José Augusto de Oliveira

Um estudo sobre a utilização de sistemas, programas e ferramentas da qualidade em empresas do interior de São Paulo

The development and implementation of quality management systems and the use of quality tools and programs are some of the most widely used options by managers to increase the competitiveness of their companies. Thus, the goal of this paper is to present the result of a research type survey which analyzed the main characteristics of the ISO 9001 certification process, its benefits and difficulties and which quality programs and tools are used in 236 company headquartered in the interior of Sao Paulo State. The survey showed that the ISO 9001 certification generates significant benefits to organizations, such as: improved internal processes and their products; increased customer satisfaction; decreased number of non-conformities and discards; increased productivity and profit; improved resources management and improved company image on the market. It also ratified the importance of using quality tools and programs as a way for companies to meet the ISO 9001 requirements. The difficulties to develop and implement these systems are not confirmed in the sample studied. Only the resistance to change, within all the cases presented, was highlighting by the companies.

Pulmonary tumor embolism from squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva

Involvement of the pulmonary vessels by tumor emboli has been described from different primary sites of malignancy. A case of pulmonary tumor embolism due to squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva is reported. This form of pulmonary involvement has not previously been described in cases of vulvar carcinoma and it is rare in gynecologic neoplasms. The development of dyspnea with rapid clinical deterioration and fatality associated with multiple pulmonary emboli and histologic signs of pulmonary hypertension is well shown by this case.

A PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF THE MORPHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF TUMOR INVOLVEMENT OF THE PULMONARY VESSELS

Summary A prospective morphological study of tumor involvement of the pulmonary vessels (Tipv) was undertaken on 203 consecutive autopsy cases of malignancies. The lungs were removed as a block and 15 sections (3 from each lobe) were analyzed. Site of origin, histological type and staging of the tumor, topographic distribution of the tumor emboli in the lungs, right ventricular hypertrophy and dilatation, pulmonary infarct, pulmonary vascular sclerosis and lung metastases were recorded in each case. Tipv was detected in 84 (41.4%) cases, the highest frequency reported until now. In 28 cases, Tipv was considered to be the main cause of death. The breast, liver, and pancreas were primary sites in more than 50% of the cases in which Tipv was observed. Tipv was more prevalent in epithelial neoplasms and showed a strong correlation with advanced disease. There was no significant difference among topographic regions of the lungs. The cases with Tipv were correlated with a high frequency of right ventricular hypertrophy and dilatation, vascular sclerosis and pulmonary metastases but not with pulmonary infarcts.

How can Cleaner Production practices contribute to meet ISO 14001 requirements? Critical analysis from a survey with industrial companies

The companies’ needs to adopt changes in their way of production to maximize the environmental performance required by their stakeholders, and at the same time, to maximize their economic and market performance, have made them seek for environmental strategies and certifications. In this sense, the Cleaner Production and the Environmental Management System based on ISO 14001 have been, respectively, presented, since the main objective of this research is to identify and analyze Cleaner Production contributions to comply with ISO 14001 requirements. For such, a survey research has been carried out in Brazilian industrial companies certified by ISO 14001. We have identified the main performance factors by leading practices and variables of Cleaner Production that contribute to the compliance with the standard requirements by companies. Thus, it has been noted that Cleaner Production is an important strategy for the preparation of companies for certification as well as for improving their environmental performance.

Guidelines for the integration of EMS based in ISO 14001 with Cleaner Production

This study aims to propose guidelines for the integration of the Environmental Management System (EMS) based on ISO 14001 with the Cleaner Production (CP). For this, a systematic review was applied and five case studies have been carried out in industrial companies with considerable environmental performance. Located in the state of Sao Paulo, the researched companies have got CP projects to ensure environmental and economic gains and shown prominent compatibilities with the EMS based on ISO 14001. The proposed guidelines were performed in three parts: the planning stage, the integration stage and the stage of evaluation and analysis. The main compatibilities include dissemination of the environmental culture, synergy between some specific requirements of the standard and the CP, as the general requirements, legal requirements, environmental policy, training, qualification and monitoring. The guidelines can increase operational efficiency and strategic environmental management in enterprises.