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Biomedical subjects

A Beckerman

Publications and source records attributed to A Beckerman.

15 recordsLinked to original sources

A mobile aerosol cryotherapy device (Histofreezer) for treatment of cervical contact bleeding: a pilot study.

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of the Histofreezer (a mobile aerosol cryotherapy device) treatment for women with cervical contact bleeding. Ten healthy women aged 22-50 years referred to our outpatient colposcopy clinic for recurrent postcoital or contact bleeding, and who suffered from mild to wide ectropion with bleeding on contact were studied. All women had a normal pelvic examination and ultrasound and a normal colposcopy and PAP smear. They were treated with the Histofreezer, which freezes the tissue to a temperature of -55 degrees C. A picture of the cervix was taken by a cervical camera before, after the procedure and during follow-up visits 4 and 8 weeks afterwards. There was a complete resolution of bleeding ectropion with a good healing of squamous metaplasia in seven patients. Two women showed partial improvement. Based on this initial study, this short and simple ambulatory treatment shows good results, both subjectively and on follow-up colposcopy.

Adult↗

Management of alternate level of care patients using a computerized database.

The term "alternate level of care" (ALC) refers to the status of hospitalized patients who are no longer acutely ill but cannot be discharged because posthospital plans are not yet in place. ALC is a major problem for patients, families, and hospitals. This article describes the experiences of an urban teaching hospital with ALC and the development of a computerized database to better manage the ALC population. Among the findings were that age, waiting for a nursing home placement, family-related discharge problems, and pending Medicaid eligibility all significantly contributed to length of stay beyond the acute phase of the illness. Using these data, the hospital developed an innovative program in which the preparation of Medicaid applications was transferred from the Department of Finance to the Department of Social Work Services.

Aged↗

A personal journal of caring through esthetic knowing.

In this article the author, through a process of contemplation, sought to put into words the inner feelings and experiences of caring depicted in six works of art. The questions the author explored were, Is the language of caring present in all environments? Are there similarities or dissimilarities? Evidence of caring was found in all the paintings, some of which were painted during the Holocaust. The paintings and the journaling process are described.

Esthetics↗

Mothers in prison: meeting the prerequisite conditions for permanency planning.

This article describes a study of incarcerated mothers in New York State prisons who had children in foster care. Prerequisite conditions for permanency planning activities between mothers and caseworkers are examined, with a focus on the incidence of correspondence, telephone contact, and notification of court hearings. Although most of the mothers questioned reported having telephone contact or correspondence with caseworkers, a sizable number reported having neither, and less than half were familiar with the procedures that would enable them to appear for court hearings. Failure to engage in such activities jeopardizes the parental status of the incarcerated mother. Recommendations are made for changes in policies and practice that facilitate increased correspondence and telephone contact as well as notification of and attendance at court hearings.

Adoption↗

A vulnerable population: multiproblem older adults in acute care.

1. The older patient has unique needs and vulnerabilities that pose a challenge to nursing. 2. Excess nosocomial infections, incontinence, confusion, activity limitations, skin breakdown, and increased posthospitalization mortality are potential negative outcomes of older adult hospitalization. 3. There is some evidence of age bias in clinical decisions made regarding the older patient. 4. Additional preparation in gerontological nursing, increased sensitization to the needs of older patients, more specialized units, and greater emphasis on basic needs in the acute care setting are necessary to enhance quality nursing care for the frail older patient.

Aged↗

Helping patients in the supportive milieu of a community residence program for the chronically mentally ill: conceptual model and initial evaluation.

The Community Residence Program described is sponsored by an urban teaching hospital and supported by state funds. The program uses scatter-site apartments in the community to house 120 patients in a therapeutic milieu as part of their comprehensive aftercare treatment. The program stresses teaching the skills of daily living to patients with chronic, psychiatric illnesses. The conceptual model used is based on challenges and tasks appropriate for this population. Preliminary evaluation findings suggest that the program is successful in teaching patients social skills, helping them adhere to medical regimens, perform household chores and observe fire safety regulations.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Cancer and dysplasia of cervix in relation to reduced lymphocytic cortisol metabolism-enhancing effect.

In previous studies we found that the plasma of carcinoma patients shows a reduced capacity to enhance lymphocytic cortisol metabolism. In the present study this capacity was assessed in the plasma of patients suffering from cervical carcinoma (Ce. Ca.) and of patients suffering from cervical dysplasia (Ce. Dis.) regarded as being at high risk to develop cancer. Known concentrations of human lymphocytes from healthy donors were incubated with cortisol in media containing 50% phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and 50% of one of the following additions: 1) homologous plasma (HP), 2) plasma from the patients being tested or from healthy controls, or 3) additional PBS. The cortisol conversion rate was measured and compared with that obtained with lymphocytes immersed in HP. Previous findings showed that the plasma of cancer patients has a mean metabolism-enhancing rate 62% of that obtained with HP. In the present study the results were as follows: Ce. Ca., 60%; Ce. Dis., 70%: controls, 93%. The percentage of "cancer-positive" results were as follows: Ce. Ca., 91%; Ce. Dis., 45%; controls, 25%.

Female↗

Cardiac catheterization: the patients' perspective.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the patients' experience of cardiac catheterization. DESIGN: Descriptive, qualitative, phenomenologic. SETTING: Large southeastern teaching hospital with an active cardiac catheterization laboratory and research center. PATIENTS: Ten men, between 44 and 73 years of age, who had undergone their first cardiac catheterization. RESULTS: The participants described feelings of loss of control of physical and personal self; an increased fear of the unknown during the test and especially of outcomes that might affect their future; a focus on time and its relationship to complication; a need not to be alone and not to be isolated after the test; and an awareness of spiritual belief in the good of others, trusting in their competencies. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests the need for more attention to the psychologic aspects of the test, especially to the outcomes, negative as well as positive, and how they may affect the patient.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Charting a course: meeting the challenge of permanency planning for children with incarcerated mothers.

Case workers involved in permanency planning for children whose mothers are incarcerated must assess the family's strengths, the mother's capacity to assume parental responsibilities, and the integrity of the parent-child relationship; and address concerns regarding the short- and long-term effects of the children's socioemotional dislocation and the merits of their retaining a relationship with their mothers. At the same time, correctional policies and practices delineate the nature and extent of contacts with the mother and the mother's access to rehabilitative programs. Agency guidelines, practice tools, and advocacy initiatives must be developed to help practitioners meet these challenges. An initial review of the Adoption and Safe Families Act suggests the need for close monitoring of the impact of its mandates to shorten the time for moving children toward permanency and its weakening of the expectation for "reasonable efforts" to be made to reunify families.

Adult↗