Studies in health technology and informatics
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2011
Acquisition of technical skills in ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia using a high-fidelity simulator.
Despite the increasing popularity of ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia (UGRA), structured training programs during residency are often lacking. The lack of a regional block area, lack of expertise, and lack of structured training programs have limited hands-on experience in residency programs. ⋯ Despite some improvement in the second trial with the simulator, the ability to maintain visualization of their needle (p<0.05), align needle with probe (p<0.05), and angle their needle approach (p<0.05), as well as reduce needle passes (p<0.05) did not improve. The results show students had difficulty learning skills requiring more coordination and fine motor control.
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This research explored the decision-making process of selecting medicines for prescription on hospital ward-rounds. We aimed to determine when and with whom medications were discussed, and in particular, whether shared decision making (SDM) occurred on ward-rounds. As a low level of computerized decision support was in place in the hospital at the time, we also examined whether the decision support aided in any medication discussions. ⋯ More frequently, doctors informed patients of the medications they would be or were currently taking. The computerized decision support had little impact on treatment decision-making. While the value of SDM is often acknowledged in the literature, it appears to be rarely practiced on hospital ward-rounds.
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2011
Anesthesia residents' preference for learning interscalene brachial plexus block (ISBPB): traditional Winnie's technique vs. ultrasound-guided technique.
There is a recent shift from traditional nerve stimulation (NS) to ultrasound-guided (UG) techniques in regional anesthesia (RA). This shift prompted educators to readdress the best way to teach these two modalities. Development of a more structured curriculum requires an understanding of student preferences and perceptions. ⋯ The residents completed a questionnaire regarding their impression of each technique and the learning experience. UG technique was perceived to be safer and to have more educational value than NS. However, residents felt both techniques should be mandatory in the teaching curriculum.
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2011
Improving fiberoptic intubation with a novel tongue retraction device.
This study examined the utility of a novel tongue retractor created with a wider working blade and a more ergonomic curve to provide jaw lift and tongue management with one hand during intubation. Anesthesia providers participated in simulated intubation of a difficult manikin using the novel tongue retractor with the Bonfils video fiberscope. Results show that the tongue retractor improved placement success and was well received by the study participants.
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2011
A methodology and supply chain management inspired reference ontology for modeling healthcare teams.
Numerous studies and strategic plans are advocating more team based healthcare delivery that is facilitated by information and communication technologies (ICTs). However before we can design ICTs to support teams we need a solid conceptual model of team processes and a methodology for using such a model in healthcare settings. This paper draws upon success in the supply chain management domain to develop a reference ontology of healthcare teams and a methodology for modeling teams to instantiate the ontology in specific settings. This research can help us understand how teams function and how we can design ICTs to support teams.