Not Just Academic: How Sociologists and Anthropologists Promoted Inclusion in the Community for Individuals with Disabilities

"Until the 1970s, the practice of placing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in large and isolated settings was regarded as both humane and legally correct. Then, some community-based voluntary associations sought legal redress for patterns of abuse, neglect and deprivation in such facilities. A noted challenge to keeping individuals with IDD in state schools is found in Halderman v. Pennhurst State School & Hospital, 446 F.Supp. 1295 (E.D. Pa., 1977). This litigation encouraged the development of new community options and the close of facilities in a number of states.

The Future of Medicaid

Medicaid, the US federal-state financed program that assists people to gain access to health services when they cannot afford them, is in peril. Some of the recently defeated proposals to change financing of the program, the shift to managed care, and massive state deficits all threaten to limit optional and Home- and Community-Based Waiver Services to people with long-term care requirements. This policy research paper will explore some current myths about Medicaid, what states are doing to reduce Medicaid expenditures, and propose 10 principles and observations that should shape a response from the disability community to efforts to shrink Medicaid

The Social Construction of Disability

This symbolic interactionist theory examines the structure of relationships between the disabled and the nondisabled through face-to-face interaction and the formation and participation in organizations which provide specialized services. Some propositions from Randall Collin\u27s Conflict Sociology (1975) create a framework for understanding the behavior of the disabled. Goffman\u27s concept of career is used to examine the conditions under which various adaptive strategies are employed by the disabled to negotiate favorable definitions of self from their social communication. Finally, a symbolic interactionist explanation is outlined to account for the active and interested involvement of the nonhandicapped with the handicapped in getting the handicapped to accept their situation

Reforming Medicaid and Vulnerable People

Medicaid, the federal-state financed program that assists people to gain access to health services when they cannot afford them, has been inthe news of late. Unfortunately the news is disquieting for people who count on this program for health care and rehabilitation services. Change is not always the friend of vulnerable people, and in this instance, it can be downright disruptive when it comes to accessing services. Because they are not well organized, people with Medicaid coverage do not have political clout, even though more people are covered by Medicaid than Medicare (e.g., the public insurance program for almost all people over the age of 65 and some people with disabilities). New Bush administration proposals and ongoing practices could be particularly harsh for people with disabilities

Characterization of an INVS Model IV Neutron Counter for High Precision (γ,n\gamma,n) Cross-Section Measurements

A neutron counter designed for assay of radioactive materials has been adapted for beam experiments at TUNL. The cylindrical geometry and 60% maximum efficiency make it well suited for ($\gamma,n$) cross-section measurements near the neutron emission threshold. A high precision characterization of the counter has been made using neutrons from several sources. Using a combination of measurements and simulations, the absolute detection efficiency of the neutron counter was determined to an accuracy of $\pm$ 3% in the neutron energy range between 0.1 and 1 MeV. It is shown that this efficiency characterization is generally valid for a wide range of targets.Comment: 22 pages, 13 figure

Reprofessionalization in pharmacy

Developments in technology, social organization, the division of labor and financing have substantially threatened the traditional role of the pharmacist. This paper examines responses to these structural transformations through efforts to reprofessionalize the field, including creating professional organizations, setting high standards of training and performance, and the acquisition of clinical responsibility. Several predictions are made, based on theories of organizations, professions, and social movements in order to determine the future composition and direction of pharmacy.

Optimising Cardiopulmonary Bypass Utilizing Continuous Oxygen Saturation Monitoring

Proper management of cardiopulmonary bypass requires the analysis of both arterial and venous blood gases at regular intervals, and is most critical during the rewarming phase. 3,4 In some hospitals blood gas results are received as long as 15 to 30 minutes after the sample is drawn. More frequent blood gas analysis or ideally continuous measurement of oxygen saturation allows the perfusionist to make continuous adjustments as the patient’s oxygen requirements change. Two hundred patients were selected for study. One hundred were perfused using regular periodic blood analyses. A second group of one hundred patients were perfused utilizing an in-line saturation meter. The blood flow rate was 6% lower during hypothermia and 5% lower while warm in the group utilizing the saturation meter. The total gas flow rate was reduced by 20% while cold and 16% while warm in the metered group. The CPB arterial and venous pO2 RANGES were reduced with the use of the oxygen saturation meter. The same make of hybrid oxygenator was utilized on all patients in both study groups. Based on the close correlation of the oxygen saturations afforded by the saturation meter and those measured by the blood gas laboratory, we found the Bentley Oxygen Saturation Meter reliable and accurate. It may help protect the patient from extremes in oxygenation and allows the perfusionist to regulate the oxygenator in the most precise and efficient operation