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Biomedical subjects

L Proietti

Publications and source records attributed to L Proietti.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Analysis of hepatitis C virus infection among health-care workers: an observational study.

AIM: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the most common blood-borne pathogens transmitted from patients to health care workers (HCWs). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have developed a set of universal precautions to help prevent transmission of blood-borne pathogens between patients and HCWs in health care settings. HCV infection status among HCWs and proportion of HCWs experiencing occupational blood exposure accidents were monitored to assess the risk of HCV infection among HCWs at a hospital in Catania, Italy. METHODS: The number of HCWs reporting occupational blood exposure accidents during 1999 and 2004 were compared to examine whether there was any change in the incidence of these accidents among 900 HCWs. HCV infection status of these HCWs was also analyzed in 1999 and 2004 to determine how many were infected with HCV during this time period. RESULTS: HCV infection was detected in 21 out of 900 subjects in 1999. The remaining 879 HCWs remained HCV-negative until they were last tested in 2004. There was a statistically significant decrease in the number of HCWs that experienced occupational blood exposure accidents from 306 in 1999 to 240 in 2004 (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The finding that all 871 HCV-negative HCWs remained HCV-negative from 1999 until 2004 supports the view that the set of universal precautions recommended by the CDC are helpful for preventing HCV transmission from patients to HCWs. HCWs must continue following these precautions to prevent transmission of HCV and other blood-borne pathogens between patients and HCWs in the future.

Health Personnel↗
PubMed2003

Osseointegration in hip prostheses: experimental study in sheep.

Sixteen 2- to 3-year-old sheep were submitted to a hemiarthroplasty of the hip joint with a specially designed femoral component. The proximal two thirds of the stem had a circumferential, plasma-sprayed, porous coating with hydroxyapatite. The animals where killed a 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 200, 270, 360, and 540 days after surgery. Femurs were submitted to plain radiographs, computerised tomography (CT) scan, and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Cross-sections were obtained at four different levels and studied using scanning electron microscopy. In the coated portion of the stem, apposition of woven immature bone was evident at 15-30 days and mature lamellar bone by 30 days. With time, the gap between the endosteum and the coated surface was filled by bridges of lamellar bone with a marked trabecular orientation. In the distal uncoated portion of the stem, the implant was initially surrounded by fibrous tissue that, with time, transformed into lamellar bone.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Surface analysis of a femoral stem after failed total hip replacement.

We analysed the surface of a Ti alloy femoral stem in a cementless total hip replacement with early failure. A specific protocol consisting of non destructive and destructive tests was used in the evaluation of the retrieved stem. The tests confirmed that implant fretting due to bone abrasion constitutes an early phase of loosening.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[Buprenorphine in balanced anesthesia].

Buprenorphine was administered for the balanced general anaesthesia in 300 patients during several operations. The results obtained, the good features of analgesia, morphine-like, the absence of cardiovascular and respiratory side effects are presented.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Spinal diseases in the health setting. Epidemiologic findings at a hospital in eastern Sicily].

The importance of spinal column disorders has long been known, both for their frequency in working environments and the social consequences they provoke, i.e. absence from work and social insurance costs. Our study focussed on 800 health care workers: nursing personnel who provide direct patient care, and 150 office workers of Sicily Hospital. We estimated column pathologies by using Colombini, Occhipinti, Grieco method. On the basis of our results we may affirm that the column disorders are more frequent in hospital assistants: S.A.P. II degree 22% S.A.P. III degree 10%, in office workers S.A.P. II degree 6% S.A.P. III degree 3%.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Environmental monitoring and health monitoring for personnel exposed to inhalation anesthetics].

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to verify the results of medical surveillance for personnel exposed to inhaled anaesthetics in operating rooms (300 exposed), and estimate the level of pollution in operating theatres of a university hospital. METHOD: Determination of the baseline and final value of the environmental anaesthetics by infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy; medical check-up and blood tests. RESULTS: During our observation we found in all rooms (new rooms and older rooms) values of nitrous oxide and isoflurane acceptable, all the anaesthetic's concentration are below the limits proposed by C.M. number 5 of the 14/03/89. Personnel reported subjective symptoms especially anxiety, but no blood alteration related to exposure were found. CONCLUSIONS: Technical precautions as use of low flow system, replacement of nitrous oxide with air, careful check of anaesthetic machine, and behavioral rules have decreased the emission of anaesthetics in the environment. Blood tests are found are not a valid index of possible damage caused by exposure. A large percentage of anaesthesiologists are found to have anxiety.

Anesthetics, Inhalation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Low flow anesthesia and environmental pollution].

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of the present study is to evaluate operating room pollution and isoflurane and N2O consumption in open system and low flow anesthesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Environmental concentration of N2O and isoflurane were measured in an operating room of 150 m3 with 10 air changes by an infrared gas analyser (Brüel & Kjaer) in open system and in low flow anesthesia. Accurate measurement of ihalatory anaesthetic and N2O consumption was made. RESULTS: Concentrations of N2O and isoflurane in operating room were 4.83 ppm and 0.4 ppm respectively, lower compared with open systems: 301 ppm and 11.1 ppm respectively. Isoforane consumption was 25 cc in five hours during low flow anaesthesia, lower compared with open system: 125 ppm, N2O consumption was 4 l/m in open system, 1 l/m in low flow anaesthesia.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Occupational exposure to formaldehyde at a service of pathologic anatomy].

OBJECTIVE: Aim of the present study is to evaluate the air pollution produced by formaldehyde in pathological anatomy. METHODS: This study was made with instrumental approach based on environmental evaluation of 10% formaldehyde used in pathological anatomy, by an infrared gas analyser (Brüel & Kjaer), and clinical approach of pathological anatomy personnel. RESULTS: The final result is not very comforting because we found values of formaldehyde during specific activities which exeeded the current limits proposed by industrial hygienist, infact we found in a different settings 1.81 ppm, 3.78 ppm, 8.3.05 ppm. The personnel exposed reported subjective symptoms as reactive airway symptoms, headache, skin problems. CONCLUSIONS: To reduce air pollution we have indicated technical precautions as forced ventilation which is a major engineering control for reducing risk from chemical agents, use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as last resort for protection, behavioral rules and health surveillance.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Quality handbook in radiotherapy: personal experience.

The Quality Handbook includes the description of the activities carried out in Radiotherapy and the methodology used to ensure the Quality Assurance according to the principles indicated in national and international documents of reference and the recommendations of accreditation agencies. The structure of the Quality Handbook, the main aspects of single chapters, the selected quality indicators undergoing inspections are analysed and procedures to be followed for changes and updating of the Quality Handbook are described. The Quality Assurance program is illustrated in another article of this issue.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Quality assurance in radiotherapy: personal experience.

The approach to the implementation of a Quality Assurance Program applied from 1 October 2000 at the Radiotherapy Service of the "Università Cattolica del S. Cuore, Policlinico "A. Gemelli" of Rome, is described. Some major aspects of this program are analyzed.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Quality handbook in radiotherapy. Brachytherapy: personal experience.

Brachytherapy is a conventional method of radiation therapy characterized by peculiar technical, clinical, operational and radioprotection problems. Therefore, the management of a service or department of brachytherapy requires a specific organization aimed at Quality Assurance. In this report, the personal experience with the drawing up of a Quality Handbook of brachytherapy with reference to the method used and the structure of the document, is described.

Brachytherapy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Suspected glutaraldehyde poisoning: a case report].

AIMS: To report a case of anxiety, possibly due to glutaraldehyde poisoning in a female anaesthesiologist working in an operating room and exposed to 2% solution of glutaraldehyde, the only chemical used for disinfection of flexible endoscopic instruments. METHODS: A clinical evaluation was made and neurobehavioural functions were explored by sensitive neuropsychological testing: testing included a simple and complex reaction time and examination of the autonomic nervous system. The atmospheric concentration of glutaraldehyde was measured by means of a Brüel & Kjaer Multigas Monitor type 1302 analyzer. RESULTS: Adverse neurobehavioural effects, including headache, loss of attention, dizziness, anxiety, drowsiness on the job, alteration of homeostatic reflexes, were observed, and sensitive neuropsychological testing confirmed neurobehavioural impairment. No blood alterations related to exposure were found. Very high levels of glutaraldehyde were detected in the operating theatre. After ten days away from exposure to glutaraldehyde no symptoms and no behavioral effects on the central and autonomic nervous systems were detectable. CONCLUSIONS: Although conclusions cannot be drawn from a single case, exposure to a high level of glutaraldehyde, subjective symptoms, alteration of neurobehavioural performance, no consumption of CNS medication, no neurological or psychiatric disorders, no coffee consumption and alcohol intake, no exposure to other neurotoxic agents, complete recovery after removal from exposure to glutaraldehyde, are indicative of glutaraldehyde poisoning.

Anesthesiology↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Environmental monitoring of occupational exposure to glutaraldehyde at a hospital].

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the air pollution in operating theatres of a Sicily Hospital produced by 2% alkaline solutions of glutaraldehyde, which is used to disinfect flexible endoscopy units, filling tanks and cleaning surfaces. Personnel reported subjective symptoms as: headache, dizziness, anxiety, drowsiness on the job, loss of attention, irritation of the skin and respiratory tract. METHODS: Environmental valuation of glutaraldehyde was made by infrared photoacustic spectroscopy. RESULTS: The final results is not very comforting infact we found value of glutaraldehyde which exceeded the upper limit value (0.05 ppm) due to behavioral rules, to not well ventilated workplaces and to not automated washing units.

Air Pollution, Indoor↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Prevalence of HCV in health care workers in Southern Italy].

PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the population exposed to biological risk of two hospitals in southern Italy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: All health care workers of two main hospitals of Sicily, potentially exposed to biological risk underwent health surveillance. Health care personnel were arranged into seven occupational group, and five age bands (< 30, 31-40 years, 25-30 years, 41-50, 51-60 years, > 60 years). We estimated the prevalence of hepatitis C infection in 1800 healthcare workers by means of nucleic acid amplification and genotype by means of sequencing, the workers were also tested for liver function. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of anti-HCV was 2.1%, corresponding to 39 persons. The prevalence in health workers was higher in nurses than in surgeon, group perceived to be at greatest risk of occupational exposure, and higher in elderly workers (> 45 years) than in younger ones. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of anti-HCV in our study was higher than in blood donors, and lower than in general population in southern of Italy. The 45% of HCV infected healthcare workers were unaware of their condition and their potential to infect patients. Testing for HCV infection should be routinely performed for health care workers to detect the infection, which frequently results in a chronic asymptomatic carrier state for many years before the development of symptomatic liver disease, and perform precocious therapy with interferon.

Adult↗