Rochester IPA a standout among users of handhelds.
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Computer Peripherals↗
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Results for “Computers, Handheld”
Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.
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A wireless PDA-based physiological monitoring system for patient transport.
This paper proposes a mobile patient monitoring system, which integrates current personal digital assistant (PDA) technology and wireless local area network (WLAN) technology. At the patient's location, a wireless PDA-based monitor is used to acquire continuously the patient's vital signs, including heart rate, three-lead electrocardiography, and SpO2. Through the WLAN, the patient's biosignals can be transmitted in real-time to a remote central management unit, and authorized medical staffs can access the data and the case history of the patient, either by the central management unit or the wireless devices. A prototype of this system has been developed and implemented. The system has been evaluated by technical verification, clinical test, and user survey. The evaluation of performance yields a high degree of satisfaction (mean = 4.64, standard deviation--SD = 0.53 in a five-point Likert scale) of users who used the PDA-based system for intrahospital transport. The results also show that the wireless PDA model is superior to the currently used monitors both in mobility and in usability, and is, therefore, better suited to patient transport.
Adult↗
Real-time classification of ECGs on a PDA.
The new advances in sensor technology, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and wireless communications favor the development of a new type of monitoring system that can provide patients with assistance anywhere and at any time. Of particular interest are the monitoring systems designed for people that suffer from heart arrhythmias, due to the increasing number of people with cardiovascular diseases. PDAs can play a very important role in these kinds of systems because they are portable devices that can execute more and more complex tasks. The main questions answered in this paper are whether PDAs can perform a complete electrocardiogram beat and rhythm classifier, if the classifier has a good accuracy, and if they can do it in real time. In order to answer these questions, in this paper, we show the steps that we have followed to build the algorithm that classifies beats and rhythms, and the obtained results, which show a competitive accuracy. Moreover, we also show the feasibility of incorporating the built algorithm into the PDA.
Algorithms↗
Letter to the editor regarding Kho, et al.
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Computers, Handheld↗
Clinical calculators for hand-held computers.
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Computers, Handheld↗
MET system: a new approach to m-health in emergency triage.
The MET (Mobile Emergency Triage) system is an m-health application that supports emergency triage of various types of acute pain at the point of care. The system is designed for use in the Emergency Department (ED) of a hospital and to aid physicians in disposition decisions. Given patient's condition, MET recommends a triage by consulting decision rules stored in the system's knowledge base. The rules have been created using a data mining method (based on rough set methodology) applied to data collected during a retrospective chart study and verified by the clinicians. MET is designed following the extended client-server architecture, suited for weak-connectivity conditions, where stable connection between clients and a server cannot be provided. The MET server interacts with the hospital's patient information system in order to retrieve information about patients admitted to the ED. It also stores current patients' demographic and clinical data to be exchanged with mobile clients. The MET mobile client, running on a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), is used for collecting clinical data and supporting triage decisions. The support function runs solely on the client side, thus it can be invoked anytime and anywhere, even if there is no communication link with the server (e.g., there is no wireless network available in the ED). Due to implementation on PDAs and working in weak-connectivity conditions, the MET system is very well suited for use in the ED and fits seamlessly into the regular clinical workflow without introducing any hindrances or disruptions that are often reported when using stationary (i.e., working on desktop computers) clinical systems. The system facilitates patient-centered service and timely, high quality patient management. It provides recommendations using a limited amount of clinical data, normally available at the point of care. Furthermore, it provides a possibility for the structured evaluation of this data by an attending physician.
Acute Disease↗
Diagnosis with a little help from your PDA.
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Computers, Handheld↗
The minicog rapid assessment battery: developing a "blood pressure cuff for the mind".
Human exploration of space is a high-risk, high-stress endeavor. Thus, human error must be guarded against at every juncture. We have implemented a portable system, the MiniCog Rapid Assessment Battery, to assess quickly and accurately nine cognitive functions (including attention, working memory, and problem-solving). This system is intended to provide an "early warning," indicating when an astronaut or other type of worker is suffering from stress-related deficits that may affect performance. The results can be used to warn a worker to pay additional attention or take a countermeasure (even if only a brief rest). At present, the MiniCog platform is fully functional; it includes software for administering cognitive tests on a hand-held device and providing immediate user feedback, as well as desktop software for authoring new tests and scoring results in detail. Studies are underway to assess the utility of the MiniCog Rapid Assessment Battery for measuring impaired cognitive performance induced by a variety of stressors, for evaluating countermeasures, and for predicting performance on more complex tasks. We hope that this tool will allow quick and easy self-diagnosis of cognitive impairment, encouraging better mental health and facilitating safer on-the-job (and recreational) performance.
Aerospace Medicine↗
Clinician use of a palmtop drug reference guide.
OBJECTIVE: Problems involving drug knowledge are one of the most common causes of serious medication errors. Although the information that clinicians need is often available somewhere, retrieving it expeditiously has been problematic. At the same time, clinicians are faced with an ever-expanding pharmacology knowledge base. Recently, point-of-care technology has become more widely available and more practical with the advent of handheld, or palmtop, computing. Therefore, the authors evaluated the clinical contribution of a drug database developed for the handheld computer. ePocrates Rx (formerly known as qRx; ePocrates, San Carlos, California) is a comprehensive drug information guide that is downloadable free from the Internet and designed for the Palm OS platform align="right". DESIGN: A seven-day online survey of 3,000 randomly selected ePocrates Rx users was conducted during March 2000. MEASUREMENTS: User technology experience, product evaluation and usage patterns, and the effects of the drug reference database on information-seeking behavior, practice efficiency, decision making, and patient care. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 32 percent (n=946). Physicians reported that ePocrates Rx saves time during information retrieval, is easily incorporated into their usual workflow, and improves drug-related decision making. They also felt that it reduced the rate of preventable adverse drug events. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported perceptions by responding clinicians endorse improved access to drug information and improved practice efficiency associated with the use of handheld devices. The clinical and practical value of using these devices in clinical settings will clearly grow further as wireless communication becomes more ubiquitous and as more applications become available.
Attitude to Computers↗
Computer-aided video exposure monitoring.
A computer-aided video exposure monitoring system was used to record exposure information. The system comprised a handheld camcorder, portable video cassette recorder, radio-telemetry transmitter/receiver, and handheld or notebook computers for remote data logging, photoionization gas/vapor detectors (PIDs), and a personal aerosol monitor. The following workplaces were surveyed using the system: dry cleaning establishments--monitoring tetrachoroethylene in the air and in breath; printing works--monitoring white spirit type solvent; tire manufacturing factory--monitoring rubber fume; and a slate quarry--monitoring respirable dust and quartz. The system based on the handheld computer, in particular, simplified the data acquisition process compared with earlier systems in use by our laboratory. The equipment is more compact and easier to operate, and allows more accurate calibration of the instrument reading on the video image. Although a variety of data display formats are possible, the best format for videos intended for educational and training purposes was the review-preview chart superimposed on the video image of the work process. Recommendations for reducing exposure by engineering or by modifying work practice were possible through use of the video exposure system in the dry cleaning and tire manufacturing applications. The slate quarry work illustrated how the technique can be used to test ventilation configurations quickly to see their effect on the worker's personal exposure.
Aerosols↗
Validation of a handheld display device for an expandable labeled magnitude scale (LMS).
Palmtop computers provide a possible avenue for the convenient collection of subjective ratings from individuals outside of a fixed laboratory setting. One disadvantage of these computers is the small size of their display screens, which may reduce the resolution of responses available as compared with standard display screens. One plausible solution to this problem is to use a scale that expands contingent on an initial response made by the subject, so that the final response is made from a scale with finer resolution. To validate this approach, we compared taste intensity judgments of six sucrose solutions (0.03, 0.06, 0.12, 0.24, 0.48, and 0.96 M), using a labeled magnitude scale either presented in expandable form on a palmtop computer (Palm scale) or in conventional (nonexpandable) form on a standard 17'' PC monitor (PC scale). Twenty-four subjects rated all six sucrose solutions thrice, using both scale types, the different scales being used on different days of testing. The scales led to very similar taste intensity ratings at all but the lowest concentration, which was rated less intense on the Palm scale. The Palm scale was used with slightly less precision than the PC scale for the weakest solution concentrations. In summary, the responses of the two scales were similar enough to validate the use of the expandable scale on the palmtop computer outside the laboratory setting.
Adult↗
Enhanced quality and quantity of retrieval of Critically Appraised Topics using the CAT Crawler.
As healthcare moves towards the implementation of Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM), Critically Appraised Topics (CATs) become useful in helping physicians to make clinical decisions. A number of academic and healthcare organizations have set up web-based CAT libraries. The primary objective of the presented work is to provide a one-stop search and download site that allows access to multiple CAT libraries. A web-based application, namely the CAT Crawler, was developed to serve physicians with an adequate access to available appraised topics on the Internet. Important information is extracted automatically and regularly from CAT websites, and consolidated by checking the uniqueness and availability. The principle of meta-search is incorporated into the implementation of the search engine, which finds relevant topics following keyword input. The retrieved result directs the physician to the original resource page. A full-text article of a particular topic can be converted into a proper format for downloading to Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) devices. In summary, the application provides physicians with a common interface to retrieve relevant CATs on particular clinical topics from multiple resources, and thus speeds up the decision making process.
Algorithms↗
A grid-enabled lightweight computational steering client: a .NET PDA implementation.
The grid has been developed to support large-scale computer simulations in a diverse range of scientific and engineering fields. Consequently, the increasing availability of powerful distributed computing resources is changing how scientists undertake large-scale modelling/simulation. Instead of being limited to local computing resources, scientists are now able to make use of supercomputing facilities around the world. These grid resources comprise specialized distributed three-dimensional visualization environments through to massive computational systems. The scientist usually accesses these resources from reasonably high-end desktop computers. Even though most modern desktop computers are provided with reasonably powerful three-dimensional graphical hardware, not all scientific applications require high-end three-dimensional visualization because the data of interest is essentially numerical or two-dimensional graphical data. For these applications, a much simpler two-dimensional graphical displays can be used. Since large jobs can take many hours to complete the scientist needs access to a technology that will allow them to still monitor and control their job while away from their desks. This paper describes an effective method of monitoring and controlling a set of chained computer simulations by means of a lightweight steering client based on a small personal digital assistant (PDA). The concept of using a PDA to steer a series of computational jobs across a supercomputing resource may seem strange at first but when scientists realize they can use these devices to connect to their computation wherever there is a wireless network (or cellular phone network) the concept becomes very compelling. Apart from providing a much needed easy-to-use interface, the PDA-based steering client has the benefit of freeing the scientist from the desktop. It is during this monitoring stage that the hand-held PDA client is of particular value as it gives the application scientist greater freedom to leave his or her desk but still communicate with their simulation, with the proviso that they remain within the range of a wireless network.
Computer Graphics↗
Infectious disease guides. For users of hand-held computers.
The Sanford Guide is an independent, comprehensive authoritative reference on treatment of infectious disease . It can be difficult to navigate, and it costs $25 (US). The ePocrates ID program is smaller but is quicker to use. It also interfaces with a drug database. The ABX POC-IT Guide is well designed and includes antibiotic monographs but currently has the least extensive disease database of the three programs, and furthermore, it lacks pediatric data. All three programs appear to use evidence-based recommendations.
Communicable Diseases↗
Another infectious disease guide for Palms.
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Communicable Diseases↗
Hand-held personal digital assistant program for the HEMOCHRON RxDx heparin and protamine dosing system.
The use of in vitro dosing assays for heparin and protamine during cardiac surgery has significantly improved overall postoperative patient outcome. The HEMOCHRON RxDx system (International Technidyne Corp, Edison, NJ) is widely used for anticoagulation management. Based on a series of consecutive in vitro tests, the RxDx system is used to quantify the patient's heparin requirement (heparin response test, HRT), measure the activated clotting time (ACT), calculate the blood heparin concentration and the required protamine dose (protamine response test, PRT), as well as determine the efficacy of heparin reversal (protamine dose assay, PDA-O). A hand-held personal digital assistant (PDA) program has been developed that performs the RxDx calculations used for anticoagulation management during cardiac surgery. The Palm m505 hand-held device (Palm, Inc., Santa Clara, CA) is used in concert with any standard Hemochron blood coagulation system. The Palm m505 device has been programmed to perform all the calculations required for the RxDx test system. Patient's body weight, height, and gender are entered into the program using the onscreen keypad and the template provided in the Hemochron program. The calculator automatically provides the patient's blood volume and the recommended heparin dose upon entering the baseline ACT and HRT values and a target ACT. At the end of the case, the optimal protamine dose is determined, and the total heparin level is calculated and displayed upon entry of ACT and PRT clotting times. Following protamine administration, the program calculates any additional protamine required to neutralize residual heparin using the data from a PDA-O test. The RxDx hand-held PDA is accurate, quick, simple, and easy to use, patient data are saved and can be retrieved. The inclusion of this rapid computing technology into the Hemochron RxDx system serves to expand the applications of the Hemochron RxDx system during cardiac interventions.
Alabama↗
Nurse shortage or nursing shortage: have we missed the real problem?
Many strategies have been used to solve the nurse shortage. The shortage of nurses has in many ways alerted us to the need to provide safe and efficient care using the latest technology. Nursing needs to adopt, refine, and use this technology so the impact of the nursing shortage is just another statistic and not a disruptive and costly threat to the public.
Computers, Handheld↗
The Hemochron Response RxDx heparin and protamine dosing system.
The use of dosing assays to calculate heparin and protamine dose requirements during cardiac surgery has been shown to significantly improve overall postoperative patient outcome. When patients are managed with an individualized dosing system, intraoperative and postoperative transfusion requirements and bleeding are reduced. The Hemochron RxDx system is widely used as a complement to traditional activated clotting time testing to optimize anticoagulation management. The system consists of the heparin response test, the protamine response test, and the protamine dose assay. All are modifications of the activated clotting time using either Celite (Celite Corporation, Santa Barbara, CA) or kaolin as the activator. Dosing is calculated manually using earlier version Hemochron instruments (model 801) or automatically with the Hemochron 8000 or with the early versions of the Hemochron Response and the personal digital assistant (PDA) RxDx calculator. Missing from available user options is an automated RxDx system for the Response. A study was conducted at four clinical sites to compare recently developed Response RxDx software, which eliminates the need for the PDA RxDx calculator, to the existing Hemochron 8000 RxDx and to the Response-PDA RxDx systems. Similar to the current system, the operator inputs the patient's height, weight, and gender, and the software automatically calculates the blood volume. Using the clotting times determined on the Response, bolus heparin and protamine doses and any additional heparin and protamine requirements are calculated automatically. Data were collected from 76 patients, of which, 64 patients were on pump, 11 patients were off pump, and 1 patient was converted from off to on pump. The Response estimated blood volume calculations showed a correlation coefficient of 0.989 when compared with available systems. A good correlation was also observed for the bolus heparin (r = 0.925) and protamine doses (r = 0.900) with equivalence confirmed by a paired student's t test. These data confirm that the Response RxDx system yields results that are identical (P > 0.05) to those obtained using the Hemochron 8000 RxDx or Response-PDA RxDx calculator. The Response RxDx also offers expanded user options related to blood volume limits, expanded clotting time ranges for presetting default values, and flexibility in test sequence. Case records can be printed or downloaded to a PC via the HRDM data management program. The Hemochron Response RxDx represents a complete anticoagulation management system for the cardiac surgical patient.
Adult↗