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Squash players are liable to suffer serious eye injuries if they do not take appropriate protective measures. The author presents a short case study which illustrates the type of injury that can be sustained, and argues that nurses and interested associations must become involved in health education activities to reduce the high incidence of injuries during squash matches.
BACKGROUND: Exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) can result in several ocular ailments. We studied the UV absorption (UV-A and -B bands) in 20 lenses (11 hard resin and 9 glass) commonly available in India as uncut lenses for the purpose of prescription as well as non-prescription wear. METHODS: Using a UV-visible spectrophotometer (Thermo-Spectronic, UV-1 model, Thermo Electron Corporation, USA), the percentage transmittance was scanned between 190 and 400 nm, from which the results at 280, 320, 340, 360, 380 and 400 nm were analysed. RESULTS: At 360 nm (UV-A), 75% of the lenses studied failed to offer 95% protection as recommended by the United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA). At 280 nm (UV-B), 35% of the lenses failed to offer 99% protection against UV-B. Hard resin lenses showed a higher degree of variation in protection from UV-A. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the lenses studied failed to meet the US FDA recommendations in terms of protection from UV-A. Glass lenses afforded better protection up to 320 nm compared with hard resin lenses. As the claims of lens manufacturers regarding UVR protection fall short of international standards, certification of UVR protection for different lenses should be introduced in India.
INTRODUCTION: The study arose out of concern about the transmission of infectious diseases through mucocutaneous contact with blood and body fluids. The purpose was to identify the risk of blood splashes to masks and goggles during cesarean section. MATERIAL/METHODS: The prospective study spanned 6 months between January and June 1998 to determine the incidence of blood splashes to the masks and goggles of surgeons, assistants, and scrub nurses. All the doctors and scrub nurses who participated in surgery were requested to wear masks and goggles for all the cesarean section cases during the study period. At the end of surgery, the surgeon examined all the masks and goggles for obvious blood splashes and documented these in a data sheet. RESULTS: There were 144 cases of cesarean section performed during the period, of which 13.2% (19) were elective and 86.8% (125) were emergencies. 74.3% (107) of the patients registered for antenatal care and delivered in the institution, while 25.7% (37) cases were not booked but admitted for delivery. The mean age of the parturient and parity were 27.4+/-2.8 years and 5.8+/-2.4, respectively. The rate of blood splashes was 62.5% on the surgeons' masks, 63.2% on surgeons' goggles, 35.4% on assistants' masks, 38.9% on assistants' goggles, 11.1% on scrub nurses' masks, and 16.0% on scrub nurses' goggles. CONCLUSIONS: We therefore recommend the use of masks and protective eye wear as part of routine surgical attire to avoid body fluid contamination that can result in acquiring infectious diseases.
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Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by oculocutaneous albinism (OCA), platelet dysfunction, and ceroid storage. It is common among the Puerto Rican population and is expected to spread within the United States and other countries. Due to the platelet deficiency, these patients are of major concern to pediatric dentists. The purpose of this article is to explain in detail the characteristic triad of this syndrome and to propose an adequate approach to perform dental treatment, using appropriate protection recommendations for HPS patients. Recommendations for dental treatment are considered. They include the use of: (1) eyeglasses with 99 UV filter to protect them from the unpleasant dental light stimulus; (2) an extra-soft toothbrush and conservative brushing technique; (3) medication with antifibrinolitic agents; and (4) local measures to achieve hemostasis.
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INTRODUCTION: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are exposed to bloodborne infections by pathogens, such as HIV, and hepatitis B and C viruses, as they perform their clinical activities in the hospital. Compliance with universal precautions has been shown to reduce the risk of exposure to blood and body fluids. This study was aimed at assessing the observance of universal precautions by HCWs in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in September 2003 in Abeokuta metropolis, Ogun State, Nigeria. The respondents were doctors, trained and auxiliary nurses, laboratory scientists and domestic staff. They were selected through a multistage sampling technique from public and private healthcare facilities within the metropolis. The instrument was an interviewer-administered, semistructured questionnaire that assessed the practice of recapping and disposal of used needles, use of barrier equipment, handwashing and screening of transfused blood. RESULTS: There were 433 respondents, 211 (48.7%) of which were trained nurses. About a third of all respondents always recapped used needles. Compliance with nonrecapping of used needles was highest among trained nurses and worst with doctors. Less than two-thirds of respondents (63.8%) always used personal protective equipment, and more than half of all respondents (56.5%) had never worn goggles during deliveries and at surgeries. The provision of sharps containers and screening of transfused blood by the institutions studied was uniformly high. A high percentage (94.6%) of HCWs observed handwashing after handling patients. The use of barrier equipment was variable in the institutions studied. CONCLUSION: Recapping of used needles is prevalent in the health facilities studied. Noncompliance with universal precautions place Nigerian HCWs at significant health risks. Training programs and other relevant measures should be put in place to promote the appropriate use of protective barrier equipment by HCWs at all times.
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During the past 40 years a wide body of biomedical research has been conducted to understand the factors which influence injury to optical radiation-particularly with respect to the eye. A primary motivation for much of this research has been the advent of lasers, since focal damage of the retina from a collimated beam exposure is possible at some distance. A wide range of research studies provided the basis for establishing human exposure limits for ultraviolet and infrared radiation as well as for intense visible light. The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) has published guidelines for human exposure, and these are available at no cost from the ICNIRP website (http://www. icnirp.org). Laser Maximum Permissible Exposure (MPE) limits used in international safety standards, such as those of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) are based upon ICNIRP guidelines. Practical laser safety standards and regulations have evolved to promote the safe design and use of laser products. As a result of newer laser applications and increased knowledge of the biological effects, MPEs have been revised a number of times. Despite the existence of safety standards and regulations, accidental eye injuries from lasers still occur. Accidental exposure to welding arcs and intense lights occur more fequently, but the consequential loss of vision is much less, with permanent effects rare. Accidental human exposure information also adds to our understanding of ultraviolet, blue-light and laser induced retinal injury. Accidents are most frequently attributed to the lack of understanding of hazards and a failure to follow established safe work practices.
This study was conducted to determine how much progress U.S. dental schools have made in providing eye protection during restorative (adult operative and fixed prosthodontic) procedures since a 1979 survey. A seven-question survey was placed at a website, and fifty-five different U.S. dental schools were asked to complete the survey. Thirty-one schools responded (56 percent). Eighty-four percent of schools had safety glasses available for patients, but only 77 percent required usage during restorative procedures. Similarly, while 87 percent of schools required dental students working in restorative clinics to wear safety glasses, just 73 percent enforced the policy. Additionally, 84 percent provided blue light protection on curing lights and required students to wear eye protection while doing lab procedures. Compared to the 1979 survey, considerable progress has been made over the last twenty-seven years in protecting dental school patients and students from ocular injuries. Because one would hope to have 100 percent compliance on this issue, there is room for improvement in promoting patient eye safety and teaching good habits to dental students.
Much attention has been focused on the risks of inoculation with the human immune deficiency virus in the operating theatre. However, less emphasis has been placed on infection resulting from outpatient exposure to this pathogen. A survey of current protective measures undertaken by ENT consultants in the outpatient clinic in the United Kingdom is presented. The precautions employed by the majority of these subjects are inadequate and non-universal. A review of the risk factors and subsequent safety recommendations is detailed.