Work - Volume 41, issue Supplement 1

Authors: Evstigneeva, Maria | Aleksandrov, Aleksandr | Mathiassen, Svend Erik | Lyskov, Eugene

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Performance of certain cognitive tasks either during physical load or in rest pauses between boosts might lead to slowing of muscle fatigue and fatigue related decline in performance. Seventeen right-handed healthy volunteers (age 24±1.4, 8 males) participated in this study, aiming to investigate the effect of the level of the cognitive information processing – 1) passive perception of audio stimuli, 2) active stimuli discrimination, 3) active stimuli discrimination following motor response - on motor task performance (handgrip test 30% and 7% of MVC) and muscle fatigue development. Cognitive tasks show the following effects on motor work: i) Perceived fatigue during …30 % MVC (fatiguing) condition developed slower if participant pressed button in response to deviant acoustic stimuli, as compared to passive listening. Counting task, an active task without motor component, took the intermediate position and did not differ significantly from two other cognitive tasks. ii) MVC after 30% MVC (fatiguing) condition tended to decrease stronger when accompanied with passive listening in comparison with both active tasks. iii) Motor task performance during 30% MVC (fatiguing) condition was better for active cognitive task with motor component than for passive task. Active task without motor component took the intermediate position and did not differ significantly from both the other cognitive tasks. Show more

Keywords: Handgrip test, dual task paradigm, cognitive information processing, central fatigue

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0540-2893

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 2893-2896, 2012

Authors: Mehta, Ranjana K. | Agnew, Michael J.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Mental demands have been associated with increased risk of injuries; however, its influence on muscle fatigability remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the interaction of mental workload and physical workload on muscle fatigability during repetitive shoulder work. Twelve young participants, balanced by gender, performed shoulder abduction exercises until exhaustions at three levels of physical workload (low (5% maximum voluntary contraction (MVC)), moderate (35% MVC), and high (55% MVC)) in the absence and presence of a mental arithmetic test. Endurance time and rate of strength decline were employed as indicators of muscle fatigue. Concurrent physical and mental …processing was found to adversely decrease muscle endurance by ~25% at the moderate intensity level. Furthermore, concurrent demands were associated with faster rate of strength decline compared to the control, irrespective of the physical intensity level. Findings from the current study provide evidence of the adverse effects of mental workload on muscle capacity (i.e., endurance and fatigue). It is therefore important to consider potential changes in worker capacity with concurrent physical and cognitive demands before designing work tasks/products. Show more

Keywords: physical workload, mental workload, fatigue, endurance

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0541-2897

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 2897-2901, 2012

Authors: Bruno, Thiers | Abrahão, Julia

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study examines the actions taken by operators aimed at preventing and combating information security incidents at a banking organization. The work utilizes the theoretical framework of ergonomics and cognitive psychology. The method is workplace ergonomic analysis. Its focus is directed towards examining the cognitive dimension of the work environment with special attention to the occurrence of correlations between variability in incident frequency and the results of sign detection actions. It categorizes 45,142 operator decisions according to the theory of signal detection (Sternberg, 2000). It analyzes the correlation between incident proportions (indirectly associated with the cognitive efforts demanded from the …operator) and operator decisions. The study demonstrated the existence of a positive correlation between incident proportions and false positive decisions (false alarms). However, this correlation could not be observed in relation to decisions of the falsenegative type (incorrect rejection). Show more

Keywords: Cognitive ergonomics, Information security, Signal detection, Alarms, Rejections

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0542-2902

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 2902-2907, 2012

Authors: Santana, Ângela Maria C. | Gomes, Josiane Keila V. | De Marchi, Dione | Girondoli, Yassana M. | de Lima Rosado, Lina E.F.P. | Rosado, Gilberto Paixão | de Andrade, Isabel Maria

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between stress, working conditions and the nutritional status of 53 military police officers in a Southeast city of Brazil. In order to evaluate the symptomatology and the stress phase, the Inventory of Stress Symptoms Lipp for Adults – ISSL was utilized. The assessment of the working conditions was performed by means of socio-demographic questionnaire, direct observation and interviews. The nutritional and health conditions were assessed through anthropometric measures, biochemical tests, blood pressure measurements and cardiovascular disease risk calculator. The sample is of the male gender (92.5%) and aging below 40 years old (73.6%). …From these, 35.8% showed stress and 68.4% were in the resistance phase, with 31.6% almost burned out. Through the calculation of Chi-square we could find positive association between the BMI and tiredness (P = 0.0188), between the BMI and irritation (P = 0.0005) and the BMI and the appearance of nervous system problems or emotional problems (P = 0.0304), indicating that these statuses or problems could be related to work. We can conclude then, the stress is present among military police officers. No case of critical stress was found, and the stress phases identified are still susceptible to intervention. Show more

Keywords: Psychological stress, Working conditions, Police, Nutritional status

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0543-2908

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 2908-2914, 2012

Authors: Laugaland, Kristin | Aase, Karina | Barach, Paul

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: When a patient’s transition from the hospital to home is less than optimal, the repercussions can be far-reaching – hospital readmission, adverse medical events, and even mortality. Elderly, especially frail older patients with complex health care problems appear to be a group particularly at risk for adverse events in general, and during transitions across health providers in particular. We undertook a systematic review to identify interventions designed to improve patient safety during transitional care of the elderly, with a particular focus on discharge interventions. We searched the literature for qualitative and quantitative studies on the subject published over the past …ten years. The review revealed a set of potential intervention types aimed at the improvement of communication that contribute to safe transitional care. Intervention types included professionoriented interventions (e.g. education and training), organisational/culture interventions (e.g. transfer nurse, discharge protocol, discharge planning, medication reconciliation, standardized discharge letter, electronic tools), or patient and next of kin oriented interventions (e.g. patient awareness and empowerment, discharge support). Results strongly indicate that elderly discharged from hospital to the community will benefit from targeted interventions aimed to improve transfer across healthcare settings. Future interventions should take into account multi-component and multi-disciplinary interventions incorporating several single interventions combined. Show more

Keywords: Transitional care, elderly, patient safety, adverse events, interventions

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0544-2915

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 2915-2924, 2012

Authors: Meyer, Travis S. | Muething, Joseph Z. | Lima, Gustavo Amoras Souza | Torres, Breno Raemy Rangel | del Rosario, Trystyn Keia | Gomes, José Orlando | Lambert, James H.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Radiological nuclear emergency responders must be able to coordinate evacuation and relief efforts following the release of radioactive material into populated areas. In order to respond quickly and effectively to a nuclear emergency, highlevel coordination is needed between a number of large, independent organizations, including police, military, hazmat, and transportation authorities. Given the complexity, scale, time-pressure, and potential negative consequences inherent in radiological emergency responses, tracking and communicating information that will assist decision makers during a crisis is crucial. The emergency response team at the Angra dos Reis nuclear power facility, located outside of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, presently conducts …emergency response simulations once every two years to prepare organizational leaders for real-life emergency situations. However, current exercises are conducted without the aid of electronic or software tools, resulting in possible cognitive overload and delays in decision-making. This paper describes the development of a decision support system employing systems methodologies, including cognitive task analysis and human-machine interface design. The decision support system can aid the coordination team by automating cognitive functions and improving information sharing. A prototype of the design will be evaluated by plant officials in Brazil and incorporated to a future trial run of a response simulation. Show more

Keywords: Preparedness, disaster, human factors, organizational behavior, risk management, cognitive engineering

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0659-2925

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 2925-2932, 2012

Authors: Melles, M. | Freudenthal, A. | de Ridder, H.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This study investigates how future informatics applications can support and challenge intensive care nurses (ICU nurses) to grow and learn continuously. To this end a research-and-design tool is introduced which is based on a model of the nursing process that starts from the idea that a nurse fulfills three different roles: the role of practitioner (using information immediately to base actions upon), the role of scholar (using information later on to learn from) and the role of human (coping with stress and dealing with emotions). In this paper the focus is on the scholar role. Twenty-eight intensive care staff members …from six different hospitals were asked to recount an imposing experience from the perspective of each role. Regarding the scholar role, the participants mentioned 77 learning strategies they adopt for individual as well as organizational learning. Individual learning concerned reflection on former patient cases, reflection on current patient cases to anticipate a change in the patient’s condition and reflection on personal behavior and decisions. Organizational learning concerned reflection on former patient cases. Examples of specific strategies were formal team evaluations focused on procedure and understanding the perspective of team members, being present at autopsies, and giving feedback on the nursing skills of colleagues. Based on these strategies design implications are defined for future nursing informatics applications, which will be presented. Show more

Keywords: intensive care nursing, learning, design, nursing informatics application

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0545-2933

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 2933-2940, 2012

Authors: Toccafondi, Giulio | Albolino, Sara | Bellandi, Tommaso | Venneri, Francesco

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Patient safety practices for enhancing the quality and safety of handover are context sensitive interventions. In this article we explore the use of cultural probes as a qualitative technique with a twofold objective: eliciting implicit activity pattern and tools that may constitute resources for the design of effective handover solutions and prompting health care practitioners’ participation and involvement.

Keywords: handover, human factors, design, participation

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0660-2941

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 2941-2945, 2012

Authors: Moreira, Helenara Salvati Bertolossi | Talini, Bruna | Galvão, Isabele Maia | Vilagra, José Mohamud | Leivas, Eduardo Gallas | de Oliveira Júnior, Abel Santos

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: To be distinguished from other companies, organizations are searching norms of certifications, such as ISO 9001, OHSAS 18001 and BS 8.800 to become more competitive in the work market, offering health and safety to the worker and quality to the customer. This extends the performance field of the Physiotherapist, who can use their knowledge to favor the processes of implementation of these certifications. The present work aims to identify the performance of the Physiotherapist in such processes of certification, as well as to verify their knowledge concerning the norms of certification and the performance in the occupational environment. Methodology: The …population was constituted by the physiotherapists who had participated at the 4° FISIOTRAB, the sample was composed by 30 physiotherapists, a questionnaire with pertinent questions to the study was applied. Results: 34% of the interviewed did not know what OHSAS 18001 and ISO 14001 were, 66% did not know about the BS 8,800 certification. 76% of the interviewed had never participated in the implementation of certification norms; among those who had participated 28% were present during the implementation of ISO 9001, 57% at the implementation of OHSAS 18001 and 15% at that of both OHSAS and ISO 14001 together. Given that, from the 24% that had already acted in such implementations, 70% possess a specific formation in Occupational Physiotherapy. Conclusion: It was verified that the least part of physiotherapists have acted during the implementation of certification norms, and that even when they work in the Occupational Physiotherapy field many do not possess a deep knowledge on the different practical performances. Show more

Keywords: Occupational Physiotherapy, Certification in Quality, Certification in Security and Health

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-1033-2946

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 2946-2949, 2012

Authors: Boscolo, Paolo | Forcella, Laura | Reale, Marcella | Vianale, Giovina | Battisti, Uliano | Bonfiglioli, Roberta | Cortini, Michela | Di Giampaolo, Luca | Di Donato, Angela | Salerno, Silvana

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The immune system, in cooperation with neuroendocrine functions, defends from cancer and infections mainly by the activity of blood natural killer (NK) cells. Blood NK activity may be influenced by the type of employment since work is the central part of life; moreover, job stress is a situation affecting both neuroendocrine and immune systems. This study examines anxiety (by STAI 1 and 2), job strain (by the Karasek’s JCQ) and blood NK activity (by an in vitro radio-isotopic method) of 134 male workers. These men, over 38 years old with stable employment, were working in factories, in construction yards, in …offices, as hospital attendants or as self-employed craftsmen. Workers in factories and in construction yards, with high job strain, showed lower NK activity, while office employees, with low job demand, and craftsmen with low anxiety and elevated decision latitude, showed higher NK activity; the level of NK activity of the hospital attendants was between the other groups. In conclusion, this study confirms that the type of employment, related to job stress, affects blood NK activity. Moreover, blood NK activity may be used in the bio-monitoring of workers at high risk. Show more

Keywords: occupational stress, anxiety, NK activity

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2012-0546-2950

Citation: Work, vol. 41, no. Supplement 1, pp. 2950-2954, 2012