Intrinsic risk factors

Careful monitoring and preventative care of high-risk patients can begin once these patients are identified. Intrinsic, or host-related, risk factors for the development of pressure sores include age greater than 75 years, limited mobility, loss of sensation, unconsciousness or altered sense of awareness, and malnutrition. Extrinsic, or environmental, risk factors include pressure, friction, shear stress, and moisture.37,42... 

Dyslipidemia (high low-density hpoprotein [LDL] cholesterol, high triglycerides, and/or low high-density lipoprotein [HDL] cholesterol) is considered a major cardiovascular risk factor. Therefore, controlling dyslipidemia is important to the overall care of hypertensive patients. Thiazide diuretics and p-blockers without intrinsic sympathomimetic activity may adversely affect serum cholesterol values, but these effects generally are transient and of no clinical consequence. ... 

One must consider the type of surgery, intrinsic patient risk factors, the most commonly identified pathogenic organisms, institutional antimicrobial resistance patterns, and cost when choosing an antimicrobial agent for prophylaxis. 

To compare a rate among patient groups within a hospital, over time, or across hospitals, infection control practitioners (ICPs) must adjust the rate for the variations in the major risk factors that lead to the infection. A patient s predisposition for becoming infected is strongly influenced by certain risk factors, such as personal characteristics and exposures. These risk factors are roughly divided into two categories intrinsic and extrinsic. 

Before finishing this review, it is important to remember that other factors must be considered when assessing the impact of chemicals in the environment. Several of these technologies lend themselves to computerized models as well. For example, models and expert systems which predict the dynamics of a chemical in the environment are of equal importance to models discussed here that estimate intrinsic risk. Readers may check [Pg.134]

Clinical manifestation of vitamin B 2 deficiency is usually a result of absence of the gastric absorptive (intrinsic) factor. Dietary deficiency of vitamin B 2 is uncommon and may take 20 to 30 years to develop, even in healthy adults who foUow a strict vegetarian regimen. An effective enterohepatic recycling of the vitamin plus small amounts from bacterial sources and other contaminants greatly minimizes the risk of a complete dietary deficiency. Individuals who have a defect in vitamin B 2 absorption, however, may develop a deficiency within three to seven years. 

The material factor (MF) is the basic starting value in computation of the F EI and other risk analysis values. It is a measure of the intrinsic rate of potential energy release from fire or explosion produced by combustion or other chemical reaction. The MF is obtained from Ns and Nr, NPFA signals expressing flammability and reactivity (or instability), respectively. The values for many materials are found in NFPA 325M or NFPA 49. Dow has developed values for additional materials and published them as an appendix of the F EI Guide. ... 

Protection requires a combination of approaches. There are a number of factors that are intrinsic to the physiological and psychological makeup of the worker. Individual susceptibility and interaction with other biological stresses will vary from individual to individual. Personal hygiene and work habits also vary. It is important that the worker fully comprehends the nature of the hazards and the consequences of careless actions or failure to follow prescribed safe procedures. The attitudes of workers and managers are important in implementing working practices that will minimize risks. 

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