Karen Dutton, Neil Hedger, Simon Wills and Pauline Davies
The aim of this study is to quantify prescribing errors relating to pre‐admission medication in patients admitted to hospital. It also assesses the impact of a hospital pharmacist…
Abstract
The aim of this study is to quantify prescribing errors relating to pre‐admission medication in patients admitted to hospital. It also assesses the impact of a hospital pharmacist in identifying and correcting these errors. Standard prescription monitoring by the pharmacist took place on admission in phase 1 (526 patients). This was compared with an extension of the pharmacist’s role in phase 2 (506 patients) by taking a detailed medication history, including assessment of patients’ own drugs (PODs). A significant increase (p < 0.001) in errors detected and corrected was identified. In phase 2, 45.1 per cent of prescription charts contained one or more errors. Of these errors, 74.8 per cent could not be identified from checking the drug chart alone. As this is the principal method by which many hospital pharmacists check patients’ medication charts this is an area of concern. More than 50 per cent of errors were considered likely to cause destabilisation of a chronic medical condition, or serious adverse events. It has been shown that an effective way to prevent these errors and ensure the continuity of medication between primary and secondary care is for pharmacists to take a detailed drug history on admission.
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Robert Laudone, Eric W. Liguori, Jeffrey Muldoon and Josh Bendickson
This paper aims to explore the true sources of innovation that revolutionized two sports industries – skiing and tennis, tracking the flow of ideas and power of technology…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the true sources of innovation that revolutionized two sports industries – skiing and tennis, tracking the flow of ideas and power of technology brokering through the eyes of the innovator, Howard Head.
Design/methodology/approach
Using a focal innovation action-set framework, the authors unite heretofore-disparate pieces of information to paint a more complete picture of the innovation and technology brokering process. Primary source material from Head’s patents, personal memoirs and journals and documented correspondence between him, his brother and his colleagues are augmented with secondary source material from periodicals, media excerpts and the academic literature.
Findings
Head stands as an exemplar example of a technology broker, both through his serial practice of recombinant innovation and his savvy exploitation of resources. Results discredit the Great Man Theory of Innovation, while emphasizing the importance of exploiting social capital to realize opportunities.
Originality/value
This paper is the first to offer detailed insight into the technology brokering and innovation processes that revolutionized the tennis and skiing industries. It is novel in that it is one of very few papers to challenge the Great Man Theory of Innovation propagated by many textbooks and mass media, explores the process of technology brokering from the broker’s perspective rather than organizationally and uses focal innovation action-set methodology to complement a historical biographical sketch of innovativeness relative to sports equipment and machines.
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Debbie Risius, Richard Thelwell, Chris Wagstaff and Joanna Scurr
In addition to the psychological differentiation of older women, ageing has numerous effects on the breast, influencing the volume, density and constitution of the tissue. It is…
Abstract
Purpose
In addition to the psychological differentiation of older women, ageing has numerous effects on the breast, influencing the volume, density and constitution of the tissue. It is currently unknown how these changes may affect bra requirements and bra consumer behaviour. The purpose of this paper is to explore factors of importance in bras in a cohort of women aged 45 to 65 years, whilst considering purchasing behaviour, brand loyalties and self‐image.
Design/methodology/approach
Following a grounded theoretical perspective, this study was exploratory in nature, including a mixture of five semi‐structured interviews and two focus groups with women, aged 45 to 65 years, to discuss bra habits, considerations, and influential factors of purchasing. Data were content analysed with additional frequency analysis.
Findings
The paper provides five key dimensions within which older women focus their attentions when purchasing bras. These are aesthetics, comfort, practicalities of bra purchase, breast support and psychological aspects. Participants purpose their bra requirements to be multifaceted and changing with increasing age.
Practical implications
Bra manufacturers and distributers may need to consider these factors when marketing towards an older population of women, to optimise products and subsequent sales.
Originality/value
The paper advances the literature by providing fundamental information on the key areas of consideration for older bra consumers.