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Biomedical subjects

R F Edlich

Publications and source records attributed to R F Edlich.

At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMed1981

Mechanical performance of polyglycolic acid and polyglactin 910 synthetic absorbable sutures.

The mechanical performance of polyglycolic acid and polyglactin 910 sutures has been assessed using standardized reproducible tests. The results of these studies demonstrated distinct differences in their performance that can be related, in part, to their structural configuration. The size of the 4-0 polyglactin suture was significantly larger than that of the 4-0 polyglycolic acid suture. Since the strength of any suture is proportional to its cross sectional area, the strength of unknotted and knotted polyglactin 910 sutures was signficantly greater than that of the polyglycolic acid sutures. The strength of both sutures was similarly diminished by the formation of the knot. When these sutures were added to tissue, the breaking strength was even further reduced. The rate of decline in breaking strength of the two absorbable sutures in healing skin wounds was comparable. These absorbable sutures displayed knot security with a two throw square knot, 1 = 1. The ability of these sutures to reach knot break with this knot configuration is characteristic of sutures in which the surface exhibits a high coefficient of friction. Their rough surface also caused them to drag through tissue, making difficult to adjust tension on a continuous running suture.

Absorption↗
PubMed1980

Improving emergency department care of the sexual assault victin.

Victims of sexual assault face the multiple threats of disease, unwanted pregnancy, psychological trauma, and physical injury, which are further complicated by a comprehensive police investigation. An organized approach to the care of victims of sexual assault is presented, including guidelines for patient care and a discussion of police investigations, written consent forms, and physical evidence recovery kits. We recommend that the care of victims, from arrival in the emergency department until rehabilitation, be coordinated by a nurse. This specially trained individual serves as a liaison between the patient and the health professionals and police team.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

A systems approach to the management of radiation accidents.

Management of radiation accident patients should have a multidisciplinary approach that includes all health professionals as well as members of public safety agencies. Emergency plans for radiation accidents include detection of the ionizing radiation, patient evacuation, resuscitation, and decontamination. The resuscitated patient should be transported to a radiation control area located outside but adjacent to the emergency department. Ideally this area is accessed through an entrance separate from that used for the main flow of daily emergency department patients. The hospital staff, provided with protective clothing, dosimeters, and preprinted guidelines, continues the resuscitation and definitive care of the patient. This system approach to the management of radiation accidents may be tailored to meet the specific needs of other emergency medical systems.

Accidents↗
PubMed1980

Pluronic F-68: a promising new skin wound cleanser.

Pluronic F-68 is a new skin cleanser that has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in humans. In experimental studies, this nonionic detergent prevented the development of infection with no discernible toxicity. We have used Pluronic F-68 clinically in wounds in more than 1,000 patients without demonstrable side effects. As a result of this experience, Pluronic F-68 has replaced all other commercially available scrub solutions for use as a skin wound cleanser in our medical center.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

In vivo and in vitro antimicrobial activity of silver sulfadiazine and cerium nitrate.

The antimicrobial activity of cerium nitrate and silver sulfadiazine was assessed in vitro and in vivo using Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In vitro, the activity of silver sulfadiazine was significantly greater than that of cerium nitrate. Synergism between silver sulfadiazine and cerium nitrate was observed in water or saline solution suspensions, but not in broth. In vivo, cerium nitrate offered no therapeutic benefit in reducing wound infection in contaminated wounds. Treatment of similar wounds with silver sulfadiazine resulted in a significant decrease in wound infection and in the level of viable bacteria when compared with that for untreated controls. The addition of cerium nitrate to silver sulfadiazine in aqueous soultion reduced the therapeutic benefit of silver sulfadiazine.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Topical antimicrobial cream sensitivity testing.

These gratifying results have made topical antimicrobial sensitivity testing an integral part of bacteriologic monitoring of the burn wound. Presently, we use the needle extrusion test routinely on all burn patients at our center. Its selection over the other antimicrobial tests is based on technical considerations. The needle extrusion test can be completed by an experienced technician within five minutes, but the disk diffusion test and agar-well diffusion test take two and five times longer, respectively. This time saving is an important consideration when the microflora of ten or more burn patient at our center are being monitored by this test every other day. This test system may prove useful for the topical antibiotic selection for the treatment of other wounds beside the burn wound. Its potential value in these other conditions must await the results of carefully controlled clinical studies.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1979

Activity of antibiotics in contaminated wounds containing clay soil.

Most traumatic wounds are contaminated to some degree by soil and run a high risk of infection. The presence of soil in wounds interferes with natural tissue defenses, which include phagocytosis and serum bactericidal capacity. The experimental studies reported herein clearly demonstrate that soil also limits the antibacterial effects of specific antibiotics. This inactivation appears to be the result of a chemical reaction between the charged antibiotics and the soil particles.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

An injury severity scale for comprehensive management of central nervous system trauma.

The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is used in central Virginia by emergency medical technicians (EMT's), emergency department personnel and neurosurgical staff to evaluate patients with central nervous system (CNS) trauma. In a series of 406 patients admitted to the neurosurgical services at the University of Virgina Hospital between October 1977 and February 1978, a GCS score was recorded by the neurosurgeon, nurse, and EMT. All 250 data points, including clinical diagnosis and incidence of associated injuries were entered into our information system analysis. The scale can be easily mastered by all members of the emergency medical team giving reproducible results. It also appears to be a valid predictor of the ultimate outcomes of head injury. The GCS has substantial clinical value in the management of the nuerotrauma patient. It is presently being employed in all phases of the emergency medical system to monitor the progression of the neurologic injury. Ultimately, this injury severity scoring system will be used to standardize patient populations in well controlled clinical studies in which different treatment parameters will be assessed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Physician and patient acceptance of emergency nurse practitioners.

Patient and physician attitudes toward emergency nurse practitioners (ENP) were surveyed in our emergency medical service. The responses to the questionnaires indicated a high degree of satisfaction with the ENP similar to that reported in a survey of patient reaction to physician assistants (PA) in the emergency department. In our emergency medical service, physicians expressed a concern over the practitioner's care of the emergent patient. Their confidence in the practitioner's clinical judgment was greater in their care of nonurgent and urgent patients.

Attitude↗
PubMed1979

Extinguishing the flaming burn victim.

The multipurpose dry chemical fire extinguishers are unusually efficient in extinguishing many classes of fire: A) ordinary combustible; B) flammable liquids and C) electrical equipment. This exemplary performance of multipurpose extinguishers is associated with minimal toxic effects to humans. Following contact of soft tissue with the multipurpose dry chemical, the tissue exhibits a remarkable ability to resist infection and a normal capacity to heal following injury. This negligible toxicity of the multipurpose dry chemicals makes them safe for extinguishing the flaming clothes of human burn victims.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Practical technique for quantitating anaerobic bacteria in tissue specimens.

Quantitative bacteriology has considerable influence on the care and management of surgical wounds. Heretofore, these techniques have been limited to measurements of aerobic bacteria. A technique is reported herein which permits quantitation of obligately anaerobic bacteria in tissue specimens. This technique is easily reproduced in any clinical laboratory and eliminates the need for expensive anaerobic chambers.

Anaerobiosis↗