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Article
Publication date: 5 September 2008

Gwilym Siôn ap Gruffudd

The purpose of this paper is to examine the current state and utilisation of user evaluation consultation adopted by Wales Air Ambulance (WAA) within the policy context. It is…

464

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the current state and utilisation of user evaluation consultation adopted by Wales Air Ambulance (WAA) within the policy context. It is intended to provide a baseline for further evaluative research in the field and to highlight existing practices and resources. Gaps in strategic planning and service delivery are identified, with local recommendations proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

Semi‐structured, in‐depth face‐to‐face interviews were conducted with ten participants drawn from a convenient sample representative of stakeholders including practitioners, fundraisers and operational staff. These groups represent primary actors involved in the delivery of services and policy implementation and also secondary actors involved in the delivery as users. Documentary analysis of WAA dispatch policy and protocols combined with secondary quantitative data of key performance indicators was undertaken.

Findings

In total, 80 per cent of the sample stated their satisfaction with WAA dispatch policy with no perceived need or benefit to further development of policy or local agreements. About 70 per cent of participants had received direct comments that were 100 per cent positive from primary users/patients. All organisations shared the same concerns regarding lack of appropriate present communication.

Research limitations/implications

The research design was driven by practicalities of time‐scale and resources. Owing to these constraints, plus the legal and ethical requirements relating to the involvement of patients in research, primary users were not included in this study. Areas for future research are identified.

Practical implications

Recommendations being implemented by WAA include further engagement with primary users of the service in order to enhance standards.

Originality/value

This paper reports the first empirical research conducted with WAA and users of the service.

Details

International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, vol. 21 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0952-6862

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 March 2010

K.M. Mital

The purpose of this paper is to carry out queuing analysis to analyse patient load in outpatient and inpatient services to facilitate more realistic resource planning.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to carry out queuing analysis to analyse patient load in outpatient and inpatient services to facilitate more realistic resource planning.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper adopts an analytical approach based on real life data (e.g. not a priori or an academic one where data are mingled to fit a theoretical stance) in accordance with the service level prescribed by the hospital administration. A service level is usually specified in terms of admissible range of queuing characteristics, such as mean patient waiting time, reduction of inordinate delays, incidences of minimum delays, average queue length, etc. which the management of a health organisation may decide to aim and control.

Findings

Queuing analysis reported in this case study provides a basis for estimating medical staff size and number of beds, which are two very important resources for outpatient and inpatient services in a large hospital, and all other hospital resources in one way or another depend on them.

Research limitations/implications

The study challenges and aims to replace thumb‐rule approaches, which can be very conveniently carried out with efficient computer aids available at present for any hospital. Queuing analysis provides valuable insights into a hospital system, though it may not be the best approach as several underlying assumptions may not always hold true. In hospitals, for example, there can be several interacting queues, many of which could be cyclic with interaction among them. Accordingly, treatment of each queue individually, independent of others may not be a valid assumption.

Practical implications

Medical staff (doctors) and beds are very basic hospital resources, which largely depend on the hospital load in terms of arrival rates of patients in outpatient and inpatient services. When hospitals are adequately staffed and equipped in terms of beds and other key resources, it is unlikely that patients will turn away to other hospitals for treatment and there will be all round satisfaction with the hospital performance.

Originality/value

The authors do not claim the findings to be novel or unique but rather more well‐documented and comprehensive in coverage than available in existing literature. The practice‐based themes such as this well‐documented case study may evoke global interest as a multiplier effect for using such methodologies for resource planning in hospitals.

Details

Management Decision, vol. 48 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0025-1747

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 June 1995

Laurie Caple

Summarizes the management of change in a high profile publicservice with more than its fair share of political influences.Demonstrates the scale of change possible, given a clear…

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Abstract

Summarizes the management of change in a high profile public service with more than its fair share of political influences. Demonstrates the scale of change possible, given a clear strategy and a strong managerial commitment. Argues that this leads to high productivity, quality and value for money, with a strong element of organizational loyalty and ownership of the end product.

Details

Health Manpower Management, vol. 21 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0955-2065

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 December 1988

Terry Ford CEng MRAeS

A recent conference on Satellite Systems for Mobile Communications and Navigation held at the Institution of Electrical Engineers dealt with all manner of requirements for land…

Abstract

A recent conference on Satellite Systems for Mobile Communications and Navigation held at the Institution of Electrical Engineers dealt with all manner of requirements for land, sea and air users. The papers mentioned here refer specifically to aeronautical users and the technology that will permit their large‐scale introduction in the 1990's. Capacity on satellites made available by Inmarsat (the International Maritime Satellite organization) means that voice and data services now undergoing proving trials together with the developments foreseen, will provide global communication in the near future.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 60 no. 12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Article
Publication date: 26 July 2021

Ilkay Orhan

This study aims to estimate the greenest helicopters and the emission amount based on the helicopter movement within the London Heathrow and London city control zone.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to estimate the greenest helicopters and the emission amount based on the helicopter movement within the London Heathrow and London city control zone.

Design/methodology/approach

The helicopter flight data recorded by the UK’s specialist aviation regulator Civil Aviation Authority and the helicopter type with engine emission data from the Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) were used for calculation. Based on the approach adopted, the greenest and the most environmentally friendly helicopters were identified for a light-duty helicopter with single-engine, a light-duty helicopter with twin-engine and a heavy-duty helicopter with twin-engine.

Findings

Comparing a flight consisting of landing and take-off cycle, and 1-h phase based on helicopters emissions in the FOCA database, B06 with DDA250-C20R single-engine in the light utility, A109 with PT6B-37 twin-engine in the light utility, and the A139 helicopter with the PT6C-67C twin-engine in the high utility has been identified as the most environmentally friendly helicopter.

Practical implications

This study provides the opportunity to compare between the best and the worst helicopter with engine type according to the emission values released to the environment.

Originality/value

This study raises awareness of the emission levels caused by helicopter in urban air transport in developed countries in terms of environmental and human health. It also provides justification for the authorities to encourage the development and use of green engines and technologies.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 93 no. 8
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1748-8842

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 October 1989

A Conference and Exhibition to mark the 10th anniversary of Inmarsat has coincided this year with the beginning of voice and data services on a commercial scale to the…

Abstract

A Conference and Exhibition to mark the 10th anniversary of Inmarsat has coincided this year with the beginning of voice and data services on a commercial scale to the aeronautical community. Many interesting aviation subjects were featured including future scenarios, the potential width of applications, international co‐operation and future air traffic control. From IATA, the point was made that in the next decade the airline industry will be making a great leap forward in comprehensive global communications. It is envisaged that there will be about 50% more aircraft in airline service by the year 2000. The problem of crowded skies and airports is most acute in North America, Europe and the Asia/Pacific region and satellite communications will play an important part in helping to solve this problem in the future. The limitations of HF and to some extent VHF communications, are well known and these will be relieved by the use of satellites and IATA looks forward to international co‐operation to fully develop navigation, air traffic control and other communications facilities.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 61 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Article
Publication date: 28 January 2022

Allyson Oliphant, Cathy Faulds, Samara Bengall and Elysée Nouvet

The study aimed to (1) determine on what bases paramedics in this context have defined themselves as feeling safe or at risk while serving on the front lines and (2) develop…

Abstract

Purpose

The study aimed to (1) determine on what bases paramedics in this context have defined themselves as feeling safe or at risk while serving on the front lines and (2) develop recommendations to support paramedics in their critical public health emergency response role.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study consisted of 21 semi-structured interviews with primary care paramedics (PCPs), advanced care paramedics (ACPs) and critical care paramedics (CCPs) with first-hand experience responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario. Qualitative research is best suited to the research objectives of gaining detailed and nuanced understandings of paramedics' experiences during this public health emergency, and identifying in paramedics' accounts what changes to policy and practice might strengthen their sense of safety in future infectious disease outbreaks (Bowling, 2002; Chafe, 2017). Data collection occurred over the course of 3.5 months, from June 2020 until September 2020.

Findings

Participants described several factors that heightened their feeling exposed to risk particular to working on the front lines of the COVID-19 public health response. These factors include stress connected to personal protective equipment (PPE) and equipment access, risks of infection to self and family, communications and feelings of being systematically under-considered. Recommendations from this research include, but are not limited to, ensuring a more equitable distribution of protective equipment to paramedics across unevenly funded services, and recognizing paramedics face unique and additional stressors in public health emergencies.

Research limitations/implications

A key limitation of this study was the relatively small sample, with 50% of potential participants deciding not to engage in an interview. The authors suspect this is likely a result of timing, as this was conducting during significant periods of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario. The study identifies and begins to shed light on the way in which feelings of compromised safety and specific stressors in a public health emergency context connect to one another and potentially increase risks of burnout for this healthcare provider group. This study's documentation of paramedics feeling uncertainty about their own and their family's safety, combined with feeling occupational pressure, decisional pressure within constrained frameworks of care delivery, a lack of autonomy and a lack of consideration within their healthcare system in general and within its pandemic response in particular, is important in and of itself. These stressors can have serious implications for the ability of paramedics to sustain their integral role in public health emergency response.

Practical implications

A series of pandemic-specific and generalizable recommendations emerged from this research and in collaboration with community-based medical leadership. (1) Consult paramedics on effectiveness of screening questions and equipment. Be sure to illicit and respond to paramedic feedback in a timely manner. (2) Implement operational changes during pandemics in the form of donning and doffing stations, disposable gowns, decontamination teams at hospitals, infectious disease paramedic (IDP) truck, anti-fog sprays for goggles, and safe and controlled areas for eating and taking breaks. (3) Develop an emergency pandemic plan that is resourced and maintained as part of EMS strategic planning. Involve EMS in decisions related to health system emergency planning and sustainability of EMS practice. (4) Establish equitable distribution of resources, such as ensuring PPE is distributed equitably and applying pandemic pay equally to all essential workers. (5) Validate and respect EMS, as they are essential workers. Recognize the expertise of paramedics and community healthcare providers. Finally, an overarching recommendation at the core of this research is the consideration for paramedic knowledge as expertise given their role as critical front line healthcare specialists and the protection of this crucial human resource as it relates to their resilience and mental wellbeing.

Social implications

Evidence-based awareness and improved understanding of paramedic stress during the pandemic is a first step to developing strategies to reduce that stress. This is essential in ensuring access to this essential service during emergencies and the safety of the communities they serve.

Originality/value

Findings from this study can inform development of supports to sustain paramedic wellbeing during public health emergencies, during the ongoing pandemic, in Ontario and beyond.

Details

International Journal of Emergency Services, vol. 11 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2047-0894

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1980

Flight Operational Noise Internationally, noise due to flight operations in the vicinity of airports. Each nation has developed an individual system of assessment and criteria for…

Abstract

Flight Operational Noise Internationally, noise due to flight operations in the vicinity of airports. Each nation has developed an individual system of assessment and criteria for judging acceptability or probable extents of annoyance arising from the community based on local conditions and experience.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 52 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Content available
Article
Publication date: 23 January 2009

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Abstract

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 81 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Article
Publication date: 16 November 2012

Dorothea Bowyer and Glenda Davis

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate how a grounded theory method applied to a case study within a particular industrial context can be used to derive a substantive model of…

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to demonstrate how a grounded theory method applied to a case study within a particular industrial context can be used to derive a substantive model of the practice of capital budgeting and contribute to an understanding of contextual elements that affect investment decisions. This study aims to examine how the investment decision to acquire aircraft, strategic core assets, is made by small players within an industry that is small by world standards, Australian regional aviation.

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopts a grounded theory approach to the case study. Primary data were collected using questionnaires, semi‐structured and open‐ended interviews. Secondary data comprised pro‐forma aircraft lease contracts and information from a law firm. Consistent with grounded theory, qualitative research mining software (Leximancer) was used to facilitate initial analyses of data and understanding of decision factors and their relationships. The model was derived, refined and confirmed using data from follow‐up unstructured interviews.

Findings

This research within a specific industrial context finds that a substantive model derived through a grounded theory approach provides an understanding of the richness of the investment scenario and the decision factors considered in the capital budgeting decision. Reflection on such narrow industrial findings in terms of existing theories provides insight into the reasons for the gap between practice and theory.

Originality/value

This research is original in that it employs a grounded theory approach, which has received little attention within prior literature, to derive a substantive model based on industrial practice of managers who are instrumental in and responsible for a capital budgeting decision. Such an alternative approach to modelling is of value in bridging the gap between practice and theory. Substantive models produced for different industries or contexts can be compared and similarities refined into a theory that is grounded in practice. Dissimilarities may provide valuable insights into variables and processes that are unique to particular contexts.

Details

Qualitative Research in Accounting & Management, vol. 9 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1176-6093

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