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Objective: A danger threatening hospitals is fire. The most important action following a fire is to urgently evacuate the hospital during the shortest time possible. The aim of this study was to predict the duration of emergency evacuation following hospital fire using machine-learning algorithms. Methods: In this study, the real emergency evacuation duration of 190 patients admitted to a hospital was predicted in a simulation based on the following 8 factors: the number of hospital floors, patient preparation and transfer time, distance to the safe location, as well as patient’s weight, age, sex, and movement capability. To design and validate the model, we used statistical models of machine learning, including Support Vector Machines Random Forest, Naive Bayes Classifier, and Artificial Neural Network. Results: Data analysis showed that based on the Area Under the Curve, precision, and sensitivity values of 99.5%, 92.4%, and 92.1%, respectively, the Random Forest model showed a better performance compared to other models for predicting the duration of hospital emergency evacuation during fire. Conclusion: Predicting evacuation duration can provide managers with accurate information and true analyses of these events. Therefore, health policy makers and managers can promote preparedness and responsiveness during fire by predicting evacuation duration and developing appropriate plans using machine learning models.

This study aimed to intervene in the organization processes based on the HSE perspective and designing the processes of Health, Safety and Environment (HSE). Methods: This study is mixed methods re...

Background: In the provision of medical facilities, intensive care units are very critical and it seems almost difficult to use the new therapeutic strategies without Intensive Care Unit (ICU). There are two types of ICU structure, known as the open or closed model. The aim of this study was to assess the variables driving the selection of the appropriate ICU management structure and modeling of the appropriate ICU management structure.Methods: This descriptive-exploratory study was performed among all resident doctors, consultants, therapists and neurosurgeons, ICU specialists, internal medicine specialists, respiratory diseases specialists, heads of associated units and head nurses, neurosurgery ICU workers and staff, and doctors of the Loghman Hakim Hospital in Tehran, Iran in 2018. The influence of independent variables on dependent variables and the effect of observed variables on latent variables were tested using the Structural Equation Technique (SEM technique) and the data collected in the LISREL program was analyzed.Results: This research included one hundred persons, including 91 men and 9 women. The factors affecting the performance and structure of the ICU were structural context (including open, semi-closed, and closed structure), organizational context, strategic context, treatment economics context, processes, and quality improvement.Conclusion: There is a good association between quality management and the application of the closed system of the ICU and each of the organizational, strategic, care economics, and processes factors.

Purpose As one of the leading causes of deaths and injuries, medical errors constitute a veritable threat to patient safety. Despite this fact, no unique method has yet been established to identify and evaluate medical errors. This study was conducted to select an optimal human reliability analysis method compatible with healthcare systems from available methods. Design/methodology/approach: In order to select the optimal method for the identification and evaluation of medical errors, different criteria and sub-criteria were determined by reviewing the literature and based on experts’ opinions. Next, weights of criteria and sub-criteria were specified by using the fuzzy analytical network process (ANP). Finally, fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution method was used to prioritize the methods. Findings Six criteria and 21 sub-criteria for choosing the optimal method were determined. The utility, usability, and structure of a method had the highest influence with weights of 0.262, 0.191, and 0.187, respectively. Based on the results of fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution, the Human Error Assessment and Reduction Technique method with a closeness coefficient of 0.576 was selected as the optimal method for identifying medical errors. The Human Factors Analysis and Classification System and Systematic Human Error Reduction and Prediction Approach methods ranked second and third, respectively. Originality/value: To date, no studies have attempted to determine the optimal methods for identification and assessment of medical errors. This paper aimed to fill this gap by using fuzzy analytical network process and fuzzy technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution techniques.

(a) Situation faced: The System Group, a conglomerate of 30 companies, is a leading ERP-solution provider in Iran. The System Group faced several internal and external challenges: Internal sales objectives did not meet executives’ expectations, and customer satisfaction with after-sales services decreased. From an external perspective, they faced the entrance of many new start-ups in the market that could satisfy customers’ needs in a shorter time. A positive challenge lay in the elimination of political sanctions, which offered new market opportunities. (b) Action taken: To retain its leading position, respond to political changes, and meet its customers’ needs, the System Group implemented an enormous business process management (BPM) initiative across all of its companies with the goal of improving processes and organizational performance. The System Group implemented a central “BPM office” to govern this BPM initiative that designed process architectures, appointed process owners, developed process measures, identified process maturity levels, and pushed a shared understanding of the process among employees through communication and workshops. (c) Results achieved: The System Group identified 17 end-to-end processes and, in a first iteration, addressed the 5 highest-priority processes with regard to the overarching organizational strategy. Three of the five improvement process initiatives achieved acceptable results, whereas the remaining two either postponed their work or did not achieve particularly remarkable outcomes. (d) Lessons learned: The most valuable lesson the System Group learned is that BPM is not only a technique but a whole discipline that requires various methods if it is to be implemented successfully in an organization. The company also learned that successful BPM governance requires an agreed strategy and an aligned structure that are clear to everyone.

The present study aims to introduce the employer brand as a new tool in managing human capital and explaining its impact on job satisfaction, organizational commitment and agility of the workforce. The present study is descriptive of survey type and quantitative method. The statistical population of the study was all employees of Iranian Huawei Technology Services Company. The sample was distributed through simple random sampling. Validity of the content of the factors counted with the opinion of the experts and then the validity of the test construct was confirmed using factor analysis methods. The reliability of the test was also calculated and validated for all variables with respect to Cronbach's alpha. In order to analyze the information gathered by the method of structural equation modeling SPSS and Smart PLS software were used. The results confirm the assertion of all the research hypotheses in the research model, indicating that employer brand attractiveness has a positive and direct role in increasing job satisfaction, organizational commitment and workforce agility in the employees of the Telecom industry. At the end, suggestions were also presented based on research findings.

Background & Objectives: Maintenance is an important tool for the petrochemical industries to prevent of accidents and increase operational and process safety success. The purpose of this study was to identify the possible causes of incidents caused by human error in the petrochemical maintenance activities by using Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS). Methods: This study is a cross-sectional analysis that was conducted in Zagros Petrochemical Company, Asaluyeh-Iran. A checklist of human error-induced incidents was developed based on four HFACS main levels and nineteen sub-groups. Hierarchical task analysis (HTA) technique was used to identify maintenance activities and tasks. The main causes of possible incidents were identified by checklist and recorded. Corrective and preventive actions were defined depending on priority. Results: The content analysis of worksheets of 444 activities showed 37.6% of the causes at the level of unsafe actions, 27.5% at the level of unsafe supervision, 20.9% at the level of preconditions for unsafe acts and 14% of the causes at the level of organizational effects. The HFACS sub-groups showed errors (24.36%) inadequate supervision (14.89%) and violations (13.26%) with the most frequency. Conclusion: In order to prevent and reduce the occurrence of the identified errors, reducing the rate of the detected errors is crucial. Findings of this study showed that appropriate controlling measures such as periodical training of work procedures and supervision improvement decrease the human error-induced incidents in petrochemical industry maintenance.

Objective. To take a deep look at the challenges of cooperation between the pre-hospital and in-hospital emergency services in the handover of victims of road traffic accidents. Methods. This is a qualitative study and the method used is of content analysis type. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect the data. Through purposive sampling, fifteen employees from ambulance personnel and hospital emergency staff were selected and interviewed. They expressed their experiences of cooperation between these two teams in the handover of traffic accident casualties. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and content analysis method was used to explain and interpret the content of the interviews. Results. Three major categories were derived from the analysis of interviews: Shortage of infrastructure resources (Shortage of equipment, Shortage of physical space, and Shortage of manpower); Inefficient and unscientific management (Shaky accountability, Out-of-date information based activities, Poor motivation, and Manpower low productivity); and Non-common language (Difference in understanding and empathy, and Difference in training and experience). Conclusion. The obtained results of this study suggest that the careful planning of resources, the promotion of managerial practices as well as empowerment program of the staff, healthcare managers and policymakers can take a pace forward in order to enter into a hearty coordination between these two services for the attention of victims of road traffic accidents. Resumen Objetivo. Examinar los desafíos para la cooperación entre los servicios de emergencias prehospitalarias y hospitalarias en la entrega de víctimas de accidentes de tránsito. Métodos. Estudio cualitativo con análisis de contenido. Se utilizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas para la recopilación de los datos. Se seleccionaron y entrevistaron quince personas de los equipos de atención prehospitalaria y del servicio de emergencias de un hospital a partir del muestreo intencional. Los participantes expresaron sus experiencias de cooperación entre estos dos grupos en la entrega de víctimas de accidentes de tráfico. Las entrevistas se transcribieron textualmente y se utilizó el análisis de contenido para explicar e interpretar el contenido de las entrevistas. Resultados. Emergieron tres categorías principales: Escasez de recursos de infraestructura (equipos, espacio físico y de personal); Gestión ineficiente y no científica (responsabilidad inestable, actividades basadas en información desactualizada, motivación deficiente, y baja productividad de personal); y Lenguaje no común (diferencia en comprensión y empatía, y diferencia en capacitación y experiencia). Conclusión. Los resultados obtenidos en este estudio muestran dificultades con la planificación de los recursos y la promoción de las prácticas de gestión, así como la necesidad de un programa de empoderamiento del personal. Se deben formular políticas para poder avanzar en el mejoramiento de la coordinación de los servicios en la atención a víctimas de accidentes de tráfico. Resumo Objetivo. Examinar os desafios para a cooperação entre os serviços de emergências pré-hospitalar e hospitalar na entrega de vítimas de acidentes de trânsito. Métodos. Estudo qualitativo com análise de conteúdo. Se utilizaram entrevistas semiestruturadas para a recopilação dos dados. Através da amostra intencional se selecionaram e entrevistaram quinze pessoas das equipes de atenção pré-hospitalar e do serviço de emergências de um hospital. Os participantes expressaram suas experiências de cooperação entre estes dois grupos na entrega de vítimas de acidentes de trânsito. As entrevistas se transcreveram textualmente e se utilizou a análise de conteúdo para explicar e interpretar o conteúdo das entrevistas. Resultados. Emergiram três categorias principais: Escassez de recursos de infraestrutura (equipamentos, espaço físico e de pessoal); Gestão ineficiente e não científica (responsabilidade instável, atividades baseadas em informação desatualizada, motivação deficiente, e baixa produtividade de pessoal); e Linguagem não comum (diferença em compreensão e empatia, e diferença em capacitação e experiência). Conclusão. Os resultados obtidos neste estudo mostram dificuldades com a planificação dos recursos e a promoção das práticas de gestão, assim como a necessidade de um programa de empoderamento do pessoal. Se devem formular políticas para poder avançar no melhoramento da coordenação dos serviços na atenção as vítimas de acidentes de trânsito.

To implement successful business process re-engineering (BPR) initiatives, several capabilities have been identified. Required capabilities before and during implementing of BPR projects have been introduced for achieving success. The literature has suggested various approaches to assessing readiness and implementation of BPR projects. However, lack of a practical measurement method is evident. Therefore, in this paper, a practical measurement tool for requiring capabilities is proposed to enhance the chances for successful implementation of BPR by mapping these capabilities on steps of BPR projects. In addition, the relations between these capabilities and BPR success barriers are identified. This tool includes a generic questionnaire that can be helpful for self-assessment of readiness based on the desired organisational capabilities (DOCs) in BPR efforts. In the questionnaire proposed in this paper, various indicators have been identified for assessing readiness in BPR implementation. These indicators ...

Managing the supply chain plays an important role in creating competitive advantages for companies. Adequate information flow in supply chain is one of the most important issues in SCM. Therefore, using certain Information Systems can have a significant role in managing and integrating data and information within the supply chain. Pharmaceutical supply chain is more complex than many other supply chains, in the sense that it can affect social and political perspectives. On the other hand, managing the pharmaceutical supply chain is difficult because of its complexity and also government regulations in this field. Although, Iran has progressed a lot in pharmaceutical manufacturing, still there are many unsolved issues in managing the information flow in the pharmaceutical supply chain. In this study, we reviewed the benefits of using different levels of an integrated information system in the supply chain and the possible challenges ahead.

Background and aims: In manual assembly industries, productivity could increase by scientific study, correct and accurate identification of activities and the time required for implementing each activity - with respect to the health, safety and human wellbeing. Although the positive effect of engineering interventions on the efficiency of production is evident, but its impact on the productivity of labor is unknown. The aim of this study is to evaluate the influence of assembly lines redesign based on the engineering techniques on the productivity and ergonomic factors such as musculoskeletal disorders, working posture and fatigue. Methods: This study was carried out in hob gas assembly plant with 30 men worker. Work-study (Method study: Flow Diagrams and Flow Process Chart Motion &Time study: MTM-1) as engineering techniques and Body Map questionnaire, REBA analysis and MFI questionnaire as ergonomics analysis were applied. According to the engineering techniques (Work Study), interventions implemented in order to improve assembly process. After 12 weeks, work-study and ergonomics analysis carried out again to determine the effectiveness of the redesign on productivity and ergonomic factors. Results: Redesign led to reduce activities time to 8.8 minute and productivity increased 21%. After redesign, prevalence and severity of musculoskeletal disorders increased in the most parts of the body. Nevertheless, no improvements found in working postures and total fatigue. Conclusion: Although productivity increased by engineering techniques, but these interventions could result in more exposure of operators to musculoskeletal disorders. In designing assembly lines, routine engineering methods are better to applied together with ergonomic design principles.