An evaluation of the use of oral contrast media in abdominopelvic CT.

Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of different oral contrast media (OCM) for abdominopelvic CT examinations performed for follow-up general oncological indications. The objectives were to establish anatomical image quality criteria for abdominopelvic CT; use these criteria to evaluate and compare image quality using positive OCM, neutral OCM and no OCM; and evaluate possible benefits for the medical imaging department.

Methods: Forty-six adult patients attending a follow-up abdominopelvic CT for general oncological indications and who had a previous abdominopelvic CT with positive OCM (n = 46) were recruited and prospectively placed into either the water (n = 25) or no OCM (n = 21) group.

The integration of high-throughput testing of blood donors for cardiovascular disease risk assessment and prevention.

Background And Objectives: Some blood centers provide health screening as a public health measure and to encourage donation. The goal of the current study was to provide cardiovascular disease (CVD) screening to donors using high-throughput testing and web-based communications.

Materials And Methods: CVD risk screening was offered to donors at selected mobile drives in a large metropolitan area.

Nurses' and caregivers' definition of spirituality from the Christian perspective: a comparative study between Malta and Norway.

Aim: The aim of this cross-sectional comparative exploratory study was to explore the term spirituality as defined by four groups of nurses and two groups of caregivers from Malta and Norway.

Background: Spirituality is a complex subjective concept which may or may not contain religiosity. Several factors may influence the individual's interpretation with implications to nursing care and nursing management.