[Preparation of Mashhad university of medical sciences for implementation of total quality management]

Total Quality Management in medical training is a multi-step management method which recognizes the teaching-learning processes. Preparation of faculty managers, who are responsible for planning and taking the corrective actions, is the most fundamental step in the process of its implementation. The aim of this study was to determine preparation of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences for implementation of Total Quality Management. In this descriptive study, sample size was selected among all the managers or faculty members at the university's medical science school [300]. 221 samples were selected by using Morgan's table and convenience method. Data was collected by "Preparation for Implementation of TQM Questionnaire" with 21 items which was developed by review of literature. Validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by 10 experts and researchers in TQM. Reliability was measured by using Cronbach alpha [alpha=0.86]. The data was analyzed using the SPSS/17, statistical method of independent T-test, Friedman and chi square methods. The results showed that ability to implement TQM in both the overall and also in each of eight symptoms were above the average and relatively high at the Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. The TQM-factor use-measure of managers' moralities and material/resource assignments were the highest and lowest respectively. The results also showed that TQM, managers' speech, employees' recognition awards, organized management' team endeavors and efforts, specific allotted time to TQM fact/fundamentals issuance, distinct program development and employee involvement ranked from the second to seventh. Mashhad University of Medical Sciences seems to have well established basis for the implementation of TQM in medical education. As a result, this university has the potentials to enter the higher levels of TQM implementation

Generation of platelet-derived microparticles during storage in two different storage media

Activated platelets release microparticles [MPs] in vivo or in the platelet concentrate [PC] product in response to some stimulators. This study compared the two different storage media of plasma and composol for PC regarding the extent of MPs formation as a new index for comparing platelet stability. In this experimental study, 30 PC units were prepared. The platelets were divided into two equal portions. Plasma was replaced with the additive solution of composol in one of the portions. Sampling was carried out at the days 2, 4 and 7 after storage. Afterwards, the MPs were separated and their concentrations were collected using Bradford method. T-tests was used to compare the results of this experiment. The results showed that the amounts of MPs increased during the storage. In each media of plasma or composol, the concentration of MPs showed a significant difference between the days 4 and 7 of the storage. Besides, the final concentration of MPs did not show a significant difference between the two media at the day 4 of the storage whereas this difference was significant at the day 7 of storage [p<0.05]. There were no significant differences in the quantity of MPs in PCs stored in plasma or composol up to the day 4 of the storage. This difference became significant after 7 days of the storage, in which the generation of MPs showed significant increase in plasma than composol. These observations revealed an advantage for composol as a PC storage medium