Land application of wastewater biosolids is both economical and beneficial to resource recycling. However, this environmentally friendly practice can be at risk due to odor complaints. Volatile organic sulfur compounds (VOSCs) including methanethiol, dimethyl sulfide, and dimethyl disulfide, have been identified as major contributors to biosolids odor. In this study, methanogens were shown to play a key role in removing VOSCs and reducing odors, and methane production was related to reduced VOSC production. Factors influencing the growth of methanogens such as the shear during dewatering and storage temperature showed a strong impact on net odor production. Examination of the microbial communities of both bacteria and archaea indicated a simplified archaeal community in biosolids, which is susceptible to environmental perturbations. Therefore, one possible odor control strategy is the preservation and enhancement of the methanogenic population during biosolids storage.

This analysis of the preferences of how sisters and charge nurses are managed is the result of a two centre descriptive study using theoretical models of professionalism, developing preferences and exercising situational leadership. It was conducted to determine if the management structure preferred by sisters and charge nurses, in a general acute hospital setting, supported the professionalism of nursing. The outcomes were intended to help develop a strategic plan for the future of nursing and the management of nurses. The research instruments were a self-completed questionnaire (19 were returned, a response rate of 31.1%) and four semi-structured interviews. The findings disclosed some dissatisfaction with the present management arrangements. The sisters and charge nurses felt that their priorities for practice and professional issues were better supported by clinically involved, ward-based senior nurses than by unit-based senior nurses with a general management function. However, sisters' and charge nurses' discussions with ward-based senior nurses were apparently less effective than discussions in peer groups which led to influential collegial autonomy. This preferred management style can be supported by the use of situational leadership theory which would enhance collegial autonomy and professional satisfaction. Recognition of the sisters and charge nurses preferences and adjustment of their management would therefore enable them to participate effectively in organizational decision-making.

Introduction The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of parents’ preferences regarding the sharing of information between their children's primary care and mental health providers. Methods Fifty-five parents with a child who was actively engaged in mental health treatment completed an anonymous survey while accompanying their child to either a primary care or mental health clinic appointment. This brief measure elicited parents’ experiences with and preferences for treatment coordination across their children's primary care and mental health providers, with a focus on communication practices. Results Parents consistently described communication amongst their children's primary care and mental health providers as important, yet frequently reported that such communication was not currently taking place. Further, parents reported that they were often called upon to act as “communication bridges” between professionals caring for their children. Discussion Implications for the collaborative pediatric and mental health care of children as well as recommendations for improving communication between mental health and pediatric providers are discussed.

SummaryObjectives: To develop evidence-based standardized care plans (EB-SCP) for use internationally to improve home care practice and population health. Methods: A clinical-expert and scholarly method consisting of clinical experts recruitment, identification of health concerns, literature reviews, development of EB-SCPs using the Omaha System, a public comment period, revisions and consensus. Results: Clinical experts from Canada, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United States participated in the project, together with University of Minnesota School of Nursing graduate students and faculty researchers. Twelve Omaha System problems were selected by the participating agencies as a basic home care assessment that should be used for all elderly and disabled patients. Interventions based on the literature and clinical expertise were compiled into EB-SCPs, and reviewed by the group. The EB-SCPs were revised and posted on-line for public comment; revised again, then approved in a public meeting by the participants. The EB-SCPs are posted on-line for international dissemination. Conclusions: Home care EB-SCPs were successfully developed and published on-line. They provide a shared standard for use in practice and future home care research. This process is an exemplar for development of evidence-based practice standards to be used for assessment and documentation to support global population health and research. BackgroundStandardized terminologies (vocabularies) have potential to enable information exchange across populations and settings. They are defined as "a set of standardized terms and their synonyms that record patient findings, circumstances, events, and interventions with sufficient detail to support clinical care, decision support, outcomes research and quality improvement" [1]. Nursing scholars have led development of standardized interface terminologies since the 1970's. Currently, computer applications are driving widespread adoption of these terminologies to describe health assessments and health care interventions [2,3]. However, unless standards are used consistently across settings, data generated during clinician documentation are not likely to be comparable [3,4]. To enable optimal information exchange and meaningful use of data in research and program evaluation, standardized terminologies must also be used systematically to describe standards of care consistently across settings. Such efforts to promote evidence-based health care are essential to maximize clinician influence on population health outcomes. Disseminating research findings to practice settings is a daunting task [5]. Low success rates have been reported from passive dissemination such as publications and presentations. More effective approaches such as verbal reminders and educational outreach are needed in order to change practice behaviors of clinicians and other health care professionals [6,7]. However, these solutions are labor and cost-intensive, and are thus unrealistic in a resource-constrained health care environment. ...