A retrospective analysis of the aspiration of fracture blisters.

Introduction: Fracture blisters are frequently encountered in orthopaedic trauma. Fracture blisters are associated with increased infection rates and wound breakdown. This study was performed to determine whether fluid aspirate from blisters is sterile or colonized.

Reciprocal associations between depression, anxiety and work-related injury.

Objective: To examine the reciprocal longitudinal associations between depression or anxiety with work-related injury (WRI) at a large employer in the southwestern United States.

Method: Three administrative datasets (2011-2013) were merged: employee eligibility, medical and prescription claims, and workers' compensation claims. The sample contained 69 066 active employees.

Intrawound Vancomycin Powder Reduces Bacterial Load in Contaminated Open Fracture Model.

Objectives: To compare the effectiveness of both vancomycin powder and antibiotic bead placement to irrigation and debridement alone in prevention of infection in a contaminated open fracture model in rats.

Methods: In a previously described model of contaminated open fractures, 45 rats had simulated open fractures created, stabilized, and contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus. They were then treated 6 hours later with 3 interventions: irrigation and debridement alone (control group) or in combination with placement of polymethyl methacrylate beads containing vancomycin and tobramycin powders (antibiotic bead group) or placement of 10 mg of intrawound vancomycin powder (powder group).

Evaluation of a Worksite-Based Small Group Team Challenge to Increase Physical Activity.

Purpose: To investigate whether participants in a small group team challenge had greater completion rates in an institution-wide step-challenge than other participants.

Design: A quasi-experimental, posttest-only design with a comparison group was used to evaluate group differences in completion rates.

Setting: A large university system provided the opportunity to participate in a physical activity challenge.

The longitudinal relation between self-reported physical activity and presenteeism.

This study evaluates the longitudinal relation between self-reported physical activity and health related work limitations (also known as presenteeism) among employees from a public university system. A retrospective longitudinal study design was used to examine research aims. Data were from self-reported health assessments collected from employees at a large University System in Texas during the 2013-2015 plan years (n=6515).

The Relation of Combined Aerobic and Muscle-Strengthening Physical Activities With Presenteeism.

Background: There is a need to understand physical activity types associated with health-related work limitations (also known as presenteeism). This study tests whether additive effects between physical activity types are associated with health-related work limitations among employees from a public university system.

Methods: A cross-sectional study using health assessment data (n = 10,791) was used to examine aims.

Association of Self-Reported Aerobic Physical Activity, Muscle-Strengthening Physical Activity, and Stretching Behavior With Presenteeism.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate relations between aerobic physical activity (PA), muscle-strengthening PA, and stretching behavior and presenteeism in university employees.

Methods: A cross-sectional study used health assessment data from two employee respondent groups (n2015 = 10,791 and n2009 = 10,165). Multivariable zero-inflated negative binomial regression models assessed the association between self-reported PA types and presenteeism.

Validity and Reliability of the 8-Item Work Limitations Questionnaire.

Purpose To evaluate factorial validity, scale reliability, test-retest reliability, convergent validity, and discriminant validity of the 8-item Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ) among employees from a public university system. Methods A secondary analysis using de-identified data from employees who completed an annual Health Assessment between the years 2009-2015 tested research aims. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) (n = 10,165) tested the latent structure of the 8-item WLQ.

How Do Stages of Change for Physical Activity Relate to Employee Sign-Up for and Completion of a Worksite Physical Activity Competition?

Introduction: This study evaluated whether stages of change for physical activity (PA) predict sign-up, participation, and completion in a PA competition.

Method: Deidentified data were provided to evaluate a PA competition between 16 different institutions from a public university system. Employees who completed a health assessment (HA) prior to the start of the PA competition ( n = 6,333) were included in the study.

Improve employee engagement to retain your workforce.

Background: Turnover hurts patient care quality and is expensive to hospitals. Improved employee engagement could encourage employees to stay at their organization.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to test whether participants in an employee engagement program were less likely than nonparticipants to leave their job.

Predictors of Serious Psychological Distress in an Urban Population.

While there are state and national estimates of serious psychological distress (SPD), these are not useful for targeting local mental health interventions or for addressing the needs of sub-populations at increased risk for SPD. This cross-sectional study uses data from the population-based 2010 Health of Houston Survey (n = 5,116) to examine (1) the prevalence of SPD and its determinants in Houston area and (2) predictors of the utilization of mental health services among people with SPD. The prevalence of SPD among the Houston area adult population was 7 %, more than twice the national average.

Intrawound vancomycin powder reduces surgical site infections in posterior cervical fusion.

Study Design: Retrospective comparative study using prospectively collected data.

Objective: To compare the rate of infection with and without the use of vancomycin powder application during posterior cervical instrumentation.

Summary Of Background Data: Surgical site infections (SSI) are a significant source of morbidity in multilevel posterior-instrumented fusions for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).

Occupational safety and health interventions to reduce musculoskeletal symptoms in the health care sector.

Introduction: Health care work is dangerous and multiple interventions have been tested to reduce the occupational hazards.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature used a best evidence synthesis approach to address the general question "Do occupational safety and health interventions in health care settings have an effect on musculoskeletal health status?" This was followed by an evaluation of the effectiveness of specific interventions.

Results: The initial search identified 8,465 articles, for the period 1980-2006, which were reduced to 16 studies based on content and quality.

Undergraduate college students' upper extremity symptoms and functional limitations related to computer use: a replication study.

Purpose: To replicate Hupert et al.'s [5] evaluation of computer-related upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms, functional limitations, academic performance impact, medication use and health services utilization among a college student population.

Subjects And Methods: A cross-sectional survey of undergraduate students living in a single residential dormitory at a private southwestern university who agreed to participate completed the College Computing & Health Survey in the Spring of 2001.

Direct observation of computer workplace risk factors of college students.

Recently, researchers have reported high musculoskeletal symptom prevalence at several US colleges. Since ergonomic interventions have been shown to prevent and reduce disability, it is important to identify the risk factors for developing symptoms among college students. A nested case-control study was completed to determine computer-related ergonomic risks associated with musculoskeletal symptoms.