Biomedical subjects

C Blane

Publications and source records attributed to C Blane.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1997

A multifaceted approach to changing handwashing behavior.

BACKGROUND: Few interventions to influence handwashing have had measurable effects. This prospective quasi-experimental study was designed to address predisposing, enabling, and reinforcing factors to improve frequency of handwashing. METHODS: Over a 12-month time period, a multifaceted intervention including focus group sessions, installation of automated sinks, and feedback to staff on handwashing frequency was implemented in one intensive care unit; a second unit served as a control. Dependent variables observed were handwashing frequency and self-reported practices and opinions about handwashing. Study phases included baseline, three phases of about 2 months each in duration in which sink automation was incrementally increased, and follow-up 2 months after intervention. RESULTS: During 301 hours of observation, 2624 handwashings were recorded. Proportion of times hands were washed varied by indication, ranging from 38% before invasive procedures to 86% for dirty-to-clean procedures (p < 0.00001). Although there were some significant differences between experimental and control units in handwashing during the study, these differences had returned to baseline by the 2-month follow-up. There were no significant differences in self-reported practices and opinions from before to after intervention nor between units. CONCLUSIONS: Intensive intervention, including feedback, education, and increased sink automation, had minimal long-term effect on handwashing frequency.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1994

Efficacy of anterior gastric fundoplication in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux in infants and children.

Anterior gastric fundoplication (AGF) has been performed at the University of Michigan since 1988. To objectively evaluate the long-term efficacy of the AGF, the authors performed a study of children who had undergone AGF between June 1988 and June 1990 (n = 46). Six of them died of unrelated causes. Twenty-two consented to follow-up evaluation that included parental interview, physical examination, upper gastrointestinal series (UGI), 24-hour esophageal pH probe monitoring (EpH), and a liquid-phase gastric emptying study. Twenty patients (74%) remained asymptomatic, and only one child required reoperation. Four asymptomatic patients exhibited gastroesophageal reflux (GER) by UGI, and three others by EpH. Three children were noted to have delayed gastric emptying. These results compare favorably with data previously reported from this institution of a 5-year follow-up of children after Nissen fundoplication. There is a trend toward improved efficacy (87% v 74%; P = .12), decreased reoperation rate (4% v 14%; P = .11), and less severe complications. The present study shows that AGF is effective treatment for GER when evaluated by objective studies and is comparable in therapeutic efficacy and safety to the Nissen fundoplication.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1990

Congenital biliary dilatation: a spectrum of disease detailed by ultrasound.

Recently we have examined six children with the diagnosis of choledochal cyst who demonstrate a greater spectrum of biliary involvement than expected. Classically choledochal cysts have been divided into types and subtypes based on the configuration of common bile duct dilatation; however, this simplified information is misleading since surgical management is dependent on the exact extent of intrahepatic and extrahepatic biliary abnormalities. The pre-operative ultrasound examination must be meticulous to provide enough pertinent anatomic details. Much of the intrahepatic anatomy is not visualized at surgery nor on the operative cholangiograms where reflux of contrast into the intrahepatic ducts may not be consistently achieved.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Effect of intravascular surveillance and education program on rates of nosocomial bloodstream infections.

BACKGROUND: Because of high proportions of central line-related bloodstream infections (BSIs), an intravascular surveillance and education program (IVSP) was instituted in the study institution in 1987. METHODS: A 6 1/2-year historical prospective study was conducted to evaluate the effects of the IVSP on incidence of nosocomial BSIs. With use of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria, concurrent data on nosocomial BSIs were collected by two infection control professionals before, during, and for 3 years after the IVSP. RESULTS: Hospital-wide BSIs during the 3-year IVSP and for 3 years after were 0.9% and 0.9% (p = 0.58) or 1.4 and 1.2/1000 patient-days (p = 0.24). Central line-related BSIs represented 29%, 24%, and 29% of the total BSIs 6 months before, 3 years during, and 6 months after the intervention, respectively (p = 0.62). CONCLUSIONS: The IVSP resulted neither in a reduction in the total intravascular catheter-related BSIs nor in a change in the proportion of potentially preventable central line-related BSIs. To be successful, an intervention must include the authority to mandate practice changes; education and feedback without such authority were inadequate.

Catheterization, Central Venous↗