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Biomedical subjects

B G Evans

Publications and source records attributed to B G Evans.

63 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

HIV-2 in the United Kingdom--a review.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) was first recognised in 1986 and subsequently the infection was shown to be widespread in West Africa. There have been few case reports from countries outside the African continent. In North America and Europe the highest number of infections have been in Portugal and France. Twelve HIV-2 infections have been identified in the United Kingdom (UK) and nine of the twelve had some connection with Africa, mostly West Africa; in three cases only "sub-Saharan Africa" was stated on the report, and one was from Mozambique. The other three HIV-2 infections were identified as follows: one in stored sera from a man who died in 1978, one in a child from Portugal who was diagnosed in the UK as having Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in 1985, and one in a homosexual man who was tested unlinked and anonymously in London in 1987. It is not known how many of the total number of UK HIV-2 infections are represented by these twelve, but among large numbers of blood donors and people attending genitourinary medicine clinics the occurrence of infection was rare.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed1988

Salmon as a food-poisoning vehicle--two successive Salmonella outbreaks.

Gastroenteritis due to Salmonella montevideo occurred amongst guests attending two social functions held within 24 h, food for both having been provided by the same catering firm. Salmon was the most likely vehicle of infection in each case, although cross-contamination of other foods occurred. There were no deaths; four patients were admitted to hospital, one of whom underwent appendicectomy. A review of salmon-associated food-poisoning outbreaks suggests that fresh salmon is an infrequent cause of food poisoning in the United Kingdom. The two outbreaks described here resulted from a failure of simple kitchen hygiene measures at a time of high ambient temperatures. Some current cooking instructions for salmon are inadequate.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

The new genetics: will it pay its way?

The number of genetic disorders detectable antenatally by the use of DNA probes has risen rapidly. The demand for diagnosis and termination of affected pregnancies in high-risk families is likely to increase as tests become more accurate and widely known. Each Regional Health Authority (RHA) must therefore urgently compare any financial savings to be made from a DNA diagnostic service with the cost of setting up and running a laboratory. There are great difficulties in conducting a formal cost-benefit analysis, but the pressing need for a cost appraisal made a more limited cost-savings approach necessary. This paper uses a broad-brush approach for all disorders and known costs for inpatient hospital care only. Despite the limitations of the method, in the two regions studied (North West and South East Thames) there would be clear savings at hospital level if a DNA screening laboratory were set up in each region. Funds released from treatment of genetic disorders could be used for other purposes. There are benefits to the families concerned, social service and educational savings, and other health service savings not considered here. On hospital costs alone there are benefits from the programme and wider consideration will make it more cost-effective. Once a programme is set up, new developments will make it even more cost-effective. It is concluded that RHAs should attach high priority to the setting up of such laboratories.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed1987

The emergency bed service--a barometer of London's hospital service.

The emergency bed service in London exists to facilitate admissions to hospital in cases referred to them by general practitioners and deputizing doctors. The data collected by the emergency bed service provides a unique London-wide perspective of the hospital service and the recent changes observed are examined in this paper. When the emergency bed service fails to arrange for the admission of a patient after trying at least four hospitals the case is medically refereed. The number of cases reviewed by the medical referee has increased over the period 1976-86 as has the necessity for hospitals to stop or slow nonemergency admissions (red and yellow alerts). External factors, such as severe weather and influenza epidemics, were examined to see whether they could account for these changes. However, it was concluded that bed closures accounted for the changes and were making it more difficult to obtain hospital admission for emergency cases via the emergency bed service in Greater London.

Emergencies↗
PubMed1986

The emergency bed service in London--who uses it?

As part of wider review, this study examines the pattern of referrals to the emergency bed service from seven selected health districts in London over a six-month period. A 12-fold variation in the use of the emergency bed service was found between the different districts. Half the referrals to the service were made by doctors working in deputizing services, less than 1% of referrals were due to inter-hospital transfers and half the referrals were made by general practitioners. A few general practitioners were high users: 46% of the general practitioner referrals were accounted for by only 5% of the practitioners.The second part of the study concerned a questionnaire survey of a sample of general practitioners in the seven health districts (n = 963) and an 83% response rate was achieved. Almost three-quarters of the respondents did not use the emergency bed service. Wide variation between the different health districts was again demonstrated. In spite of the variations described, the survey revealed a continuing demand for the service by general practitioners.

Emergencies↗