Biomedical subjects

M Blegen

Publications and source records attributed to M Blegen.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

The effects of gender and menstrual phase on carbohydrate utilization during acute cold exposure.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of gender and menstrual cycle on the percent of carbohydrate (CHO) utilized during cold water immersion (20 degrees C). Previous research has suggested that males and females utilize CHO differently during submaximal exercise. This study examined whether this differential response is replicated during a submaximal elevation in metabolism, as demonstrated during thermogenesis (i.e., shivering during acute cold exposure). METHODS: Male and female subjects between the ages of 18 and 30 years were recruited for this study. Female subjects underwent the experimental trial once during the follicular phase and once during the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle. Subjects were immersed to the first thoracic vertebra until esophageal temperature reached 36.5 degrees C or for a maximum preocclusion period of 40 minutes. Peripheral temperature homeostasis via cuff occlusion (right arm and left leg) took place for 10 minutes, after which the pressure cuffs were released (postocclusion) and the subjects remained in the water for an additional 10 minutes. The following variables were measured: respiratory exchange ratio, percent of CHO utilization, and oxygen consumption (Vo2). RESULTS: Analysis of variance demonstrated no significant difference between genders or phases of the menstrual cycle in respiratory exchange ratio, percent CHO utilization, or Vo2 during cold water immersion. A significant difference was observed between men and women for absolute Vo2. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that although men and women differ with respect to absolute aerobic metabolism, this distinction does not cause a differential response with respect to substrate utilization during acute cold exposure.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

The influence of gender and menstrual phase on thermosensitivity during cold water immersion.

BACKGROUND: This investigation evaluated the influence of gender and phase of menstrual cycle [follicular (FOL: days 2-6) and luteal (LUT: days 19-24) phases] on thermosensitivity and metabolic heat production (HP) during cold water immersion (20 degrees C) in 10 females (22.4 +/- 2.8 yr) and 16 males (22.4 +/- 2.9 yr). METHODS: Following a 20-min baseline period (BASE), subjects were immersed until esophageal temperature (Tes) reached 36.5 degrees C or for a maximum pre-occlusion (Pre-OCC) time of 40 min. An arm and thigh cuff were then inflated to 180 and 220 mmHg, respectively, for 10 min (OCC). Following release of the inflated cuffs (Post-OCC), the slope (beta) of the relationship between the decrease in Tes and the increase in HP was used to quantify thermosensitivity. RESULTS: ANOVA revealed no significant difference in thermosensitivity between phases of the menstrual cycle or between men and women (FOL = -2.76, LUT = -3.05, Males = -3.24 W x kg(-1) x degrees C(-1)). A significant (p < 0.05) main effect for gender for HP, and a significant (p < 0.05) main effect for menstrual phase for mean skin temperature (Tsk) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest, despite gender differences in HP, that the thermosensitivity of HP during cold water immersion is similar between males and females and is not influenced by menstrual cycle phase. Therefore, these data indicate that when faced with a cold challenge, women respond similarly to men in both phases of their menstrual cycle.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2000

Influence of gender and menstrual cycle on a cold air tolerance test and its relationship to thermosensitivity.

This investigation evaluated the influence of gender and phase of menstrual cycle [follicular (FOL): Days 2-6) and luteal (LUT: Days 19-24)] on a cold air tolerance test (CATT: 90-min of exposure to 5 degrees C air) in 8 females (22.7 +/- 3.0 yr) and 15 males (22.3 +/- 2.9 yr). In addition, central thermosensitivity (beta; W x kg(-1) x degrees C(-1) [i.e., the slope of the relationship between the decrease in esophageal temperature (Tes) and the increase in heat production (HP)], gathered during a separate water trial in 20 degrees C water, was correlated to the change (delta) in Tes and HP across the 90 min of resting exposure during the CATT. Analysis of variance revealed no significant differences between phase of menstrual cycle or gender for HP, mean skin temperature (Tsk), and insulation; however, a main effect for time for these parameters was demonstrated. Despite these similarities, Tes differed (P < 0.05) between males and females. Additionally, no relationship was found between beta and deltaHP and deltaTes in the males and females. Also, there was no relationship between beta and thermoregulation during the CATT in these subjects. These data suggest that menstrual cycle phase did not cause a differential response in Tes, Tsk, and HP during a CATT. Furthermore, women maintained a higher Tes than men during the CATT despite similarities in HP and Tsk.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Understanding and comparing differences in reported medication administration error rates.

The prevention of medication administration errors (MAEs) represents a central focus of hospitals' quality improvement and risk management initiatives. Because the identification and reporting of MAEs is a nonautomated and voluntary process, it is essential to understand the extent to which errors may not be reported. This study reports the results of 2 multihospital surveys in which over 1300 staff nurses in each survey estimated the extent to which various types of nonintravenous (non-i.v.) and intravenous (i.v.)-related MAEs are actually being reported on their nursing units. Overall, respondents estimated that about 60% of MAEs are actually being reported. Considerable differences in estimated rates of MAE reporting were found between staff and supervisors working on the same patient care units. A simulation based on actual and perceived rates of MAE reporting is presented to estimate the range of errors not being reported. Implications regarding the reliability, validity, and completeness of MAEs actually being reported are discussed.

Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Understanding why medication administration errors may not be reported.

Because the identification and reporting of medication administration errors (MAE) is a nonautomated and voluntary process, it is important to understand potential barriers to MAE reporting. This paper describes and analyzes a survey instrument designed to assist in evaluating the relative importance of 15 different potential MAE-reporting barriers. Based on the responses of over 1300 nurses and a confirmatory LISREL analysis, the 15 potential barriers are combined into 4 subscales: Disagreement Over Error, Reporting Effort, Fear, and Administrative Response. The psychometric properties of this instrument and descriptive profiles are presented. Specific suggestions for enhancing MAE reporting are discussed.

Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Creating a resource database for nursing service administration.

In response to the current information explosion in nursing service administration (NSA), the authors felt a need to collect and organize available resources for use by their faculty and graduate students. An electronic database was developed to facilitate the use of the collected print and software resources. This article describes the creation of the NSA Resource Database from the time the need for it was realized to its completion. There is discussion regarding the criteria used for writing the database, what the database screens look like and why and what the database contains. The article also discusses the use and users of the NSA Resource Database to date.

Databases, Bibliographic↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Nursing management innovations: a need for systematic evaluation.

While emphasis in nursing is placed on research on clinical interventions, there has been little attention to the equally important management interventions. The concept of a management intervention or innovation is introduced here and five types of management innovations in nursing are identified. An overview of the research base for four of the innovations demonstrates the need for systematic evaluation.

Diffusion of Innovation↗