Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F B Epstein

Publications and source records attributed to F B Epstein.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1986

Glucose.

Disorders of glucose metabolism are commonly seen by practicing emergency physicians. Reagent strips such as Visidex and Chemstrip are useful as a quick and accurate method of glucose estimation provided the procedure is followed correctly. These reagent strips are particularly useful for rapid screening in the unresponsive patient. The accuracy of glucose analysis obtained from the clinical laboratory is improved when methods to prevent glycolysis are used and when enzymatic methods of glucose analysis are used. The common and important indications for routine glucose analysis include evaluation of symptomatically ill patients with known diabetes or patients with altered mental status or coma of unknown etiology; patients on insulin or sulfonylureas; sick neonates; patients with a variety of drug intoxications; and patients suffering from significant systemic illness or injury likely to manifest with physiologic stress expressed as glucose intolerance.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed1986

Osmolality.

An understanding of the osmotic physiology and colligative properties of a solution will benefit the emergency physician in proper ordering and interpretation of serum osmolality measurements. Though of use in evaluating disorders of water metabolism, the serum osmolality plays a major role in the Emergency Department evaluation of impaired mental status, especially in alcoholics. A significant discrepancy between calculated and measured values may be the earliest laboratory finding in methanol, ethanol, and ethylene glycol ingestion.

1-Propanol↗
PubMed1986

Therapeutic drug levels and toxicology screen.

Toxicologic analysis cannot supplant physician skills in the diagnosis and management of poisoning; however, it is a useful adjunct when properly used. Laboratory use should reflect critical consideration of clinical contribution as well as insight into institutional capability. A detailed historic review and interview of multiple sources may provide more useful and expeditious information than the blind "drug screen." Test ordering should be limited to that which directly contributes to clinical patient management.16 Similarly, test results must be interpreted in the clinical context of patient presentation. The reported units of measurement must be carefully scrutinized; and the potential for laboratory error must be appreciated. Most importantly, communication and cooperation must be maintained between the physician and laboratory personnel if the resource is to be optimally used.

Chromatography, Thin Layer↗