תוצאת חיפוש

Telling the Bad News: do the Elderly Want to Know Their Diagnoses and Participate in Medical Decision Making?

Sara Carmel, Alon Lazar

Sociology of Health Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, and Dept. of Behavioral Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheba

In view of reported changes in western countries in the preferred model of doctor-patient relations, we evaluated the wishes of elderly persons for open doctor-patient communication with regard to terminal disease. Data was collected in 1994 from 987 elderly persons (70+) by structured interviews. Most of respondents wanted open communication and wished to be involved in medical decisions regarding life-sustaining treatment. However, only a minority tell their physicians and/or family members of their wishes. This suggests that most of the elderly expect physicians to be the first to initiate discussions of these issues. The results also indicate that among the elderly, those more educated, less religious, and those living in Israel longer, are more likely to want open communication with their physicians. This is explained by the relationship of these characteristics with the dominant cultural values of this group, and its acceptable models of relations in other areas of life.

Effect of Chlorocresol VS Caffeine on Muscle Contracture in Malignant Hyperthermia Susceptible Patients

R. Ben-Abraham, R.M. Krivosic-Horber, G. Haudcoeur, A. Perel, P.J. Adnet

Dept. of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University; and Dept. d'Anesthesie-Reanimation Chirurgicale, Laboratoire de Pharmacologie Hospitaliere, et Service des Urgence, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire, Lille Cedex, France

The phenotype of susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia (MHS); can only be detected reliably by the in vitro caffeine-halothane contracture test (CHCT). Enhanced sensitivity of the calcium-induced calcium release mechanism is responsible for the exaggerated contracture response of skeletal muscle fibers from MHS patients to halothane and caffeine. Chlorocresol was demonstrated to be a potent activator of Ca++release from skeletal muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum. This effect is probably mediated through action on a ryanodine sensitive Ca++ release channel known to be more sensitive in MH. We studied the effect of chloroscresol on the mechanical contracture response of skeletal muscle from patients presenting for the in vitro CHCT. Chlorocresol induces contracture response in a concentration 1/200 of that of caffeine in muscle strips from MH patients. By adding chlorocresol to the protocol of the CHCT, there is clearer discrimination between the responses of MH patients and normal subjects can be achieved. 

Between "Transparent Room" and "Sealed Room:" Professional Confidentiality and Therapeutic Judgement

Yuval Melamed, Ami Levy, Henry Szor

Abarbanel Mental Health Center, Bat Yam and Shalvata Mental Health Center, Hod HaSharon

Patients and therapists are concerned with the complexities of protecting medical confidentiality. The traditional perception of protection of patient confidentiality is that the individual's interest in protecting his confidentiality may conflict with the public's need for information, especially in cases involving possible danger. In fulfilling his dual role of representing both the patient and the public, the therapist acts according to existing laws and regulations. We describe 3 cases in which refraining from providing the Army with information in accordance with the law was recognized in retrospect as having caused the patient suffering, and even danger. It is recommended that the therapist's judgement be considered in addition to other legal criteria for determining whether or not to protect patient confidentiality.

Cellular Phone Interference with Medical Instruments

David Adler, Yona Mahler, Avi Israeli

Medical Engineering Dept., and Administration, Hadassah-University Hospital, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem

Cellular telephones and other telecommunication equipment occasionally cause malfunctioning of medical equipment, including life-support equipment. We review such malfunctioning and relate it to Israeli and worldwide standards, analyzing the characteristics of the interference in terms of amplitude and frequency. The results of a controlled study of interference by cellular telephones and portable 2-way radios with medical devices in our clinical departments are also presented. The levels of background environmental electromagnetic noise at several sites in both Hadassah hospitals (Ein Karem and Mount Scopus) were measured, as well as signal levels of cellular telephones and other communication equipment at various distances and in various areas. We recommend 2 different levels of restrictions on the use of this equipment within the hospital.

These include prohibition of the use of wireless telecommunication equipment in intensive care areas and operating theaters. In all other areas it is recommended to turn off the cellular telephone within 1 meter of medical devices and not to transmit (but only to receive) calls with a portable 2-way radio within a 5 meter distance of medical devices.