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Biomedical subjects

D Hinson

Publications and source records attributed to D Hinson.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

A sporadic third layer in the ionosphere of Mars.

The daytime martian ionosphere has been observed as a two-layer structure with electron densities that peak at altitudes between about 110 and 130 kilometers. The Mars Express Orbiter Radio Science Experiment on the European Mars Express spacecraft observed, in 10 out of 120 electron density profiles, a third ionospheric layer at altitude ranges of 65 to 110 kilometers, where electron densities, on average, peaked at 0.8 x 10(10) per cubic meter. Such a layer has been predicted to be permanent and continuous. Its origin has been attributed to ablation of meteors and charge exchange of magnesium and iron. Our observations imply that this layer is present sporadically and locally.

Atmosphere↗
PubMed2000

Using the Veterans Administration National Surgical Quality Improvement Program to improve patient outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The primary goal of collecting quality assurance data is to ultimately improve patient care. The VA National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) provides each station with risk-adjusted morbidity and mortality data on a regular basis. This report of one medical center's use of the risk-adjusted data shows how it can be used to improve patient care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Risk-adjusted surgical outcome data for Fiscal Year 1996 (FY96) was received from the NSQIP coordinating center. The Salt Lake City VA medical center was identified as a high outlier for morbidity in general surgery. Patient charts were reviewed and data analyzed to determine practice patterns and to determine if there were any provider issues. Data analysis revealed a large number of wound complications and uncovered a practice pattern of closure of contaminated wounds. Using these data and data from the literature, wound infection and disruption prevention protocols were instituted in the fall of 1997. Wound complications from January to December 1996 (preprotocol) and January to December 1998 (postprotocol) were compared using Student's t test. RESULTS: The total number of operations in 1998 was 719 compared with 634 in 1996. Superficial wound infections dropped from 3.6 to 1.7%, while overall wound complications dropped from 5.5 to 2.9%. None of these changes were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Although introduction of wound infection and disruption prevention protocols did not result in a statistically significant decrease in wound complication, it did result in a clinically significant improvement in patient care.

Humans↗
PubMed1993

Overview and outcomes.

A great deal of progress has been made regarding improved prehospital transport, the quality of trauma care, and injury prevention research. The analysis of the four determinants of outcome in the trauma victim allowed for the discovery of subgroups who may benefit from a change in triage, resuscitation, or management. Our recent investigation into the effect of host factors on mortality resulted in the discovery that pre-existing illness predicts outcome independent of other determinants, including age and ISS. This article serves as an introduction to the effect of PED on trauma victims, including prevalence of specific PED, as well as disease-specific treatment considerations. The bottom line in care of any trauma victim is that all deviations from normal must be noted, but they should be evaluated properly with respect to the acute injuries. It is the authors' hope that this overview will guide the intensivist in focusing on the treatment of acute injuries without losing sight of the importance of both recognizing and managing chronic illnesses so their detrimental effect on patient outcome can be minimalized. A large multicenter investigation is needed to see whether these recommendations will, in fact, positively impact on trauma victim outcome.

Age Factors↗