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Query: UMLS:C0016382 (flushing)
 6,387 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Flexible endoscopy is essential for the practice of modern medicine. However, with inadequate reprocessing of endoscopes and additional instruments, infections can be transmitted. Therefore, guidelines for reprocessing flexible endoscopes have been published in many countries. The goal of the present survey was to examine the current compliance with German Guidelines in a German urban region, covering all hospitals (15 hospitals) and private practices (23 practices) of this area, without any exception. All endoscopic units in Frankfort on the Main were visited by members of the Public Health Service, using a checklist based on the recommendations of the German Guidelines. In 2004, a reevaluation of 14 hospitals and 20 private practices took place, either by analysing the written reports of the institutions or by revisiting the institutions. In 2003, compliance with the guidelines in hospitals was satisfactory. In practices, however, many problems were identified in 2003. Between 2003 and 2004, great improvements could be seen (data of 2003 in parentheses). At the end of 2004, in 90% of the practices adequate storage of the endoscope without risk of recontamination (2003:52%), correct reprocessing the bottle and the tube for air/water channel flushing including filling with sterilized water was observed (2003:74% and 52%). In 100% of the practices, ultrasonic cleaning (2003:26%) and sterilizing of endoscopic accessories was guaranteed (2003:57%) and routine tests of endoscopes after reprocessing (2003:56%) were performed. In conclusion the relevance and the effect of the advising and control of public health have been so efficient that between 2003 and 2004 most faults have been corrected. Therefore control visits of the Public Health Services should not only cover hygiene in reprocessing the endoscopes but also hygiene in reprocessing endoscopic accessories as well.
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PMID:[Current hygiene status in endoscopic practice. Results from monitoring the reprocessing of flexible endoscopes in hospitals and private practices in Frankfurt on the Main, Germany, 2003/4]. 1623 85

Brackish tidal ponds have been constructed along coastal areas in many parts of the world for aquaculture, including some Ramsar Sites. Such ponds are considered a sustainable, wise use of wetlands if managed properly, but they can also pose serious environmental problems if mismanaged. To understand the governing processes and to promote sustainable management strategies, this study examines the different temporal variations in water quality parameters in a brackish tidal pond located within the wetland complex of the Mai Po Ramsar Site in Hong Kong, China. The variations are compared with those of the receiving bay, and the water channel that connects the pond and the bay. Equations are then developed to link the dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations in the pond with the governing processes, and to analyze their relative contributions to DO levels. Field data show seasonal patterns in water temperature and salinity in response to the seasonal variations in solar radiation and rainfall. For the pond and the channel, DO, chlorophyll and pH exhibit fortnightly variations due to the bi-weekly water exchange between the pond and the bay. There were also diurnal variations in water temperature and DO in response to changes in solar radiation for both locations, and the tidal flushing for the water channel. Analysis of the findings indicates that water exchange influences the DO concentration more strongly than solar radiation. The DO equation links pond water quality with the time of day, and the time in a water exchange cycle, and thus provides some guidance for determining water exchange and water sampling schedules. The study sheds light on the governing processes and management strategies related to the sustainable management of a brackish tidal pond. The results are thus beneficial in elucidating and promoting the sustainable management and wise use of wetlands in other locations.
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PMID:Temporal variations in water quality in a brackish tidal pond: Implications for governing processes and management strategies. 2819 38