A Physiological Profile of Four Wheelchair Marathon Racers

A profile of four wheelchair marathon racers (WMRs) is presented including an athletic history, dietary habits, maximal oxygen uptake, and average race pace oxygen uptake (Vo₂) values. These values were compared with those of able-bodied marathon runners matched for age and race time. The WMRs had lower Vo₂ max, maximal heart rates, and higher respiratory exchange ratios, and they used a higher percentage of their Vo₂ max and maximal heart rate at race pace. The authors suggest that a high degree of training is required to perform the grueling marathon.     

Brief Report: Using Behavioral Skills Training to Teach Skateboarding Skills to a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of behavioral skills training (BST) on the skateboarding skills of an 11-year-old male with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). BST was used in a multiple-probe across skills design to teach five target skateboarding skills. Imitation of an additional skill was also assessed outside of BST sessions. The overall percentage of correct skateboarding skills improved following BST. Performance gains were stable in probes across settings, and additional imitations increased across the study.     

Early Ambulation After Diagnostic Cardiac Catheterization via Femoral Artery Access

PurposeAssess the safety and efficacy of early ambulation in patients undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterization via the femoral artery access with 4 and 6 French sheaths.ResultsEarly mobilization after diagnostic cardiac catheterization via femoral artery access with 4 and 6 French sheaths can be done safely without any significant vascular complications. Early ambulation has beneficial results on patient comfort and satisfaction and reduces hospital costs.ImplicationsThe current trend is toward early ambulation after diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Nurse practitioners can be leaders in promoting change in health care practice protocols for optimal patient and hospital outcomes.     

The Effectiveness of Seeking Safety on Reducing PTSD Symptoms in Clients Receiving Substance Dependence Treatment

An evaluation of the Seeking Safety (SS) program was conducted in a 28-day substance abuse treatment facility. The evaluation included 12 male and 28 female participants with a mean age of 33 years. The Trauma Symptom Checklist-40 was utilized as an outcome measure to statistically compare posttest to pretest group means. Results showed significant decreases, from pretest to posttest, on the total score and on several subscales of the measure. Effect sizes were large (d < 0.80) across all scales with the exception of Male Sexual Problems (d = .46). Overall, results suggest that incorporating SS as an adjunct to treatment as usual can help lower trauma symptoms in those receiving substance dependence treatment.     

Clinical pharmacy services in the emergency department

The emergency department (ED) is a fast-paced, high-risk, and often overburdened work environment. Formal policy statements from several notable organizations, including the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), have recognized the importance of clinical pharmacists in the emergency medicine (EM) setting. EM clinical pharmacists work alongside emergency physicians and nurses at the bedside to optimize pharmacotherapy, improve patient safety, increase efficiency and cost-effectiveness of care, facilitate antibiotic stewardship, educate patients and clinicians, and contribute to scholarly efforts. This paper examines the history of EM clinical pharmacists and associated training programs, the diverse responsibilities and roles of EM clinical pharmacists, their impact on clinical and financial outcomes, and proposes a conceptual model for EM clinical pharmacist integration into ED patient care. Finally, barriers to implementing EM clinical pharmacy programs and limitations are considered.     

Impact of polymerase chain reaction results on patient management during a viral meningitis outbreak in Tropical North Queensland

Objectives: Enterovirus is the most commonly isolated pathogen in viral meningitis. We report on the first outbreak of viral meningitis in Tropical Queensland and the effect of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results on antibiotic use and hospital length of stay. Methods: Retrospective case series of consecutive patients presenting to the Townsville ED with viral meningitis were evaluated by examining hospital medical records. The study period was November 2008 to February 2009. Results: Forty‐three patients were available for full analysis of which 17 (40%) were female and 17 (40%) had a positive enteroviral PCR. Antibiotics were commenced on 37 (86%) of patients. There was no difference in hospital length of stay in patients with a negative versus positive PCR (2.52 vs 2.72 days, P = 0.68) or duration of antibiotic therapy (2.20 vs 1.94 days, P = 0.61). Conclusion: In our study a positive result on PCR was not associated with a shorter hospital length of stay or a shorter duration of antibiotic therapy. This contrasts with previous reports on this topic and requires further evaluation.