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Purpose of the Study: Use archived public data from Arizona to explore relationships among selected institutional and resident risk and situation-specific factors and complaints and substantiated allegations of various types of mistreatment in assisted living facilities (ALFs). Design and Methods: An exploratory/descriptive 2-group design was used. Facilities in the complaint group were identified from narrative data that appeared suspicious for mistreatment based on definitions for physical, verbal, psychological, medication, sexual abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, and physical restraint. Facilities in the comparison group were those that had no citations or complaints in 2007–2008. Narrative data were content analyzed, and chi-square analysis was used to answer 3 research questions. Results: The complaint group was comprised of significantly more assisted living centers, large facilities (51–101+), facilities licensed to provide personal care services, and facilities owned by national corporations. Substantiated allegations were significantly more frequent in assisted living centers, facilities with more than 51 beds, and those owned by national corporations. Facility risk factors were related to some types of substantiated mistreatment and not others. Implications: Findings suggest the need to evaluate use of only unlicensed assistive personnel in facilities, increase oversight of care by professional nurses, rethink the practice of not licensing small facilities, and monitor more closely practices and procedures in facilities operated by national corporations. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Introduction Male circumcision for religious reasons is not available in the NHS. In this report, we present the results of an investigation conducted by the Thames Valley Health Protection Unit (TVHPU) at an unregulated circumcision ‘camp’ in Oxford in 2006. Methods A detailed investigation was initiated following notification by a general practitioner of two children with circumcision-related complications at a ‘camp’. Telephone interviews were conducted with the ‘camp’ organizers, the operating surgeon, GPs and paediatric surgeons. A field visit was carried out by TVHPU staff to assess implementation of infection control practices. Results Thirty-two children were circumcised over a 3 day period in the library of an Islamic faith school by a single, medically qualified individual. Among the 29 children with follow-up information, 13 (44.8%) developed complications requiring medical intervention. Information obtained from interviews and the field visit confirmed the lack of implementation of standard infection control practices. Conclusion This incident highlights the harm associated with circumcision in young children by unregulated operators due to lack of compliance with best surgical and infection control guidance. There is an urgent need for commissioning circumcision services for religious reasons in the NHS. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper reports on the first ever national study in the UK of the needs of disabled women experiencing domestic violence and of the services available to meet these needs. The study found that, in general, support services frequently overlook or respond inappropriately to disabled women in this situation. The overall findings of the research were very wide-ranging, as were the resultant recommendations for statutory agencies, disability organisations, domestic violence services and wider strategic and commissioning frameworks. In this paper, the general findings are discussed briefly, followed by a discussion of abuse by paid carers/personal assistants in the context of the personalisation agenda, with a focus on issues for adult care services. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Discusses privileging and credentialing processes for pharmacists in the U.S. Difference between privileging and credentialing; Overview of privileging of other health professions; Importance of privileging and credentialing to pharmacists; Reasons why health care organizations and pharmacists participate in privileging; Additional sources of information about privileging.

Focuses on the importance of certification in military medicine in the U.S. Requirements for the certification; Role of the U.S. Office of the Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs in military medicine; Background on military medicine.

Discusses the opportunities for certification in military medicine in the U.S. Importance of a certification; Background on the American Board of Internal Medicine, which provides certification; Difference of military medicine and surgery from civilian practice.

The author reflects on an article on changes in breast cancer screening practices in the U.S. Topics discussed include the influence of radiologists' experience on the optimal effectiveness of screening mammography, the low volume requirement for radiologists interpreting mammograms in the U.S. and the role of the Affordable Care Act and the mandate for higher quality health care's impact for increasing requirement for American radiologists interpreting mammograms.

Editorial. Looks into the use of privileging as a performance-based competency assessment for pharmacists in the U.S. Difference between licensing and privileging; Payment for medication management services to Medicare patients under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003; Implications of privileging on pharmacy.