Abstract The paper explains that Candida infections are frequently referred to as Candidiasis in the medical world but are better known by their common name, yeast infections. The paper discusses how yeast infections are caused when a common fungus infection occurs due to an overgrowth in the fungus known as Candida. The paper relates that this infection is most commonly associated with a condition that happens in women resulting in a vaginal yeast infection. However, the paper notes that it is a much more common fungus than that.
From the Paper "Candida infections are frequently referred to as Candidiasis in the medical world, but are better known by their common name, yeast infections. Yeast infections are caused when a common fungus infection occurs due to an overgrowth in the fungus known as Candida. This infection is most commonly associated with a condition that happens in women resulting in a vaginal yeast infection. However, it is a much more common fungus than that. It is what causes "jock itch" among men and even infects the mouths of people, particularly babies. Because Candida is always present in the body, it can cause infections in a number of different places. When the normal levels of Candida rise, an infection will ensue in whatever part of the body has suffered the rise in fungus."
Abstract This research paper looks at nosocomial infections in hospital patients and the effect that handwashing has on the spread of such infections. The paper further compares alcohol-based hand rubs with soap and water washing, and looks at the new Center for Disease Control guidelines for hand hygiene.
From the Paper "The hypothesis for this research project is that hand washing in a hospital setting helps prevent nosocomial infections among the patient population. The purpose of the research is to look at effective ways to promote routine effective hand washing in the hospital setting and look at its effect..."
Tags: nosocomial infections, alcohol-based hand rub
Abstract This paper explores the topic of MRSA, strains of staphylococcus aureus (SA) that are resistant to methicillin (MR) and related drugs. It looks at how, most commonly, MRSA is transmitted between individuals by direct contact and hand-washing between the care of residents is the most effective means to prevent the spread of this bacteria. It analyzes the isolation protocol for infected individuals, as well as standard precautions, such as changing gloves after each patient and good hand-washing techniques. In particular, it discusses the controversy over the role of the nursing homes and their patients in the epidemiology of MRSA.
From the Paper "It is recommended that the patient be isolated and quarantined but this is not absolutely necessary. The patient can also be kept in the same room as another patient who is known to have MRSA. Gloves and good hand washing are compulsory. The doctor or the nurse should wear a gown whenever there is a chance that a contact with the patient's wound is inevitable. This prevents infectivity of the doctor's outfit that can touch other patients and or utensils and thus spread the infection. It is probably safe to carry the patient to areas such as showers and cafeterias when the wound is covered and protected. The patient no longer needs to be in isolation after the infection has been completely cured."
Abstract This paper examines the simplest way to prevent urinary tract infection.The paper further discusses the use of health determinants to determine the effectiveness of prevention.
From the Paper "Urinary tract infection is the most common nosocomial infection in hospitals and long-term care facilities. It can result from contaminated bed-sheets, floors, and bedside chairs. Three-quarters of all such infections are related to urethral catheters (Bridger, 1997). Prevention of urinary tract infections is not just a professional duty of the nurse, but also is a legal, ethical, and moral duty. "
Abstract The paper explains that the three main types of diabetes are type 1, which is usually found among children and young adults, type 2, which is usually associated with obesity in teenagers and adults, and gestational diabetes, which is related to pregnancy. The author stresses that often types 2 diabetes goes undiagnosed, yet it can lead to serious complications; therefore, knowing the symptoms of diabetes is important. The paper points out that, when diabetes is left untreated or not treated properly, serious complications can develop, such as damage to the retina, kidneys and nerves. The author relates that several types of medications are available depending on the person, type of diabetes and blood sugar levels.
Table of Contents:
Definition of Diabetes
Symptoms of Diabetes
Review of Diabetes in the Past and Present
Medications
Complications of Diabetes
From the Paper "The National Institute of Health has created a fact sheet showing how the medical world has made changes from the past to the present. Thirty years ago, or in the 1950's, twenty percent of the people diagnosed with diabetes Type I would die within twenty years after first being diagnosed. Now, only 3.5 percent of people diagnosed with the disease die within twenty years of the diagnosis. Thirty years ago, researchers did not know the importance of glucose control to prevent debilitating eye, nerve, kidney, heart, and blood vessel complications of the diseases. "
Presents a brief overview of the digestive system and then focuses specifically on a detailed discussion of the liver, gallbladder and pancreas and the functions they play within the digestive system.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 7 sources, 2006, $ 44.95
Abstract When most individuals think of the digestive system, they think of those organs within the alimentary canal: the oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine. Organs that serve other purposes within the human body such as the gallbladder, liver and pancreas receive attention, but not in relation to their purpose as part of the accessory group of organs associated with the digestive tract. This paper presents a detailed discussion on these accessory organs limited to their purpose within the digestive tract.
From the Paper "Imholtz (n.d.) tells us that accessory organs of the digestive tract are those that assist the digestive process but are organs of which no food passes through. Tamarkin (2006) comments that the major accessory organs such as the pancreas, gallbladder and liver have function other than those for digestion, but within the digestive system, they are considered exocrine glands that secrete fluids into ducts."
Abstract This paper reviews and analyzes several of the major articles on nosocomial infections, specifically discussing their strengths, weaknesses, findings and contribution to the topic of nosocomial infections in general. The paper shows how the literature highlighted the importance of proper hand washing in the prevention of nosocomial infections among hospital patients. The paper focuses on the problem of convincing healthcare providers that hand washing is an important element of nosocomial infection in their work environment. The paper thus identifies the key research problem as the ability to change hand washing behaviors permanently, resulting in lower infection rates.
Outline:
Introduction
Review/ Critique of Literature Sources
Summary/Synthesis of Evidence
Identification of Research Problem
From the Paper "Nosocomial infections are more common than one might think. According to Press Ganey Associates (2008), hospital acquired infections occurs in more than two million hospitalizations per year. The average cost for each nosocomial infection is approximately $40,000 per case. Bissett (2002) estimates that at any one time 9% of all hospital in-patients will contract some form of hospital acquired infection (nosocomial infection). This amounts to over 300,000 in-patients a year. According to report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (2000), approximately 5,000 patients die each year due to nosocomial infection. This makes nosocomial infection a serious health problem for patients and practitioners alike."
Abstract This paper discusses the heart disease called infective endocarditis (IE). The paper presents the statistics available regarding the amount of deaths caused by heart diseases and claims that infective endocarditis can be held accountable for many of these deaths. The paper reviews an article, "Infective Endocarditis" written by Philippe Moreillon and published in "The Lancet". The paper contends that the purpose of the article is is to help physicians and medical personnel properly identify the new at-risk groups of endocarditis, to teach a method of diagnosing the disease and to provide them with an overall understanding of IE and the new developments in antimicrobial agents.
From the Paper "The National Center for Health Statistics, a department of the Center for Disease Control, publishes an annual report on the causes of deaths in the United States. In every study since the start of the program, it was found that diseases of the heart have been the leading cause of death. In the last survey published, the 2001 issue, 245.8 of every 100,000 people, 700,142 total deaths, were caused by heart diseases (3). Infective Endocarditis can be held accountable for many of these deaths. By compiling patient data from 1993-2003, the author of "Infective Endocarditis", Philippe Moreillon, found that the median range of incidence for infective endocarditis was 3.6 per 100,000 people (range .3 - 22.4) with a median mortality rate of 16% (range 11-26). Despite advances in antimicrobial therapy and the diagnosis and treatment of complications, bacterial endocarditis continues to be responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality. Moreillon states that "this apparent paradox results from a progressive change in risk factors for infective endocarditis.""
Abstract In this article, the writer studies endocarditis, that is a heart related infection of valves and some of the lining inside the muscle of the heart, or the 'endocardium'. The writer explains that this infection is uncommon, although not rare, and it can be serious. Infection may either be caused due to contraction during dental or medical procedures and/or in someone with a predisposing heart abnormality, but this is not always a given factor according to medical sources. The writer looks at the management of endocarditis. The matter of postoperative care is discussed in this paper and the writer also looks at diagnosis.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Incidence of the Disease
Etiology of the Disease
Pathophysiology of the Disease Process
Clinical Manifestations Associated with the Disease Process
Nursing Care
Conclusion
References
From the Paper "This disease was chosen as the topic of this research because a family member, specifically a child of the researcher has a high-risk of this disease due to mitral-valve with regulation and an ASD repair performed two years ago. Endocarditis is a heart related infection of valves and some of the lining inside the muscle of the heart, or the 'endocardium'. This infection is uncommon, although not rare, and it can be serious. Infection may either be caused due to contraction during dental or medical procedures and/or in someone with a predisposing heart abnormality, but this is not always a given factor according to medical sources.
Natural heart defense is present in the lining however, some bacteria do manage to break that barrier and feed on the blood of the individual also releasing what is called 'vegetations' which act as clot in the blood...thereby affecting heart valves and causing problems."
Abstract This paper explains that the methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a nosocomial pathogen, is an epidemiological problem, which can have its source in the community and health care settings. The author relates the epidemiology of MRSA in relation to agent, host, environment, web of causation and its natural history. The paper underscores that MRSA infection presents a serious epidemiological problem because not only are new strains appearing but also a number of nosocomial MRSA infections are known to have their source in the community setting, which causes the route of transmission to remain a mystery. The author stresses that improved strategies to control and manage MRSA infection continue to be sought.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Agent
Host
Environment
Web of Causation
Natural History
Conclusion
From the Paper "Environmental factors play a very significant role in the transmission of MRSA. For example, when health care providers acquire an MRSA infection, family members of these workers and other staff members can then become infected not only from direct contact but also from environmental sites such as chairs, phones, or computer keyboards. Transmission of MRSA is also facilitated when the environment has been contaminated with toxin-producing strains. As a consequence, it is essential that prevention and control measures include cleaning of the hospital environment."
Tags: nosocomial, intensive care unit, hands management elderly
Abstract This analyses the infections of spinal cord. It discusses the causative organisms and recent researches with main stress on the patho-physiology of the infections.
Abstract This paper discusses how information supplied by web sites and other informal sources may not necessarily provide adequate or even reliable treatment of disease and its prevention. In particular, it looks at how the information provided by Hawaii Health Guide.com (2006), contains omissions and leads to many questions. That information is critically assessed in light of what scholarly journals provide on the topic of staph infections caused by staphylococcus aureus. This paper also discusses effects of s. aureau bacteria beyond infections, how staph becomes resistant to antibiotics and how science is attempting to overcome antibiotic resistance. Prevention and treatment is also discussed.
From the Paper "According to the Hawaii Health Guide.com (2006), staph infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus are potentially in every aspect of the environment but occur when the skin is broken or punctured. Most importantly, according to the article, Staphylococcus aureus bacteria thrive in Hawaii's sultry summer heat. The article also notes that the risk of infection is highest in hospitals because of open wounds and tubes, as well as in other institutions such as nursing homes where people tend to have poor health. In fact, resistant staph is most prevalent among the homeless, in prisons, and in other populations of high density. The common features of such institutions are compromised or lack of hygiene."
Abstract This study reviews and assesses data from previous meta-studies that compared the actions of the skin antiseptics, Chloraprep and Providone Iodine among others, with regard to sterilization prior to catheter insertion. The study reassess the available data in an attempt to understand whether the findings remain conclusive in supporting the use of chlorhexidine over Providone Iodine solution in prevention of catheter related blood stream infection (CRBSIs). The paper relates that the clinical problem statement is 'What are the most effective antiseptic techniques to use to minimize risk of infection from use of intravenous catheters". The study attempts to solve this clinical problem statement through a thorough review of the clinical trials which have been conducted globally since the introduction of chlorhexidine.
Outline:
Definitions
Introduction
Problem Statement
Description of Methodology
Presentation of Findings
Synthesis of Findings
From the Paper "Several studies have now been completed to compare the actions of the skin antiseptics Chloraprep and Providone Iodine among others. The results of a Meta-Analysis study "found that the use of Chlorhexidine gluconate rather than Providone Iodine can reduce the risk for catheter-related blood stream infection by approximately 50% in hospitalized patients who require short-term catheterization." The study goes on to state "Given the extent of the benefit and the small incremental cost, chlorhexidine gluconate should be considered as a replacement for Providone Iodine solution, particularly in patients at high risk for catheter related blood stream infection."
Abstract The writer of this paper proposes carrying out a research project to find methods to monitor health workers in an attempt to improve hygiene and prevent the occurrence of nosocomial infections. The writer begins by explaining what research method is to be used and then continues with a description of nosocomial infections and how they are spread. The author describes how use would be made of surveillance cameras to monitor health worker's adherence to standards of hygiene and examines the benefits and disadvantages involved before making his final conclusions.
From the Paper "To begin preliminary research into ways to prevent nosocomial infections, infections that originate or occur in a hospital or hospital-like setting, I would like to conduct a research study upon my staff of nurses. Nosocomial infections are dangerous because they are often antibiotic-resistant. Patients tend to be susceptible to such infections when they have broken skin or have injuries with exposed mucous membranes (Abedon, 1998). One possible way to limit the spread of such infections is hand-washing. "These pathogens also tend to become incorporated into the normal flora of hospital workers," and thus acquired, these "opportunistic infections thus tend to be both very available for transmission to patients and not easily treated once infections are under way" (Abedon, 1998). However, because it is difficult to monitor or quantify in a busy day how much a nurse does or does not wash his or her hands, I would suggest the following: the structure of my research would require the ward of nurses in question to be filmed over the course of the day, and their behavior regarding hand-washing would be observed by a monitor. Researchers would track how much and how often particular nurses washed their hands over the course of a day using the recoded film."
