Abstract: A method for improving the quality of healthcare, efficiency, and patient satisfaction procedures is provided. The method includes conducting at least a first survey of patients regarding care provided before, during, and after a procedure, wherein the survey focuses on benchmarks identified as being relevant to quality of care. The method further includes entering the results of the first survey into a database configured to store the results, reviewing the results of the first survey to determine the quality of care provided during the procedure, identifying incidences of poor quality of care, and comparing the results of the first survey with results of surveys taken from other patients to recognize patterns of poor quality of care. The method further includes addressing the incidences of poor quality of care by developing methods to address the recognized incidences of poor quality of care.

Abstract: A method for improving the quality of healthcare, efficiency, and patient satisfaction procedures is provided. The method includes conducting at least a first survey of patients regarding care provided before, during, and after a procedure, wherein the survey focuses on benchmarks identified as being relevant to quality of care. The method further includes entering the results of the first survey into a database configured to store the results, reviewing the results of the first survey to determine the quality of care provided during the procedure, identifying incidences of poor quality of care, and comparing the results of the first survey with results of surveys taken from other patients to recognize patterns of poor quality of care. The method further includes addressing the incidences of poor quality of care by developing methods to address the recognized incidences of poor quality of care.

Abstract: A torque application assembly is provided comprising an operating shaft having a non-round connection portion. At least one metal washer is connected to the non-round portion of the shaft so as to be rotatable therewith. A resilient spring engages the metal washer, and a barrel nut is provided to apply a compressive force to the spring under a desired compressive force thereby to apply a desired torque to the shaft without applying any substantially longitudinal force to the shaft. At least one low friction material washer is located between the metal washer and a fixed wall whereby the shaft and the metal washer can rotate with a minimum frictional drag with respect to the fixed wall.

Abstract: A pivoting hatch cover and strap assembly has an overcenter latch assembly which is pivotably mounted upon the car roof at a location opposite the common hatch cover and strap pivot axis. This latch assembly includes a bifurcated overcenter locking handle which has a pair of cam surfaces which in closed position engage spaced wear plate surfaces located on the strap. A tab is located on the wear plate adjacent to but outboard of the cam surface on the operating handle. The tab makes a sufficient angle with the horizontal and extends upwardly and outwardly from the cam surface a distance sufficient to prevent the cam portion of the operating handle from moving longitudinally, and disengaging from the strap until pressure within the car is dissipated and thus prevents the strap and cover flying open.

Abstract: A composite nonwoven fabric for use in disposable surgical items such as surgical gowns, surgical drapes and the like. The fabric comprises at least two hydrophobic piles of microfine fibers of a fiber diameter of up to about 10 microns and at least one nonwoven cover ply. The nonwoven cover ply may be an apertured film, a spunbonded ply or an air laid, wet laid or carded ply of fibers preferably of staple length or longer. The cover ply may lend strength to the fabric and, of particular importance to surgical items, should be characterized by surface stability. When a single cover ply is employed, the exposed melt blown ply should be surface stabilized to improve its resistance to abrasion and pilling. When additional strength is required, the fabric may include a strength ply of hydrophobic spunbonded, air laid, wet laid or carded fibers.