P A Schedler | PubMed Health

PubMed1999

Organ and tissue weight presentation in rat populations.

Multiple ways of reporting organ weights are sources of confusion in literature. This study was designed to determine if there is a linear relationship between body weights and selected organ and tissue weights in groups of rats after different liquid feeding options. A randomized 2 x 2 x 2 factorial, randomized block design was used with 40 postpubescent male rats with two levels of feeding schedules, kilocalorie levels, and fiber contents. In addition to a skeletal muscle, 13 abdominal and thoracic organs or tissues were weighed. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients and regression analyses were completed to determine the relationship between these weights and the final body weights. Findings support the need to use different approaches in order to accurately report various organ and tissue weights.

Age Factors↗

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Standardized Trauma Admission Orders, a pilot project.

The Standardized Trauma Admission Orders (STAOs) were developed in collaboration with the trauma team. Data supporting the development of the STAOs consisted of a retrospective chart review (group 1, n = 30) and a user satisfaction survey before the implementation of STAOs. A user satisfaction survey was administered before and after the STAOs were implemented. Both surveys showed a positive response to using the STAOs. STAOs were implemented in a surgical-trauma intensive care unit to reduce in-patient admission laboratory charges, the frequency of missed admission orders, and physician ordering variability. The difference between group 1 and group 2 (n = 30, STAOs) in-patient admission laboratory charges was significant. There was a $345 per patient reduction in the mean score between group 1 and group 2. Of the selected orders reviewed, completeness of orders was significantly improved in 5 of 21 orders. Survey results show that 11 (79%) of the staff surveyed were in favor of using the STAOs. The majority agreed that in-patient admission orders needs were being met. The STAOs are still being used in the surgical-trauma intensive care unit with some minor changes. Efforts are being directed toward the development of standardized admission orders for the neurosurgical intensive care unit and the trauma floor.

Adolescent↗