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Biomedical subjects

G Rowley

Publications and source records attributed to G Rowley.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Reliability and accuracy of the Glasgow Coma Scale with experienced and inexperienced users.

To investigate whether the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) can be used reliably and accurately by inexperienced observers, ratings made by observers grouped by level of experience were examined for within-group interobserver disagreements and for discrepancies with scores given by an expert. The GCS was used accurately by experienced and highly trained users, but inexperienced users made consistent errors. The errors were such that they would not be detectable by studies that examine only interobserver agreement, and they were substantial, averaging in some cases more than one point on the four-point and five-point scales of the GCS. Also, the error rates were highest at the intermediate levels of consciousness, for which the detection of changes in condition is vital. The findings support the continued use of the GCS by appropriately qualified personnel, but call into question much of the conventional wisdom about its reliability when used by untrained or inexperienced staff. The findings also suggest that interobserver comparisons are insufficient for establishing the viability of the GCS.

Evaluation Studies as Topic↗
PubMed1985

Changes in the synovia after the intra-articular injection of sodium hyaluronate into normal horse joints and after arthrotomy and experimental cartilage damage.

Sodium hyaluronate was injected into normal horse joints and joints that had undergone an arthrotomy and experimental cartilage damage. The elimination half-life for hyaluronic acid in normal joints was found to be approximately 96 h. The injection caused a non-significant increase (42%) in synovial fluid protein concentration and a fall in the intrinsic viscosity of the fluid. In the arthrotomy group the synovial fluid hyaluronic acid concentration fell after surgery but it was unaffected by the injection of sodium hyaluronate. An initial rise in the intrinsic viscosity of the synovial fluid from the arthrotomy group coincided with an increase in protein concentration. However there was no significant difference between the mean intrinsic viscosity or protein concentration in synovia from the control and treated joints at any time after surgery.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Quantitation of hyaluronic acid in equine synovia.

An assay for the determination of hyaluronic acid concentration in equine synovia (synovial fluid) was investigated. The method involved the degradation of hyaluronic acid, using a highly specific microbial enzyme. The unsaturated tetra- and hexasaccharide products were oxidized with periodate and caused to react with thiobarbituric acid for form a chromophore which absorbed in the visible range of the spectrum. The method was precise within acceptable limits for synovia and compared favorably with the widely used carbazole method of Bitter and Muir (Anal Biochem 4:330-334, 1962). The between-assay coefficient of variation was 1.7% and the method was found to be linear to 100 microgram of hyaluronic acid. The mean value for hyaluronic acid concentration in synovia of health horses was 127 mg/100 ml.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical trial of the Norton Scale in acute care settings.

This study investigated the effect of using Norton Scale assessment data in the nursing care of patients at risk of developing pressure ulcers. The results indicated that incorporating the Norton Scale in care planning resulted in benefits to patients through earlier and more effective nursing interventions.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reliability of assessments by skilled observers using the Glasgow Coma Scale.

The management of patients at risk of neurological deterioration is often centred around serial assessments made by nursing and medical clinicians using the Glasgow Coma Scale. Although accepted throughout the world as a reliable and consistent tool for such assessments, little work has been done to validate the original claims of reliability. In this study a very high degree of inter-rater reliability was demonstrated between registered nurses (RNs) who were educated and experienced in use of the scale. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.

Coma↗