The Effects of β-myrcene on Simulated Driving and Divided Attention: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Crossover Pilot Study.

Background: β-myrcene, one of the most common terpenes found in cannabis, has been associated with sedation. We propose that β-myrcene contributes to driving impairment even in the absence of cannabinoids.

Aim: To conduct a double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover pilot study of the effect of β- myrcene on performance on a driving simulator.

Evaluation of a responsible beverage service and enforcement program: Effects on bar patron intoxication and potential impaired driving by young adults.

Objective: Studies of alcohol-related harm (violence, injury, illness) suggest that the most significant risk factors are the amount of alcohol consumed and whether obviously intoxicated patrons continue to be served. This study's objective was to investigate the effects of a responsible beverage service (RBS)/enhanced alcohol enforcement intervention on bars, bar patrons, and impaired driving.

Method: Two communities-Monroe County, New York, and Cleveland, Ohio-participated in a demonstration program and evaluation.

Test-retest reliability of the VA National Center for Patient Safety culture questionnaire.

Rationale, Aims And Objectives: Patient safety culture may have a significant influence on safety processes and outcomes. Therefore, it is important to have valid tools to measure patient safety culture in order to identify potential levers for cultural change that could improve patient safety. The 65-item Department of Veterans Affairs Patient Safety Culture Survey (VA PSCS) consists of 14 dimensions and is administered biannually to VA employees.

Semi-supervised classification of patient safety event reports.

Objectives: The Veterans Health Administration patient safety reporting system receives more than 100,000 reports annually. The information contained in these reports is primarily in the form of natural language text. Improving the ability to efficiently mine these patient safety reports for information is the objective of a proposed semi-supervised method.

Improving RCA performance: the Cornerstone Award and the power of positive reinforcement.

Background: The Veterans Health Administration has had a comprehensive patient safety program since 1999 that includes conducting root cause analysis (RCA) of adverse medical events. Improving the quality and timeliness of the RCAs at the local level has been a continual challenge.

Methods: We initiated a non-monetary program called the Cornerstone Award into our patient safety reporting system to recognise facilities conducting high-quality and timely RCAs containing deterministic corrective actions that are implemented and evaluated for effectiveness.

A functional colonic obstruction: Cannon's point.

A patient presented with a large bowel obstruction after laparoscopic hernia repair converted to open inguinal hernia repair. A contrast enema examination revealed an area of narrowing in the midtransverse colon, consistent with Cannon's point. This represents a physiologic sphincter with focal narrowing of the colon lumen.

An Evaluation of Three Intensive Supervision Programs for Serious DWI Offenders.

There are many variations of supervision and probation programs for driving-while-intoxicated (DWI) offenders. These programs include case-specific restrictions (e.g.

DUI offenders delay license reinstatement: a problem?

Background: We examined the extent to which driving under the influence (DUI) offenders delay reinstatement, the reasons for that delay, and the relationship of the delay to recidivism. Analyzed were the driving records of 40 million drivers (3 million convicted of DUI) from 7 of the largest states spanning 7 to 14 years. License suspension effectively reduces, but does not eliminate, impaired driving.

Warning drivers about potential congestion as a means to reduce frustration-driven aggressive driving.

Objective: This research was conducted to examine the consequences of forewarning drivers about impending congestion on aggressive driving behavior. Some have argued that aggressive driving stems from frustration experienced on the roadway (often due to congestion), and that by warning drivers about congestion, frustration, and consequently aggressive driving, can be reduced.

Methods: The study employed an experimental design, where participants (whose dispositional driver anger was measured using the Driver Anger Scale) were instructed to operate an instrumented vehicle along a prescribed route containing construction.

Field and laboratory alcohol detection with 2 types of transdermal devices.

Background: Two types of transdermal electrochemical sensors that detect alcohol at the skin surface were evaluated. One, the AMS SCRAM device, is locked onto the ankle and is based on a fuel cell sensor; the other, a Giner WrisTAS device, worn on the wrist, is based on a proton exchange membrane. SCRAM is used by several court systems in the United States to monitor alcohol offenders, WrisTAS, a research prototype, is not commercially available.

Human error in recreational boating.

Each year over 600 people die and more than 4000 are reported injured in recreational boating accidents. As with most other accidents, human error is the major contributor. U.

A cognitive aid for cardiac arrest: you can't use it if you don't know about it.

Background: A cognitive aid developed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and distributed to all VA facilities provides caregivers with information to minimize omission of critical steps when diagnosing and treating cardiac arrest. In 2002, caregivers were surveyed about the usefulness of the cognitive aid and the success of its dissemination throughout the VA.

Methods: Fifty randomly selected VA hospitals were sent a letter to alert them of the upcoming survey.

Controlling impaired driving through vehicle programs: an overview.

The growing recognition of the problem presented by illicit vehicle operation by those whose license has been suspended for driving while intoxicated (DWI) has led to the increasing use of vehicle sanctions. These sanctions include vehicle impoundment and forfeiture, vehicle registration cancellation, and vehicle interlocks as penalties for DWI and driving while suspended (DWS). This article reviews the current information available on the use and effectiveness of vehicle sanctions for reducing offender recidivism.

Living dangerously: driver distraction at high speed.

Recent research indicates that cell phone use can distract drivers from safe vehicle operation. However, estimates of the prevalence of cell phone use while driving have been limited to daytime hours and low-speed roadways. This paper describes the results of a study to estimate rates of cell phone use and other distractions by examining approximately 40,000 high-quality digital photographs of vehicles and drivers on the New Jersey Turnpike.

Young novice drivers: careless or clueless?

The per-mile accident rate of 16-year-old novices is approximately 10 times that of adults, a difference that has been attributed to the immaturity of youth and the errors of inexperience. Research separating the two influences shows that, over the first few years, the effects of experience greatly exceed those of age, with reductions of approximately two-thirds in the first 500 miles of driving. A study was undertaken to identify the behavioral antecedents of young driver accidents, including any subset of antecedents that could account for the inordinately high initial accident rate.

The Veterans Affairs root cause analysis system in action.

Background: The patient safety program in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) began in 1998, when the National Center for Patient Safety (NCPS) was established to lead the effort on a day-to-day basis. NCPS provides the structure, training, and tools, and VA facilities provide front-line expertise, feedback about the process, and root cause analysis (RCA) of adverse events and close calls.

Monitoring The Process: Facility patient safety managers determine the disposition of adverse events and close calls occurring at their facilities.

Sobriety tests for low blood alcohol concentrations.

The legal limits of blood alcohol concentration (BAC) for operators of commercial vehicles throughout the United States, and underage drivers in most states, are approximately half the 0.08-0.10% imposed on other drivers.