Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to T Cowan.
The range of pressure support systems is constantly increasing. Accurate assessment will assist the selection process. Practical considerations and cost implications must also be taken into account when selecting a product.
Blood glucose monitoring can enable people to control their diabetes. People with diabetes will be motivated to continue monitoring only if it is seen to be effective. Patient education will significantly influence people's attitude to blood glucose monitoring, and must reflect individual needs and circumstances.
Current regulations recommend that manual lifting should be avoided whenever possible. An ergonomic approach, based on full risk assessment and the use of moving and handling aids, will significantly reduce the risk of back strain and musculoskeletal injury. Ongoing training is required on manual handling techniques and equipment.
Pulse oximetry is a reliable and non-invasive method of measuring oxygen saturation. An understanding of the principles of operation is required to ensure its effective use. It is important to check the patient's history to ensure there are no factors which may cause monitoring problems.
Chair-bound patients are significantly at risk of developing pressure sores. Little comparative research has been undertaken on pressure-relief seating. An understanding of a patient's requirements for pressure-relief seating will help when selecting products from the huge range available.
A wide range of compression hosiery is available for a range of conditions. Involving patients in the selection process will help ensure that the chosen product is suited to the individual's needs and preferences. Accurate measurement is required for a good fit and comfort.
Disinfectants should be used only to decontaminate heat-sensitive medical equipment. A COSHH risk assessment is required to ensure the safe use of disinfectants. Equipment and processing manufacturers should be consulted before using any of the alternatives to glutaraldehyde.
PCA is associated with a reduced length of hospital stay and savings in nursing time and resources. Pre-operative patient education is required for the successful use of PCA. Regular patient and equipment monitoring is vital to ensure effective pain relief.
OBJECTIVES: To compare the demographic characteristics of patients who miss appointments with those who do not and to identify subgroups who would benefit from specific interventions for improving attendance. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of an 18-month period. SETTING: An urban primary care practice. PATIENTS: A random sample (N = 477) of patients who were seen at least twice during the study period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Number of missed visits and kept visits, insurer, age, sex, race, ZIP code, and diagnoses. RESULTS: Of the established patients, 48% missed 1 or more visits. Patients in managed care programs, private and Medicaid, were likely to have missed more visits during the study period than those not in managed care programs (P < .001). Medicaid managed care patients had also scheduled more visits. Significantly higher rates of missed appointments were found in patients aged 19 to 35 years (P = .02), blacks (P < .001), patients in Medicaid managed care programs (P < .001), and patients who scheduled more visits (P < .001). After adjusting for age, race, and sex, Medicaid managed care insurance remained a significant (P < .01) predictor of rate of missed appointments. CONCLUSIONS: Patients in managed care programs missed more appointments. Patients in Medicaid managed care programs scheduled more appointments and had higher rates of missed appointments than their counterparts in other insurance groups.
The need for effective pressure support systems is often overlooked in the community. Through patient assessment is required for the selection of pressure-reducing aids. Patients should be involved in the selection process, and any equipment chosen must be suitable for the home environment.
A wide range of nebulisers is available for the treatment of various types of respiratory disease. Patient information is required on assembling the nebuliser and inhalation technique. Servicing and maintenance requirements are often overlooked by both patients and nurses.
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Quantitation of human immunoglobulin G (IgG) and albumin by agarose electroimmunodiffusion is influenced by the incorporation of ionic and nonionic detergents in the gel. The highest concentrations of each detergent at which human IgG and albumin determinations could be performed without perturbing the quantitations were 4% Triton X-100, 4% Tween 80, 1% NP-40, 0.5% sodium deoxycholate (SDOC), 0.5% Zwittergent, and 0.1% sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and mixtures of Triton X-100, SDOC, and SDS. These detergent combinations all resulted in greater perturbations of albumin quantitation than of IgG. Immunoprecipitation of human IgG was quantitated in the absence and presence of Triton X-100, Zwittergent, and SDS. SDS was shown to cause nonspecific precipitation, whereas below 1% Triton X-100 or 0.5% Zwittergent no effects upon the immunoprecipitations were observed.