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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Factors contributing to the contamination of hospital water distribution systems by legionellae.

To identify factors associated with the contamination of hospital water distribution systems by legionellae, 84 Quebec hospitals provided 3284 hot water specimens from 839 different sites. Concentrated samples were seeded on buffered charcoal yeast extract agar and a semi-selective medium. At least one water sample was contaminated by legionellae in 57 hospitals (67.9%). In 22 hospitals (26.2%), greater than 30% of samples were contaminated by these bacteria. In 9 (12.2%) of 74 hospitals, distilled water was colonized. The presence of at least one positive sample was found to be associated with localization and number of hospital beds (P = .02 for both). Heavy contamination was associated with large volume hot water tanks (P = .01), low water temperature at faucet (P = .03), and old water heaters (P = .06). Conditions required for the occurrence of nosocomial legionellosis may be present in numerous hospitals.

Cross Infection↗
PubMed1976

Operations analysis applied to a drug distribution system.

The application of operations analysis to a hospital drug distribution system is discussed. The existing system in a 360-bed community hospital was reviewed to identify areas for improvement; alternate approaches to achieve the identified benefits were explored. Improved manual procedures, which integrated pharmacy and nursing operations to a greater extent and resulted in fewer lost charges, were developed. Potential savings through computerization of 10 functions were identified. A rating system was developed to evaluate eight vendors of computerized pharmacy systems. The hospital as a whole undertook the following steps designed to assure the success of new systems: (1) determine the overall hospital benefits desired in order to prevent fragmentation by individual efforts; (2) establish a planning process; (3) establish a process for reviewing projects; (4) develop a plan for systems improvement; and (5) monitor the performance of the systems improvement program. The steps for successful operations analysis are summarized.

Computers↗
PubMed1978

Survey of clinical pharmaceutical services in Florida hospitals.

A survey of clinical pharmaceutical services in Florida hospitals is described. Questionnaires were mailed to the pharmacy departments of 210 hospitals containing 50 or more beds; 172 (82%) responded. Data were collected concerning the extent and types of clinical services provided; the reasons for not implementing the services were also obtained. Twenty (12%) hospitals employed a full-time clinical pharmacist. Inservice drug education, formalized drug information, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and patient medication histories were provided by 78%, 47%, 19% and 6% of the hospitals, respectively. Hospitals with a total or partial unit dose drug distribution system seemed more likely to provide clinical services than those with other types of distribution systems. Hospitals employing a clinical pharmacist were engaged in a wider range of clinical services and provided these services to a larger portion of their patient population. The reason most frequently cited for not implementing clinical services was inadequate staff.

Florida↗
PubMed1978

A multi-station gravity delivery system.

In May 1974, New York University Hospital began testing an experimental system using gravity for the slow-speed transport of laboratory specimens. This experiment demonstrated that the system was safe and easy to use. Consequently, in February 1975, a second station was installed adjacent to the intensive care unit to serve as a pilot for a multi-station system. The pilot was 42 m high. All routine laboratory specimens, except 24-hour urines, were transported inside closed transparent cylinders that descend at velocities between 50 and 100 cm/sec. Between April and October 1975, about 2,000 deliveries were made monthly, and each often carried only one or two tubes of blood or urine. At times, however, as many as 15 blood tubes or two body-fluid containers were handled. The overall operating reliability was greater than 98%. The mechanical performance of the new equipment was excellent. Novel design features guaranteed users at both stations immediate access for dispatching containers. Instrumentation was designed to detect all problems rapidly and to correct some automatically. In October 1975, New York University Hospital approved installation of a permanent slow-speed transport system to serve all patient-care areas.

Gravitation↗
PubMed1977

A slow-speed gravity delivery system for laboratory specimens.

A prototype system for the slow-speed transport of specimens by gravity was installed in New York University Hospital in May 1974. Blood, urine, body fluids and other specimens, except for 24-hour urines, are transported inside cylindrical containers that descend at constant velocities between 60 and 120 cm/sec, depending on the weight of the contents. Containers could be dispatched at six-second intervals, and each could carry as many as 15 blood specimens. Experience with the system has demonstrated that slow-speed gravity transport is practical and safe. No specimen has been lost, damaged or broken. Performance was acceptable, but some design modifications were needed. In February 1975, the system was expanded to provide service to the Intensive Care and Coronary Care Units.

Hospital Administration↗
PubMed1975

Stability of stabilized nitroglycerin tablets in typical distribution and administration systems.

A study was undertaken to determine whether or not the present extreme restrictions on the packaging of nitroglycerin tablets are indeed necessary when dispensing the newer stabilized tablets. Baseline tests were conducted on two molded and two compressed sublingual nitroglycerin tablets to determine weight variation, content uniformity, average potency and friability. Stability tests included: (1) use test designed to simulate patient use from a single bottle of 100 tablets over a one-month period; (2) an open plate study wherein tablets were exposed to the atmosphere for 100 days; (3) strip packaging of tablets using foil-foil or foil-cello systems; (4) placement of tablets in medication cups for a seven-day period; (5) repackaging 30-tablet batches in a variety of common prescription containers. All brands of tablets retained potency during normal use when dispensed and stored in their original containers. However, one brand was superior to all others when placed under stress conditions such as open plate exposure. These tablets also retained labeled potency when exposed in a medication cup for a seven-day period, or when repackaged in either foil-foil or foil-cello strips, or when dispensed in a number of ordinary prescription containers. The study indicated that this brand of nitroglycerin tablets might be handled like any other solid dosage form in hospital distribution systems without endangering patient care. However, exceptions to present packaging restrictions must be cleared with the Food and Drug Administration.

Drug Packaging↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A regional blood management system with prescheduled deliveries.

The prescheduling of blood deliveries from regional blood centers can improve blood availability at all transfusion services while reducing outdating, delivery costs and inventories maintained at region blood centers. A procedure for determining optimal distribution policies that maintain the highest possible blood availability at transfusion services while holding the achievable outdating level to a small percentage of the total usage is described. The manner in which this plan is being implemented in Long Island, New York, is presented, as well as a discussion of some preliminary results.

Blood Banks↗
PubMed1975

Evaluation of a hospital controlled substances distribution system.

The distribution and control system for controlled drugs at a 500-bed hospital was evaluated. The time requirements of the system for pharmacy and nursing, the drug control procedures used, and the income and expenses of the system were evaluated. It was concluded that the system appears to offer full accountability, but it makes a heavy time demand on pharmacy and nursing. Time requirements could be reduced through a computerized system or by use of a certificate of disposition form that incorporates a charge voucher.

Barbiturates↗
PubMed1979

Storeroom procedures that conserve assets.

As nonlabor costs in health care increase disproportionately, changes in storeroom operations will become an important cost containment tool.

Catalogs, Commercial as Topic↗
PubMed1977

Computer provides definite linen distribution and control mechanism.

For the past 10 years or so, large laundries have been concerned with productivity. While productivity has increased 10 to 20 percent, the linen replacement cost in these same laundries has more than doubled. It will not suffice for these laundries to point toward the hospitals they serve and imply that linen service and control is solely a hospital management problem. As long as proven technology is available, these laundries have an inherent responsibility to provide hospital management with the data necessary to pinpoint and correct linen consumption and replacement problems.

Bedding and Linens↗