Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to R Cox.
Patient functional ability is a determining factor in successful discharge and self-care. A model for improving the use of functional assessment in the acute care setting gives the bedside registered nurse a tool to manage care.
Graduated compression stockings are used prophylactically on a variety of patients within acute hospitals. Anecdotal evidence suggests patients have a limited understanding of this treatment. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore patients' experiences of compression stockings and to ascertain perceptions of their use. Information was gathered using telephone interviews from a sample of 12 adults who had been patients within the past 2 months, and who had worn compression stockings for more than 48 hours. The results showed that patients received little or no information from healthcare staff regarding compression stockings, but that they did have knowledge from other sources, such as long-haul flight advice. This raises issues of informed consent and patient empowerment and highlights the need for both verbal and written information. The information gained informed a patient information leaflet, which was developed in partnership with a patient focus group.
A longitudinal study was performed with sera and urine of patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), taken before, during and after clinically Toxoplasma infection. The tested patients were followed for an average of two years. The titres of the specific IgG and IgM antibodies were measured by an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), and the appearance of circulating antigens of T. gondii was determined in 36 urine samples of 13 patients with neurotoxoplasmosis by means of the coagglutination test. The presence of T. gondii antigens in the urine of AIDS patients by this test was correlated with the immunoblot technique, with clinical symptoms and also with pathological findings. Our results indicate that the detection of T. gondii antigens in the urine of AIDS patients can be regarded as a rapid and efficient method for the diagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis.
Intra- and intertester reliability of a previously described technique for measurement of sagittal plane lumbar spine motion was assessed. Results demonstrated a high degree of reliability of this technique. Sagittal plane norms for men and women are also presented. In addition, a pilot study of a simple in vivo measurement method for lumbar torsion is described and tested on a group of control subjects and a group of chronic low-back pain patients.
The following article is a descriptive summary of telemedicine evolution in rural Kansas. Multiple electronic applications are used to manage information, time, and distance. Conservation of limited health related resources is emphasized.