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Biomedical subjects

K M Russell

Publications and source records attributed to K M Russell.

9 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Quantitative ultrasonic diagnosis of silicone breast implant rupture: an in vitro feasibility study.

Ultrasound is useful in evaluating the integrity of silicone breast implants. However, extensive operator experience is required. A system for computer-assisted diagnosis is being developed to reduce operator dependence. Feasibility was examined by measuring the ultrasonic properties of breast implants in vitro. Silicone gels from 45 explanted implants (26 intact and 19 ruptured) were placed in sealed acoustic test chambers and 60 RF A-lines were acquired from each. Velocity of sound, attenuation and integrated backscatter (IB) were estimated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed. The mean speed of sound was 1060 m/s +/- 50.1 m/s in intact implants and 1115 m/s +/- 74.3 m/s in ruptured ones (p < 0.003). Differences in attenuation were not statistically significant. The mean IB was -83.9 dB +/- 7.94 dB in intact and -77.2 dB +/- 9.07 dB in ruptured implants (p < 0.006). The area under the ROC curve (Az) was 0.70 and 0.73 for IB and velocity, respectively, while combining the two yielded Az = 0.81. Changes in speed of sound and IB, with changes in integrity of breast implants, have been demonstrated in vitro. The results indicate the potential for quantitative assessment of silicone breast implants performed in vivo.

Breast Implants↗
PubMed1996

Health beliefs and social influence in home safety practices of mothers with preschool children.

The purpose of this study was to determine relationships among health beliefs, social influence, and home injury proofing-behavior in 140 low-income mothers with preschool children. Data were collected through structured interviews and observations of safety hazards in subjects' homes. Regression analysis showed that the combination of health beliefs, social influence, demographic, and experiential variables accounted for 51% of the variance in hazard accessibility and 44% in hazard frequency. Self efficacy, previous injury experience, knowledge, age, and birth position of the children were significant predictors of home safety practices. Recommendations are offered for practice, research, and health policy.

Accidents, Home↗
PubMed1996

Performance of neuroradiologic examinations by nonradiologists.

PURPOSE: To determine the level of participation by nonradiologists in performing neuroradiologic examinations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medicare part B claims data from fiscal year 1992 were analyzed for CPT (current procedural terminology) codes related to computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the brain, head and neck, and spine, as well as myelography, angiography, and diskography. Data were tabulated by place of service (hospital-based vs freestanding imaging centers) and by medical specialty. RESULTS: Among 363,224 Medicare claims for CT and MR imaging of the brain, head and neck, and spine, 91% of the examinations were performed in hospitals and 9% in offices or freestanding centers; 98% of studies were interpreted by a radiologist. The largest share of radiology billing by nonradiologists was from office-based or freestanding imaging centers (9%), versus 2% at hospital-based facilities. CONCLUSION: Radiologists perform the vast majority of neuroradiologic examinations. Most neuroradiologic examinations performed by nonradiologists are from neurologists at freestanding/office-based imaging centers.

Angiography↗
PubMed1995

Volume flow estimation using time domain correlation and ultrasonic flowmetry.

A comparison of two volumetric blood flow measurement techniques, CVI-Q (based on time domain correlation) and ultrasonic flowmetry, has been performed in vitro and in vivo. A pulsatile flowpump was used to simulate carotid and femoral type waveforms which were measured simultaneously using the two methods. Five dogs had their common carotid and femoral arteries exposed, and the instantaneous maximum volume flow and the mean flow were measured. Each vessel was partially occluded halfway through the experiment, simulating a 90% stenosis. In vitro, both techniques achieved absolute errors below +/- 5% for flow rates over 100 mL/min, but ultrasonic flowmetry had statistically significant larger errors for slower flow rates. In vivo correlation coefficients ranging from 0.73 to 0.95 were obtained with regression line slopes close to unity. The two techniques were in reasonable agreement, but with standard deviations of 20% to 28%. These studies indicate that noninvasive CVI-Q measurements of blood flow in the carotid and femoral arteries are linear and accurate compared to invasive ultrasonic flowmetry.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1992

Public policy analysis for registered nurses in a baccalaureate curriculum.

As nurses become more involved in the macro-decision-making arena, they need policy analysis skills in order to make effective recommendations on policy alternatives. Dunn's policy analysis framework, useful for examining and understanding policy issues, is relevant to nursing education and practice and provides guidance for effective action. This framework guided an educational experience for registered nurse (RN) students in a baccalaureate nursing program. The students participated in community-based policy analysis, examining public policies affecting the health of individuals, families, groups, and populations. Dunn's framework and this policy experience can be incorporated into formal education courses or continuing education programs.

Curriculum↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Development of an instrument to assess maternal childhood injury health beliefs and social influence.

Unintentional home related injuries are a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children under the age of five years. Injury incidence in homes for these children continues at high levels despite injury prevention education programs for their caregivers. This article reports the development of an instrument that assesses injury prevention health beliefs and social influence perceptions in mothers of young children. Based on the Health Belief Model, the tool is composed of six scales that measure injury susceptibility and seriousness, benefits and barriers of injury prevention, self efficacy of injury prevention performance, and social influence. Reliability measurements showed that all scales produced high Cronbach alphas (.83 to .98) and significant test-retest correlations (.30 to .62, p < or = .05). Criterion related validity was established (-.36 to -.59, p < or = .05) for all scales except the seriousness scale. This instrument has utility for nursing investigations on the predictors of injury prevention behavior and for development of nursing interventions to prevent injuries in young children.

Accidents, Home↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Epidemiology for community health nursing: an interactive computer assisted instruction program.

Epidemiology and its application to community health nursing is an essential concept for baccalaureate nursing students. To facilitate student learning, nursing faculty chose to use computer assisted instruction (CAI) as an adjunct teaching-learning strategy. An interdisciplinary team, including nursing content specialists and a computer programmer, produced an interactive CAI that integrated epidemiologic content, community health nursing practice, and learning-theory principles. Contents of the program modules are described, and program strategies used to enhance learning are delineated. Evaluation of the program indicated students (N = 106) believed the content was clearly explained and preferred learning epidemiology through combining classroom learning with CAI rather than through textbook reading assignments.

Community Health Nursing↗