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At least 1,117 records · Page 62Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Transmission of HIV via a needlestick injury: practice recommendations and research implications.

1. The majority of occupational exposures to potentially infectious blood and body fluids occur via needlestick injury. The morbidity and mortality from these exposures is significant. 2. Models from Haddon and White can help identify strategies to decrease the probability of needlestick injury. 3. A review of research examining work practices mandated by the Bloodborne Pathogens Standard challenges their effectiveness. Principles identified by Robertson provide insight into why work practices may not prevent needlestick injuries. 4. Engineering controls may be more effective in preventing needlestick injuries. Analysis of type and potential impact of needlestick preventive devices, cost, training requirements, and acceptance is essential in product selection.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Hospitals and plastics. Dioxin prevention and medical waste incinerators.

CHLORINATED DIOXINS and related compounds are extremely potent toxic substances, producing effects in humans and animals at extremely low doses. Because these compounds are persistent in the environment and accumulate in the food chain, they are now distributed globally, and every member of the human population is exposed to them, primarily through the food supply and mothers' milk. An emerging body of information suggests that dioxin contamination has reached a level that may pose a large-scale, long-term public health risk. Of particular concern are dioxin's effects on reproduction, development, immune system function, and carcinogenesis. Medical waste incineration is a major source of dioxins. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic, as the dominant source of organically bound chlorine in the medical waste stream, is the primary cause of "iatrogenic" dioxin produced by the incineration of medical wastes. Health professionals have a responsibility to work to reduce dioxin exposure from medical sources. Health care institutions should implement policies to reduce the use of PVC plastics, thus achieving major reductions in medically related dioxin formation.

Bioethics↗
PubMed1996

Polymer-iodine inactivation of the human immunodeficiency virus.

BACKGROUND: Hospital and laboratory equipment that come in contact with body fluids of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are potentially infective and require special measures for decontamination and disposal. Human immunodeficiency virus is sensitive to several chemicals but requires a continuous exposure to the disinfectant to effective inactivation. Polymers have the capacity to release viricidal chemicals in a sustained fashion for prolonged periods of time, and may be used to coat patient care items before their use. Iodine was chosen because of its universal antimicrobial potential; it was incorporated into polyurethane polymers and the effectiveness of the polymer-iodine against HIV-1 3B was assayed. STUDY DESIGN: Iodine was loaded into polyurethane polymers by two different methods: polyurethane-complexing, where the iodine is released through a desorption mechanism, and polyurethane-matrixing, where the iodine is released through a diffusion mechanism. The pharmacokinetics of the iodine release were studied in each case. Twenty-four-well viral culture plates used for HIV-1 3B assays were coated with both types of polyurethane-iodine polymers. Their effectiveness against HIV was assessed by MT4 cell viability and reverse transcriptase assays. RESULTS: The polymer-iodine combination remained stable as long as it was dry: the iodine release started only when the plates came in contact with an aqueous environment. The release from the polyurethane-iodine complex was large and rapid, resulting in inactivation of the HIV-1 3B within 15 to 30 minutes, as determined both by reverse transcriptase and the MT4 cytopathic cell cultures assays. The release from the polyurethane-iodine matrix was slower and had no significant antiviral effect. CONCLUSIONS: The polyurethane polymer provided a sustained release of iodine that effectively inactivated HIV. The coating may be applied at the time of manufacturing to specific hospital and laboratory items that are to come in contact with blood from patient-contaminated fluids. This technology is attractive for decontamination, especially in situations where appropriate and rapid disposal of medical waste is not readily available. Further research is in progress to speed the release of the iodine from the polymer and the subsequent inactivation of the virus.

Delayed-Action Preparations↗
PubMed1996

Biosafety in the clinical mycobacteriology laboratory.

This article presents an expanded agent summary statement for laboratorians working with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It focuses on reducing the serious risk of infection in clinical laboratories that process specimens from tuberculosis patients or that work with purified cultures of tubercle bacilli. Administrative and engineering controls, practices and procedures, and personal protective equipment are discussed. Guidelines for packaging specimens for transfer to another laboratory also are presented.

Bacteriology↗
PubMed1996

Induction stand.

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Anesthesia, Intravenous↗