SGNA endoscopic disinfectant survey.

The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of health problems, use of protective attire, and health surveillance practices in a large group of healthcare workers exposed to glutaraldehyde. The results revealed that 37.8% of respondents reported at least one symptom/illness before exposure to glutaraldehyde. Nearly 60% of respondents reported symptoms/illnesses after glutaraldehyde exposure. Healthcare workers employed > or = 5 years tended to report fewer health problems preexposure and slightly more problems postexposure compared with all respondents. Surprisingly, smokers reported a nearly equal number of symptoms/illnesses both pre- and postexposure when compared with the total group. Approximately 95% of respondents always wore gloves, usually latex; 52% always wore moisture-proof outer wear; 28% always wore masks; and 55% always wore eye protection when exposed to glutaraldehyde. Those who used protective attire reported as many symptoms/illnesses as those who did not. Healthcare workers need to demand that the ambient glutaraldehyde level in the endoscopy cleaning area be checked periodically and records of these checks kept. Manufacturers need to produce more effective protective attire. Employers need to purchase protective attire for employees, and employees need to wear it until alternative endoscopic disinfectant/sterilization methods can be found.

An introduction to research: a primer for the nurse anesthetist.

The goals of this article are to provide an overview of the research process and highlight some of the most important aspects. In the process, the definition of research and some general terminology will be reviewed. Discussions of how to define a problem, reviewing the literature, types of study designs, sampling, types of measurement, reliability and validity, limitations and assumptions, data analysis, ethical concerns with human subjects, and time management are included, as are examples of published research.

A beginner's guide to research.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the research process and highlight some of the most important aspects. The definition of research and some general terminology are reviewed. Included in this article are discussions of the following: defining a problem, reviewing the literature, types of study designs, sampling, types of measurement, reliability and validity, limitations and assumptions, data analysis, ethical concerns with human subjects, and time management. Examples of published research are used to illustrate the points where necessary. A supplemental bibliography is provided to direct the interested reader to more in-depth discussions of the various aspects of the research process.

Patient education for enhancement of compliance.

Planned patient education which involves assessment of learning needs, removal of barriers to learning, detailed explanation and establishment of rapport leads to better patient compliance during drug studies. Potential obstacles to compliance, such as prolonged medication regimen, lengthy enrollment period and need for multiple procedures, are discussed. These factors are then related to an actual double-blind prevention of duodenal ulcer recurrence study and patient compliance was assessed.