Hospital-based transfusion error tracking from 2005 to 2010: identifying the key errors threatening patient transfusion safety.

Background: This report provides a comprehensive analysis of transfusion errors occurring at a large teaching hospital and aims to determine key errors that are threatening transfusion safety, despite implementation of safety measures.

Study Design And Methods: Errors were prospectively identified from 2005 to 2010. Error data were coded on a secure online database called the Transfusion Error Surveillance System.

In-stream bioreactor for agricultural nitrate treatment.

Nitrate from agricultural activity contributes to nutrient loading in surface water bodies such as the Mississippi River. This study demonstrates a novel in-stream bioreactor that uses carbonaceous solids (woodchips) to promote denitrification of agricultural drainage. The reactor (40 m3) was trenched into the bottom of an existing agricultural drainage ditch in southern Ontario (Avon site), and flow was induced through the reactor by construction of a gravel riffle in the streambed.

Upflow reactors for riparian zone denitrification.

We used permeable reactive subsurface barriers consisting of a C source (wood particles), with very high hydraulic conductivities ( approximately 0.1-1 cm s(-1)), to provide high rates of riparian zone NO3-N removal at two field sites in an agricultural area of southwestern Ontario. At one site, a 0.

Experience with the medical event reporting system for transfusion medicine (MERS-TM) at three hospitals.

Background: The MERS-TM assists hospital transfusion services to identify, analyze, and correct system events relating to the delivery of blood to patients.

Methods: The MERS-TM system was used from February of 1999 to December 2002. All reported near-miss and actual events were recorded and analyzed.

The effects of lipid location on non-invasive estimates of body composition using EM-SCAN technology.

We evaluated the effect of lipid location on body-composition estimation accuracy using electromagnetic scanning (EM-SCAN), a non-invasive [total body electrical conductivity (TOBEC)] method. Molds were constructed that simulated a 'general' small mammal, either 93% lean/7% lipid (control) or 82% lean/18% lipid (lipid-location groups). In the 18% lipid molds, we varied the location of the fat; simulating all the fat in the head, tail or midsection or simulating homogenous distribution.