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Biomedical subjects

C Harrington

Publications and source records attributed to C Harrington.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Synthesis of conjugates for a barbiturate screening assay.

Novel derivatives of barbiturates functionalized with free carboxylic acids were designed and synthesized. Coupling of 5-cyclopentyl-5-carboxycrotylbarbituric acid via its active ester to an aminofluorescein derivative produced a fluorescent tracer. Conjugation of the 5-cyclopentenyl-5-carboxyethylbarbituric acid via its mixed anhydride to thyroglobulin allowed for subsequent development of a polyclonal antibody which was evaluated for binding in a fluorescence polarization immunoassay format with various barbiturates. The binding studies showed good cross-reactivity of a variety of barbiturates containing both aromatic and aliphatic 5-substituents with the tested antisera. The relationship between the immunogen architecture, the chemical structure of the binding analytes, and the characteristics of the antisera is also presented.

Animals↗
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Psychological difficulties within a group of patients with vulvodynia.

This study reviews and reports on some of the psychological difficulties seen in a group of women with vulval pain (vulvodynia). The investigation involved 164 women (82 suffering with Vulvodynia and 82 women in a control group with general dermatology conditions) to establish the prevalence of psychological difficulties using validated questionnaires (SCL-90R and the IBQ) and reports on the possible effect these may have on sexual and relationship function and satisfaction. The level of psychological difficulties revealed significantly higher levels of psychological distress in the vulvodynia group within the domains of somatisation, obsessive-compulsive, depression, anxiety & phobic symptoms as well as with interpersonal sensitivity hostility and paranoia.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Factors associated with Medicare beneficiary complaints about quality of care.

This article examines the number and types of formal complaints about quality of care that were made by Medicare beneficiaries and submitted to the California Peer Review Organization (PRO) during the period July 1, 1995-December 30, 1996. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the complaints in terms of sociodemographic factors, enabling factors (income and health maintenance organization [HMO] membership), diagnoses, and primary service providers. The complaint rate was found to be very low, and only 13% of complaints were confirmed by the PRO. HMO members and members receiving physician care and outpatient/emergency room care were more likely to complain about denials of or delays in services or the failure to be referred to specialists than were members in fee-for-service plans and those receiving other types of provider care. Complaints about poor nursing care were associated with receiving skilled nursing/rehabilitation care. Complaints about care that resulted in injury were associated with the denial of care, failure to be referred to a specialist, poor medical care, and poor communications. Complaints about care that led to disability were associated with medical errors, whereas those that led to death were associated with misdiagnosis and premature hospital discharge. It would be valuable for PROs to focus their complaint review efforts on common types of complaints in different settings. A review of PRO procedures should be undertaken to understand why so few complaints are submitted and confirmed.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Stakeholders' opinions regarding important measures of nursing home quality for consumers.

This article reports on a survey of opinions about specific categories and indicators of quality used by the Health Care Financing Administration in the survey and certification process for nursing homes in the US. The survey was conducted of a selected sample of administrators, directors of nursing, state survey agency training coordinators, state ombudsmen, and nursing home advocates in 1996. General patterns of agreement were found across all respondent groups that the 3 most important categories of quality were as follows: quality of care, quality of life, and residents' rights. The 3 most important quality-of-care survey items were as follows: general quality of care, maintenance of activities of daily living, and appropriate treatment for impairment in activities of daily living. The 3 most important quality-of-life items were as follows: dignity, self-determination and participation, and accommodation of resident needs. Important residents' rights items were as follows: to be able to exercise general rights, to be informed of one's condition, and to be free of reprisal when making complaints. Quality assurance should focus greater attention on the areas considered to be the most important by the various stakeholders in nursing home care.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Haemophilia: the facts.

Although the majority of adults and children with haemophilia are registered at designated specialist centres, many will come into contact with nurses who are unfamiliar with the condition. This article dispels common myths and misunderstandings about the condition which contribute to less than effective management.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Medicare beneficiary complaints about quality of care.

This study examined all Medicare beneficiary complaints about quality of care submitted to the California Peer Review Organization (PRO) over 18 months. The complaint rate was low, and a medical record review by the PRO only confirmed 13% of the complaints. Managed Care Organization (MCO) members filed significantly more complaints about denial and/or delays in receiving services and the failure to refer to specialists. Fee-for-service complaints focused on inpatient hospital services, particularly premature discharge, discharge planning, admission necessity, and unnecessary tests. The PRO review process took over 7 months, and the findings were generally not released to the complainants.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Why we need a teaching home care program.

Reports of abuse and financial exploitation have focused attention on home care for the elderly and infirm. A Teaching Home Care Program, featuring collaboration between schools of nursing and home care agencies, could improve the quality of home care and increase the amount of data available on this growing segment of the health care system.

Education, Nursing↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Policy options for a national health care plan.

Renewed interest in a national health care scheme has inspired several proposals ranging from an expansion of Medicaid and Medicare to government sponsored universal health insurance. The current task for nurses is to understand all the options and select the one most appropriate for both the profession and the nation's health.

American Medical Association↗