Biomedical subjects
K Feigenbaum
Publications and source records attributed to K Feigenbaum.
Prospective study of efficacy and safety of lansoprazole in Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
Lansoprazole, a new substituted benzimidazole H+,K(+)-ATPase inhibitor, profoundly inhibits gastric acid secretion and has potential use in the management of diseases such as Zollinger-Ellison syndrome (ZES). In the present study we evaluated the efficacy and safety of lansoprazole in controlling acid hypersecretion in 20 patients with ZES. The starting dose was 60 mg once daily. Control of acid hypersecretion was defined as the dose required to reduce acid secretion to < 10 meq/hr in the last hour before the next dose. Doses were adjusted upwards until effective control was achieved. Patients not controlled with 120 mg once daily were placed on twice daily lansoprazole. Most patients (90%) required lansoprazole once daily. During long-term follow-up (mean 18.5 months), 25% of patients required upward dose adjustments and 25% of patients required twice daily lansoprazole. Following cessation of therapy, the mean time for gastric acid output to reach half basal acid output was 39.1 hr. Lansoprazole was well-tolerated without side effects. Clinical chemistry and hematological studies were unchanged, and no gastric carcinoids developed. These results demonstrate that lansoprazole is a safe and effective inhibitor of gastric acid hypersecretion in patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Because it has a long duration of action, lansoprazole can be used to control gastric acid hypersecretion in most patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome using a once daily dosing schedule.
A guide to noninvasive intermittent ventilatory support.
Patients who use home-based medical technologies, such as noninvasive intermittent ventilatory support, may require hospitalization on units where the staff is unfamiliar with this type of equipment. Consequently, acute care clinicians need resources so they can provide safe care to these patients. This article provides background information about noninvasive intermittent ventilatory support, presents a case study to illustrate key aspects of each type of support, and provides quick reference tables to assist acute care clinicians in managing this technology.
Case studies as a research method.
Nurses in any field have numerous opportunities for research. Nursing research is undertaken to solve specific clinical dilemmas. Case studies may be a reasonable choice for the nurse involved in patient care. Following one subject may be less overwhelming than studying an entire population of subjects. Case studies provide an in-depth look at a single subject over time. The results of this in-depth analysis can be applied to a standard of care in order to improve clinical practice. Case studies may also be the first step toward a larger research project.
ALARA study of teaching effectiveness on reducing radiation exposure.
The purpose of this study was to measure the effectiveness of radiation safety instruction and the impact on radiation film badge levels. A convenience sample of 144 endoscopy nurses and technicians was pretested for radiation safety knowledge, given a course in radiation safety, and then posttested immediately after the course and then 6 months later. Radiation badges were analyzed for radiation exposure at preinstruction, 1 month postinstruction, and 6 months postinstruction. Results showed that the instruction was effective. There was only a slight decrease in radiation badge readings; the decrease, however, was not statistically significant.