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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Uses of dextranomer absorbent pads after cryosurgery of cutaneous malignancies.

Secretion from wounds after cryosurgery of cutaneous malignancies may be excessive and may constitute a problem in management. It was found possible to collect and quantitate such discharges by use of highly hydrophilic dextranomer beads (Debrisan). They were applied in convenient, small "tea-bag" pads. The amount and duration of postoperative oozing was approximately proportional to the sizes of the lesions and more impressive in sites of sparse subcutaneous tissue. The absorbent pads also proved to be effective and safe for use as postoperative dressings.

Bandages↗

A microbiological study of absorbent pads.

A study was carried out of the microbial content of three types of incontinence underpads and a clinical absorbent protection pad. Coagulase-negative staphylococci and Bacillus spp. were isolated from unused samples of all makes of pad examined. Clostridium spp., including C. tetani and C. perfringens, were isolated from a proportion of pads containing re-cycled waste material. We recommend that incontinence underpads are used solely for the purpose for which they were marketed, namely, the containment of excreta.

Bacillus↗

The link between absorbent pads and pressure management products.

Very little is known about the relationship between pressure management products (also known as pressure-relieving devices or pressure-redistributing devices) and absorbent continence products. However, a new project will focus on this little investigated yet important area of nursing research. The project is being carried out as part of a new award scheme that aims to enhance nursing research capacity by funding nurses to carry out doctoral level research (Box 1). A strong association between poor mobility and continence problems has been identified (Sgadari et al, 1997; Jirovec and Wells, 1990; McGrother et al, 1990; Ouslander et al, 1987) and reduced mobility is considered to be one of the intrinsic risk factors for the development of pressure ulcers (RCN, 2001). However, the relationship between incontinence and the development of pressure ulcers is not fully understood.

Absorbent Pads↗

Effects of absorbent incontinence pads on pressure management mattresses.

AIM: The aim of this paper is to report a study to determine the effects of absorbent pads on the pressure-relieving properties of 'standard' and pressure management mattresses. BACKGROUND: Pressure ulcers and incontinence often co-exist. There is a strong association between poor mobility and continence problems and patients using pressure management products are therefore also likely to be using absorbent pads. METHODS: An instrumented articulated anthropometric phantom with simulated soft body 'tissues' in the gluteal and sacral areas was used as the 'subject'. The phantom was raised and lowered on to three mattresses (standard foam, visco-elastic foam and surface-cut foam) in three states: naked, wearing a dry pad (Tena Super, SCA Hygiene AB) and wearing a wet pad. The pressure mapping device Xsensor was used to record the distribution of pressure over the sacral and ischial areas of the phantom. Peak pressure was used as the primary outcome variable and 10 repeats were made on each mattress under each condition. RESULTS: There were substantial and significant differences for all three mattresses in recorded peak pressures between the naked buttocks and the buttocks wearing a dry pad. There were no significant differences between measurements made using the dry vs. wet pad. Peak pressures frequently occurred over areas of pad folds. Additional testing showed that pads that were 'smoothed' by hand had significantly lower peak pressures than 'unsmoothed' pads. CONCLUSIONS: Absorbent pads have a substantial adverse effect on the pressure redistribution properties of mattresses. Pad folds appear to contribute to this effect, which can be ameliorated slightly by smoothing. Absorbent pad manufacturers should consider engineering pads that minimize disruption to pressure management. Further examination of continence and pressure management products is necessary to establish optimum combinations for nursing care.

Aged↗

Achillodynia and loss of heel pad shock absorbency.

The heel pad, with its specially organized elastic adipose tissue, and the importance of heel pad shock absorption loss (soft heel pads) in the pathophysiology of achillodynia (particularly in heel strikers) is described and illustrated by case histories of three athletes. All had unusual, soft, flattened heel pads; all were heelstrikers; and all were successfully treated with added external heel shock absorption. A diagnostic method to evaluate the shock absorbing ability of the heel pad is the "visual compressibility index" calculated on the basis of x-ray films of the heel, loaded and unloaded by body weight.

Achilles Tendon↗

The HPC-device: a method to quantify the heel pad shock absorbency.

Previous studies have indicated that the shock absorbency of the heel pad is significant in the pathophysiology of pain conditions connected with heel strike. The purpose of this study was to develop a simple clinically usable method for quantification of the heel pad shock absorbency. The results of our efforts was the HPC-device which consists of a fixing device and a transducer. The HPC-device was found suitable in the evaluation of the heel pad force/deformation characteristics. The reproducibility of heel pad deformation was 0.96. Tests of six cadaver heel pads revealed a high correlation between the HPC result and the shock absorbency found by drop tests. In a normal material (200 heel pads), it was found that the shock absorption decreased with age and that men had significantly higher shock absorbency than women. Men also had significantly thicker heel pads than women. However, there was no linear correlation between the thickness of the heel pad and the shock absorbency, although the thinnest heel pads had the lowest shock absorbency. The HPC-device was found clinically usable and will be used in further testing of the significance of heel pad shock absorption for the development of heel strike dependent over-use injuries.

Adolescent↗

Effects of packaging systems on the natural microflora and acceptability of chicken breast meat.

The effect of 3 packaging systems on the spoilage microflora, objective color, and sensory characteristics of fresh commercial broiler chicken breast meat was investigated. Fresh skinless and boneless chicken broiler breasts were purchased from a local poultry processing plant and packaged in either (1) a conventional Styrofoam tray with polyvinyl chloride overwrap and absorbent pad, (2) a Styrofoam tray with polyvinyl chloride overwrap minus absorbent pad, or (3) a Fresh-R-Pax (FRP) container equipped with an absorbent liner-gel system. All packages were heat sealed and stored at 1.2 +/- 1 degrees C for 8 d. At each sampling period (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 d), packages from each treatment were analyzed for Pseudomonas spp., psychrotrophic organisms, objective color, and sensory characteristics. In general, Pseudomonas spp. and psychrotrophic counts increased as storage time increased for all packaging systems. Color and overall appearance were similar (P >0.05) for all packaging systems. Although not significant, the off-odor scores for breast meat packaged in FRP were higher (P >0.05) after 6 and 8 d when compared with the breast meat packaged in a Styrofoam tray with polyvinyl chloride overwrap with or without an absorbent pad. Although the absorbent pad did not control microbial growth, it maintained aesthetic appeal by absorbing all visible moisture released from the meat during storage.

Animals↗

Development of FlexSure HP--an immunochromatographic method to detect antibodies against Helicobacter pylori.

We describe a solid-phase immunochromatographic serologic test, FlexSure HP, to detect IgG antibodies against Helicobacter pylori. H. pylori colonize the stomach and proximal duodenum, cause ulcer disease and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma, and have a role in the development of other disorders, including gastric adenocarcinoma. FlexSure HP consists of a test strip, conjugate pad, and absorbent pad, in a novel reverse-flow chromatography format. In these studies, FlexSure HP was demonstrated to be specific for IgG antibodies against H. pylori. The reactive cutoff of the test was consistent with [13C]urea breath test and commercially available ELISAs. FlexSure HP had 94% sensitivity, 88% specificity, and 91% accuracy relative to [13C]urea breath test; and 95% sensitivity, 94% specificity, and 95% overall agreement relative to high-molecular-mass cell-associated protein enzyme immunoassay (HM-CAP EIA). FlexSure HP is a simple-to-perform, visually read test requiring no specialized training, equipment, or instrumentation, and yields rapid, accurate, qualitative results.

Adult↗

A hospital study of a new absorbent bed pad for incontinent patients.

The benefits of a unique washable and reusable absorbent bed pad (Kylie) present significant advantages over drawsheets. In a crossover study on incontinent geriatric patients, those on the new bed pads required less than half the bed changes needed by patients who were lying on drawsheets. The patients benefited by having longer periods when their skin was dry, so that the incidence of erythema was reduced. The new bed pads also demonstrated other advantages, such as less wrinkling and creasing and a reduction in the level of odour, which resulted in patients being more restful. The subsequent need for less linen meant a reduced workload for nurses and cost savings to hospitals and laundries. This bed pad represents a significant advance in the management of incontinent patients.

Absorption↗

Collection and quantification of urine during anesthesia in small animals.

This note describes a simple method for collecting urine and quantification of urine production during anesthesia in small animals. It offers two advantages, especially important for procedures requiring lengthy anesthesia: 1) The animals are kept dry, and 2) fluid balance can be maintained more accurately. The method, which we have applied to rats, is to rest the animal on an absorbent pad of known weight and to weigh the pad after urine has been collected. The note describes the performance characteristics of a preferred pad type and contrasts them with those of other readily available types of absorbent pads. The preferred pad keeps the animal dry while facilitating quantification of urine production, a refinement of animal use.

Absorbent Pads↗

Informal caregiving time and costs for urinary incontinence in older individuals in the United States.

OBJECTIVES: To obtain nationally representative estimates of the additional time, and related cost, of informal caregiving associated with urinary incontinence in older individuals. DESIGN: Multivariate regression models using data from the 1993 Asset and Health Dynamics Study, a nationally representative survey of people aged 70 and older (N = 7,443). SETTING: Community-dwelling older people. PARTICIPANTS: National population-based sample of community-dwelling older people. MEASUREMENTS: Weekly hours of informal caregiving, and imputed cost of caregiver time, for community-dwelling older people who reported (1) no unintended urine loss, (2) incontinence that did not require the use of absorbent pads, and (3) incontinence that required the use of absorbent pads. RESULTS: Thirteen percent of men and 24% of women reported incontinence. After adjusting for sociodemographics, living situation, and comorbidities, continent men received 7.4 hours per week of care, incontinent men who did not use pads received 11.3 hours, and incontinent men who used pads received 16.6 hours (P <.001). Women in these groups received 5.9, 7.6, and 10.7 hours (P <.001), respectively. The additional yearly cost of informal care associated with incontinence was $1,700 and $4,000 for incontinent men who did not and did use pads, respectively, whereas, for women in these groups, the additional yearly cost was $700 and $2,000. Overall, this represents a national annual cost of more than $6 billion for incontinence-related informal care. CONCLUSIONS: The quantity of informal caregiving for older people with incontinence and its associated economic cost are substantial. Future analyses of the costs of incontinence, and the cost-effectiveness of interventions to prevent or treat incontinence, should consider the significant informal caregiving costs associated with this condition.

Aged↗

Development of an immunoassay-based lateral flow dipstick for the rapid detection of aflatoxin B1 in pig feed.

The aim of this work was to develop an immunoassay-based lateral flow dipstick for the rapid detection of aflatoxin B(1) in pig feed. The test consisted of three main components: conjugate pad, membrane, and absorbent pad. The membrane was coated with two capture reagents, that is, aflatoxin B(1)-bovine serum albumin conjugate and rabbit anti-mouse antibodies. The detector reagent consisted of colloidal gold particles coated with affinity-purified monoclonal anti-aflatoxin B(1) antibodies, which saturated the conjugate pad. A comparison of several extraction methods for the pig feed matrix is presented. A mixture of methanol/water (80:20, v/v) gave the best recoveries. After sample extraction and dilution, the dipstick was put in the sample solution at the conjugate pad side and developed for 10 min. Analyte present in the sample competed with the aflatoxin B(1) immobilized on the membrane for binding to the limited amount of antibodies in the detector reagent. Thus, the line color intensity of an aflatoxin B(1)-positive dipstick is visually distinguishable from that of an aflatoxin B(1)-negative sample. The visual detection limit for aflatoxin B(1) is 5 microg/kg. The major advantages of this one-step striptest are that results can be obtained within 10 min and that all reagents are immobilized on the lateral flow dipstick.

Aflatoxin B1↗

Long-term sweat collection using salt-impregnated pads.

To facilitate a study of the pharmacokinetics of drugs dissolved in sweat, a technique was devised for collecting sweat at a steady rate over an 8-day period. Three normal subjects each wore 4 absorbent pads applied to their skin under waterproof dressings for 8 days. The absorbent pads were either plain cotton or cotton impregnated with sodium chloride crystals. Each pad (3 cm x 3 cm) was applied to an area of skin (2 cm x 2 cm) defined by an adhesive template, and was removed daily, weighed, and replaced, to determine progressive uptake of sweat. Sweat uptake by plain cotton pads reached a plateau value within 2 to 3 days and did not significantly increase thereafter; in contrast, uptake by the salt-impregnated pads continued at a steady rate for the full 8 days of the study (mean rate 0.79 mg/cm2/hr, SD = 0.16, N = 6). This effect may be related to an osmotic gradient across the skin, but the physiologic mechanisms are not completely clear. This appears to be a convenient tool for the collection of sweat over long periods at a steady rate.

Humans↗

[Urinary continence in patients undergoing nerve sparing radical prostatectomy].

Recently, the morbidity of radical prostatectomy has been reduced by improvements in surgical techniques and greater understanding of pelvic anatomy. The nerve sparing technique has been considered to be a major contribution to this advance. In our study, urinary control was compared in 33 consecutive patients undergoing a radical retropubic prostatectomy. In 13 patients, a conventional radical prostatectomy was performed and in 20 subsequent patients, a nerve sparing operation was performed. The staff surgeons were the same throughout the study. The age of the patients and pathological stage of the tumor were not significantly different between the groups. The operative time was shorter and intraoperative blood loss was less both significantly in the nerve sparing group. In the conventional operated group, there was one patient with total incontinence and two with significant incontinence requiring absorbable pads. In the nerve sparing group, there were no patients having total incontinence and one had stress incontinence requiring absorbable pads. Urethral pressure profile was measured postoperatively in 17 in the nerve sparing group and in 7 in the conventional group. The maximum urethral pressure in the nerve sparing group was 31.5 cm H2O (SD = 5.4) and in the conventional group 23.2 cm H2O (SD = 5.7) with a significant difference between groups (p less than 0.01). The functional urethral length of the nerve sparing group was 16.7 mm (SD = 5.2) and in the conventional group 13.3 mm (SD = 3.7) with no significant difference between the groups. These results suggest that preservation of neurovascular bundles from the pelvic plexus during radical prostatectomy has no important role in postoperative urinary continence.

Aged↗

Management of night-time urinary incontinence in residential settings for older people: an investigation into the effects of different pad changing regimes on skin health.

Absorbent pads are the main method of managing urinary incontinence in residential settings for older people. Improvements in technology have resulted in highly absorbent products which may be worn all night, but the effects of prolonged pad wearing on aged skin are unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of two different pad changing regimes on skin health. A cross-over design was used. Subjects from residential settings were randomly allocated to one of two pad changing regimes: a frequent pad changing regime or a less frequent pad changing regime. Each regime lasted 4 weeks and was followed by the alternative regime. Skin measurements were taken twice during each regime using (i) the Diastron Erythema meter, (ii) a visual grading scale, (iii) the Servomed evaporimeter, and (iv) a pH meter. The primary outcome variable was the Diastron Erythema meter index. Eighty-one subjects completed the study. No significant differences were found in the severity of erythema, or skin pH, between regimes. Measurements of trans-epidermal water loss were significantly higher in the less frequent pad changing regime indicating that skin was 'wetter' (P = 0.01; 95% CI: 2.89-21.39). Five subjects developed grade 2 pressure ulcers (abrasions) during the less frequent pad changing regime, but none in the frequent pad changing regime; this result was not significant (P = 0.1; 95% CI: 0-1.09). No evidence was found that a less frequent pad changing regime has an effect on skin erythema or pH. There is evidence that skin is wetter which may make it more vulnerable to friction and abrasion. The statistically non-significant finding of greater incidence of grade 2 pressure ulcers is a cause for concern and merits further investigation because of the clinical significance of loss of skin integrity.

Aged↗

Clinical study: assessing the performance and skin environments of two reusable underpads.

The authors wanted to compare the performance and skin environment provided by a recently introduced reusable underpad (Test Group underpad) to an underpad already well established in the absorbent products market (Reference Group underpad). A controlled, prospective, randomized multi-centered clinical trial was conducted in 18 facilities (6 hospitals, 7 home health agencies, and 5 skilled nursing facilities) and completed by 107 patients. The majority of the patients had a Braden score near 13, were 70 to 80 years of age, and weighed 130 to 138 lbs. The Test Group underpad ranked more favorably overall and in all eight categories of daily assessment. These differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05) in the Total Score and in four of the eight individual categories: Keeping Skin Dry, Keeping Clothing Dry, No Pooling of Fluid, and Patient Comfort. The Test Group underpad also ranked more favorably with statistical significance (p < 0.05) in three of the assessment categories at the conclusion of the study: Pad Absorbency, Pad's Ability to Wick Moisture, and Pad's Ability to Keep Skin Dry. Investigators also noted that 57 patients (53%) exhibited some measure of improvement by the end of the study. Of these, 45 (79%) had been assigned to the Test Group. The Test Group underpad demonstrated better absorbency, kept patients' skin, clothing and bed linens drier, exhibited less pooling of fluid and resulted in higher patient comfort. As a result, it may have contributed to a more beneficial skin environment, allowing for prevention of preexisting skin integrity problems and enhancement of healing.

Adolescent↗