Preliminary Laboratory Vibration Testing of a Complete Neonatal Patient Transport System

Premature infants or neonates in need of advanced clinical care must be transported to specialized hospitals. Past studies have examined vibrations experienced by patients during transport; however, multiple confounding factors limit the utility of on-road data. Hence, the development of a standardized test environment is warranted. The overall purpose of this project is to characterize vibrations during neonatal patient transport and develop mitigation strategies to reduce exposure. This paper focusses on the development of a laboratory test environment and procedure that enables studying the equipment vibration in a comprehensive and repeatable manner. For the first time, a complete neonatal patient transport system, including a stretcher, has been mounted on an industrial shaker. Results largely validate the system's ability to simulate on-road vibrations with high repeatability.

Quassia "biopiracy" case and the Nagoya Protocol: A researcher's perspective

Biopiracy accusations are common in the world of biodiversity research. At the end of 2015, a French NGO accused researchers from the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD) of biopiracy. These researchers had applied for a patent for a natural bioactive molecule against malaria and cancer, the Simalikalactone E, isolated from Quassia amara L. (Simaroubaceae) leaves. This biopiracy allegation triggered a huge wave of attacks from the media and social networks, and vehement recrimination from political officials in French Guiana against researchers who have been accused of ethical misconduct, by stealing the traditional knowledge of indigenous people. These accusations were made in the contentious context of the ratification of the Nagoya Protocol in the frame of implementing the French law on biodiversity, nature and landscapes. So, in an atmosphere of heightened emotions it is crucial to understand the issues behind these accusations. We describe herein the genesis of our discovery, present the detractors' arguments, and discuss the consequences of such biopiracy denunciations for scientific research. We also address our concerns about the gap between rhetoric and reality and the real impact of the Nagoya Protocol on biodiversity conservation.

Reduction of noise in the neonatal intensive care unit using sound-activated noise meters

OBJECTIVES

To determine if sound-activated noise meters providing direct audit and visual feedback can reduce sound levels in a level 3 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

DESIGN/METHODS

Sound levels (in dB) were compared between a 2-month period with noise meters present but without visual signal fluctuation and a subsequent 2 months with the noise meters providing direct audit and visual feedback.

RESULTS

There was a significant increase in the percentage of time the sound level in the NICU was below 50 dB across all patient care areas (9.9%, 8.9% and 7.3%). This improvement was not observed in the desk area where there are no admitted patients. There was no change in the percentage of time the NICU was below 45 or 55 dB.

CONCLUSIONS

Sound-activated noise meters seem effective in reducing sound levels in patient care areas. Conversations may have moved to non-patient care areas preventing a similar change there.

Examining the effects of a targeted noise reduction program in a neonatal intensive care unit

OBJECTIVES

To determine whether implementation of a noise reduction policy followed by the addition of direct audit and feedback reduces noise levels in a tertiary-level neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

STUDY DESIGN

Noise level data was collected in three phases: (1) baseline (preintervention), (2) immediately postimplementation of our noise reduction policy, (3) postunveiling of direct audit and feedback mechanism.

SETTING

A level 3 NICU in Ontario, Canada.

INTERVENTIONS

Noise reduction policy and a direct audit and feedback mechanism.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Average noise level.

RESULTS

The baseline level of noise in our unit consistently exceeds guidelines with an average baseline noise of 49 dB (±1.4). Our intervention resulted in a significant reduction in noise levels for one of the four areas in our NICU [-1.06 dB (-1.52, -0.6)], with a trend towards reduction in a second area (-0.21 dB (-0.6, 0.18)). Unexpectedly, two other areas experienced a significant increase in noise (2.05 dB (1.18, 2.94); 0.85 dB (0.11, 1.59)).

CONCLUSIONS

The baseline noise in the NICU consistently exceeds guidelines, but reductions in noise levels are achievable. Nonetheless, more work is needed to find the optimal NICU design and noise reduction strategy.