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Biomedical subjects

M Kirwin

Publications and source records attributed to M Kirwin.

8 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

Barrier protection with examination gloves: double versus single.

In a series of experiments, the barrier integrity of single and double vinyl and latex examination gloves were tested for dye and water leaks after being placed under stress. A total of 886 examination gloves (385 vinyl: single, 199; double, 186; and 501 latex: single, 290; double, 211) were tested with a standardized clinical protocol designed to mimic patient care activities. Leakage rates for single or double gloving were significantly higher for vinyl than for latex gloves. Single vinyl gloves were significantly more likely to leak than were double vinyl gloves (51.3% and 19.7%, p < 0.0001). However, there were essentially no differences in leakage rates for single or double latex gloves (4.1% and 3.8%, p = 1). Significantly higher rates of leakage were identified with the water leak test than with the dye test for vinyl (p < 0.001) but not for latex (p = 0.22) gloves. For vinyl but not latex gloves, there were significant differences in leakage rates by brand. We conclude that double gloving offers little advantage during routine procedures associated with minimal stress to the gloves or when latex gloves are worn.

Gloves, Protective↗
PubMed1994

Severe occupational traumatic injuries.

Severe occupational traumatic injuries represent a challenge to workers and physicians. Efforts to prevent occupational injuries, such as education, protective equipment, adherence to safety procedures, and personal responsibility, are of critical importance. The physician's role as educator, consultant, and on-site manager of these injuries forms the basis for effective management of severe occupational traumatic injuries. Rapid assessment and treatment by coworkers trained in first aid can be vital in preventing more serious sequelae.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1993

Leakage of latex and vinyl exam gloves in high and low risk clinical settings.

The purpose of this study was to compare leakage rates of used latex and vinyl examination gloves from high and low risk clinical units. A total of 4838 latex and 1008 vinyl examination gloves were collected and tested by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) watertight leak test: three brands of latex [Brand A: n = 2920; Brand B: n = 284; Brand C: n = 1634; and one brand of vinyl gloves (Brand D: n = 1008]. Seventy percent of latex gloves and 46.7% of vinyl gloves were collected from the high risk units. In general, there were no significant differences in leakage rates for vinyl gloves between high and low risk units. However, latex gloves leaked significantly more often at stress levels 2 and 3 from the high risk units as compared to the low risk units (X2 = 24.6, p < .0001). Regardless of level of stress and duration worn, 85.3% (860/1008) of used vinyl gloves and 18.4% (891/4838) of used latex gloves leaked, p < .001). There were significant differences in leakage rates between the three brands of latex gloves (Brand A, 9.8%; Brand B, 25.1%; Brand C, 30.9%, p < .001). Although latex gloves leaked slightly more frequently as stress level increased, glove material (latex or vinyl) and brand of glove were the most important predictors of leakage.

Equipment Failure↗
PubMed1992

Differential recovery of cytomegalovirus from cellular and supernatant components of bronchoalveolar lavage specimens.

The recovery of cytomegalovirus from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens was compared after inoculation of MRC-5 tube and shell vial cell cultures with four different BAL preparations. Analysis of culture results obtained with 55 cytomegalovirus culture-positive samples showed significant differences in the ability to isolate virus from the supernatant and cellular components of these specimens. There was a 52% reduction in cytomegalovirus recovery and a significant delay in the development of cytopathic effect in cultures inoculated with the cellular component of BAL specimens when compared to cultures inoculated with crude BAL cells and fluid. The mean time for detection of cytopathic effect was 11.8 days in tubes inoculated with crude BAL and 18.2 days for tubes inoculated with BAL cells. A similar effect was observed using a rapid shell vial culture technique. A 39% reduction in the number of isolates and a 57% reduction in the number of positive cells were observed in vials inoculated with cells when compared to cultures inoculated with crude BAL. By contrast, using cell-free BAL supernatant as inoculum did not reduce the number of positive cultures or delay development of cytopathic effect. The results suggest that in most BAL specimens, cytomegalovirus is associated with the cell-free, rather than the cellular, component. Although BAL cell concentrates frequently are used for cultivation of viruses from BAL, our results showed that the use of these preparations results in a significant number of false-negative cytomegalovirus cultures.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

In-use comparison of latex gloves in two high-risk units: surgical intensive care and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

This study was designed to compare use patterns and leakage of gloves from two high-risk units: a surgical intensive care unit (SICU) and an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) unit. During a 3-month interval, the use of gloves during clinical procedures by nursing personnel was observed and recorded. A total of 2900 latex examination gloves were collected and tested in the laboratory by the watertight leakage test: 59% (1714) were from the SICU and 41% (1186) from the AIDS unit. Twenty-four percent (700) of all gloves leaked: 29% (500/1714) leaked when worn by staff in the SICU as compared with 17% (200/1186) leakage rate in the AIDS unit (chi-square = 57.32, p less than 0.05). This difference could be attributed in part to higher levels of stress to the gloves and longer wearing time in the SICU.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗