"I get to spend time with my patients": nursing home physicians discuss their role.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to learn about the role of the nursing home physician, and to begin to identify and articulate key concepts related to the role.

Design: A qualitative exploratory methodology was selected. Two medical students interviewed nursing home physicians in person, using open-ended questions.

Iron overdose and detection of gastrointestinal bleeding with the hemoccult and gastroccult assays.

Study Objective: To determine the ability of the Hemoccult and Gastroccult tests (SmithKline Diagnostics) to detect blood in vitro in whole-bowel irrigation (WBI) solution.

Interventions: One tablet of ferrous gluconate 324 mg, ferrous sulfate 325 mg, or ascorbic acid 500 mg; or one Materna prenatal vitamin tablet (Lederle Laboratories) was dissolved in 30 mL of Colyte. Colyte alone and each test solution were tested with Hemoccult and Gastroccult slides, then retested at pH values of 3 and 8.

Ciguatera fish poisoning. A southern California epidemic.

Ciguatera fish poisoning results from the bioconcentration of a variety of toxins produced by marine dinoflagellates. Signs and symptoms vary widely, but it usually presents as gastrointestinal and neurologic complaints beginning shortly after the ingestion of fish containing the toxins. Symptoms may persist for months and sometimes even years.

Raising the decontamination level for thyroid hormone ingestions.

Ninety-two pediatric cases (age < or = 6 years) of acute thyroid hormone ingestions that were reported over a 20-month period to one American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC)-certified regional poison center were reviewed to determine whether significant toxicity in pediatric patients is associated with acute ingestions of < or = 5 mg levothyroxine (T4) equivalent of thyroid hormone and the highest-tolerated milligram-per-kilogram dose. Parameters evaluated included patient weight, amount ingested, drug preparation, treatment type, outcome, management site, and relevant comments. Eight patients had mild symptoms requiring no specific medical intervention and there was no correlation between the amount ingested and symptoms observed.