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Biomedical subjects

D A Henry

Publications and source records attributed to D A Henry.

143 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

Severe hypokalemia in hospitalized patients.

Profound hypokalemia was observed in 73 patients in a major university teaching hospital during a three-year period. When compared with hospitalized subjects used as controls, these patients experienced a greater mortality, were substantially more likely to be female, but were not more likely to suffer from cardiovascular disease. Use of a diuretic appeared to precipitate profound hypokalemia infrequently, and when it did, the clinical situation was extremely complex. Over 10% of the patients with hypokalemia had acute myeloid leukemia, an incidence 22 times greater than that expected. Hypokalemia should be sought in all patients with this disease, since it is an avoidable cause of death. Further studies into the mechanism of hypokalemia are required to explain its striking preponderance in women.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗
PubMed1977

Frequency and pattern of radionuclide administration to medical patients in a general hospital.

As part of a drug surveillance programme details of nuclide administration were recorded for 5288 consecutive patients admitted to the medical wards of a large general hospital. Overall use of nuclides amongst this group was found to be low, and multiple exposure to radiation as a result of nuclide administration is not a major hazard when compared to the diagnostic information provided.

Hospitals, General↗
PubMed1977

Therapeutic comparison of thiol compounds in severe paracetamol poisoning.

Twelve patients with toxic blood concentrations of paracetamol were treated with either cysteamine or amino-acid solution. None of the patients developed severe liver damage, although transient mild biochemical abnormalities developed in three. None of the patients treated with amino-acid solution had side effects due to therapy, whereas all those treated with cysteamine did. It is recommended that amino-acid solutions be used as a temporary measure in patients suspected of massive paracetamol overdose while awaiting estimation of blood paracetamol concentration.

Acetaminophen↗
PubMed1977

Drug information centres: new role for pharmacists?

In the last few decades there has been a great increase in the number of new drugs available for general use. In consequence, drug information centres have been developed, particularly in U.S.A., to disseminate information on the uses, toxicity and cost of these drugs. Such centres have been slower to appear in the United Kingdom, with the exception of certain specialised centres, e.g. Poisons Information Bureaux. The present report describes the development of a drug information centre in Glasgow and gives preliminary data on its use during the last year. It is proposed that such centres provide a valuable aid in encouraging rational drug use particularly in hospitals. The centres may be run by a variety of interested personnel but in our view the professional group most likely to fill this role adequately is hospital pharmacists.

Drug Information Services↗
PubMed1977

Drug therapy reviews: intravenous fluid therapy.

The indications for use of large-volume parenteral solutions are reviewed, and the types of fluids administered and their potential hazards are described. The indications discussed are replacement therapy, maintenance therapy and emergency venous access. Hazards presented include thrombophlebitis, infection, volume overload, air embolism, particulate matter and chemical contamination. The indications for specific parenteral fluids, such as saline solutions, dextrose solution, fructose and alkaline solutions are discussed. Also reviewed are agents used to treat alkalosis, intravenous potassium therapy, calcium salts, magnesium salts and mixed solutions. Most clinical situations can be managed with judicious use of 0.9% saline and 5% dextrose with the addition of other electrolytes as determined by the needs of the individual patient.

Acetates↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Factors influencing the uptake of technologies to minimize perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion: an interview study of national and institutional stakeholders.

BACKGROUND: Alternatives to allogeneic blood transfusion exist and are being used to varying extents in Australian hospitals. Evidence on effectiveness and cost-effectiveness is generally inconclusive and provides a suboptimal basis for policy development. AIM: To describe the influences on uptake of transfusion technologies as perceived by national and institutional stakeholders. METHODS: Qualitative interview study. Interview transcripts were coded and analysed independently by at least two researchers. Participants had opportunity to comment on their transcript and the manuscript. RESULTS: A total of 71 interviews were conducted with representatives of the media, specialist medical societies, consumer special interest groups, the Australian Red Cross Blood Service (ARCBS), government, private health insurers, technology manufacturers, prominent clinicians in the area and a sample of clinicians drawn from hospitals with variable use of blood-saving technologies. Technical advances and acceptance of lower transfusion triggers were identified as the main influences on the decrease in use of allogeneic blood transfusion in the past decade. Participants indicated that patients were most aware and supportive of autologous predonation. Participants noted that 'enthusiasts' were involved in educating about the need for alternatives, negotiating resourcing and maintaining the use of a technology. Funding mechanisms were seen as main barriers to use of alternatives. A discrepancy was noted in the rigour of evaluation and regulation of pharmaceuticals and devices/procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Uptake of blood transfusion technologies by institutions was dependent mostly on funding arrangements and the presence of an 'enthusiast'. Critical review of the evidence for effectiveness or cost-effectiveness of these technologies was rarely mentioned. Opportunities exist for evidence-based medicine principles to play a greater role in policy decisions in this area.

Blood Donors↗