Comparison of the Zurich Observation Pain Assessment with the Behavioural Pain Scale and the Critical Care Pain Observation Tool in nonverbal patients in the intensive care unit: A prospective observational study
INTENSIVE AND CRITICAL CARE NURSING
Authors: Froehlich, Martin R.; Meyer, Gabriele; Spirig, Rebecca; Bachmann, Lucas M.
Abstract
Objectives: To determine the concordance of Zurich Observation Pain Assessment (ZOPA) with the behavioural Pain Scale (BPS) and the Critical Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) to detect pain in nonverbal ICU patients. Design: Prospective observational study [BASEC-Nr. PB_2016-02324]. Setting: A total of 49 ICU patients from cardiovascular, visceral and thoracic surgery and neurology and neurosurgery were recruited. Data from 24 patients were analyzed. Main Outcome Measurements: Three independent observers assessed pain with the BPS, the CPOT or ZOPA prior, during and after a potential painful nursing intervention. Tools were randomized concerning the pain management after each pain assessment. Frequency of nine additional pain indicating items from a previous qualitative, explorative study was calculated. Results: ZOPA was positive in 32 of 33 measuring cycles (97.0%; 95%CI: 84.2-99.9%), followed by the CPOT (28/33 cycles, 84.8%; 95%CI: 68.1-94.9%) and the BPS (23/33 cycles, 67.0%; 95%CI: 51.3-84.4%). In 22/33 cycles all tools were concordant (66.7%; 95%CI: 48.2-82.0%). Analgesics were provided in 29 out of 33 cycles (87.9%; 95%CI: 71.8-96.6%). Additional pain indicating items were inconsistently reported. Conclusion: ZOPA is concordant with the BPS and the CPOT to indicate pain but detects pain earlier due to the low threshold value. Inclusion of further items does not improve pain assessment. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
The impact of discharge reduction activities on the occurrence of contaminants of emerging concern in surface water from the Pearl River
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
Authors: Chen, Peng; Zhong, Yi; Chen, Kuncai; Guo, Chongshan; Gong, Jian; Wang, Dedong; Yang, Yan; Ma, Shengtao; Yu, Yingxin
Abstract
"Swimming across the Pearl River" is an annual large-scale sporting event with great popularity in Guangzhou. To reduce the risk of swimmers' exposure to various contaminants in the Pearl River during swimming activities, the local government limits direct sewage and effluent discharge from urban channels during the event. However, the impact of discharge reduction on some contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), such as organophosphorus flame retardants (OPFRs), bisphenol analogues (BPs), and triclosan remains unknown. In the present study, the concentrations of CECs, as well as ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N), dissolved organic carbon, and chemical oxygen demand, were measured in aqueous and suspended particulate matter (SPM) from the Guangzhou reaches of the Pearl River. The concentration ranges of sixteen OPFRs, eight BPs, and triclosan were 21.2-91.0, 8.46-37.3, and 1.47-5.62 ng/L, respectively, in aqueous samples, and 25.2-492, 14.0-86.3, and 0.69-17.5 ng/g, respectively, in SPM samples. Hydrophobic and pi-pi interactions could be contributing to the distribution of CECs. Principal component analysis indicated that consumer materials, manufacturing, and domestic sewage might be the main sources of the CECs. In addition, our study showed that the concentrations of CECs did not change considerably before or after discharge reduction activities, although NH3-N showed a substantial decrease following pollution control measure. The results demonstrated that temporary reductions of contaminant discharges to the Pearl River had only limited effect on the levels of CECs. Further research is needed to investigate the distributions and potential health risks of CECs in the Pearl River.