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Biomedical subjects

R Mrvos

Publications and source records attributed to R Mrvos.

24 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Quality assurance: how it can help a poison information center.

Quality assurance (QA) has become a benchmark program for health care in the 1980's. We have developed and implemented an innovative poison information center (PIC) QA program which includes: a peer review system of the PIC's medical records; a detailed routing system of medical records that allows for immediate access to cases involving business and industry accounts, on-going research, hospitalization, etc; and a standardized list of abbreviations for documentation of PIC medical records. The program additionally provides secondary gains of improving internal communications between the PIC staff and provides an excellent source of professional continuing education relative to poison management. QA is an essential program for all PIC's.

Medical Records↗
PubMed1988

A poison center's emergency response plan.

Over 30 major chemical accidents have occurred in the tri-state area during the last decade. A recent incident involved a train which was carrying at least 5 toxic chemicals and was derailed in a heavily populated area causing 20,000 residents to be evacuated from their homes twice in 24 hr. In a 30-hr period over 900 calls were received at the poison center and approximately 80 people were examined at local health care facilities and treated for symptoms of toxic fume inhalation. This incident prompted the poison center to evaluate our emergency response capabilities. A strategy was developed to enable the poison center to deal with an increased call volume rapidly and effectively. Our Emergency Response Plan includes a chain of command for notification in the event of an anticipated increase in call volume; delineated responsibilities for medical, administrative, and professional staff members; designation of phone lines for incoming and outgoing calls; and a means of documenting both poison exposures and inquiries regarding the chemicals. So that staff members may report to the center without delay, child care provisions are also included. The development of the Emergency Response Plan, potential applications, and a synopsis of the aforementioned chemical spill will be discussed in detail.

Emergencies↗
PubMed1987

High pressure injection injuries: a serious occupational hazard.

High pressure injection equipment such as airless paint sprayers, high pressure grease guns, and fuel injection apparatus constitute a serious safety hazard resulting in significant morbidity. These devices are capable of delivering contaminants such as paint, solvents, and grease at pressures ranging from 600-12,000 psi. This allows the substance to penetrate through a minute skin wound and to spread widely through fascial planes and tendon sheaths and to produce significant vascular compression and systemic toxicity. High pressure injection injuries frequently result in amputation. Fifty-five suspected high pressure injection injury cases were evaluated. Twenty were determined to be actual injection injuries from equipment producing pressures in the range of 1,500-12,000 psi. The injected contaminants included latex paint, mineral spirits, and concrete sealer. Fourteen injuries involved digits. Digital amputation was necessary in three patients. Hospital admissions averaged 6.5 days. Successful management of these cases involves awareness of the impending problem and rapid referral of the patient to an emergency department and to a competent orthopedic or plastic surgeon.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1986

An extensive review of commercial product labels the good, bad and ugly.

Cautions and warnings on consumer products play an important role in the prevention and treatment of poison exposures. Frequently those exposed will follow the directions before calling the poison center, physician or emergency room. An extensive label review of 200 commercial products was conducted to determine if medical treatment advice was correct, if the general public was able to comprehend warning statements, and if warnings were adequate. We conclude there are products available that provide precise, correct information. However, there are many that contain incorrect, misleading, and often dangerous information to an unsuspecting public. Various examples of both types are given to make the poison information specialist aware of what information is presented.

Drug Labeling↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Acute phenolphthalein ingestion in children. A retrospective review.

The Patient Management Exchange for this edition of the Journal features a research study on phenolphthalein ingestion done at the Pittsburgh Poison Center. The purpose of selecting this article was twofold. First, the material presented about the management of phenolphthalein ingestion in children is valuable information for health care practitioners working in ambulatory settings. Second, this work is an excellent illustration of how research can be incorporated into one's clinical practice. This study also demonstrates that research does not always involve a long and cumbersome process. Instead, research can evolve from the need of health care professionals to answer a simple question that is raised about a particular aspect of their patient practice.

Charcoal↗