Studies in health technology and informatics
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2006
Using SNOMED CT codes for coding information in electronic health records for stroke patients.
For a project on development of an Electronic Health Record (EHR) for stroke patients, medical information was organised in care information models (templates). All (medical) concepts in these templates need a unique code to make electronic information exchange between different EHR systems possible. When no unique code could be found in an existing coding system, a code was made up. ⋯ However, for the scientific scales only 26% of the concepts could get a SNOMED CT code. Although the percentage of SNOMED CT codes found is lower than expected, we still think SNOMED CT could be a useful coding system for the concepts necessary for the continuity of care for stroke patients, and the inclusion in Electronic Health Records. Partly this is due to the fact that SNOMED CT has the option to request unique codes for new concepts, and is currently working on scale representation.
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2006
Brachial plexus palsy associated with halo traction before posterior correction in severe scoliosis.
To retrospectively analyse clinical features and related factors of brachial plexus palsy associated with halo traction before posterior correction in severe scoliosis. ⋯ Brachial plexus palsy associated with halo traction in severe scoliosis is related to the weight of traction, body type and patient-pathology status. If the symptoms are promptly detected with rehabilitation training and appropriate drug treatment adopted, complete nerve functional restoration can be achieved.
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2006
Intervertebral disc biomechanics in the pathogenesis of idiopathic scoliosis.
The aim of the present study is to investigate whether the deformation of the intervertebral disc contributes to the progression of idiopathic scoliotic curves. In the standing posteroanterior x-rays of 92 scoliotic curves the following readings were obtained: Cobb angle (CA), apical vertebral rotation (AVR), apical vertebral wedging (AVW) and the adjacent to the apical vertebra Upper (UIVDW) and Lower (LIVDW) InterVertebral Discs Wedging. The statistical analyses included inter - intraobserver reliability test, descriptives, monofactorial linear regression and Pearson correlation coefficient, with p<0.05 considered statistical significant (SS). ⋯ The eccentric intervertebral disc in the scoliotic spine, through variation in its water concentration produces asymmetrically cyclical load during the 24-hour period and an asymmetrical growth of the vertebral body (Hueter-Volkman's law). The statistical analysis revealed that AVW appears later when already CA increases, the IVDW is more important than AVW and the LIVDW, which is greater than UIVDW, is the most frequent correlated radiographic parameter. The deformation of the apical intervertebral disc seems to be an important contributory factor in the progression of a scoliotic curve.
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Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2006
Information therapy: The strategic role of prescribed information in disease self-management.
Imagine this: evidence-based medical information specifically written for and prescribed to a patient with chronic illness, targeted to that patient's specific "moment in care" and designed to help that patient manage his or her illness. Imagine "information therapy" built into every clinical encounter that a patient has with a physician or other health care service. ⋯ Information therapy is a new disease management tool that provides cost-effective disease management support to a much larger portion of the chronically ill population than is generally reached. This paper is a practical presentation of information therapy, its role in predictive modeling and disease self-management, and its potential for improving the outcomes of chronic care.
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In this paper we present the concept and the first results of the Fibre Optic Pointer - a miniaturized Augmented Reality system for craniofacial surgery. The objective is the integration into surgical instruments.