Mandatory HIV Testing for Healthcare Workers: Is it Ethical?

The AIDS epidemic has caused hysteria among the public and concern to many healthcare workers in the past 12 years. Currently, legislation exists for mandatory AIDS testing in some populations. The questions remain: Should healthcare workers be routinely tested? If so, is mandatory testing ethical? The author explores the incidence and prevalence of AIDS among healthcare workers, discusses why mandatory testing for healthcare workers is an issue, and examines the legal and ethical principles involved in mandatory testing.     

Measurement of Perceived Disruption During Rebuilding Following Hurricane Andrew

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a measure of perceived disruption during rebuilding following a disaster. Two eight-item scales, which measured intensity of disruption during the entire repair phase (Intensity-RP) and intensity of disruption during the past month (Intensity-PM) were developed and administered to 135 survivors of Hurricane Andrew. At 9 to 12 months postdisaster, Intensity-RP and Intensity-PM were both significantly associated with scores on the Global Severity Index of the SCL-90-R, and with scores on the Impact of Event-Intrusion Scale; Intensity-PM alone was significantly associated with PTSD scores. Regression analyses indicated that each scale contributed significant unique variance in predicting mental health symptoms, even after controlling for relevant demographic and initial disaster exposure variables.     

Prevention and Management of Postoperative Nausea and Vomiting: A Look at Complementary Techniques

Complementary modalities, used alone or in combination with pharmacologic therapies, play an important role in the prevention and management of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) and post discharge nausea and vomiting (PDNV). This article will review the evidence for the effective use of complementary modalities: acupuncture and related techniques, aromatherapy, and music therapy that may be integrated in the perianesthesia nurse's plan of care to prevent or manage PONV.     

Comparison of the use of nalbuphine and fentanyl during third molar surgery

In a double-blind, randomized plan of drug administration, nalbuphine, fentanyl, and a placebo were compared for efficacy in sedation and analgesia during third molar removal. Fifty-eight patients participated in this study. Using accepted intravenous sedation and surgical techniques, fentanyl and nalbuphine were found to be better than placebo for anxiety and pain control in third molar surgery. Fentanyl had a longer duration of pain relief postoperatively than did nalbuphine. The study confirmed the need for a narcotic supplement to sedation techniques for third molar surgery.     

An evaluation of the effectiveness of four mechanical plaque-removal devices when used by a trained care-provider

Many care-dependent elderly individuals live in nursing homes and must depend on nursing home aides for oral hygiene care. It is generally agreed that the level of oral hygiene care among care-dependent nursing home residents is less than optimal. Two reasons are time constraints and the difficulty involved in brushing other individuals' teeth. The identification of effective and efficient plaque-removal devices for use by care-providers should make it easier for nursing home aides to incorporate effective oral hygiene care into their daily routines. This pilot study was undertaken to determine the relative effectiveness of four plaque removal devices with different basic designs when used by a non-professional careprovider on 10 healthy volunteers. A brush with curved bristles on the lateral aspect of the brush head and short straight bristles in the center (Collis-curve) and an electric toothbrush with tuffs that rotate reciprocally (Interplak) were the most effective, a conventional brush (Oral-B) was somewhat less effective, and a disposable foam brush (Abco) was least effective and similar to the prebrushing plaque score (baseline). All the volunteers reported that the Collis-curve as the most comfortable brush, and the care-provider reported that it was the easiest to use.