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Biomedical subjects

A Ellsworth

Publications and source records attributed to A Ellsworth.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Analgesia for colposcopy: double-masked, randomized comparison of ibuprofen and benzocaine gel.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate pain relief effectiveness of oral ibuprofen and topical benzocaine gel during colposcopy. METHODS: In a double-masked, randomized controlled trial, women who attended a family medicine colposcopy clinic received one of four treatments, 800 mg of oral ibuprofen, 20% topical benzocaine, both, or placebos. Using visual analog scales, women recorded their pain after speculum placement, endocervical curettage (ECC), and cervical biopsy. Participants were 18-55 years old, spoke English, and were not taking other pain or psychotropic medications. Demographic and historical information was collected from each participant. RESULTS: Ninety-nine subjects participated. Twenty-five received oral ibuprofen and topical benzocaine (median pain scores on a 10-point scale for speculum placement, ECC, and biopsy were 0.75, 3.00, and 3.38, respectively), 24 received oral placebo and topical benzocaine (1.00, 3.75, and 2.63), 24 received oral ibuprofen and topical placebo (0.63, 3.75, and 2.25), and 26 received oral and topical placebos (0.75, 3.50, and 3.00). There were no statistically significant differences in patient visual analogue pain scale scores across the four groups (statistical power, ECC = 0.74, cervical biopsy = 0.62). Younger women and women who had pain with speculum placement were more likely to have increased pain during ECC. Increased pain during biopsy was associated with history of severe dysmenorrhea but no other demographic or historical factors. Women overall reported ECC and biopsy to be mildly painful, with median scores of 3.5 for ECC and 2.75 for biopsy on a 10-point scale. The range in pain scores was large, with some women reporting severe pain (for ECC minimum = 0.25, maximum = 10.0; biopsy: minimum = 0.0, maximum = 9.0). CONCLUSION: Colposcopy is perceived as somewhat painful, but oral ibuprofen and topical benzocaine gel, alone or together, provided no advantage over placebo in decreasing colposcopy pain.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1993

A cardiovascular health education program for rural schools.

Public understanding of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and primary prevention has increased, due in part to community prevention efforts. However, many segments of society are difficult to reach. Such groups still need public education to acquire the knowledge that can lead to behavior change. Community intervention programs in rural areas face the challenge of disseminating health information to widely scattered populations isolated by difficult terrain and weather, and restricted by the sparsity of channels for mass communication. School health promotion programs, because of the special role schools play in rural communities, can help reach rural populations. During a five-year period, the Otsego-Schoharie Healthy Heart Program, a state-funded community intervention program, provided presentations to 18% of the combined total population of two rural counties through its school-based component. It also helped promote other program initiatives by establishing linkages in the community. Schools provide an effective channel for health promotion efforts to reach rural populations.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

A system for drug utilization review in ambulatory care.

BACKGROUND: It is more difficult to conduct drug utilization reviews in ambulatory care settings than in inpatient care settings. This is true for several reasons: it is harder to identify outpatients who are receiving specific medications; often there is less evidence on which to base clinical standards for drug use; and it is more difficult to ensure patient compliance with drug therapy. METHODS: This article describes a drug utilization review system designed to operate in ambulatory care clinics. The system consists of (1) a computerized database for efficient identification of patients who receive prescriptions for a specific medication, (2) clinic-wide consensus guidelines, (3) reminders in the medical record, (4) regular chart audits, and (5) feedback to physicians. RESULTS: Experience in monitoring the use of serum theophylline assays illustrates how this system can be used in an ambulatory care clinic. According to guidelines adopted in our clinic, overuse of assays is not a problem. The system of physician reminders and chart audits can help prevent underuse. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the difficulties in conducting drug utilization reviews in the ambulatory setting, a system based on clinic-wide guidelines is feasible and should be an integral part of quality assurance programs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Desipramine-, not tartrazine-, induced drug eruption.

A 46-year-old woman's antidepressant therapy was changed from doxepin to desipramine because of sedative side effects. Within ten days of initiation of desipramine, a pruritic, morbilliform rash developed. The rash extended despite attempts to continue therapy with a tartrazine-free desipramine as well as antihistamines and prednisone. The rash promptly improved when desipramine was discontinued. Classic drug eruptions are quite uncommon with tricyclic antidepressants. Tartrazine, a common additive in the food and drug industry, is implicated in a number of hypersensitivity reactions. Our report presents an apparent case of desipramine-induced drug rash independent of tartrazine, and discusses the nonassociation of tartrazine.

Azo Compounds↗
PubMed1984

Multicenter study of family physician prescribing.

The objective of this study was to examine differences in prescribing characteristics among four Iowa family practice offices, each associated with family practice residency programs. This prospective study collected data over a four-month period, utilizing duplicate, carbon-copy prescriptions. The prescriptions were tabulated according to individual drug and therapeutic categories. Differences in prescribing frequency among offices were analyzed using chi-square 2 X 2 contingency tables. The number of prescriptions written at each office (designated A through D) were as follows: A, 1,034; B, 1,449; C, 2,965; and D, 2,335. The most frequently prescribed drug category was systemic antibiotics, followed by cough, cold, or allergy products, analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs or muscle relaxants, diuretics, and topical anti-infectives. There were statistically significant differences in the frequencies of these categories among offices. The most frequently prescribed drug was amoxicillin at offices A, B, and C, and erythromycin at office D. There were statistically significant differences in the frequencies of the top ten drugs at each office. From these data the family practice faculty and clinical pharmacists can identify therapeutic areas that may require additional educational emphasis for the resident.

Drug Prescriptions↗
PubMed1980

Identification of potentially noncompliant patients with a mailed medication refill reminder system.

A medication refill reminder system was evaluated as a tool for identifying noncompliant patients. The system anticipates the date that a fully compliant patient would be expected to exhaust his or her medication supply and sends postcard reminders to all who have not obtained refills by the anticipated date. This refill reminder system has been in operation at the Pioneer Medical Center since 1973. During a 1-month study period, responses to the postcard reminders were monitored closely. Patients failing to respond within 5 days were contacted by telephone. The status of each patient's medication supply at the time of the pharmacy visit or telephone call was determined. Of 121 anticipated medication refill visits, 49 patients were found to have refilled their medications on or before the anticipated date. Reminder postcards were mailed to 72 patients. Within 5 days, 46 patients responded. Telephone calls were placed to 24 out of 25 patients. Two types of noncompliant behavior were identified; 34 out of 70 patients exhausted their medication supply before returning for a refill and 25 out of 70 patients accumulated a 1- to 30-day excess medication supply because of omitted doses. The postcard medication refill reminder system was found to be an effective tool for identifying patients who may benefit from compliance counseling with the pharmacist.

Community Health Centers↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Phase IV drug studies.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗