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The efficacy and safety of blood sampling through peripherally inserted central catheter devices in children.

BACKGROUND: The peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) is commonly used in children for medication and fluid administration. In addition, PICCs are used occasionally for blood sampling as an alternative to venipuncture. Blood sampling from these catheters carries the hypothetical risk of catheter occlusion caused by blood remaining in the catheter, and this practice is not supported by PICC manufacturers. Children often undergo multiple needle punctures, which are associated with pain, anxiety, and dissatisfaction with care. The authors hypothesized that blood sampling through 3-Fr PICC devices is effective and safe for children. METHODS: After placement of a 3-Fr PICC, all the children were sequentially enrolled in one of two groups. The control group included patients that had 3-Fr PICC devices without blood sampling. The blood sampling group included patients with 3-Fr PICC devices through which blood samples were obtained. Demographic data, PICC placement and sampling data, infusate composition, catheter occlusion, mechanical complications, and blood stream infections were recorded. The primary outcome variable was the difference in occlusion rates between the two groups. RESULTS: The analysis included 204 children with 3-Fr PICCs (120 in the blood sampling group and 84 in the control group) who had a mean age, 117.7 +/- 4.9 months. The mean PICC duration was 15.6 +/- 1.0 days. Blood sampling was successful more than 98% of the time from all blood sampling group catheters, with a mean of 4.4 +/- 0.5 samples removed from each catheter. There was a higher occlusion rate in the blood sampling group. However, this result did not reach statistical significance. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of infection or mechanical complication rates. CONCLUSIONS: Blood sampling is feasible and effective through 3-Fr PICC devices in children. This practice is not associated with a significant increase in occlusion, infection, or mechanical complication rates.

Age Factors↗

Safety in urine sampling: maintaining an infection-free environment.

The insertion of an indwelling urinary catheter is thought to be implicated in 80% of all urinary tract infections (UTI). In patients with an indwelling catheter, one of the most effective ways to determine whether or not there is evidence of a UTI is to aspirate a sample of urine for analysis, typically using a syringe and needle. Inevitably this puts the healthcare worker at risk of a percutaneous needle stick injury and accidental exposure to serious and potentially life-threatening viruses. Infection control is now taken increasingly seriously in UK hospitals, and the elimination of infection risk is regarded as a priority. In addition to training, and safer working practices the government recognizes the need for new technological innovation to help further reduce risks. In the urine sampling environment, there is a new needle-free port (EZ-Lok from Bard Ltd), designed specifically to reduce the occupational health risk of needle stick injuries.

Catheters, Indwelling↗

The safety of chorionic villus sampling. A synthesis of the literature.

Altogether 10 reports on the safety of chorionic villus sampling, either by the transcervical (TC) or the transabdominal (TA) approach, were reviewed and combined with our own data. After discussion of how unintended fetal loss rates are best estimated, the excess total fetal loss after TC and TA compared with amniocentesis were estimated to be 1.70% (+/- 0.65%) and practically zero (+/- 1.0%), respectively (standard errors in parentheses). The absolute risk of unintended loss after TC is +2.7% (+/- 0.7%) and after TA 1.0% (+/- 1.0%). These estimates are still too uncertain to allow precise weighting of benefits and human costs. A uniform style of reporting studies in this area is proposed.

Abdomen↗

Feasibility, accuracy and safety of chorionic villus sampling: a report of 10741 cases.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the feasibility, accuracy and safety of chorionic villus sampling (CVS). METHODS: Ten thousand seven hundred and forty one singleton pregnancies at risk of chromosome abnormalities (96.3%) and gene disorders (2.8%) were referred from 1990 to 1999 to the fetal medicine unit of a teaching hospital. CVS was performed transabdominally after 11 weeks, using a modified freehand ultrasonographically guided technique by 5 operators. Fetal karyotyping was obtained using a direct method before 1995 and was completed by cell culture after 1996. Failed results, feto-placental discrepancy and fetal loss were assessed. RESULTS: Villi were sampled using extra-amniotic puncture (89.4%) and one sampling-device insertion (92.3%). The mean weight of the specimen was 15.2 +/- 6.0 mg. All attempts at sampling were successful, except eight (0.07%). The number of failed results following direct preparation, cell culture and both methods was 20 (0.19%), 23 (0.21%) and 2 (0.02%), respectively. Light maternal cell contamination occurred in less than 1% of the samplings after microscopic selection of the villi, and never interfered with the assessment of karyotyping. All 3 false-negative results (0.03%) were recorded after direct preparation and 2 were corrected by culture. The rate of chromosomal abnormalities confined to the placenta decreased from 1.08% before 1995 to 0.73% after 1996. True fetal mosaicisms were recorded in 7 cases (0.06%). The rate of fetal loss at <28 weeks was 1.64% in all pregnancies and 1.92% when CVS was performed before 13 weeks. Advanced maternal age was the single factor significantly associated with fetal loss. CONCLUSIONS: CVS was feasible, accurate and safe in our institution, as a result of the increasing experience of the operators and the cytogeneticists.

Adult↗

Evaluation of a portable X-ray fluorescence instrument for the determination of lead in workplace air samples.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations for worker exposure to lead specify worker protection levels based upon airborne concentrations of lead dust. The rapid, on-site determination of lead in air filter samples using a portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) instrument with an attachment to hold the filter would expedite the exposure assessment process and facilitate compliance with the OSHA standards. A total of 65 lead in air filter samples were collected at bridge blasting lead-abatement projects using closed-faced, 37-mm cassettes with pre-loaded 0.8 micron pore size mixed cellulose ester membrane filters. The lead loading range of the data set was 0.1-1514.6 micrograms (micrograms) of lead/sample. Samples were initially analyzed with a field portable XRF (NITON 700) using an experimental non-destructive XRF method. Samples were subsequently analyzed using National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Method 7105 (Graphite Furnace AA) as a reference analytical method. The paired data were not normally distributed; therefore, the non-parametric Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for statistical analysis. There was no statistically significant difference between data from the field portable XRF method and the NIOSH method (p-value = 0.72). Linear regression of the data resulted in a slope of 0.959, a y-intercept of 5.20 micrograms, and an r2 of 0.985. The XRF limit of detection and limit of quantitation were determined to be 6.2 and 17 micrograms of lead/sample, respectively. The XRF method accuracy was +/- 16.4% (7.1%-27%, 90% confidence interval). The data presented in this study indicate that field-portable XRF can be used for the analysis of lead air filter samples over the range of 17 to 1500 micrograms of lead/sample. The practicing industrial hygienist can use field-portable XRF to produce a rapid, on-site determination of lead exposure that can immediately be communicated to workers and help identify appropriate levels of personal protection. As the method is non-destructive, samples can subsequently be sent to a laboratory for confirmation. Confirmation would be recommended when greater than 16.4 percent accuracy from an analytical method is required. This study provided data of suitable quality for the development of NIOSH Method 7702, "Lead by Field Portable XRF."

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗

Safety of fetal blood sampling by cordocentesis in fetuses with single umbilical arteries.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the safety of cordocentesis in fetuses with single umbilical arteries. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of all cases of cordocenteses in fetuses with single umbilical arteries over a five-year period at one centre. We analysed the records for pregnancy details, outcomes, and procedure-related complications, and compared these to similar data for cordocenteses procedures performed, during the same period, for similar indications in fetuses with three-vessel cords. RESULTS: Twenty-nine eligible cases were identified. All procedures were performed for the indication of fetal structural abnormalities, and seven fetuses (24%) had abnormal karyotypes. The median gestational age at the time of the procedure was 21 weeks (range 19-34 weeks). There were no procedure-related fetal losses but the umbilical artery was inadvertently punctured in one case, resulting in prolonged bradycardia with spontaneous recovery. These outcomes compare favourably to those of a total of 134 cordocenteses procedures in fetuses with three-vessel cords. CONCLUSION: Cordocentesis in cases with single umbilical arteries does not appear to carry more risk than in cases with three-vessel cord, and should continue to be performed by adequately trained specialists when indicated. Extra care should be undertaken to avoid puncturing the umbilical artery.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

Hepatitis C in urban and rural public safety workers.

A sample of 719 Oregon public safety personnel (police officers, firefighters, and corrections officers) was tested for hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody after completing a risk questionnaire. Seven of nine positive enzyme immunoassay tests (78%) were confirmed with recombinant immunoblot assay, yielding confirmed prevalence estimates of 1.2% (95% confidence interval, 0.4 to 2.8%) among the 406 firefighters and emergency medical technicians, and 0.7% (95% confidence interval, 0.1 to 2.6%) in 274 corrections personnel. No cases were observed in the 29 participating police officers. Self-reports of the number of workplace exposures to blood were not associated with HCV positivity, and the number of years of public safety employment seemed to be slightly less for HCV-positive subjects. Two of the seven (28.6%) HCV-positive individuals reported having at least one nonoccupational risk factor (odds ratio, 4.3; 95% confidence interval, 0.4 to 27.1), suggesting the greater relative importance of nonoccupational exposures.

Adolescent↗

The application of the psychological contract to workplace safety.

INTRODUCTION: Psychological contracts of safety are conceptualized as the beliefs of individuals about reciprocal safety obligations inferred from implicit or explicit promises. Although the literature on psychological contracts is growing, the existence of psychological contracts in relation to safety has not been established. The research sought to identify psychological contracts in the conversations of employees about safety, by demonstrating reciprocity in relation to employer and employee safety obligations. The identified safety obligations were used to develop a measure of psychological contracts of safety. METHOD: The participants were 131 employees attending safety training sessions in retail and manufacturing organizations. Non-participant observation was used to collect the data during safety training sessions. Content analysis was used to analyze the data. Categories for coding were established through identification of language markers that demonstrated contingencies or other implied obligations. RESULTS: Direct evidence of reciprocity between employer safety obligations and employee safety obligations was found in statements from the participants demonstrating psychological contracts. A comprehensive list of perceived employer and employee safety obligations was compiled and developed into a measure of psychological contracts of safety. A small sample of 33 safety personnel was used to validate the safety obligations. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: Implications of these findings for safety and psychological contract research are discussed.

Australia↗

[Naltrexone in the treatment of alcoholism. Clinical evolution, safety and efficacy in a sample of 198 patients].

BACKGROUND: Our aim was to verify the safety of naltrexone administered during 6 months to alcohol-dependent patients submitted to detoxification. In addition, we aimed at contributing new data on the course of craving and alcohol consumption in naltrexone treated patients and to study prognostic factors predictive of response to treatment. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Multicenter, prospective, pharmacovigilance, follow-up study of a cohort of 198 patients older than 18 years of age meeting DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence, who were administered naltrexone over a 6 months period. RESULTS: 77 patients (39.1%) had some adverse event (AA) during the study, including nausea/vomiting (13.7%), sleepiness/sedation (12.8%) and asthenia-laxity-fatigability (10.3%). Only 3.6% of AA were considered severe (6 cases). As to laboratory values, no relevant hematological abnormalities were observed, yet significant reductions from baseline were recorded for cholesterol, total and conjugated bilirubin, transaminases (AST/ALT), and *-GT. Overall, patients had a notable improvement, as reflected by a decrease in craving (from 22.5 to 5.3 on the OCDS scale; p < 0.01), as well as an improved in both global activity (from 68.7 to 85.4 on the EEAG; p < 0.01) and depressive symptoms (from 12.0 to 4.1 on the MDRS scale; p < 0.01). Time passed until first relapse was 33 days, and the abstinence cumulative duration was 126 days. No predictive model of therapeutic success with sufficient statistical power was obtained to guarantee its use in clinical practice. CONCLUSIONS: Naltrexona has a good safety profile to treat alcoholic patients. No predictive factors of response to treatment was found. Thus, the question about which alcoholic patients could mostly benefit from naltrexone treatment remains unanswered.

Adult↗