Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to R Sampson.
A high birefringence of over 0.21 for the yttrium vanadate (YVO4) crystal in the middle wavelength infrared (i.e., 3-5 microm) was measured. A Fourier transform infrared spectrometer was employed in the channel spectra technique to obtain the measurements.
BACKGROUND: Changes in serotonin (5-HT) have been described in both Alzheimer's disease (AD) and aggressive/agitated behaviors. This paper explores a possible association between 5-HT deficits and agitation in AD, using prolactin response to d,1-fenfluramine administration as a probe for 5-HT activity. METHODS: Five AD patients with agitation and 5 without agitation received a 60-mg oral dose of d,1-fenfluramine. Prolactin levels were obtained at baseline, and 2 and 3 hours following administration. RESULTS: Change in prolactin levels from baseline to 3 hours was significantly larger among the agitated than the nonagitated Alzheimer's patients. Further, there was a positive and significant correlation between change in prolactin levels from baseline and level of agitation. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest an association between 5-HT responsiveness and agitation in AD.
The Professional Transitions Workshop is a new program that integrates the Professional Advancement Program (clinical ladder) and the Professional Model of Practice (primary nursing). Together, these two programs provide the philosophical and structural foundations of professional practice and empower nurses to articulate the defining features of their clinical experiences. Educating staff members about these programs emphasizes critical thinking and storytelling as important skills for the professional nurse. The authors describe the advantages, processes, and outcomes of this change.
Intensive care units were developed in response to the perceived need for increased monitoring in critically ill medical patients. The same principle applies to elderly patients with severe agitated behaviors. These patients can be served by the Geriatric Behavioral Intensive Care Unit (BICU). The uniqueness of the program results from the application of a behavioral and environmental approach to the treatment of agitated behavior. The underlying strategy in the treatment process is to enhance the patient's ability to adapt to his or her home environment. Preliminary results have been encouraging, showing positive outcomes in diverse areas such as low level of institutional placement, patient quality of life, and caregiver symptoms of burden and depression.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Explore the source record for details and available documents.
Communication plays a vital role in an increasingly complex healthcare environment. Quality patient outcomes and successful collaboration depend upon the healthcare provider's ability to communicate needs. A self-directed work team at a large southeastern hospital used a quality improvement process to design a new series of workshops to enhance staff communication skills. The redesigned programming reduced duplication of education content and built upon a conceptual foundation that cultivates professional development. The workshops feature content such as self-awareness, personal effectiveness, and leadership of others.