Physical restraint: perceptions of nurse managers, registered nurses and healthcare assistants.

AIM: To examine the perceptions of nurse managers, registered nurses and healthcare assistants of physical restraint use on older people in a long-term care setting in the Republic of Ireland. BACKGROUND: The use of physical restraint, although controversial, persists in long-term care settings, despite recommendations for restraint-free environments. Perception and attitude of staff can influence use of physical restraint. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional design was used. A total of 250 nursing and healthcare assistant staff were recruited. A questionnaire incorporating demographics and the Perceptions of Restraint Use Questionnaire was used. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted. RESULTS: Mean age of respondents (n = 156) was 41 years, and the majority were female. Overall, a low level of importance was attached to the use of restraint. Nurse managers and registered nurses compared favourably with healthcare assistants who attached a higher importance to use of restraint. Across all three staff groups, greatest importance was attached to the use of physical restraint for reducing falls, followed by prevention of treatment interference. Restraint was least favoured as a means of impairment management. Education was not an explanatory factor in perceived importance of physical restraint use. CONCLUSION: Nurse managers and registered nurses are unlikely to use physical restraint. However, there is concern regarding perception of healthcare assistants on use of restraint. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY: Results from this study compare favourably with those in countries that have no policy on physical restraint use. Educational programmes alone are insufficient to address use of physical restraint. Attention to skill mix with adequate support for healthcare assistants in long-term care settings is recommended.

Preoperative proton MR spectroscopic imaging of brain tumors: correlation with histopathologic analysis of resection specimens.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Tumor progression is often difficult to distinguish from nonneoplastic treatment response on the basis of MR images alone. This study correlates metabolite levels measured by preoperative MR spectroscopic (MRS) imaging with histologic findings of biopsies, obtained during image-guided resections of brain mass lesions, to clarify the potential role of MRS in making this distinction. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients with brain tumors underwent high-resolution (0.2-1 cc) 3D proton MRS imaging and MR imaging before undergoing surgery; 11 had a newly diagnosed neoplasm, and 18 had recurrent disease. Surgical biopsies were obtained from locations referenced on MR images by guidance with a surgical navigation system. MR spectral voxels were retrospectively centered on each of 79 biopsy locations, and metabolite levels were correlated with histologic examination of each specimen. RESULTS: All mass lesions studied, whether attributable to tumor or noncancerous effects of previous therapy, showed abnormal MR spectra compared with normal parenchyma. When the pattern of MRS metabolites consisted of abnormally increased choline and decreased N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) resonances, histologic findings of the biopsy specimen invariably was positive for tumor. When choline and NAA resonances were below the normal range, histologic findings were variable, ranging from radiation necrosis, astrogliosis, and macrophage infiltration to mixed tissues that contained some low-, intermediate-, and high-grade tumor. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that 3D MRS imaging can identify regions of viable cancer, which may be valuable for guiding surgical biopsies and focal therapy. Regions manifesting abnormal MR spectra had a mixture of histologic findings, including astrogliosis, necrosis, and neoplasm.

Comparison of relative cerebral blood volume and proton spectroscopy in patients with treated gliomas.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Elevated relative regional cerebral blood volume (rCBV) reflects the increased microvascularity that is associated with brain tumors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential role of rCBV in the determination of recurrent/residual disease in patients with treated gliomas. METHODS: Thirty-one rCBV studies were performed in 19 patients with treated gliomas. All patients also had proton MR spectroscopy and conventional MR imaging. Regions of abnormality were identified on conventional MR images by two neuroradiologists and compared with rCBV and MR spectroscopic data. Metabolites and rCBV were quantified and compared in abnormal regions. RESULTS: In high-grade tumors, rCBV values were proportional to choline in regions of tumor and nonviable tissue. Although the presence of residual/recurrent disease was often ambiguous on conventional MR images, the rCBV maps indicated regions of elevated vascularity in all low-grade tumors and in 12 of 17 grade IV lesions. Regions of elevated and low rCBV corresponded well with spectra, indicating tumor and nonviable tissue, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that rCBV maps and MR spectroscopy are complementary techniques that may improve the detection of residual/recurrent tumor in patients with treated gliomas. Compared with the spectra, the rCBV maps may better reflect the heterogeneity of the tumor regions because of their higher resolution. The multiple markers of MR spectroscopy enable better discrimination between normal and abnormal tissue than do the rCBV maps.

High spatial resolution 1H-MRSI and segmented MRI of cortical gray matter and subcortical white matter in three regions of the human brain.

High-resolution MR imaging and spectroscopic imaging were used to study differences in proton spectra between cortical gray matter and subcortical white matter in 23 normal volunteers using a 1.5 T scanner and surface coil receivers. A point-resolved spectroscopy (PRESS) volume with an 8 x 8 x 8 phase-encoding matrix was used to acquire over 1900 0.09-0.2 cc spectral voxels. The high-resolution (0.7 x 0.7 x 0.8 mm3 or 0.8 x 0.8 x 1 mm3) images were corrected for the surface coil reception profile and segmented into cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and gray and white matter to correlate with the spectra. The data showed that N-acetyl aspartate (NAA) and creatine (Cr) were higher in the gray matter than in the white matter (NAA(g/w) = 1.4+/-0.36, Cr(g/w) = 1.4+/-0.41). Choline was significantly lower in the gray matter of the occipital lobe than in the white matter (0.73+/-0.19), but not significantly different in the other regions. NAA/Cho was found to be significantly higher in the occipital lobe than in the left frontal or vertex regions.

The use and abuse of wound care materials in the treatment of diabetic ulcerations.

With the ever-increasing availability of wound care materials for use in diabetic foot ulcerations, a thorough understanding of the indications and applications of these materials is important for wound-management success. The coupling of a lack of understanding of the interaction of wound care materials and the dynamic nature of wound-healing physiology may lead to a protracted healing course that may constitute an abuse of an otherwise useful adjunct to wound healing protocols. This article provides an overview of wound care products, their indications, and possible complications of inappropriate use.

Volume MRI and MRSI techniques for the quantitation of treatment response in brain tumors: presentation of a detailed case study.

Patients with primary brain tumors may be considered for several different treatments during the course of their disease. Assessments of disease progression and response to therapy are typically performed by visual interpretation of serial MRI examinations. Although such examinations provide useful morphologic information, they are unable to reliably distinguish active tumor from radiation necrosis. This poses a particular problem in the assessment of response to localized radiation therapies such as gamma knife radiosurgery. In this paper, we present methodology for evaluating changes in tissue morphology and metabolism based on serial volumetric MRI and magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) examinations. Registration and quantitative analysis of these data provide measurements of the temporal and spatial distributions of gadolinium enhancement and of N-acetylasparate, choline, creatine, and lactate/lipid. The key features of this approach and the potential clinical benefits are illustrated by a detailed analysis of six serial MRI/MRSI examinations and three serial 1-[F-18] fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) studies on a patient with a recurrent anaplastic astrocytoma.

Serial proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging of glioblastoma multiforme after brachytherapy.

The utility of three-dimensional (3-D) proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) imaging for detecting metabolic changes after brain tumor therapy was assessed in a serial study of 58 total examinations of 12 patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) who received brachytherapy. Individual proton spectra from the 3-D array of spectra encompassing the lesion showed dramatic differences in spectral patterns indicative of radiation necrosis, recurrent or residual tumor, or normal brain. The 1H-MRS imaging data demonstrated significant differences between suspected residual or recurrent tumor and contrast-enhancing radiation-induced necrosis. Regions of abnormally high choline (Cho) levels, consistent with viable tumor, were detected beyond the regions of contrast enhancement for all 12 gliomas. Changes in the serial 1H-MRS imaging data were observed, reflecting an altered metabolism following treatment. These changes included the significant reduction in Cho levels after therapy, indicating the transformation of tumor to necrotic tissue. For patients who demonstrated subsequent clinical progression, an increase in Cho levels was observed in regions that previously appeared either normal or necrotic. Several patients showed regional variations in response to brachytherapy as evaluated by 1H-MRS imaging. This study demonstrates the potential of noninvasive 3-D 1H-MRS imaging to discriminate between the formation of contrast-enhancing radiation necrosis and residual or recurrent tumor following brachytherapy. This modality may also allow better definition of tumor extent prior to brachytherapy by detecting the presence of abnormnal metabolite levels in nonenhancing regions of solid tumor.

Factors associated with pedal ulceration in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Understanding the factors associated with pedal ulceration in patients with diabetes mellitus will increase the successful management of the high-risk diabetic foot and decrease the occurrence of ulcerative events. The authors review the associative factors that have been shown to be involved with pedal ulceration.

Factors associated with methicillin resistance in diabetic foot infections.

Methicillin-resistant staphylococcal infections often present a challenge to physicians treating patients with pedal wounds. Most methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections have been thought of as nosocomial in origin. Several studies have identified specific modes of transmission via hospital reservoirs such as the anterior nares of the patient, inanimate objects within close proximity of the patient, and direct contamination from health care providers. Exposure of patients to these reservoirs through hospitalization has been shown to increase the patient's risk of obtaining a methicillin-resistant S. aureus infection. Diabetic patients with a high risk for foot complications may be in greater danger of developing a methicillin-resistant S. aureus infection in that repeated hospitalizations, lengthier hospital stays, and the presence of open wounds facilitate exposure to these reservoirs.

Alignment of volume MR images and high resolution [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose PET images for the evaluation of patients with brain tumors.

PURPOSE: The goal of the study was to investigate the use of automated registration techniques for interpretation of volume MR and high resolution FDG-PET images that were obtained from patients with brain tumors. METHOD: Twenty-one patients with brain tumors were studied on one or more occasions using MRI and high resolution FDG-PET. The data were aligned using automated volume- and surface-matching algorithms. Composite images comprising the resliced pre- and postgadolinium spoiled GRE, T2-weighted SE, and PET data were constructed to correlate intensities of regions on the PET images with regions that corresponded to normal gray matter, white matter, and gadolinium enhancement. RESULTS: The accuracy of registration between the MR and PET images was estimated to be within 1-2 mm based upon the distance between surfaces of the outside of the head. In 12 of the 24 examinations, there were diagnoses of recurrent tumor, with only 5 of these exhibiting regions of higher FDG uptake than normal gray matter. For 19 of the 24 studies, the anatomic context provided by the registered MR images was found to be important in distinguishing recurrent tumor from necrosis based upon FDG uptake. CONCLUSION: The automated alignment was found to be an important factor in interpreting the high resolution PET images. This was particularly true for small lesions close to the cortex and for situations where FDG uptake had been reduced by prior treatment with radiation therapy.

The "Z" osteotomy versus the Kalish osteotomy for the correction of hallux abducto valgus deformities: a retrospective analysis.

A retrospective analysis of hallux abducto valgus surgery performed between 1990 and 1995 where the "Z" osteotomy and Kalish osteotomy were utilized was performed. Objective and subjective data were collected to determine the effectiveness of the Z osteotomy versus the Kalish osteotomy. Twenty cases of hallux abducto valgus where the Z osteotomy was utilized were evaluated on the basis of intermetatarsal angle correction and alleviation of preoperative symptoms. The same evaluation was performed on 21 cases where the Kalish osteotomy was utilized. There did not appear to be an appreciable difference in intermetatarsal angle correction between the two osteotomies; however, the Kalish osteotomy did alleviate preoperative symptoms to a greater degree compared with the Z osteotomy.

Cellulitis secondary to web space dermatophytosis.

Cellulitis occurring in the lower extremity is encountered frequently and results from a breach of the skin and inoculation of opportunistic bacteria. It has been shown that when web space dermatophytosis is present, changes may occur in normal skin morphology and bacterial flora that can result in severe infection. Knowledge of the pathophysiology of interdigital dermatophytosis allows the clinician to choose the most appropriate empiric antibiotic therapy when treating a secondarily caused cellulitis of the lower extremity.

Delta phalanx.

The authors present a case of congenital, bilateral, symmetrical, and purely transverse plane, abductus deformity of the second digit. The deformity appears to be familial in nature, although other possible etiologies remain including premature closure of the distal-lateral epiphysis of the middle phalanx, or a C-shaped epiphysis of the middle phalanx. The authors review a similar deformity described in orthopedic literature known as a delta phalanx.

Proton spectroscopic imaging of the human brain using phased array detectors.

Two and four-coil phased array detectors have been developed to increase the sensitivity of proton spectroscopic imaging of the human brain. These include a quadrature figure-8 coil for the study of the vertex, several arrays of 2-4 small overlapping (6-8 cm diameter) circular coils and a combination figure-8 coil plus circular coil. These were constructed in our laboratory and tested to assess their utility for brain spectroscopy. Methods for optimally combining the data from the independent receivers based on the analytical coil maps or measured signal to noise ratios (SNRs) of the data were investigated. High spatial resolution (0.2-0.4 cm3 voxel size) two- or three-dimensional chemical shift images of normal brain were obtained in 17-minute acquisitions. These spatial resolutions are comparable to those previously obtained with conventional small surface coils, but the specialized detectors allow this sensitivity to be achieved for a larger region or for previously inaccessible areas such as the top of the head. The coverage and SNR increases demonstrated are similar to those obtained in magnetic resonance phased array imaging.

Comparisons of home blood glucose testing and glycated protein measurements.

We examined the relationships between 4 glycated protein assays and home blood glucose monitoring (HBGM) in 26 children with poorly-controlled insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) during a period of improved management. At 2 week intervals for 6 visits (12 weeks in total), HBGM records were collected and a blood sample was obtained for measurement of glycated proteins and glucose. Assays included glycated hemoglobin (GHb) and glycated serum proteins (GP) by boronate affinity chromatography, hemoglobin A1C by PolyCAT A high performance liquid chromatography (HAC) and fructosamine (FA). All 4 glycated protein levels declined significantly over the 12 week period. Significant correlations between the glycated proteins and HBGM were observed over 2 week intervals. None of the 4 assays were affected by the glucose level in the sample. Changes in mean HBGM readings over 2 week intervals were correlated with both FA and GP with wide prediction intervals. Over cumulative 2 week intervals, which may more accurately reflect longitudinal trends, all 4 glycated proteins were correlated with mean HBGM readings. At each cumulative interval, GHb and GP showed the largest variation with MBG, while FA showed the least variation with MBG. Our data indicate that of the 4 assays tested, FA has limited clinical values as compared to other glycated protein assays, whereas assays based on boronate affinity chromatography (GHb and GP) provide the most useful clinical indicators of short-term changes in glycemic control. The clinical utility of a new HPLC method for determination of glycated hemoglobins is also demonstrated.