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At least 343 records · Page 19Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

Heat conservation vs convective warming in adults undergoing elective surgery.

PURPOSE: To determine the relative efficacy of heat conservation and convective warming in maintaining perioperative normothermia, (central temperature > or = 36 degrees C). METHODS: Thirty-seven patients undergoing elective gynaecological, orthopaedic, or general surgery scheduled to last two hours were prospectively studied. Patients were randomized to one of two groups. Group 1 patients received heat conservation with reflective blankets (Thermadrape, Vital Signs, Inc., Totowa, NJ) applied preoperatively and warmed i.v. fluids (Hotline SIMS Level I Technologies, Inc, Rockland, MA), Group 2 patients received convective warming (BairHugger, Augustine Medical Inc., Eden Prairie, MN) after induction of anaesthesia and i.v. fluids at room temperature. All patients received general anaesthesia with isoflurane. Tympanic membrane and forearm-fingertip skin temperature gradients were measured perioperatively at 15 min intervals. RESULTS: Central temperature decreased after induction to a minimum level of 35.9 +/- 0.1 degrees C in group 1 and 36.0 +/- 0.1 degrees C in group 2 and then increased towards pre-induction values in group 2, and were higher (P < 0.05) than in group 1: 95% group 2 patients had central temperature > or = 36.0 degrees C at the end of surgery (vs 69% of group 1, P < 0.05). During the first 30 min in PACU, central temperatures were higher in group 1 than in group 2 (36.8 +/- 0.1 degrees C vs 36.2 +/- 0.2 degrees C, P < 0.05). After 60 min, central temperatures were similar (36.8 degrees C). The incidence of shivering and degree of peripheral cutaneous vasoconstriction were also similar. CONCLUSION: Patients receiving convective warming were more likely to leave the operating room normothermic, and had higher central temperatures during the first 30 min in the recovery room. The intergroup temperature differences were small, and by 60 min, had disappeared.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

A systems overview of the Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community-Based Epidemics (ESSENCE II).

The Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community-Based Epidemics, or ESSENCE II, uses syndromic and nontraditional health information to provide very early warning of abnormal health conditions in the National Capital Area (NCA). ESSENCE II is being developed for the Department of Defense Global Emerging Infections System and is the only known system to combine both military and civilian health care information for daily outbreak surveillance. The National Capital Area has a complicated, multijurisdictional structure that makes data sharing and integrated regional surveillance challenging. However, the strong military presence in all jurisdictions facilitates the collection of health care information across the region. ESSENCE II integrates clinical and nonclinical human behavior indicators as a means of identifying the abnormality as close to the time of onset of symptoms as possible. Clinical data sets include emergency room syndromes, private practice billing codes grouped into syndromes, and veterinary syndromes. Nonclinical data include absenteeism, nurse hotline calls, prescription medications, and over-the-counter self-medications. Correctly using information marked by varying degrees of uncertainty is one of the more challenging aspects of this program. The data (without personal identifiers) are captured in an electronic format, encrypted, archived, and processed at a secure facility. Aggregated information is then provided to users on secure Web sites. When completed, the system will provide automated capture, archiving, processing, and notification of abnormalities to epidemiologists and analysts. Outbreak detection methods currently include temporal and spatial variations of odds ratios, autoregressive modeling, cumulative summation, matched filter, and scan statistics. Integration of nonuniform data is needed to increase sensitivity and thus enable the earliest notification possible. The performance of various detection techniques was compared using results obtained from the ESSENCE II system.

Bioterrorism↗
PubMed2007

[Quality management: reduced waiting time and enhanced efficiency in a university ear, nose, and throat outpatient department].

BACKGROUND: The introduction of Diagnosis-Related Groups, which standardize payment for each clinical service, entails keeping the inpatient treatment as short as possible. Thus outpatient treatment is gaining in importance. To cope with this change, organizational and structural modifications of clinic routine are necessary. METHODS: In the ear, nose, and throat outpatient clinic of Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany, a hotline was established that allows patients to make appointments and get advice based on quality management guidelines according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2000. The development of this project is described here step by step, from planning to inclusion in the daily clinic routine. RESULTS: Patient visits became more effective despite increasing demand. This resulted in high satisfaction of patients and clinic personnel alike. CONCLUSION: This model may contribute considerably to coping with the increasing demand for clinic appointments and to optimal use of a clinic's human resources.

Academic Medical Centers↗
PubMed1995

Mandated training of professionals: a means for improving reporting of suspected child abuse.

Professionals who are legally required to report suspicions of child abuse and neglect to a child abuse hotline often do not do so. In 1988 the New York State Legislature passed a law requiring professionals to take a 2-hour course called Identification and Reporting Child Abuse and Maltreatment as a prerequisite for licensure. New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children has provided this training for more than 2,500 physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, teachers, and other professionals. A question affecting training content and quality, as well as policy decisions by child welfare professionals, remains: whether failure to report is founded in professionals' ignorance of the law and procedures involved in reporting or in their inability to recognize indicators of child abuse and neglect. NYSPCC conducted a survey of 1,368 course participants to determine the extent to which information in the course was new to them. Results indicated that substantial numbers of professionals were not aware of indicators of abuse; nevertheless all professionals were more knowledgeable about abuse than they were about legal obligations and procedures for reporting. A surprising finding was that teachers were no more knowledgeable about indicators of abuse than were other professionals, though most abused children are of school age. These and other results strongly supported the need to train professionals about indicators of child abuse and about how to report them.

Child↗
PubMed1986

A cluster-analytic classification of smoking relapse episodes.

Using reports of relapse crises collected through a relapse prevention hotline, this paper develops a taxonomy of relapse situations. Cluster analysis resulted in four clusters. Social situations are characterized by social drinking and exposure to smoking. Relaxation situations are marked by relaxation, usually after a meal. Work situations take place during work when the exsmoker is feeling anxious. Upset situations occur when the exsmoker is feeling anxious or depressed while home alone. These situations were significantly discriminated by their scores on the McKennel Smoking Motivation Scales, suggesting a connection between smoking patterns and relapse. Behavioral coping was less likely and relapse more likely in social and upset situations. The frequency of coping accounted for the higher relapse rates in Upset, but not in social situations. Relapse was nearly inevitable among people who failed to cope behaviorally in social situations, suggesting that they are especially tempting.

Affective Symptoms↗
PubMed1989

Efficacy of a minimal contact version of a multimodal smoking cessation program.

A five-week multimodal smoking cessation program was delivered in two formats: Weekly Contact Group meetings led by graduate student leaders versus a minimal contact By-Mail version consisting of weekly mailings of program materials. By-Mail subjects also had access to a "hotline" number they could call with questions and problems. Of 43 smokers who began the Contact Group program, 37% were abstinent at one-year follow-ups; 41% of the 49 By-Mail subjects were abstinent at one year. These results suggest that cost effective minimal contact cessation programs can benefit the many smokers who are unwilling or unable to visit cessation clinics.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Successful treatment of an episode of malignant hyperthermia using a large dose of dantrolene.

This clinical case report describes the use of extremely high doses of dantrolene in the management of an episode of malignant hyperthermia (MH). A 6-year-old, 25 kg girl underwent anesthetic induction with halothane for an elective inguinal herniorrhaphy. Tachydysrhythmias, laryngospasm, opisthotonos, rhabdomyolysis, and profound metabolic acidosis ensued as features of an MH crisis. Initial dantrolene administration did not alleviate the symptoms. Increasing doses of dantrolene eventually totaling 42 mg/kg, along with symptomatic supportive care, were administered successfully to treat the event. It is postulated that the severe muscle rigidity may have precluded the circulation of dantrolene to its site of action. The role of the Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States (MHAUS) Hotline as a 24-hour consultative service is noted.

Anesthesia, Inhalation↗
PubMed2004

Economic evaluation of a compliance-enhancing intervention in patients with hypercholesterolemia: design and baseline results of the Open Label Primary Care Study: Rosuvastatin Based Compliance Initiatives To Achievements of LDL Goals (ORBITAL) study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies investigating the effectiveness of compliance programs in patients with cardiovascular risk factors have been inconclusive and have not included economic analyses. The primary aim of this Open Label Primary Care Study: Rosuvastatin Based Compliance Initiatives To Achievements of LDL Goals (ORBITAL) study is to determine the long-term cost-effectiveness of a compliance-enhancing intervention in patients with hypercholesterolemia (HC). Secondary objectives include the assessment of compliance, cardiovascular events, and health-related quality of life. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 7598 patients (56% men, age 60 +/- 10 years, and 44% women, 64 +/- 10 years) with HC requiring statin therapy according to the Second Joint European Guidelines were recruited at presentation to 1961 primary care physicians in Germany. Patients were randomized to rosuvastatin therapy with or without a compliance-enhancing program (including standardized contacts between the study center and patients, 9 mailings, 6 telephone calls, and access to a Web page and hotline) for 12 months. Following the intervention phase, there will be a 24-month observational period with patients receiving usual care. Baseline and 6-monthly follow-up assessments are to be obtained from patients and their physicians using standardized questionnaires to evaluate medical and economic parameters. Cumulative direct and indirect disease-related costs (including resource utilization for ambulatory, hospital, rehabilitative, and nursing care, medication, physiotherapy, and transportation, and loss of productivity) will be compared applying a societal perspective. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this ORBITAL study will provide a basis to develop cost-effective compliance strategies and eventually improve medical care for patients with HC.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

[Regional anaesthesia for labor adn delivery in a parturient with neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy (tomaculous neuropathy)].

Tomaculous neuropathy (or hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy [HNLPP]) is a rare and hereditary disease which incidence has probably been underestimated. It is characterised by demyelination resulting in numbness and weakness after nerve pressure, injury or stretch. Despite a well-documented genetic pathophysiologic mechanism, implications for anaesthesia in patients with HNLPP are only speculative and the use of regional anaesthesia is debatable. We report here the case of a patient with HNLPP who was followed during two consecutive pregnancies in the same hospital and for whom an expert of the SOS-RA hotline service was consulted before each delivery. For the first delivery, epidural analgesia was performed for labour pain control but a caesarean section was necessary because of failure to progress (0.0625% bupivacaine with 0.2 microg/ml sufentanil for labour then 2% lidocaine with adrenaline for surgery). Two years later, the patient was again seen for a preanaesthetic visit because elective Caesarean section was planned. Spinal anaesthesia using hyperbaric bupivacaine and sufentanil was used. Both deliveries were uneventful and there were no neurologic complaints in the postpartum periods.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

A multicenter disease management program for hospitalized patients with heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Despite the availability of proven therapies, outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) remain poor. In this 2-stage, multicenter trial, we evaluated the effect of a disease management program on clinical and economic outcomes in patients with HF. METHODS AND RESULTS: In Stage 1, a pharmacist or nurse assessed each patient and made recommendations to the physician to add or adjust angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and other HF medications. Before discharge (Stage 2), patients were randomized to a patient support program (PSP) (education about HF, self-monitoring, adherence aids, newsletters, telephone hotline, and follow-up at 2 weeks, then monthly for 6 months after discharge) or usual care. In Stage 1 (766 patients) ACE inhibitor use increased from 58% on admission to 83% at discharge (P < .0001), and the daily dose (in enalapril equivalents) increased from 11.3 +/- 8.8 mg to 14.5 +/- 8.8 mg (P < .0001). In Stage 2 (276 patients) there was no difference in ACE inhibitor adherence, but a reduction in cardiovascular-related emergency room visits (49 versus 20, P = .030), hospitalization days (812 versus 341, P = .003), and cost of care (2,531 Canadian dollars less per patient) in favor of the PSP. CONCLUSION: Simple interventions can improve ACE inhibitor use and patient outcomes.

Aged↗
PubMed2004

The evaluation and management of patients with neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

NMS is a rare but fatal syndrome that needs to be considered in the perioperative period. Although many aspects remain unexplored and controversial, with greater awareness of the condition, new concepts are coming into light. Definitive treatment guidelines remain an important issue to be addressed. Efforts have been initiated in that direction and all cases can be reported on a toll-free hotline ( 1-888-667-8367) or online (www.nmsis.org).

Antipsychotic Agents↗
PubMed2004

Poison control services in China.

The following aspects are discussed: the public health problems of acute poisoning in China in recent years; the characteristics of acute poisoning; the negative effects of poison cases on the society and economy. The four stages of development of a poison control system in China are: (1) clinical hospital as the only facility used for detoxification; (2) institutes and hospitals of occupational medicine got involved in the program; (3) the traditional model of poison control changed to the modern National Poison Control Center (NPCC), and its network got established and it began to play a key role; (4) establishment of a multi-disciplinary network for dealing with emergencies in which chemical poison control is an important component. Introduction of the operations of the NPCC: the functions of the center are a 24h hotline service, clinical consultants service, poison identification and diagnosis, laboratory analysis, education for public, training for physicians, coordination of antidotes, and the development of a network of poison control centers for dealing with chemical emergencies. The work practice and achievement of NPCC and its network in the field of poison control during the last 3 years is discussed. Lessons from SARS infection: to extend the network, to strengthen multi-disciplinary cooperation, enhance communication between centers, to pay attention to capacity building, to improve reporting systems, and to share resources.

China↗
PubMed2002

Emergency contraception in Mexico City: knowledge, attitudes, and practices among providers and potential clients after a 3-year introduction effort.

Emergency contraception (EC) has the potential to reduce unwanted pregnancy significantly, in Mexico as elsewhere. Recent years have seen tremendous growth in programs and research devoted to expanding access to emergency methods worldwide. In Mexico City, we conducted a pre-intervention/post-intervention research study of one way to introduce EC. Following a baseline survey of family planning providers and clients in 1997, we organized and implemented a three-year program of training for health care providers and a multi-faceted information campaign for the general public, including a national toll-free hotline and website. In 2000, we again surveyed family planning clinic providers and clients, using instruments similar to those employed in the baseline study. EC awareness increased significantly from 13% of clients to 32%, and support jumped from 73% to 83%. Providers at study clinics improved method recognition from 88% to 100%.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

Information campaign and advocacy efforts to promote access to emergency contraception in Mexico.

Emergency contraception (EC) has the potential to reduce unwanted pregnancy significantly, in Mexico as elsewhere. Recent years have seen tremendous growth in programs and research devoted to expanding access to emergency methods worldwide. In Mexico we developed a comprehensive model introduction effort that included four components: provider training, public information (through a dedicated hotline and website, free media, paid radio and TV spots, participation in talk shows, and alternative media channels), collaboration with the public sector to include EC in the official family planning norms, and assistance to partner with commercial firms to register a dedicated EC product. Ongoing efforts to combat misperceptions and overcome opposition are crucial to informing the public and ensuring greater access to the method.

Advertising↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Programmes against depression].

BACKGROUND: Depressive disorders represent a major public health concern, regarding their high frequency and their important cost. Depression impair the quality of life more than any other disease, sometimes leading to suicidal ideas or behavior. Indeed, 50% of patients with severe major depression commit suicide. Numerous studies showed that depressive disorders are frequently not recognised, and regularly untreated. In France, where at least 3 millions of inhabitants are concerned, 38% of depressed patients are not using any health system. When they are asking for care, the majority of depressed patients visit their general practitioner (51%), whereas less than 10% visit a psychiatrist. Even when the diagnostic is correct, the treatment prescribed is not systematically relevant. The treatment is, for example, frequently proposed for a too short period, and sometimes the prescribed product does not have proven antidepressive efficacy. Furthermore, as incorrect informations are frequently given to patients, and as there is a general biased judgement about psychotropic drugs in the general population, the compliance is usually poor for antidepressive treatment. Therefore, only a small minority of depressed patients benefits from an adequate care. Public health information methodological asserts. To improve this situation, delivering simple and clear-cut recommendations cannot be considered as sufficiently effective, and public health interventions are required. Different programs improving the recognition of depressive disorders have already been tested in some countries with encouraging results. These programs are based on information campaigns given to the public, and the training of general practitioners about the management of depressive disorders. The "Defeat Depression" campaign in Great-Britain and the "National Depression Screening Day" in the United-States of America may represent informative examples. Restricting these programs to general practitioners only is frequently criticized, as this may reduce efficacy. A multilevel approach is crucial for the success of action programmes against depression, because synergistic effects can be expected. In Germany, the "Nürnberger Bündnis gegen Depression" project was based on four levels, and effectively reduced the suicide rate. These levels of action included "cooperation with GPs", such as training sessions based on video, and presence of a phone hotline, "public relations activities", "training sessions for multipliers", such as priests, social workers and media, and "special offers for high risk groups and self-help activities". In France, such a program is clearly required.

Antidepressive Agents↗
PubMed2004

A randomized study of the safety of outpatient care for patients with bleeding peptic ulcer treated by endoscopic injection.

BACKGROUND: Outpatient management is safe for patients with non-variceal upper-GI bleeding who are at low risk of recurrent bleeding and death. However, outpatient care cannot be offered to many patients because of the presence of risk factors (severe comorbid disorders, major endoscopic stigmata of bleeding, significant hemorrhage). The present study assessed the safety of outpatient management for selected high-risk patients with bleeding peptic ulcer. METHODS: Patients hospitalized with upper-GI bleeding because of peptic ulcer with a non-bleeding vessel were eligible for inclusion in the study. Inclusion criteria were the following: ulcer size less than 15 mm, absence of hypovolemia, no associated severe disease, and appropriate family support. After endoscopic therapy (injection of epinephrine and polidocanol), patients were randomized to outpatient or hospital care. Patients remained in the emergency ward for a minimum of 6 hours before discharge, during which time omeprazole was administered intravenously. Outpatients were contacted by telephone daily during the first 3 days; a 24-hour telephone hotline was provided for any queries. For both groups, outpatient visits were scheduled at 7 to 10 and 30 days after discharge. RESULTS: A total of 82 patients were included: 40 were randomized to outpatient care and 42 to hospital care. Clinical and endoscopic variables were similar in both groups. The rate of recurrent bleeding was similar in both groups (4.8% outpatient, 5% hospital). There was no morbidity or mortality in either group at 30 days. Seven patients (17%) randomized to outpatient care received blood transfusion compared with 14 (38%) in the hospital care group (p=0.06). Mean cost of care per patient was significantly lower for the outpatient vs. the hospital group (970 US dollars vs. 1595 US dollars; p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Selected patients with bleeding peptic ulcer can be safely managed as outpatients after endoscopic therapy. This policy conserves health care resources without compromising standards of care.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Current treatment of unresectable lung cancer.

The treatment of choice for most cases of non-small-cell lung cancer is surgical resection; however, which patients with stage IIIA disease are surgical candidates is debatable. For many patients with stage IIIA or IIIB disease, the preferred modality is thoracic radiotherapy. In several randomized prospective trials, the addition of chemotherapy to thoracic radiotherapy produced a significant but clinically small survival advantage over radiotherapy alone. For patients with stage IV lung cancer, no curative treatment or "standard therapy" is available. Accordingly, many patients are offered investigational agents in phase I or II clinical trials. Small-cell lung cancer has a 60 to 90% rate of initial response to available chemotherapeutic agents. Patients with limited disease are generally given combination chemotherapy and thoracic radiotherapy, approximately 50% of whom have a complete clinical remission. Patients with extensive disease (spread beyond one radiation port) also have a high rate of initial response to chemotherapy, but only 20 to 40% have a complete remission and few survive for 5 years. New agents are being tested in previously untreated patients with extensive small-cell lung cancer. Promising new chemotherapeutic agents for lung cancer are being studied in clinical trials. Currently, only 1% of patients with lung cancer in the United States are enrolled in prospective clinical trials. Primary-care physicians are urged to encourage their patients to consider participation in approved prospective clinical trials at reputable medical centers, in an effort to discover new, effective agents with novel mechanisms of action. Information about such studies is available through Physician Desk Query (PDQ) or the cancer hotline (1-800-4-CANCER).

Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung↗
PubMed1995

Evaluation of four methods of warming intravenous fluids.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare four methods of warming intravenous fluid (IVF) with a control of unwarmed IVF at flow rates of 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 ml/hr. DESIGN: A 5 x 5 factorial experimental design was used to evaluate the methods of warming IVF and the control at varied flow rates. METHODS: The methods of warming IVF in this study included the following: (1) the Level 1 System 250 fluid warmer with D-60HL tubing (Level 1 Technologies, Inc., Rockland, Mass.); (2) the Level 1 System 250 fluid warmer with D-50 tubing (Level 1 Technologies, Inc.); (3) the Hotline fluid warmer with L-70 tubing (Level 1 Technologies, Inc.); and (4) the Baxter DW 1000 D blood fluid warmer with blood cuff set tubing (Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Valencia, Calif.). The IVF temperatures were measured with thermocouples at three points: (1) in the intravenous solution bag, (2) in the tubing after the infusion pump, and (3) 2 cm proximal to the end of the tubing. Ambient temperature and the temperature at the three measurement points were recorded when the temperature at the point 2 cm proximal to the end of the tubing was stable for 3 minutes. RESULTS: With single-lumen tubing, fluids flowing at low rates (e.g., 200 ml/hr) were barely warm at the end of the tubing. In contrast, fluid warmed with triple-lumen technology was consistently kept warm throughout the tubing.

Clinical Nursing Research↗