S R Holmes | PubMed Health

PubMed2000

Gastric myoelectric activity during low frequency oscillation.

BACKGROUND: The normal 3 cycles per minute (3 c/m) resting activity of the stomach has been reported to shift into the range of 4-9 c/m (tachyarrhythmia) in subjects with symptoms of motion sickness. Previous studies have provoked motion sickness with an optokinetic stimulus and have not normally reported changes relative to a control condition. The present experiment investigated changes in the electrogastrogram (EGG) during a control condition and during exposure to 0.125 Hz off-axis yaw oscillation of the body. METHODS: There were 16 male subjects who participated in the two conditions 1 wk apart. The electrogastrogram, respiration rate and subjective ratings of sickness were monitored throughout both conditions. Spectral analysis of the EGG time histories provided measures of 3 c/m power and tachyarrhythmia power, which were also expressed as a percentages of EGG power over the total EGG frequency range (0.04 to 0.16 Hz.). The median frequency of the EGG over this bandwidth was also calculated. RESULTS: During motion exposure, the median frequency of the EGG and the percentage tachyarrhythmia power increased and the percentage 3 c/m power decreased relative to a pre-exposure baseline period and relative to the static control condition. CONCLUSIONS: Low frequency off-axis yaw oscillations disrupted the normal resting gastric myoelectric activity relative to a control condition.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Computerized continuous quality improvement methods used to optimize blood transfusions.

Blood transfusion, although common, is not without risk and expense. Recently there has been a national focus on both overtransfusion and undertransfusion. To provide the best quality of patient care, there must be a balance between both over and undertransfusion. We used a computer system to minimize overtransfusion by prompting physicians when orders that did not meet accepted criteria were made. Continuous quality improvement methods were used to optimize blood transfusions. We also evaluated undertransfusions by assessing patients who did not receive a red cell transfusion when the Hemoglobin or Hematocrit showed it was clearly indicated. Using our computerized alerting system we are able to promptly notify physicians when such conditions exist. Results of the blood ordering show that overtransfusions of red cells have been minimized. Reductions in both mean Hematocrit and the standard deviation have occurred as predicted by continuous quality improvement theory. Assessment of undertransfusions showed that it was a minimal problem, but one that can be easily addressed with our laboratory alerting system.

Blood Transfusion↗