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Biomedical subjects

R F Edlich

Publications and source records attributed to R F Edlich.

498 records · Page 28Linked to original sources

A new porous cohesive support bandage.

A new support bandage has been developed that is cohesive, sticking only to itself without adhering to the skin. It is warpknit product, impregnated with an acrylic compound, that consists of individual panels connected by a hinge stitch. It exhibits moderate extensibility under low loads which allows the health professional to apply the bandage so that it gives firm support to the underlying tissue without constriction. Its macroporous structure permits sufficient water vapor transmission to allow the underlying skin and/or wound to remain dry.

Adhesiveness↗

Bioengineering principles of hydrotherapy.

Hydrotherapy is based on several important bioengineering principles that permit the design and development of aquatic exercise devices, techniques and programs. These principles involve several forces (buoyancy, drag, inertia), hydrostatic pressure and the specific heat of water. By acquiring a knowledge of these bioengineering principles, an individualized exercise program can be prescribed that will enhance physical fitness which is associated with desirable psychological changes.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗

Guidelines for supervised wound care by emergency nurse practitioners.

Nearly 10 million patients with traumatic lacerations are treated annually in Emergency Departments in the United States. Since these wounds do not usually pose a threat to the patient's life, they assume a lower level of priority than emergent conditions. Consequently, treatment of patients with lacerations is often delayed until the emergent patient is resuscitated. In the event that wound care is inadvertently delayed, bacteria may proliferate to levels that result in infection. In selected patients, supervised wound care by an emergency nurse practitioner (ENP) can safely eliminate this delay in treatment. During their graduate training in the University of Virginia Nursing School, the ENPs are instructed to treat traumatic wounds with physician supervision. The criteria for patient selection and care are outlined in comprehensive guidelines reported herein. The bases for these treatment guidelines were clinical and experimental studies conducted at our medical center which examined the influence of various therapeutic decisions on the ultimate fate of the wound.

Asepsis↗

Tasks of bereavement for burn center staffs.

Considerable research and theoretic work is reviewed to identify the major tasks of the grieving process. These tasks are diffusing the emotional energy of loss, reknitting the social fabric, and forming a new relationship with the deceased. A narrative approach to understanding human experiences is outlined, and specific application is given to the grieving process. Through the use of a narrative report of the death of twins in a hospital burn unit, the tasks of grieving are applied to professionals who work with patients with burns. Finally, practical suggestions for help with the tasks of grieving in a burn center are offered.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Americans With Disabilities Act.

The Americans with Disabilities Act gives all Americans with disabilities a chance to achieve the same quality of life that individuals without disabilities enjoy. This act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disabilities in employment, public services, privately operated public accommodations, services, and telecommunications. The Americans with Disabilities Act is divided into five titles. Title I of the act pertains to discrimination against the disabled in the workplace. Title II prevents discrimination against persons with a disability in state and local government services. Title III prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in places of public accommodations and commercial facilities. Title IV ensures that companies offering telephone services to the general public provide special services for individuals with hearing and speech impairments. Under the enforcement provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, stringent penalties will be implemented for failure to comply with its provisions.

Commerce↗

Technical considerations in the selection and performance of walkers.

The walker is a mobility aid that provides a portable base of support. People of all ages use different kinds of walkers for a variety of reasons. With the correct walker, many people stroll along at the same pace as their companion. Today, walkers are available in a variety of styles and colors and have numerous accessories. It is the purpose of this article to describe the various types and models of walkers and accessories that are available. Our goal is not to recommend or rate the walkers but to help you find the right walker. The ultimate selection of a walker will depend on a cooperative effort between the physiatrist, physical therapist, and medical equipment supplier. Before you purchase a walker you should test it out to decide if it is the right one for you. The physical therapist who supplies your walker should adjust for your height and should check the physical fit of the equipment. Moreover, the physical therapist should demonstrate the proper gait for walking. During the past few years radical changes have occurred in the design and style of walkers. We expect this trend to continue with more attractive, easier-to-use products to be introduced regularly. If you think that your walker is outdated and is not adapting to your lifestyle, talk with your physiatrist regarding alternatives. Today, walkers are as different as their users. Find the best one for you by taking a test walk in your home and community.

Equipment Design↗

The evolution of functional endoscopic sinus surgery in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

This is the largest retrospective analysis of sinus surgery ever reported involving 5,860 surgical as well as 6,769 diagnostic sinus procedures during a six year period, 1988-1993. During this time interval, the frequency of endoscopic procedures has increased dramatically. Because of the increased frequency of this procedure, we see the need for strict definition of the clinical indications for surgery for patients with chronic or acute sinusitis. In addition, the number of open procedures, namely the Caldwell-Luc procedure, as a treatment for sinusitis remained relatively constant despite the frequent use of endoscopic technique. Because of the endoscopic surgery's increased acceptance and advantages over the open surgical technique, we emphasize the need for continuing educational programs to train surgeons to perform the endoscopic procedure or referral of the patient to an otolaryngologist experienced in this technique.

Adult↗

Trends in temporomandibular joint surgery.

We examined a large population of patients undergoing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgery and provide a documentation of the average patient population, frequency of procedures, frequency of repeat procedures, and trends in open (arthrotomy) versus closed (arthroscopy) TMJ surgery. Data on 194 TMJ surgical procedures was extracted from line item claims information collected by Trigon Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Virginia. The frequency of arthroscopy increased during the study, while the incidence of arthrotomies remained relatively low. Approximately half of the hospitals statewide did not perform either procedure. There was a low frequency (3%) of repeat procedures. In the Commonwealth of Virginia, since the advent of TMJ arthroscopy, it has become the preferred surgical technique for treatment of internal derangement. There is a low incidence of repeat procedures for both types of treatment. Analysis of insurance carrier computer records is a valid technique for evaluating trends in surgical care.

Adolescent↗

Evaluation of VoiceType Dictation for Windows for the radiologist.

The accuracy of the radiology vocabulary domain of the IBM VoiceType Dictation for Windows speech recognition system for use in a clinical setting was evaluated. Six men and one woman dictated a case report under several conditions. The impact of vocabulary domain, microphone position, personal enrollment, and background noise were assessed. The dictations were exported to Microsoft Word 6.0, printed, and graded for accuracy. The data were expressed as a percentage correct. The enrollment and training processes took an average of 5 hours to complete. The accuracy of VoiceType Dictation was significantly reduced by speech volume and background noise level so that it could not be used to dictate clinical information accurately in a hospital setting. Although IBM's VoiceType Dictation with the radiology vocabulary domain has improved speech recognition, it is not a reliable dictation system for accurate and efficient clinical dictation in a hospital setting.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗

Evaluation of a new external condom catheter system.

The purpose of this study was to perform a biomechanical performance study and a clinical trial on a new external condom catheter system. The biomechanical performance study demonstrated that the vented connector failed following exposure to urine for 14 days. In addition, angulation of the inlet adapter of anti-reflux valve of the urinary leg bag to an angle of 35 degrees (+/-5 degrees) caused complete obstruction of urinary flow. A clinical trial of the new condom catheter with its inner flap revealed twisting of the catheter that interrupted urinary flow in four of ten patients. This catheter twisting was not observed in condom catheters without inner flaps. Furthermore, this new system is not easily applied or removed by patients with neurosensory deficits or musculoskeletal weakness. Design modifications of the vent within the connection tubing, the anti-reflux valve in the collection bag, the condom catheter with its inner flap, as well as the leg bag attachments should remarkably improve the performance of this new urinary drainage system.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗