Theophylline for bradycardia secondary to cervical spinal cord injury.

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating disease process that can occur as a consequence of motor vehicle collisions, falls, or other traumatic injuries. Persistent bradycardia was found to be universally present in all high cervical SCI patients. Limited data exists to suggest the most effective therapy for the bradycardia associated with high cervical SCI.

Compliance with routine use of gowns by healthcare workers (HCWs) and non-HCW visitors on entry into the rooms of patients under contact precautions.

Background: Modified contact precautions (MCP), defined as routine donning of isolation gowns (along with routine gloving) on entry into the rooms of patients under contact precautions, regardless of the likelihood of direct exposure to the patient or their immediate environment, were instituted at our medical center to reduce nosocomial transmission of common hospital pathogens.

Objectives: To study compliance with MCP policy regarding routine gowning in intensive care units (ICUs) and general wards and to determine the relationship between gown and glove use in the care of patients under MCP in ICUs.

Design: Prospective observational study from February 20, 2004, through January 8, 2005, involving 2,110 persons (1,504 healthcare workers [HCWs] and 606 non-HCW visitors).