[Impact on morbidity and costs of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus nosocomial pneumonia in intensive care patients].

Objectives: Prevention of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) nosocomial infections in the intensive care units (ICU) has been recommended for several years. However, the workload and the costs of these programs are to be weighed against the benefit obtained in terms of reduction of morbidity and costs induced by the infection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cost and the current morbidity of the infection with MRSA in the ICU.

[Postoperative pain management on surgical wards in one university hospital: short- and medium-term effects of a quality assurance program].

Objectives: Evaluation of the short- and medium-term impact of a postoperative pain management quality assurance programme in a university hospital.

Study Design: Prospective study.

Materials And Methods: In 1998: chart review and survey of patients and professionals.

Food allergens submitted to compulsory food labelling in the 50 highest-selling drugs in France.

Many active ingredients and excipients present in allopathic drugs derive from food allergens normally associated with compulsory food labelling. This study was undertaken to evaluate the presence of these components in the various pharmaceutical formulations of the 50 highest-selling drugs in French pharmacies in 2002 (in quantity and/or value), and to assess their labelling on the packaging of these drugs. The 174 pharmaceutical formulations of 86 drugs were studied and the composition of each one was identified using data-processing software.

Study to determine the efficacy of topical morphine on painful chronic skin ulcers.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of the topical application of morphine on painful chronic skin ulcers.

Method: A prospective bi-centric controlled double-blind randomised study was conducted involving 24 patients with painful chronic skin ulcers using topically applied morphine versus placebo. Ten milligrams of morphine hydrochloride with Intrasite Gel or Intrasite Gel with placebo were applied daily for five days.

Sensitization to petrolatum: an unusual cause of false-positive drug patch-tests.

We report on an unexpected sensitization to petrolatum diagnosed with the occurrence of multiple nonrelevant and false-positive drug patch-tests performed while investigating a patient suffering from many cutaneous adverse drug reactions. All the positive drug patch-tests were prepared with GILBERT vaseline. This petrolatum reaction is positive as it was tested with five other brands of petrolatums a few months later.