Identification
and Management of Healthcare Personnel Affected by Latex Allergy
C.
DE BEER, J. CILLIERS
Department of Dermatology, Tygerberg Hospital and University of Stellenbosch.
Introduction
Allergy (hypersensitivity) to natural rubber latex is currently
acknowledged as a major occupational problem among healthcare workers (HCW)
wearing gloves on a regular basis. This was not recognised as a potential
etiological agent of occupational asthma until the beginning of the 1990. HCW
wear gloves to protect themselves and their patients against the transmission of
microbial, viral and blood borne diseases, such as hepatitis and human
immunodeficiency virus. The United States of America Center for Disease Control
adopted the "Universal Precautions for Prevention of Viral Transmission in
the Health Care Setting", in 1987. These recommendations required the use
of adequate barrier protection, including the use of gloves, when in close
contact with blood or body fluids, or during intimate direct patient
contact.
Drugs
of Abuse Testing
G.S.
DHATT, J.K.W. PUM, A. VILJOEN
Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pretoria.
Abstract
Drug abuse affects all societies and the costs are formidable. The reason for
testing for drugs of abuse vary from a clinical need to a penalty setting
environment. The approach to testing is usually a two step process involving
screening and confirmation testing. The results, interpreted as negative or
positive, are influenced by the methods and cut-off values used. These can
significantly determine the final outcome for an individual being tested. The
objective of this review is to increase awareness of the potential pitfalls of
drugs-of-abuse testing undertaken by the laboratory .
Results
of a Study ro Quantitate the Effects of Ageing and Incorrect Volumes of EDTA
Tubes on Full Blood Counts, Automated Differential Counts, Automated
Reticulocyte Counts and T-cell Subset Analysis
D.
LAWRIE, S. SONDAY, M. MÜNSTER
Department
of Haematology, Johannesburg Hospital, National Health Laboratory Service
Abstract
This study was designed to quantitate the adverse effects of incorrect
ratio of anticoagulant to blood and the combined effects of incorrect ratio and
ageing on various routine haematology tests, namely full blood counts (FBCs),
automated differential counts, automated reticulocyte counts and T-cell subset
analyses. The study concluded that optimal results were obtained on 4ml samples
processed within 6 hours of collection. However, acceptable results were
obtained on 2- 4ml samples analysed within 6 hours.