered as an important component of the health care provided to all people, regardless of their chronological age or severity of illness. By clearly outlining areas where evidence is not available, these guidelines may also stimulate further research. To use the recommended therapeutic approaches, clinicians must be familiar with adverse effects of treatment and the potential for drug interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Children with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) live in fear of fracturing a bone. As fractures are unpredictable, there is a need for tools and knowledge to immobilize a fracture during emergencies. Inspired by a patient recognized in their local OI community for fracture management, the aim of this patient-initiated project was to establish best practices for the safe handling of fractures, including the creation of an evidence-informed OI Splint Kit. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was conducted to identify kits and tools used to immobilize fractures during emergencies. An expert Task Force consisting of patients, clinicians, and decision makers was conjured to review the synthesized results. Priorities were delineated and a timeline was established to create the OI Splint Kit. The prototype underwent iterative cycles of modifications based on feedback from the Task Force. Results: Four electronic data bases were searched (Medline, CINHAL, PsychInfo, and Scopus), revealing zero publications pertaining to kits for fracture immobilization. The Task Force used their clinical expertise and patient experiences to develop the OI Splint Kit. The following items were included: splinting tools, bilingual educational material, instructional cards, video tutorials, and a memory card game. Conclusion: A gap remains in validated kits to assist in fracture immobilization during emergencies. A tangible and practical OI Splint Kit was developed to fulfill this need, based on inter-professional clinical expertise and patient experiential knowledge. The kit is subject to rigorous testing and ongoing quality evaluations, ensuring it will be suitable for use in various contexts.

Best practice guidelines (BPGs) exist for operating theatre (OT), but strategies to implement them are lacking. To address the gap, an integrative review was undertaken to identify strategies which can be used to implement BPGs in OT. This article aimed to summarise the best existing literature in order to identify and describe strategies for the implementation of BPGs in OT. An extensive search was undertaken to include relevant literature from February 2005 to March 2020 using the following databases: CINAHL, Medline, Biomed Central, Academic Search Complete and Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition (EBSCOhost) and the Cochrane library. This integrative literature review followed the methodology proposed by Whittemore and Knafl, namely: (1) identification of the research problem, (2) search of the literature, (3) evaluation of the data, (4) analysis of the data and (5) presentation of the results. On completion of the critical appraisal, 15 (n = 15) articles met the inclusion criteria and relevant data were synthesised. The review identified six strategies facilitating implementation of BPGs in OT, namely, communication, education materials and mass media, academic detailing, opinion leaders, audit and feedback, and teamwork and collaboration. The review validated strategies for the implementation of BPGs in OT. Implementation of BPGs is essential to both provide and improve patient care and to benefit health outcomes. This review is expected to contribute to the provision of strategies to implement BPGs in OT.

Gold standard colonoscopy in the UK demands a 90% cecal intubation (CI) rate. Endoscopists must provide photographic evidence of CI, which can include images of the terminal ileum, appendix orifice, anastomosis or ileocecal valve. Whilst photographic proof of intubation should be obtained for all complete colonoscopies, this is not routinely audited. Three hundred and ninety-six complete colonoscopies were analyzed, 200 in an initial audit, and 196 in a second audit. Photos taken during colonoscopy were reviewed for evidence of successful CI, as well as whether these photographs had been marked as "proof of intubation" (POI). Results were shared at departmental governance meetings in order to assess any improvement in practice. Initial audit revealed 70% of colonoscopies had provided sufficient proof of CI but only 50% provided photographs that were described as such. Twenty percent of colonoscopies provided sufficient images, but these were not identified as POI. Thirty percent of all colonoscopies provided insufficient proof of CI. Upon repeat audit, 71% of colonoscopies met best practice standards, with the remaining 29% showing insufficient evidence of CI. In the modern era of digital technology, lack of photographic evidence should be seen as unacceptable and may raise important clinical and medicolegal concerns. We recommend that audits such as this become standard practice to ensure best practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Best practice guidelines (BPGs) exist for operating theatre (OT), but strategies to implement them are lacking. To address the gap, an integrative review was undertaken to identify strategies which can be used to implement BPGs in OT. This article aimed to summarise the best existing literature in order to identify and describe strategies for the implementation of BPGs in OT. An extensive search was undertaken to include relevant literature from February 2005 to March 2020 using the following databases: CINAHL, Medline, Biomed Central, Academic Search Complete and Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition (EBSCOhost) and the Cochrane library. This integrative literature review followed the methodology proposed by Whittemore and Knafl, namely: (1) identification of the research problem, (2) search of the literature, (3) evaluation of the data, (4) analysis of the data and (5) presentation of the results. On completion of the critical appraisal, 15 (n = 15) articles met the inclusion criteria and relevant data were synthesised. The review identified six strategies facilitating implementation of BPGs in OT, namely, communication, education materials and mass media, academic detailing, opinion leaders, audit and feedback, and teamwork and collaboration. The review validated strategies for the implementation of BPGs in OT. Implementation of BPGs is essential to both provide and improve patient care and to benefit health outcomes. This review is expected to contribute to the provision of strategies to implement BPGs in OT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth in online higher education offerings has been significant in recent years, with many Australian Universities launching programs to extend into new markets and meet the student demand for greater flexibility in delivery modes. Further, it is well understood that good support is an essential component to student success, satisfaction and retention. Despite this, orientation, including non-academic support, is often overlooked in online education systems. Therefore, the current study aimed to develop an orientation program to increase student preparedness and facilitate ongoing support, in addition to developing evidencebased best-practice strategies to support academic's when developing new online courses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predicting the propulsive power of ships with high accuracy still remains a challenge. Well established practices in the 1978 ITTC Power Prediction method have been questioned such as the form factor approach and its determination method. This paper investigates the possibility to improve the power predictions by the introduction of a combined CFD/EFD Method where the experimental determination of form factor is replaced by double body RANS computations. Following the Quality Assurance Procedure proposed by ITTC, a best practice guideline has been derived for the CFD based form factor determination method by applying systematic variations to the CFD set-ups. Following the verification and validation of the CFD based form factor method in model scale, the full scale speed-power-rpm relations between large number of speed trials and full scale predictions using the CFD based form factors in combination with ITTC-57 line and numerical friction lines are investigated. It is observed that the usage of CFD based form factors improves the predictions in general and no deterioration is noted within the limits of this study. Therefore, the combination of EFD and CFD is expected to provide immediate improvements to the 1978 ITTC Performance Prediction Method.

Background Our hospital identified delirium care as a quality improvement target. Baseline characterization of our delirium care and deficits was needed to guide improvement efforts. Methods Two inpatient units were selected: 1) A general internal medicine unit with a focus on geriatrics, and 2) a surgical unit. Retrospective chart audits were conducted for all patients over age 50 admitted during a one-month period to compare delirium care with best practice guideline (BPG) recommendations, and to determine the incidence of missed cases of delirium and negative outcomes in patients with delirium. The aim was to gather local data to prioritize improvement efforts and mobilize stakeholders. Results 186 charts were reviewed: 17 patients had physician-diagnosed delirium, 21 patients had missed delirium, and 148 patients had no delirium. Compliance with delirium BPGs was variable, but generally poor. There was a trend towards missed delirium and physician-diagnosed delirium being associated with greater odds of having above-median length of stay and lower odds of discharge home compared to no delirium diagnosis. Conclusion Overall, the chart audits confirmed delirium underrecognition and poor adherence to best practices in delirium management. Granular analysis of this data was used to mobilize stakeholders and prioritize improvement plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Multidisciplinary pain clinics are considered the gold standard for the treatment of chronic pain, yet access to such clinics is difficult and patients' conditions deteriorate while waiting. Instituting a triage process is one way of reducing wait time for some patients and ensuring optimal access given the limited resources available. Surprisingly, there are no established guidelines on how to optimally triage chronic pain patients at tertiary multidisciplinary pain clinics. Aims: The goal of this study was to gather information regarding existing triage systems in multidisciplinary chronic pain clinics worldwide as an initial step toward establishing a definitive evidence-based set of triage guidelines. Methods: A total of 66 multidisciplinary pain clinics worldwide completed an online survey detailing current triage practices at their clinic. The survey was distributed via international and national pain associations. Results: Results showed that the vast majority of multidisciplinary pain clinics (94%) use a triage system, yet many difficulties with these systems have been identified (time requirement, administrative burden, lack of control over scheduling, missing high-priority patients, and prioritizing low-priority patients). The level of satisfaction was noted to be higher in those clinics using a structured triage template. Conclusions: This study identified a need for the elaboration of best practice clinical guidelines for triage processes at tertiary pain clinics. The use of a structured referral template could become a central element to such guidelines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This case study describes Bluewater Health’s quest to weave the philosophy and practice of patient and family-centered care from the boardroom to the bedside by introducing Emily. Emily’s image is a composite of photographs of staff, physicians, volunteers, patients and families exemplifying that each has a role in Emily’s care. Emily represents every patient and family of the past, present, and future. Emily’s journey started with the launch of Bluewater Health‘s 2013-2015 strategic plan and moved throughout the organization as patient councils were established and the organization embedded three foundational patient and family-centered RNAO Best Practice Guidelines into daily practice with the support of over 100 best practice champions. The successful implementation of RNAO’s best practice guidelines earned Bluewater Health designation as a Best Practice Spotlight Organization. The organization took a risk in introducing the notion of Emily knowing that Emily could become a cliché. No one was prepared for what has come to be known as “the Emily effect.” Emily’s effect is now being realized in increased patient satisfaction and improved employee engagement scores helping to deliver on our Mission, We create exemplary healthcare experiences for patients and families every time. Bluewater Health is a fully accredited, 326-bed community hospital that cares for the residents of Sarnia-Lambton, Ontario.

Background: Recommendations in clinical practice guidelines for non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) are not necessarily translated into practice. Multiple studies have investigated different interventions to implement best evidence into clinical practice yet no synthesis of these studies has been carried out to date. The aim of this study was to systematically review available studies to determine whether implementation interventions in this field have been effective and to identify which strategies have been most successful in changing healthcare practitioner behaviours and improving patient outcomes.Methods: A systematic review was undertaken, searching electronic databases until end of December 2012 plus hand searching, writing to key authors and using prior knowledge of the field to identify papers. Included studies evaluated an implementation intervention to improve the management of NSLBP in clinical practice, measured key outcomes regarding change in practitioner behaviour and/or patient outcomes and subjected their data to statistical analysis. The Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care (EPOC) recommendations about systematic review conduct were followed. Study inclusion, data extraction and study risk of bias assessments were conducted independently by two review authors.Results: Of 7654 potentially eligible citations, 17 papers reporting on 14 studies were included. Risk of bias of included studies was highly variable with 7 of 17 papers rated at high risk. Single intervention or one-off implementation efforts were consistently ineffective in changing clinical practice. Increasing the frequency and duration of implementation interventions led to greater success with those continuously ongoing over time the most successful in improving clinical practice in line with best evidence recommendations.Conclusions: Single intervention or one-off implementation interventions may seem attractive but are largely unsuccessful in effecting meaningful change in clinical practice for NSLBP. Increasing frequency and duration of implementation interventions seems to lead to greater success and the most successful implementation interventions used consistently sustained strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In healthcare, checklists help to ensure patients receive evidence-based, safe care. Since 2007, we have used a bedside checklist in our PICU to facilitate daily discussion of care-related questions at each bedside. The primary objective of this study was to assess compliance with checklist use and to assess how often individual checklist elements affected patient management. A secondary objective was to determine whether patient and unit factors (severity of illness, unit census, weekday vs. weekend, admitting diagnosis group) influenced checklist use.Design: This was a prospective observational study. A research assistant attended daily bedside rounds to collect data at each eligible patient encounter.Setting: The study was conducted in the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) PICU, a 12-bed cardiac and medical-surgical unit.Participants: Included all patients admitted to the PICU prior to 6 am and who were not being discharged that day.Intervention: A bedside rounds checklist.Main Outcome Measures: Included compliance and whether the checklist affected the patient's management plan.Results: A total of 148 encounters were collected on 28 days between September 2013 and February 2014. Compliance with the checklist was 89.2% (132/148; 95% CI 83.2-93.2%) and was not influenced by admitting diagnosis group, patient census, severity of patient's conditions or weekday/weekend status. The checklist affected the patient management plan 52.6% of the time (69/132; 95% CI 44.2-61%).Conclusions: Our study found high rates of compliance with an established checklist that has been in use in the PICU since 2007. Checklist use frequently resulted in a change in the patient management plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Canadian Pediatric Surgery Network (CAPSNet) has been collecting population-based data regarding congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) across its 17 perinatal sites since 2005. With >500 infants registered to date, CAPSNet has addressed many critical knowledge gaps pertaining to CDH care. Most importantly, it has identified variability in both CDH practice and outcome across Canada. Using the successful Evidence-based Practice for Improving Quality (EPIQ) method, CAPSNet is undertaking a national, multidisciplinary effort to standardize best practices for CDH, from prenatal diagnosis to hospital discharge, based on the best available evidence. The present article outlines the value of clinical research networks and the process CAPSNet will undertake to produce national consensus guidelines for CDH care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Older people are majority users of health and social care services in the UK and internationally. Many older people who access these services have frailty, which is a state of vulnerability to adverse outcomes. The existing health care response to frailty is mainly secondary care-based and reactive to the acute health crises of falls, delirium and immobility. A more proactive, integrated, person-centred and community-based response to frailty is required.The British Geriatrics Society Fit for Frailty guideline is consensus best practice guidance for the management of frailty in community and outpatient settings.Recognition of frailtyThe BGS recommends that all encounters between health and social care staff and older people in community and outpatient settings should include an assessment for frailty. A gait speed <0.8m/s; a timed-up-and-go test >10s; and a score of ≥3 on the PRISMA 7 questionnaire can indicate frailty. The common clinical presentations of frailty (falls, delirium, sudden immobility) can also be used to indicate the possible presence of frailty.Management of frailty The BGS recommends an holistic medical review based on the principles of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) for all older people identified with frailty. This will: diagnose medical illnesses to optimise treatment; apply evidence-based medication review checklists (e.g. STOPP/START criteria); include discussion with older people and carers to define the impact of illness; work with the older person to create an individualised care and support plan.Screening for frailtyThe BGS does not recommend population screening for frailty using currently available instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Water resources management models are widely used to evaluate planning or operational scenarios to support water resource management decision-making. However, the approaches to modelling used in the past have led to problems, such as modellers having difficulty establishing the credibility of their model with stakeholders, and stakeholders having difficulty understanding and trusting model results. A best practice approach to the implementation and application of water resources management models based on a quality assurance procedure is an appropriate means of overcoming these difficulties, and there are a number of guidelines and papers available promoting this approach. However, guidance in these on the use of models to analyse water resource planning scenarios is limited or not provided. This paper therefore provides guidance on the implementation and application of water resources management models with an emphasis on scenario analysis. This guidance is principally intended for practising modellers, and also for peer reviewers and stakeholders such as managers, decision makers, and community-based groups. Adoption strategies and recommendations for future directions are also discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Best practice guidelines to promote breastfeeding suggest that (i) mothers hold their babies in naked body contact immediately after birth, (ii) babies remain undisturbed for at least one hour and (iii) breastfeeding assistance be offered during this period. Few studies have closely observed the implementation of these guidelines in practice. We sought to evaluate these practices on suckling achievement within the first hour after birth. Methods: Observations of seventy-eight mother-baby dyads recorded newborn feeding behaviours, the help received by mothers and birthing room practices each minute, for sixty minutes. Results: Duration of naked body contact between mothers and their newborn babies varied widely from 1 to 60 minutes, as did commencement of suckling (range = 10 to 60 minutes). Naked maternal-infant body contact immediately after birth, uninterrupted for at least thirty minutes did not predict effective suckling within the first hour of birth. Newborns were four times more likely to sustain deep rhythmical suckling when their chin made contact with their mother's breast as they approached the nipple (OR 3.8; CI 1.03 - 14) and if their mothers had given birth previously (OR 6.7; CI 1.35 - 33). Infants who had any naso-oropharyngeal suctioning administered at birth were six times less likely to suckle effectively (OR .176; CI .04 - .9). Conclusion: Effective suckling within the first hour of life was associated with a collection of practices including infants positioned so their chin can instinctively nudge the underside of their mother's breast as they approach to grasp the nipple and attach to suckle. The best type of assistance provided in the birthing room that enables newborns to sustain an effective latch was paying attention to newborn feeding behaviours and not administering naso-oropharyngeal suction routinely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To improve patient outcomes many healthcare organizations have undertaken a number of steps to enhance the quality of care, including the use of evidence-based practices (EBPs) such as clinical practice guidelines. However, there is little empirical understanding of the longer-term use of guideline-based practices and how to ensure their ongoing use. The aim of this study was to identify the determinants and knowledge translation interventions (KTIs) influencing ongoing use of selected recommendations of an institutional pain policy and protocol over time from an organizational perspective and 10 years post implementation on two units within an acute care setting., Methods: We conducted a mixed methods case study guided by the Dynamic Sustainability Framework of an EBP 10 years post implementation. We examined protocol sustainability at the nursing department and unit levels of a multi-site tertiary center in Canada. Data sources included document review ( n = 29), chart audits ( n = 200), and semi-structured interviews with nurses at the department ( n = 3) and unit ( n = 16) level., Results: We identified 32 sustainability determinants and 29 KTIs influencing ongoing use of an EBP in acute care. Three determinants and eight KTIs had a continuous influence in all three time periods: implementation phase (0-2 yrs), sustained phase (>2-10 yrs.), and at the 10-year mark. Implementation of KTIs evolved with the level of application (e.g., department vs. unit) to fit the EBP within the context highlighting the need to focus on determinants influencing ongoing use. Sustainability was associated with continual efforts of monitoring and providing timely feedback regarding adherence to recommendations. KTIs used to embed recommendations into routine practices/processes positively influenced high adherence rates. Use of a participatory approach for implementation and sustainment and linking KTIs designed to incrementally address low adherence rates facilitated sustainment., Conclusion: This research provides insight into the relationship between implementation and sustainability determinants and related KTIs during implementation and sustained use phases. Unique determinants identified by department and unit nurses reflect their different perspectives toward the innovation based on their respective roles and responsibilities. KTIs fostered changed behaviors and facilitated EBP sustainment in acute care. Findings confirm the concept of sustainability is a dynamic "ongoing process.", Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Nadalin Penno, Graham, Backman, Fuentes-Plough, Davies and Squires.)

Pressure ulcers are a common but preventable problem in hospitals. Implementation of best practice guideline recommendations can prevent ulcers from occurring. This 9-year cohort study reports prevalence data from point prevalence surveys during the observation period, and three practice metrics to assess implementation of best practice guideline recommendations: (i) nurse compliance with use of a validated pressure ulcer risk assessment and intervention checklist; (ii) accuracy of risk assessment scoring in usual-care nurses and experienced injury prevention nurses; and (iii) use of pressure ulcer prevention strategies. The prevalence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers decreased following implementation of an evidence-based prevention programme from 12·6% (2 years preprogramme implementation) to 2·6% (6 years postprogramme implementation) ( P < 0·001). Audits between 2003 and 2011 of 4368 patient medical records identified compliance with pressure ulcer prevention documentation according to best practice guidelines was high (>84%). A sample of 270 patients formed the sample for the study of risk assessment scoring accuracy and use of prevention strategies. It was found usual-care nurses under-estimated patients' risk of pressure ulcer development and under-utilised prevention strategies compared with experienced injury prevention nurses. Despite a significant reduction in prevalence of hospital-acquired pressure ulcers and high documentation compliance, use of prevention strategies could further be improved to achieve better patient outcomes. Barriers to the use of prevention strategies by nurses in the acute hospital setting require further examination. This study provides important insights into the knowledge translation of pressure ulcer prevention best practice guideline recommendations at The Northern Hospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although mental health promotion is a priority mental health action area for all European countries, high level training resources and high quality skills acquisition in mental health promotion are still relatively rare. The aim of the current paper is to present the results of the DG SANCO-funded PROMISE project concerning the development of European guidelines for training social and health care professionals in mental health promotion. Methods: The PROMISE project brought together a multidisciplinary scientific committee from eight European sites representing a variety of institutions including universities, mental health service providers and public health organisations. The committee used thematic content analysis to filter and analyse European and international policy documents, scientific literature reviews on mental health promotion and existing mental health promotion programmes with regard to identifying quality criteria for training care professionals on this subject. The resulting PROMISE Guidelines quality criteria were then subjected to an iterative feedback procedure with local steering groups and training professionals at all sites with the aim of developing resource kits and evaluation tools for using the PROMISE Guidelines. Scientific committees also collected information from European, national and local stakeholder groups and professional organisations on existing training programmes, policies and projects. Results: The process identified ten quality criteria for training care professionals in mental health promotion: embracing the principle of positive mental health; empowering community stakeholders; adopting an interdisciplinary and intersectoral approach; including people with mental health problems; advocating; consulting the knowledge base; adapting interventions to local contexts; identifying and evaluating risks; using the media; evaluating training, implementation processes and outcomes. The iterative feedback process produced resource kits and evaluation checklists linked with each of these quality criteria in all PROMISE languages. Conclusions: The development of generic guidelines based on key quality criteria for training health and social care professionals in mental health promotion should contribute in a significant way to implementing policy in this important area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Since Internet became in the last years the biggest source of information, the book concept has been dramatically redefined, especially in terms of separating of its content and the related support. Practically, when using the electronic media, a book could take a different look - the electronic book (e-book). Due to their widely spread in the last period, the e-books are one of the most effective ways to support distance learning (e-learning), as they can be read by thousands of readers. Due to the fact that the teachers have limited time for participating to the face-to-face training programmes, the e-books became an important tool for promoting different training courses organized in the frame of various projects. It was also the case of the three years Socrates-Comenius 2.1 European project “FISTE - A Future Way for In-Service Teacher Training across Europe” - code 118766-CP-1-2004-1-RO-COMENIUS-C21, when the partnership organized the on-line courses entitled “Integrated ICT in Traditional Training” and “ECSUT: Educational Challenges & Solutions in Using ICT” [1]. The best practices and experiences of the teachers who achieved the on-line courses were collected and help the partnership to design a web-guideline entitled “Best Practices Guideline for Educational Use of ICT Tools” as a final output of the project. The content of the European course and the web-guideline have been produced as an e-book format by using Desktop Author software application. In this sense, the paper aims to present the most important features proposed by Desktop Author software during the design process of the mentioned ebooks, together with the main facets presented by the related e-volumes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The pre-launch characterization and calibration of remote sensing instruments should be planned and carried out in conjunction with their design and development to meet the mission requirements. The onboard calibrators such as blackbodies and the sensors such as spectral radiometers should be characterized and calibrated using SI traceable standards. In the case of earth remote sensing, this allows inter-comparison and intercalibration of different sensors in space to create global time series of climate records of high accuracy where some inevitable data gaps can be easily bridged. The recommended best practice guidelines for this pre-launch effort is presented based on experience gained at National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) programs over the past two decades. The currently available radiometric standards and calibration facilities at NIST serving the remote sensing community are described. Examples of best practice calibrations and intercomparisons to build SI (international System of Units) traceable uncertainty budget in the instrumentation used for preflight satellite sensor calibration and validation are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Effective large scale deployment of CCS requires recognized standards and guidelines. This paper presents a new 18 month Joint Industry/Public Project (CO2QUALSTORE) that aims to develop a systematic risk-based procedure for selection, characterization and qualification of sites and projects for geological storage of CO2. The project will integrate and interpret results from R&D and pilot projects into a guideline format. Target users are operators, authorities, verifiers, and other stakeholders. The guideline will include examples from case studies; links to decisions during development, operation and closure; assistance in complying with regulations; as well as accounting for emissions avoided. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Array-based whole genome investigation or molecular karyotyping enables the genome-wide detection of submicroscopic imbalances. Proof-of-principle experiments have demonstrated that molecular karyotyping outperforms conventional karyotyping with regard to detection of chromosomal imbalances. This article identifies areas for which the technology seems matured and areas that require more investigations. Molecular karyotyping should be part of the genetic diagnostic work-up of patients with developmental disorders. For the implementation of the technique for other constitutional indications and in prenatal diagnosis, more research is appropriate. Also, the article aims to provide best practice guidelines for the application of array comparative genomic hybridisation to ensure both technical and clinical quality criteria that will optimise and standardise results and reports in diagnostic laboratories. In short, both the specificity and the sensitivity of the arrays should be evaluated in every laboratory offering the diagnostic test. Internal and external quality control programmes are urgently needed to evaluate and standardise the test results between laboratories.European Journal of Human Genetics (2007) 15, 1105–1114; doi:10.1038/sj.ejhg.5201896; published online 18 July 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]