DNA Methylation Patterns in Peripheral Blood of Pregnant Women With Group B Streptococcus Colonization.

The primary risk factor for neonatal Group B streptococcus (GBS) infection, which is the leading cause of infectious neonatal morbidity and mortality, is maternal colonization. However, no definitive maternal risk factors for GBS colonization have been identified and no systematic efforts have been made to prevent maternal colonization. The purpose of this exploratory secondary analysis was to evaluate genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in maternal peripheral blood early in pregnancy for association with GBS colonization status in the third trimester.

Determination of the effectiveness of electronic health records to document pressure ulcers.

The purpose of this pilot project was to track the electronic health record documentation of pressure ulcers on a medical-surgical unit and compare the electronic health record with the written medical record.

A descriptive study exploring the principles of asepsis techniques among perioperative personnel during surgery.

Background: Perioperative nurses are expected to demonstrate strict adherence with asepsis principles to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs) as breaching of these principles poses a serious risk of infection to surgical patients.

Methods: A descriptive survey was conducted with a convenience sample of 87 perioperative personnel to describe self-reported compliance with the principles of asepsis during surgery.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the practices of perioperative scrub personnel with surgical asepsis.

Evaluation of the incidence of pressure ulcers using hill-rom versacare surfaces.

Objective: This study was conducted to: (1) determine the clinical effectiveness of a low-air-loss surface, VersaCare P500, in the prevention of pressure ulcers in surgical patients; (2) determine differences in the adjusted Braden scores between those using VersaCare and VersaCare P500 mattress surfaces; and (3) explore the demographic and therapeutic factors associated with the risk of skin breakdown as measured by Braden score.

Design: An open label quasi-experimental clinical trial was conducted.

Setting: A 540-bed acute care hospital.

Exploring the factors associated with hand hygiene compliance of nurses during routine clinical practice.

Background: Nurses and other health care providers (HCPs) continue to be noncompliant with the guidelines of proper hand hygiene practices.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the factors associated with hand hygiene compliance among HCPs during routine clinical.

Methods: An observational study was conducted at an oncology hospital to examine hand hygiene practices observed during 612 procedures that were performed by 67 HCPs.

A national online survey on the effectiveness of clinical alarms.

Purpose: To develop a national online survey to be administered by the American College of Clinical Engineers Healthcare Technology Foundation to hospitals and healthcare workers to determine the problems associated with alarms in hospitals.

Methods: An online survey was developed by a 16-member task force representing professionals from clinical engineering, nursing, and technology to evaluate the reasons health-care workers do not respond to clinical alarms.

Results: A total of 1327 persons responded to the survey; most (94%) worked in acute care hospitals.

Keeping patients safe: an interventional hand hygiene study at an oncology center.

Healthcare-associated infections (HCIs) continue to affect patient morbidity and mortality and contribute to the rising cost of health care. Factors associated with the rise of HCIs in patients with cancer may include an increase in antimicrobial resistance and treatment effects of radiation and chemotherapeutic agents. Infection control and prevention practices can decrease infection rates among patients with cancer.

Effect of aloe-vera impregnated gloves on hand hygiene attitudes of health care workers.

Following standard precautions and hand hygiene guidelines is important to health care workers and the patients they serve. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of aloe-vera impregnated gloves on attitudes about hand hygiene among many health care workers and perceived sense of skin condition.

Conversion to low-protein, powder-free surgical gloves: is it worth the cost?

This study was conducted to determine changes in overall costs associated with conversion to powder-free gloves including cost of workers' compensation cases for natural rubber latex (NRL)-related symptoms and health care workers' glove satisfaction. The study, a 2-year, longitudinal design with retrospective and prospective aspects, was developed to determine health care worker use of powder-free, low-protein NRL gloves, sensitization, cost, and glove satisfaction. Informed consent was obtained from 103 health care workers.

Impact of converting to powder-free gloves. Decreasing the symptoms of latex exposure in operating room personnel.

This study examined health care worker satisfaction with the use of non-powdered natural rubber latex (NRL) surgical gloves to determine the impact of non-powdered NRL gloves on the NRL sensitization of operating room personnel. The study used a 1-year longitudinal design to obtain recall information from employees about their NRL exposure. Additionally, a survey was completed by participants related to their satisfaction with non-powdered NRL gloves.

Predictors of nosocomial bloodstream infections among critically ill adult trauma patients.

Objective: To identify the independent predictors of nosocomial bloodstream infections (BSIs) among critically ill adult trauma patients.

Design: A prospective, cohort design was used to study patients who met predetermined inclusion criteria. Basic descriptive and univariate statistical analyses were performed to identify unadjusted predictors.

Failure rates in nonlatex surgical gloves.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the frequency of glove defects for nonlatex surgical gloves while surgeons performed routine surgery and to evaluate surgeons' satisfaction with nonlatex sterile gloves.

Methods: Two brands of latex gloves and 6 brands of nonlatex gloves were tested. Gloves were collected at the end of each surgical procedure and tested for visual defects and barrier integrity using an automated calibrated water test machine consistent with FDA's recommended standards.

Health care workers: risk factors for nonlatex and latex gloves during surgery.

This study examined glove failure and related factors in both nonlatex and latex surgical gloves after routine use. A federally funded research study was conducted to collect surgical gloves from those directly involved in surgical procedures. All gloves were examined in the laboratory for both visual defects and barrier integrity.

A laboratory-based study to assess the performance of surgical gloves.

The inherent tear resistance and elasticity of latex and the touch sensitivity it provides has made it the traditional material of choice for surgical gloves, protecting both health care workers and patients from the transmission of bloodborne infections. Although increased incidence of latex allergy has led to increased use of nonlatex surgical gloves, the effectiveness of these gloves as a barrier to infection has not been examined thoroughly. This laboratory-based study compared the performance of latex and nonlatex surgical gloves in a simulated stress protocol.

The opiate-dependent patient with endocarditis: addressing pain and substance abuse withdrawal.

Intravenous drug use is associated with infectious diseases such as endocarditis. Patients often require intensive medical and nursing management in the intensive care unit as well as simultaneous intensive pain, withdrawal, and psychosocial management for the tolerance and behavior issues commonly associated with this population. To provide comprehensive care, the advanced practice nurse needs to understand the relation between intravenous drug use and the development of infective endocarditis.

Awareness of surgical site infections for advanced practice nurses.

A primary concern in healthcare today is the prevention of infection. Surgical site infections (SSIs) are the leading type of infection among hospitalized patients. Advanced practice nurses play a vital role in patient care, and those who incorporate best practice standards can reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with SSIs.

Use of the injury severity score to predict nosocomial bloodstream infections among critically ill trauma patients.

Nosocomial bloodstream infections (NBSI) are associated with increased hospital length of stay (LOS), mortality, and costs. At this writing, no available reports describe the association between injury severity and NBSI among critically ill adult trauma patients. This study aimed to examine the use of the Injury Severity Score (ISS) as a predictor of NBSI among critically ill adult trauma patients.

PCR-based method for detecting viral penetration of medical exam gloves.

The test approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for assessment of the barrier quality of medical exam gloves includes visual inspection and a water leak test.

Performance of latex and nonlatex medical examination gloves during simulated use.

Background: In response to the rise in latex allergies, gloves made from a variety of nonlatex materials have been introduced into the health care environment. To date, at least 1 study, by Rego and Roley (1999), has reported that both latex and nitrile medical examination gloves provide comparable barrier protective qualities. The purpose of our study was to determine the effects of glove stress, type of material (vinyl, nitrile, copolymer, latex), and manufacturer on the barrier effectiveness of medical examination gloves.

Effectiveness of a home-based exercise intervention for HIV-infected adults: a randomized trial.

The authors conducted a randomized controlled trial to assess the impact of a 15-week (20 minutes three times per week) home-based aerobic exercise intervention versus usual care on the physical endurance, immune status, and self-reported health status of 99 HIV-infected adults. In the exercise group, there was no improvement in physical endurance or health-related quality of life (HRQOL), except in the Medical Outcomes Study-HIV Health Survey Overall Health subscale (difference = 12.1, 95% confidence interval = 2.