Effect of a Nursing Research Council on System-Wide Practice Changes: An Evidence-Based Practice Process Improvement.

Ensuring that evidence-based practice is adopted across hospital systems is difficult. A system-wide Nursing Research Council in a large academic health care system in Maryland implemented a unique strategy to support the evidence-based practice process by collaborating with other system-wide councils. As a result, new system-wide evidence-based practices were adopted and improved organizational outcomes were seen.

Piriformis syndrome versus radiculopathy following lumbar artificial disc replacement.

Study Design: Case series.

Objective: To describe the presentation, diagnostic challenges, and treatment of five patients with piriformis syndrome after lumbar artificial disc replacement.

Summary Of Background Data: Until recently, spinal fusion was considered the standard for surgical treatment of severe lumbar degenerative disc disease.

Histologic evaluation of high speed burr shavings collected during spinal decompression surgery.

In spinal decompression and fusion surgery, a high speed burr is often used to remove bony material. The generated bone shavings are typically washed away and discarded. This study histologically examined the content of burr shavings to determine whether the collected tissue has the potential to augment local autograft.

Lumbar spinal fusion versus anterior lumbar disc replacement: the financial implications.

Study Design: Cost-identification analysis with retrospective and calculated cost.

Objective: To determine the relative cost of lumbar spinal fusion versus anterior lumbar disc replacement.

Summary Of Background Data: Although several methods of treatment for lumbar spinal degenerative disc disease are currently accepted, no single treatment has been proven superior.

Intraoperative 3-dimensional reconstructed multiplanar fluoroscopic imaging for immediate evaluation of spinal decompression.

Although thorough preoperative planning is the best method of achieving appropriate levels of lumbar spinal decompression, current methods for intraoperative assessment of the extent of spinal decompression are inadequate. Underdecompression leads to poor clinical outcomes and overdecompression can lead to instability. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the use of multiplanar, fluoroscopic images reconstructed in 3-dimensional format, combined with spinal myelography to intraoperatively assess lumbar spinal decompression.

Cleaning and other control and validation strategies to prevent allergen cross-contact in food-processing operations.

Food allergies affect an estimated 10 to 12 million people in the United States. Some of these individuals can develop life-threatening allergic reactions when exposed to allergenic proteins. At present, the only successful method to manage food allergies is to avoid foods containing allergens.