Automatic detection of the left ventricular outline in angiographs using television signal processing techniques.
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Analyses of hospital processes are of vital importance to management decisions in health facilities. The number of indicators to provide a meaningful analytical basis for decision making should be kept as small as possible. An increased use of modern electronic data processing systems will result in a qualitative improvement of facility-related information systems for managing and planning purposes. The example of an internal department of a district hospital shows that a small number of basic indicators is sufficient for facilitating efficiency and capacity analyses in in-patient units.
The Infectious Disease Control Act enacted in Germany in January 2001 led to the establishment of a new reporting system for infectious disease. The implementation of this system was evaluated to identify opportunities for further improvement. In a survey of all German local health departments the following criteria were analyzed: resources (staff and technical equipment), information needs (satisfaction with current offers/further training requirements), data analysis (extent of local data analysis/feedback of national data), and acceptability (case definitions/electronic reporting). In local health departments, 11% of the staff were assigned to the infectious disease reporting system. Data were processed mainly by nonmedical staff (78.4%). A computer work-station is available for most staff members. One-third of the local health departments uses the RKI software "SurvNet@rki" for data transmission. All others use commercial software. Experience with the electronic reporting system was rated as very good/good by 47.1% of local health departments, as satisfactory by 44.5%, and as problematic by 8.4%. Most of the local health departments were satisfied with the offers of information provided by RKI (96.4%) and state health departments (83.7%), respectively. However, 49.1% of the local health departments saw a need for further education and training. The implementation of case definitions was supported by 95% of the local health departments, but transmission criteria were criticized. In summary, the new infectious disease reporting system in Germany was successfully implemented. However, the system could be improved through reduction of software problems concerning electronic data processing and transmission, expansion of current offers of in-formation and provision of special staff training programs, and revision of the case definitions concerning clearness and simpler handling.
Of 91 thumb amputation injuries which were treated over a five-year period at the Department of Traumatology, University School of Surgery Homburg/Saar, 56% could be subjected to a critical follow-up evaluation. The evaluation scheme of Millesi "Evaluation and Registration of Hand Function" programmed for electronic data processing forms the basis for the study. Besides the specified criteria for sensitivity testing, a further method for objective testing is presented. The principle of this method is point stimulation of pressure and mechanoreceptors after eliciting a threshold perceptible vibration stimulus of an 80 Hz sinusoidal oscillation the intensity of which can be directly measured as a yardstick for the stimulus response. Electronic processing of all results of the patients investigated shows that the injured hand can be used to almost 100% in 38%. In 16 patients (31%), there is a reduction by 5 to 20%. In ten cases (20%), the reduction was rated as over 20% compared to a healthy hand and in 11% (six patients), the overall result is to be designated as poor with more than 40% reduction of use.
BACKGROUND: A sufficient quality of data transfer from written patient records to electronic data processing is a precondition for a reasonable usage of perinatal data. However the quality of data transfer of the almost 200 characteristics routinely recorded at each delivery is largely unknown. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The quality of data transfer of 33 characteristics in 350 randomly selected singleton deliveries of the women's clinic of the University of Marburg from 2002 and 2003 has been checked by comparing electronically recorded data with the original written documents. RESULTS: The quality of data transfer of the tested characteristics turned out to be heterogeneous. Characteristics necessary to calculate quality indicators show a very high data quality when excluding the characteristic attendance of a paediatrician. The quality of data transfer of characteristics denoting time as well as blood gas analysis are heterogeneous. Characteristics with a low quality of data transfer are associated with ambiguous instructions, the fact that the coding obstetrician is not dealing in the first instance with the item being encoded and the characteristics are of no immediate relevance for delivery, as well as difficult application of the software. CONCLUSION: The quality of data transfer of the characteristics collected in perinatal surveys needs to be validated. The type and amount of data being collected should be reassessed considering improvements of data quality.
UNLABELLED: An electronically guided mechanism permits the "unbloody" measurement of the horny layer (HL) thickness in vivo. PRINCIPLE: If a steel needle is driven by a constant speed electrode through the HL from the exterior, it is possible to measure and catalogue specific resistance variations by means of synchronic recording following derivation from the alternating current circuit against an indifferent electrode per needle electrode through the HL, i.e. from the point of skin surface contact to that of the living "ell layer of the epidermis. DESCRIPTIONS: The mechanical construction consists of a hydraulic trust with a measuring head which is affixed by subpressure to the skin surface. The electronic device of plug-in design constains: 1. a constant voltage generator for the analogous and digital electronic, 2. a high Ohm test amplifier as well as threshold value switch, and measuring area transformer, 3. a digital measuring value indicator, hydraulic-guidance logistics, inclusive of respective operational parts. Measuring values, made available by electronic output, are being transmitted numerically via code transformer to a teletypewriter and simultaneously transferred on an electronic data processing tape. Presented are measuring data for the calibration of the device as well as a series of results of HL-thickness measurements. Methodological errors are being discussed, just as the applicability of the device for research and practical usage.
In this report we present an integrated picture archiving and communication system (PACS)--radiology information system (RIS) which runs as part of the daily routine in the Department of Radiology at the University of Graz. Although the PACS and the RIS have been developed independently, the two systems are interfaced to ensure a unified and consistent long-term archive. The configuration connects four computer tomography scanners (one of them situated at a distance of 1 km), a magnetic resonance imaging scanner, a digital subtraction angiography unit, an evaluation console, a diagnostic console, an image display console, an archive with two optical disk drives, and several RIS terminals. The configuration allows the routine archiving of all examinations on optical disks independent of reporting. The management of the optical disks is performed by the RIS. Images can be selected for retrieval via the RIS by using patient identification or medical criteria. A special software process (PACS-MONITOR) enables the user to survey and manage image communication, archiving, and retrieval as well as to get information about the status of the system at any time and handle the different procedures in the PACS. The system is active 24 hours a day. To make the PACS operation as independent as possible from the permanent presence of a system manager (electronic data processing expert), a rule-based expert system (OPERAS; OPERating ASsistant) is in use to localize and eliminate malfunctions that occur during routine work. The PACS-RIS reduces labor and speeds access to images within radiology and clinical departments.
The article presents the system for medical-psychological base and trend documentation developed between 1977 and 1980 at Rotenburger Anstalten der Inneren Mission (Home Mission). A practicable system from the user angle, it is operated on a mediumsized data processing unit. Being a pure dialogue system with programme generators, it is easy to handle and flexible in its possible applications, several of which are illustrated by examples from the rehabilitative field. As the various characteristics used can easily be attributed with other contents, and as the data base can moreover be expanded, the documentation system could also be used by comparable facilities that have the necessary electronic data processing equipment at their disposal.
The aim of this study was to evaluate obstetric electronic data processing (EDP) in Austria and to analyse its problems, advantages and acceptance in a single big obstetric department. We sent questionnaires to every obstetric department in the country. The overall response rate was 77% (73 departments). Only 24 (33%) were using computer aided documentation, but these covered 63% of deliveries in Austria. The proportionate times spent on documentation were 57% for physicians and 43% for midwives, with physicians playing a bigger role in larger departments using electronic documentation. Sixty-five percent of physicians and 31% of midwives readily accepted computerization. We also studied an obstetric department with over 3000 births per year. Twenty-five percent of the medical staff did not believe that computerization saved time, although they appreciated its value to administration and for producing printouts. Advantages in completeness (92%) and accuracy (76%) were recognized. After 6 month's use acceptance of EDP documentation improved significantly.
Present information technologies use semiconductor devices and magnetic/optical disks; however, they are all foreseen to face fundamental limitations within a decade. Therefore, superceding devices are required for the next paradigm of high-performance information technologies. The paper first describes architectures suitable for single-molecule information processing, in which it is claimed that the performance of information processing is higher if speed and element number product is larger in almost all known architectures. Thus, single-molecule information-processing devices should be the most appropriate approach for the next paradigm. Then, prospects for single-molecule devices suitable for future information-processing technologies are described. Four possible milestones for realizing the Peta/Exa-floating operations per second (FLOPS) personal molecular supercomputer are proposed. Current status and necessary technologies of the first milestone are described, and necessary technologies for the next three milestones are also discussed.
This article presents an analysis of radiation effects for several select device types and technologies aboard the Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite (CRRES) satellite. These space-flight measurements covered a period of about 14 months of mission lifetime. Single Event Upset (SEU) data of the investigated devices from the Microelectronics Package (MEP) were processed and analyzed. Valid upset measurements were determined by correcting for invalid readings, hard failures, missing data tapes (thus voids in data), and periods over which devices were disabled from interrogation. The basic resolution time of the measurement system was confirmed to be 2 s. Lessons learned, important findings, and recommendations are presented.
Human-computer interaction (HCI) is a multidisciplinary field in which psychology and other social sciences unite with computer science and related technical fields with the goal of making computing systems that are both useful and usable. It is a blend of applied and basic research, both drawing from psychological research and contributing new ideas to it. New technologies continuously challenge HCI researchers with new options, as do the demands of new audiences and uses. A variety of usability methods have been developed that draw upon psychological principles. HCI research has expanded beyond its roots in the cognitive processes of individual users to include social and organizational processes involved in computer usage in real environments as well as the use of computers in collaboration. HCI researchers need to be mindful of the longer-term changes brought about by the use of computing in a variety of venues.
OBJECTIVE: To create an electronic procedural logbook with enhanced user interactivity and usefulness as an educational resource. DESCRIPTION: From our own work on electronic student logbooks and other studies, it is clear that compliance with complete and valid data entry remains a challenge. Without direct and visible benefit, students are reluctant to spend time logging all their cases. We developed an interactive procedural logbook using Microsoft Embedded Visual Basic and Metrowerks CodeWarrior. Interface design focused on rapid data entry with minimum requirement for text, and field-level automation where possible. We loaded it onto a mixed platform of personal digital assistants (PDAs)--Compaq iPaq Pocket PCs and HandEra 330 PalmOS devices. Our rural residents were supplied with the devices of their choice. Various built-in educational reference resources included: (1) contextual help options about each procedure, which contained diagrams and pictures; (2) diagnostic and fee coding so they could see how poorly some procedures pay; and (3) Quick Tips relevant to each procedure, which can be easily modified by the preceptor. Preceptor evaluations and comments can be entered rapidly. Using built-in database conduits, data are automatically collected from each device on every HotSync with the desktop. Data can then be collated and analyzed using Microsoft Access or via secure Web access. DISCUSSION: Improved compliance has been dramatic-one resident logged 250 procedures in just two months. However, not all residents have been successful in establishing seamless synchronization, and the resulting data loss has caused frustration. The evidence indicates the need to implement central data collection and backup right from the outset. Central data collection provides many advantages. The program director has better information for future applications. Preceptor evaluations are now spread over many interactions and yet can be collated and analyzed. Quick Tips have been very popular-we have been able to collect the tips and redistribute them. Focus-group feedback from the residents has shown that the rich data in the logbook's reference component improved its usefulness and popularity as an educational tool. Choice of device type is important for user acceptance because devotees of one platform are reluctant to switch to another. Cross-platform development does slow the process but is increasingly easy with the latest software design tools, such as AppForge. These new tools have enabled us to explore further improvements in data entry. Digital ink provides the ability to capture annotated diagrams and preceptor signatures. Voice input is built in with these devices, and our software now allows for voice annotation for more detailed commentary by preceptors or student. The compressed digital sound file is collected along with the data and transcribed centrally (on-device voice recognition is not feasible yet). Point-of-care accessibility has been the key attraction of using these devices for logging encounter data. This project demonstrates that it is important to explore all multimodal interactive capabilities to provide a truly rich educational tool.