Archive for the ‘Medicine’ Category

• Potential Causes of Exposures to Hazardous Drugs

  Date: 2010.08.22 | Category: Medicine | Response: 0

  Initially all the healthcare workers were engaged in the preparation of the drugs in the specific medication rooms present in the nursing organizations. According to these workers, the major source of exposures to hazardous drugs was the inhalation of the harmful aerosols and drug emissions during the preparation. To prevent the workers from these situations, various healthcare units designed safety guidelines and precautionary measures. This article is all about the perilous drugs emissions and their consequences.

  The safety guidelines say that the harmful drugs must be prepared using the biological safety cabinets in a particular area where the entry is restricted. Latest reports say that inhalation of aerosols and emissions are not only the cause of exposures. There are several other ways also. Absorption, ingestion and injection are some of the potential causes of exposures to hazardous drugs. The healthcare workers indulged in chemotherapy often becomes the victim of these perilous exposures as this treatment involves several cytotoxic and antineoplastic drugs. These drugs are highly disastrous and can induce numerous shot term as well as long term health hazards to the professionals.

  Personal protective equipments such as special gloves, gowns and masks must be used during various drug related activities such as drug manufacture and handling. Contamination of these equipments can be highly disastrous for the personnel engaged in these activities. The used syringes and vials can also cause hazardous affects to the workers. All the workers must be aware of the various types of the safety and control measures. Sometimes accidental spills and leakages of the fatal drugs can occur and can badly affect these workers.

  There are numerous chances of exposures to hazardous drugs during the transport, distribution and storage procedures. Hence, proper care must be taken during all these activities.

• Coude Catheter Information

  Date: 2010.08.05 | Category: Medicine | Response: 0

  A Coude catheter has a specific characteristic that separates it from all other types of catheters. It is based on the meaning of the French word “coude” which when used as an adjective means “bent”. Thus the Coude catheter is one where the tip of the catheter is slightly bent or curved to a small degree. The inserted end of the catheter is manufactured in several different shapes, wherein a straight catheter will have a straight tip at the end. It is always better to avoid using Coude tip catheters but if you have to, then make sure to read up and know what you’re doing.

  The primary function of a Coude catheter is to make the catheter insertion as safe as possible. It allows for safe guidance of the catheter around the curvature of the prostate or other urinary objects for females, which these types of Coude catheters can have an olive shape at the end. The Coude tip can protect you from problems that can arise from catheterization such as scarring and damage. A Coude catheter is the alternative catheter choice for those who aren’t able to use a straight catheter.

  Coude tip catheters come in sized 6 French to size 26 French. French is how catheter diameter is measured. Depending on the manufacturer and what you need, you will need to consult with your doctor to determine the correct size.

  It is important to note that if one cannot pass a Coude catheter through the urinary tract, there are other measures that can be taken by an urologist, such as inserting a cystoscopy or guides and followers through the urinary passage. This should be last resort.

  Bo is very passionate about educating others on home health care supplies. It is a convoluted industry that can be hard to navigate without the right information about certain products and procedures. His articles are here to help others and give them the opportunity to learn more and avoid making mistakes.