Journal of long-term effects of medical implants
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J Long Term Eff Med Implants · Jan 2005
Review Comparative StudyBreast cancer and ovarian cancer genetics.
Breast and ovarian cancers are the second and fifth leading causes of cancer death, respectively, among women in the United States. Individuals with breast cancer have a 20--30% chance of having at least one relative with the disease. However, only 5--10% of the cases are a direct result of germline mutations in highly penetrable genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 (BRCA1/2) as well as genes TP53 and PTEN. ⋯ Other initial studies also support MRI as having a greater sensitivity than mammography in high-risk women. Breast clinical and self-examination is often advocated, but its effectiveness is unproved, and only one randomized study has been undertaken in women at risk. On the basis of this study as well as one nonrandomized study, it can be concluded that clinical examination as well as mammography are essential in detecting breast cancer.
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J Long Term Eff Med Implants · Jan 2005
ReviewMassive soft tissue infections: necrotizing fasciitis and purpura fulminans.
Necrotizing fasciitis and purpura fulminans are two destructive infections that involve both skin and soft tissue. Necrotizing fasciitis is characterized by widespread necrosis of subcutaneous tissue and the fascia. Historically, group A beta-hemolytic streptococcus has been identified as a major cause of this infection. ⋯ Clinical presentation of purpura fulminans involves a premonitory illness followed by the rapid development of a septic syndrome with fever, shock, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. The diagnosis and treatment of these conditions is best accomplished in a regional burn center in which management of multiple organ failure can be conducted with aggressive debridement and fasciotomy of the necrotic skin. The newest revolutionary advancement in the treatment of neonatal purpura fulminans is the use of activated protein C.
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J Long Term Eff Med Implants · Jan 2005
Review Comparative StudyTexas passes first law for safe patient handling in America: landmark legislation protects health-care workers and patients from injury related to manual patient lifting.
On June 17,2005, Texas Governor Rick Perry (R) signed into law Senate Bill 1525, making Texas the first state in the nation to require hospitals and nursing homes to implement safe patient handling and movement programs. Governor Perry is to be commended for this heroic first stand for safe patient handling in America. The landmark legislation will take effect January 1, 2006, requiring the establishment of policy to identify, assess, and develop methods of controlling the risk of injury to patients and nurses associated with lifting, transferring, repositioning, and movement of patients; evaluation of alternative methods from manual lifting to reduce the risk of injury from patient lifting, including equipment and patient care environment; restricting, to the extent feasible with existing equipment, manual handling of all or most of a patient's weight to emergency, life-threatening, or exceptional circumstances; and provision for refusal to perform patient handling tasks believed to involve unacceptable risks of injury to a patient or nurse. ⋯ Washington State is planning re-introduction of safe patient handling legislation, after WA HB 1672, Relating to reducing injuries among patients and health care workers, was stalled in committee in February, 2005. Language from these state initiatives may be used as models to assist other states with drafting safe patient handling legislation. Rapid enactment of a federal mandate for Safe Patient Handling No Manual Lift is essential and anticipated.
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J Long Term Eff Med Implants · Jan 2005
ReviewDevastating injuries in healthcare workers: description of the crisis and legislative solution to the epidemic of back injury from patient lifting.
The purpose of this report is to describe a crisis in healthcare, disabling back injuries in US healthcare workers. In addition, outlined is the proven solution of safe, mechanized, patient lifting, which has been shown to prevent these injuries. A "Safe Patient Handling--No Manual Lift" policy must be immediately instituted throughout this country. ⋯ The first state legislation for safe patient handling passed both houses in California but was vetoed by the Governor in September 2004. California and other states are preparing to (re)introduce legislation in January 2005. A national, industry-specific policy is essential to quell the outflow of nursing personnel to disability from manual patient lifting.
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J Long Term Eff Med Implants · Jan 2005
Biography Historical ArticleRichard F. Edlich, MD, PhD: recipient of Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Minnesota Medical Alumni Society.
On May 20, 2005, Dr. Richard F. Edlich, MD, PhD, was the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from the University of Minnesota Medical Alumni Society. ⋯ Edlich championed the development of revolutionary advances in emergency medical care as well as burn care in our nation. He left the University of Virginia Health Sciences Center in 2001 to expand his research interest by participating in a unique multicenter evaluation of surgical products, to accept the special opportunity of being Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Long-Term Effects of Medical Implants, and to assume a leadership position as Director of Trauma Research, Prevention and Education at Legacy Emanuel Hospital (Portland, Oregon). His academic journey that involves his beloved 2000 students is outlined in this report.