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Biomedical subjects

R G Kaczmarek

Publications and source records attributed to R G Kaczmarek.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Racial differences in the prevalence of intraocular lens implants in the United States.

We generated population-based estimates of the prevalence of intraocular lens implants by using the 1988 Medical Device Implant Supplement to the National Health Interview Survey. This national survey of a probability sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized United States population comprised 47,485 households and 122,310 persons. To produce national projections, we used survey respondent-reported data based on 1,941 reported intraocular lenses in 1,337 persons. Projected to the United States population, an estimated 2.6 million people had a total of 3.8 million lens implants. The predominant reason for the implant was cataract. The intraocular lens replacement rate was 0.9%. The use of intraocular lens implants was statistically significantly different from the general population in persons with the following socioeconomic characteristics: age (65 years or older), race (white), gender (female), annual family income (less than $20,000, although more commonly at or above the poverty threshold), and education (less than high school). The prevalence rates per 1,000 persons according to age were as follows: 0.3 for persons 44 years old or younger, 9.9 for persons 45 to 64 years old, 33.3 for persons aged 65 to 69 years, 63.5 for persons aged 70 to 74 years, and 113.5 for persons 75 years old or older.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The role of the veterinarian in hurricanes and other natural disasters.

Hurricanes create a multiplicity of complicated problems and hazards ranging from outbreaks of infectious disease to animal control problems precipitated by destruction of property. A multidisciplinary response is required to solve such problems. The pool of knowledge derived from various professionals interacting with multiple levels of government agencies (federal, state, and local) will provide the expertise needed. Because the veterinarian is trained to deal with disease involving populations of animals (e.g., herds or flocks) as well as individuals, and because of his/her intensive clinical training, the veterinarian is uniquely qualified to deal with the disaster situation. The veterinarian possesses extensive knowledge in disease and disease processes and has the capability of disease and injury management in affected populations, which qualifies him/her for an essential role, with unlimited potential as a member of any disaster relief team. There is considerable potential for veterinarians to play a role in responding to natural disasters. The areas of disease control, animal care, animal control, protection of the food supply, disinfection/sterilization, and planning are all areas where veterinarians can take an active part. Inclusion of the veterinarian in the process of planning for and responding to natural disasters will yield significant public health benefits.

Animal Welfare↗
PubMed1992

Multi-state investigation of the actual disinfection/sterilization of endoscopes in health care facilities.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigation was to observe and assess the actual disinfection or sterilization of endoscopes in health care facilities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 22 hospitals and four ambulatory care centers in three states were studied. Facility protocols were reviewed, interviews conducted with relevant personnel, actual disinfection or sterilization procedures observed, and biologic tests performed to determine and assess disinfection/sterilization procedures. RESULTS: Fundamental errors observed during the course of the investigation included respective failures to time the period of disinfection, to clean all channels, to flush all channels with disinfectant, to fully immerse the endoscope in the disinfectant solution, and to use a disinfectant. At 78% of the facilities, failure to sterilize all biopsy forceps was observed. A total of 23.9% of the bacterial cultures from the internal channels of 71 gastrointestinal endoscopes grew 100,000 colonies or more of bacteria. These cultures were obtained after the completion of all disinfection/sterilization procedures and the device was deemed ready for use in the next patient. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that actual disinfection/sterilization procedures for endoscopes are not always optimal, and high-level disinfection of gastrointestinal endoscopes is not always achieved.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1992

Seroprevalence of antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus in dialysis workers: results of a multi-center study.

The Center for Devices and Radiological Health, in collaboration with the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Brooklyn, N.Y., conducted a multi-center, multi-institutional study of the seroprevalence of antibodies to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) among dialysis workers. Seven dialysis units and 112 dialysis workers participated in the study over a period of 2 years. Participation was limited to dialysis workers who, by questionnaire, denied non-occupational risk factors for HIV infection. The vast majority of the study participants were drawn from areas where the prevalence of HIV infection and AIDS cases are substantially greater than the national average. Study participants received the ELISA test for HIV antibodies. All 112 of the participants tested negative for HIV antibodies. These results are encouraging, as they failed to reveal unrecognized occupational transmission of HIV infection among dialysis workers.

HIV↗
PubMed1991

Glove use by health care workers: results of a tristate investigation.

The Center for Devices and Radiological Health, in collaboration with the state health departments of Iowa, Maryland, and Massachusetts, conducted a multi-state, multi-institutional investigation of glove use by health care workers (HCWs). Twenty-two hospitals and four ambulatory care centers were included in the investigation. All 26 health care facilities were found to have adopted universal precautions policies for glove use by HCWs, per Centers for Disease Control guidelines. Four hundred five observations were made of HCWs performing procedures that may involve contact with patient body fluids, particularly blood. The prevalence of glove use during selected procedures was as follows: arterial blood gas procedures, 92.3%; intravenous line initiation/maintenance, 77.6%; and phlebotomy, 70.6%. Glove use during phlebotomy (p less than 0.001) and intravenous line procedures (p less than 0.05) was significantly lower in the state with a prevalence of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) below the national average than in the states with a higher AIDS prevalence. The investigation suggests that health care facilities have responded to the Centers for Disease Control and Occupational Safety and Health Administration campaign to adopt universal precaution policies for glove use by HCWs. Actual glove use by HCWs appears to be substantial but not universal. Glove use by HCWs is significantly related to statewide AIDS prevalence.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

The effects of reprocessing cuprophane and polysulfone dialyzers on beta 2-microglobulin removal from hemodialysis patients.

To further define the relationship between dialyzer reuse and the removal of beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2M) during dialysis, 26 patients who received hemodialysis were studied. Thirteen patients were dialyzed with conventional cuprophane dialyzers, and thirteen patients were dialyzed with high-flux polysulfone dialyzers. Patients in each group were dialyzed with only new dialyzers during the primary-use phase of the study, and reprocessed dialyzers during the reuse phase. Dialyzers were used six times during the reuse phase. Serum beta 2M levels were measured both predialysis and postdialysis, and adjusted for fluid loss. Dialysis with conventional cuprophane new dialyzers during the primary-use phase of the study resulted in a 3.3% increase in serum beta 2M levels, and a 2.4% increase in serum beta 2M levels during the reuse phase. The difference in the change of the concentration of beta 2M between primary-use and reuse phases was not statistically significant. Dialysis with high-flux polysulfone new dialyzers during the primary-use phase was associated with a decrease of 59.5% in the mean postdialysis concentration of serum beta 2M compared with the predialysis level. A corresponding decrease of 62.6% in serum beta 2M levels was observed after dialysis with high-flux polysulfone reprocessed dialyzers during the reuse phase. These data show no evidence of an adverse effect on the clearance of beta 2M during dialysis from the reuse of dialyzers up to six times. The results confirm previous studies that have reported that high-flux dialysis with polysulfone dialyzers removes substantial amounts of beta 2M, and dialysis with conventional cuprophane dialyzers does not.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

How frequently are home pregnancy tests used? Results from the 1988 National Maternal and Infant Health Survey.

Many women use commercially available home pregnancy tests to determine their pregnancy status before seeking professional health care. Despite the increasing popularity of these products, no national estimates have been reported to date on their frequency of use. We analyzed available data from the 1988 National Maternal and Infant Health Survey to determine the frequency of use of home pregnancy tests during recent pregnancies of women of varying sociodemographic backgrounds. Approximately 33 percent (N = 4700) of the women surveyed used such a device. Use was most frequent among women who were white, married, over age 39 years, highly educated, or had a high family income. We conclude that home pregnancy testing appears to be a frequent procedure, especially among women of high socioeconomic background.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Occupational hazards to health care workers: diverse, ill-defined, and not fully appreciated.

Health care workers are challenged by an imposing group of occupational hazards. These hazards include exposure to ionizing radiation, stress, injury, infectious agents, and chemicals. The magnitude and diversity of these hazards are not fully appreciated. The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome epidemic has created additional occupational hazards and has focused attention on the problem of occupational hazards to health care workers. Concern over the nosocomial transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus has contributed to efforts to implement universal infection control precautions and to decrease needlestick injuries. Health care organizations and providers, who have prompted health and safety campaigns for the general public, should not overlook the dangers associated with the health care setting.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.↗
PubMed1990

Knowledge in relation to cadaveric kidney donation in urban blacks.

A questionnaire survey of black residents of an inner city in the South was conducted to examine the relationship between awareness (knowledge) of cadaver kidney donation programs (CKDP) and socio-demographic factors. Nearly 64 percent of the respondents were unfamiliar with CKDP. Of the respondents who had previously been aware of CKDP, older persons were more likely than younger persons (under age 20) to have heard about cadaver kidney donation. Education and occupation were positively correlated with familiarity of cadaver kidney donation; those with higher education (college graduates) and professional or managerial occupations were more likely to know of it (54 percent and 53 percent respectively). Knowledge did not differ by sex. This finding is striking in that it delineates a target population within the black community for education to increase donorship.

Black or African American↗
PubMed1990

Prenatal ultrasound: are socially disadvantaged groups afforded equal access?

A retrospective cohort study was conducted of the patterns of ultrasound use during pregnancy for all single live births (n = 2542) delivered at a major teaching hospital in one calendar year. Extent of maternal education was inversely correlated with the probability of receiving a prenatal ultrasound examination (p less than 0.001). Clinic patients were more likely to receive prenatal ultrasound examinations than were private patients (p less than 0.001). Blacks were more likely than whites to receive prenatal ultrasound examinations (p less than 0.001). Short duration of prenatal care, inadequate weight gain during pregnancy, and history of previous pre-term delivery were all associated with an increased probability of receiving a prenatal ultrasound examination (p less than 0.001).

Black or African American↗
PubMed1990

Use of diagnostic ultrasound, X-ray examinations, and electronic fetal monitoring in perinatal medicine.

Obstetrical technologies such as electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) and selected diagnostic imaging procedures can be integral components of perinatal care. The Center for Devices and Radiological Health, a unit within the Food and Drug Administration, collaborated with the National Center for Health Statistics in the design and conduct of a National Maternal and Infant Health Survey to collect information from prenatal care providers, hospitals, and mothers on the use of EFM, diagnostic ultrasound, and x-ray examinations during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. A pretest, conducted some months before the survey began, showed that 78.8% of the pregnancies surveyed received a diagnostic ultrasound examination during pregnancy. Approximately 58.3% of the ultrasound-exposed mothers had two or more such examinations. Approximately 10.1% of the ultrasound examinations were performed in the first trimester of pregnancy, 57.0% in the second trimester, and 32.9% in the third trimester. The most common indication for an ultrasound examination was to establish dates or gestational age. Approximately 15.3% of the pregnancies surveyed received an x-ray examination. Approximately 74.6% of the pregnancies were monitored with EFM during labor. External EFM was used alone during 54.9% of the labors and along with internal EFM during 19.7% of the labors. The implications of these pretest findings are discussed, along with a review of the medical literature on the safety and effectiveness of these medical device technologies.

Delivery, Obstetric↗
PubMed1989

X-ray examinations during pregnancy: National Natality Surveys, 1963 and 1980.

Based on 1963 and 1980 National Natality Surveys, the rate of medical x-ray examinations during pregnancy per 100 mothers fell 34.2 percent. A decrease in chest x-ray examinations accounted for almost all of the decline in total x-ray examinations. The reductions were greater for older mothers and those who were not White. While the number of births fell from 4,071,000 in 1963 to 3,612,000 in 1980, the number of pelvimetry examinations actually increased by 45,000.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

AIDS response.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗