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[Can we rely on electronic reporting of laboratory results?].

BACKGROUND: Electronic result reporting from two laboratories to physicians in primary health care through electronic data interchange (EDI) has been used as a supplement to the printed reports. The aim of the study was to see if the quality of the electronic reporting could be improved so that the printed reporting could be cut out without any loss of data. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Staff members in 20 selected offices were interviewed and error messages on file in the computer systems were studied. RESULTS: During a period of four months, the laboratories sent 10,740 electronic messages to the selected offices. Error messages arose from 71 of these messages (0.7%). 49 of the errors were discovered and corrected by the staff, but 22 errors were not noticed, and the result reports were lost. INTERPRETATION: If electronic result reporting should become the only reporting routine, it would be necessary to change several routines both in the laboratories and in the physician's offices. Patients must be identified by using official identifiers. The physicians must control in the computer system that all requested results are received, and the programs used for controlling the messages before they are entered into the electronic patient journal, must be improved.

Clinical Laboratory Information Systems↗

The Computer-Assisted Postmortem Identification (CAPMI) System: a computer-based identification program.

The Computer-Assisted Postmortem Identification (CAPMI) system was developed at the U.S. Army Institute of Dental Research to facilitate rapid identification of human remains. The increasing requirement for dental based identification of high-energy fatalities and decomposed remains has dovetailed with the development of computer capabilities permitting automation of most of the highly repetitive chart-by-chart screenings characteristic of traditional identification taskings. This report summarizes the concepts upon which CAPMI is based, describes how it works, and reviews suggested applications and limitations. CAPMI software is available to governmental, civic, or humanitarian organizations at no cost.

Dental Records↗

Mapping air contaminants indoors using a prototype computed tomography system.

Single and multiple plumes of sulphur hexafluoride were measured and mapped using a prototype open-path Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (OP-FTIR)-computed tomography (CT) system in an indoor exposure chamber. The OP-FTIR-CT system accurately mapped the position of concentration peaks at different locations in the chamber, and estimated concentrations within a range of 4-50% when compared with point samples measured by gas chromatography with an electron capture detector. Two OP-FTIR spectrometer ray configurations, one with 100 rays and the other with 136 rays, were used to scan the chamber and reconstruct the concentration maps. Ray configuration and time to scan the entire chamber were found to have a profound effect on the quality of the reconstructed maps. The ability to obtain real-time, non-invasive measurements, and to generate spatially and temporally resolved maps of multiple chemicals, makes the OP-FTIR-CT system a promising technique for monitoring source emissions and evaluating exposures to air contaminants in a workplace.

Air Pollutants↗

A neurocomputational model for prostate carcinoma detection.

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines for prostate carcinoma screening rely primarily on the digital rectal examination (DRE) and prostate specific antigen (PSA). Well described patient risk factors for prostate carcinoma also include age, ethnicity, family history, and complexed PSA. However, due to the nonlinear relation of each of these variables with prostate carcinoma, it is difficult to predict reliably each patient's risk based on linear univariate analysis. The authors investigated a neural network to model the risk of prostate carcinoma by seven readily available clinical features. METHODS: The database for the current study comprised 3268 men recently evaluated for the early detection of prostate carcinoma. The seven clinical features evaluated included age, race, family history, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), DRE, and total and complexed PSA. Three hundred forty-eight subjects in the dataset included men with determined prostate biopsy outcomes and for whom at least 6 of 7 features were available. The dataset was divided randomly into a training set (60%) and a test set (40%), with n1/n2 cross-validation used to evaluate model accuracy, and was modeled with linear and quadratic discriminant function analysis and a neural computational system. After a model with acceptable goodness of fit was achieved, reverse regression analysis using Wilks's generalized likelihood ratio test was performed to evaluate the statistical significance of each input variable. RESULTS: The receiving operating characteristic (ROC) area for the neural computational system in the test set was 0.825, whereas total PSA and complexed PSA alone had ROC areas of 0.678 and 0.697, respectively. The ROC area of logistic regression in the test set was 0.510, linear discriminant function analysis was 0.674, and quadratic discriminant function analysis was 0.011. All were significantly less than the ROC area of the neural computational model (all Ps < 0.002). Reverse regression based on Wilks's generalized likelihood ratio test demonstrated each input feature to be highly significant to the model (all Ps << 0.000001). CONCLUSIONS: The authors modeled a combination of well described patient risk factors for prostate carcinoma using a neural computational system with acceptable goodness of fit. They demonstrated that each of the seven variates on which the model was based was critically significant to model performance. The authors presented this model for clinical use and suggested that clinicians use it in deciding to perform prostate biopsy.

Age Factors↗

Management of computerized systems noted.

Applications of computer systems in hospitals have expanded, but administration's management of these systems, from design through postimplementation phases, is stressed.

Computers↗

Computer literacy in today's medical center environment.

The need for computer literacy is becoming increasingly important across the broad scope of the American work scene. At the Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center (WHMC) numerous computer systems have been introduced into the operational environment. Training for these systems has been restricted primarily to transaction processing and routine report generation for those actually involved as users of these systems. WHMC has developed and implemented a broad computer literacy program designed generally to raise the computer literacy of the overall staff, and specifically to inform executive and middle management of the general capabilities of the computer systems. The program consists of a brown-bag lunchtime videotape theater on a series of computer-related subjects as well as formal classes developed in a modular format. Each formal class is tailored to the specific needs of the target executive or middle-management group.

Administrative Personnel↗

Bringing social worlds together: computers as catalysts for new interactions in health care organizations.

In this case study, computer systems are explored as catalysts for new interactions between departments in health care organizations. Hypotheses investigated changes in the extent to which members of different departments (1) exchange information and (2) understand each other's work following implementation of an integrated medical information system. Analyses showed that communication-based forms of involvement in implementation (communicating with systems personnel and trainers, communicating about new ways to use the system, and receiving support from supervisors for doing so) were overwhelmingly more important than either general participation or computer use in predicting increases in interdepartmental interaction. Changes in tasks and roles also led to new, informal, face-to-face contacts to support computer system use, as well as greater administrative control over the organization as a whole. In addition, results of interviews and observations over the two-year study period illustrate the importance of work group identification in predicting changes accompanying computerization.

Appointments and Schedules↗

Three-dimensional point spread function measurement of cone-beam computed tomography system by iterative edge-blurring algorithm.

With separability assumed, we decompose a three-dimensional point spread function (3D PSF) into two-dimensional (2D) PSFs and further into one-dimensional (ID) PSFs. Based on the observation of the location invariance of a step edge under convolution, we propose a rectification procedure to automatically establish the step-edge function from a blurred edge profile. The ID PSF is modelled as a single-parameter Gaussian function, which is determined by iteratively blurring a step-edge function into a spread edge profile. A plastic solid ball (diameter approximately 6 mm) is used to provide double-edged rectangular functions along scanlines passing through the ball centre, and correspondingly, the reconstructed digital volume provides the blurred rectangular profiles. Experimenting with a cone-beam computed tomography system, we demonstrate the iterative edge-blurring algorithm for PSF measurement. By repositioning the ball phantom in the object support space, we measure the system's spatial variance in terms of full-width-at-half-maximum (FWHM) of the local PSFs. Specifically, we obtained the FWHMs for three specific locations at (0, 0, -40 mm), (0, 0, 0) and (0, 0, 40 mm), which are given by 0.92 +/- 0.10 mm, 0.65 +/- 0.08 mm and 0.93 +/- 0.10 mm, respectively.

Algorithms↗

Quantitative analysis of the coronary angiograms.

This was a two-step study performed to assess the validity of a computer system in the quantification of coronary arterial angiography (CAG). First, the in vitro study involved 10 aluminum tubes in different internal diameters but the same thickness which were pre-filled with 76% urograffin followed by cinefilm taking. Acquisition and digitization of the stop film was undertaken by a videocamera linking to a computer system. The internal diameters and mean gray levels of all tubes were measured to compare with the real diameters and areas. Second, the in vivo study calculated the percentage of stenosis by visual estimation, diameter measurement and gray level measurement by the computer system from 22 vessels in 13 coronary angiograms. The percentage of patency is the ratio of the diameter or gray level from stenotic region to that of normal region in the CAG. The calculated interobserver variability by visual estimation, diameter measurement and Mean gray level measurement were studied. Good correlation was found between measured diameters and true tube diameters (r = 0.99), and between gray level and tube areas (r = 0.94). The diameter measured by computer and the gray level had lower variability (4.0% and 5.7% respectively) than visual estimation (9.8%) did. Thus, the diameter and densitometric gray level measurements might have clinical implications to assess the coronary arterial stenosis from the coronary angiograms.

Aged↗

A computer-assisted cell identification system.

A computer and optical microscope image processing system for the acquisition, editing and analysis of quantitative, multivariate, cell nuclear data is described. The experimental equipment and methods are discussed, the mathematics used are presented, and the additions, modifications and deletions to the TICAS 11/45 set of computer programs for the analysis of the data are outlined.

Cell Nucleus↗

Intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography with extra-large fields using a computed radiography system in evaluating peripheral vascular disease.

The authors evaluated the usefulness of intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA) with extra-large field sizes using a computed radiography (CR) system in evaluating peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Intra-arterial DSA using CR was performed in 55 patients with suspected PVD. A 4 F catheter was advanced into the abdominal aorta via the transbrachial approach and 90 ml of contrast medium was injected during six exposures using a long leg changer mounting a total of 18 imaging plates on six surfaces. Visualization of the superficial femoral and popliteal arteries was judged as diagnostic in all cases. The abdominal aorta, iliac arteries, and subtrifurcation were also visualized in most cases, but visualization was suboptimal in some cases. As a complication, median nerve palsy occurred in one case. This technique is thought to be a useful method for evaluating PVD because of the advantages of a large field of view and wide exposure latitude, in spite of its relatively long processing time.

Aged↗

Protocols for unifying distributed systems in hospitals.

Data pertinent to any one hospital patient are often distributed across several independent heterogeneous computer systems serving different functional areas of the hospital. A global, integrated hospital information system can evolve from this situation if existing computer systems are linked by a local area network and the systems are modified to employ a set of protocols that enable information exchange. This paper provides a high-level description of the required protocol functions.

Computers↗

Monochromatic polycapillary imaging utilizing a computed radiography system.

A fundamental study on quasi-parallel radiography using a polycapillary plate and a copper-target x-ray tube is described. In the experiments, the tube voltage was regulated from 12 to 22 kV, and the tube current was regulated within 3.0 mA by the filament temperature. The exposure time was controlled in order to obtain optimum x-ray intensity, and the maximum focal spot dimensions were approximately 2.0 x 1.5 mm. The thickness and the inner capillary tube diameter of the polycapillary were 1.0 mm and 25 microm, respectively. Monochromatic x-rays were produced using a 10 microm-thick nickel filter with a tube voltage of 17 kV, and these rays were formed into quasi-parallel beams by the polycapillary. The radiogram was taken using a computed radiography system utilizing imaging plates. In the measurement of image resolution, the spatial resolution hardly varied according to increases in the distance between the resolution-test chart and imaging plate using a polycapillary. A 50 microm tungsten wire could be observed, and fine blood vessels of approximately 100 microm were visible in angiography.

Angiography↗

Estimation of steady-state flux rates in metabolic systems by computer simulations of radioactive tracer experiments.

The dynamics of radioactive tracers in metabolic systems can be mathematically modelled by coupled systems of differential equations for both the concentrations and the specific radioactivities of the metabolites involved. Computer simulations, i.e. direct fitting of numerical solutions of these equations to observed time-courses of metabolites and specific radioactivities, enables one to estimate unknown kinetic parameters of the system. The theoretical fundamentals of this approach and the main steps towards the quantitative assessment of flux rates in stationary metabolic systems are outlined. An application of the method to the purine nucleotide metabolism of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells is given based on a simplified model of this pathway. The obtained steady-state flux rates indicate a marked increase in the metabolism of the adenine nucleotides during the proliferating phase in comparison to the resting phase of tumor growth.

Adenine Nucleotides↗

[Computer-assisted patient survey as the basis for modern quality assurance in psychiatry. Results of pilot studies].

We report on a novel computer system for psychiatric patients that runs an interview procedure on the outcome and quality of care (e.g. well-being, mood, satisfaction with treatment). Patients are asked to perform the interviews on a daily basis and on their own initiative. The information is meant to provide feedback to the therapeutic team. In the pilot studies we investigated the feasibility and acceptance of the computerised interviews. Four computer systems with touchscreen input were integrated into the routine of an open inpatient ward and of the day hospital of a psychiatric university clinic for a period of 17 weeks. The patients' attendance and the acceptance of the interviews were good. Patients were able to interact with the touchscreen terminals without greater problems. Accurate and valid data were recorded. Because of some problems with the administration of the patients' identification numbers we develop suggestions how to improve the computer systems. Possible applications of the computerised interview system in quality assurance and research are discussed.

Adult↗