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At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

Electrocardiographic monitoring after electrical injury: necessity or luxury.

It has been common practice to perform routine electrocardiographic (EKG) monitoring of electrically burned patients for the first 24 hours following injury. Is this monitoring necessary, or is it a luxury based on remote probabilities? The records of 48 consecutive patients admitted with high-voltage (greater than 1,000 volts) electrical injuries were reviewed with respect to history of a cardiac event in the field, EKG abnormalities on admission, and the presence of cardiac arrhythmias during the first postinjury day. No serious arrhythmias occurred in any patients who had a normal EKG on admission. It was concluded that routine cardiac monitoring after a high-voltage injury should be individualized based on history of loss of consciousness, documentation of an arrythmia, or an abnormal EKG.

Adolescent↗

Lithium-induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus.

BACKGROUND: Lithium can cause nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in up to 20 to 40 percent of patients currently taking the medication, and a subset of these patients will have a persistent concentrating defect long after lithium is discontinued. They are at risk for serious hypernatremia when fluid intake is restricted for any reason. METHODS: MEDLINE as used to search the key words "nephrogenic diabetes insipidus" and "lithium" from 1990 to the present. A case report describes a patient who had been off lithium for 8 years and who developed hypernatremia after she was transferred to a new long-term facility and the staff attempted to control the patient's polydipsia. The diagnosis and treatment of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus are also discussed. RESULTS: This case of persistent nephrogenic diabetes insipidus 8 years after discontinuing lithium is the longest ever reported. Certainly, a number of patients have varying degrees of persistent lithium-related nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Although pathologic changes are associated with persistent nephrogenic diabetes insipidus, the exact mechanism of the persistent defect is unknown. The mechanism of acute lithium-induced nephrogenic diabetes insipidus while the patient is on lithium is related to changes in intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate. CONCLUSIONS: Patients currently taking lithium and patients with a remote history of lithium treatment need to be monitored for signs and symptoms of nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Physicians need to be aware of the potential for nephrogenic diabetes insipidus in these patients and care for them appropriately.

Chlorthalidone↗

A virtual-reality-based telerehabilitation system with force feedback.

A PC-based orthopedic rehabilitation system was developed for use at home, while allowing remote monitoring from the clinic. The home rehabilitation station has a Pentium II PC with graphics accelerator, a Polhemus tracker, and a multipurpose haptic control interface. This novel interface is used to sample a patient's hand positions and to provide resistive forces using the Rutgers Master II (RMII) glove. A library of virtual rehabilitation routines was developed using WorldToolKit software. At the present time, it consists of three physical therapy exercises (DigiKey, ball, and power putty) and two functional rehabilitation exercises (peg board and ball game). These virtual reality exercises allow automatic and transparent patient data collection into an Oracle database. A remote Pentium II PC is connected with the home-based PC over the Internet and an additional video conferencing connection. The remote computer is running an Oracle server to maintain the patient database, monitor progress, and change the exercise level of difficulty. This allows for patient progress monitoring and repeat evaluations over time. The telerehabilitation system is in clinical trails at Stanford Medical School (CA), with progress being monitored from Rutgers University (NJ). Other haptic interfaces currently under development include devices for elbow and knee rehabilitation connected to the same system.

Computer Graphics↗

Remote stereotactic visualization for image-guided surgery: technical innovation.

Additional data from imaging sources using computer navigation assistance enables virtual visualization of anatomical structures in three dimensions for stereotactic navigation during an operation. Recent developments in communication technology enable the broadcasting not only of video data, but also of stereotactic navigation data via the network. By telepresence/teleconsulting, the composite images and overlapping graphics (instrument, target structure, landmark, contour) can be seen in connected clinics, with the possibility of interactive graphic assistance. In cranio-maxillofacial surgery, the first surgical teleconsultation in real time via telecommunication of stereotactic data was performed in August 1996. A patient suffering from a post-traumatic deformity following multiple comminuted midface fractures was re-osteotomized with the aid of image-guided surgery using teleconsultation: the intraoperative position achieved could be discussed with different surgeons with regard to symmetry, hard/soft tissue relationships and occlusal details, with the possibility of on-screen planning interaction and real time evaluation of the results, over a distance of 500 km.

Computer Graphics↗

Assessment of a new transtelephonic portable spirometer.

BACKGROUND: A new portable spirometer, the Spirophone, has been developed that records a subject's blow and can then transmit all the data by telephone to a receiving centre for analysis and comment. Tests of this device were undertaken to determine its accuracy and reliability. METHODS: The performance of the Spirophone was tested using computer generated wave forms, by delivering blows from calibrated syringes at different flows, and by comparing subjects' blows with those recorded with a commercial spirometer. RESULTS: Using computer generated wave forms all lung function indices were accurate to within 1% and blows delivered from calibrating syringes were accurate to within 5%. When subjects performed repeated forced vital capacity (FVC) manoeuvres there were no significant differences between lung function indices recorded with the Spirophone and with a commercial spirometer. With the Spirophone and commercial spirometer in series the FVC and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) were within 5% of each other in nine out of 10 healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: The Spirophone recorded maximal forced expiratory manoeuvres with acceptable accuracy, reliability, and reproducibility, and this system offers the ability to monitor a patient's lung function at a centre remote from the patient.

Asthma↗

Home telemonitoring for patients with severe respiratory illness: the Italian experience.

We investigated the feasibility of telemonitoring services for patients with severe respiratory illness. In the first phase of the study, patients were observed and treated using face-to-face medical visits for 12 months. In the second phase of the study, the patients were monitored at home for 12 months, during which time determinations of arterial oxygen saturation and heart rate were performed twice a week, and the data were automatically transmitted to the hospital's processing centre via a normal telephone line. Thirty patients on long-term oxygen therapy were enrolled in the study; 23 completed the 12 months of home telemonitoring. The numbers of hospital admissions and of acute home exacerbations during the telemonitoring phase of the study decreased by 50% and 55%, respectively, in comparison with the first phase. Estimates of hospitalization costs for the patients during the second phase were approximately 17% lower than those for the first phase. Patients were satisfied with the quality of the personal telemonitoring process in 96% of cases. We believe that telemedicine can enable the provision of high-quality home care for patients with severe respiratory illness.

Aged↗

Telecardiology: one-lead electrocardiogram monitoring and nurse triage in chronic heart failure.

We investigated a home-based intervention based on telecardiology in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Two hundred and thirty CHF patients, aged 59 years (SD 9), in stable condition and with optimized therapy were enrolled. The programme consisted of trans-telephonic follow-up and electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring followed by visits from a paramedical and medical team. The patient could call the centre when required (tele-assistance), while the team could call the patient at prescheduled times (telemonitoring). During the first 12 months, there were 3767 calls (873 ad hoc and 2894 scheduled calls). There were 648 events, including 126 episodes of asymptomatic hypotension and 168 episodes which were not due to cardiological symptoms. No actions were taken by the nurse after 2417 calls (64%). A change in therapy was suggested after 418 calls, hospital admission in 62 patients, further investigations for 243 patients and a consultation with the general practitioner in 41 patients. A total of 2303 one-lead ECG recordings were received (10 per patient); 126 recordings (6%) were diagnosed as pathological in comparison with the baseline one. The one-lead ECG recording was used for titration of beta-blockers in 79 patients (mean dosage 38 mg vs 42 mg, P<0.01). Home telenursing could be an important application of telemedicine and single-lead ECG recording seems to offer additional benefit in comparison with telephone follow-up alone.

Cardiac Output, Low↗

[Telemedicine: who--what--how].

Telemedicine, or medicine at a distance, is based on electronic communications and digital technology, so their development has led to the rapid development of telemedicine as well. Today, telemedicine covers many areas of health care, such as signal transmission on patient health state, image transmission, vertical and horizontal consultations among remote experts, interventions at a distance, teleeducation, medical patient monitoring and alarm, etc. The greatest advantages of telemedicine are increased access to health care, reduced costs and quality improvement. Telemedicine in Croatia has been developing parallel to the world achievements thanks to the well developed infrastructure and enthusiasm of the concerned professionals.

Croatia↗

Continuous EEG-SEP monitoring of severely brain injured patients in NICU: methods and feasibility.

AIMS: To evaluate the feasibility of a continuous neurophysiologic monitoring (electroencephalography (EEG)-somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs)) in the neuro-intensive care unit (NICU), taking into account both the technical and medical aspects that are specific of this environment. METHODS: We used an extension of the recording software that is routinely used in our unit of clinical neurophysiology. It performs cycles of alternate EEG and SEP recordings. Raw traces and trends are simultaneously displayed. Patient head and stimulator box are placed behind the bed and linked to the ICU monitoring terminal through optic fibers. The NICU staff has been trained to note directly clinical events, main artefacts and therapeutic changes. The hospital local area network (LAN) enables remote monitoring survey. RESULTS: Continuous EEG (CEEG)-SEP monitoring was performed in 44 patients. Problems of needle detachment were seldomly encountered, thanks to the use of a sterile plastic dressing, which covers needles. We never had infection or skin lesions due to needles or the electrical stimulator. The frequent administration of sedative at high doses prevented us from having a clinically valuable EEG in several cases but SEPs were always monitorable, independently of the level of EEG suppression. The diagnosis of seizures and non-epileptic status was based on raw EEG, while quantitative EEG (QEEG) was used to quantify ictal activity as a guide to treatment. CONCLUSIONS: EEG and EP waveforms collected in NICU were of comparable quality to routine clinical measurements and contained the same clinical information. A continuous SEP monitoring in a comatose and sedated patient in NICU is not technically more difficult and potentially less useful than in operating room. This monitoring appears to be feasible provided the observance of some requirement regarding setting, electrodes, montages, personnel integration, consulting and software.

Brain Injuries↗

Stability of salivary concentrations of the newer antiepileptic drugs in the postal system.

Saliva antiepileptic drug (AED) concentrations strongly correlate with serum concentrations. Saliva collection is painless and noninvasive, and untrained personnel can easily be taught the collection process. Remote patients could mail saliva samples to a laboratory for monitoring, and samples could be obtained in the immediate postictal state to provide a "real-time" concentration. The objectives of this study were to assess the stability of saliva lamotrigine (LMT), levetiracetam (LEV), oxcarbazepine (OXC), topiramate (TPM), and zonsiamide (ZNS) concentrations sent through the United States Postal Service (USPS) and to quantify the amount of time needed for patients and the USPS to return samples to clinic. Saliva samples were obtained from patients currently taking 1 of the targeted AEDs. Samples were split into 2 storage vials. One sample was sealed in an addressed envelope, which the patient mailed from home, whereas the other sample was frozen immediately. Postmark date and day returned were collected for mailed samples. Saliva concentrations were determined using HPLC. Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used to compare the immediately-frozen and mailed sample means. Correlations were determined by the Spearman test. Thirty-seven patients were enrolled in the study. The median time between collection and postmark was 1 day (range 0-6 days); and between collection and receipt was 4 days (range 1-160 days). The mean concentrations for mailed and immediately frozen samples were similar for each AED (P > 0.15). Spearman rank order correlations between mailed and immediately frozen aliquots were strong (LMT rs = 1, LEV rs = 1, OXC rs = 0.964, TPM rs = 0.90, and ZNS rs = 1). Saliva samples mailed by patients maintain stability and can be returned in a reasonable length of time. Further studies are needed to assess patient/caretaker capability of obtaining an adequate sample.

Adolescent↗

Monitored outpatient management of mild gestational hypertension remote from term.

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to test the hypothesis that monitored outpatient management of mild gestational hypertension remote from term reduces maternal hospitalization without adversely affecting maternal and perinatal outcome. STUDY DESIGN: Five hundred ninety-two patients at 24 to 36 weeks' gestation with mild gestational hypertension were monitored on an outpatient basis with four times daily automated blood pressure measurement and daily assessment of weight, proteinuria, and fetal movement. Maternal and perinatal outcomes were compared with previously published results from inpatient management of mild gestational hypertension. RESULTS: The mean gestational age at enrollment was 32.5 +/- 3.2 weeks with a mean gestational age at delivery of 36.7 +/- 3.6 weeks. The mean pregnancy prolongation was 27.4 +/- 3.3 days, which is similar to previously reported inpatient studies. The mean antepartum hospitalization for all patients during management was only 1.7 days. Three pregnancies were complicated by abruptio placentae, six by the syndrome of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count, and none by eclampsia. The mean birth weight was 2757 +/- 555 gm, with a birth weight of > or = 2000 gm achieved in 84% of managed patients. Eighty-seven percent of infants required a newborn hospitalization of < or = 7 days. Fifty-four percent of patients with significant proteinuria at enrollment were delivered at < 37.0 weeks' gestation, whereas only 29% of patients without proteinuria were delivered prematurely. The corrected perinatal mortality rate was 3.4 in 1000 total births. CONCLUSION: Properly monitored outpatient management of mild gestational hypertension remote from term reduces the number of days of maternal hospitalization with similar maternal and perinatal outcome compared with previously published results from inpatient management.

Abruptio Placentae↗

Pulse oximetry in the postoperative care of cardiac surgical patients. A randomized controlled trail.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the utility of pulse oximetry in detecting clinically unapparent episodes of arterial desaturation in postoperative cardiac surgical patients and to evaluate the effect of pulse oximetry on ordering arterial blood gas analyses. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, partially blinded comparison. SETTING: Cardiothoracic surgical intensive care unit. PATIENTS: 35 patients following elective cardiac surgical procedures. INTERVENTIONS: All patients were monitored continuously with pulse oximetry throughout their ICU course. In group 1 patients, the SpO2 data were available at the bedside. In group 2 patients, the SpO2 data were masked at the bedside and monitored at a remote location. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Utilization of pulse oximetry allowed a significant reduction in arterial blood gas utilization in group 1 (group 1: 12.4 +/- 7.5 blood gas analyses per ICU admission vs group 2: 23.1 +/- 8.8; p = 0.0007) without adverse events. Clinically unapparent desaturations were detected in 7 of 15 patients in group 2. CONCLUSIONS: Pulse oximetry improves patient safety through the detection of clinically unapparent episodes of desaturation and can allow a reduction in the number of blood gas analyses utilized without adverse effects to the patient. This may allow a potential cost savings to the patient.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗

The Fresenius Medical Care home hemodialysis system.

The Fresenius Medical Care home dialysis system consists of a newly designed machine, a central monitoring system, a state-of-the-art reverse osmosis module, ultrapure water, and all the services associated with a successful implementation. The 2008K@home hemodialysis machine has the flexibility to accommodate the changing needs of the home hemodialysis patient and is well suited to deliver short daily or prolonged nocturnal dialysis using a broad range of dialysate flows and concentrates. The intuitive design, large graphic illustrations, and step-by-step tutorial make this equipment very user friendly. Patient safety is assured by the use of hydraulic systems with a long history of reliability, smart alarm algorithms, and advanced electronic monitoring. To further patient comfort with their safety at home, the 2008K@home is enabled to communicate with the newly designed iCare remote monitoring system. The Aquaboss Smart reverse osmosis (RO) system is compact, quiet, highly efficient, and offers an improved hygienic design. The RO module reduces water consumption by monitoring the water flow of the dialysis system and adjusting water production accordingly. The Diasafe Plus filter provides ultrapure water, known for its long-term benefits. This comprehensive approach includes planning, installation, technical and clinical support, and customer service.

Equipment Design↗

A new monitoring service for long term residential care.

eVital, a European funded project, aims to investigate the issues in the provision of vital signs monitoring services in the community. For the UK pilot, services to monitor the vital signs of patients in residential care homes by remote health care workers have been established. In particular, the aim was to allow the resident's own GP to observe the ECG, blood pressure, SpO2, temperature and respiration whilst still in the health centre and be able to advise on the most appropriate action should a crisis occur. As outcomes, this pilot project was designed to determine feasibility, channels of communication between key players and assess the technology. Trials have been under way for four months and preliminary results are promising. Residential home staff have commented on the extra level security they feel in being able to "summon" medical support for residents for whom they may have concern. Patient's relatives have also commented on the reassurance they experience from knowing that the resident is being monitored.

Aged↗

Biomonitoring with wireless communications.

Wireless biomonitoring, first used in human beings for fetal heart-rate monitoring more than 30 years ago, has now become a technology for remote sensing of patients' activity, blood pulse pressure, oxygen saturation, internal pressures, orthopedic device loading, and gastrointestinal endoscopy. Technical advances in miniaturization and wireless communications have enabled development of monitoring devices that can be made available for general use by individuals/patients and caregivers. New methods for short-range wireless communications not encumbered by radio spectrum restrictions (e.g., ultra-wideband) will enable applications of wireless monitoring without interference in ambulatory subjects, in home care, and in hospitals.

Accidental Falls↗

Peristat: a computer-based perimetry self-test for cost-effective population screening of glaucoma.

PURPOSE: Peristat is a virtual perimetry system that allows self-testing on any standard computer monitor via Internet connection. The sensitivity and specificity of Peristat to detect visual-field defects were compared to standard Humphrey Visual Field Analyzer data. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective, comparative observational case series, 58 eyes of 33 patients were examined. Semiquantitative analyses compared Peristat and Humphrey Visual-Field scores. The study evaluated patients with an established glaucoma diagnosis, as well as glaucoma suspects who had undergone comprehensive ophthalmologic examinations including prior office perimetry evaluation (Humphrey Field Analyzer). Inclusion criteria were (1) diagnosis or suspicion of glaucoma, (2) BCVA better than 20/200, (3) reliable performance on prior standardized office perimetry, and (4) CDR greater than 0.5. Computer literacy was not required, and more than 40% of the patients tested were computer illiterate, with no previous computer or Internet experience. A total of 58 eyes of 33 patients were tested with the Humphrey and the Peristat systems: 10 eyes of 5 patients without documented glaucomatous field loss and 48 eyes of 23 patients with mild-to-severe scotomas by standard 24-2 office perimetry. A standard computer setup was used with a 17" monitor, and the Peristat system was enabled through a remote connection with a server. RESULTS: All patients completed the Peristat test without difficulty. Testing time varied between 2 and 5 min, tending to be longer with more severe visual-field defects. Test results were reviewed, in a masked fashion, by two glaucoma specialists and one general ophthalmologist. The Peristat demonstrated a high degree of correlation with the Humphrey system. Among the three reviewers, sensitivity ranged from 80% to 83%. In a second subanalysis in which cases with mild defects were excluded, the Peristat's sensitivity increased to 84%-86% while specificity remained between 94% and 97% for all three reviewers. Patients performed the Peristat test with similar facility to their Humphrey test. Fixation losses and test reliability were comparable for both tests. CONCLUSIONS: Peristat is a reliable self-test perimetry system that demonstrates high clinical utility for the detection of visual-field defects from glaucoma. Peristat could be a valuable public health tool for cost-effective screening of glaucoma.

Algorithms↗

Remote telemetry: new twists for old technology.

Availability of telemetry beds was increased cost-effectively by providing telemetry on medical/surgical units with remote monitoring at designated critical care areas. Guidelines were developed for patient selection, education, clinical policy and procedure. A two-hour inservice was completed by all medical/surgical nurses and after a pilot study the system was implemented on three medical/surgical units.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗