Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A M Pollock

Publications and source records attributed to A M Pollock.

66 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Outbreak of Clostridium perfringens food poisoning.

An outbreak of diarrhoea occurred at a 647-bedded long-stay hospital from 11 to 14 June 1989. Fifty-eight elderly residents developed symptoms and there were two deaths. The organism was identified as Clostridium perfringens type A, serotype TW23. The source of the outbreak was found to be inadequately reheated minced beef served at lunchtime on 11 June. The reason why only 4 of the possible 16 wards receiving minced beef were affected was thought to be due to the division of the batch of minced beef at a late stage in the preparation process. We conclude that there is a need for effective bowel and nutrition policies and that these are high priorities for audit.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

Crisis in our hospital kitchens: ancillary staffing levels during an outbreak of food poisoning in a long stay hospital.

An investigation into an outbreak of food poisoning caused by Clostridium perfringens showed evidence of poor food handling by catering staff. The reasons behind this were explored by interviewing catering staff, analysing shifts and rotas, and looking at staff vacancies. Morale was low because of staff shortages resulting from a long term recruitment problem. In consequence staff were working double shifts and often for weeks on end without a day off. The reasons for the recruitment problem included the difficulty of recruiting semiskilled labour from a middle class area, low wages, lack of management support, and the poor image of the hospital as a place of work. Similar factors affect the recruitment and retention of ancillary staff nationally. The NHS has a poor record as an employer of ancillary staff, paying lower wages than other organisations for equivalent posts. Competitive tendering has further worsened the position of ancillary staff, with the result that good quality of care and service has often not been achieved. The NHS Review, with its emphasis on quality of care, makes no mention of ancillary staff. Yet high standards of ancillary provision are essential if further outbreaks of food poisoning in hospitals are to be prevented.

Clostridium Infections↗
PubMed1974

Cerebral embolism and mitral stenosis: survival with and without anticoagulants.

Eighty-four patients with mitral stenosis and cerebral embolism have been followed up for 20 years. Half of the series (those treated in the early years) had no anticoagulant treatment and half were given long-term warfarin therapy. Mortality rate and causes of death have been reviewed, and comparison of survival times of treated and untreated groups by life-table analysis bears out the immediate need for anticoagulants when a diagnosis of systemic embolism is established. It is wise to continue the treatment for six months but it may be reasonable to discontinue it after one year with patients who can be assured of regular review.

Adult↗
PubMed1969

Relation between plasma lignocaine levels and induced haemodynamic changes.

Intravenous lignocaine (1 mg./kg. body weight) was found to produce insignificant haemodynamic changes, and in particular no reduction in myocardial contractility. A rate of 2 mg./minute infused intravenously is suggested for therapeutic purposes.In anaesthetized dogs an infusion of 13.5 mg./minute caused moderate haemodynamic depression and a maximum plasma level of 7 mug./ml. Massive injections of 200 and 400 mg. of lignocaine produced a maximum plasma level of 13.8 and 27.8 mug./ml., respectively, and in the latter failure of myocardial contraction in the presence of a normal E.C.G. ensued ("pump failure"). Lignocaine appears to alter the uptake of calcium by myocardial sarcoplasmic reticulum, and this may explain the negative inotropic effect of large doses.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Monitoring health care in the United States--a challenging task.

Surveys have provided magnificent information about the health of the American people, but they rarely contribute to our understanding of how medical services affect people's health. The authors explore the opportunity to harness the medical services system to provide information that clarifies the relationship between people's health and the services they receive. They also note the risk posed by managed care-that competition and cost-cutting may pit the health industry against access to and standardization of health services data--but see hope in recent legislation.

Aged↗