Hospitals effects

Many lessons learned in caring for Ebola patients are applicable to laboratories including requirements for proper personal protective equipment (PPE), established protocols to put on and take off PPE in hospitals, effective training in protocols, demonstrated competency in following protocols, and watching for fatigue, exhaustion and complacency. ... 

Pharmaceuticals. A variety of mercury compounds have had pharmaceutical appHcations over the years, eg, mercury-containing diuretics and antiseptics. Whereas some mercury compounds remain available for use as antiseptics such as merbromin [129-16-8] mercuric oxide, and ammoniated mercury [10124-48-8] or as preservatives such as thimerosal [54-64-8] in dmgs and cosmetics, most have been supplanted by more effective substances. A detailed discussion of mercury-containing antiseptics is available (37). Many hospitals use mercury metal to serve as weight for keeping nasogastric tubes in place within the stomach. 

Medical Usage. Isopropyl alcohol is also used as an antiseptic and disinfectant for home, hospital, and industry (see Disinfectants and antiseptics). It is about twice as effective as ethyl alcohol in these appHcations (153,154). Rubbing alcohol, a popular 70 vol % isopropyl alcohol-in-water mixture, exemplifies the medicinal use of isopropyl alcohol. Other examples include 30 vol % isopropyl alcohol solutions for medicinal liniments, tinctures of green soap, scalp tonics, and tincture of mercurophen. It is contained in pharmaceuticals, eg, local anesthetics, tincture of iodine, and bathing solutions for surgical sutures and dressings. Over 200 uses of isopropyl alcohol have been tabulated (2). 

Clinically, GM-CSF or G-CSF have been used to accelerate recovery after chemotherapy and total body or extended field irradiation, situations that cause neutropenia and decreased platelets, and possibly lead to fatal septic infection or diffuse hemorrhage, respectively. G-CSF and GM-CSF reproducibly decrease the period of granulocytopenia, the number of infectious episodes, and the length of hospitalization in such patients (152), although it is not clear that dose escalation of the cytotoxic agent and increased cure rate can be rehably achieved. One aspect of the effects of G-CSF and GM-CSF is that these agents can activate mature cells to function more efficiently. This may, however, also lead to the production of cytokines, such as TNF- a, that have some toxic side effects. In general, both cytokines are reasonably well tolerated. The side effect profile of G-CSF is more favorable than that of GM-CSF. Medullary bone pain is the only common toxicity. 

Educating the Patient and Famiiy The nurse instructs patients under treatment for narcotic addiction to wear or carry identification indicating that they are receiving naltrexone If the patient is taking naltrexone and requires hospitalization, it is important that all medical personnel be aware of therapy with this drug. Narcotics administered to these patients have no effect and therefore do not relieve pain. Fhtients receiving naltrexone may pose a problem if they experience acute pain. The primary health care provider must decide what methods must be used to control pain in these patients. 

The nurse usually gives tiiese drug in die outpatient setting. If the patient is in the hospital or clinic, the nurse observes the patient for die expected effects of die antihistamine and for adverse reactions. The nurse reports adverse reactions to the primary health care provider. In some instances, drowsiness or sedation may occur. When the drug is given to relieve preoperative anxiety, these adverse reactions are expected and are allowed to occur. 

Radioactive iodine is given by tlie primary health care provider, orally as a single dose The effects of iodides are evident within 24 hours, with maximum effects attained after 10 to 15 days of continuous therapy. If the patient is hospitalized, radiation safety precautions identified by the hospital s department of nuclear medicine are followed. 

Educating the Patient and Family When Hie patient is hospitalized, the nurse explains all treatments and possible adverse effects to file patient before file initiation of therapy. The primary health care provider usually discusses the proposed treatment and possible adverse drug reactions with the patient and family members. The nurse briefly reviews these explanations immediately before parenteral administration of a drug. 

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