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| Using Behavior Analysis in Applied Settings to Make a Difference |
| Saturday, May 28, 2005 |
| 4:00 PM–5:20 PM |
| Boulevard A (2nd floor) |
| Area: EAB; Domain: Applied Research |
| Chair: E. Scott Geller (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University) |
| Discussant: John Austin (Western Michigan University) |
| Abstract: This symposium includes three data-based presentations applying techniques of behavior analysis across diverse applied settings. The first presentation reports on intervention efforts designed to increase the use of an injury reduction technique among hospital operating room employees handling sharp instruments during surgical procedures. The intervention consisted of participative goal setting, feedback, task clarification, and peer prompting. The second paper presents a student-driven, multimodal intervention borne out of awareness of potential consequences of failure to use safety belts following the death of a fellow student. In addition to assessing safety belt usage before, during, and after the intervention, data on turn signal use and passenger safety belt use were examined to assess the occurrence of response generalization. The third paper presents research assessing the impact of a prison-based dog-training program on the criminal behavior of 50 inmates in a minimum-security therapeutic community. Inmates housed and trained shelter dogs in basic pet obedience, using positive reinforcement techniques. Empirical findings will be presented with implications for future dog-training programs, animal-assisted therapy, and research in correctional settings. The discussant will then offer critical reactions to each study while highlighting specific aspects of the symposium that suggest directions for real-world application, dissemination, and follow-up investigation. |
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| Increasing the Use of an Injury Reduction Technique in a Hospital Operating Room |
| THOMAS CUNNINGHAM (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University), John Austin (Western Michigan University), Nicole Gravina (Western Michigan University), Jeff Lehmann (Western Michigan University) |
| Abstract: This study implemented a multiple baseline design across settings to evaluate the effects of an intervention package designed to increase the use of an injury reduction technique among hospital operating room employees handling sharp instruments during surgical procedures. The intervention package consisted of participative goal setting, feedback, task clarification, and peer prompting. Hospital operating room employees working in surgical procedures were the participants in this study. The two different baselines for settings were the inpatient surgery unit and the outpatient surgery unit. Data were collected on the exchanging of sharp surgical instruments during a procedure, and the dependent variable was the percentage of sharps passed safely during observed procedures. During baseline the average percentages of sharp instruments passed safely was 32% in the inpatient and 31% in the outpatient surgery units. Following the implementation of the intervention package the average percentages of sharps passed safely increased to 64% in the inpatient and 70% in the outpatient surgery units. Follow-up observations were conducted approximately five months after the intervention was implemented, and the data from these observations suggest the maintenance of effective behavior change. Results suggest the usefulness of behavioral strategies in reducing at-risk behavior among employees in healthcare settings. |
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| Evaluating a Community-Based Safety Belt Campaign: BuckleUp, In Memory of Ashley Krueger |
| LEAH FARRELL (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University), Elise A. Drake (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University), Douglas Wiegand (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University), Rachel Andrews (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University), Michael Zimmerman (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University), E. Scott Geller (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University) |
| Abstract: In the United States, motor vehicular crashes are the leading cause of death among 1-34 year-olds. Safety belts are the single most effective means of reducing crash-related morbidity and mortality. It is known that college-aged persons are less likely to use safety belts than other-aged persons. According to Healthy People 2010, the federal government emphasizes the need to increase safety belt usage through community-based approaches. Current federal and state strategies are based on punitive approaches to enforcement.The current study examined outcome effects of a student-driven, multimodal intervention borne out of awareness of potential consequences of failure to use safety belts following the death of a fellow student. Baseline observational data on driver safety belt use were collected by trained observers over a three week period. Of 2196 baseline observations, 80% of passengers wore safety belts. Inter-rater reliability data was obtained. Follow-up data will be collected, using the same methodology, following the intervention. Also, data on turn signal use and passenger safety belt use will be examined for response generalization. |
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| Investigating the Effect of a Prison-Based Dog Training Program on Inmate Criminal Behavior |
| DAVID MICHAEL HARRIS (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University), Angela Fournier (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University), Rachael E. Budowle (Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University) |
| Abstract: This is an empirical paper, presenting data from a quasi-experiment conducted in a Virginia prison. The research investigated the impact of a prison-based dog-training program on the criminal behavior of 50 inmates in a minimum-security therapeutic community. Inmates housed and trained shelter dogs in basic pet obedience, using positive reinforcement techniques. The study followed a between-subjects pretest-posttest design, comparing inmates in the dog-training program before and after beginning the program with a control group of inmates at the same prison. The dependent measure was the number of institutional infractions inmates accrued, measured by reviewing inmate criminal records. Empirical findings will be presented and implications for future dog-training programs, animal-assisted therapy, and research in correctional settings will be discussed. |
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