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Biomedical subjects

R F Edlich

Publications and source records attributed to R F Edlich.

At least 469 records · Page 26Linked to original sources
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Is there a need for state health department sanitary codes for public hydrotherapy and swimming pools?

The Board of Health of the Commonwealth of Virginia has an outdated sanitary code for its public hydrotherapy and swimming pools. The code is restricted to pools in hotels and other lodging places. The absence of modern regulations for public hydrotherapy and swimming pools has permitted serious deficiencies in pool maintenance, which are highlighted in this report. The most notable of these deficiencies was the presence of high levels of bacterial contamination that could predispose to infect in the water of one public hot tub. The results of this study indicate that the Virginia Board of Health sanitary code for pool water must be revised immediately and should include all public hydrotherapy and swimming pools. Other states and communities may want to assess their codes for swimming pools and hydrotherapy tubs to avoid deficiencies that could be detrimental to public health.

Bacteria↗
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Adaptive housing: remodeling considerations for the disabled.

The disabled are handicapped only to the extent that they are prevented from being normal. The process of normalization is hampered by physical barriers in the home that make life difficult for disabled persons. Staff can be trained to eliminate these architectural barriers in the home, focusing primarily on accessibility, the bathroom, the bedroom, and the kitchen. Completion of the barrier-free design of the home should provide a cost-effective means for improving the quality of life for disabled persons and their families.

Architectural Accessibility↗
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A system for adaptive transportation.

In our society, we take for granted the ability to travel with few restrictions. For most travelers, the major factor that limits travel is cost. However, for a significant number of Americans, the phrase "freedom to travel" is meaningless. These are the physically handicapped, a group with special needs that has long been denied what every American assumes to be a natural right.

Automobiles↗
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Biomechanical performance of devices that enhance joint extensibility in the behind-the-back reach test.

Several devices (flexible ladder, towel, cord) have been recommended for use in physical therapy to enhance the range of motion of the joints involved in the behind-the-back reach test. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical performance of these devices by measuring the maximum forces applied to the devices during the behind-the-back reach test. The performance of all of these devices during the behind-the-back reach test was remarkably similar.

Adult↗
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A new, improved flotation device for deep-water exercise.

The purpose of this study was to determine the position and size of flotation devices that permit deep-water exercise with the exerciser's thoracolumbar spine in a vertical position and without restriction of movement of the arms and legs. The buoyant force of the flotation device had to be at least 94.0 N to allow the exerciser to be suspended in water with the head above water. The position of the flotation devices had considerable influence on the thoracolumbar angle. When the large pad with a buoyant force of 55.0 N covered the lower abdominal wall and the small pad with a buoyant force at 39.0 N was located over the lower back, the exerciser's thoracolumbar spine assumed an almost vertical position. Anterior placement of the flotation devices resulted in marked extension of the thoracolumbar spine. Conversely, posterior placement of the buoyant devices resulted in flexion of the thoracolumbar spine. On the basis of these results, an ideal flotation device for deep-water exercise can now be developed.

Anthropometry↗
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Special considerations in the management of a patient with multiple sclerosis and a burn injury.

The purposes of this report were to describe a successful treatment of a burn injury in a patient with multiple sclerosis as well as to outline specific aspects of therapy that contributed to minimizing the risk of complications in this challenging patient. Multiple sclerosis is the leading cause of neurologic morbidity and death among young adults. It is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that involves the autonomic and somatic components and is characterized by a primary destruction of myelin. The demyelinated nerves exhibit an increased temperature sensitivity that accounts for the adverse effects of elevated core temperature on the neurologic signs and symptoms of this disease. Because burn injury, infection, and vigorous exercise elicit an elevation of core temperature with an accompanying deterioration in neurologic function, lowering the elevated core body temperature is mandatory. The dysautonomias of multiple sclerosis may be as devastating as their somatic counterparts and may have life-threatening implications. In recent years, advances in our understanding of the pathophysiology of central nervous system dysfunction have enabled physicians to improve dramatically the management of symptoms in multiple sclerosis without significantly altering the progressive long-term course of the disease.

Body Temperature↗
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Health risks to fire fighters.

Fire fighters work in varied and dangerous environments and face unique health hazards that increase their risk for line-of-duty injury and death. While working with sophisticated equipment within such environments, the fire fighter is exposed to high noise levels, changing thermal conditions, and hazardous breathing atmospheres. In addition, his or her protective equipment can impose limitations on efficiency and performance. These conditions have been related to specific physical performance requirements that will reduce line-of-duty injury, disability, and even death. Physical fitness and health maintenance programs that reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease and musculoskeletal injuries have been prescribed for fire fighters. These programs are essential components of any modern fire service.

Accidents, Occupational↗
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Aquatic access for the disabled.

Innovations in rehabilitation engineering can now provide aquatic access for the disabled. In the regional burn center, the Bodi-Gard cart shower system (Hospital Therapy Products, Inc., Wood Dale, Ill.) uses three flexible hoses to provide precise hydrotherapy and debridement. Its main mixing valve controls temperature and pressure and is easily disinfected by an in-line chamber. This shower system is complemented by the foldable Bodi-Gard mobile seat shower system (Hospital Therapy Products, Inc.). This system, which is covered by a disposable liner, surrounds the patient with eight water jets that empty into any floor drain. The Bather 2001 (Silcraft Corp., Traverse City, Mich.) is a fiberglass hydrotherapy bathtub with a unique Aqua-Seal door (Silcraft Corp.) that can be raised to provide patient access. Its unique closed-loop disinfection system prevents contamination of its internal components. The Nolan Tublift (Aquatic Access, Louisville, Ky.) is a lightweight, removable lift that uses water power to gently raise and lower its seat. It can be manually swiveled to allow access from a wheelchair. Transfer benches span the tub wall to provide access to the shower and bathtub. Although they are a less expensive alternative to the Tublift, they allow water to spill outside the tub, which may create a slippery bathroom floor. The Nolan Poolift (Guardian Products, Arleta, Calif.) is a water-powered pool lift, which automatically rotates as it descends. It is capable of lifting up to 135 kg with a home water pressure of 55 psi. In contrast, the water-powered Aquatic Access Poolift is a less expensive pool lift, which rotates manually with assistance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Baths↗
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Personal emergency response systems.

A personal response system is a signaling device that summons help during an emergency. Although personal response systems vary widely, there are three components. The first component is the electronic hardware in the home, which consists of portable and installed sensors and the control console. The second component is the emergency response center, which is either provider-based or manufacturer-based. The third component involves the dispatch of appropriate assistance. The primary users of personal response systems are women in their seventies and eighties who live alone and who have cardiac and musculoskeletal problems, which make them prone to falls. The frequency of personal response system use varies from an average of 0.44 to 0.84 emergencies per subscriber per year. Program coordinators believe that personal response systems help to delay institutionalization, reduce admissions to hospitals, substantially shorten hospital stays, and reduce the duration of home attendant services. The most favorable impact of the personal response system has been its psychologic value to the users and their families.

Aged↗
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A new compound curved needle for skin and skin-graft closure.

A new compound curved needle has been developed for skin and skin-graft closure from a unique stainless steel alloy, American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) 45500. This needle has a short, straight, sharpened point with a reverse cutting edge and a curved distal section. In spite of its geometry, it exhibits sharpness and resistance to bending and breakage similar to that of a needle with a single radius of curvature that is manufactured from the same alloy. The design of this new needle enables the surgeon to pass it through the skin with greater accuracy to a controlled depth and length of bite.

Burns↗
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Architectural barriers to persons with disabilities in businesses in an urban community.

It is the purpose of this study to determine the frequency of architectural barriers to persons with disabilities in businesses in a small urban community in central Virginia. The survey was conducted by a trained volunteer using a one-page checklist. Only 27% of the businesses had no architectural barriers to individuals with disabilities. The most common architectural barrier for individuals with disabilities was the interference with parking and entrance into the business (65%). Faced with these architectural barriers, all individuals are encouraged to identify the architectural barriers in businesses and to file letters of complaints to the Department of Justice requesting their removal.

Architectural Accessibility↗
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Adaptive clothing for persons with mobility disorders after burn injury.

Smart-looking clothes have been designed for wheelchair users. These clothes make dressing faster and easier, and the clothes fit better than the standard garments. The special features for new adaptive clothing for wheelchair users include easy handling fastenings, quick-access garment openings, conveniently placed pockets, custom-curved trousers, slacks, and jackets, custom-shaped dresses and skirts, ponchos or custom-made coats, easy-fit undergarments, and durable styled fabrics. These clothing adaptations are attractive and give the wearer and the observer the feeling that the person with the disability is not set apart by the clothing he or she wears.

Burns↗
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Adaptive air travel transportation systems for persons with disabilities.

The Air Carrier Access Act ensures that no air carrier may discriminate against persons with disabilities. This Act specifies rules and regulations that remove architectural barriers to persons with disabilities. Other important considerations in the comprehensive adaptive air travel system for persons with disabilities include (1) aircraft boarding environment, (2) boarding chairs, (3) collapsible aircraft wheelchairs, (4) aircraft stowage procedures for battery-powered wheelchairs, and (5) airport shuttle bus or van service. Educational curricula must be developed that describe the comprehensive operation of this system. Evaluation of the performance of the system for persons with disabilities is mandatory to ensure that persons with disabilities have the same level of services as those without disabilities.

Aircraft↗
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Innovations in the design and performance of underpads for patients with burns.

The purpose of this study was to determine the biomechanical performance of commercially available underpads and bed linens to reduce the development of pressure sores in patients with burns who are at high risk. The three biomechanical performance parameters examined were coefficient of friction, absorbent capacity, and rewet. Because wetting either cotton or cotton/polyester bedsheets markedly increases their coefficients of friction, underpads should be used routinely to protect the skin against frictional forces. One disposable underpad is ideally suited to protect the skin of the patient at high risk. It has a polyolefin backing with a low coefficient of friction that serves as an effective barrier to moisture transmission while still shifting easily with the patient's movement. In addition, it is the only underpad studied that contains a superabsorbent polymer that provides a far superior absorbent capacity and minimizes rewet. Wet-back is further inhibited by its thick intermediate tissue layer and its spunbonded polypropylene coverstock.

Absorption↗
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Recent advances in absorbent products for the incontinent patient with burns.

The purpose of this study is to describe the physical configuration of disposable and reusable absorbent products and relate composition and construction to efficacy in the management of urinary incontinence in patients with burn injuries. The basic structure of a wearable absorbent product consists of three layers: a fluid-impermeable backing sheet, a fluid-pervious coverstock on the body-contacting surface, and an interposed absorbent core. The biomechanical performance of these absorbent products was determined by measuring the total absorbent capacity, defined as the maximum amount of liquid held by the product as a whole. On the basis of the results of this study, absorbent products are recommended for the incontinent patient with burns.

Burns↗
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Corrosion of stainless steel pipes in a hydrotherapy pool by a silver-copper disinfection system.

The silver-copper disinfection system has been shown to be effective for water purification. It emits silver ions that combine with bacteria, causing their death. While disinfecting the water, these silver ions exhibit adverse effects on the stainless steel pipes in hydrotherapy pools. In an oxidation-reduction reaction the silver ions are converted into solid silver that is deposited on stainless steel, causing a corrosion reaction. The corroded steel has a black deposit that readily adheres to the burned patient's skin.

Burns↗
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Does the architectural design of burn centers comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act?

Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that hospitals and burn centers be designed and constructed so that all public and common-use areas are accessible. At least 10% of patient bedrooms and toilets must be accessible to persons with mobility disorders. The purpose of this study was to determine whether four hospitals with burn centers complied with Title III of the ADA. The burn centers agreed to participate in this study only if they were first assured anonymity, because of the Health Care Financing Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services requires that each hospital comply. With use of the ADA accessibility guidelines, we developed a survey instrument that was validated by a state government building inspector. This tool was used to inspect the burn center facility and common use areas in four hospitals with burn centers. In the four hospitals, numerous architectural barriers to persons with disabilities were noted. No burn center had a designated accessible room for persons with disabilities. The bedrooms, bathrooms, sinks, bathtubs, and toilets were not accessible to persons with disabilities. The common-use areas in the hospitals, in contrast, had few architectural barriers to persons with disabilities. Only one burn center had plans to eliminate architectural barriers in its hospital. Because the four hospitals with burn centers had numerous architectural barriers for persons with disabilities, it can be concluded they do not comply with Title III of the ADA and are subject to severe penalty from the Health Care Financing Administration and the U.S. Department of Justice.

Architectural Accessibility↗