Evaluation of the Variety of Plasmid Profiles inS epidermidisIsolates from Hospital Patients and Staff

1988 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 441-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrie R. Valentine ◽  
Susan H. Yandle ◽  
Frederic J. Marsik ◽  
Jack R. Ebright ◽  
Mark S. Dawson
Keyword(s):  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Plasmid Profile ◽  
Coagulase Negative Staphylococci ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Plasmid Profiles ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Hospital Patients ◽  
Assignment Probability ◽  
Plasmid Profiling ◽  
Absolute Criterion

AbstractPlasmid profiling was used to determine the variability of normal flora isolates ofStaphylococcus epidermidisin order to evaluate the usefulness of plasmid profiling for identifying pathogens. Fifteen hospital staff members and patients repeatedly had cultures taken from the hands and nares, and multiple isolates were examined for plasmid profiles.S epidermidisisolated from the nares of 15 neonates were also examined. The total number of isolates examined for plasmid profiles was 726. Repetition of profiles was common among the different isolates from a single sampling (one swab). The frequency of re-isolating similar profiles on different days varied from 7% to 13%. Simultaneous isolation of similar profiles from nares and hands on the same individual varied from 0% to 11%, the percentage being lower for personnel. Isolation of the same plasmid profile from different individuals occurred only twice and resulted in an assignment probability ofPa= 0.002 for isolates obtained from different individuals. Significantly more isolates from nares contained plasmids (97%) compared with isolates from hands (89%).Patients who had two or more isolates of coagulase-negative staphylococci with similar profiles were judged, clinically, to have infections in 12 of 13 cases. However, the likelihood of re-isolating anS epidermidisstrain with a similar plasmid profile twice from the same person at different times was sufficiently high to prevent plasmid profiling from being used as an absolute criterion for infection.

Plasmid Profile and Slime Analysis of Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci from Capd Patients with Peritonitis

1986 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 195-198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregory B. Horsman ◽  
Leslie MacMillan Yuri ◽  
Amatnieks Oretta RifKin ◽  
Stephen I. Vas
Keyword(s):  
Peritoneal Dialysis ◽  
Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis ◽  
Normal Skin ◽  
Recurrent Infection ◽  
Plasmid Profile ◽  
Coagulase Negative Staphylococci ◽  
Plasmid Profiles ◽  
Skin Flora ◽  
Initial Episode ◽  
Multiple Episodes

Little is known about the epidemiology of infections causing peritonitis in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). The commonest cause, coagulase-negative staphylococci (C-NS), are normal skin flora. The main source is thought to be organisms from the patient's own skin or environment. Using plasmid profiles as an epidemiological marker, the authors identified cases in which surveillance skin cultures taken just before an episode of peritonitis were identical to those isolated from the effluent. On comparing the plasmid profiles from the effluent of patients who had multiple episodes over eight weeks, they identified two patterns. One group had different plasmid profiles between episodes of infection. The second group (the majority of the cases) had identical plasmid profiles between the initial episode and the second which occurred between 10 days and four weeks after stopping antibiotics. This suggests that, in most cases of recurrent infection studied, the second episode represented a reinfection or recurrence with the same organism (as the initial episode). Slime production did not discriminate those patients who would develop recurring peritonitis.

Hospital Experience with Varicella-Zoster Virus

1986 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 312-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith Krasinski ◽  
Robert S. Holzman ◽  
Rita LaCouture ◽  
Alfred Florman
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
Varicella Zoster Virus ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Varicella Zoster ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Serologic Testing ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
History Of

AbstractVaricella-zoster virus (VZV), one of the most common highly communicable agents of disease, stimulates aggressive infection control measures. In a 1-year period, at one hospital, at least 93 inpatients (82 adult patients, 11 pediatric patients) and 2 hospital staff with active varicella-zoster infections served as potential sources of nosocomial infection. Six incidents of exposure to the virus that occurred without the protection of standard infection control precautions were investigated by the infection control surveillance team. One hundred fifty-six patients and 353 hospital staff were exposed. Fifty-one patients had no history of varicella-zoster infection, but only five were susceptible by serologic testing. One hundred one staff members had no history of varicella-zoster, but only 11 were susceptible by serologic testing. These exposures resulted in three secondary varicella-zoster infections, six courses of varicella-zoster immune globulin prophylaxis and furlough of 13 staff members. Epidemiologic investigation consumed approximately 356 hours of staff time, and management of exposed persons cost approximately $41,500. Prospective knowledge of the immune status of health care workers would vastly decrease the time and effort required to control hospital VZV exposures.

scholarly journals Plasmid profile analysis in identification of epidemic strains of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis

2008 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 303-307
Author(s):  
Biljana Miljkovic-Selimovic ◽  
Zorica Lepsanovic ◽  
Tatjana Babic ◽  
Branislava Kocic ◽  
Gordana Randjelovic
Keyword(s):  
Profile Analysis ◽  
Plasmid Profile ◽  
Geographic Region ◽  
Diffusion Method ◽  
Salmonella Enterica Serovar Enteritidis ◽  
Discrimination Power ◽  
Alkaline Lysis ◽  
Plasmid Profiles ◽  
Correlation Degree ◽  
Sporadic Cases

Background/Aim. As illness caused by Sallmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) occurs not only as sporadic cases but as outbreaks, to reveal the source and routes of spreading of infection it is necessary to identify epidemic strain by the use of some typing methods. To determine whether plasmid profile analysis, as genotyping method, could be applied for the investigation of epidemic strains, isolates of S. Enteritidis, recovered from patient's stools and food associated with outbreaks and those isolated from sporadic cases of diarrhea, were investigated. Methods. Investigation of antibiotic resistance was performed by Kirby - Bauer disc-diffusion method. Isolation of plasmid DNA was carried out by Birnboim and Dolly alkaline lysis method, modified by Ish-Horovitz. Results. Out of 276 izolates of S. Enteritidis 94 were isolated from patient's stools and food associated with outbreaks and 182 were isolated from sporadic cases of diarrhea. The presence of 12 plasmid profiles was established. An average correlation degree of plasmid profiles between the strains was 0.84, that implies high degree of similarity of plasmid profiles of epidemic and non- epidemic strains isolated at our geographic region for the given period of time. Conclusion. The strains of S. Enteritidis, isolated in outbreaks of enterocolitis as well as from spordic cases of diarrhea in the same period of time and at the same area, frequently exhibit the same plasmid profile characterized by a single plasmid of 38 MDa. Therefore, in most cases plasmid profile analysis is not valuable in the identification of epidemic strains of S. Enteritidis. However, for this purpose plasmid profile analysis could be used when drug-resistant strains of S. Enteritidis are isolated, as they often possess additional resistant plasmids what increases discrimination power of this method.

THE PHYSICIAN, THE BATTERED CHILD, AND THE LAW

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1963 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 899-902
Author(s):  
Fowler V. Harper
Keyword(s):  
Social Workers ◽  
Juvenile Court ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Abused Children ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
State Legislation ◽  
After Effects ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Battered Child ◽  
Welfare Workers

THE PROBLEM of physical and mental injuries inflicted on infants and small children has increasingly attracted the attention of physicians and welfare workers within the past few years. A bibliography prepared by the Children's Bureau in August of last year compiled a substantial number of scholarly articles in scientific journals dealing with abused children. Careful case studies reveal the seriousness of the problem, and several surveys, its extent. What informed persons have suspected and what many doctors and social workers have believed, has been demonstrated, viz., that parents too often are their children's worst enemies. It may be because one or more parent is psychotic, of extremely low intelligence, of uncontrollable temper, or was himself an abused child with serious psychiatric after-effects. The assumption that, generally, a child is "better off" in the home, surrounded by the loving care of his parents is no doubt sound enough, but the exceptions are sufficiently numerous to warrant more attention by appropriate agencies and professional individuals, public and private, than they have received. The Children's Bureau held two conferences devoted to this matter during the year 1962. Participants included well-qualified pediatricians, social workers, psychiatrists, lawyers, judges, juvenile court staff personnel, administrative and professional hospital staff members, and others concerned with child health and welfare. There was general agreement that the physician is perhaps the first person who will obtain knowledge of a situation involving inflicted injuries on a child, that he should report his findings to an appropriate investigating authority for further action, and that state legislation is necessary to impose a legal obligation on the physician in this regard.

A feasibility study of a peer discussion group intervention for patients with pancreatobiliary cancer and their caregivers

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Yuko Yanai ◽  
Reiko Ando Makihara ◽  
Naoko Matsunaga ◽  
Rieko Shimizu ◽  
Sayaka Tominaga ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Distress ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Discussion Group ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Tract Cancer ◽  
Peer Discussion ◽  
Third Line ◽  
Study Participants

Abstract Objectives The purpose of this feasibility study was to examine the impacts of a peer discussion group intervention called “the pancreatobiliary cancer salon” on psychological distress among patients with pancreatobiliary cancer and their caregivers. Methods We recruited patients with pancreatic or biliary tract cancer and their caregivers. We conducted a within-group pre–post comparison study. Participants were grouped by the type of cancer and treatment. Each group consisted of four to five patients or caregivers. Hospital staff members facilitated group discussions where participants freely talked for 1 h. We evaluated participants’ psychological condition using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) and their impressions of the pancreatobiliary cancer salon. Results We analyzed data from 42 patients and 27 caregivers who joined the salon for the first time. Thirty-five patients (83.3%) had pancreatic cancer. Thirty-one patients (71.4%) had unresectable pancreatobiliary cancer and 14 patients (33.3%) were being treated with second-line or third-line chemotherapy at the time of the survey. Twenty-two patients (52.4%) participated in the salon within 6 months after diagnosis. Most participating caregivers were the patient's spouse/partner (51.9%) or child (34.6%). Both patients and caregivers experienced high levels of satisfaction with the pancreatobiliary cancer salon. Both patients and caregivers had significantly lower psychological distress as assessed by POMS after the salon. Significance of results A peer discussion group intervention might be well-received and has potential to benefit for patients with pancreatobiliary cancer and their caregivers.

Eat Smart! Workplace Cafeteria Program Evaluation of the Nutrition Component

2006 ◽  
Vol 67 (2) ◽  
pp. 85-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jody Dawson ◽  
John J. M. Dwyer ◽  
Susan Evers ◽  
Judy Sheeshka
Keyword(s):  
Program Implementation ◽  
Eating Habits ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Eating Behaviour ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Observational Research ◽  
Healthy Foods ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Nutrition Component

Purpose: The nutrition component of the Eat Smart! Workplace Cafeteria Program (ESWCP) in a hospital was evaluated. We assessed staff’s frequency of visits to and purchases in the hospital cafeteria, attitudes about the program, short-term eating behaviour change, and suggestions to improve the ESWCP. Methods: Questionnaires were sent to hospital staff members who were not on leave (n=504). Dillman’s Tailored Design Method was used to design and implement the survey. Four mail-outs were used and yielded a 51% response rate. Results: Eighty-seven percent of respondents visited the hospital cafeteria at least once a week in an average seven-day week, and 69% purchased one to five meals or snacks there each week. Eighty-six percent of respondents said that they were aware of the hospital’s program. Notices on cafeteria tables were the primary method of learning about the program (67%). Reported program benefits included increased knowledge about healthy eating, convenience of having healthy foods in the cafeteria, and increased energy. Conclusion: Many respondents were aware of the program, provided positive comments about it, and reported positive changes in eating habits. However, future observational research is warranted to note foods served and sold before and after program implementation, as well as to examine whether results can be generalized to other settings.

Preliminary Tuberculosis Survey in a Mental Hospital

1946 ◽  
Vol 92 (386) ◽  
pp. 96-109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donal F. Early
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Hospital ◽  
Psychiatric Treatment ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
The Public ◽  
Mental Hospitals ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Hospital Patients ◽  
Disproportionate Number

The problem of tuberculosis amongst mental hospital patients is of importance from both the psychiatric and public health point of view. Most of the active methods of psychiatric treatment must be abandoned or discontinued when physical illness intervenes. The problem is even more far-reaching from the standpoint of public health. Wingfield, Trail, Banks and McDougall (1942) have estimated that there is probably a reservoir of 250,000 infectious cases recognized and unrecognized in England, Scotland and Wales, and several authors have pointed out that mental hospitals contribute a disproportionate number to this reservoir. Modern methods of mental hospital administration with parole and leave privileges applied to the maximum number of patients lend importance to the public health aspect, not only the patients themselves and hospital staff being menaced, but also patients' visitors and relatives and other contacts outside hospital. The incidence of tuberculosis in mental hospitals has been variously estimated at 5 to 10 times and the mortality in peace-time 8 or 9 times that of the general population. These figures are sufficient to justify all efforts to bring the problem under control.

scholarly journals Behavioural and psychiatric symptoms in people with dementia admitted to the acute hospital: prospective cohort study

2014 ◽  
Vol 205 (3) ◽  
pp. 189-196 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth L. Sampson ◽  
Nicola White ◽  
Baptiste Leurent ◽  
Sharon Scott ◽  
Kathryn Lord ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cohort Study ◽  
Older People ◽  
Psychiatric Symptoms ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Care Quality ◽  
Acute Hospital ◽  
Medical Illness ◽  
People With Dementia ◽  
Hospital Patients ◽  
Acute Hospitals

BackgroundDementia is common in older people admitted to acute hospitals. There are concerns about the quality of care they receive. Behavioural and psychiatric symptoms of dementia (BPSD) seem to be particularly challenging for hospital staff.AimsTo define the prevalence of BPSD and explore their clinical associations.MethodLongitudinal cohort study of 230 people with dementia, aged over 70, admitted to hospital for acute medical illness, and assessed for BPSD at admission and every 4 (±1) days until discharge. Other measures included length of stay, care quality indicators, adverse events and mortality.ResultsParticipants were very impaired; 46% at Functional Assessment Staging Scale (FAST) stage 6d or above (doubly incontinent), 75% had BPSD, and 43% had some BPSD that were moderately/severely troubling to staff. Most common were aggression (57%), activity disturbance (44%), sleep disturbance (42%) and anxiety (35%).ConclusionsWe found that BPSD are very common in older people admitted to an acute hospital. Patients and staff would benefit from more specialist psychiatric support.

"Management Bias" in Social Science Study of Medical Treatment

1962 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julius Roth
Keyword(s):  
Social Science ◽  
Medical Treatment ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
Medical Advice ◽  
Science Study ◽  
Social Scientists ◽  
Against Medical Advice ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Social Science Study

Why do patients leave the hospital against medical advice? is a question often asked by tuberculosis hospital staff members and by social workers and social scientists interested in the TB hospital. But we might also ask (and should first ask): Why do patients stay in the hospital?

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