Development and clinical evaluation of a recombinant-antigen-based cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin M automated immunoassay using the Abbott AxSYM analyzer.

A new microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA), the Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Immunoglobulin M (IgM) test, was developed on the Abbott AxSYM analyzer. This test uses recombinant CMV antigens derived from portions of four structural and nonstructural proteins of CMV: pUL32 (pp150), pUL44 (pp52), pUL83 (pp65), and pUL80a (pp38). A total of 1, 608 specimens from random volunteer blood donors (n = 300), pregnant women (n = 1,118), transplant recipients (n = 6), and patients with various clinical conditions and disease states (n = 184) were tested during development and evaluation of this new assay.

Realistically meeting the educational needs of hospitalized acute and short-stay patients.

Patient teaching in acute care hospital settings isn't much different from teaching in other settings. The main differences have to do with the amount of time available and the condition of the patients. Using good assessment practices, sticking to "need to know" survival content, simplifying instructions, streamlining programs, providing for practice, providing reference and resource materials, and referring patients for further education are the ingredients that will help get the job done efficiently and effectively.

Staff involvement in patient teaching: making it happen.

Motivating patient care staff to teach is a continuing concern of patient education managers particularly as hospitalized patient acuity levels increase and personnel are busier than over. This article covers strategies to promote staff involvement in patient teaching in four areas: (1) expectations, (2) knowledge base, (3) visibility and recognition, and (4) program planning involvement. Practical suggestions with examples are provided.