Pros and cons of mainframe pharmacy computer systems.
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Computers↗
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Remote site treatment planning.
Remote site treatment planning was one of the earliest methods of digital computer dose planning. Using batch-oriented or time-sharing mainframe computer systems, researchers in the late 1950s and early 1960s developed many of the basic algorithms used later in stand-alone systems. Although time-shared systems have continued in use, most of the emphasis on treatment planning in the last decade has been on using dedicated mini- and micro-computer systems. Recent developments in the computer industry, such as the use of networks and distributed computer processing, may lead to a resurgence of interest in remote computer systems for treatment planning.
Computer Communication Networks↗
GOFCOX: a computer program for the goodness-of-fit analysis of the Cox proportional hazards model.
GOFCOX is a user-friendly FORTRAN program for assessing the adequacy of the Cox proportional hazards model. The underlying methodology is based on the comparison of the maximum partial likelihood estimator and a weighted parameter estimator. The latter is the root to an estimation equation that assigns varying weights to the individual contributions to the partial likelihood score function. The weighted and unweighted parameter estimators have the same expectation under the Cox model, but tend to differ when the model is inappropriate. The GOFCOX program computes a rich class of weighted parameter estimators and corresponding goodness-of-fit test statistics. The program runs on both mainframe computers and microcomputers. The running time is minimal even for large data sets. A simple example is provided to illustrate the features of the program.
Computers, Mainframe↗
CEPHS--a system for computer analysis of cephalometric radiographs.
A system developed for computer-aided analysis of cephalometric radiographs is described. Capabilities of the system include a method to digitize the radiographs using a personal computer and to upload the data to mainframe computer. Extensive cephalometric analysis measurements are performed, and superimposition of plots a series of radiographs is also possible. In addition, the system is capable of generating normal measurement values for various patient groupings, and of producing plots of normal radiographs for these groupings.
Cephalometry↗
ARAMIS today: moving toward internationally distributed databank systems for follow-up studies.
The American Rheumatism Association Medical Information System (ARAMIS) is a consortium of North American rheumatic disease data banks. Founded in 1974, it has grown to include more than 16 centers, 22,000 patients, 140,000 patient encounters, and 80,000,000 observations. Traditionally, data storage and computer programs have resided on the IBM "2"-370 system at Stanford University. Distant peripheral centers have entered and retrieved data and performed analyses using proprietary long distance telephone networks. With growth, ARAMIS has placed strong emphasis on data quality and epidemiological soundness. "Core" groups at Stanford specifically address issues of quality control, biostatistics, health care economics, outcome assessment, study design, and administration. Advances in microcomputers and software has led ARAMIS to begin a migration from mainframe computing to distributed systems using IBM PC/XT/AT type computers and the Medlog software system. Substantial cost savings have been noted with distributed processing. The ability to easily transfer data and software forms a groundwork for international data banks and data exchange, but common vocabulary and common quality control procedures are essential for effective international cooperation and exchange.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
Comparison of two systems for documenting pharmacist interventions in patient care.
Manual and computerized systems for documenting interventions by pharmacists at a large university teaching hospital are compared. The manual system allows patient data and pharmacist interventions to be quickly documented on written profiles. Completed forms are entered into a personal computer for analysis. The computerized system is a direct-entry version of the manual intervention log. Five screens allow pharmacists to enter information into a mainframe computer from any terminal. Data can be downloaded from the mainframe into a personal computer. During the first part of the study, nine pharmacists used the manual system for seven days. After a two-week pause, the same pharmacists used the computerized system for seven days. The systems were evaluated by using time-and-motion analysis and a questionnaire. Also, the number of interventions documented and the characteristics of each were compared. The mean +/- S.D. time required to document an intervention was significantly less with the computerized system (81.8 +/- 24.9 seconds) than with the manual system (100.7 +/- 37.3 seconds). Administrative time for analysis and report generation was also less with the computerized system. The pharmacists rated the computerized system more highly in terms of ease of use, accessibility, time efficiency, and acceptability. The number of interventions documented did not differ between the systems. A computerized system for documenting pharmacist interventions compared favorably with a manual system.
Chicago↗
Portable microcomputer software for nucleotide sequence analysis.
The most common types of nucleotide sequence data analyses and handling can be done more conveniently and inexpensively on microcomputers than on large time-sharing systems. We present a package of computer programs for the analysis of DNA and RNA sequence data which overcomes many of the limitations imposed by microcomputers, while offering most of the features of programs commonly available on large computers, including sequence numbering and translation, restriction site and homology searches with dot-matrix plots, nucleotide distribution analysis, and graphic display of data. Most of the programs were written in Standard Pascal (on an Apple II computer) to facilitate portability to other micro-, mini-, and and mainframe computers.
Base Sequence↗
Ministry of Health computerisation programme.
The purpose of the paper is to give the readers an idea of the state of computerisation in the Ministry of Health, Singapore and to highlight some of the benefits of computerisation. The Ministry employs a wide range of computer systems from portable microcomputers, point-of-sale microcomputers, supermicros, minicomputers to mainframe computer. What are the roles of these computers? Why and how are they interconnected? Carry on reading if these questions are appealing to you.
Computer Communication Networks↗
An instrument to monitor physiological and environmental parameters associated with heat stress on an ambulatory subject.
This paper outlines the development and construction of an instrument for use on an ambulatory subject which monitors selected physiological and environmental parameters that are a reflection of the degree of physiological strain associated with heat stress. The resulting instrument is rugged, reliable, and uses existing practical technology for in-the-field ambulatory monitoring, and provides minimal restriction to subject movement. The physiological parameters monitored (heart rate and skin temperature) were selected following examination of systemic, skin, and psychoneurotic heat disorders, with the environmental parameters (wind velocity, ambient temperature and relative humidity) based on existing heat stress indices' correlation with physiological parameters. A microprocessor is utilized for data acquisition, mathematical computation and long term storage, and software for downloading the data to a large mainframe computer is provided. Following calibration of the transduction circuits, the instrument was assembled and tested. Improvements are required to obtain the reliability originally envisaged. Additional field trials would see the collection of data to establish criteria to determine the values of the parameters monitored enabling prediction of the onset of heat stress in hot, humid environments.
Ambulatory Care↗
A statistical model to optimize indirect sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay parameters of antigen and antibody: a microcomputer program.
A new computer software program "AVCRV" was developed using a statistical model to analyze the data from the indirect sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The software program calculates a sigmoid type of regression analysis and can be run on most microcomputers in the laboratory. The program permits those who are not familiar with computers to complete this type of analysis in a few seconds without a large mainframe computer or complicated software. This statistical model for a sigmoid type of regression analysis of ELISA data may improve the analysis of research data for various avian pathogens from several different experiments.
Animals↗
Measurement of intracranial tissue volume using computed tomographic images and a personal computer.
A software package called MacMeasure was developed previously to measure the size of intracellular structures by means of photomicrographs. We have expanded the application of this program to computed tomographic (CT) images. Using three objects of irregular shape and unequal size (phantoms), we compared volumetric determinations made with a CT mainframe computer and a widely available personal computer. The phantom objects were scanned in a GE CT/T 9800 scanner with serial, nonoverlapping slices 3.0 mm in thickness. The image data were first measured directly from the magnetic archive tape with the CT control terminal. Hard copies of the CT scans were then measured with a Macintosh SE computer and a digitizing tablet with a crosshair cursor driven by the MacMeasure software package. A third method of measuring volume was by tracing individual CT images onto paper (hard copies). The tracings were then cut out, weighed, and converted to surface area by dividing the weights by a weight/surface area standard (26.37 mg = 25 cm2) calibrated to the CT image scale (5.0 cm). The total surface area value was then converted to volume by multiplying by a single CT slice thickness (0.3 cm). Finally, the phantom objects were placed in water-filled graduated cylinders to determine their volume by fluid displacement. The technique using MacMeasure and the personal computer provides an accurate means of determining surface area and volumes using hard copies of CT images. It avoids occupying costly CT computer time and is the most rapid method of volume measurement of the three techniques tested (CT mainframe = 6.0 hours, trace/weigh = 3.5 hours, and PC = 1.25 hours).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Brain Neoplasms↗
Computer registration and processing of census data for an anesthesiology department.
The description of a set of programs running on a HP-1000 mainframe computer is outlined. They allow easy census data input, storage and handling according to the growing needs of an academic anesthesia department of about twenty physicians, delivering more than 8000 anesthetic procedures a year. Various kinds of reports can be generated that are useful not only for the department as a whole or for the anesthesiologists independently, but also for the optimization of the use of the operation theatres. Special attention has been given to the respect the medical secrecy: identification of the patient's records is under direct control of a physician, is impossible without a deciphering routine and is not performed unless really needed.
Anesthesia Department, Hospital↗
A novel device for the automated administration of test compounds to laboratory animals.
A prototype instrument is described that permits efficient administration of test compounds to laboratory animals by intubation. The system integrates a balance, a computer and a volumetric dispenser. Complete animal identification, weight and dose records are kept and may be interfaced with mainframe computers. A range of doses may be delivered from a single stock solution. No carryover is evident between doses. The system is accurate, precise and rugged. The system is cost effective relative to current manual gavage techniques and offers added safety for investigators handling toxic materials.
Administration, Oral↗
Digital signal processing in studies of animal acoustical communication, including human speech.
The study of animal acoustical communication and other biological signals like cardiopulmonary cycles and neurological waves has advanced rapidly in the last few years. Progress has been stimulated by dramatic improvements in transducers, recorders, computers, and digital signal processing (DSP) techniques. Nevertheless, many biologists cannot take advantage of these new techniques and technology because mainframe computer usage is expensive and DSP theory is buried in highly technical engineering and mathematical journals. Recently, new developments in microcomputer hardware and commercially available DSP software have greatly improved this picture. Nevertheless, DSP theory remains largely inaccessible to the non-specialist. In this paper, selected areas of DSP theory are surveyed in relation to a common biological signal processing problem, namely, the analysis of animal acoustical signals. Signal digitization techniques are described, including the concepts of word-width, sample rate, and data encoding. An overview of the mathematical models developed for human speech encoding and analysis is presented. Finally, selected DSP techniques used in the time and frequency domains, including digital filtering, spectral analysis, and dynamic time warping are reviewed.
Animals↗
Microcomputers and consultation psychiatry in the general hospital.
The microcomputer allows for the design of a system that functions integrally with both the day-to-day and long-term needs of a consultation-liaison psychiatric service. This article describes a microcomputer system and data structure that can accomplish many of the same research tasks as a minicomputer system. In addition, the same data item inputs can be used to develop management reports that can facilitate the administrative as well as the pedagogic needs of a consultation-liaison service. Because of the daily availability and review of output reports, supervisors' corrections are made that enhance the reliability of the data. The program format provides 1) an intake form with pertinent identifying demographic data; 2) an activity file that contains every encounter between the consultant and the patient as well as research, supervisory, and liaison activities (which permit cost-effectiveness analysis); 3) a master clinical data base containing 255 variables for each case seen; 4) a computer-generated chart note; 5) letters to referring physicians; 6) clinical activity descriptions for billing; and 7) a file for pertinent literature searches. Since certain analyses may be limited in the microsystem, its interactive capacity with mainframe computers allows for complex functions. The microsystem described presently emphasizes flexibility, accessibility, and step-by-step development of files as needed by a particular consultation-liaison service. Finally, microcomputers are available at a fraction of the cost of the minicomputer or mainframe systems.
Adult↗
[Study of automatic cephalometric analysis by digital image processing].
In the lateral roentgenographic cephalometric analysis, a certain degree of errors is unavoidable as it involves a lot of manual work in tracing, landmark setting, measurement and registration. To minimize the chances of errors creeping in, efforts have been made toward the mechanization of manual work. For measuring and registering automatically, a roentgenographic cephalometric system using a personal computer is available. Attempts have also been made to automatically obtain landmarks on tracings by the use of a computer. However, tracing still has to be performed by hand. The circumstances are such that the development of a full-scale scanning system that can perform automatic tracing on cephalometric radiographs in being eagerly awaited. The present study concerns the possibility of using a small-size computer mainframe in a small-scale clinical laboratory which cannot afford to install a large one. A digital image processing system using a personal computer was devised to process cephalograms. And a the anatomical complex on the screen was developed. To examine the acuracy of the drawings, comparisons were made between manual tracings and computer-aided tracings. The results were as follows: 1. In both vertical and horizontal components at Pog, Gn and Me points, computer tracings were matched significantly well with manual tracings. 2. At the points of Or, ANS, A and Go, only vertical components were matched significantly well with those obtained by manual tracing. 3. In the program developed for the present study, the computer had a greater tendency than man to draw the borderline along the higher density area when the gray level gradient was not sharp.
Cephalometry↗
The human element in the design of computer-assisted orthopedic inpatient medical record systems.
It is possible to vastly improve the quality of the "final product" of medical record processing by use of word and data base processing systems without traditional programming and expensive mainframe computers. Human engineering features need to be addressed first, since these form the basis of the system for obtaining quality data. Successful operations of the system is dependent upon a close working relationship between the staff of the medical record department and the medical staff.
Forms and Records Control↗
BASIC computer program to summarize data using nonparametric and parametric statistics including Anderson-Darling test for normality.
Tools for calculating Gaussian parametric statistics are widely available in hand-held calculators and program packages for desktop as well as mainframe computers. The standard deviation calculated from non-Gaussian data may, however, be meaningless or even absurd. Furthermore, the standard error of the mean is frequently used as a descriptive statistic even if it really does not describe the variation in the observations themselves. However, comprehensive tools for calculating nonparametric descriptive statistics and judging whether observations have a Gaussian distribution are hard to come by. The present paper attempts to provide the essential statistical reasoning behind the calculation of descriptive statistics and introduces a computer program written in Microsoft BASIC that applies the methods described in the text.
Mathematical Computing↗