Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Mandatory Testing”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 613 records · Page 34Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

An evaluation of AIDS education: a quasi-experimental exploration.

This study reports on a quasi-experimental study designed to evaluate the relationship between receiving classroom instruction and subsequent AIDS knowledge, behavior, and attitudes. Survey information was gathered from 61 students enrolled in an AIDS course and 68 students enrolled in "control" courses. Both groups were pretested at the beginning of the semester and again at the end of the semester concerning AIDS knowledge, behavior, and attitudes. The results obtained indicated that there was a widespread acceptance of the conventional wisdom concerning AIDS in both the experimental and control groups prior to the study. Few behavior changes were observed as a result of the AIDS curriculum. Three empirically distinct factors, "interaction," "constraint," and "testing," emerged from the attitude measures. Respondents were more accepting of interacting with persons with AIDS across time. Moreover, respondents in the experimental group were more reticent to advocate mandatory AIDS testing vis-à-vis those in the control group across time.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1993

Detection of antifood IgE by in vitro tests and diagnosis of food allergy.

The diagnosis of IgE-dependent food allergy relies on the demonstration of specific IgE by prick tests or biological tests. A radioimmunoassay (RAST Phadebas) is completed by several immuno-enzymatic methods: RAST Phadezym, FAST, MAST-CLA, AlaSTAT, etc. The allergen is bound to solid or liquid phases, by different binding agents. Various enzyme-substrate systems, and several systems for expression are used (RIA, fluorescence, chemoluminescence, colorimetry, etc.). Another aspect of modern technics is the trend towards high automated processes. A second group of tests aims to detect the release of mediators from sensitized basophils: leucocyte histamine release test, human basophil degranulation test and a leucocyte leukotriene release test. The specificity of tests for detection of anti-food IgE is lessened by numerous cross reactivities between pollens, fruit, and vegetable. The study of the sensitivity of such tests needs strictly standardized food challenge tests in order to firmly establish the diagnosis of food allergy. Multiscreen tests have to be assessed, in order to validate their efficacy for detecting frequency allergens. Whatever the test to be used, its positivity means only sensitization, and food challenge tests are mandatory to recognize true food allergy, as latent sensitization to food is a current phenomenon in atopic children. The possibility of reliable diagnosis of food allergy by using challenge tests makes now possible and advisable to set up quality controls for all biological tests applied to the detection of antifood IgE, thanks to the possibility to dispose of reference sera.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Rationale and cost-efficiency compared for urine or saliva testing and behavioural inquiry among UK offender populations: injectors, arrestees and prisoners.

BACKGROUND: Costs, methodology and efficiency at obtaining behavioural information and biological sample to be tested for blood-borne viruses or illegal drugs are compared for UK surveys of offender populations: injectors in the community or attending drug agencies, arrestees and prisoners. METHODS: Arrestee surveys use extensive behavioural interview + urine sample and measure a key performance indicator in UK's Drugs Strategy. They have low efficiency (urine sample for drugs testing available from under 60% of eligible arrestees) at high cost (pound sterling 110-190 or 350 per urine sample and at least pound sterling 500-800 per injector). Random mandatory drugs testing of prisoners has the highest efficiency (because refusals are punishable), but the cost is high (pound sterling 110-120 per urine sample and pound sterling 300-500 per injector) and behavioural data are lacking. Prisoner surveys use self-completion questionnaire + saliva sample. They guarantee demonstrable anonymity in estimating the prevalence of blood-borne viruses and prisoners' associated risk behaviours, have high efficiency (saliva sample from over 80% of inmates) at low cost (pound sterling 30 per saliva and pound sterling 70-110 per injector), but behavioural data are limited to risk factors for blood-borne viruses. Low cost also characterises comprehensive interview + saliva sample from injectors in the community (pound sterling 90 per saliva sample, all from injectors) but efficiency cannot be assessed because the sampling frame of eligible injectors is not known. Voluntary unlinked anonymous surveys of injectors at drug agencies use self-completion questionnaire + saliva sample to be tested for blood-borne viruses. They are the least costly at pound sterling 43 per injector and moderately efficient with two-thirds volunteer rate by eligible injectors. DISCUSSION: For scientific added-value, we recommend co-location of survey types geographically and temporally; a common core set of behavioural questions; saliva sample as well as (and, eventually, instead of) the less acceptable urine sample. Survey methodologies for measuring key performance indicators should stand up to scrutiny in terms of openness, design credentials, statistical power, and costs. We examine how participation bias or inadequate survey size can compromise the effective monitoring of a key performance indicator.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed1994

Special report. Drug testing in the workplace: an update.

Workplace drug testing has become widespread in the U.S. and is a major component of the nation's "war on drugs." A recent annual survey by the American Management Association shows that the number of workplace drug-testing programs in surveyed companies grew almost 300% between 1987 and 1993. Nearly 85% of the 630 firms responding to the 1993 survey conduct some form of drug testing. Among activities sparking interest in drug testing are some highly publicized catastrophes in which drugs or alcohol played a major role--for example, the Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska which raised concern over threats to public safety. While the popularity of drug testing has increased, programs have been criticized at the same time for being inaccurate, costly, invasive of privacy, and even illegal in certain cases. As alternatives to urinalysis and other tests, companies have introduced impairment tests--also called performance tests and "fitness-for-duty" tests--which are computer-based and measure employees' eye-hand coordination or cognitive skills. Tests also have been introduced to detect drug residues on surfaces. In this report, we'll review some recent studies on drug testing and some of the programs currently being conducted.

Data Collection↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reform MP proposes compulsory testing.

In October 1999, a Reform Party Member of Parliament introduced Bill C-244 (the Blood Samples Act) in the House of Commons as a private member's bill. The bill proposes to permit forced blood testing of persons for HIV or hepatitis B or C where peace officers, firefighters, and other emergency services personnel or other health-care workers, may have been exposed to the risk of infection. It also proposes imprisonment for up to six months of any person who refuses court-ordered testing. In January 2000, the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network wrote to the federal Minister of Justice, explaining why such legislation is unnecessary, unethical, contrary to existing law regarding "informed consent," and unconstitutional. On 21 March 2000, the Bill passed second reading unanimously. It now awaits committee hearings. This article sets out the concerns the Network raised about the proposal for compulsory HIV testing.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed1993

Drug-testing methods and clinical interpretations of test results.

In the present paper, major issues related to drug testing are discussed. For example, drug-testing techniques measure the presence of a drug or drugs but are not sophisticated enough to measure impairment from drug use. Moreover, it is difficult to determine the route of drug administration, quantity or frequency, as well as when the drug was taken, on the basis of the laboratory results. Selection of the drug to be tested should depend on the local availability of the drug, its abuse potential and clinical effects, as well as on the availability of analytical technology and expertise in testing and in interpreting laboratory results. The most sophisticated drug-testing approach is gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS), which is regarded as a "gold standard"; it is used in confirmatory testing. Typically, GC/MS is preceded by a rapid immunoassay method to eliminate the majority of the "negative" samples. Despite the existence of sophisticated drug-testing methods, it is still possible to obtain incorrect test results. Such results may be caused by the presence of interfering substances or adulteration of the urine sample. A number of techniques can be employed to reduce the likelihood of obtaining erroneous results and to detect adulterated urine samples. A "positive" drug finding can have a serious impact on the livelihood of an individual, therefore, persons conducting such tests should adhere to the strictest standards of laboratory performance. Only qualified and experienced individuals with proper laboratory equipment should perform these analyses. The standards of laboratory performance must meet local legal and forensic requirements. Access to patient samples and laboratory records must be restricted in order to prevent the tampering of samples and results. In order to maintain confidentiality, the results must be communicated only to the medical review officer. Chain-of-custody documents and all file so that they can be examined in case of a legal challenge. The laboratory must have a complete record on quality control. Finally, specific initial and confirmatory testing requirements should be met.

Bias↗
PubMed2000

The release of unsuitable units through misinterpretation of laboratory results transmitted by facsimile.

BACKGROUND: Preventable errors in transfusion medicine that have a significant risk of adverse outcome include the erroneous administration of blood of the wrong type or blood with unsuitable laboratory test results. Mandatory reports of errors by facilities providing blood services in New York State offer the opportunity for review and analysis of common factors. The state also collects statistics on the collection, laboratory testing, distribution, and disposition of blood in these facilities. CASE REPORTS: Three serious errors in transfusion medicine occurred within 3 months as a result of the misinterpretation of laboratory test results transmitted by facsimile. Two unsuitable units of blood were erroneously released, and a unit mislabeled as to the ABO group was incorporated into the hospital inventory. One of the unsuitable units was repeatedly reactive for HIV (although negative on confirmatory testing), and the other was confirmed positive for HCV. CONCLUSIONS: The vast majority of blood collected in New York State is tested by reference laboratories. Results are often transmitted by facsimile. Facsimile results may be misinterpreted because of distortion during transmission, misreading, or failure to note a separate report of pending results. Such misinterpretation results in an increased risk of adverse outcome for transfusion recipients. Laboratory results to be transmitted by facsimile could readily-and should-be clarified.

Humans↗
PubMed1989

[The diagnosis of lung embolism].

An accurate diagnosis of pulmonary embolism is essential to prevent excessive mortality and morbidity from lack of therapy or inappropriate anticoagulation. The clinical diagnosis is highly nonspecific because none of the symptoms or signs of pulmonary embolism is unique and all may be caused by other cardiorespiratory disorders. The diagnosis of pulmonary embolism is unlikely, however, if patients do not have dyspnea, tachypnea, evidence of deep vein thrombosis, or a recognized predisposition to thromboembolic disease. Objective testing is mandatory to either confirm or exclude a diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. The electrocardiogram, chest X-ray and the echocardiogram may assist by excluding other potential diagnoses. Routine laboratory studies and lung function testing including blood gas analysis will not be of much help in the differential diagnosis. The hemodynamic investigation with a floating catheter is of diagnostic value especially in those cases where it is not possible to obtain the definitive diagnosis immediately; this method as well as echocardiography can provide a rough estimate of the degree of pulmonary vascular obstruction and are thus able to guide therapy. Methods such as DSA, CT, MR, SPECT, or radiolabelled thrombus scanning are promising but require more extensive validation before routine use. Lung scanning, with its high sensitivity but low specificity is a very useful procedure but cannot be considered to have diagnostic significance independent of the clinical situation. Pulmonary angiography provides the greatest diagnostic certainty of any test available. Based on current knowledge, a diagnostic approach for the management of clinically suspected pulmonary embolism is proposed. Ventilation-perfusion lung scanning is the appropriate next step after ECG, chest X-ray and echocardiogram. The finding of a normal perfusion scan rules out clinically significant embolism and anticoagulation is withheld. Segmental or lobar perfusion defects with normal ventilation in an appropriate clinical setting is sufficiently indicative of pulmonary embolism to proceed with therapy in patients without contraindications. Ventilation-perfusion scans of low or indeterminate probability for pulmonary embolism neither confirm nor exclude the presence of embolism and pulmonary angiography would then be the definitive procedure. As an alternative approach instrumental examination of the leg veins (with venography, impedance plethysmography, or ultrasound) is proposed (Figure 1). If these tests confirm the presence of deep venous thrombosis, anticoagulation can be commenced without the need to perform pulmonary angiography.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Cardiac Catheterization↗
PubMed1993

Types of drug-testing programmes in the workplace.

The article begins with a discussion of the common features of drug-testing programmes. Regulations, procedures and methods for the collection of biological specimens, the subsequent handling and analysis of the specimens and the reporting of the interpreted results are all important aspects to be dealt with in testing programmes. Different types of testing are examined. Pre-employment testing is a popular type of screening but a number of other programmes exist, including post-accident, reasonable suspicion, post-treatment, random and voluntary testing programmes. The goals of these programmes range from improvement of employees' health, safety, quality of life in the workplace and productivity to reduction of drug misuse in society at large. Emphasis is placed on the need for scientific evaluation and on examining whether those goals have been achieved. In the absence of such evaluation, drug-testing programmes should be carried out with caution; some modifications of existing programmes are suggested.

Costs and Cost Analysis↗