Global Epidemic of Ebola Virus Disease and the Importation Risk into China: An Assessment Based on the Risk Matrix Method / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the global epidemic status of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) and assess the importation risk into China.@*METHODS@#Data from World Health Organization reports were used. We described the global epidemic status of EVD from 1976-2021, and assessed and ranked the importation risk of EVD from the disease-outbreaking countries into China using the risk matrix and Borda count methods, respectively.@*RESULTS@#From 1976-2021, EVD mainly occurred in western and central Africa, with the highest cumulative number of cases (14,124 cases) in Sierra Leone, and the highest cumulative fatality rate (85%) in the Congo. Outbreaks of EVD have occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Guinea since 2018. The importation risk into China varies across countries with outbreaks of disease. The Democratic Republic of the Congo had an extremely high risk (23 Borda points), followed by Guinea and Liberia. Countries with a moderate importation risk were Nigeria, Uganda, Congo, Sierra Leone, Mali, and Gabon, while countries with a low importation risk included Sudan, Senegal, and Co

An evaluation of occupational health risk assessment methodologies from South African enterprises: noise risk assessment field study

Background: The South African occupational health and safety regulations, prescribing risk assessments be conducted by employers, are non-prescriptive with regard to the tools and techniques to be used. Consequently, companies freely adopt the numerous available tools and techniques from which risk management decisions are derived. Thus, risk management, ensuing from the results derived from these tools and techniques, is likely to vary from company to company. Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate risk assessment processes and methodologies that are used and recorded in noise risk assessment reports, in four manufacturing companies. Methods: This was a case study, whereby risk assessment records were obtained from four South African companies with different operational units, from the manufacturing and utilities sectors. Results: There were inter- and intra-company variations in the processes related to the legal context in which the risk assessments were conducted, the risk assessment tools and techniques used, the risk criteria definitions, the statements about the effectiveness of controls in use, and the risk evaluation outcomes. Inter- and intra-company variations in risk rankings and risk prioritisation outcomes were also observed ­ a consequence of the risk perceptions of the assessors assigning a risk level to the noise hazard. In some instances, the adopted risk assessment tools and techniques categorised the risk from noise that was at or above regulated health and safety standards as 'insignificant', which those companies used as justification for taking no further measures to eliminate or reduce the risk. Conclusion: The use of different risk assessment processes, tools and techniques resulted in some facilities categorising noise as an insignificant hazard, which may contribute to high noise emissions and uncontrolled exposures.

Análisis de los riesgos radiológicos en la medicina nuclear diagnóstica del Instituto de Hematología e Inmunología de Cuba / Analysis of radiological risks in diagnostic nuclear medicine of the Institute of Hematology and Immunology of Cuba

Introducción: Para el inicio de las operaciones en el servicio de medicina nuclear del Instituto de Hematología e Inmunología, se realizó el análisis de los riesgos radiológicos. Objetivos: Determinar la contribución individual de las etapas del proceso y de los elementos de control en el riesgo radiológico. Métodos: Se desarrolló el modelo del proceso a partir del método de la matriz de riesgo. Las medidas que se adicionaron estuvieron dirigidas a eliminar las secuencias accidentales con riesgo de nivel medio y consecuencias altas para los pacientes. Se determinaron los elementos de control más importantes por su participación porcentual e incidencia en el cambio del nivel de riesgo al ser eliminados. Resultados: Las etapas más contribuyentes al riesgo fueron por orden de importancia; la preparación de radiofármacos, la adquisición de las imágenes y la administración. Se destacan las medidas siguientes: carga de trabajo moderada, capacitaciones al oficial de protección radiológica y al que realiza las administraciones, el procedimiento de contrastar los datos de la dosis que será administrada al paciente con lo establecido en la prescripción del estudio, las pruebas de control de calidad de radiofármacos, el análisis de los resultados de la dosimetría realizada periódicamente a los trabajadores y las auditorías externas e internas con equipamiento diferente. Conclusiones: Se incluyeron todas las medidas identificadas en la obtención del riesgo residual y en el análisis de sensibilidad en el Plan de mejora de la seguridad y calidad, como garantía de la seguridad radiológica de las operaciones(AU)

Introduction: For the start of operations in the nuclear medicine service of the Institute of Hematology and Immunology, the analysis of radiological risks carried out. Objectives: To determine the individual contribution of the stages of the process and of the control elements in the radiological risk. Methods: The developed process model was from the risk matrix method. The added measures were at eliminating accidental sequences with medium risk and high consequences for the patients. The most important control elements were by their percentage participation and incidence in the change in the level of risk when they eliminated. Results: The stages most contributing to the risk were, in order of importance, the preparation of the radiopharmaceuticals, the acquisition of the images and the administration. Highlighted measures are the following: a moderate workload, the training for the radiation protection officer and the one who performs the administrations and the procedure of contrasting the data of the dose that will administer to the patient against what is in the study prescription. Besides are the tests quality control of radiopharmaceuticals, the analysis of the results of the dosimetry performed on the workers periodically and the external and internal audits with different equipment. Conclusions: All the measures identified in obtaining the residual risk and in the sensitivity analysis, were included in the Safety and Quality Improvement Plan, as a guarantee of the radiological safety of the operations(AU)

Análisis de riesgo en la terapia paciente específica del hipertiroidismo en Cuba / Risk analysis in patient-specific therapy for hyperthyroidism in Cuba

Introducción: En Cuba, se prevé realizar la terapia paciente específica del hipertiroidismo. Se han desarrollado una metodología y herramientas computacionales con este propósito. El análisis del riesgo permitirá acometer con calidad y seguridad dicha práctica. Objetivo: Analizar los riesgos radiológicos en la terapia paciente específica del hipertiroidismo en Cuba. Material y Métodos: Se revisó y adaptó el modelo genérico de Medicina Nuclear paciente específica. Con el código cubano SECURE MR-FMEA versión 3.0 se determinaron el riesgo inherente y el residual, se identificaron las etapas del proceso, los sucesos iniciadores, las medidas y causas más contribuyentes, así como las consecuencias para los grupos expuestos. Resultados: Se obtuvo un nivel alto de riesgo que se controló con las medidas adicionadas. Las etapas más significativas son: la adquisición de imágenes pre- y post- tratamiento y la preparación del radiofármaco. Las medidas preventivas más importantes son: mantener una carga de trabajo moderada para el personal, las capacitaciones del físico médico y de los especialistas que realizan las revisiones del proyecto en la etapa de diseño del servicio. Los pacientes tienen consecuencias muy altas en 10,7 por ciento de las secuencias accidentales. Sin embargo, los trabajadores y el público presentan consecuencias medias en 29 por ciento y 16 por ciento, respectivamente. El incumplimiento de prácticas, protocolos, procedimientos o normas es la causa básica de fallo predominante. Conclusiones: Se facilita la toma de decisiones para la implementación del tratamiento paciente específico del hipertiroidismo en Cuba, a partir del empleo de la metodología que se propone en esta investigación(AU)

Introduction: In Cuba, there are plans to conduct patient-specific therapy for hyperthyroidism. A methodology and computational tools have been developed for this purpose. Risk analysis will allow us to undertake this practice with quality and safety. Objective: To analyze the radiological risks in the patient -specific therapy for hyperthyroidism in Cuba. Material and Methods: The generic patient-specific Nuclear Medicine model was reviewed and adapted. Inherent and residual risk were determined with the Cuban code SECURE MR-FMEA version 3.0; the stages of the process, the initiating events, the most contributing measures and causes, and the consequences for the exposed groups were identified. Results: A high level of risk was obtained, which was controlled with additional measures. The most significant stages are the acquisition of pre- and post-treatment images, and the preparation of the radiopharmaceutical. The most important preventive measures are: maintaining a moderate workload of the staff, and the training of the medical physicist and the specialists who perform the project reviews at the stages in service design. Patients have very high consequences in 10,7 percent of accidental sequences. However, the workers and the public show average consequences at 29 percent and 16 percent, respectively. Non-compliance with practices, protocols, procedures or standards is the predominant underlying cause of failure(AU)Conclusions: Decision-making for the implementation of patient-specific therapy for hyperthyroidism in Cuba, based on the use of the methodology proposed in this research, is facilitated(AU)

Análisis de riesgo en la Medicina Nuclear Terapéutica en Cuba con enfoque integrador / Risk assessment in Therapeutic Nuclear Medicine in Cuba with an integrated approach

Introducción: El análisis de riesgo en la gestión de la calidad y seguridad permite la mejora continua de los servicios médicos en Cuba. En Medicina Nuclear Terapéutica es requisito regulador que permite la continuidad de estos servicios a la población. Objetivo: Analizar los riesgos radiológicos con enfoque integrador dirigido a causas básicas de fallo en la práctica citada. Material y métodos: Se revisó y adaptó el modelo genérico de riesgo para cada caso de estudio. Los métodos prospectivos de matriz de riesgo y análisis de modos y efectos de fallo y reactivo de aprendizaje de las lecciones de sucesos registrados fueron utilizados con el código cubano SECURE MR-FMEA versión 3.0. Se determinó el riesgo inherente, su tratamiento y el riesgo residual por práctica. Se identificaron las etapas del proceso, las medidas y las causas básicas más contribuyentes. Resultados: No se obtuvo riesgo superior al del nivel alto. La radiosinoviortesis y el tratamiento radiactivo de la policitemia vera tuvieron la mayor cantidad de modificaciones al modelo genérico. Las etapas más significativas son prescripción clínica, preparación del radiofármaco y administración. Las medidas preventivas de mayor importancia son mantener una carga de trabajo moderada para el personal, las capacitaciones de los médicos nucleares y del técnico que realiza la administración. Conclusiones: Existe una no uniformidad en el nivel de calidad y seguridad entre los servicios analizados. Para el cambio, la adopción de decisiones se ve beneficiada en su eficacia y eficiencia, al integrarse los métodos prospectivos y reactivos de análisis de riesgo(AU)

Introduction: Risk assessment in quality and safety management allows the continuous improvement of the medical services in Cuba. In Therapeutic Nuclear Medicine, it is a regulatory requirement which allows the continuity of these services to the population. Objective: To assess radiological risks with an integrated approach focused on underlying causes of failure in the mentioned practice. Material and Methods: The generic risk model was reviewed and adapted for each case study. The prospective methods of risk assessment matrix of failure modes and effects and incident learning lessons from the events registered were used applying the Cuban code SECURE MR-FMEA version 3.0. The inherent risk, treatment, and residual risk in the practice were determined. The stages of the process, measurements, and the main contributing causes were identified. Results: There was no risk higher than the high level. Radiosynoviorthesis and the radioactive treatment of the Polycythemia Vera had the greatest amount of modifications to the generic model. The most significant stages are clinical prescription, preparation of the radiopharmaceutical formulation and administration. The most important preventive measures are to maintain a moderate workload for the personnel, and the training of the nuclear physicians and the technician who performs the administration. Conclusions: There is a non-uniformity in the level of quality and safety among the NTM services in Cuba. For change, decision-making is benefited in terms of effectiveness and efficiency by integrating prospective and reactive risk assessment methods(AU)

Analysis of three family clusters of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome by exposure risk matrix / 预防医学

Objective@#To analyze three events of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome （SFTS） among family members by exposure risk matrix, so as to provide reference for SFTS prevention and control.@*Methods @#The field investigation and clinical data of seven confirmed cases with SFTS reported in Linhai from 2014 to 2016 were collected. Exposure risk matrix was used to list the risk of exposure two weeks before the onset, such as the environment, duration of activity and protection, and evaluate the possible routes of transmission. @*Results@#The first event involved three sisters. Two of them had plucked tea together on a hill, and the possibility of infection through tick bites were 60% and 75%, respectively. Another sister was more likely to be infected by ticks in her residence after visiting her sister （no physical contact with the sick sister）, with a possibility of 74%. The second event involved two cases （mother and son）. They were more likely to be infected by ticks in the current residential area, and the possibility were 100% and 80%, respectively. The third event involved two cases （husband and wife）. The wife had 60% possibility of being infected by the ticks on the hill she picked arbutus, and 40% by the ticks in her residence. The husband was most likely to be infected through contacting with body fluids or blood of his wife （44%）, then through the ticks on the hill he picked arbutus （33%）. @*Conclusion@#Among seven cases with SFTS reported in Linhai from 2014 to 2016, six cases have more than 50% possibility of being infected by tick bites; one case has higher possibility of being infected by contacting with body fluids or blood of a patient, but tick bites could not be ruled out.

Public health risk assessment of Hankou river beach during the 7th CISM Military World Games / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To assess the risk of public health incidents in the Hankou River Beach during the 7th World Military Games, and to provide reference for risk early warning and emergency preparedness. Methods An expert consultation meeting was held to determine the evaluation index and risk scores. Based on the Kaiser model, a public health risk assessment system suitable for Hankou River Beach was established, and the risk value of each risk event was calculated by the method of risk value calculation. The risk matrix method was used to evaluate the risk levels of different risk events in different areas of Hankou River Beach. Then, according to the calculated Borda values and order values of risk events in different regions, the different risks were ranked in each area. Results The calculation revealed that the risk values of schistosomiasis in the first, second, third and fourth stages of the river beach were 8.43%, 14.68%, 25.26% and 27.56%, respectively; the risk values of vector infectious diseases in each stage were 13.42%, 16.40%, 18.67% and 19.22%; the risk values of accidental injury and other events were 20.34%, 22.94%, 19.00% and 16.53%. According to the risk matrix, the first and second stages of schistosomiasis and vector borne infectious diseases, as well as the fourth stage of accidental injuries were located in the low-risk zone, while the other risk events were in the medium risk zone. The ranking results of Borda sequence value showed that the highest risk public health events in the first and second phases of the river beach were accidental injuries and others, in the third phase was schistosomiasis and accidental injuries, and in the fourth phase was schistosomiasis. Conclusion Considering the results of each evaluation method, the public health events with the highest risk in phase I and phase II of the river beach were accidental injuries, while in phase III and phase IV were schistosomiasis. It is suggested that relevant departments should formulate different strategies and take targeted measures to ensure the public health and safety of Hankou river beach during the Military Games.

Evaluación del riesgo radiológico en la radiosinoviortesis y el tratamiento mielosupresor de la policitemia vera / Radiological risk assessment in radiosynoviorthesis and the myelosupressor treatment of polycythemia vera

Introducción: La aplicación del método de la matriz de riesgo para la evaluación del riesgo radiológico en la medicina permite identificar de manera proactiva debilidades en las etapas del proceso y hacer un plan de acciones de mejora para la seguridad y calidad. Objetivo: Evaluar los riesgos radiológicos de la radiosinoviortesis y el tratamiento mielosupresor con Fósforo-32 de la policitemia vera. Método: Se utilizó el método de matriz de riesgo y se realizó el análisis y tratamiento de los riesgos radiológicos por medio del código cubano SECURE-MR-FMEA 3.0. Resultados: El 17 por ciento del riesgo alto se eliminó con las medidas adicionales adoptadas; predominaron las consecuencias medias para los trabajadores y el público, 30 por ciento y el 14 por ciento, respectivamente. Las defensas más importantes fueron: levantamiento radiológico inicial de las áreas del departamento; revisión independiente del proyecto con las regulaciones de seguridad aplicables; inspección de trabajos de construcción civil y montaje de equipos antes de iniciar la operación del departamento; capacitación de los médicos nucleares en los tratamientos; existencia de protocolos de tratamiento; análisis de lecciones aprendidas de incidentes radiológicos; levantamiento radiológico periódico de las áreas del servicio y procedimiento de emergencia para reducir la dosis en órganos críticos en caso de administración errónea de radiofármacos. Se creó una base de datos de incidentes utilizada como referencia para el modelo utilizado. El factor humano fue la causa mayor de los sucesos radiológicos analizados (88 por ciento). Conclusiones: Estos resultados facilitan la toma de decisiones para el mejor desempeño de la radiosinoviortesis y el tratamiento de la policitemia vera con Fósforo-32 en Cuba. Se sugiere elaborar el plan de mejora de la seguridad con especial atención a las operaciones de administración del radiofármaco en ambos casos.(AU)

Introduction: The application of risk matrix for ionizing radiation medicine allow identify in proactive way the weakness of the process' step, which implies in the design of safety and quality improvement plan for this. Method: Risk matrix method applied for radiosynoviorthesis and the myelosupressor treatment with Phosphorus-32 of polycythemia vera. The Cuban code SECURE-MR-FMEA 3.0 is used. Results: It was eliminated the 17 percent of the high risk with additional measures, and the medium consequences for workers and public are 30 percent and 14 percent, respectively. The most important identified safety measures were the initial radiological monitoring from different nuclear medicine department areas; the project revision based on the applicable safety regulations; a survey of civil construction works and equipment assembly before work began; training of nuclear medicine doctors in related aspects of nuclear medicine treatments; existence of treatment protocols; the analysis of learned lessons from radiological incidents; the periodical radiological monitoring from different services areas and the emergency procedure for the cases of mistake in the radiopharmaceuticals administration. Human factor was the major cause in analyzed radiological events (88 percent). Conclusions: These results facilitate taking decisions for the best performance of radiosynoviorthesis and the myelosupressor treatment with Phosphorus-32 of polycythemia vera in Cuba. It is recommended to elaborate the safety improvement plan from these and focussing in the radiopharmaceutical administration operations in both cases.(AU)

Transmission risk matrix assessment of imported leishmaniasis in China / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

To assess the risk of imported leishmaniasis in China, offering scientific evidences for leishmaniasis prevention and control.The expert consultation method was used to establish a risk index system, and the risk matrix was used to evaluate the risk scales of leishmaniasis.This risk assessment indicator system included 3 first-grade indexes and 13 second-grade indexes to the aspect of risk probability. Five indexes were also included on the aspect of the risk hazard severity in this system. The transmission risk matrix assessment showed that the risk of imported leishmaniasis transmission in China was in low risk level.This risk matrix assessment is applied for the transmission of imported leishmaniasis in China in the first time, indicating the potential risk of imported leishmaniasis in China.

Evaluación de riesgo de la práctica de radioterapia con rayos X de kilovoltaje / Risk evaluation of the kilovoltage radiotherapy practice

La radioterapia de kilovoltaje es una práctica de radioterapia de reciente reimplementación en el servicio de tratamiento del Instituto Nacional de Oncología y Radiología de Cuba. Uno de los aspectos relacionados con la autorización de su empleo es la evaluación de los riesgos asociados a dicha práctica. El siguiente artículo constituye un resumen del modelo de secuencias accidentales postuladas para la práctica, cuyo riesgo se cuantifica a través de la metodología de matriz de riesgo. El código SECURE-MR fue la herramienta seleccionada para implementar tal aplicación, por cuanto lo distinguen, además de las facilidades tradicionales de análisis, algunas novedosas que permiten el establecimiento de prioridades de contribuyentes. Los resultados globales de la evaluación de riesgo para el modelo postulado, así como algunas aplicaciones de optimización particulares se incluyen en el artículo

The kilovoltage radiotherapy is a recently re-implemented practice in the National Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Cuba to treat patients. One of the problems to approve its use is the assessment of risks associated to this practice. The present paper shows a summary of the pattern of accidental sequences proposed for this practice and its risk is quantified by using the risk matrix methodology. The SECURE-MR code has been used as the tool selected to implement such a practice. In addition to customary analysis facilities, this code has some other novel characteristics allowing us to establish the contributors’ priorities. The global results of the risk assessment for the proposed pattern, as well as some particular optimization practices are included in this paper

A novel model to estimate lymph node metastasis in endometrial cancer patients

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the postoperative pathological characteristics of hysterectomy specimens, preoperative cancer antigen (CA)-125 levels and imaging modalities in patients with endometrial cancer and to build a risk matrix model to identify and recruit patients for retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy. METHODS: A total of 405 patients undergoing surgical treatment for endometrial cancer were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Clinical (age and body mass index), laboratory (CA-125), radiological (lymph node evaluation), and pathological (tumour size, grade, lymphovascular space invasion, lymph node metastasis, and myometrial invasion) parameters were used to test the ability to predict lymph node metastasis. Four parameters were selected by logistic regression to create a risk matrix for nodal metastasis. RESULTS: Of the 405 patients, 236 (58.3%) underwent complete pelvic and para-aortic lymphadenectomy, 96 (23.7%) underwent nodal sampling, and 73 (18%) had no surgical lymph node assessment. The parameters predicting nodal involvement obtained through logistic regression were myometrial infiltration >50%, lymphovascular space involvement, pelvic lymph node involvement by imaging, and a CA-125 value >21.5 U/mL. According to our risk matrix, the absence of these four parameters implied a risk of lymph node metastasis of 2.7%, whereas in the presence of all four parameters the risk was 82.3%. CONCLUSION: Patients without deep myometrial invasion and lymphovascular space involvement on the final pathological examination and with normal CA-125 values and lymph node radiological examinations have a relatively low risk of lymph node involvement. This risk assessment matrix may be able to refer patients with high-risk parameters necessitating lymphadenectomy and to decide the risks and benefits of lymphadenectomy.

A study on the integrated application of risk matrix and analytic hierarchy process in risk assessment of vaccination operation / 预防医学

Objective To evaluate the risks of vaccination operation in order to provide scientific basis for policy makings of vaccination operation.Methods The risk matrix and analytic hierarchy process approach were used to evaluate the risks of vaccination operation,including the possibility,severity,risk weight,and risk level.Results Seven items for the first level and thirty one items for the second level vaccination risk factors were determined.In the first level,E level risk (Extremely serious risk ) was vaccination implementation risk,and H level risk (high risk ) was the risks of pre -notification and health education and risks of vaccine and cold chain management.Vaccination implementation risk accounted the largest weight (weight coefficient=38.95%).In second level,E level risk was three inspection and seven verification before vaccination,and H level risk were personnel professional quality,personnel responsibility,pre -inspection,informed before vaccination, vaccination route, site and dose, vaccination operation, post vaccination notification and retention,and three inspection and seven verification before vaccination,accounted the largest weight (weight coefficient=10.14%).The weight of the logical consistency of the test results were satisfactory (consistency ratio<0.1 ).Conclusion The integrated application of risk matrix and analytic hierarchy process in risk assessment of vaccination operation helps to further regulate vaccination services and has application and promotion value.

Risk evaluation of surgical site infection based on risk assessment matrix / 中华医院管理杂志

In view of risk characteristics of surgical site infection,the risk factors of the infection were graded and classified while the risk indicators system and risk assessment matrix for surgical site infection were built,based on literature analysis,integrated use of documents analysis,Delphi method and risk quantification matrix.The study indicated that surgical skills of the surgeon and surgical time length are the most important risk factors,followed by insufficient maintenance of the operating room environment and poor baseline assessment of the patient.Risk control of surgical site infection needs to focus on these key factors,optimize utilization of resources and improve the prevention and control ability of surgical site infection.