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International Council (international + council)
Selected AbstractsEvaluation of Ves-Matic Cube 200 , an automated system for the measurement of the erythrocyte sedimentation rateINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LABORATORY HEMATOLOGY, Issue 1p2 2010E. PEROVIC Summary Ves-Matic Cube 200 is fully automated analyzer that performs erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) measurement using the standard ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid blood sample tube, thus markedly reducing the analytical time and avoiding the need for an extra blood sample. The aim of this study was to assess the automatic Ves-Matic Cube 200 system for the measurement of ESR in comparison with the original International Council for Standardization in Hematology reference method (Westergren). The evaluation comprised accuracy which was established using a 95% confidence interval (CI) for the mean difference between Ves-Matic Cube 200 and Westergren method (mean of difference: 0.47 ± 6.84 mm/h; 95% CI: ,0.376 to 1.325 mm/h), within-run imprecision for samples with ESR values of 9, 42 and 95 mm/h (coefficients of variation: 9.19%, 13.88% and 5.66%, respectively) and method comparison (, = 0.95; Passing-Bablok regression equation: Y = ,0.0435 + 1.0435 X; bias: ,0.5; limits of agreement: ,13.9 to 12.9). Stability was estimated after 24 h storage either at 4 °C and room temperature (mean of differences: ,1.91 mm/h; 95% CI: ,4.852 to 1.037 mm/h and mean of differences: ,12.48 mm/h; 95% CI: ,16.580 to ,8.390 mm/h, respectively). The obtained results suggest that the Ves-Matic Cube 200 automated analyzer is reliable system for the measurement of ESR in clinical laboratories. [source] Comparison of the reticulocyte mode of the Abx Pentra 120 Retic, Coulter® General-SÔ, Sysmex® SE 9500, Abbott CD 4000 and Bayer Advia® 120 haematology analysers in a simultaneous evaluationINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LABORATORY HEMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2001J. Van Den Bossche The Abx Pentra 120 Retic, Coulter® General-SÔ, Sysmex® SE 9500, Abbott Cell Dyn® 4000 and Bayer Advia® 120 were evaluated simultaneously in a general hospital laboratory. Linearity, precision, sample stability, carry-over and comparability of the reticulocyte mode were determined following International Council for Standardization in Haematology guidelines for the evaluation of blood cell analysers. All analysers showed good results for dilution, stability and carry-over testing. The between-batch coefficient of variation of the General-SÔ was high compared to the other analysers evaluated. Multiple correlation studies showed good agreement for all analysers in the normal and high reticulocyte range, with correlation coefficients above 0.7. Multiple correlation studies for reticulocytopenic samples (< 15.109/l) were less satisfactory, with a wider range of correlation coefficients (r -values 0.0,0.9). Overall, the General-SÔ, SE 9500 and Advia® 120 gave lower reticulocyte counts than the Pentra 120 Retic and CD 4000. Reagent costs were also evaluated. Reagent consumption was close to the manufacturers' specifications for the SE 9500 (Search reagent), CD 4000 (CD Retic) and Advia® 120 (Retics) but was higher than stated for the Pentra 120 Retic (Retix), General-SÔ (Retic kit) and SE 9500 (Sheath reagent). Our results show that these new generation haematology analysers will meet the needs of hospital laboratories for reliable and cost-effective reticulocyte counting. [source] Urinary iodine and thyroid volume in a Swedish populationJOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE, Issue 5 2004M. Milakovic Abstract. Objective., To evaluate the present efficacy of an iodine supplementation programme working in Sweden since 1936 by studying the iodine excretion in urine and determining the thyroid volume in a population in a semi-rural community. Design., A cross-sectional population screening comprising three age groups with randomly selected individuals: group 1 (children): 7,9 years, n = 61 (invited 70); group 2 (teenagers): 15,17 years, n = 61 (invited 63), and group 3 (adults): 60,65 years; n = 57 (invited 73). Main measurements., Urinary iodine was measured spectrophotometrically; thyroid volume by ultrasonography. Results., The median values for urinary iodine concentration in the three age groups were 194 ,g L,1, 246 ,g L,1 and 190 ,g L,1, respectively, indicating an adequate iodine intake. In the 7,9 year olds, the median value of the thyroid volume was 4.7 mL, which coincides with the recently established upper limit of normal children of that age, 4.0,4.8 mL (ICCIDD, International Council for control iodine deficiency disorders). One eight-year-old boy had a pronounced goiter. Four teenagers and one adult were found to have an enlarged thyroid gland according to earlier established reference volumes (15 years >16 mL; adults > 25 mL). Conclusion., We conclude that the iodine intake in our region is sufficient in age groups ranging from young children to pre-retirement adults. [source] The Development of Advanced Nursing Practice GloballyJOURNAL OF NURSING SCHOLARSHIP, Issue 3 2008Barbara Sheer Purpose: To examine the development of advanced nursing practice globally. Methods: Data were collected from documentary resources available in the International Nurse Practitioners/Advanced Practice Nurse Network (INP/APNN) of the International Council of Nurses. The areas examined were guided by the "key informant survey on advanced nursing practice self-administered questionnaire." Two core members of the INP/APNN who have rich experience in global advanced nursing development analyzed the data. A total of 14 countries and three regions from five continents were included in the analyses. The development of advanced nursing practice in these areas is facilitated by a need for better access to care in a cost-containment era and the enhancement of nursing education to postgraduate level. The mechanism for regulation of practice is in place in some countries. Conclusions: Confirms the development of advanced practice in nursing is a global trend. Clinical Relevance: APNs can improve global health with points to enhanced education in nursing and regulation of advanced practice. [source] Evaluation of Emergency Air Evacuation of Critically Ill Patients from Cruise ShipsJOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE, Issue 6 2001Laurence D. Prina Background: The study objectives were to assess the ship physician's diagnostic accuracy in making the decision to air evacuate critically ill patients from cruise ships, to determine the outcome of these patients, and the overall benefit of air evacuation. Methods: From October 1999 to May 2000, we performed a prospective study of critically ill patients coming from cruise ships in the Caribbean and transported to our institution by air ambulance. Demographics, initial diagnosis, and treatment on board were collected by the triage officer at the time of the cruise physician's first call. In route complications and flight team composition were obtained from the air ambulance monitoring log. Patients were followed-up in the hospital for complications, outcome, and final diagnosis. Results: A consecutive series of 104 patients were considered for analysis. There were 65 men and 39 women (mean age: 68.7 years). Cruise physician's diagnosis was correct in more than 90% of the cases. Internal medicine and surgical conditions represented 80.8% and 19.2% of the cases respectively, falling mainly into three categories: cardiac (34.6%), neurological (20.2%), and digestive (14%). Two cardiac arrests and 1 ventricular fibrillation were successfully resuscitated and 5 of 15 myocardial infarctions received thrombolytic therapy on board. Air transfers were warranted in 96.1% of the cases and physician presence in the flight was considered appropriate in 97.6%. In route complications and mortality rate were 5.8% and 2.9% respectively, related to serious cardiac events. Among the 98 hospitalized patients, 10 patients developed new complications and 5 died. The overall mortality rate was 7.7%. Conclusion: The cruise industry appears off to a good start in the medical treatment of passengers needing air evacuation to a land based medical facility. There is room for improvement and adoption of American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL) Health Care Guidelines are meaningful first steps. Analysis of Caribbean medical facilities and implementation of active telemedicine conferencing represent alternatives to air evacuation that need to be studied. [source] Introduction to historic house museumsMUSEUM INTERNATIONAL, Issue 2 2001Giovanni Pinna In November 1997, a major conference entitled Abitare la storia: Le dimore storiche-museo (Inhabiting History: Historical House Museums) was held in Genoa, the city of many palaces. On this occasion, the historic house museum, a rather particular type of museum, was extensively discussed for the very first time. The specific nature and values of such museums were highlighted. Over forty experts, who are responsible for palaces and more modest residences, came to Genoa for the conference. They debated aspects of restoration, security, teaching and communication. The conference participants took the opportunity to express their wish for the International Council of Museums (ICOM) to set up an international committee more specifically dedicated to historic house museums. They asked ICOM Italia, which was also present at the conference, to support their recommendation for the creation of the new committee, and this was done in 1998. Giovanni Pinna is the chairman of this newly created International Committee for Historic House Museums. He is president of the ICOM Italian Committee and also president of the ICOM International Committee for Museology of Historic Sites. A palaeontologist by training, he directed the Museum of Natural History in Milan from 1981 to 1996. He has published some sixty books and articles on various topics in the domain of theoretical museology as well as on the history and functions of museum institutions. His books include Museo: Storia e funzioni di una macchina culturale dal cinquecento a oggi (1980) and Fondamenti terici per un Museo di Storia Naturale (1997). [source] REBUILDING THE EASTERN BALTIC COD STOCK UNDER ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE (PART II): TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE COSTS OF A MARINE PROTECTED AREANATURAL RESOURCE MODELING, Issue 1 2009CHRISTINE RÖCKMANN Abstract This study adds a cost analysis of the Eastern Baltic cod fishery to the existing model presented in Röckmann et al. [2007a]. As cost data on this international fishery do not exist, data from Denmark are extrapolated to the whole international fishery. Additionally, unit and total variable costs are simulated, and the sensitivity to a set of different cost,stock and cost,output elasticities is tested. The study supports preliminary conclusions that a temporary marine reserve policy, which focuses on protecting the Eastern Baltic cod spawning stock in the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) subdivision 25, is a valuable fisheries management tool to (i) rebuild the overexploited Eastern Baltic cod stock and (ii) increase operating profits. The negative effects of climate change can be postponed for at least 20 years,depending on the assumed rate of future climate change. Including costs in the economic analysis does not change the ranking of management policies as proposed in the previous study where costs were neglected. [source] Assessment of functional vision and its rehabilitationACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA, Issue 2 2010August Colenbrander Abstract. This article, based on a report prepared for the International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) and the International Society for Low Vision Research and Rehabilitation (ISLRR), explores the assessment of various aspects of visual functioning as needed to document the outcomes of vision rehabilitation. Documenting patient abilities and functional vision (how the person functions) is distinct from the measurement of visual functions (how the eye functions) and also from the assessment of quality of life. All three areas are important, but their assessment should not be mixed. Observation of task performance offers the most objective measure of functional vision, but it is time-consuming and not feasible for many tasks. Where possible, timing and error rates provide an easy score. Patient response questionnaires provide an alternative. They may save time and can cover a wider area, but the responses are subjective and proper scoring presents problems. Simple Likert scoring still predominates but Rasch analysis, needed to provide better result scales, is gaining ground. Selection of questions is another problem. If the range of difficulties does not match the range of patient abilities, and if the difficulties are not distributed evenly, the results are not optimal. This may be an argument to use different outcome questions for different conditions. Generic questionnaires are appropriate for the assessment of generic quality of life, but not for specific rehabilitation outcomes. Different questionnaires are also needed for screening, intake and outcomes. Intake questions must be relevant to actual needs to allow prioritization of rehabilitation goals; the activity inventory presents a prototype. Outcome questions should be targeted at predefined rehabilitation goals. The Appendix cites some promising examples. The Low Vision Intervention Trial (LOVIT) is an example of a properly designed randomized control study, and has demonstrated the remarkable effectiveness of vision rehabilitation. It is hoped that further similar studies will follow. [source] | ||||||||||