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Changing technologies in the reference laboratory.

Changes in technology will have a profound impact on specialized reference laboratories. In their research and development efforts, reference laboratories will have to pursue the incorporation of the technologies of molecular and cell biology into clinical practice. Computers can be applied to the management of clinical laboratory data bases and to the organization of scientific and clinical knowledge for medical consultation. Because of the distance between the site of acquisition of referred specimens and the laboratory, research on analyte stability is needed. Computer networking will help to solve problems of inadequacy of clinical information, and bar code technology will address the problems of specimen identification. Finally, improved telecommunication will permit reference laboratories of the future to be true medical consultation centers rather than just technical analysis operations.

Clinical Laboratory Information Systems↗

Repeat cesareans: how many are elective?

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical indications for repeat cesarean delivery and to compare these with indications for primary procedures. METHODS: We reviewed cesarean deliveries at our academic nonprofit hospital during 1992 (n = 1885). The indication for the procedure was abstracted based on surgeon operative reports and discharge ICD-9 codes (International Classification of Diseases, Clinical Modification, 9th Edition). RESULTS: The hospital cesarean rate was 28.7%; 34% of these were repeat procedures (n = 643). Elective cesarean delivery was the leading cause of repeat cesareans, followed by "other" indications, dystocia, breech, and fetal distress. In contrast, dystocia was the leading cause for primary cesarean, followed by fetal distress, "other," and breech presentation. One hundred women (15.6%) undergoing repeat cesarean had absolute or relative contraindications to a trial of labor. CONCLUSIONS: Indications for cesareans using hierarchies based on ICD-9 codes do not attempt to differentiate categories of indications for repeat cesarean. Current recommendations for lowering cesarean rates by increasing vaginal birth after previous cesarean are based on aggregate data and do not recognize that some repeat cesareans are clinically indicated. A coding system designed to distinguish elective from indicated repeat cesareans would be useful for future prospective studies.

Adult↗

Which coding system for therapeutic information in evidence-based medicine.

The coding of information in the computer representation of clinical trials is essential both for the rationalisation of the activities involved in the production of therapeutic information for evidence-based decision support and for the integration of the messages produced by these activities with clinical information and electronic patient record systems. There is no standard coding system available, however, so building on existing evaluations, we performed a simple semi-quantitative evaluation of ICD-10, CDAM, MEDDRA, MESH, READ, SNOMED and UMLS to provide objective criteria for the choice of a coding system. Inclusion and exclusion criteria for four clinical trials recorded in TriSum constituted the corpus of evaluation texts. Criteria included coding coverage, size, integration and language coverage. The results of the comparison lead us to choose SNOMED as the most appropriate coding system for our needs. The absence of a European Medical Language System project is observed, as is the need for combinatorial as opposed to enumerative systems.

Clinical Trials as Topic↗

Pick from thousands: a collaborative processing model for coded data entry.

Methods for optimizing coded data entry in clinical systems are a frequent topic of system design. We have developed a new mechanism for this type of data entry that we call "Pick From Thousands" (PFT). It combines several known methods, including menu selection, keyword entry, and initial character matching, but adds a new string matching algorithm. The PFT method is more selective than initial character matching for a given number of keystrokes if entries in the coded list have more than one word. Collaborative processing between a PC workstation and the central HELP system computer is used to optimize ease of maintenance and increase the flexibility and performance of the system.

Algorithms↗

[Use of high resolution color Doppler sonography in diagnosis of temporal arteritis].

PURPOSE: To define sonographic signs of arteritis temporalis using color coded duplex sonography. METHODS: 20 patients with clinically suspected temporal arteritis were examined with color coded Doppler ultrasound prior to temporalis biopsy. The investigation included the temporal artery on both sides and documentation was performed with color prints of the longitudinal orientation of both temporal arteries. All patients had an unilateral biopsy of the temporal artery. RESULTS: 6/20 patients had histologically confirmed temporal arteritis. All patients showed a paravasal zone of lower echogenicity (halo-sign) along the temporal artery. 12/14 patients without temporal arteritis showed no halo-sign. However, a halo-sign was found in 2/14 patients without temporal arteritis which could not be distinguished from the halo-sign observed in patients with temporal arteritis. CONCLUSIONS: A halo-sign could be detected in the majority of patients with arteritis temporalis in concordance with the recent published findings of Schmidt et al. However, a definite specificity of this halo-sign must be rejected.

Aged↗

Prediction of outcome in neonates using EEG.

To determine the value of EEG in predicting prognosis, the recordings of 30 neonates were re-examined using a specially devised method of visual rating which permitted quantitative assessment of 13 EEG items. Seven clinical variables were also coded. The data were submitted to computer discriminant function analysis, to determine whether the outcome could be predicted and which EEG variables contributed most effectively. Marked asymmetries, many slow transients, and a wide range of variability of suppression durations were the main indicators. The state of consciousness during the recording and the gestational age were the clinical variables which were useful. It was possible to predict outcome using this technique in 28 of the 30 patients. The same procedure was applied to serial recordings with equal value. The combination of visual ratings carried out, without reference to clinical information and requiring no subjective statement as to normality or abnormality of the features in the recording, seems to offer a contribution in the difficult field of neonatal EEG.

Electroencephalography↗

The quality of diagnostic coding in cerebrovascular disease.

We investigated the quality of diagnostic coding in relation to cerebrovascular disease (CVD) in a computerized clinical information system by comparing the codes on the computer printout, obtained from casemix database on 166 patients with a diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease, with the codes allocated by the investigators after examining the case notes. Overall, the diagnostic coding was incorrect in 44 (26%) cases. These inaccuracies included 9 (5%) patients who did not have CVD and 35 (21%) patients who were incorrectly coded as "acute but ill-defined stroke". The inadequacy of information in discharge letters was the main reason for such discrepancies (21 cases). There is a need for adequate education and training of doctors and coding clerks and for a constant dialogue between them if the deficiencies in coding are to be rectified and the value of hospital information system in the audit, costing and health care planning is to be improved.

Aged↗

Using administrative data to measure ambulatory mental health service provision in primary care.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to determine the accuracy of administrative data for identifying mental health service provision in primary care. STUDY DESIGN: This was a chart abstraction study measuring agreement between billing data and clinical data on the binary variable "mental health visit." Data were collected from the charts and billing records of 5 academic family practice clinics in Toronto, Ontario (1999 to 2000). Billing claims (n = 952) were selected from the billings for all visits by a stratified random sampling technique. A blinded data abstractor reviewed the clinical charts and assigned diagnostic codes for each patient visit associated with the selected claims. Any visit with at least 1 abstracted mental health diagnostic code was defined as a mental health visit. The test characteristics of 4 administrative measures of mental health service provision, based on different combinations of billing codes, were calculated. RESULTS: The accuracy of the administrative data was 86.8% when compared with clinical data. The sensitivity of the 4 administrative measures ranged from 22.3% to 80.7%. The specificity ranged from 97.0% to 99.5%. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to establish the performance of administrative data in measuring mental health service provision in a primary care setting. In our setting, broadly defined administrative measures of mental health have excellent specificity and adequate sensitivity for exploring and understanding mental health service utilization.

Adult↗

Rate of stroke recurrence in patients with primary intracerebral hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Primary intracerebral hemorrhage (PICH) is a devastating illness with high early mortality. Hypertension is a major risk factor both for ischemic cerebrovascular disease and for intracranial hemorrhage. Survivors of PICH are at risk for both recurrent hemorrhage and ischemic cerebrovascular disease. We sought to determine the rate of recurrence of ICH or cerebral ischemia in a cohort of PICH patients at the Toronto Hospital, Toronto, Canada. METHODS: A retrospective search of computerized hospital records from 1986 to 1996 for patients with a discharge diagnosis of intracerebral hemorrhage (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision-Clinical Modification [ICD-9-CM] code 431) was conducted to identify the index cases. Charts were abstracted for demographic and clinical characteristics. CT scans, MR scans, or radiologist reports were reviewed. To determine recurrence, the database was linked to the Ontario Provincial Government Vital Statistics Registry and to the Canadian Institute for Health Information database of hospital discharge abstracts. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify predictive factors for mortality after PICH. A Cox proportional hazards model was fitted to identify predictive factors for recurrent ICH or stroke. RESULTS: A total of 746 charts were identified by computer search. After abstraction, 423 index patients with PICH were identified. Of these, 27.4% died in the first 30 days of their admission. Predictors of death were age, intraventricular rupture of hemorrhage, and trilobar hemorrhage. The recurrence rate for PICH was 2.4% (95% CI 1.4% to 3. 9%) per year, whereas the recurrence rate for ischemic cerebrovascular disease was 3.0% (95% CI 1.8% to 4.7%) per year. The only significant predictor of readmission for ICH was lobar location of the index hemorrhage, with a hazard ratio of 3.8 (95% CI 1.2 to 12.0). CONCLUSIONS: PICH has a high 30-day mortality rate. Survival from the initial insult portends a moderate risk of recurrence of 2. 4% per year for PICH and 3.0% per year for ischemic cerebrovascular disease. Patients with PICH are at risk for both ischemic stroke or TIA and recurrent hemorrhage; thus, PICH may be a marker for ischemic stroke. Patients with lobar hemorrhage have a 3.8-fold increased risk of recurrent ICH.

Aged↗

[The 'Beijing clinical database' on severe acute respiratory syndrome patients: its design, process, quality control and evaluation].

OBJECTIVE: To develop a large database on clinical presentation, treatment and prognosis of all clinical diagnosed severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) cases in Beijing during the 2003 "crisis", in order to conduct further clinical studies. METHODS: The database was designed by specialists, under the organization of the Beijing Commanding Center for SARS Treatment and Cure, including 686 data items in six sub-databases: primary medical-care seeking, vital signs, common symptoms and signs, treatment, laboratory and auxiliary test, and cost. All hospitals having received SARS inpatients were involved in the project. Clinical data was transferred and coded by trained doctors and data entry was carried out by trained nurses, according to a uniformed protocol. A series of procedures had been taken before the database was finally established which included programmed logic checking, digit-by-digit check on 5% random sample, data linkage for transferred cases, coding of characterized information, database structure standardization, case reviewe by computer program according to SARS Clinical Diagnosis Criteria issued by the Ministry of Health, and exclusion of unqualified patients. RESULTS: The database involved 2148 probable SARS cases in accordant with the clinical diagnosis criteria, including 1291 with complete records. All cases and record-complete cases showed an almost identical distribution in sex, age, occupation, residence areas and time of onset. The completion rate of data was not significantly different between the two groups except for some items on primary medical-care seeking. Specifically, the data completion rate was 73% - 100% in primary medical-care seeking, 90% in common symptoms and signs, 100% for treatment, 98% for temperature, 90% for pulse, 100% for outcomes and 98% for costs in hospital. CONCLUSION: The number of cases collected in the Beijing Clinical Database of SARS Patients was fairly complete. Cases with complete records showed that they could serve as excellent representatives of all cases. The completeness of data was quite satisfactory with primary clinical items which allowed for further clinical studies.

China↗

Multi-disciplinary working in a forensic mental health setting: ethical codes of reference.

This paper reports on a small research project on multidisciplinary team-working within a medium secure forensic unit in the United Kingdom. Although multidisciplinary team working is widely accepted as an effective strategy for the delivery of healthcare services in modern society it is also recognized that interdisciplinary problems can also occur. This study developed two questionnaires, one being delivered to a number of groups and teams in the secure unit, whilst the second one was geared to individuals. A thematic analysis was employed to develop category building and concept formation. The results highlighted a three-level ethical code referencing system that was employed by both individuals and groups. Within this, three domains, or trajectories, were identified that were polarized continuums of main tensions for multidisciplinary staff working in forensic practice.

Clinical Competence↗

A proposal for a code of ethics for nurse practitioners.

PURPOSE: To review established codes for health care professionals and standards of practice for the nurse practitioner (NP) and to utilize these codes and standards, general ethical themes, and a new ethical triangle to propose an ethical code for NPs. DATA SOURCES: Reviews of three generally accepted ethical themes (deontological, teleological, and areteological), the ethical triangle by Potter, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) standards of practice for NPs, and codes of ethics from the American Nurses Association (ANA) and the American Medical Association (AMA). CONCLUSIONS: A proposal for a code of ethics for NPs is presented. This code was determined by basic ethical themes and established codes for nursing, formulated by the ANA, and for physicians, formulated by the AMA. The proposal was also developed in consideration of the AANP standards of practice for NPs. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The role of the NP is unique in its ethical demands. The authors believe that the expanded practice of NPs presents ethical concerns that are not addressed by the ANA code and yet are relevant to nursing and therefore different than the ethical concerns of physicians. This proposal attempts to broaden NPs' perspective of the role that ethics should hold in their professional lives.

American Nurses' Association↗

Differences in admission rates of children with bronchiolitis by pediatric and general emergency departments.

OBJECTIVE: It is uncertain whether pediatric and general emergency departments have different admitting practices regarding children with bronchiolitis. The objective of this study was to quantify the differences in admission practices between pediatric and general emergency departments of children with bronchiolitis in 1 North American metropolitan area, controlling for various factors such as clinical severity, comorbid conditions, and socioeconomic status. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort review of emergency department visits from April 1992 to March 1997. SETTING: Five emergency departments (1 pediatric and 4 general) serving the Calgary Health Region, which encompasses approximately 850 000 people. PATIENTS: All children residing within the region who visited a regional emergency department and were diagnosed to have bronchiolitis (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision code 466.1, primary or secondary diagnosis). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Population-standardized estimates of admission rates. RESULTS: The medical charts of 3091 children diagnosed to have bronchiolitis during the study period were reviewed. Of this number, 2496 children were evaluated at the pediatric emergency department, and 629 (25%) were admitted. The remaining 595 (19%) were evaluated at the general emergency departments, and 221 (37%) were admitted. Controlling for age, gender, estimated family income based on postal code, medical comorbidity, and clinical severity estimated by presenting respiratory rate and room air oxygen saturation, population-standardized estimates for admission rates at the pediatric and general emergency departments were 24% (standard error: 1%) and 43% (standard error: 2%), respectively. CONCLUSION: Children diagnosed to have bronchiolitis at the Calgary Health Region's pediatric emergency department were about half as likely to be admitted to the hospital as children diagnosed at the region's general emergency departments.

Alberta↗

When can a veterinarian be expected to detect classical swine fever virus among breeding sows in a herd during an outbreak?

The herd sensitivity (HSe) and herd specificity (Hsp) of clinical diagnosis of an infection with classical swine fever (CSF) virus during veterinary inspection of breeding sows in a herd was evaluated. Data gathered from visits to herds during the CSF outbreak in 1997-1998 in The Netherlands were used for the analysis. Herds were visited one or more times by the same or by different veterinarians. On the basis of the veterinarians' reports, each visit was coded as 0 (negative clinical diagnosis) or 1 (positive clinical diagnosis). The HSe for clinical diagnosis of CSF was modelled as a function of days elapsed since introduction of the virus. The moment of introduction of the CSF virus in the CSF-positive herds was unknown, so for each herd, a probability distribution for the unknown number of days since introduction was derived from serum samples collected at depopulation. The information from the reports of the veterinarians and from the test results of the serum samples at depopulation was combined in a Bayesian analysis. Data from CSF-negative herds were analysed to estimate HSp of clinical diagnosis of CSF. The HSe of clinical diagnosis was 0.5 at 37 days after virus introduction (95% CI: 31, 45) and reached 0.9 at 47 days after virus introduction (95% CI: 41, 54). The estimated herd specificity was 0.72 (95% CI: 0.64, 0.79). Dependence of HSe and HSp on characteristics of the veterinarians and the herds also was studied. Specialisation of the veterinarian significantly, although not markedly, affected the HSe.

Animal Husbandry↗

Ethics in dentistry: review and critique of Principles of Ethics and Code of Professional Conduct.

This paper has reviewed an ethic for the profession of dental medicine, such an ethic being grounded in the classical characteristics of a profession. The Principles and Code of the ADA have been reviewed and critiqued. The following conclusions are drawn: The dental profession and the individual dentist have a duty to recognize the reciprocity of the relationship that exists with society, and the duty of covenantal fidelity. The dentist has a duty to conduct his or her professional life in accordance with the ethical principles rooted in the moral rules. These are the principles of beneficence: autonomy and justice, in both individual and societal contexts. The dentist has a duty to maintain his or her level of knowledge and skill current. The dentist has an obligation to participate in the professional community to help ensure just distribution of society's resources and to share the burden of professional self-regulation to the extent that such a privilege is granted by society. The current Principles and Code are helpful expressions of dentistry's professional obligations, but are deficient in: not speaking to reciprocity of relationship, the principle of self-determination, and not providing for societal participation in the covenant agreement.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

American Dental Association↗

Costs, charges, and reimbursements for persons with sickle cell disease.

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to describe health care costs and charges for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and identify predictors of high use. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with SCD were identified by International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) codes from a university hospital's administrative databases from January 1, 1996, to September 30, 1997. Clinical and administrative data were gathered on each patient for all hospital admissions and ambulatory clinic visits. Logistic regression models were used to determine predictors of high health care use. RESULTS: A total of 947 patients with SCD were identified, 73% of whom resided within three South Carolina counties. On average, there were 0.9 admissions per patient per year and 8.0 outpatient visits per patient per year. Mean inpatient hospital charges, physician charges, and direct hospital costs per admission were $7290, $1589, and $5405, respectively, and the average length of stay was 4.5 days. Mean hospital charges, physician charges, and direct hospital costs per outpatient visit were $305, $169, and $688, respectively. Forty percent of the inpatient hospital charges were accounted for by only 4.2% of the patients. Residing in a distant county and being admitted with a diagnosis of painful respiration were found to be predictors of excessive charges and expenses beyond expected reimbursements. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with SCD are frequent users of health care services. Charges and costs are distributed disproportionately across these patients. Predictors of excessive hospital charges include living geographically distant from the hospital and being admitted with a diagnosis of painful respiration.

Adolescent↗

Client-centered approach to develop a seating clinic satisfaction questionnaire: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to develop a program evaluation tool through a client-centered approach. Client satisfaction questionnaires previously developed for service recipients of a pediatric seating clinic have reflected the professionals' views on what should be asked. METHOD: Seven parents and caregivers of recent service recipients of the seating clinic participated in tape-recorded semistructured interviews. They were asked their views on the seating clinic, how the service could be improved, and the quality of the seat received through the clinic. RESULTS: Data were coded into nine themes related to the process and the product. Using these themes and the vocabulary used by the participants, we developed a satisfaction questionnaire. The validity of the questionnaire was evaluated by requesting feedback on clarity, content, and design from all participants and from a panel of five health professionals. CONCLUSION: A client-centered approach can be used to develop a client satisfaction tool that reflects the needs of the users. Future work will involve testing the tool in the clinical setting.

Ambulatory Care↗

Evaluation of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) with transcranial color-coded duplex sonography: does the location of an AVM influence its sonographic detection?

OBJECTIVE: The clinical value of transcranial color-coded duplex sonography (TCCS) in the evaluation of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) has not yet been fully investigated. In this study, 54 intracranial AVMs confirmed by angiography were prospectively examined over 6 years. The purpose of the study was to describe their typical sonographic features and to define sensitivity for diagnosis with regard to the location of an AVM. METHODS: Transcranial color-coded duplex sonographic findings for 54 patients with intracranial AVMs are presented. The vessels of the circle of Willis were identified by location, course, and direction of flow on color flow images. RESULTS: In accordance with digital subtraction angiography, the intracranial AVMs could be visualized in 42 cases (sensitivity, 77.8%). The pathologic vessels were coded in different shades of blue and red, corresponding to varying blood flow directions in the AVM. The major feeding vessels could be easily identified. Hemodynamic parameters showing increased systolic and diastolic flow velocities and a decreased pulsatility index were better attainable with TCCS than with conventional transcranial Doppler sonography. Arteriovenus malformations located near the cortex, that is, in the parietal, frontal, occipital, and cerebellar regions of the brain, could not be visualized. In contrast, AVMs located in the basal regions were very easy to image (sensitivity, 88.9%). Additionally, TCCS proved useful for follow-up examinations postoperatively or after embolization. CONCLUSIONS: Transcranial color-coded duplex sonography is a valuable noninvasive method for the diagnosis and long-term follow-up of intracranial AVMs. Arteriovenous malformations located in the axial imaging plane can be more easily detected. Nevertheless, TCCS should not be used as a screening method.

Adult↗