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Biomedical subjects

R B Otero

Publications and source records attributed to R B Otero.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Healthcare textile services: infection control.

The purpose of this technical document is to acquaint managers with the basic infection control practices that are generally considered to be appropriate for a textile care services operation in a health care facility. An infection control program that provides the information needed by employees to conduct operational activities in a safe manner is essential to avoid the contamination of personnel. This document discusses the responsibilities of various staff members in the department, basic infection control practices, the physical control of organisms, appropriate housekeeping as well as engineering and maintenance and employee health issues relevant to the textile care department.

Cross Infection↗
PubMed1997

Healthcare environmental services infection control: the basics of microbiology.

Support service staff members, regardless of their specific work assignment, frequently come into contact with infected patients and contaminated facility surfaces. Their thorough understanding of the basics of microbiology is critical to the development and implementation of an effective infection control program. Workers who have the benefit of appropriate education as well as the most recent, up-to-date information are positioned to make safe and effective decisions as they go about the task of addressing the many and various environmental situations that occur during the course of the day. These decisions often directly affect the patient care delivery process as well as the quality of its outcomes. The following document provides basic information about the science of microbiology and the disease-producing microorganisms commonly found in a health care facility as well as how those organisms are spread and controlled.

Allied Health Personnel↗
PubMed1981

Role of pH in oxidase variability of Aeromonas hydrophila.

Some strains of Aeromonas hydrophila may be oxidase negative or only weakly oxidase positive by the Kovacs method taken from the surface of a differential medium, such as MacConkey agar. Six strains of A. hydrophila, two oxidase variable, one oxidase constant, and three weakly oxidase positive on MacConkey agar, were studied to determine the cause of oxidase variability. The bacteriostatic dyes in MacConkey agar were considered possible inhibitors of the oxidase reaction. The concentration of these dyes was varied from twice the normal concentration in zero. No change in the oxidase reaction of any of the six strains was noted. Carbohydrate utilization was also studied. When lactose was deleted from the MacConkey agar formula, the oxidase-variable and weakly oxidase-positive stains become strongly oxidase positive. When glucose was substituted for lactose in the MacConkey agar formula, all strains became oxidase negative. Substitution of nonfermentable carbohydrates, such as dulcitol or raffinose, returned all strains to the oxidase-positive state. When trehalose, which is utilized by all of the strains, was substituted for lactose, the oxidase-variable strains and two of the three weakly oxidase-positive strains became oxidase negative. The other weakly oxidase-positive strain remained weakly positive and the oxidase-constant strain remained strongly oxidase positive when trehalose was substituted for lactose. Oxidase reactions were found to be negative when the pH of the medium was 5.1 or lower. Negative oxidase reactions could be reversed by raising the pH above 5.2, and positive oxidase reactions could be reversed by lowering the pH to 5.1. Therefore, the fermentation of lactose in MacConkey agar results in the inhibition of the oxidase reaction. The acid end products of the fermentation of lactose include acetic, formic, lactic, oxaloacetic, pyruvic, and succinic acids.

Aeromonas↗
PubMed1981

Rapid oxidase method for testing oxidase-variable Aeromonas hydrophila strains.

A rapid, same-day oxidase test procedure which obviates the problem of false-negative oxidase reactions of Aeromonas hydrophila removed from the surface of differential media such as MacConkey agar is described. This method allows oxidase testing to be performed within 3 h, rather than delaying the oxidase test for an additional 18 to 24 h. This procedure is applicable to any rapidly growing gram-negative rod.

Aeromonas↗
PubMed1976

Metabolic requirements for entry of DNA in Branhamella catarrhalis.

Although requirements for transformation in Branhamella catarrhalis are quite complex, DNA synthesis does not appear to be one of these needs, as indicated by the inability of nalidixic acid to interefere with transformation. Exogenous sources of energy, such as cAMP and cGMP also failed to enhance frequency, suggesting cells may actively engage in energy production to achieve uptake of DNA, or lack a transport mechanism for these compounds.

Cyclic AMP↗