[Automated quality control of diagnostic ultrasound appliances].
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to H J Schultz.
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An investigation was made as to whether studies have found journal clubs for physicians in training to be effective for improving patient. care, teaching critical appraisal skills, improving reading habits, increasing knowledge of clinical epidemiology and biostatistics, and increasing the use of medical literature in clinical practice. A literature search was undertaken using 10 databases and retrieval systems and hand searches of journals, conference proceedings and personal files. The rigor of studies meeting the inclusion criteria was analyzed using a protocol based on methods established by the Cochrane Collaboration. One randomized controlled trial found an improvement in knowledge of clinical epidemiology and biostaristics, reading habits, and the use of medical literature in practice, but no improvement in critical appraisal skills. Six less methodologically rigorous studies found possible improvement in critical appraisal skills. It is concluded that journal clubs may improve knowledge of clinical epidemiology and biostatistics, reading habits, and the use of medical literature in practice. A multi-center, randomized controlled trial of journal clubs is needed to assess whether journal clubs improve critical appraisal skills.
AIM: The traditional anatomic landmark technique usually allows a rapid and easy central venous access but this technique is not always successful and can be associated with severe complications. We developed an ultrasonically guided one-operator-catheterization technique whereas a second operator to place and hold the ultrasound transducer is not necessary. METHOD: The catheterisation technique consists of 3 functional components: the swivel arm, the ultrasound unit and the conventional Seldinger central venous catheterization technique. As swivel arm we used a device with a 300 mm column with a 700 mm span attached to ultrasound unit. There were 234 catheterizations of the internal jugular vein performed in the period of January 1999 to July 1999. The indication and complication rate for the catheterization procedure was documented. RESULTS: There were 2 plexus irritations and 1 hematoma observed in all performed catheterization procedures which remained without therapeutic consequences. CONCLUSION: Once the decision for central venous access has been made the safest technique should be applied. The ultrasonically guided catheterization technique allows a fast, safe and convenient central venous access for our patients.
The purpose of this work was to develop a topical formulation of imiquimod, a novel immune response modifier, to induce local cytokine production for the treatment of external genital and perianal warts. A pH-solubility profile and titration data were used to calculate a pKa of 7.3, indicative of a weak base. Solubility experiments were conducted to identify a solvent that dissolves imiquimod to achieve a 5% formulation concentration. Studies to select surfactants, preservatives, and viscosity-enhancing excipients to formulate an oil-in-water cream indicated that fatty acids were the preferred solvent for topical imiquimod formulations, and isostearic acid (ISA) was selected. A relationship existed between the fatty acid composition of four commercially available ISA sources and the solubility of imiquimod. A combination of polysorbate 60, sorbitan monostearate, and xanthan gum was used to produce a physically stable cream. The preservative system included parabens and benzyl alcohol to meet the USP criteria for preservative activity. An in vitro method was developed to demonstrate that imiquimod was released from the formulation. Topical application of the formulation induced local cytokine activity in mice.
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Catheterization of the subclavian and internal jugular veins is a commonly performed procedure for monitoring the hemodynamic, respiratory, and fluid status of patients as well as for delivery of special potent drugs and nutritive solutions. In inexperienced hands, this procedure can carry significant morbidity. A comprehensive central line placement teaching program has been developed at our institution centered upon an anatomy and catheterization skills workshop. A dedicated anatomic specimen has been prepared to emphasize key anatomical concepts about the subclavian and internal jugular veins. A design with easily reflectable flaps allows quick and simple visualization of needle position after supervised cannulation attempts. Workshop preparation and teaching sessions benefit from close collaboration between anatomists and clinicians. This should help standardize residents' exposure to central venous cannulation techniques and ensure basic procedure skills prior to actual cannulation in patients.
Conscientious sign-out between medical interns is important for the continuity of care of hospitalized patients. We developed a standardized sign-out card that prompted the intern going off duty to transmit patient care information to the inter on call. The card was tested in a prospective, randomized, controlled trial in which one group of interns used the card, and another group did not. Any instance of poor sign-out was reported on a questionnaire completed by the intern who had been on call the previous night. The group using the sign-out cards reported poor sign-out on 8 nights (5.8% of questionnaires), and the control group reported it on 17 nights (14.9% of questionnaires, p = .016). The card was time-effective and inexpensive, resulted in more complete data recording, and possibly decreased the morbidity associated with poor sign-out.
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In this study, we determined the safety and efficacy of the treatment of adults with urinary tract infection with ciprofloxacin hydrochloride (250 mg twice daily for 10 days) in comparison with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (160 mg of trimethoprim and 800 mg of sulfamethoxazole twice daily for 10 days). Patients with signs and symptoms of urinary tract infection were randomized to receive ciprofloxacin (98 women and 5 men) or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (92 women and 8 men). The success rate of therapy was 91% for both treatment arms of the study. Among seven failures after ciprofloxacin therapy, three were due to relapse of infection and two to side effects that necessitated a change in medication; in addition, two patients had persistent symptoms and required hospitalization. Among the six failures associated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole therapy, four were due to relapse, one to persistence of infection, and one to a side effect that necessitated a change in medication. Among the patients treated with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, 32% had mild or moderate adverse reactions; in comparison, 17% of the ciprofloxacin-treated patients had adverse reactions (P = 0.026). For the treatment of urinary tract infection in adult patients in this study, ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole were equally effective, but ciprofloxacin was associated with fewer adverse reactions.
To elicit the opinions of practicing internists who had graduated from a single internal medicine residency program about the adequacy of their training and its relevance to their medical practice, we mailed a survey to 1,342 physicians who had spent at least 1 year in the Mayo internal medicine residency training program. Of this group, 703 alumni (52%) responded to the survey, 532 of whom were currently practicing internal medicine. Our detailed analysis was based on responses from these 532 and, for some aspects of evaluation, on the 121 general internists who had completed residency training after 1970. Of the respondents, 42% spent more than 80% of their time in general medicine, and 53% had at least some subspecialty practice; 55% were involved in teaching, 20% in some research, and 37% in various administrative duties. In 27%, all patient-care activities involved primary care, an increase from 18% in a 1979 survey and 9% in 1972. Of those who were subspecialists, 67% spent more than half their time in subspecialty practice. Of those who were trained after 1970, 90% were board certified. Most respondents thought that their training in the internal medicine subspecialties was adequate, that additional procedure training was needed in joint aspiration, line placement, and flexible sigmoidoscopy, and that many allied medical areas were important to their practice and necessitated additional training. Although virtually all respondents assessed their inpatient training as adequate, only 42% were fully satisfied with their outpatient training. Alumni surveys can be useful in restructuring a residency program to meet the needs of the trainees.
Sixty-five women with uncomplicated urinary tract infection were evaluated in a prospective, randomized, double blind study comparing ciprofloxacin (250 mg twice daily for ten days) with co-trimoxazole (160 mg trimethoprim and 800 mg sulphamethoxazole twice daily for ten days). Results were analysed with respect to eradication of the urinary tract pathogen, resolution of clinical symptoms, incidence of relapse, and incidence of adverse effects. Among the 31 women who received ciprofloxacin, there was eradication of the micro-organism and complete resolution of clinical symptoms in 100% five to nine days after completion of therapy. Among the 34 patients who received co-trimoxazole, there was eradication in 94% and clinical resolution in 91%. Of the ciprofloxacin-treated women 6.5% (2/31) relapsed compared with 18% (6/34) of co-trimoxazole-treated women. Overall cure rates for 65 patients were 93.5% and 82.3% for ciprofloxacin and co-trimoxazole (difference not statistically significant), respectively. A statistically significant (P less than 0.05) increase in adverse side effects was noted in patients treated with co-trimoxazole. Based upon preliminary data it appears that ciprofloxacin is as effective and less toxic than co-trimoxazole for treatment of uncomplicated urinary tract infection in women.
The efficacy of single-dose therapy with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) and the cost-effectiveness of routine urinalyses and cultures were studied in a prospective randomized trial of 200 women who presented with symptoms of acute lower urinary tract infection. Without the physician's knowledge of the results of urinalysis or culture, the patients were randomly assigned to receive either a single dose or a 10-day multiple-dose course of TMP-SMZ and were followed up for 6 months. Of the 136 patients with positive urine cultures, 68 received single-dose therapy with TMP-SMZ--10 of whom had relapses--and 68 received multiple-dose therapy with TMP-SMZ--only 2 of whom had relapses (P less than 0.02). Fifteen patients in each treatment group experienced reinfection. Side effects of rash and vaginitis were more common in patients who received multiple-dose therapy, but they were mild and well tolerated. Of the 51 patients with urethral syndrome, 48 became asymptomatic after therapy. None of the following tests predicted treatment outcome: pretreatment urinalysis, urine culture or susceptibility testing, antibody-coated bacteria testing, or routine follow-up urinalyses or urine cultures. Empiric therapy with TMP-SMZ in selected women with symptoms of acute uncomplicated urinary tract infection seems practical, safe, and cost-efficient. Considerable savings can be achieved by reserving urinalyses and urine cultures for patients with persistent or recurrent symptoms. Higher cure rates can be expected in patients who receive a standard 10-day course of therapy with TMP-SMZ compared with those who receive single-dose therapy with TMP-SMZ.