Exposure to certain bloodborne pathogens can prematurely end a person’s life. Healthcare workers (HCWs), especially those who are members of surgical teams, are at increased risk of exposure to these pathogens. The proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) during operative/invasive procedures reduces that risk. Despite this, some HCWs fail to consistently use PPE as required by federal regulation, accrediting agencies, hospital policy, and professional association standards. The purpose of this mixed methods survey study was to (a) examine factors surgical team members perceive influence choices of wearing or not wearing PPE during operative/invasive procedures and (b) determine what would influence consistent use of PPE by surgical team members. Using an ex post facto, non-experimental design, the memberships of five professional associations whose members comprise surgical teams were invited to complete a mixed methods survey study. The primary research question for the study was: What differences (perceptual and demographic) exist between surgical team members that influence their choices of wearing or not wearing PPE during operative/invasive procedures? Four principal differences were found between surgical team members. Functional (i.e., profession or role based) differences exist between the groups. Age and experience (i.e., time in profession) differences exist among members of the groups. Finally, being a nurse anesthetist influences the use of risk assessment to determine the level of PPE to use. Four common themes emerged across all groups informing the two study purposes. Those themes were: availability, education, leadership, and performance. Subsidiary research questions examined the influence of previous accidental exposure to blood or body fluids, federal regulations, hospital policy and procedure, leaders’ attitudes, and patients’ needs on the use of PPE. Each of these was found to strongly influence surgical team members and their use of PPE during operative/invasive procedures. Implications based on the findings affect organizational policy, purchasing and distribution decisions, curriculum design and instruction, leader behavior, and finally partnership with PPE manufacturers. Surgical team members must balance their innate need to care for patients with their need to protect themselves. Results of this study will help team members, leaders, and educators achieve this balance.

Since the early 1990s entrepreneurship education has experienced a significant interest and growth in South Africa, due to the fact that it plays a very important part in the success of businesses, whether it is a new or an existing business venture. Corporate entrepreneurship can be defined as the development of new ideas and opportunities within a large organisation and is characterized by individuals who are energetic, creative, innovative, self-confident and take calculated risks. When looking at the entrepreneurial orientation variables, Autonomy, Innovativeness, Risk-taking, Pro-Activeness and Competitive aggressiveness in any organisation, they require an acceptable climate to ensure that each dimension prosper. The line, middle and senior managers play an important role in entrepreneurial actions, whether it is part of creating the climate or driving the process once initiated. Entrepreneurial success factors such as creativity, innovation, risk orientation, leadership, good human relations, a positive attitude and perseverance, are all attributes of successful entrepreneurs. The primary research focus of this study has been to investigate the influence of entrepreneurial orientation variables (Autonomy, Innovativeness, Risk-taking, Pro- Activeness and Competitive aggressiveness) on the perceived success in a personal protective equipment organisation in South Africa. For the purpose of this study, the business success has been measured by means of two dependent variables namely Business growth and Business development and improvement. An empirical study has been conducted by using a questionnaire that measured five dimensions regarding entrepreneurial orientation. Data from 42 participants have been collected and analysed, and the results indicate that the organisation have certain aspects of entrepreneurial orientation present. The results show that the managers in the personal protective equipment business perceived that the entrepreneurial orientation variable Innovativeness have a positive influence on their Business Growth. An important relationship between the independent variable Innovativeness and the dependent variable Business development and improvement has been found to exist. Entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial orientation are more than just vibrant words in the industry; they play important roles in the survival and growth of organisations. It is also crucial to understand that the correct climate needs to be fostered within the organisation to ensure that all the various aspects of corporate entrepreneurship are achieved. The organisation will reap greater benefits that could contribute to the business staying the leader in the industry, being more competitive, creating new ventures, and introducing new products and services. The area of significant concern for the organisation is a low or poor tolerance for risktaking. Practical recommendations, suggestions and an action plan are presented in order to improve the entrepreneurial climate of the organisation. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The objective of this study has been to investigate the influence of an entrepreneurial orientation on the perceived success of personal protective equipment organisations in South Africa. For the purpose of this study, business success has been measured by means of two dependent variables, namely Business development and improvement and Business growth. Structured questionnaires have been administered to managers in one company that is perceived to be the current market leader in the personal protective equipment industry in South Africa. Construct validity of the measuring instrument has been assessed by means of a principal component exploratory factor analysis and by calculating Cronbach alpha coefficients. A literature study on the field of Entrepreneurship has been conducted. The term entrepreneurial orientation consisting of five constructs, namely autonomy, innovation, pro-activeness, risk-taking and competitive aggressiveness, is defined. Perceived success of the industry is defined in terms of growth and development. Both ratings of the constructs and their evaluation of the perceived success of the industry, have been measured, analysed and reported. The results obtained from the questionnaire in conjunction with the literature review, are used to draw conclusions and make recommendations. The study is based on perceived corporate entrepreneurship within the line, middle and senior management levels of SPPE, a division of SAMSAC Africa (Pty) Ltd. The year 2009, has marked a series of economic events that placed the personal protective equipment market under immense pressure to maintain its bottom line growth. The environment within the organisation is constantly changing. SPPE customers, which are mainly the mining industry, have pressurised SPPE to filter cost savings through to them to ensure that they, in turn, alleviate the pressure to cut costs. Costs have been identified as one of the key challenges facing the entire mining sector. In turn, the suppliers of SPPE have also been applying pressure to the company to increase their purchase price, due to increased labour, production and overhead costs. The strengthening of entrepreneurship is an important objective for any organisation that is building its responsiveness to a globalised and changing environment. For SPPE to face the pressures brought to bear upon them by their customers and suppliers respectively, and, coupled with fierce competition in the personal protective equipment industry, it is necessary to review its processes and actively search for new ways to increase its capacity for innovation and competitiveness. The results show that the managers in the participating personal protective equipment business have perceived that the entrepreneurial orientation factors of Pro-activeness, Risk-taking and Autonomy have a positive influence on their business’s development and improvement. A significant relationship within the dependent variable Business development and improvement has also been found to exist within the independent variable Competitive aggressiveness. Corporate entrepreneurship is seen as a critical component to organisational success, especially in organisations that operate in rapidly changing industries. Corporate entrepreneurship can be a solution to large organisations’ lack of innovation, stagnated top-line growth and the inaction that often overtakes the large, mature organisations of the world. Organisations need to consistently search for new opportunities and therefore may benefit from adopting an entrepreneurial orientation. Established organisations may in essence be forced to behave entrepreneurially within the organisation, in order to defend their positions in the market. Competitive successes for organisations require managers to make strategic choices. Strategy is about relating the organisation with its environment and entrepreneurship is about exploiting opportunities in the same environment. To enhance the entrepreneurial orientation in personal protective equipment businesses, it is recommended that the word “entrepreneurship” should specifically be included in the vision statement of the businesses, setting goals and developing strategies for entrepreneurship. The focus of the business then becomes opportunity identification, discovery of new sources of value, and product and process innovation that could lead to greater success. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Since the early 1990s entrepreneurship education has experienced a significant interest and growth in South Africa, due to the fact that it plays a very important part in the success of businesses, whether it is a new or an existing business venture. Corporate entrepreneurship can be defined as the development of new ideas and opportunities within a large organisation and is characterized by individuals who are energetic, creative, innovative, self-confident and take calculated risks. When looking at the entrepreneurial orientation variables, Autonomy, Innovativeness, Risk-taking, Pro-Activeness and Competitive aggressiveness in any organisation, they require an acceptable climate to ensure that each dimension prosper. The line, middle and senior managers play an important role in entrepreneurial actions, whether it is part of creating the climate or driving the process once initiated. Entrepreneurial success factors such as creativity, innovation, risk orientation, leadership, good human relations, a positive attitude and perseverance, are all attributes of successful entrepreneurs. The primary research focus of this study has been to investigate the influence of entrepreneurial orientation variables (Autonomy, Innovativeness, Risk-taking, Pro- Activeness and Competitive aggressiveness) on the perceived success in a personal protective equipment organisation in South Africa. For the purpose of this study, the business success has been measured by means of two dependent variables namely Business growth and Business development and improvement. An empirical study has been conducted by using a questionnaire that measured five dimensions regarding entrepreneurial orientation. Data from 42 participants have been collected and analysed, and the results indicate that the organisation have certain aspects of entrepreneurial orientation present. The results show that the managers in the personal protective equipment business perceived that the entrepreneurial orientation variable Innovativeness have a positive influence on their Business Growth. An important relationship between the independent variable Innovativeness and the dependent variable Business development and improvement has been found to exist. Entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial orientation are more than just vibrant words in the industry; they play important roles in the survival and growth of organisations. It is also crucial to understand that the correct climate needs to be fostered within the organisation to ensure that all the various aspects of corporate entrepreneurship are achieved. The organisation will reap greater benefits that could contribute to the business staying the leader in the industry, being more competitive, creating new ventures, and introducing new products and services. The area of significant concern for the organisation is a low or poor tolerance for risktaking. Practical recommendations, suggestions and an action plan are presented in order to improve the entrepreneurial climate of the organisation. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The objective of this study has been to investigate the influence of an entrepreneurial orientation on the perceived success of personal protective equipment organisations in South Africa. For the purpose of this study, business success has been measured by means of two dependent variables, namely Business development and improvement and Business growth. Structured questionnaires have been administered to managers in one company that is perceived to be the current market leader in the personal protective equipment industry in South Africa. Construct validity of the measuring instrument has been assessed by means of a principal component exploratory factor analysis and by calculating Cronbach alpha coefficients. A literature study on the field of Entrepreneurship has been conducted. The term entrepreneurial orientation consisting of five constructs, namely autonomy, innovation, pro-activeness, risk-taking and competitive aggressiveness, is defined. Perceived success of the industry is defined in terms of growth and development. Both ratings of the constructs and their evaluation of the perceived success of the industry, have been measured, analysed and reported. The results obtained from the questionnaire in conjunction with the literature review, are used to draw conclusions and make recommendations. The study is based on perceived corporate entrepreneurship within the line, middle and senior management levels of SPPE, a division of SAMSAC Africa (Pty) Ltd. The year 2009, has marked a series of economic events that placed the personal protective equipment market under immense pressure to maintain its bottom line growth. The environment within the organisation is constantly changing. SPPE customers, which are mainly the mining industry, have pressurised SPPE to filter cost savings through to them to ensure that they, in turn, alleviate the pressure to cut costs. Costs have been identified as one of the key challenges facing the entire mining sector. In turn, the suppliers of SPPE have also been applying pressure to the company to increase their purchase price, due to increased labour, production and overhead costs. The strengthening of entrepreneurship is an important objective for any organisation that is building its responsiveness to a globalised and changing environment. For SPPE to face the pressures brought to bear upon them by their customers and suppliers respectively, and, coupled with fierce competition in the personal protective equipment industry, it is necessary to review its processes and actively search for new ways to increase its capacity for innovation and competitiveness. The results show that the managers in the participating personal protective equipment business have perceived that the entrepreneurial orientation factors of Pro-activeness, Risk-taking and Autonomy have a positive influence on their business’s development and improvement. A significant relationship within the dependent variable Business development and improvement has also been found to exist within the independent variable Competitive aggressiveness. Corporate entrepreneurship is seen as a critical component to organisational success, especially in organisations that operate in rapidly changing industries. Corporate entrepreneurship can be a solution to large organisations’ lack of innovation, stagnated top-line growth and the inaction that often overtakes the large, mature organisations of the world. Organisations need to consistently search for new opportunities and therefore may benefit from adopting an entrepreneurial orientation. Established organisations may in essence be forced to behave entrepreneurially within the organisation, in order to defend their positions in the market. Competitive successes for organisations require managers to make strategic choices. Strategy is about relating the organisation with its environment and entrepreneurship is about exploiting opportunities in the same environment. To enhance the entrepreneurial orientation in personal protective equipment businesses, it is recommended that the word “entrepreneurship” should specifically be included in the vision statement of the businesses, setting goals and developing strategies for entrepreneurship. The focus of the business then becomes opportunity identification, discovery of new sources of value, and product and process innovation that could lead to greater success. / MBA, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Chemical and biological agents can cause serious adverse occupational health effects, and can adversely impact environmental health. Adverse incidents occur in laboratories using chemical, biological and radiologic agents, and laboratories pose a number of dangers to workers. Adverse incidents occur more frequently in teaching and research institutions when compared to industrial laboratories. Good laboratory safety practices, including the use of personal protective equipment, can reduce the number and severity of laboratory accidents, thus reducing the risk of chemical, biological and radiologic exposure for workers and for the public. Improving laboratory safety training should also result in fewer lab accidents. This study was conducted at a mid-sized Midwestern research university. The study population consisted of people who had attended a laboratory safety training session in 2010, 2011 or 2012. Following administration of a pilot survey and development of additional items, a sample (N=451) of the total population (N=936) received a survey inquiring about the use of personal protective equipment, and about laboratory safety training. 143 completed surveys were returned. The survey was based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (Ajzen, 1991). Theoretical constructs investigated included personal protective equipment attitude, subjective norm, behavioral control, behavioral intention, past self-reported behavior, and safety training attitude. Multiple regression showed that the overall model accounted for 56% of the variability in the study population. Subjective norm was the theoretical construct most strongly predictive of behavioral intention (B=.653, p=.001). Attitude was next most strongly predictive of intention (B=.343, p=.001). Behavioral control was not significantly correlated with behavioral intention. There was a positive significant correlation between training attitude and behavioral intention (Pearson's r = 0.233, p=.006, 2-tailed). There was also a positive significant correlation between attitude toward personal protective equipment, and attitude toward training (Pearson's correlation coefficient was 0.332, p=.001, 2-tailed). Self-reported behavior was regressed on the three theoretical constructs. Subjective norm was most significantly predictive of self-reported behavior (B = .523, p= .001), followed by attitude (B = .281, p= .034). Behavioral control was not significantly predictive of self-reported behavior. The study determined that about 80% of respondents felt that their lab was usually or always a safe place to work, although 40% reported having been injured in a lab. Training can be improved by emphasizing the importance of subjective norm, by clarifying the responsibilities of lab supervisors, and by providing additional information regarding how to obtain, use, and care for personal protective equipment. Use of personal protective equipment may be increased by emphasizing the importance of subjective norm during training.

No description available.

A needlestick injury is defined by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) as a percutaneous injury due to accidental handling of a sharp. The CDC estimates that approximately 400,000 needlestick incidences occur each year in United States healthcare facilities, and reports from other developed countries, such as the United Kingdom and Spain, share similar frequencies. Further, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates two million international healthcare workers are exposed annually to infectious disease as a consequence of a needlestick event, resulting in 37.6% and 39% of hepatitis B and hepatitis C cases, respectively. In the United States, federal and state legislation have greatly reduced incidence rates since the late 1980s, providing education, better protocols and effective post-exposure management. Additionally, the introduction of national surveillance databases led to stronger epidemiological support for the causation of needlestick injury and consequently, a stronger national awareness. In an effort to better protect healthcare workers, corporations such as DuPont and BD have further reduced needlestick incidences in the United States by designing products ranging from safety-engineered syringes to adhesive strips surrounded in strong synthetic materials such as Kevlar® and Lycra®. These devices are instrumental in minimizing the needlestick problem in both the clinic and in the operating room. As part of the current United States legislation, healthcare organizations are mandated to implement and utilize these safety-engineered syringes and needles. Despite the rise in protective equipment, national database surveillance and federal/state legislature, the incidence rate remains high as hundreds of thousands of injuries persist each year. We sought to find other solutions for better protecting healthcare workers through the implementation of golden orb weaver spider silk in personal protective equipment. This silk, gathered from the Nephila clavipes, is one of the strongest and toughest biomaterials in known existence. Its characteristically high energy absorption makes it an ideal material for reinforcing gloves and other protective equipment for healthcare workers. We believe that products made from this silk would serve as strong barriers against needlestick injury and bloodborne pathogen exposure. We are in the process of designing and fabricating such a glove and completed preliminary strength testing to ensure the superiority of our material. Tensile testing conducted at Tufts' Department of Biomedical Engineering suggests that our silk possesses the same mechanical profile as N. clavipes silk found in published literature. We plan on utilizing Fourier-transform infrared (DSC-FTIR) microspectroscopy to study the protein structure and possibly conducting enzyme degradation assays to assess the property changes under unique conditions. This information combined with our patented extraction and reinforcing methodology will provide the groundwork for partnering with industry leaders to make this product a reality and help eliminate the incidence of needlestick injury.

Thermal textiles used in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) are used to protect individuals from the hazards of thermal energy. An analytical model of the diffusion of thermal energy within the fabric was developed to simulate the transfer of thermal energy due to a hot liquid splash. Based on the model results, it was determined that that the use of an orthotropic material in which the thermal conductivities in the radial and axial directions are different can be used to decrease the amount of heat transferred through the fabric and thereby increase amount of protection in PPE. An orthotropic material particularly performs well under situations where splashes are small in size and short in time duration. The increased level of protection may be enough to prevent a second-degree burn as determined by the Stoll criterion for materials in which the radial thermal conductivity is much larger than the axial thermal conductivity. , However, situations with larger splashes over longer duration, the benefits are minimal and at best may reduce the amount of energy transferred over part of the splash site thereby minimizing potential size of burn areas. A semi empirical test method in which analytical results are matched to experimental results by iteratively changing the radial thermal conductivity was presented as a way to extract information about the extent that a fabric is orthotropic. Preliminary results as compared to numerical CFD experimentation show that with a calibrated model, the method has potential of giving good results. Further physical experimentation is recommended to further validate that this method could be of use in determining the extent that a fabric is orthotropic.

Thesis (MPH.) -- University of Limpopo, 2012 / The purpose of this study was to establish whether PPE were used effectively, and to determine the knowledge about, attitude towards and practices of PPE by SLM employees. A quantitative research study was conducted using a questionnaire to gather data from employees who were working in a production area and who were exposed to possible occupational injuries and diseases. Two hundred and six employees responded to the questionnaire. The findings revealed that employees demonstrated inadequate knowledge about PPE and compliance while using PPE was not satisfactory. Conclusion There was an inappropriate response to the majority of the questions which indicated that the respondents had little understanding of PPE. They also demonstrated a negative attitude, and non-use of PPE. Key words: knowledge, attitude, practice, personal protective equipment