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Biomedical subjects

M F Fay

Publications and source records attributed to M F Fay.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

The effect of surgical glove powder on proliferation of human skin fibroblast and monocyte/macrophage.

The effect of surgical glove powders (Biosorb, Keoflo, and CaCO3) and Hydrocote (powder-free lubricating agent, Biogel) was examined on human skin fibroblasts and monocyte/macrophage cell lines (U937 and HL-60). Glove powders (0.1-100 micrograms/ml) in the presence of 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) had no significant effect on the rate of 3H-thymidine uptake and proliferation of these cells after 48 h and 7 days of exposure, respectively. However, they inhibited HL-60 growth after 10 days, and Biosorb and CaCO3 inhibited U937 after 10-21 days of exposure compared with control. In the presence of low serum (0.5%), Biosorb, but not Keoflo, CaCO3, and Hydrocote, inhibited HL-60 cells after the third day of exposure (p < 0.05), whereas they were without any effect on U937 cells. Further incubation resulted in a significant decrease in cell density in all treatments, as well as controls, because of cell death. In the presence of 2% serum, glove powder-treated HL-60 significantly increased in cell numbers during the first 3 days, and the cells became stationary thereafter, whereas Keoflo and CaCO3-stimulated U937 reached a maximal by 9 days of treatment. Coculturing of fibroblasts directly with macrophages (0.4-5 x 10(5) cells per dish) or incubation with macrophage culture-conditioned media (CCM) stimulated quiescent fibroblast growth equal to that induced by 10% and 0.5% serum, respectively (p < 0.05). However, incubation of fibroblasts with glove powder-treated HL-60 CCM (except CaCO3) inhibited (p < 0.05) and CCM from Biosorb-treated U937 stimulated (p < 0.05) fibroblast proliferation. The CCM from glove powder-treated HL-60 and U937 did not have any significant effect on the rate of 3H-thymidine incorporation into fibroblasts compared with controls. The present observations suggest that glove powder action on fibroblast and macrophage growth in vitro depends on both the serum concentration of the culture medium and the length of exposure. The results imply that glove powders may have an adverse effect in vivo by directly influencing the biologic activity of macrophages, as well as other cell types, leading to alterations in the early phases of wound healing.

Calcium Carbonate↗

Scientific assay methods as the basis for glove selection.

Allergies to latex proteins and glove chemicals are increasing in the clinical practice setting. Inasmuch as latex is ubiquitous in the health environment, individuals may be exposed to latex antigens by a number of different routes, including compromised skin, mucous membranes of the respiratory and urogenital tracts, and internally during surgery. As demonstrated by numerous research articles, the key factors that appear to play a role in acquired latex hypersensitivity are chemicals used in the manufacture of products; the level of residual latex proteins, and the presence of glove powder, which binds latex protein. Currently, devices and materials containing latex are not labeled, although this may be rectified by the FDA in the near future. Until products are labeled, it is important for physicians to familiarize themselves with the routes of sensitization, variations in assay methods, and the type and amount of allergen in products in order to select the safest product for patient use and personal protection.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Risk analysis as the basis for surgical glove selection.

The growing use of outcomes research will have a significant effect on the way surgeons make decisions concerning glove product selection. These effects will be both direct and indirect, as payers begin to use outcome data to develop practice guidelines. to reduce morbidity and mortality rates, and to alleviate long-term cost and consequences of acquired latex allergy or powder-related postoperative complications in patients. This article reviews elements of risk associated with surgical gloves.

Choice Behavior↗

Hand dermatitis. The role of gloves.

The wide range of problems that occur in association with occupational skin exposure has brought into focus the need to understand the role of allergens in skin disease. Their impact on health, their role in the causation of skin disease, and the measures that can be instituted to regulate, control, and prevent skin problems are receiving increased attention by OR managers because of the associated costs of skin reactions in OR nurses and the inherent dangers associated with latex allergy. Latex gloves have become a standard part of OR attire, and even though they serve as the primary form of hand protection in the OR, gloves also may serve as one of the key causes of contact or allergic dermatitis in OR personnel. The high frequency of latex glove allergy, especially in OR nurses and surgeons, focuses attention on the need to evaluate the type and quality of surgical latex gloves selected for use. When instances of new skin reactions appear in nursing personnel. OR managers should look for recent changes in glove brands, scrub products, or antimicrobial agents as possible trigger allergens. In such circumstances, managers may wish to use hypoallergenic products as a solution. Although hypoallergenic and/or powder-free gloves or scrub products may be more costly on a unit basis, when compared to the time lost from work, physical discomfort of the worker, and the expense of treatment, they are really quite a bargain.

Decision Trees↗

Medical waste. The growing issues of management and disposal.

When addressing the impact of medical waste management and regulatory controls on the health care industry, it is important to remember that as long as modern medicine continues to maintain and sustain its current quality of life and wellness standards, industry will continue to generate various byproducts that have adverse effects on both people and the environment. It is important, therefore, to carefully evaluate the impact of societal demands. Unless government, industry, environmental groups, and health care providers abandon their current adversarial relationships and work together to solve shared problems, there will be no improvement in the growing problem of medical waste. The long-term solutions to today's growing waste problems depend to a great extent on human factors and the willingness of industry, medical community, and governmental bodies to cooperate with each other, recognizing the cause-effect relationship of a continued demand for disposable products. There are many pieces to the waste management puzzle. Obviously, surgeons cannot perform surgery without exposure to blood, tissue or body fluids, and nurses cannot maintain asepsis without sterile products. Because the health care team cannot totally eliminate the source of medical waste, they must learn to more effectively manage and control it. Health care professionals must encourage industry and government to work together to develop standards for products and materials used as barriers and use more biodegradable materials. Health care facilities must learn to minimize the amount of medical waste designated as regulated or infectious. Segregating potentially infectious material from clean waste at the point of generation may reduce both volume and cost.

Humans↗

Indications and applications for iontophoresis.

1. As a noninvasive therapy, iontophoresis is growing in popularity among anesthesiologists, pediatricians, general and orthopedic surgeons, burn specialists, and the dental community. 2. As specific conductivity potentials were established for various chemicals and drugs, it has been shown that numerous broad spectrum, site-specific, systemic-acting medications can be directly introduced across intact skin to treat a wide range of maladies. 3. Unlike injectable medications which tend to peak and trough, phoresed medications can be accurately controlled and titrated over a specific period of time. 4. As health professionals re-evaluate where and how care is delivered, many are selecting iontophoresis as a cost-effective alternative to traditional therapy.

Humans↗

Minimizing the risk of AIDS in the workplace.

1. Under a new directive, employers have been advised that they have a legal responsibility of protecting workers who may come in contact with blood or body fluids contaminated with AIDS. 2. Formal policies and procedures ensure that high-risk tasks are properly identified, standard operating procedures are developed, and employees are trained and protected. 3. Employees must be instructed in the safe collection and disposal of body fluids and contaminated equipment. 4. Routine infection control procedures dictate that all employees be treated as if their body fluids were contaminated (universal precautions).

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

Operating room controls: liability and responsibility.

In the operating room, responsibilities for quality assurance extend to the tools and products selected. It is the responsibility of nurses to ensure there are no lapses in observing minimum standards of care. In the operating room, efforts must be directed at establishing written policies and procedures, assuring compliance with, and adherence to, guidelines, and conducting monitoring activities. An OR nurse may be liable if a hazardous product is used, recommended procedures are not followed, or an accepted safer alternative is not used.

Humans↗

Drainage systems. Their role in wound healing.

In recent years, studies have demonstrated that the risk of wound infection can be reduced by careful wound management and adequate wound drainage. Evidence indicates that if a wound is not allowed to drain freely, blood, body fluids, pus, and necrotic material will collect in the wound, providing a growth medium for microorganisms. Surgical wound drainage is recognized as a key element in facilitating the healing process. Wound drainage systems are designed to allow enough moisture to remain in tissues to promote regeneration and lessen inflammation, while removing excess exudate or material that may hamper the healing process. Regardless of the system selected, it must be able to apply enough negative pressure to maintain surface apposition in the healing wound. This requires careful nursing assessment to ensure constancy of vacuum pressure. As the cost of treating preventable infections increases, infection control is becoming a high priority. Health care workers have therefore become increasingly interested in any product or system that contributes to the prevention of costly surgical wound infections.

Drainage↗