Journal of clinical monitoring and computing
-
J Clin Monit Comput · Jun 2014
An active one-lobe pulmonary simulator with compliance control for medical training in neonatal mechanical ventilation.
Mechanical ventilation is a current support therapy for newborns affected by respiratory diseases. However, several side effects have been observed after treatment, making it mandatory for physicians to determine more suitable approaches. High fidelity simulation is an efficient educational technique that recreates clinical experience. ⋯ An innovative software-based simulator for training neonatologists and nurses within the continuing medical education program on respiratory disease management was validated. Following the clinical needs, three friendly graphic user interfaces were implemented for simulating three different clinical scenarios (spontaneous breathing, controlled breathing and triggered/assisted ventilation modalities) thus providing physicians with an active experience. The proposed pulmonary simulator has the potential to be included in the range of computer-driven technologies used in medical training, adding novel functions and improving simulation results.
-
J Clin Monit Comput · Jun 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialThe use of train of four monitoring for clinical evaluation of the axillary brachial plexus block.
The axillary approach of brachial plexus anesthesia is the most commonly used technique for forearm and hand surgery. Dynamometer is known as objective test for the clinical assessment of motor block of the nerves in brachial plexus block. However, the use of this device may not always be practical in operating room. ⋯ TOF values were gradually decreased and significant difference was observed between the development of a complete and partial motor block at 30th minute. TOF values were also significantly less in patients of complete sensory block than the patients of partial sensory block at 30th minute. The use of TOF monitoring may be beneficial to assess the objective clinical effect of motor block in the patients with axillary brachial plexus nerve block.
-
J Clin Monit Comput · Jun 2014
Case ReportsThe use of regional cerebral oximetry monitoring during controlled hypotension: a case series.
Regional cerebral oximetry monitoring was used to guide nitroglycerin infusion and IV fluid administration during controlled hypotension in order to optimize each individual patient's mean arterial pressure in a series of 20 consecutive patients who underwent major open urological or abdominal surgery. Although controlled hypotension offers a definite benefit in patients undergoing complex surgery where blood loss will be elevated or would severely compromise the surgical field, it is not without risk as low arterial pressure may compromise tissue perfusion and promote ischemia. In this case series, despite an average mean arterial pressure decrease of 19.5 % (p < 0.001), cerebral oximetry values increased by an average of 22.7 % (p < 0.001) after the nitroglycerin infusion had been initiated (220 mcg/min average). Patients received an average of 3.15L crystalloid and 437 ml albumin in fluid resuscitation.
-
J Clin Monit Comput · Jun 2014
Validity and reliability of the Cold Discomfort Scale: a subjective judgement scale for the assessment of patient thermal state in a cold environment.
Complementary measures for the assessment of patient thermoregulatory state, such as subjective judgement scales, might be of considerable importance in field rescue scenarios where objective measures such as body core temperature, skin temperature, and oxygen consumption are difficult to obtain. The objective of this study was to evaluate, in healthy subjects, the reliability of the Cold Discomfort Scale (CDS), a subjective judgement scale for the assessment of patient thermal state in cold environments, defined as test-retest stability, and criterion validity, defined as the ability to detect a difference in cumulative cold stress over time. Twenty-two healthy subjects performed two consecutive trials (test-retest). ⋯ The comparison revealed that CDS ratings were significantly increased for every interval of 10, 15, and 30 min (p < 0.001) but not for every interval of 5 min. In conclusion, in a prehospital scenario, subjective judgement scales might be a valuable measure for the assessment of patient thermal state. The results of this study indicated that, in concious patients, the CDS may be both reliable and valid for such purpose.