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NEWS IN ORbit
News in ORbit
Patienf responsibilities
Complaint clearinghouse
Patients in hospitals must meet certain responsibilities to the institution and staff under a new Minnesota state law. The "patient's bill of rights" includes: be considerate of your roommate; observe safety rules; supply an accurate medical history; speak out if unable to understand or follow medical instructions; and submit truthful financial statements. Hospitals in the Minneapolis area are distributing the document to patients. Modern Hospital November 1973
A "cool line" for complaints from patients, families and friends has been established by the Illinois Association of Health Care Facilities, a statewide association of longterm care facilities. Complaints can be registered about any health care facility in the state.
T tubes negated Researchers S Chande and J E Devitt say T tubes are unnecessary after choledochotomy. Careful surgical technique and proper use of intraoperative cholangiograms minimize complications. Their studies show that cholangitis, fistulas and other complications are more common in patients with T tubes than in those with primary closure of the common bile duct. Nursing '73 November 7 973
The association contacts the facility on receipt of a complaint and reports the scope of the conversation back to the person originating the complaint. Some facilities are learning about problems of which they were unaware. American Journal of Nursing November 1973
Better ferm "Health care" i s the appropriate term to use when broad issues of health are involved, according to the American Academy of Nursing. The Academy maintains that nursing i s an integral part of health care, so the term "medical care'' i s inadequate.
AORN Journal, March 1974, Vol 19, N o 3
RN November 1973
739
Device classification The Emergency Care Research Institute suggests that medical devices be classified according to these classes and types: class I, long-term implanted device; class II, short-term implanted device; class 111, drug dispensing device; class IV, external device, long-term contact; class V, external device, short-term contact; class VI, external device, no patient contact; type I, nonenergy emitting; type 11, energy emitting, non-ionizing; type 111, energy emitting, ionizing; and type IV, energy emitting, ionizing and non-io,nizing. Modern Hospifal November 1973
JCAH offerings The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals (JCAH) i s offering two new programs titled "Medical audit team seminar (MATS)" and "Nursing workshop in evaluation and documentation of nursing care." The seminar i s for physicians and medical records personnel, while the workshop will teach participants to interpret and implement nursing service standards calling for good documentation and proper evaluation of nursing care. For further information, write to: Coordinator, Professional Education Program, JCAH, 875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, 111
6061 1. Hospif als Nov 16, 1973
Drinkers and eaters Sodium acetate slows the absorption of alcohol and food in the intestinal tract, offering hope of relief for those who consume too much alcohol or food. The discovery i s reported by Cleamond D Eskelson, MD, Veterans Administration Hospital, Tucson, Ariz.
740
His tests of rats revealed that the body uses acetate in a feedback system to regulate the absorption ability of the intestinal tract. Alcohol and food which reach the liver produce acetate, which circulates back to the stomach, inhibiting the release of more alcohol and food. Science Digesf December 1973
New brain x-ray A new x-ray technique reportedly provides finely detailed images of the brain on almost any horizontal level, produces results in less than 30 minutes, and needs none of the complicated patient preparation demanded by conventional brain x-rays. The new equipment, developed by a British firm, scans the brain from above and feeds information into a computer which produces a printout of the scan and a picture on a cathode r a y tube. The picture on the tube can be photographed. The scanner provides cross sections which show physicians the extent of a tumor a t different levels. Science Digest December 1973
Artificial skin Plastic polyvinylchloride (PVC) is one of the best cosmetic substitutes for skin, according to researchers a t the University of Alabama. It can be used with a prosthetic device to correct a birth defect or the surgical loss of any portion of the face and neck. Once fitted, the plastic is held in place by surgical tape with adhesive on both sides. The PVC can be removed for cleaning and maintenance. The plastic can be color matched to a patient's skin, and red and blue nylon fibers can be added to simulate minute capillaries and veins.
AORN Journal, March 1974, Vol 19, N o 3
Science Digest December 1973
New skin for burns
Prosfhetic hearf
A thin cellophane-like polyester film which i s inexpensive and can be produced in large quantities i s being used as a covering on burn wounds. The new material, developed by the US Navy, i s absorbed and synthesized b y the human body with no symptoms of tissue rejection. Science Digest December 1973
An artificial heart that can totally replace the human organ has been developed by Michael DeBakey, MD, chief surgeon, Baylor University College of Medicine, Houston, Tex, and C William Hall, MD, San Antonio, Tex.
PSRO on cancer programs An established system of patient care evaluation with documentation of operation which follows guidelines of professional standards review organizations (PSRO) i s a new requirement for approval of hospital cancer programs b y the American College of Surgeons. The College's annual listing of approved cancer programs will include categorization according to types of care provided. Modern Hospital October 1973
Guidelines for
The prosthesis i s lined with impervious Dacron and features left and right ventricular pumps operable a t different controlled pressures. The Dacron is embedded in silicone rubber. Installation i s comparable to human heart transplantation. Continued research on calves aims to reduce blood damage and attain longer survival. The patent was assigned to the US Department of Health, Education and Welfare. Science Digest December 1973
CE course in OR nursing
Guidelines for Continuing Education Course in Operating Room Nursing is a book prepared by AORN for use in developing CE courses for basic operating room nursing. The Association of Operating Room Nurses, Inc 10170 E Mississippi Ave, Denver, Colo 80231 Please send us the following: copies of Guidelines for Continuing Education Course in Operafing Room Nursing
@ $1.25 each for AORN members @ $2.50 each for non-AORN members Cash or check must be received before order can be filled. Allow three weeks for delivery. Name Mail address
_____
Zip
742
AORN Journal, March 1974, Vol 19, N o 3
Patienf responsibilities
Complaint clearinghouse
Patients in hospitals must meet certain responsibilities to the institution and staff under a new Minnesota state law. The "patient's bill of rights" includes: be considerate of your roommate; observe safety rules; supply an accurate medical history; speak out if unable to understand or follow medical instructions; and submit truthful financial statements. Hospitals in the Minneapolis area are distributing the document to patients. Modern Hospital November 1973
A "cool line" for complaints from patients, families and friends has been established by the Illinois Association of Health Care Facilities, a statewide association of longterm care facilities. Complaints can be registered about any health care facility in the state.
T tubes negated Researchers S Chande and J E Devitt say T tubes are unnecessary after choledochotomy. Careful surgical technique and proper use of intraoperative cholangiograms minimize complications. Their studies show that cholangitis, fistulas and other complications are more common in patients with T tubes than in those with primary closure of the common bile duct. Nursing '73 November 7 973
The association contacts the facility on receipt of a complaint and reports the scope of the conversation back to the person originating the complaint. Some facilities are learning about problems of which they were unaware. American Journal of Nursing November 1973
Better ferm "Health care" i s the appropriate term to use when broad issues of health are involved, according to the American Academy of Nursing. The Academy maintains that nursing i s an integral part of health care, so the term "medical care'' i s inadequate.
AORN Journal, March 1974, Vol 19, N o 3
RN November 1973
739
Device classification The Emergency Care Research Institute suggests that medical devices be classified according to these classes and types: class I, long-term implanted device; class II, short-term implanted device; class 111, drug dispensing device; class IV, external device, long-term contact; class V, external device, short-term contact; class VI, external device, no patient contact; type I, nonenergy emitting; type 11, energy emitting, non-ionizing; type 111, energy emitting, ionizing; and type IV, energy emitting, ionizing and non-io,nizing. Modern Hospifal November 1973
JCAH offerings The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals (JCAH) i s offering two new programs titled "Medical audit team seminar (MATS)" and "Nursing workshop in evaluation and documentation of nursing care." The seminar i s for physicians and medical records personnel, while the workshop will teach participants to interpret and implement nursing service standards calling for good documentation and proper evaluation of nursing care. For further information, write to: Coordinator, Professional Education Program, JCAH, 875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, 111
6061 1. Hospif als Nov 16, 1973
Drinkers and eaters Sodium acetate slows the absorption of alcohol and food in the intestinal tract, offering hope of relief for those who consume too much alcohol or food. The discovery i s reported by Cleamond D Eskelson, MD, Veterans Administration Hospital, Tucson, Ariz.
740
His tests of rats revealed that the body uses acetate in a feedback system to regulate the absorption ability of the intestinal tract. Alcohol and food which reach the liver produce acetate, which circulates back to the stomach, inhibiting the release of more alcohol and food. Science Digesf December 1973
New brain x-ray A new x-ray technique reportedly provides finely detailed images of the brain on almost any horizontal level, produces results in less than 30 minutes, and needs none of the complicated patient preparation demanded by conventional brain x-rays. The new equipment, developed by a British firm, scans the brain from above and feeds information into a computer which produces a printout of the scan and a picture on a cathode r a y tube. The picture on the tube can be photographed. The scanner provides cross sections which show physicians the extent of a tumor a t different levels. Science Digest December 1973
Artificial skin Plastic polyvinylchloride (PVC) is one of the best cosmetic substitutes for skin, according to researchers a t the University of Alabama. It can be used with a prosthetic device to correct a birth defect or the surgical loss of any portion of the face and neck. Once fitted, the plastic is held in place by surgical tape with adhesive on both sides. The PVC can be removed for cleaning and maintenance. The plastic can be color matched to a patient's skin, and red and blue nylon fibers can be added to simulate minute capillaries and veins.
AORN Journal, March 1974, Vol 19, N o 3
Science Digest December 1973
New skin for burns
Prosfhetic hearf
A thin cellophane-like polyester film which i s inexpensive and can be produced in large quantities i s being used as a covering on burn wounds. The new material, developed by the US Navy, i s absorbed and synthesized b y the human body with no symptoms of tissue rejection. Science Digest December 1973
An artificial heart that can totally replace the human organ has been developed by Michael DeBakey, MD, chief surgeon, Baylor University College of Medicine, Houston, Tex, and C William Hall, MD, San Antonio, Tex.
PSRO on cancer programs An established system of patient care evaluation with documentation of operation which follows guidelines of professional standards review organizations (PSRO) i s a new requirement for approval of hospital cancer programs b y the American College of Surgeons. The College's annual listing of approved cancer programs will include categorization according to types of care provided. Modern Hospital October 1973
Guidelines for
The prosthesis i s lined with impervious Dacron and features left and right ventricular pumps operable a t different controlled pressures. The Dacron is embedded in silicone rubber. Installation i s comparable to human heart transplantation. Continued research on calves aims to reduce blood damage and attain longer survival. The patent was assigned to the US Department of Health, Education and Welfare. Science Digest December 1973
CE course in OR nursing
Guidelines for Continuing Education Course in Operating Room Nursing is a book prepared by AORN for use in developing CE courses for basic operating room nursing. The Association of Operating Room Nurses, Inc 10170 E Mississippi Ave, Denver, Colo 80231 Please send us the following: copies of Guidelines for Continuing Education Course in Operafing Room Nursing
@ $1.25 each for AORN members @ $2.50 each for non-AORN members Cash or check must be received before order can be filled. Allow three weeks for delivery. Name Mail address
_____
Zip
742
AORN Journal, March 1974, Vol 19, N o 3