Browsing by Author "Carvalhais, Carlos"
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- Analytical and subjective interpretation of thermal comfort in hospitals: A case study in two sterilization servicesPublication . Carvalhais, Carlos; Santos, Joana; Vieira Da Silva, ManuelaHospital facilities are normally very complex, which combined with patient requirements promote conditions for potential development of uncomfortable working conditions. Thermal discomfort is one such example. This study aimed to determine levels of thermal comfort, sensations, and preferences, from a field investigation conducted in two sterilization services (SS) of two hospitals from Porto and Aveiro, Portugal. The analytical determination and interpretation of thermal comfort was based upon assumptions of ISO 7726:1998 and ISO 7730:2005. The predicted mean vote (PMV) and predicted percentage of dissatisfaction (PPD) indices were obtained by measurement and estimation of environmental and personal variables, respectively, and calculated according to ISO 7730 equations. The subjective variables were obtained from thermal sensation (subjective PMV) and affective assessment (subjective PPD), reported by a questionnaire based upon ISO 10551:1995. Both approaches confirmed thermal discomfort in both SS (codified as SS1 and SS2). For all areas, PMV and PPD exceeded in all periods of the day the recommended range of -0.5 to +0.5 and <10%, respectively. No significant differences were found between day periods. The questionnaire results showed that SS2 workers reported a higher level of thermal discomfort. There were no significant differences between PMV and thermal sensations, as well as between PPD and affective assessment. The PMV/PPD model was found suitable to predict thermal sensations of occupants in hospital SS located in areas with a mild climate in Portugal.
- Applied research on environmental and occupational health in hospital contextPublication . Carvalhais, Carlos; Xavier, Ana; Vieira Da Silva, Manuela; Santos, JoanaHospital facilities are normally, very complex, which combined with patient requirements promote conditions for potential development of uncomfortable working conditions. The work in hospitals is likely to damage health resulting in occupational accidents and diseases. In this sense, a project focused on Environmental and Occupational Health in Hospital Context was developed to be a contribution to understand the risk factors to which health professionals and patients are exposed in these environments and how this exposure can be reduced. This research line resulted in 34 publications and 11 oral/poster communications: 6 articles in international scientific journals, 3 book chapters, 13 articles/abstracts in books of international congress proceedings, 4 technical reports, 1 doctoral thesis and 7 final course works. The project allowed the study of data about occupational exposure and accidents in hospital environments in the North of Portugal
- Avaliação da eficácia de medidas de redução do consumo de água numa instituição de ensino superior: desenho estudo piloto no P.PORTOPublication . Sousa, Joana S.; Costa, Alzira; Carvalhais, Carlos; Vieira da Silva, ManuelaA irregular distribuição espacial e temporal dos recursos hídricos em Portugal, tem implicações diretas e indiretas no planeamento e gestão da água, e está na origem de situações de escassez, que a par com o efeito das alterações climáticas, intensificam a vulnerabilidade a fenómenos hidrológicos, como secas e cheias (Ministério do Planeamento, 2020).
- Avaliação de riscos psicossociais em profissionais de saúde: o caso dos Técnicos Superiores de RadiologiaPublication . Pereira, Patrícia; Carvalhais, Carlos; Santos, Joana; Saúde, MiguelOs atuais contextos organizacionais, económicos e sociais levaram a que os riscos psicossociais fossem considerados riscos emergentes na sociedade. As queixas relacionadas com a saúde mental, nomeadamente, o stress, a depressão ou a ansiedade são o segundo problema de saúde mais relatado pelos europeus, depois das lesões musculosqueléticas. A exposição a acontecimentos traumáticos, o confronto frequente com situações de sofrimento, elevadas expectativas tendo em conta o tempo disponível, as urgências e ainda o apoio por parte da organização são considerados os fatores de risco mais frequentes no setor da saúde.
- Burnout and coping strategies among Professors during COVID-19: Portugal-Brazil comparative studyPublication . Pinto, Ana; Carvalho, Carla; Rodriguez, Susana; Simões, Ana; Carvalhais, Carlos; Gonçalves, Fernando J.; Santos, JoanaThe global pandemic experienced in recent years led Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to close their facilities to safeguard the health and safety of the academic community. This reality overloaded professors in terms of work, often leading them to the limit of exhaustion and impacting on their performance, quality of life and well-being, taking, in many cases, to burnout. This study aims to identify and characterize the frequency of burnout and strategies of coping in professors from HEIs of Portugal and Brazil. A sample of 132 professors answered to online self-administrated questionnaires: sociodemographic and telework conditions; Oldenburg-Burnout Inventory and Brief-COPE. The results suggest that: regarding burnout, the exhaustion dimension is higher among professors in Portugal; regarding coping strategies, professors in Brazil use more strategies designated as maladaptive. Appropriate coping strategies and resources made available to professors can contribute to their well-being at work and to their quality of life and happiness.
- Characterizing illuminance levels and perceived work environment in an automotive industryPublication . Carvalhais, Carlos; Abreu, Betty; Santos, Joana; Vieira da Silva, ManuelaAutomotive Industry in Portugal, is these days a dynamic and competitive industry. For components production such as cables, comfort systems or others is require observation, human touch and must be done manually using man power capability (Ismail et al, 2010). Thus the quality of the product heavily depends on worker’s comfort in the working environment. Environmental factors are considered to have influence for acceptability and performance on the occupant’s premises (Ismail et al, 2010). One of them, such lighting, is determined by the satisfaction of three basic human needs: visual comfort, where the workers have a feeling of well-being, in an indirect way also contributing to a high productivity level; visual performance, where the workers are able to perform their visual tasks, even under difficult circumstances and during longer periods and safety (EN 12464-1, 2011). Proper lighting is a prerequisite for obtaining a good working environment. Poor lighting may increase the risk of accidents and could also cause a variety of symptoms. The variables that determine a good working visual of accidents and could also cause a variety of symptoms. The variables that determine a good working visual direction of light, no flicker, appropriate choice of lamp color and availability of natural light (Calleja and Pérez, 2011).
- Comparative study on burnout among higher education professors in Portugal and Brazil during COVID-19Publication . Pinto, Ana; Carvalho, Carla; Rodriguez, Susana; Simões, Ana; Carvalhais, Carlos; Gonçalves, Fernando; Santos, JoanaThe global pandemic context experienced in recent years has exacerbated the reality that the work environment does not always offer the necessary conditions for task completion. For example, in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), all over the world, were closing, to safeguard the health of professors, students, and education professionals had to change teaching methods, namely, remote teaching, involving new technologies. Faced with unprecedented stress situations, professors, students, and families have employed various coping and resilience strategies throughout the confinement period.
- Covering the incubator top with a padded blanket reduces noise levels inside the incubator? A pilot study during simulated tasksPublication . Carvalhais, Carlos; Rodrigues, Célia; Xavier, Ana; Silva, Manuela V.; Santos, JoanaNoise levels in Neonatal Intensive Care Units may cause physiological stress, which can impact cognitive development and increase length of stay. Several studies performed in NICU, have consistently noted that the recommended noise levels have been exceeded at day and night periods, inclusively inside incubators. The aim for controlling noise levels in the NICU is to preserve a large portion of each hour for infant sleep. Noise levels found in hospitals frequently disturb sleep states and disrupt stable behavioural states in healthy term and preterm infants. This study aims to verify if covering the incubator top with a padded blanket effectively reduces noise levels inside incubators. Noise levels inside incubator were measured during simulated tasks with and without a padded blanket. The study included short measurements (5 up to 10 min.) for the assessment of the sound pressure levels (C-weighted peak sound pressure level (LCpeak), A-weighted equivalent sound pressure level (LAeq), A-weighted, Maximum, Sound Level (Lmax) and A-weighted, Minimum, Sound Level (Lmin)). Measurements were performed using a sound level meter class 1 (Brüel&Kjær, model 2250) which was verified with an acoustic calibrator class 1 (Brüel&Kjær, model 4231). Noise levels inside the incubator covered with a blanket were lower than the incubator without the blanket. The average levels were 52.0±0.9 dB(A) for LAeq, 67.4 dB(A) Lmax and 48.5 dB(A) Lmin with blanket, and 57.8±4.9 dB(A) LAeq, 83.7 dB(A) Lmax, 44.1 dB(A) Lmin. LCpeak levels were also lower in the simulation with the blanket (98.7 and 102.8 dB (C), respectively). In the studied NICU the use of the padded blanket is mandatory mainly for lightning control. Although, it also seems a good practice to minimize noise levels inside incubators. However, noise levels remained higher than the recommended by international agencies. Noise in the neonatal intensive care unit can be detrimental to the health of the hospitalized infant. Isolated strategies of reducing noise include staff training, warning lights, and ear coverings, all of which have had limited success. A combined approach focused on newborn, staff and physical environment may be more effective.
- Effect of an exercise program on musculoskeletal symptoms and productivity: an ongoing study in an automotive industryPublication . Santos, Joana; Carvalhais, Carlos; Costa, Ana Sousa; Abreu, Betty; Vieira da Silva, ManuelaThe ergonomic risk factors that can cause or aggravate musculoskeletal disorders include: repetitive awkward posture, forceful exertions, pressure points, and static postures. There is no doubt that the new forms of work led to greater ease and comfort in the lives of workers, but the need for increase specialization of workers, improving product quality and reducing production costs, leads to the appearance of various health problems, including work related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs). There are evidences that performing regular physical activity reduces the risk of chronic diseases (Bairati, Larouche, Meyer, Moore, & Fradet, 2000). The implementation of physical activity programs at worksites has been increasingly common. Some studies indicate that these programs allows the prevention/reduction of manifestation of the injury, the normalization of body functions, promote relaxation and socialization between workers, improving working conditions and preparing the participants for their daily activities. However, no evidence was found to indicate an effect of physical activity programs on productivity (Proper, Staal, Hildebrandt, van der Beek & van Mechelen, 2002).
- General knowledge and attitudes about safety and emergency evacuation: the case of a higher education institutionPublication . Carvalhais, Carlos; Dias, Ricardo; Costa, Carla; Vieira da Silva, ManuelaThe implementation of a safety culture and awareness of emergency issues in buildings has been growing in more developed societies. It is essential that all occupants know how to act in an emergency situation, particularly during an emergency evacuation. In higher education institutions (HEIs), which annually host not only their many employees, but also national and international students, it is essential to know and understand the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors that the academic community demonstrates in this matter. This study aimed to characterize the perception of occupants regarding safety, specifically in the emergency evacuation phase, within the academic community of an HEI. In this observational cross-sectional study, data on general knowledge and attitudes regarding safety and actions during emergency situations were collected through an anonymous questionnaire targeting students, faculty, and non-teaching staff, which was sent via institutional email. Valid responses were received from 392 participants and then scored and assessed on different domains. The results obtained showed that, despite a reasonable average regarding the general level of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of the occupants on the subject, the community falls somewhat short in terms of training. It is noteworthy that approximately 64% of the sample has never received awareness or training related to emergency evacuation, and around 68% are unaware of the location of their institution’s meeting/gathering point. Finally, by identifying the most common gaps, namely the training dimension, some simple measures could be improved, such as the dissemination of safety instructions accessible through QR codes placed in strategic locations or even conducting small drills during class sessions, as well as learning with simulation concerning different scenarios of emergency.
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