Evaluating the level of disaster preparedness of Tunisian University Hospitals using the Hospital Safety Index: a nationwide cross-sectional study

Background: Mid-way through the 'Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030', many nations are spending time, money and effort to enhance their level of preparedness facing disasters, on the other hand communities, countries and even continents are being left behind. Objectives: This study was conducted aiming at evaluating the level of disaster preparedness and response of Tunisian University Hospitals. Methods: This is a cross-sectional nationwide study conducted in Tunisia, from November 2020 to April 2021. Including 9 Tunisian University Hospitals and using the Hospital Safety Index. The data were analysed using the 'Module and safety index calculator'. Results: This study showed that 7 out of the 9 University Hospitals were assigned the 'B' category of safety with overall safety indexes that ranges between 0.37 and 0.62. Also, 4 out of 9 University Hospitals had safety scores less than 0.20 regarding their emergency and disaster management. Conclusions: This is the first study to evaluate disaster preparedness and response of university hospitals in Tunisia and in north Africa. It showed that the lack of knowledge, resources and willingness, are the most important issues that needs to be addressed in order to enhance the preparedness of Tunisian hospitals

Formas de gobernar la vida en la calle durante la pandemia: discursos, tecnologías y prácticas / Ways of governing street life during the pandemic: discourses, technologies, and practices

RESUMEN El artículo presenta un análisis basado en diversas fuentes de una encuesta nacional realizada con el equipo de Consultorios en la Calle en Brasil sobre la población en situación de calle y la pandemia de Covid-19. A través de ciertos principios ético-políticos y apuestas metodológicas, dirigimos nuestra mirada al discurso sobre quién vive y trabaja en las calles durante la pandemia, entrecruzando el discurso y la experiencia. De esta manera, buscamos desvelar las relaciones de poder, desde la perspectiva de la gubernamentalidad y la biopolítica, que permiten mostrar los modos de gobierno encarnados en la calle -principalmente a partir de las medidas de aislamiento y distanciamiento social- para tensionar el surgimiento de la noción de población en situación de calle, en este escenario pandémico. Por último, discutimos nociones de precariedad que circunscriben la vida en la calle como condición compartida, en busca de pistas sobre formas de resistencia y el derecho a aparecer.

ABSTRACT Drawing on multiple sources, this article presents an analysis of a national survey implemented by Street Clinic teams in Brazil on the homeless population and the COVID-19 pandemic. Through the lens of certain ethical-political principles and methodological decisions, we focus our analysis on discourses about who lives and works on the streets during the pandemic, connecting discourse with experience. From the perspective of governmentality and biopolitics, we seek to shed light on power relations that reveal modes of government embodied at the street level - mainly related to isolation measures and social distancing - to create tensions surrounding the emergence of the notion of the homeless population in the midst of the pandemic. We conclude with a discussion of the precariousness that circumscribes life on the streets as a shared condition, and search for ways to comprehend forms of resistance and the right to exist.

Characterization of a thermostable endoglucanase produced by Isoptericola variabilis sp. IDAH9

Abstract This study aimed to isolate and evaluate the cellulase activity of cellulolytic bacteria in hot springs of Dehloran, Ilam province, Iran. Water and sludge samples were collected from the hot springs and the bacterial enrichment was performed in a medium containing rice barn and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). The cultures were incubated at 50 °C in aerobic conditions. The bacteria were isolated on CMC agar (1%) medium. Cellulase assay of the isolates was measured by the evaluation of endoglucanase enzyme activity, which is also called as carboxymethyl cellulase (CMCase). The isolated thermotolerant bacteria were then identified and optimized for the production of CMCase. Moreover, stabilizing elements of the enzyme were identified with in silico approach. The chosen isolate was identified as Isoptericola variabilis sp. IDAH9. The identified strain produced the most thermostable CMCase at a concentration of 5.6 g/L of ammonium sulfate, 9 g/L CMCase or 12 g/L rice bran, 0/6% Tween-80, and 0.2% sucrose. The produced enzyme showed 80% of the residual activity after 1 h of incubation at 65 °C. In silico data indicated that the remaining residual activity was due to the redundant stabilizing elements in the protein structure. Consequently, I. variabilis can be isolated from the extreme environment and has a thermostable endoglucanase which may be used for various applications after studying them.

The importance of using quality indicators in nursing care / La importancia de la utilización de indicadores de calidad en la atención de enfermería / Opinião dos enfermeiros sobre a utilização dos indicadores de qualidade na assistência de enfermagem

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the opinion of hospital nurses on the use of quality indicators for nursing care. METHOD: Research based on the qualitative approach, conducted with 41 nurses from two charity hospitals in Minas Gerais, from September to October 2013. Interviews with a semi-structured script were used to collect data. The empirical data were organized by means of content analysis. RESULTS: Indicators are important for assessing the provided care, for improving the quality of care, and for defining strategies to achieve goals. CONCLUSIONS: The difficulties encountered when using these indicators revealed the following constituent elements: lack of time, inadequate number of professionals and lack of knowledge on the subject. It was concluded that nurses understand that indicators are instruments that enable evaluations and improvements, but their understanding of how to use these instruments is incomplete and fragmented. .

OBJETIVO: Investigar la opinión de los hospitales las enfermeras en el uso de indicadores de calidad de los cuidados de enfermería. Las investigaciones realizadas por el enfoque cualitativo realizado con 41 enfermeros de dos hospitales filantrópicos en Minas Gerais en el período septiembre-octubre de 2013. MÉTODO: Se utilizó entrevistas con guión semiestructurado. Los datos empíricos se organizaron de acuerdo con el análisis de contenido. RESULTADOS: Se encontró que los indicadores son importantes para la evaluación de la atención, mejorar la calidad de la atención y el desarrollo de estrategias para alcanzar las metas. CONCLUSIÓN: Entre las dificultades encontradas en el uso de indicadores, que era posible enumerar los siguientes componentes básicos: la falta de tiempo, el número insuficiente de profesionales y la falta de conocimiento sobre el tema en cuestión. Llegamos a la conclusión de que las enfermeras entienden los indicadores como herramientas de evaluación y mejoras, sin embargo, tienen una comprensión incompleta y fragmentada de cómo utilizarlos. .

OBJETIVO: Investigar a opinião de enfermeiros de instituições hospitalares sobre a utilização dos indicadores de qualidade da assistência de enfermagem. MÉTODO: Pesquisa conduzida pela abordagem qualitativa realizada com 41 enfermeiros de dois hospitais filantrópicos no interior de Minas Gerais, no período de setembro a outubro de 2013. Utilizaram-se entrevistas com roteiro semiestruturado. Os dados empíricos foram organizados mediante análise de conteúdo. RESULTADOS: Constatou-se que os indicadores são importantes para avaliação da assistência prestada, melhoria da qualidade da assistência e para definição de estratégias para alcançar metas. CONCLUSÕES: Dentro das dificuldades encontradas na utilização dos indicadores, foi possível elencar os seguintes elementos constitutivos: falta de tempo, número inadequado de profissionais e falta de conhecimento a respeito do tema abordado. Conclui-se que os enfermeiros entendem os indicadores como instrumentos de avaliação e melhorias, entretanto, possuem um entendimento incompleto e fragmentado sobre sua utilização. .