To monitor the effectiveness of its discharge planning methods, the nursing staff of the Providence Rehabilitation Center in Medford, OR, conducted a study by means of postdischarge telephone contact. An interview form was developed for recording client and family perceptions of the actual impact of discharge preparation. The study obtained information useful for staff efforts to improve discharge outcomes. It also afforded an opportunity to provide client reassurance and support after discharge.

Family↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Reflections from a nurse's journal.

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Adult↗

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Cause factor: human.

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Accident Prevention↗

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Recombinant interleukin-2 directly augments the cytotoxicity of human monocytes.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2), originally described as a growth factor required for sustained proliferation of T cells in vitro is a glycoprotein hormone of known structure which appears to be important for the generation of immune responses in vivo. As well as T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and large granular lymphocytes with natural killer activity (NK cells) can also respond to IL-2. The action of IL-2 seemed to be limited specifically to lymphocytes, however, and the term 'T-lymphocytotrophic hormone' was used. Here we provide evidence that human monocytes display a substantially increased cytotoxic activity as a direct and rapid response to human recombinant IL-2 but not to human recombinant glycosylated interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) or lipopolysaccharide. Our results reveal a previously unknown function of IL-2 and suggest its possible involvement in monocyte-T cell interactions.

Cell Division↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A proficiency score for assessing the reliability of self blood glucose monitoring.

The reliability of self blood glucose analysis was studied in 83 insulin-treated diabetic patients. Reliability was assessed by laboratory analysis of capillary blood samples collected simultaneously on filter paper. Patient and laboratory results were compared using a scoring system which produces an easily understood Proficiency Score. The score was designed to highlight unreliable performance in measuring glucose concentrations in the euglycaemic as well as hypo- and hyperglycaemic ranges. Only 17% of patients achieved acceptable Proficiency Scores by maintaining adequate performance on five occasions.

Adolescent↗