Topics and Professional Development

Permanent URI for this collection

https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12091/264

Browse

Browsing Topics and Professional Development by Issue Date

Filter results by year or month
Now showing 1 - 20 of 160
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    X-ray diagnostic equipment
    (EWH, 1990)
    X-rays are invisible. Because of their high energy and short wavelength they can penetrate almost all materials, but are absorbed to a different extent by different tissues. In the human body, absorption is high for bones, and low for muscles and other soft tissues. These differences in absorption can be shown on a photographic film as differences in density: the result is a radiograph. Thus, radiographic examination consists of irradiating a part of the patient with a uniform beam of X—rays and recording the emerging rays on a double emulsion film sandwiched between a pair of fluorescent screens. The screens convert the X-rays into light, which in turn exposes the X-ray film. The screens and the film are enclosed in a cassette for protection from daylight. After the exposure, the film must be processed, manually or automatically, in a darkroom by means of developer and fixer solutions. X-ray examinations should be ordered only by physicians or experienced clinical health workers. "Routine" examinations are seldom indicated. A few of the more common indications and examinations that can be performed with diagnostic X-ray equipment are listed below (this is not a complete list).
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    BOTTLED MEDICAL OXYGEN AND OXYGEN CONCENTRATORS
    (VSO, 1995) Skeet, Muriel; Fear, David
    Bottled oxygen is supplied under pressure in specially designed steel cylinders of varying sizes. British Standard oxygen bottles range in capacity from 170 litres to 6800 litres.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Ophthalmoscopes and otoscopes
    (WHO, 1995)
    If the instrument is not in use for any length of time, remove the batteries to prevent corrosion. Removal of batteries that have corroded can be difficult. If the rheostat assembly can be removed from the handle, soaking the handle in boiling water helps to dislodge the batteries. Some handles have a hole in the bottom; in this case introduce a punch through the hole to tap the batteries out. A fter removal of the batteries, thoroughly clean the handle.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Flame photometers
    (WHO, 1995)
    Flame photometers are used routinely for the measurement of lithium (Li), sodium (Na), and potassium (K) in body fluids. More sophisticated instruments can also measure calcium (Ca). In flame photometry, an aqueous salt solution is dispersed in air. The salt in the dispersed droplets is transferred into a gaseous state by heating with a flame, and then quickly disintegrates into gaseous atoms. Above a critical temperature the atoms absorb energy, which excites the electrons into higher energy states. When the excited electrons return to their original state, they emit the absorbed energy as light. The wavelength of the light emitted by each metal is characteristic for that element. The intensity of the light emitted at the given wavelength is proportional to the number of excited metal atoms and can be measured with a suitable optical filter and photodetector.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The WHO Basic Radiological System (WHO-BRS)
    (WHO, 1995)
    The rugged, high-quality X-ray equipment specified for the W H O Basic Radio­ logical System (BRS) is ideally suited for small clinics, health stations, first-referral hospitals, and general practices under the supervision of a general practitioner. In these situations, the population served is often in the range 10 000—100 000. At this level, no fluoroscopy should be undertaken.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Pipettes, Autopipettes, and Dispensers
    (WHO, 2005)
    Mechanical micropipettes (Fig. 2.22) can only be recommended where a reliable supply of new disposable tips is readily available. They are used for the delivery and/or dilution of biological samples in the volume range 5-1000 |al. They are usually of air displacement (indirect) or direct displacement design. To avoid contamination between consecutive samples, most pipettes have a disposable tip that is discarded after each delivery. This greatly increases the cost per test. The practice of washing and reusing disposable tips is not recommended, as any cleaning procedures will change the "wettability" of the plastic. In addition, drying at only slightly elevated temperatures may distort the tip, and prevent a good pneumatic seal with the pipette body.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Checklists for Anaesthetic Apparatus
    (WHO, 2005)
    This is checklist for the operation of anesthetic apparatus.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Pregnancy and Birth
    (Wikibooks, 2006) Wikibooks Contributors
    In this chapter we will discuss the topics covering pregnancy, from conception to birth. The chapter will cover fertilization, implantation of the zygote, to becoming a fetus, the three trimesters, and the progressive development of the fetus through the weeks of pregnancy. It will cover the topic of birth and different birthing methods.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Development: Birth through Death
    (Wikibooks, 2006) Wikibooks Contributors; BTA Skills
    Our Birth to Death chapter is an all encompassing review of the physiological changes that occur throughout a normal life span. In determining what a normal life consists of we included functions that are likely to happen to a large percentage of the population. While any one person is not likely to experience all of the events listed in this chapter they will undoubtedly go though some of the processes.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The Endocrine System
    (Wikibooks, 2006) Wikibooks Contributors
    The endocrine system is a control system of ductless glands that secrete chemical messengers called hormones that circulate within the body via the bloodstream to affect distant cells within specific organs. Endocrine glands secrete their products immediately into the blood or interstitial fluid, without storage of the chemical. Hormones act as "messengers," and are carried by the bloodstream to different cells in the body, which interpret these messages and act on them. It seems like a far fetched notion or idea that a small chemical can enter the bloodstream and cause an action at a distant location in the body. Yet this occurs in our bodies everyday of our lives. The ability to maintain homeostasis and respond to stimuli is largely due to hormones secreted within the body. Without hormones, you could not grow, maintain a constant temperature, produce offspring, or perform the basic actions and functions that are essential for life.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The Female Reproductive System
    (Wikibooks, 2006) Wikibooks Contributos
    All living things reproduce. This is something that sets the living apart from non-living. Even though the reproductive system is essential to keeping a species alive, it is not essential to keeping an individual alive. This chapter describes the different parts of the female reproductive system: the organs involved in the process of reproduction, hormones that regulate a woman's body, the menstrual cycle, ovulation and pregnancy, the female's role in genetic division, birth control, sexually transmitted diseases and other diseases and disorders.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    HOMEOSTASIS
    (Wikibooks Contributors, 2006)
    The human body consists of trillions of cells all working together for the maintenance of the entire organism. While cells may perform very different functions, all the cells are quite similar in their metabolic requirements. Maintaining a constant internal environment with all that the cells need to survive (oxygen, glucose, mineral ions, waste removal, and so forth) is necessary for the well-being of individual cells and the well-being of the entire body. The varied processes by which the body regulates its internal environment are collectively referred to as homeostasis.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Senses
    (Wikibooks, 2006) Wikibooks Contributors
    Senses are the physiological methods of perception. The senses and their operation, classification, and theory are overlapping topics studied by a variety of fields. Sense is a faculty by which outside stimuli are perceived. We experience reality through our senses. A sense is a faculty by which outside stimuli are perceived. Many neurologists disagree about how many senses there actually are due to a broad interpretation of the definition of a sense. Our senses are split into two different groups. Our Exteroceptors detect stimulation from the outsides of our body. For example smell,taste,and equilibrium. The Interoceptors receive stimulation from the inside of our bodies. For instance, blood pressure dropping, changes in the gluclose and Ph levels. Children are generally taught that there are five senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste). However, it is generally agreed that there are at least seven different senses in humans, and a minimum of two more observed in other organisms. Sense can also differ from one person to the next. Take taste for an example, what may taste great to me will taste awful to someone else. This all has to do with how our brains interpret the stimuli that is given.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The Gastrointestinal System
    (Wikibooks, 2006) Wikibooks Contributors
    Which organ is the most important organ in the body? Most people would say the heart or the brain, completely overlooking the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract). Though definitely not the most attractive organs in the body, they are certainly among the most important. The 30+ foot long tube that goes from the mouth to the anus is responsible for the many different body functions which will be reviewed in this chapter. The GI tract is imperative for our well being and our life-long health. A non- functioning or poorly functioning GI tract can be the source of many chronic health problems that can interfere with your quality of life. In many instances the death of a person begins in the intestines.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Cell Physiology
    (Wikibooks, 2006) Wikibooks Contributors
    Cells are the microscopic fundamental units of all living things. Every living thing has cells: bacteria, protozoans, fungi, plants, and animals are the main groups (Kingdoms) of living things. Some organisms are made up of just one cell (e.g. bacteria and protozoans), but animals, including human beings, are multicellular. An adult human body is composed of about 100 trillion cells! Each cell has basic requirements to sustain it, and the body's organ systems are largely built around providing the many trillions of cells with those basic needs (such as oxygen, food, and waste removal). There are about 200 different kinds of specialized cells in the human body. When many identical cells are organized together it is called a tissue (such as muscle tissue, nervous tissue, etc). Various tissues organized together for a common purpose are called organs (e.g. the stomach is an organ, and so is the skin, the brain, and the uterus).
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF MAINTAINING ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
    (2006) Skeet, Muriel; Fear, David
    If it is misused or poorly maintained, electrical equipment can be the cause of death and fire. If it is well maintained, electrical equipment can save life, improve the quality of lives and reduce capital expenditure. Electrical equipment should always be treated with respect. Manufacturer’s instructions must be provided with every piece of equipment; if they are missing, contact the supplier.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Blood Physiology
    (Wikibooks, 2006) Wikibooks Contributors
    The primary function of blood is to supply nutrients and constitutional elements to tissues and to remove waste products. Blood also enables cells and different substances to be transported between tissues and organs. Problems with blood composition or circulation can lead to downstream tissue malfunction. Blood is also involved in maintaining homeostasis by acting as a medium for transferring heat to the skin and by acting as a buffer system for bodily pH.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Equipment Found in OR, ICU and ER
    (2006) Malkin, Robert
    In the developing world, the biomedical engineer will often be called into an active room to do a quick repair or adjustment. You will need to know what procedures to follow. Procedures will vary from hospital to hospital but the core requirements are the same. Most OR suites are set up with 3 distinct areas, clean, dirty and sterile. In the hallways there will be a red line on the floor or wall and a door, which indicates the start of the sterile area. To enter this area you need the proper clothing, head and shoe covers and a mask. In the clean area proper clothing, head and shoe covers are needed. In the dirty area street clothes may be permitted but it is a good idea to be properly clothed, as you may have to cross into other areas.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The Nervous System
    (Wikibooks, 2006) Wikibooks Contributors
    The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord. The brain and spinal cord are protected by bony structures, membranes, and fluid. The brain is held in the cranial cavity of the skull and it consists of the cerebrum, cerebellum, and the brain stem. The nerves involved are cranial nerves and spinal nerves.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The Cardiovascular System
    (Wikibooks, 2006) Wikibooks Contributors