Practice of universal precautions among healthcare workers.
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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. (+info)
Evaluation of the performance of photochromic spectacle lenses in children and adolescents aged 10 to 15 years.
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BACKGROUND: To compare the performance of clear and photochromic spectacle lenses in children and adolescents, with respect to visual acuity and satisfaction with day-to-day activities. METHODS: Fifty full-time spectacle wearers, aged 10 to 15 years, were randomly assigned to wear clear and Transitions photochromic spectacle lenses for two weeks each in a crossover fashion. Subjects were evaluated at screening, lens delivery and two weeks post-delivery. At each visit, distance and near visual acuity (VA, logMAR) were assessed and subjective questionnaires, using Likert scales, were administered. Parents/guardians also completed questionnaires at entry and exit from the study. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in VA between clear and photochromic lenses (p > 0.05) and no difficulties were encountered with completion of the questionnaires. Subjective evaluation of vision in bright sunlight and when playing sport was significantly better with photochromic compared to clear lenses (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between lens designs in subjective performance indoors, such as in the classroom or when reading (p > 0.05). Forty-three subjects (88 per cent) chose to continue wearing photochromic lenses on conclusion of the trial. Thirty subjects (61 per cent) preferred photochromic over clear lenses due to reasons such as darkening in sunlight, better vision and less squinting in sunlight. Forty-three parents (88 per cent) rated the children's overall experience with photochromic lenses to be favourable or very favourable. CONCLUSION: Photochromic lenses can be successfully prescribed for children and adolescents aged 10 to 15 years. Clear and photochromic lenses were considered to be equivalent for indoor activities; however, photochromic lenses were significantly preferred over clear lenses for outdoor activities. Likert grading scales can be used effectively in questionnaires for children and adolescents and further development of questionnaires for use in clinical trials evaluating lens performance in children is warranted. (+info)
Monocular patching in subjects with right-hemisphere stroke affects perceptual-attentional bias.
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Monocular patching is a possible inexpensive treatment for spatial neglect. Previous studies were unpromising, but since neglect symptoms are heterogeneous, fractionating spatial bias may detect significant effects of patching. Poststroke, perceptual-attentional (PA) spatial bias, motor-intentional (MI) spatial bias, or both may occur. In this study, six poststroke subjects bisected lines while self-monitoring their performance via a camera/video apparatus. We dissociated PA and MI spatial bias by right-left reversing visual feedback in some trials. Subjects were tested with and without right and left eye patches. Patching did not affect group line-bisection error, but both right and left patches decreased individual subject PA spatial bias (p < 0.05). We detected no patching effect on individual subject MI spatial bias (significant patch side by bias interaction, p = 0.03). When we examined each subject's results separately, patching improved performance in subjects who had greater PA and MI spatial biases. We conclude that monocular patching may primarily affect poststroke PA spatial bias. Further studies on this intervention are needed. (+info)
Penetrating ocular injuries in the home.
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BACKGROUND: We studied the prevalence and aetiology of penetrating ocular injuries, in particular ones that were sustained whilst undertaking Do It Yourself (DIY) or gardening in the domestic environment. We also examined the extent of eye safety promotion in DIY stores and garden centres and on their websites. METHODS: We conducted a case note review of patients who underwent surgery for penetrating ocular trauma between January 2000 and June 2004. Eight DIY stores and garden centres and 10 websites were visited and evaluated using standardized questions. RESULTS: Of the 85 patients identified, 35 (41.2%) patients had injuries that occurred in the home with 10 patients having visual acuities of <6/60 at final follow up. Accidents from DIY or gardening were the cause in 17 of 33 (51.5%) patients, with a failure to wear eye protection in all cases. Overall, DIY stores and garden centres were poor at promoting eye safety both in their stores and on their websites. CONCLUSION: The home is a frequent place for severe penetrating ocular injury, with highly popular pastimes such as DIY and gardening as common causes. As many of these injuries are preventable, additional safety information is essential to educate the public on the potential dangers of these pastimes. (+info)
Eye safety practices in U.S. dental school restorative clinics, 2006.
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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. (+info)
Ultraviolet protective properties of branded and unbranded sunglasses available in the Indian market in UV phototherapy chambers.
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BACKGROUND: Patients receiving phototherapy for various dermatoses are at increased risk of eye damage due to ultraviolet (UV) rays. They are prescribed UV protective sunglasses by dermatologists but their exact protecting effects are not known. AIM: To study the ultraviolet protective properties of branded and unbranded UV protective sunglasses available in the Indian market, in UV phototherapy chambers. METHODS: Sixteen different branded and unbranded UV protective sunglasses were collected from two opticians in Mumbai. Baseline irradiance of the UV chamber was calculated by exposing the photosensitive probe of UV photometer in the chamber. Then, the photosensitive probe of the UV photometer was covered with the UV protective glass to be studied and irradiance was noted. Such readings were taken for each of the UV protective sunglasses. The percentage reduction in the UV rays' penetration of different UV protective sunglasses was calculated. RESULTS: Thirteen sunglasses provided > 80% reduction in UVA rays penetration, of which four were branded (out of the four branded studied) and nine were unbranded (out of the 12 unbranded studied). More than 70% reduction in UVB penetration was provided by 12 sunglasses, which included 10 unbranded and two branded sunglasses. CONCLUSION: All branded sunglasses provided good protection against UVA penetration, but UVB protection provided by both branded and unbranded sunglasses was not satisfactory. A few unbranded sunglasses had poor efficacy for UVA and UVB spectra; one branded glass had poor efficacy for protection against the UVB spectrum. The efficacy of sunglasses used for phototherapy should be assessed before use. (+info)
Prevention of occupational transmission of HIV in the ENT clinic.
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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. (+info)
Disrupting the transmission of influenza a: face masks and ultraviolet light as control measures.
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In the event of an influenza pandemic, where effective vaccine and antiviral drugs may be lacking, disrupting environmental transmission of the influenza virus will be the only viable strategy to protect the public. We discuss 2 such modalities, respirators (face masks) and ultraviolet (UV) light. Largely overlooked, the potential utility of each is underappreciated. The effectiveness of disposable face masks may be increased by sealing the edges of the mask to the face. Reusable masks should be stockpiled, because the supply of disposable masks will likely prove inadequate. UV light, directed overhead, may be beneficial in hospitals and nursing homes. (+info)