Toward the quantification of α-synuclein aggregates with digital seed amplification assays.

The quantification and characterization of aggregated α-synuclein in clinical samples offer immense potential toward diagnosing, treating, and better understanding neurodegenerative synucleinopathies. Here, we developed digital seed amplification assays to detect single α-synuclein aggregates by partitioning the reaction into microcompartments. Using pre-formed α-synuclein fibrils as reaction seeds, we measured aggregate concentrations as low as 4 pg/mL.

Cellular mechanisms of heterogeneity in NF2-mutant schwannoma.

Schwannomas are common sporadic tumors and hallmarks of familial neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) that develop predominantly on cranial and spinal nerves. Virtually all schwannomas result from inactivation of the NF2 tumor suppressor gene with few, if any, cooperating mutations. Despite their genetic uniformity schwannomas exhibit remarkable clinical and therapeutic heterogeneity, which has impeded successful treatment.

Incidence of Intravenous Medication Errors in a Chinese Hospital.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore intravenous (IV) medication errors in a Chinese hospital. The specific objectives were to 1) explore and measure the frequency of IV medication errors by direct observation and identify clues to their causes in Chinese hospital inpatient wards and 2) identify the clinical importance of the errors and find the potential risks in the preparation and administration processes of IV medications.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted by using the direct observational method to describe IV medication errors on two general surgery patient wards in a large teaching hospital in Beijing, China.

Effect of barcode technology with electronic medication administration record on medication accuracy rates.

Purpose: The effect of barcode-assisted medication administration (BCMA) with electronic medication administration record (eMAR) technology on the occurrence of medication administration errors was evaluated.

Methods: A pretest-posttest nonequivalent comparison group was used to investigate the effect of BCMA-eMAR on the medication administration accuracy rates at two community-based hospitals. Patient care units included three matched pairs in the two hospitals-two medical-surgical, two telemetry, and two rehabilitation units-plus a medical-surgical intensive care unit, an emergency department, and both an inpatient oncology unit and an outpatient oncology service at one of the hospitals.

Threading needles in the dark: the effect of the physical work environment on nursing practice.

Frequently, the most critical calculations, considerations, and preparations for patient care and medication administration are made in noisy, dimly lit, and chaotic areas of the nursing unit. Healthcare has begun to recognize the impact of the physical work environment plays in the ability of humans to perform reliably and safely. This article reviews the draft guidelines recently released by the United States Pharmacopeia for public comment for the physical environment to promote safe medication administration.

Dispensing errors and counseling quality in 100 pharmacies.

Objective: To evaluate the dispensing accuracy and counseling provided in community chain pharmacies.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Community chain pharmacies in large metropolitan areas of Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, and New York.

Comparison of two error-detection methods in a mail service pharmacy serving health facilities.

Objectives: To compare two dispensing error-detection methods in a mail service pharmacy and explore clues to the causes of near errors.

Design: Descriptive and exploratory study.

Setting: Mail service pharmacy serving health facilities, April 5-9, 2004.

Geometric probability distribution for modeling of error risk during prescription dispensing.

Purpose: The relationship between the number of prescriptions dispensed by individual pharmacy staff during a single workday and the probability of committing at least one dispensing error during that same workday period was evaluated using a geometric probability distribution.

Summary: A cross-sectional descriptive study involving 50 pharmacies located in six cities across the United States was conducted. A pharmacist trained to detect dispensing errors recorded the number of prescriptions filled by each pharmacy staff member and noted which prescription represented the staff member's first dispensing error (defined as any deviation from the prescriber's order) made during the observation period.

National observational study of prescription dispensing accuracy and safety in 50 pharmacies.

Objectives: To measure dispensing accuracy rates in 50 pharmacies located in 6 cities across the United States and describe the nature and frequency of the errors detected.

Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study.

Settings: Chain, independent, and health-system pharmacies (located in hospitals or managed care organizations).

Medication errors observed in 36 health care facilities.

Background: Medication errors are a national concern.

Objective: To identify the prevalence of medication errors (doses administered differently than ordered).

Design: A prospective cohort study.

Comparison of methods for detecting medication errors in 36 hospitals and skilled-nursing facilities.

The validity and cost-effectiveness of three methods for detecting medication errors were examined. A stratified random sample of 36 hospitals and skilled-nursing facilities in Colorado and Georgia was selected. Medication administration errors were detected by registered nurses (R.