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M Cathcart

Publications and source records attributed to M Cathcart.

10 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Current best practice for the health surveillance of enzyme workers in the soap and detergent industry.

This study defines current best practice for the health surveillance of workers who are potentially exposed to enzymes in the manufacture of enzymatic detergent products. It is recommended that health surveillance is performed 6-monthly for the first 2 years and annually thereafter. The health surveillance programme should include a respiratory questionnaire to detect symptoms, assessment of lung function to detect pre-symptomatic changes and an immunological test to detect specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) to enzymes. The International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease respiratory questionnaire should be used since it has been validated extensively for detecting asthma. Operators should observe the American Thoracic Society performance criteria for spirometers and standardized procedures for conducting spirometry. Since current airborne monitoring techniques for enzymes do not detect short-duration peak exposures, the incidence of employee sensitizations remains the most reliable measure of the integrity of environmental control. The Pepys skin prick test has been validated as a sensitive, specific and practical test for detecting specific IgE to many inhalant allergens including enzymes. For newly sensitized workers, a multi-cause investigation should be conducted to identify potential sources of exposure. Group results of immunological test results assist in the evaluation of workplace control measures, and should be used to monitor the effectiveness of hygiene and engineering programmes and to help prioritize areas for improvement. Positive responses to a questionnaire or abnormal spirometry should be assessed further. Occupational asthma should be excluded in any case of adult-onset asthma that starts or deteriorates during working life. This is particularly important because an accurate diagnosis of occupational asthma with early avoidance of exposure to its cause can result in remission of symptoms and restoration of lung function.

Asthma↗
PubMed1997

Enzyme exposure, smoking and lung function in employees in the detergent industry over 20 years. Medical Subcommittee of the UK Soap and Detergent Industry Association.

This study was undertaken to examine the long term relationship between lung function, smoking and exposure to enzymes in the detergent industry. A total of 731 male workers from five locations in the United Kingdom were subject to respiratory health surveillance including lung function testing over a period of 4-20 years. Exposure groups were defined by job history. Significantly different rates of fall in FEV1 and FVC with time were found by geographical location and by smoking habit, but there were no consistent trends with enzyme exposure.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Prehospital thrombolysis in a rural community: short- and long-term survival.

In order to assess the feasibility and outcome of using prehospital thrombolysis in acute myocardial infarction in a rural community, we performed an open randomized study of patients with symptoms of acute myocardial infarction of less than 6 hours. One hundred and forty-five patients with acute myocardial infarction were allocated to receive IV streptokinase prehospital by means of a mobile coronary care unit (MCCU) (n = 43) or to receive IV streptokinase in hospital (n = 102). The mean delay time to treatment was 138 minutes (MCCU group) and 172 minutes (hospital group) (p less than 0.02). Reperfusion time was 88 minutes for the MCCU group and 92 minutes for the hospital group. Mortality at 14 days was 2.3% for the MCCU group and 11.7% for the hospital group (p less than 0.05). Six month mortality was 4.9% for the MCCU group and 17.3% for the hospital group (p = 0.03). Mortality at 1 year was 6.1% for the MCCU group and 20.0% for the hospital group (p = 0.04). There were no significant adverse events in either treatment group. Thus, prehospital thrombolysis by streptokinase is feasible and allows significant reduction in the delay time to treatment initiation. There are encouraging improvements in both short- and long-term survival with no apparent reduction in safety profile.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

The influence of thymic humoral factor on systemic lupus erythematosus lymphocyte function.

The influence of thymic humoral factor, THF, on systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE, lymphocyte function was investigated. Increasing numbers of SLE T-cells, rosetted at 4 degrees C or 37 degrees C, were cultured with allogeneic normal B-cells and the change in IgM synthesis was assessed. Lymphocytes of some SLE patients showed improved suppression with THF when rosetted at 37 degrees C. Normal control lymphocytes did not show a net change in suppression with THF. The subgroup of SLE patients that showed improved suppression with THF in vitro might be a more appropriate group for in vivo therapeutic trials with thymic hormone, TH, than SLE patients in general.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMed1965

Baby technician.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Beyond incompatibility: integrating process for optimal performance.

Organizations are bringing disparate groups together to cut costs and integrate services. Ironically, they are finding the very people they look to for success are those who were used to working independently. At a breakout session of the Congress of Integrated Delivery Systems held in Dallas in March, 1997, participants were asked to share some of their real-world experiences as they worked toward integration. Mission statements tend to be at the head of the list for most organizations as they strive to integrate. Not all the participants agreed on their value, however. The success of reengineering depends on many factors. Is the facility fully behind the initiative? Is the team cohesive and focused? One participant pointed out that leadership was a problem: the staff was not empowered and in the end, the organization was leaderless--someone has to take control, this manager stated. Some groups have found that starting with a clean slate is helpful, particularly if the whole operation is flawed. Another manager felt that wiping the slate clean is not always the answer. Some industries have always looked at business along product lines and now healthcare is attempting to do the same. Will it work? One participant answered that this view has helped her organization see who their patients are. Another insists it has facilitated teamwork between disciplines. All would agree that communication is critical. Most agree that e-mail is a good tool and to some, it is invaluable. Slowly but surely, each organization will have to learn how to integrate its own processes and services.

Communication↗