title: Noxious fumes in a medical center: chemical and psychological aspects.
abstract: A group of operating room personnel at a medical center in Connecticut reported severe respiratory irritation manifested by either proxysmal cough or throat irritation suggestive of a noxious fume exposure, 13 April 1994. However, persistent complaints on 14 April 1994 were significantly different and more suggestive of a psychological reaction. By careful interviewing, physical examination, toxicological assays, and epidemiological investigation, the true nature of a mixed physiological and psychological episode was delineated. Enlightened management policy enabled rapid restoration of return to work with minimal economic loss.
authors.affiliation: Health Service, Hartford Hospital, USA.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: York
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hodgson
authors.forename: B W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: McKay
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D003237:Connecticut; D003371:Cough / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000523:psychology; D003376:Counseling; D003625:Data Collection; D015920:Gas Scavengers; D006801:Humans; D009873:Operating Rooms; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D017751:Safety Management
chemical_list: D000395:Air Pollutants, Occupational