Surgery and AIDS: reducing the risk

Article Abstract:

The overall risk to medical personnel of acquiring an infection during surgery depends of how often the person is exposed and the type of exposure, the relative risk associated with each exposure, and how likely the patients in a given hospital are to carry blood-borne infections. The study carried out by Adelisa L. Panlilio and her colleagues, described in the March 27, 1991 issue of The Journal of the American Medical Association, substantiates research carried out by others indicating that exposure to blood occurs frequently. Panlilio's findings also show that many surgical exposures are preventable. Rubber boots and water-proof urology aprons worn under the surgical gown reduce exposure to the body and legs. Extra pairs of sleeves can be removed before the blood penetrates. If two pairs of gloves are worn, visible blood contamination is reduced by 60 to 80 percent. Protective glasses and face shields prevent blood from splashing into the eyes. Ninety-three percent of the blood contacts described by Panlilio could be prevented if these measures were employed. In spite of this, 50 percent of surgeons surveyed recently did not recommend universal precautions, and only one quarter of them regularly used a double pair of gloves. Panlilio's suggestion that precautions be employed based on the type of procedure rather than on the risk ascribed to the patient is a far better approach to the problem of blood-borne infection. At some hospitals in high-risk areas, more than 25 percent of the patients may be infected with HIV or hepatitis B, but infections are becoming increasingly common even in low-risk areas. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Safety and security measures, Prevention, Surgery, Medical personnel, Protection and preservation, Blood-borne diseases, Bloodborne diseases, editorial

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Blood mercury levels and neurobehavioral function

Article Abstract:

A study is conducted to describe associations of blood mercury levels with neurobehavioral test scores in an urban adult population. The results suggested that blood mercury levels are associated with worse neurobehavioral performance in the population of older urban adults.

United States, HEALTH SERVICES, Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories, Blood Test Procedures, Diagnosis, Blood, Blood tests, Organic mental disorder, Organic mental disorders

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