[Prevalence of changes in performance, subjective symptoms and occupational dermatitis before and after carrying out improvements in the surgical block of the Modena Polyclinic]. / Prevalenza di alterazioni delle performances, sintomi soggettivi e dermopatie professionali prima e dopo interventi di bonifica di un blocco operatorio del Policlinico di Modena.

The Preventive Medicine Unit for Personnel in the USL N. 16 of Modena has conducted a study to evaluate the prevalence of subjective symptoms and professional dermatitis among nurses working in a general surgery operating theatre of the Modena "Policlinico" Hospital (36 and 41 employees were studied respectively in 1990 and 1991), before and after the installation of gas evacuators and a modification in the use of detergent and disinfectant substances. The study demonstrates that installation of gas evacuating systems, if not supported by an intervention of air-conditioning plant, does not sufficiently reduce alterations in subjective symptoms. On the other hand, the modifications in the use of detergent and disinfectants has demonstrated a favourable reduction in the prevalence of professional dermatitis (from 43% to 18%; chi2 = 4.35, p = 0.037).

[Urinary measurement of D-glucaric acid in operating room personnel in the Modena USL 16 hospitals]. / Dosaggio urinario di acido D-glucarico nel personale di sala operatoria degli ospedali dell'USL 16 di Modena.

The Authors describe the results of a research conducted in order to evaluate the amount of D-glucaric acid in the urine of 131 operating theatre workers exposed to anesthetic gases and in a control group of 25 non-exposed hospital personnel. The comparison of the results of the two groups points out a significant difference (in the exposed members 60.7 +/- 2.4 mumol/1 to 46.7 +/- 4.3 mumol/l [+/- s.e.] in the control group; t-test: p = 0.016). The research also considered the influence of certain variables such as age, sex, smoking, alcohol, drug use and liver disorders. None of these variables has proven to be of significant influence on the D-glucaric acid urinary concentration.

[Results of statistical studies on the use of disinfectant substances in Italy. Critical analysis]. / Risultanze di un'indagine statistica sull'impiego delle sostanze disinfettanti in Italia. Analisi critica.

A survey was conducted on the use of various disinfectants in Italy. Subsequently the data provided by the various hospitals appealed to (38.7% of which answered the questionnaire) was analysed. The disinfectants were divided into groups and the percentage used in various fields was calculated. A clear difference was revealed between the use of the various disinfectants in the North, Centre and South of Italy. The percentage of mistaken or improper use of the disinfectants was then calculated. Finally the relative consumption of commercial preparations using the disinfectants, the average cost per bed and the total expenditure on disinfectants in Italy were then calculated.