Eighteen male subjects participated in a clinical study to examine a skin patch method of monitoring drug use. On the first day of each of two periods, 14 Band-aid type collection devices (sweat patches) were applied to a subject's torso, biceps, and back. On the following day, the subject took 50 or 126 mg cocaine hydrochloride intranasally. A 1-week interval separated treatment periods, and the order of dose levels was counterbalanced. On the days subjects received cocaine, one patch was removed before treatment, and five were removed after treatment. Subjects then returned over the next 7 days for removal of the remaining patches. They provided urine samples immediately after each patch removal. A group of 18 nondrug users also wore patches for up to 12 days. Analysis of the patch content yielded cocaine levels from the cocaine subjects that accurately reflected usage. Mean levels for 16 subjects were significantly different for the two treatment doses. However, given the between-dose and between-subject variability, the data cannot be used to determine either dose or time of use. The data do indicate, however, that the patch technology can be used to diagnose a single episode of cocaine use as far back as 7 days.

Administration, Intranasal↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A preliminary evaluation of the Gonozyme test.

Gonozyme is a solid-phase enzyme immunoassay that detects antigens of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in clinical specimens. The test was 100% sensitive and 96.8% specific when applied to 71 urethral specimens from men with symptomatic urethritis, and 89.5% specific for 19 urethral specimens from men examined after eradication of gonorrhea by antibiotics. For cervical specimens obtained before therapy from 368 women with gonorrhea, the Gonozyme test had a sensitivity of 88.5% and a specificity of 94.3%. The test was 100% specific when used for testing of 37 cervical specimens obtained after therapy of gonorrhea. The predictive values of a positive Gonozyme test were 90.5% for cervical specimens from women attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic and 97% for urethral specimens from men with urethritis. The predictive values of negative Gonozyme tests in these same circumstances were 100% for urethral specimens and 93.6% for cervical specimens.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The doll hospital.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Health Education↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Observations on elicited language imitation with the severely retarded.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Creating a safe passage: the meaning of engagement for nurses caring for children and their families.

The purpose of this study was to uncover the meaning of engagement for nurses who care for children and their families. This study employed a hermeneutic-phenomenological methodology as specified by van Manen (1984, 1990) and Ray (1991). A convenience sample consisted of eight nurses who worked in a pediatric ambulatory care setting. Data were generated from audiotaped interviews and journaling. The first level of reflection revealed the themes and metathemes of the meaning of engagement: Making Connection: Becoming Aware of the Person; Perceiving the Other: Developing and Nurturing the Relationship; A Sense of Investment: Unfolding From Commitment; and Remaining Distant: Choosing Not To Engage. In the second level of reflection selected literature further illuminated the meaning of engagement. Through deeper reflection, the metaphor Creating a Safe Passage surfaced to capture the meaning of engagement. This research supports the transformation of health care delivery toward a greater emphasis on the caring relationship. Findings illuminate specific characteristics of an engaged relationship. Implications for sensitizing health care professionals in practice, education, and research are described.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Integration of evidence into practice and the change process: fall prevention program as a model.

A Fall Prevention Program was initiated at an acute care academic medical center grounded on a dynamic evidence-based framework. Multiple sources of evidence were collected and integrated to engage clinical managers and staff in an evolving process designed to both reduce falls and enhance evidence-based thinking. Clinical practice now is based more frequently on evidence rather than ritual, unsystematic clinical experiences, or tradition. This article provides details on this replicable method of enhancing professional practice.

Accidental Falls↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Physical and emotional patient safety. A different look at nursing-sensitive outcomes.

Data on nursing-sensitive outcomes, beyond traditional isolated indicators such as pressure ulcers, are often unavailable for nurses to evaluate the overall quality of their care. This article describes a quality improvement effort to provide nurses with both a positive and a negative patient outcomes score. The approach can make visible the often invisible role of nurses in the growing field of patient safety.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Broadening the scope of nursing practice: federal programs for children.

Various social programs are available to support the family unit when a child with special needs enters the health care system. Nurses are challenged to link families with appropriate federal programs. An understanding of selected legislation and the programs designed to implement those laws better enables them to meet that challenge.

Adolescent↗