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Biomedical subjects

V M Steelman

Publications and source records attributed to V M Steelman.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

Prion diseases--an evidence-based protocol for infection control.

Prion diseases are fatal, infectious, neurodegenerative disorders with special implications for infection control in the OR. The causative agent is highly resistant to disinfection and sterilization processes and has been transmitted during health care interactions. It is important to use evidence gained through research and case reports to minimize risk of infection. This article describes an infection control protocol developed for identifying high-risk patients, providing perioperative care, decontaminating the OR, and protecting health care personnel. This protocol provides multidisciplinary team members with a guideline for preventing transmission of these fatal diseases.

Clinical Protocols↗
PubMed1995

Latex allergy precautions. A research-based protocol.

Recently, a number of case reports in the literature have heightened the awareness of health care professionals to the prevalence and seriousness of allergies to natural rubber latex. Reports of serious anaphylactic reactions in patients with no known history of the allergy are particularly alarming. The Iowa Model for improving quality through research utilization provided a framework to develop a protocol for screening patients and caring for those identified as high risk for a systemic reaction to latex. An overview of this research-based practice protocol and the process used are presented.

Anaphylaxis↗
PubMed1994

Creutzfeld-Jakob disease: recommendations for infection control.

Creutzfeld-Jakob disease, an infectious, progressive, degenerative neurologic disorder, has a presumably long incubation period but a rapid, fatal course. Brain tissue at autopsy resembles that seen in spongioform encephalopathies of other species. Creutzfeld-Jakob disease is transmitted by a proteinaceous infectious agent, or "prion." Epidemiologic patterns remain uncertain; various studies have reported conflicting risk factors in different populations, and genetic susceptibility may be involved. Although natural transmission routes are still unclear, both iatrogenic and nosocomial transmissions have been identified. Transmission has occurred through contaminated electrodes, contaminated biologic products from cadaveric brains, and infected donor tissues, including dura mater and corneas. Because the prion is difficult to eradicate, stringent sterilization precautions must be taken with all surgical instruments. Some tissues and body fluids (e.g., brain, ocular, central nervous system) from the patient with Creutzfeld-Jakob disease are highly infectious and must be contained or incinerated. Some body fluids, however, are not considered infectious. Persons with known or suspected Creutzfeld-Jakob disease, or with exposure to potential sources of iatrogenic infection, should not be considered as donors for any tissues or biologic products. Occupational transmission to health care and pathology workers is also possible. Therefore, specific preventive measures are necessary. Many questions remain regarding transmission and risk factors for Creutzfeld-Jakob syndrome, and the precautions presented here must be considered only preliminary.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob Syndrome↗
PubMed1994

Toward a standardized language to describe perioperative nursing.

The Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) is a standardized language that identifies all interventions performed by nurses. Each nursing intervention has a label name, a conceptual definition, and a set of defining activities. The NIC provides a standardized nomenclature for automated databases, describes and measures nursing's contribution to health care, facilitates nursing education, supports clinical decision making, plans resource allocation, and facilitates nursing research. Perioperative nurses can use the NIC to describe and document their contributions to surgical patients' outcomes.

Humans↗
PubMed1993

Improving practice through research: the case of heparin vs. saline for peripheral intermittent infusion devices.

Peripheral intermittent infusion devices are commonly used to administer periodic doses of medications to adults and children. Research findings provide a strong base for changing practice to using saline instead of heparin to flush these devices in children over 28 days old and in adults. This research-based change in practice will enhance the quality of care that patients receive and decrease the costs of their care.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Ethylene oxide. The importance of aeration.

Residual EO on instruments and supplies can cause serious patient injuries. It is imperative that these items be adequately aerated before they are used. Removing instruments prematurely from an aerator is, indeed, "a blatant disregard for patient safety." The perioperative nurse has the responsibility and accountability for patient protection. Preventive measures and alternatives to using improperly aerated instruments have been described. If these measures do not resolve the problem, the surgery must be postponed until adequately aerated instruments are available.

Air↗
PubMed1992

Issues in sterilization and disinfection.

Urology nurse managers and practitioners play a key role in minimizing the risk of infection to patients. It is essential that managers understand the processes of sterilization and disinfection, precautions, recommendations, and related issues to establish appropriate policies and procedures. It is equally important for practitioners to understand sterilization and disinfection and the rationale for practice guidelines. This area is dynamic, with new products and technology being introduced into the market each year. Along with these innovations will be additional information, and possibly revisions in recommendations. Therefore, urology nurses must remain current with scientific literature and national standards.

Disinfection↗
PubMed1991

Relaxing to the beat: music therapy in perioperative nursing.

1. Music therapy is a research-based nursing intervention that can be used in perioperative nursing to reduce anxiety and prevent postoperative complications. 2. Music therapy provides patients with some degree of control and the opportunity to participate in their own care. 3. The use of headphones allows the patient to listen to the music without the distraction of other sounds.

Anxiety↗