Biomedical subjects

S Morling

Publications and source records attributed to S Morling.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Performance of an SBR-plant for advanced nutrient removal, using septic sludge as a carbon source.

The Tjustvik SBR-plant outside Stockholm, Sweden has been in operation for four years. The plant has to meet stringent effluent standards, BOD7 < 10 PPM, total N < 15 PPM and total P < 0.3 PPM. The plant is a typical two reactor SBR-plant, sized for about 15,000 inhabitants. During the first year of operation there were difficulties in meeting the P consent level. The difficulties were linked to a deficit of available organic carbon and a secondary phosphorus release. The problem was solved with the addition of septic sludge, in an amount equivalent to about 10,000 to 15,000 inhabitants with respect to the BOD-load. The altered operation resulted in a very stable and good effluent quality from the plant that has been maintained ever since, giving typical discharge levels as follows: BOD7, < 3 mg/l; Total-P, < 0.15 mg/l; Total-N, < 7 mg/l; NH4-N, < 1 mg/l. The change of process saved the community from a major investment in a separate treatment facility for the septic sludge. The stabilisation degree of the waste activated sludge is sufficient to by pass the anaerobic digestion for the time being. In the beginning, the SBR-process stability played an unwanted role during start up as it maintained a secondary phosphorus release for a considerable time. Later the process stability became an asset as the varying loads from the septic sludge addition were handled with very good results.

Bioreactors↗

PubMedDate not supplied

I.v. therapy: selection, use and management of infusion pumps.

A locally agreed, coordinated policy is essential for the selection and purchase of infusion pumps, and should form part of overall policy for medical device management. When developing a purchasing policy the core needs of all relevant professional groups should be addressed, to ensure that an informed, integrated strategy evolves. This will enhance the wider responsibilities associated with, for example, device training and education, and medical device maintenance, as well as the basic clinical requirements of the infusion pump. The Medical Devices Agency provides guidance on the selection and purchasing of infusion pumps through its medical device evaluation programme, which uses evidence-based systems that categorize devices by clinical infusion risk.

Humans↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Infusion devices: risks and user responsibilities.

The Medical Devices Agency of the UK Department of Health continues to receive and investigate reports of incidents that arise from the use of infusion devices. In 1996, the Medical Devices Agency received some 4300 reports of incidents, over 400 of which were classified as infusion-, transfusion-, or dialysis-related. There is, however, a trend towards more active management of medical devices focusing on aspects such as purchasing, training, clinical use, and maintenance, and clearly, nursing staff have an important role in developing such policies. Also, nurses with the responsibility for setting up and overseeing infusions should be aware of some of the problems that can arise during routine use, as an awareness of potential hazards allows users to manage the risks more effectively. This article examines some of the risks associated with the use of infusion devices; in particular, problems that arise while loading the administration set or syringe into the pump, the risks of fluid free flow and syringe siphoning, and the risks from air embolism, flow rate accuracy and infusion pump pressure.

Humans↗