PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

E Larson

Publications and source records attributed to E Larson.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

Combining nursing quality assurance and research programs.

This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of combining nursing quality assurance and research programs in clinical settings. The intended audiences and scopes of quality assurance and research differ, causing potential conflicts in combined programs. Such conflicts include the methods of disseminating findings, action taken on data obtained, analytic methods used, and issues of territoriality. However, advantages of combining these programs are great. Nursing research can be introduced into the clinical setting via quality assurance; resultant studies are more likely to be of direct clinical relevance; and results are more likely to be integrated into practice when programs are combined rather than separate. Combined programs are also cost efficient.

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Or↗

FUO revisited.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Collagen Diseases↗

Factors influencing handwashing behavior of patient care personnel.

Factors that are important in influencing individuals to wash or not wash their hands were studied in 193 health care personnel. The most important factor favoring handwashing (HW) was the prevention of spread of infection among patients; the most important factor against HW was busy-ness. Physicians reported HW significantly less frequently than did nurses (p = 0.04). Individuals who washed infrequently, less than eight times per day, placed significantly more value on detrimental effects of frequent HW on their own skin and on the HW practices of their work colleagues than did individuals who washed frequently, more than 16 times per day (p less than 0.005). Frequent and infrequent washers did not differ significantly in their values regarding the factors favoring HW. Identifying factors that are determinants of whether one decides to wash one's hands or not are important in planning intervention strategies to improve practice. It appears that more emphasis should be placed on minimizing deterrents (especially detrimental effects on skin and peer pressure) rather than on emphasizing the importance of HW.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

Coexistence of cognitive impairment and depression in geriatric outpatients.

The authors diagnosed depression in 20 (23%) of 88 cognitively impaired geriatric outpatients. Three (20%) of these patients had depression only, and 17 (85%) had depression superimposed on an underlying dementia. The rate of coexisting depression decreased significantly with greater severity of the cognitive impairment: 9 (33%) of 27 mildly impaired patients were depressed, compared with 8 (23%) of 35 moderately impaired and 3 (12%) of 26 severely impaired patients. There was a nonsignificant trend for cognitively impaired women to be more likely to be depressed than for similarly impaired men. The authors conclude that although depression must be differentiated from dementia, it is equally important to consider the possibility that the diagnoses coexist.

Aged↗

Treatment results at a multi-specialty clinic for the impaired elderly and their families.

Geriatric and Family Services at the University of Washington provides a comprehensive evaluation and treatment program for the impaired elderly, and also offers support, counseling and practical advice for their families. Although most of the 76 patients in this first-year study had cognitive impairment, about one-fourth of them showed unequivocal motor, cognitive and/or affective improvement with treatment for previously undetected illnesses. The rating of "unequivocal improvement" required objective data, as well as corroboration by the patient and family. These therapeutic gains and the increased public interest led to expansion of the program.

Aged↗

Assessing the quality of care for urinary tract infection in office practice: a comparative organizational study.

As part of a comprehensive evaluation of care received by enrollees in a prepaid community health care project, we studied the process of care for enrollees reported to have a urinary tract infection. The care given to 98 patients enrolled in a large prepaid group practice (PGP) and 69 patients seen by 45 physicians in the independent practice setting (IPP) was analyzed. We found the process of care to be significantly better in the PGP, with a large part of the difference due to more appropriate utilization of urine cultures. This occurred despite a higher visit rate to internists in the IPP, and suggests that the organization of practice strongly affects the process of care received by patients even when all care is fully prepaid.

Ambulatory Care↗

The epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus in a newborn nursery from 1970 through 1976.

Results of seven years of epidemiologic surveillance for Staphylococcus aureus in a newborn nursery are presented as a follow-up of a study from this same institution published in 1969. Surveillance of the previous study included years 1961 through 1968. A continued rise in S. aureus colonization rates among newborns occurred from 1973 through 1976 as compared to previous years studied. This was related primarily to the discontinuance of hexachlorophene (HCP) bathing. Other contributing factors were the addition in 1972 of the umbilical (as well as anterior nares) site for culturing, potentially doubling the S. aureus retrieval; the use, beginning in 1972, of an HCP-inhibiting medium for staphylococcal culturing; and probably the presence in previous years of the Hawthorne effect. Clinical infection rates with S. aureus also increased significantly (P less than .001)when HCP bathing was in abeyance. Antibiotic sensitivity patterns of S. aureus isolated from 1970 through 1976 have remained the same. Five phage types were recurrent in causing clinical infections throughout the seven years. A recommended program for control of staphylococcal disease in the newborn nursery includes concentration on improvement of each staff member's individual technique, continuous epidemiologic surveillance, and routine umbilical care with triple dye or bacitracin. Bathing of infants with HCP should be considered a temporary treatment to be terminated as acute disease is controlled.

Cross Infection↗