Comparative Analysis of Hotel Classification and Quality Mark in Hospitality

This article makes a comparative analysis of hotel classification and quality mark in hospitality, aiming, primarily, to eliminate the confusion among these concepts regarding the role, the objectives, the procedures, and the purpose of these regulations and instruments used in the hotel industry. In this sense, the concepts of hotel classification （classification systems of the European Union （EU） member states） and the quality mark in hospitality （within the EU countries） are analyzed. The research methodology involved activities of collecting, processing, and interpreting information on issues of classification and quality brand in the hotel industry, nationally and internationally, using a vast amount of documentary material （books, studies, journals, legal regulations, Internet databases, etc.）, making objective and analytical observations, theoretical analysis, benchmarking, and content analysis. The research results provide information which eliminates the confusion between the two concepts, providing clarification on the role, objectives, and procedures of the hotel classification purposes, namely, quality label in hospitality. Research highlights the similarities and especially the differences between the hotel classification and the quality mark in hospitality. The conclusions of this paper contribute to clarifying concepts： hotel classification and quality mark in hospitality, including important and useful information for the specialists in tourism and business operators in the hotel industry. In this regard, hotel classification is a coded form of synthesis of the comfort level and range of services, and the quality label is a model of good practices for implementation and certification of the hotel services quality. The classification system may be compulsory or voluntary （varies from country to country）, while the quality mark is always voluntary. Classification of hotels is based on the star system （1-5 stars）, and the quality brand is based on awarding the quality mark symbol.

Comorbidities of scars in China:a national study based on hospitalized cases

Background:Scar comorbidities seriously affect the physical and mental health of patients,but few studies have reported the exact epidemiological characteristics of scar comorbidities in China.This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of scar comorbidities in China.Methods:The data of 177,586 scar cases between 2013 and 2018 were obtained from the Hospital Quality Monitoring System based on the 10th edition of the International Classification of Diseases coding system.The total distribution of scar comorbidities and their relationship with age,aetiology and body regions were analysed.Results:Six comorbidities(contracture,malformation,ocular complications,adhesion,infection and others)were the main focus.In general,male patients outnumbered females and urban areas outnumbered rural areas.The proportion of contractures was the highest at 59,028(33.24%).Students,workers and farmers made up the majority of the occupation.Han Chinese accounted for the majority of the ethnic.The highest proportion of scar contracture occurred at 1–1.9 years of age(58.97%),after which a significant downward trend was observed.However,starting from 50 years of age,ocular complications increased gradually and significantly,eventually reaching a peak of 34.49%in those aged>80 years.Scar contracture was the most common comorbidity according to aetiology,and the highest proportion was observed in patients who were scalded(29.33%).Contractures were also the most frequent comorbidity in hands(10.30%),lower limbs(6.97%),feet(6.80%)and upper limbs(6.02%).The mean and median hospitalization durations were 12.85 and 8 days,respectively.Conclusions:Contractures were the most common comorbidities,and different comorbidities tended to occur at different ages and with different causative factors.

Influence of staff number and internal constellation on surgical site infection in an operating room

Prediction of bacteria-carrying particle （BCP） dispersion and particle distribution released from staffmem- bers in an operating room （OR） is very important for creating and sustaining a safe indoor environment. Postoperative wound infections cause significant morbidity and mortality, and contribute to increased hospitalization time. Increasing the number of personnel within the OR disrupts the ventilation airflow pattern and causes enhanced contamination risk in the area of an open wound. Whether the amount of staffwithin the OR influences the BCP distribution in the surgical zone has rarely been investigated. This study was conducted to explore the influence of the number of personnel in the OR on the airflow field and the BCP distribution. This was performed by applying a numerical calculation to map the airflow field and Lagrangian particle tracking （LPT） for the BCP phase. The results are reported both for active sampling and passive monitoring approaches. Not surprisingly, a growing trend in the BCP concentration （cfu/ms） was observed as the amount of staff in the OR increased. Passive sampling shows unpredictable results due to the sedimentation rate, especially for small particles （5-10 i^m）. Risk factors for surgical site infections （SSls） must be well understood to develop more effective prevention programs.