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At least 433 records · Page 24Linked to original sources

Which cannulae fit the Ipas manual vacuum aspiration syringe?

BACKGROUND: The Ipas double-valve manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) syringe is an alternative to electrical vacuum aspiration. METHODS: This study determines which US cannulae (flexible, rigid-straight and rigid-curved) work with the Ipas MVA syringe. Cannulae from Ipas, MedGyn, Berkeley and Milex, in sizes 6-12 mm, were randomized and affixed to the MVA syringe. A pressure gauge was attached to the cannula with rubber tubing. Pressure readings were recorded initially and over 30 s. RESULTS: Milex cannulae were not compatible. For the remaining brands, initial vacuum pressures ranged from 55 to 65 mmHg. Flexible cannulae from Ipas, Berkeley and MedGyn maintained initial pressures without leaks, as did the 6-12-mm straight- and curved-rigid cannulae by Berkeley. Eight of the 13 tested MedGyn rigid cannulae lost >10% pressure over 30 s. CONCLUSION: Several US manufacturers produce cannulae that fit on the Ipas MVA syringe without a leak, including Ipas flexible cannula; Berkeley flexible, rigid-straight and rigid-curve cannulae and MedGyn flexible cannula, but not their rigid cannulae.

Abortion, Induced↗

Sterility of stored nonanimal, stabilized hyaluronic acid gel syringes after patient injection.

BACKGROUND: Restylane (Restylane; Q-Medical, Uppsala, Sweden) is a nonanimal stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA) that has become increasingly popular for soft tissue augmentation and volume correction because of its greater longevity and lower rate of hypersensitivity reactions when compared with collagen. Despite manufacturer warnings, the remaining material in the syringe is commonly stored for subsequent treatment in the same patient. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the incidence of bacterial contamination of NASHA stored after initial patient injection. METHODS: After use of a specific sterile sequence, NASHA from previously used syringes stored at room temperature for 2 to 9 months was cultured under aerobic (n = 20) and anaerobic conditions (n = 10). RESULTS: No bacteria were cultured from any of the samples. LIMITATIONS: Limitations of this study include sample size and storage period for a maximum of 9 months. CONCLUSIONS: NASHA remaining in syringes after patient injection was not contaminated with bacteria. Our study raises the possibility that re-use of the remaining portion of material in the syringe may be safe and is more economical than discarding it.

Bacteria↗

New trend in sample preparation: on-line microextraction in packed syringe for liquid and gas chromatography applications. I. Determination of local anaesthetics in human plasma samples using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

A new technique for sample preparation on-line with LC and GC-MS assays was developed. Microextraction in a packed syringe (MEPS) is a new miniaturised, solid-phase extraction technique that can be connected on-line to GC or LC without any modifications. In MEPS approximately 1mg of the solid packing material is inserted into a syringe (100-250 microl) as a plug. Sample preparation takes place on the packed bed. The bed can be coated to provide selective and suitable sampling conditions. The new method is very promising. It is very easy to use, fully automated, of low cost and rapid in comparison with previously used methods. This paper presents the development and validation of a method for microextraction in packed syringe MEPS on-line with GC-MS. Local anaesthetics in plasma samples were used as model substances. The method was validated and the standard curves were evaluated by the means of quadratic regression and weighted by inverse of the concentration: 1/x for the calibration range 5-2000 nM. The applied polymer could be used more than 100 times before the syringe was discarded. The extraction recovery was between 60 and 90%. The results showed close correlation coefficients (R>0.99) for all analytes in the calibration range studied. The accuracy of MEPS-GC-MS was between 99 and 115% and the inter-day precision (n=3 days), expressed as the relative standard deviation (R.S.D.%), was 3-10%.

Anesthetics, Local↗

Effects of environmental warming on blood components dispensed in syringes for neonatal transfusions.

We examined the quality of blood components dispensed in syringes for transfusion into neonates, including the effects on quality of environmental conditions to which blood is exposed when it is transfused into neonates nursed in warm-air incubators or under radiant warmers. Syringes of blood placed in incubators rapidly warmed to 36 degrees C. Blood placed under radiant warmers operated at full power was heated rapidly to temperatures approaching 45 degrees C, and all blood components exhibited evidence of falling pH and cellular damage after 6 hours exposure to radiant energy. Erythrocyte damage was suggested by an increase in plasma hemoglobin, potassium, and lactic dehydrogenase. Platelets lost the ability to recover from hypotonic shock. Granulocytes exhibited a marked defect in the ability to produce superoxide anion after stimulation. The excessive warming and functional abnormalities exhibited by all blood components exposed to infrared energy were abrogated when syringes were shielded by covering them with aluminum foil. The clinical importance of these experimental findings remains to be established. Meanwhile, it would seem prudent either to shield syringes of blood placed under radiant warmers by covering them with aluminum foil or to limit the volume of a single transfusion to a quantity that can be infused within a relatively brief period.

Blood Transfusion↗

Syringes with rubber-coated plungers and inactivation of surfactant.

Injectable drugs are generally administered to newborns with 1 mL syringes. During in-vitro measurements of surface tension with a pulsating bubble surfactometer, we noticed that surfactant was inactivated after repeated aspiration into a 1 mL syringe with a rubber-coated plunger. Inactivation did not take place, however, when we used rubber-free two-part syringes with polyethylene pistons. Results of further studies showed that the silicone fluid used to lubricate the rubber surface of the syringe was inactivating the surfactant. Our findings suggest that contact with rubber surfaces should be avoided in the handling of surfactant material for biophysical assessment or clinical use.

Equipment Design↗

A multicenter, open-label, phase II study of the immunogenicity and safety of a new prefilled syringe (liquid) formulation of Avonex in patients with multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: A new liquid formulation of Avonex (interferon beta-1a [IFNbeta-1a]) in a prefilled syringe has been developed to make administration of the drug easier for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This formulation does not contain human serum albumin (HSA), often added to interferon (IFN) products for stabilization. However, formulation changes may alter the secondary, tertiary, and quaternary structures of IFNbeta products. These kinds of structural changes could lead to the formation of antibodies directed against IFNbeta. Some of these anti-IFN antibodies may neutralize the biologic activity of IFNbeta. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to determine the immunogenicity and safety of the new prefilled syringe (liquid) HSA-free formulation of Avonex in patients with relapsing MS. METHODS: This was a multicenter, single-arm, open-label study. Patients with relapsing MS received liquid, HSA-free Avonex 30 microg by IM injection from a prefilled syringe once weekly for up to 24 months. Immunogenicity and safety were assessed every 3 months. Serum levels of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs) were measured at baseline and every 3 months using a 2-step enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and antiviral cytopathic effect assay. RESULTS: A total of 153 patients (121 women, 32 men; mean [SD] age, 39.6 [9.9] years; age range, 19.0-59.0 years) were enrolled in the study. Sera were available for analysis from 125 and 119 patients after 18 and 24 months of treatment, respectively. By 18 months, 1 patient (1%) had > or =2 consecutive titers of > or =20, a level at which the persistent presence of NAbs has been shown in some studies to have clinical consequences. By 24 months, 1 additional patient (total 2%) had > or =2 consecutive titers of > or =20. At 18 months, 5 patients (4%) had > or =1 NAb titer of > or =5; at 24 months, 6 patients (5%) had > or =1 NAb titer of > or =5. The safety profile of liquid Avonex was comparable to the lyophilized form containing HSA. CONCLUSIONS: The prefilled syringe (liquid) HSA-free formulation of Avonex was well tolerated and showed a low level of immunogenicity. Over 24 months, 2% of patients developed persistent NAbs (> or =2 consecutive titers of > or =20).

Adjuvants, Immunologic↗

Assessment by patients with diabetes mellitus of two insulin pen delivery systems versus a vial and syringe.

Two multicenter surveys were conducted in a total of 1310 insulin users over a 3-week period. The first survey, in which 803 patients participated, assessed the effects of using the Novolin Prefilled insulin delivery system on lifestyle; compliance with insulin, diet, and exercise regimens; and feelings of well-being compared with the traditional insulin vial and syringe. The second survey, in which 507 patients participated, assessed attitudes and perceptions of the NovoPen 1.5 insulin delivery system compared with the traditional insulin vial and syringe. Both delivery systems are dial-a-dose insulin pens containing a single-use NovoFine 30 insulin needle and are designed to be portable and discreet. Patients using the Novolin Prefilled delivery system completed a three-part questionnaire (two parts at the initial survey visit and the third at the end of 3 weeks); those using the NovoPen 1.5 completed a questionnaire at the end of 3 weeks. Seven hundred twenty-nine (92%) of 793 patients in the Novolin Prefilled group and 482 (98%) of 492 patients in the NovoPen 1.5 group reported that it was easy to use these delivery systems; 672 (85%) of 791 patients reported that they missed no injections while using the Novolin Prefilled system, compared with 566 (72%) of 789 patients using the vial and syringe. With the NovoPen 1.5, 333 (73%) of 456 patients said that the dosing mechanism was more accurate, and 351 (77%) of 456 patients found it easier to comply with their insulin regimen. In both groups, patients reported a strong desire to continue using the insulin pens and a willingness to recommend their use to someone else. Because patients were more physically and psychologically comfortable injecting insulin with the Novolin Prefilled or NovoPen 1.5 system than with an insulin syringe, their overall attitude toward insulin therapy improved, as did their confidence about managing their disease. An improved attitude toward insulin therapy might be expected to lead to better acceptance of and compliance with an insulin regimen.

Adult↗

Syringe feeding: current clinical practice and recommendations.

In a survey of directors of nursing services of 101 nursing homes, it was found that 17 homes still used syringes to feed some of their frail residents. Three of these 17 facilities did not have easy access to speech pathologists, and the facility feeding the greatest number of residents by syringe did not use the services of a speech pathologist to assess swallowing. The practice of syringe feeding seems to be going out of favor, but until this practice is no longer used it is hoped that the recommendations in this article will increase the knowledge and awareness of professional nurses, who are often instrumental in coordinating the difficult and complex decision to syringe feed.

Aged↗

Detection of HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C markers in discarded syringes and bloodstains.

Puncture injuries from discarded syringes continue to increase and testing these syringes for viral markers of HIV, HBV and HCV infection is now frequently requested. Workers in forensic medicine also regularly deal with potentially infected material. A simulation study was carried out. Syringes (with attached needles) and cotton gauze were contaminated with HIV, HBV and HCV infected blood or serum and tested at intervals over five weeks. Sensitive ELISA techniques, giving a result within three hours, were used to detect viral antibodies (HIV, HCV) or antigens (HBV). Blood residues inside the syringes and on the gauze gave positive results for viral markers throughout the period of study; the needle-tips gave intermittently positive reactions. It was concluded that standard ELISAs for detecting markers of HIV, HBV and HCV could provide valuable guidance on potential infection hazards of material being examined in a forensic situation.

Blood↗

High latent drug administration error rates associated with the introduction of the international colour coding syringe labelling system.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The potential for increased drug administration errors during the transition to the International Colour Coding syringe labelling system has been highlighted. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential effects before their introduction into our department. METHODS: Thirty-one anaesthetists, 19 with no previous practical experience of the new labelling system (Group 1), and 12 with previous experience (Group 2), volunteered to induce general anaesthesia for a standardized simulated patient in a designated theatre. They were presented with a scenario designed to suggest the need for a rapid sequence induction and provided with drug syringes labelled with the International Colour Coding system. All drug administrations were recorded. Active error was defined as the injection of the wrong drug. Latent error was defined as the selection of a syringe in error but stopping short of administering the drug. RESULTS: In Group 1 a total of 107 drug injections were recorded of which 1 (0.9%) was an active error and 16 (15%) involved latent errors. Eleven anaesthetists (58%) performed at least one latent error. Group 2 had an error rate of 3%, a 6.9 (1.3-26.7) fold reduction in the rate of error (P = 0.023). CONCLUSIONS: Although only one drug was given in active error, latent errors occurred in 15% of drug administrations. The only factor conferring protection against error was prior experience of the new labelling system. The period of transition to the International Colour Coding syringe labelling system represents a time of increased risk of drug administration error.

Adult↗

Standardized colour coding for syringe drug labels: a national survey.

A standardised colour code for user-applied syringe labels for anaesthetic drugs exists in the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Canada. In the UK, there is none. Consequently, an assortment of colour codes for syringe labels is available in the UK. We conducted a postal survey of the 285 College Tutors of the Royal College of Anaesthetists to establish their local syringe drug labelling system and their views on a national, standardised colour code. We found that that 96% of departments currently use coloured syringe drug labels. Of these, 98% use the 'Medilabel' scheme. The College Tutors felt that a standardised colour code for labels is required (94%), that the Association of Anaesthetists or the Royal College of Anaesthetists should be involved in the choice of scheme (76%) and that the scheme chosen should be international (65%). There was a majority feeling that the opinions expressed were representative of other members of the College Tutors' departments. We conclude that a national standard for drug labels is required and that a choice will have to be made between the 'international' scheme and the currently dominant Medilabel scheme.

Anesthesiology↗

Sterility and quality of blood dispensed in syringes for infants.

A unit-dose system was designed to dispense precise quantities of blood in a form ready for immediate transfusion into neonatal patients. The principles were similar to those used by pharmacies to dispense individual doses of drugs. In the blood center, the precise volume of blood ordered for a neonatal patient was aspirated through a microaggregate filter into a labeled plastic syringe for dispensing to the nursery in a correspondingly labeled zip-lock plastic bag. In the nursery, the premeasured and prefiltered blood was ready for immediate infusion, and the syringe was attached directly to a mechanical infusion pump. Several experiments were performed to ensure sterility and quality of whole blood dispensed by this system. Over 300 aerobic and anaerobic cultures were performed, and it was concluded that the extra handling required to prepare syringes of blood did not lead to bacterial contamination. In addition, the quality of whole blood was maintained, for at least 6 hours, equally well in syringes as it was in blood bags stored under standard blood bank conditions when assessed by hematocrit, blood pH, and measurements of plasma potassium, glucose, lactic dehydrogenase, and free hemoglobin. Thus, unit dose dispensing offers a precise and convenient method to prepare small, accurately measured quantities of filtered, sterile, and quality blood products for neonatal patients.

Blood Transfusion↗

In vitro characteristics of white cell-reduced single-unit platelet concentrates stored in syringes.

BACKGROUND: Platelet concentrates (PCs) for premature infants may be subjected to filtration, centrifugation, and various storage conditions before transfusion. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: As there are few data on the cumulative effect of these procedures on PCs, platelet properties (including biochemical and functional in vitro assays) were evaluated after the processing of single units of PCs through a 1-unit-capacity high-efficiency white cell (WBC)-reduction filter followed by syringe storage at either 22 or 37 degrees C for 6 hours. Two- and 5-day-old PCs, volume-reduced PCs, and prestorage WBC-reduced PCs were evaluated. RESULTS: WBC filtration consistently resulted in a 3 to 4 log10 reduction in WBCs, with less than 15-percent platelet loss. No adverse effects of platelet function or evidence of increased platelet activation as determined by the percentage of P-selectin positivity were noted. A decrease in pH associated with increased lactate production and consumption of glucose was observed following syringe storage under all conditions tested. Such changes were most pronounced, however, with volume-reduced PCs stored at 37 degrees C (pH 6.31 +/- 0.15, lactate 23.0 +/- 3.06 mmol/L). All pH levels at the end of storage were above the minimum Food and Drug Administration requirement (pH 6.0). CONCLUSION: The in vitro data suggest that single units of PCs can undergo WBC filtration followed by syringe storage for up to 6 hours and still maintain acceptable storage characteristics. The practice of maintaining volume-reduced PCs in syringes for 6 hours at 37 degrees C in isolettes during transfusion should, however, be avoided.

Blood Component Removal↗

Effect of mixing technique on the properties of acrylic bone-cement: a comparison of syringe and bowl mixing systems.

Syringe mixing systems have been introduced, but few data exist regarding the mechanical performance of cement they produce. We compared the properties of polymethyl methacrylate cement produced by these systems with that produced by a multiaxial bowl. Mixtures of cement were prepared using the Optivac, Cemvac, and Summit syringes and the Summit bowl. The mixtures were cured in molds to create casts that were radiographed and analyzed for void content, then cut into strips, weighed, measured, and tested to failure in 4-point bending. Syringe-mixed cement was of greater density, bending modulus, and bending strength than bowl-mixed cement (Mann-Whitney, P < .01) and contained fewer microvoids and macrovoids (Mann-Whitney, P < .01). No significant differences between the syringes were found for these variables (Kruskall-Wallis, P > .05).

Bone Cements↗

Very small air bubbles (10 - 70 microl) cause clinically significant variability in syringe pump fluid delivery.

AIM: The goal of this study was to analyse flow disturbances resulting from the presence of small air bubbles in syringe pump delivery lines incorporating pressure-sensing discs. METHODS: Laboratory based gravimetric measurement of syringe pump flow rate with concurrent fluid pressure monitoring. RESULTS: Small air bubbles can become lodged in the pressure-sensing disc part of syringe pump delivery lines. This can give rise to serious disturbances in fluid delivery from minute to minute, but does not trigger pump alarms. Small air bubbles being delivered through non-horizontal sections of delivery line can also cause significant transient disturbances to fluid delivery. CONCLUSIONS: The demonstrated disruptions to fluid delivery could be sufficient to cause adverse effects on patients, particularly in the case of a vulnerable patient receiving a potent fast-acting drug at a low flow rate. The prevalence of these effects in clinical settings would be difficult to establish, but careful efforts to remove air from syringe delivery lines before starting infusions would be recommended to minimize the risks.

Equipment Design↗

Prescribing syringes to prevent HIV: a survey of infectious disease and addiction medicine physicians in Rhode Island.

This article describes the assessment of physicians' attitudes and practices regarding prescribing syringes to injection drug users (IDUs). A brief, anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was sent to all Infectious Disease and Addiction Medicine specialists in Rhode Island. Of 49 eligible physicians, 39 responded (response rate 80%). Most (95%) indicated that there is a legitimate medical reason for IDUs to obtain sterile syringes. Many (71%) agreed that they would prescribe syringes to prevent disease in IDUs if it were clearly legal to do so. We can conclude that physician syringe prescription to IDUs may be an acceptable supplement to existing HIV prevention strategies.

Adult↗

Surveillance of HIV, hepatitis B virus, and hepatitis C virus in an estonian injection drug-using population: sensitivity and specificity of testing syringes for public health surveillance.

Surveillance of bloodborne infections among injection drug users (IDUs) can be accomplished by determining the presence of pathogen markers in used syringes. Parallel testing of returned syringes and venous blood from IDUs was conducted to detect antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV). Syringe surveillance for HIV yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 92% and 89%, respectively, and provided a reasonable estimate of the prevalence of HIV among participants. Because sensitivity for HBV (34%) and HCV (55%) was low, syringe testing may be useful for surveillance of hepatitis over time but not for estimation of prevalence.

Adolescent↗

Impact of a shielded safety syringe on needlestick injuries among healthcare workers.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the impact of a shielded 3 cc safety syringe on needlestick injuries among healthcare workers. DESIGN: Surveillance study. SETTING: Three medical centers. RESULTS: The total number of needlesticks from all sources rose from 134 during the baseline period to 140 during the study phase. However, the overall rate of needlesticks involving 3 cc syringes decreased from 14/100,000 inventory units to 2/100,000, and the frequency declined substantially at each of the participating medical centers. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that shielded syringes and related technology may offer potential for reducing the risk of needlestick injuries among hospital and other healthcare employees. This study should be viewed as a preliminary effort to assess the potential of shielded-syringe technology for reducing the risk of needlestick injuries among healthcare workers. The results are encouraging, but more clinical experience with this new device and longer follow up are essential to provide the data necessary for a definitive assessment of efficacy.

Humans↗