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Biomedical subjects

W Sumner

Publications and source records attributed to W Sumner.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Expert systems and expert behavior.

Iliad 4.0 and QMR 2.03 are computer-based diagnostic knowledge bases that can play many roles in decision support and other areas of medical practice, but neither appears ready to assume the role of an expert diagnostic consultant. In contrast to human experts, these programs have problems related to recognition of their own limitations, interpretation of continuous data, recognition of dependent findings, selection of tests, and description of the impact of certain tests. Suggestions to improve these aspects of knowledge bases are offered.

Artificial Intelligence↗
PubMed1991

U-titer: a utility assessment tool.

We have developed an automated, modular utility assessment software package called U-titer. The package implements the rating scale, category scaling, standard gamble, chronic and temporary time trade-off methods of assessing patient's preferences, and allows extensive tailoring of each method. In addition to calculating utilities, U-titer records information on the process experienced by the user. It can use information gathered in one module to coordinate another module. Our early experience suggests U-titer assessments are similar to traditional assessments. This software should facilitate both the study of patient's utilities and the study of the assessment methods and their implementation.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1991

An evaluation of readable preventive health messages.

Distributing printed preventive health material has not been shown to change patient behavior. The lack of effect could be due to unreadable or boring materials. This could be corrected by choosing appropriate literature for each patient. A computer program was written to print booklets of relevant preventive health information matched by SMOG or Spache readability scores to a patient's self-reported educational level. The system was evaluated by printing booklets for 81 randomly selected new patients entering a family practice residency clinic setting, using the clinic's health history questionnaire to choose relevant preventive health information. After three months, patients showed no increase in obtaining flexible sigmoidoscopy, diphtheria-tetanus boosters, or cholesterol screens, when compared to 213 control patients. Use of readability matched materials in patient education efforts is logical, but was not sufficient to affect preventive health behavior in this study.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Recapping the accidental needlestick problem.

A funnel-shaped shield of 1 to 2 cm diameter at the mouth of a needle cap is shown to be effective at decreasing the number of accidental misses occurring in a recapping trial. An argument is made for recapping needles and incorporating new needle cap designs in a revision of the CDC guideline on needle disposal.

Accidents, Occupational↗
PubMed1985

Needlecaps to prevent needlestick injuries.

Hospital employees are at risk for numerous possible complications of accidental needlesticks. The mechanisms of such accidents suggest that many are preventable. This article presents a simple but novel revision of the needlecap which facilitates resheathing of a used needle. With routine use the hospital environment could be made safer for virtually all employees at almost no additional cost. Ultimate hospital savings could be significant through prevention of injury.

Accidents, Occupational↗