PalmCIS: a wireless handheld application for satisfying clinician information needs.
(9/88)
Wireless handheld technology provides new ways to deliver and present information. As with any technology, its unique features must be taken into consideration and its applications designed accordingly. In the clinical setting, availability of needed information can be crucial during the decision-making process. Preliminary studies performed at New York Presbyterian Hospital (NYPH) determined that there are inadequate access to information and ineffective communication among clinicians (potential proximal causes of medical errors). In response to these findings, the authors have been developing extensions to their Web-based clinical information system including PalmCIS, an application that provides access to needed patient information via a wireless personal digital assistant (PDA). The focus was on achieving end-to-end security and developing a highly usable system. This report discusses the motivation behind PalmCIS, design and development of the system, and future directions. (+info)
Technical note: a noninvasive procedure for measuring goat heart rates.
(10/88)
Heart rates were obtained simultaneously from FM radio transmitters and heart rate monitors externally mounted on unanesthetized and unrestrained mixed-breed goats. Data from transmitters were highly correlated (r = .92, P < .0001) with data from monitors and the percentage difference in heart rates between the two devices was less than that observed between animals. Analyses also revealed that radio transmitters provided a reliable, repeatable, and valid method for the noninvasive measurement of goat heart rates. (+info)
Fine forecasts: encouraging the media to include ultraviolet radiation information in summertime weather forecasts.
(11/88)
Melanoma and skin cancer are largely attributable to over-exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Reports of UVR levels within media weather forecasts appear to be well received by the public and have good potential to communicate the need for appropriate sun protection to a broad audience. This study describes provision of UVR messages by New Zealand newspapers, radio and TV stations over a 4-year period, and examines the impact of an intervention which aimed to address media concerns about the financial costs of accessing UVR information for broadcast. Newspaper and radio presentation of UVR information increased immediately after these costs were removed; however, among radio stations it dropped in subsequent years. Among those media that were presenting UVR, this information was broadcast throughout the summer period and repeated throughout the day. Furthermore, most reports included concomitant, behavioral sun protection messages. At the final assessment (summer 2001/02), 66% of radio stations, both TV channels and 48% of newspapers reported UVR information in summertime weather reports. Efforts to further increase UVR presentation will need to address media concerns about time constraints on weather forecasts and media perceptions of poor audience demand or understanding of some UVR messages. (+info)
Cellular radio telecommunication for health care: benefits and risks.
(12/88)
Cellular radio telecommunication has increased exponentially with many applications to health care reported. The authors attempt to summarize published applications with demonstrated effect on health care, review briefly the rapid evolution of hardware and software standards, explain current limitations and future potential of data quality and security, and discuss issues of safety. (+info)
Medical devices; general hospital and personal use devices; classification of implantable radiofrequency transponder system for patient identification and health information. Final rule.
(13/88)
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is classifying the implantable radiofrequency transponder system for patient identification and health information into class II (special controls). The special control that will apply to the device is the guidance document entitled "Class II Special Controls Guidance Document: Implantable Radiofrequency Transponder System for Patient Identification and Health Information." The agency is classifying the device into class II (special controls) in order to provide a reasonable assurance of safety and effectiveness of the device. Elsewhere in this issue of the Federal Register, FDA is publishing a notice of availability of a guidance document that is the special control for this device. (+info)
Marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) reintroduction in the Jatai Ecological Station (Luis Antonio, SP): spatial preferences.
(14/88)
Throughout the latter half of the twentieth century, wildlife habitat destruction and species extinctions have greatly increased. As the number of endangered species grows, the use of reintroduction as a conservation tool against species extinction increases. This study focuses on a 16-month study on marsh deer reintroduced in the Jatai Ecological Station. The animals were radio tagged and tracked daily between December 1998 and April 2000. Displacement activity and spatial preferences were monitored by triangulation. The animals wandered the floodplains inside the protected area and also a floodplain that is part of privately owned property on the western edge of the Jatai Ecological Station. During the study, most of the reintroduced marsh deer preferred the private floodplain area more than the floodplains inside the protected area. This preference revealed the ecological importance of the area and the necessity of its incorporation into the Jatai Ecological Station. (+info)
Radiofrequency identification technology: protecting the drug supply.
(15/88)
The FDA has stepped up its efforts to improve the safety and security of the nation's drug supply by encouraging the use of a state-of-the-art technology that tags product packaging electronically. The technology, called radiofrequency identification, or RFID, allows manufacturers and distributors to more precisely track drug products through the supply chain. (+info)
Unaffordable or cost-effective?: introducing an emergency referral system in rural Niger.
(16/88)
OBJECTIVES: An important investment was made in two health districts in Niger to organize an emergency referral system. This study estimates its impact and cost-effectiveness in relation with external determinants. METHODS: After installing a solar radio network in the health centres, emergency calls and related data were monitored over 7 years and investment and recurrent costs for the system were estimated. RESULTS: The number of emergency calls increased significantly in both districts. In 2003, the total yearly cost for the district amounted to US dollars 14,147, the cost per useful and successful call was US dollars 49 and the cost per inhabitant and per year was about US dollars 0.06. CONCLUSION: The impressive and immediate impact on the health system, the relatively low recurrent cost and the minimal management requirements for the health service make the investment very worthwhile. Organizing emergency evacuation systems should be a priority for any health district in the world. (+info)