The demographics of suspected deep tissue injury in the United States: an analysis of the International Pressure Ulcer Prevalence Survey 2006-2009.

Objective: Suspected deep tissue injury (sDTI) was identified in 2001 and added as a staging definition by the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel in 2007. Clinical data on sDTI are sparse. This article reports the overall prevalence data and describes the demographics of subjects with sDTI from the International Pressure Ulcer Prevalence survey 2006-2009.

Continuous lateral rotation therapy for acute hypoxemic respiratory failure: the effect of timing.

Previous studies have indicated a positive impact of continuous lateral rotational therapy on nosocomial pneumonia, but have shown mixed results in decreasing length of stay or ventilator days. The objective of the study was to determine if the use of a continuous lateral rotational therapy protocol would decrease mortality and morbidity, mean ventilator days, and/or intensive care unit and hospital length of stay in patients with a pulmonary diagnosis. The study also analyzed the effect of the lag time to the initiation of therapy.

Results of nine international pressure ulcer prevalence surveys: 1989 to 2005.

Pressure ulcers continue to be a significant problem for patients and healthcare facilities. Since 1989, results from the International Pressure Ulcer Prevalence surveys--observational, cross-sectional cohort studies--conducted by Hill-Rom, Batesville, Ind, have been used to document aggregate prevalence rates and provide acute care, long-term acute care, and long-term care facilities with internal and external benchmarks of process improvement. During each of the nine surveys conducted between 1989 and 2005, clinical teams in participating facilities predominantly in the US (some facilities in Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Australia participated after 2003) assessed admitted patients on assigned study dates.

Analytical and clinical validation of the 25 OH vitamin D assay for the LIAISON automated analyzer.

Objective: Methods to assess serum 25 OH vitamin D have improved in accuracy, precision, and ease of use. We describe the analytical and clinical validation of an automated, antibody- and microparticle-based, chemiluminescent immunoassay method for the determination of 25 OH vitamin D.

Design And Methods: The LIAISON 25 OH Vitamin D assay is a rapid automated method with first results available in 40 min, and a subsequent throughput of 180 samples per hour.

Analytical and clinical validation of a radioimmunoassay for the measurement of 1,25 dihydroxy vitamin D.

Objectives: The analytical and clinical validation of the DiaSorin 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D RIA is described.

Design And Methods: The analytical parameters assessed included analytical sensitivity, dilution linearity, intra- and inter-assay precision, recovery, specificity, and interference studies. Where appropriate, assessments were performed according to NCCLS guidelines.