Patient-initiated laboratory testing: applauding the inevitable

Article Abstract:

Advances in medical laboratory technology have made it possible for individuals to perform many laboratory tests at home. While previously only weight and body temperature were within the capabilities and resources of home measurement, individuals may now measure their blood pressure, urinary glucose, or occult fecal blood. Women may determine if they are pregnant and when they have ovulated. It is clear that the public is taking a greater interest in health and is demonstrating willingness to become directly involved. Concerns about the accuracy and effectiveness of home testing should not result in an attempt to repress this trend. Rather, physicians should consider ways in which the trend may be used to improve medical care. Many clinical laboratories already feature the option of ''walk-in'' business, in which patients request and receive their own laboratory tests. Certainly, this method is preferred over testing performed at some folding table in the shopping mall. If individuals wish to have their cholesterol level tested, for example, they should not be required to suffer the delays and expense of a visit to a physician's office. Physicians should support the development of wide access to laboratory testing, and should concern themselves with ensuring that such testing is of high quality. They should not attempt to restrict the inevitable development of direct-access laboratory testing. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Usage, Quality management, editorial, Medical test kits

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The potential supply of organ donors: an assessment of the efficiency of organ procurement efforts in the United States

Article Abstract:

Death certificates supplied by the National Center for Health Statistics showed between 6,900 and 10,700 potential organ donors exist each year. Potential donors were restricted to those between the ages of 6 months and 65 years who died in a hospital, whose cause of death was not a contraindication to donation, and who suffered significant head trauma or injuries severe enough to indicate their potential as a donor. Currently there are an estimated 4,000 potential donors. Many states and organ procurement organizations (OPO) register an average of 16 to 17 organ donors per million population (PMP) each year, but the Health Care Financing Administration requires OPOs to register at least 50 potential donors a year PMP in order to be certified. Legislation was passed to delay the implementation of the 50-donor requirement until January 1, 1992. The number of donors could be increased 80%, to 7,300, but this may not be enough to supply organs to the 23,000 people currently awaiting one.

Statistics, Surveys, Donation of organs, tissues, etc., Tissue donation, Organ donors, Tissue donors

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The Decreasing Supply of Registered Nurses: Inevitable Future or Call to Action?

Article Abstract:

Nursing associations need to develop strategies to ensure that there will be enough nurses in the future. Fewer young women are choosing nursing as a career. So as nurses retire, there will be fewer nurses to take their place. Part of the problem is the confusing array of training programs. Nurses can be trained in three-year hospital diploma programs, two-year associate degree programs, or a four-year baccalaureate program. Studies have shown that hospitals with a large number of registered nurses have better patient outcomes. These so-called magnet hospitals are able to attract and keep highly qualified nurses.

Nurses, Training

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