The health and well-being of young adult building artisans are germane because of their critical role in infrastructure development. There is a perceived increase and paucity of studies regarding young adult building artisans' involvement in illicit substances, which threatens the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 and 8. This study investigated the underlying causes and recommended feasible measures to prevent or mitigate the use of illicit substances among young adult artisans on construction sites in Nigeria, and, by extension, to improve the achievement of Goals 3 and 8. This research employs a face-to-face interview to collect data in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria. Findings reveal that there is a prevalent issue of increasing young adult building artisans' illicit substance intake on building sites. This poses a significant threat to occupational health (SDG 3) and workplace safety (SDG 8). Findings also identified 17 underlying causes, including a lack of awareness among artisans, a low educational background and lax safety and management policies. This research contributes to the existing literature on preventing or mitigating illicit substance use among young adult building artisans. It also recognises that preventive or mitigative measures can be useful for mental health stability and, by extension, for achieving the SDGs.

The pre-analytical phase is a critical step in medical biology analyses, encompassing all stages from test ordering to sample presentation on the analyzer. The aim of this study is to propose a quality management approach for handling non-conformities in the pre-analytical phase of a medical analysis laboratory. This study investigated various pre-analytical non-conformities in a medical biology laboratory in Casablanca over an 8-month period. To address the primary causes of these non-conformities, we employed several quality tools, including FMECA, Ishikawa diagram, Pareto diagram, and brainstorming. Our work was structured according to the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle. Excel was used for data processing and diagram creation, while Zotero managed bibliographic references. Two non-conformities were classified as high-criticality: the first concerned sampling errors (incorrect patient identification and non-compliant labeling), and the second involved non-compliant subcontracting samples. After determining the root causes of these two nonconformities, we implemented corrective actions and achieved a 46% improvement for the non-conforming during sampling and a 49% improvement for the non-conforming subcontracting samples. After the first PDCA cycle, we achieved a significant improvement in the two non-conformities studied. Using quality tools, we prioritized the most critical non-conformities for immediate action. In addition, other methods enabled us to identify all the potential causes of these two non-conformities, pinpointing those responsible for 80% of their occurrence. A second PDCA cycle will be implemented to further improve the results obtained in the first cycle.

This study aimed to identify which aspects of incident reporting culture predict the willingness of nurses to report errors. In this cross-sectional study (2021), a census sampling method was used to recruit 251 nurses with at least one year of experience in general wards across three hospitals in Northern Iran. Data were collected via a self-report questionnaire and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Two dimensions of incident reporting culture- "learning from errors" (ß=0.234, 95% CI: 0.088 to 0.380) and "error management" (ß=0.029, 95% CI: 0.013 to 0.235)-significantly predicted nurses' willingness to report errors. This study is among the first to identify specific dimensions of incident reporting culture that could enhance nurses' motivation to report errors.

Purpose Patient experience is a key component of quality of care. This study assessed patient experiences of dental care in Armenia, identifying associated factors and gaps between patients' expectations and care provided. Design/methodology/approach We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 164 dental patients from seven randomly selected dental clinics in Yerevan's seven largest districts. A self-administered questionnaire assessed patient experience and Patient Experience Scores (PES, range 1–5) were calculated. Findings A total of 164 respondents (response rate 83%) with mean age of 42 years completed the questionnaire. Overall satisfaction with the last visit was rated “excellent” by 52% (n = 86) patients, “good” by 34% (n = 56) and “poor-fair” by 13% (n = 21). The overall mean PES was 3.92. “Respect,” “Pain management” and “Safety” were scored highest, indicating that they are the most valued aspects of care. The lowest scores were observed in “General satisfaction,” “Privacy” and “Quality of care.” Most domains (9 of 11) were positively correlated with PES. Increasing age was associated with lower PES (OR 0.98 per year), and higher standard of living with higher PES (3.17 average, 5.64 above average as compared to below average). The single “General Satisfaction” item averaged less than 3.0 and did not track with the other PES domains, a concern since the single item is often used in place of the full scale. Originality/value The concept of patient experience is complex. This first study of dental patient experience in Armenia provides a foundation for further research, including benchmarking and other efforts that will drive quality improvement.

Purpose Neonatal mortality is a significant global health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This study aims to identify and understand the factors contributing to high neonatal mortality rates in the cities of Kerman and Bam, Iran, to develop effective strategies for improvement. Design/methodology/approach We employed systems dynamics to develop Causal Loop Diagrams that capture qualitative interactions among determinants of neonatal mortality. These CLDs were transformed into stock and flow diagrams for quantitative analysis. Using least squares regression techniques in MATLAB, we analyzed 60 months (2017–2021) of historical data from the Iranian Maternal and Neonatal database, the Integrated Health System (SIB), and Iran’s Statistical Yearbooks. Expert interviews and hospital informatics were also utilized to enhance the model’s robustness. Findings The developed model demonstrated a validation accuracy of approximately 94% based on Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE). Key determinants were categorized into health factors (e.g. preterm birth, eclampsia), socio-demographic factors (e.g. maternal education, substance abuse), and healthcare system factors (e.g. NICU capacity, specialist staff). Simulation scenarios revealed that a 20% increase in NICU capacity could reduce neonatal mortality by 35% in Bam and 7% in Kerman. Additionally, hiring 15% more specialist staff reduced mortality by 10% in Bam and 7% in Kerman. Research limitations/implications While this study is based on data from two specific cities, which may limit its applicability to other regions with different healthcare infrastructures and socio-economic conditions, the integrated qualitative and quantitative methodology employed can be effectively applied to other areas and societies. Future research should expand to additional regions and incorporate more factors, such as genetic predispositions and environmental influences, to enhance the model’s generalizability and accuracy. The findings provide clear guidance for healthcare policymakers on effective resource allocation, such as expanding NICU capacity and training more healthcare professionals, to reduce neonatal mortality rates. Practical implications The model offers a robust framework for simulating intervention scenarios, enabling data-driven decision-making for optimizing healthcare strategies. By reducing neonatal mortality, this research contributes to the overall health and well-being of communities, fostering healthier families and populations, and leading to long-term societal benefits, including enhanced quality of life and economic productivity. Originality/value This study is among the first in Iran to utilize a comprehensive systems dynamics approach to analyze factors affecting neonatal mortality. It presents a highly accurate dynamic model that integrates qualitative and quantitative data, offering a replicable methodology adaptable to other regions facing similar health challenges. The innovative application of dynamic systems modeling in neonatal health provides significant contributions to healthcare management and public health, supporting global efforts to reduce neonatal mortality.

Purpose In health services, the perceived service quality plays a preponderant role in its continuous improvement. This study sought to integrate the perceived service quality as the customer’s voice in the quality function deployment (QFD) for the improvement of healthcare services in the city of Tunja, Colombia. Design/methodology/approach A study was carried out with the adaptation of the SERVQUAL and SERVPERF scales applied to a sample of 378 users of a State Social Company (SSE). An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was developed to find the factors that influence the quality of the health service under study and integrate them into a QFD matrix, whose output is the criteria for service improvement. Findings The QFD analysis allowed the formulation of twelve improvement actions for the quality of the service provided by the SSE. Consequently, the improvement in health services can be achieved through the voice of the customer and the identification of priority technical conditions to intervene in the service. Originality/value In the case of the context under study and for outpatient ambulatory care services, it is the first study on the dimensions of perceived quality that influence the outpatient service and from these results to use QFD to generate improvement alternatives to the service.

Purpose Employee participation in quality improvement is essential for fostering engagement and job satisfaction and delivering high-quality care, as highlighted in the total quality management literature. However, how employee participation is facilitated during quality improvement processes within healthcare organizations remains largely unexplored. Previous studies have identified a research gap, highlighting the importance of examining this phenomenon from the perspective of health professionals. The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of how health professionals in nursing homes experience their participation in quality improvement. The underlying aim was to describe their involvement and how it can be strengthened, ultimately improving the quality of care. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on interviews with 17 health professionals from 2 nursing homes in a medium-sized Swedish municipality. Data were analysed with Reflexive Thematic Analysis. Findings The themes identified through the analysis are “experiences of barriers at the organizational level that limit participation in quality improvement” and “experiences of barriers in daily care that limit participation in quality improvement”. Originality/value The themes address barriers to participation in quality improvement, reflecting an organizational structure that hinders participation and quality improvement. A quality culture, along with structured approaches to improve quality and foster employee participation is lacking. Implementing total quality management could help address the challenges faced by health professionals in these settings.

The main objective of this study was to understand why employees engage in time theft behavior and what is the behavioral consequence of this deviant behavior. To do this, the conservation of resources theory helps to examine the role of organizational cronyism behind employee time theft behavior and decreased proactive behavior. A three-wave self-administered employee survey was used for data collection. The data were collected through an adopted questionnaire from nurses working in the public sector hospitals of Pakistan. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze data collected from 256 respondents. The results of this three-wave study supported the hypotheses which are: (1) Organizational cronyism positively predicts employee involvement in time theft behavior. (2) Employee time theft behavior negatively impacts their proactive behavior. (3) Organizational cronyism is detrimental to employee proactive behavior. (4) The relationship between organizational cronyism and proactive behavior is mediated by time theft. In the presence of organizational cronyism, employees use time theft as a dysfunctional coping strategy to conserve their valued resources rather than allowing the organization to consume them. Organizational leaders of public sector hospitals must promote merit-based HRM practices to discourage time theft behavior as well as to improve the proactive performances of the nurses. This study is one of the initial attempts to extend the scant literature on the antecedents and consequences of time theft behavior and its dimensions in the South Asian context.

Publishing work that contributes to the continuous improvement of health care organisations providing a forum for current thinking on the theoretical and practical aspects of quality and management in health care.

PurposeThis case study aims to demonstrate the strengths of the Lean Six Sigma (LSS) methodology to improve the acute ischemic stroke (AIS) treatment rates and reduce process lead time at Baruch Padeh Medical Center (BPMC), a rural hospital in the Galilee region of Northern Israel. The LSS project redefined the BPMC stroke care pathway and increased its efficacy.Design/methodology/approachThe LSS methodology was implemented in September 2017 by integrating lean principles and the Six Sigma DMAIC (Define–Measure–Analyze–Improve–Control). Existing procedures, field observation, ad hoc measurement and in-depth interviews were utilized, and the GEMBA method was implemented to identify root cause and improve actions optimizing the stroke pathway.FindingsThe presented case shows the usefulness of the LSS methodology in improving quality performance in a rural hospital. The intervention allowed the BPMC to improve the intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA) administration rate (+15.2%), reducing the process lead time. The lead time of door-to-computer tomography decreased from 52 to 26 min, and the door-to-needle time decreased from 94 to 75 min.Originality/valueThe present case study shows the implementation of the LSS methodology aimed to improve the IV-tPA administration rate and reduce the stroke pathway lead time in a rural hospital. The case demonstrates the potential for the LSS methodology to support the AIS pathway optimization and represents a guide for healthcare organizations located in rural areas.