The key informant technique

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: This article considers the role of the key informant techniqueas a qualitative research method and examines the potentialcontribution of the approach to health care research. METHOD: The principles underlying the technique and the advantages anddisadvantages are considered, illustrated with examples froma range of social science studies. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: An example of the author's own use of key informants in a studyof the professional relationship between general practitionersand specialists is described. Keywords. Key informants, qualitative methods, professional relationships.     

Improved Cellular Delivery of Antisense Oligonucleotides Using Transferrin Receptor Antibody-Oligonucleotide Conjugates

This work is dedicated to the memory of the late Dr Ian Walker.     

Study on the pathogenicity of Campylobacter jejuni by modifying the medium

Campylobacter jejuni has been documented as one of the major aetiological agents of diarrhoeal illness all over the world. Studies revealed its pathogenicity by different assay methods, but none could be strongly recommended as a tool for differentiating toxigenic strains of C. jejuni. This study was an attempt to demonstrate better its pathogenicity by media modification. Fifteen isolates of C. jejuni recovered from diarrhoeal patients at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B), Dhaka Hospital were included in this study. The standard medium for C. jejuni was modified by the incorporation of FeCl3 at different concentrations. The pathogenicity of the test isolates were studied by rabbit ileal loop assay; Chinese hamster ovary (CHO), human epithelial cervical carcinoma (HeLa); Y-1 adrenal cell lines and suckling mouse assay. Sonicated extracts of the test organisms, grown with FeCl3 supplement, were also assayed. An enhanced growth of C. jejuni was obtained with the increasing concentration of FeCl3 supplementation in the medium. Only five isolates of C. jejuni produced cytotoxic effect on HeLa cell monolayer. Other cell lines were not affected by the test specimens or sonicates. Rabbit ileal loop assay did not reveal any fluid accumulation but on dissection, the test loops were found highly haemorrhagic. No heat-stable (ST) toxin could be detected. Cell-free culture supernatant of patients' isolates of C. jejuni had an effect on HeLa cell monolayer. Sonicated extracts of patients' extracts had a greater effect on HeLa cell monolayer. Pathogenic strains of C. jejuni might be distinguished on HeLa cell monolayer using its sonicated extracts.     

Invasive ventilation in the emergency department: Part 2: Implications for patient safety

The use of mechanical ventilation in the Emergency Department requires adequate resources in order to maintain patient safety and avoid potential risks. Moreover, developments in technology require increased knowledge of mechanical ventilation techniques to address the complexity of decision-making involved. Organisational issues and system factors have the potential to negatively impact on the ability of the emergency service to provide optimum care to patients receiving mechanical ventilation. These issues include staffing and skill-mix, demand on emergency services, role-delineation, scope of practice, and current mechanisms for monitoring of quality and safety. Furthermore, in response to advances in ventilator technology, current education programs for both nursing and medical staff require review to ensure that they provide comprehensive information about the types of ventilation techniques now available and the relative risks and benefits associated with their application.This article is the second in a two-part series and explores the educational and organisational factors that impact upon safety and quality of care delivered to patients receiving mechanical ventilation in the emergency department. Recommendations for future policy development, curriculum review and reporting mechanisms to support further research in the application of mechanical ventilation in the emergency department are made.     

Congenital duodenal obstruction.

Over the period 1980-1989, 49 patients with congenital duodenal obstruction due to duodenal atresia, duodenal stenosis or annular pancreas were treated. There were three deaths, all related to associated severe congenital anomalies and none related to surgery for duodenal obstruction; 78 per cent of the patients had associated congenital anomalies which, in some instances, complicated their management. Prenatal diagnosis by ultrasonography was made in 18 per cent of the patients and these patients had operations relatively earlier.     

The telephone survey: a methodological strategy for obtaining information

Studies have shown that students and the general population have little knowledge about nursing schools and the nursing profession. This study investigates the extent to which a sample of the population of Brazil is aware of the existence of nursing schools, and how they have obtained this information. Data were collected by telephone interviews. The sample consisted of 326 subjects whose telephone numbers were taken from the telephone book. Analysis showed that 73% of the subjects were aware of the existence of two nursing schools in the city; however, 65.03% did not know the names of these schools. Direct communication with friends and family, as well as indirect communication by television and advertising, were the sources of information mentioned by those questioned.