National inventory of authorized diagnostic imaging equipment in Ghana: data as of September 2020.

Introduction: to address the challenge of inadequate and non-equitable distribution of diagnostic imaging equipment, countries are encouraged to evaluate the distribution of installed systems and undertake adequate monitoring to ensure equitability. Ghana´s medical imaging resources have been analyzed in this study and evaluated against the status in other countries. Methods: data on registered medical imaging equipment were retrieved from the database of the Nuclear Regulatory Authority and analyzed. The equipment/population ratio was mapped out graphically for the 16 regions of Ghana. Comparison of the equipment/population ratio was made with the situation in other countries. Results: six hundred and seventy-four diagnostic imaging equipment units from 266 medical imaging facilities (2.5 units/facility), comprising computed tomography (CT), general X-ray, dental X-ray, single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) gamma camera, fluoroscopy, mammography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were surveyed nationally. None of the imaging systems measured above the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) average imaging units per million populations (u/mp). The overall equipment/population ratio estimated nationally was 21.4 u/mp. Majority of the imaging systems were general X-ray, installed in the Greater Accra and Ashanti regions. The regional estimates of equipment/population ratios were Greater Accra (49.6 u/mp), Ashanti (22.4 u/mp), Western (21.4 u/mp), Eastern (20.6 u/mp), Bono East (20.0 u/mp), Bono (19.2 u/mp), Volta (17.9 u/mp), Upper West (16.7 u/mp), Oti (12.5 u/mp), Central (11.9 u/mp), Northern (8.9 u/mp), Ahafo (8.9 u/mp), Upper East (6.9 u/mp), Western North (6.7 u/mp), Savannah (5.5 u/mp) and North-East (1.7 u/mp). Conclusion: medical imaging equipment shortfall exist across all imaging modalities in Ghana. A wide inter-regional disparity in the distribution of medical imaging equipment exists contrary to WHO´s recommendation for equitable distribution. A concerted national plan will be needed to address the disparity.

Comparación entre el análisis automático y manual de 301 poligrafías respiratorias domiciliarias con ApneaLink / Comparison between automatic and manual scoring of 301 home respiratory polygraphs with ApneaLink device

Resumen Introducción: El síndrome de apnea obstructiva del sueño (SAOS) se asocia a aumento de morbimortalidad cardiovascular y metabólica, y a mala calidad de vida. Su diagnóstico y tratamiento eficaz mejora la salud individual y pública. Objetivo: evaluar concordancia entre análisis automático versus manual del dispositivo ApneaLink para diagnosticar y clasificar SAOS en pacientes con sospecha clínica. Material y Método: Evaluación retrospectiva de 301 poligrafías respiratorias del HOSCAR. Se mide correlación, acuerdo general y concordancia entre parámetros obtenidos manual y automáticamente usando coeficiente de Pearson, coeficiente de correlación intraclase y gráfico de Bland y Altman. Resultados: En 11,3% de casos el análisis automático interpreto erróneamente la señal de flujo. No hubo diferencias significativas entre índices de apnea-hipopnea automático (AHIa 18,9 ± 17,5) y manual (AHIm 20,8 ± 19,4) r + 0,97 (95% CI: 0,9571 a 0,9728; p < 0,0001) y tampoco entre la saturación mínima de oxígeno automática (82,1 ± 7,6) y manual (83,1 ± 6,8) r + 0,85 (95% CI: 0,8108 a 0,8766; p < 0,0001). No hubo buena correlación entre análisis automático y manual en clasificación de apneas centrales, r + 0,51 (95% CI: 0,4238 a 0,5942; p < 0,0001). Hubo subestimación de gravedad de SAOS por análisis automático: en 11% de casos. Conclusión: El diagnóstico entregado automáticamente por ApneaLink podría aceptarse sin confirmación manual adicional solamente en casos clasificados como severos. Para AHI menores se requeriría confirmación mediante análisis manual de experto.

Abstract Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with increased cardiovascular and metabolic morbidity and mortality, and poor quality of life. Its effective diagnosis and treatment improve individual and public health. Aim: To evaluate concordance between automatic versus manual analysis of the ApneaLink device to diagnose and classify OSAS in patients with clinical suspicion. Material and Method: Retrospective evaluation of 301 respiratory polygraphs from HOSCAR. Correlation, general agreement and concordance between parameters obtained manually and automatically are measured using Pearson's coefficient, intraclass correlation coefficient, and Bland and Altman graph. Results: In 11.3% of cases, the automatic analysis misinterpreted the flow signal. There were no significant differences between automatic (AHIa 18.9 ± 17.5) and manual (AHIm 20.8 ± 19.4) apnea-hypopnea indices r + 0.97 (95% CI:0.9571 to 0.9728, p < 0.0001) and nor between automatic (82.1 ± 7.6) and manual (83.1 ± 6.8) minimum oxygen saturation r + 0.85 (95% CI: 0.8108 to 0.8766, p < 0.0001). There was no good correlation between automatic and manual analysis in the classification of central apneas, r + 0.51(95% CI:0.4238 to 0.5942, p < 0.0001). There was an underestimation of the severity of OSAS by automatic analysis in 11% of cases. Conclusion: The diagnosis delivered automatically by ApneaLink could be accepted without additional manual confirmation only in cases classified as severe. For minors AHI, confirmation through manual expert analysis would be required.

3D-Printing to Address COVID-19 Testing Supply Shortages.

The recent SARS-CoV-2 outbreak has placed immense pressure on supply chains, including shortages in nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs. Here, we report our experience of using 3D-printing to rapidly develop and deploy custom-made NP swabs to address supply shortages at our healthcare institution.

Declaración de posición del Grupo de la Comisión Lancet de Hipertensión con respecto a la mejora mundial de las normas de exactitud para los dispositivos de medición de la presión arterial / Lancet Commission on Hypertension Group position statement on the global improvement of accuracy standards for devices that measure blood pressure / Posicionamento do Grupo da Lancet Commission on Hypertension sobre a melhoria global dos padrões de acurácia para aparelhos que medem a pressão arterial

Objetivos. El boletín de notas de México correspondiente al 2018 evalúa las oportunidades a disposición de la población infantil y joven mexicana para que puedan desarrollar niveles adecuados de actividad física y sueño, y disminuyan el sedentarismo.Métodos. El boletín es un sistema de vigilancia que recopila los datos obtenidos en las encuestas nacionales, censos, documentos gubernamentales, sitios web, literatura gris y estudios publicados con respecto al análisis de 16 indicadores en 4 categorías: comportamientos diarios, estado físico, entornos y fuentes influyentes, y estrategias e inversión. Los datos fueron cotejados con los puntos de referencia establecidos. A cada indicador se le asignó una calificación entre 1 y 10 (< 6 significa reprobado) o fue marcado como "incompleto" si los datos eran nulos o insuficientes. Resultados. Las calificaciones obtenidas para los comportamientos diarios fueron: actividad física en general: 4; participación en actividades deportivas organizadas: 5; juego activo: 3; modalidades de transporte activas: 5; sueño: 7; y sedentarismo: 3. El estado físico obtuvo un 7. Las calificaciones para los entornos y fuentes influyentes fueron: familiares y pares: "incompleto"; escuela: 3; comunidad y entorno: 4. Para las estrategias e inversión: estrategias gubernamentales: 6; entidades no gubernamentales: 2.Conclusiones. Las bajas calificaciones obtenidas en 11 de los 16 indicadores demuestran que las escuelas, las familias, las comunidades y el gobierno tienen que aunar esfuerzos para mejorar las oportunidades que tiene la población infantil y joven en México para desarrollar niveles de actividad física satisfactorios.(AU)

ABSTRACT The Lancet Commission on Hypertension identified that a key action to address the worldwide burden of high blood pressure (BP) was to improve the quality of BP measurements by using BP devices that have been validated for accuracy. Currently, there are over 3 000 commercially available BP devices, but many do not have published data on accuracy testing according to established scientific standards. This problem is enabled through weak or absent regulations that allow clearance of devices for commercial use without formal validation. In addition, new BP technologies have emerged (e.g. cuffless sensors) for which there is no scientific consensus regarding BP measurement accuracy standards. Altogether, these issues contribute to the widespread availability of clinic and home BP devices with limited or uncertain accuracy, leading to inappropriate hypertension diagnosis, management and drug treatment on a global scale. The most significant problems relating to the accuracy of BP devices can be resolved by the regulatory requirement for mandatory independent validation of BP devices according to the universally-accepted International Organization for Standardization Standard. This is a primary recommendation for which there is an urgent international need. Other key recommendations are development of validation standards specifically for new BP technologies and online lists of accurate devices that are accessible to consumers and health professionals. Recommendations are aligned with WHO policies on medical devices and universal healthcare. Adherence to recommendations would increase the global availability of accurate BP devices and result in better diagnosis and treatment of hypertension, thus decreasing the worldwide burden from high BP.(AU)

RESUMO A Comissão Lancet sobre Hipertensão Arterial identificou que uma iniciativa central para enfrentar a carga mundial da hipertensão arterial seria a melhoria na qualidade da mensuração da pressão arterial pelo uso aparelhos de pressão arterial validados quanto à acurácia. Atualmente, existem mais de 3 000 aparelhos de pressão arterial disponíveis comercialmente; entretanto, muitos não têm dados publicados sobre testes de acurácia realizados de acordo com padrões científicos estabelecidos. Este problema resulta de regulamentação fraca ou inexistente, o que permite a aprovação para uso comercial de dispositivos sem validação formal. Além disso, surgiram novas tecnologias de mensuração da pressão arterial (por exemplo, sensores sem algemas) sem consenso científico quanto aos padrões de acurácia. No conjunto, essas questões contribuem para a oferta generalizada de dispositivos de pressão arterial clínica e domiciliar com acurácia limitada ou incerta, levando a diagnóstico, gerenciamento e tratamento inadequados da hipertensão em escala global. Os problemas mais significativos relacionados com a acurácia dos dispositivos de pressão arterial podem ser resolvidos por regulamentação que imponha a obrigatoriedade de validação independente dos aparelhos de pressão arterial, de acordo com a norma universalmente aceita pela Organização Internacional de Normalização. Esta é uma recomendação fundamental para a qual existe uma necessidade internacional urgente. Outras recomendações essenciais incluem o desenvolvimento de padrões de validação especificamente para novas tecnologias de mensuração da pressão arterial e listas on-line de aparelhos com acurácia adequada que sejam acessíveis aos consumidores e profissionais de saúde. As recomendações estão alinhadas com as políticas da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) sobre dispositivos médicos e atenção universal à saúde. A adesão às recomendações aumentaria a oferta global de dispositivos de pressão arterial com acurácia adequada e resultaria em melhor diagnóstico e tratamento da hipertensão arterial, diminuindo assim a carga mundial dessa doença.(AU)

Assessment of the accuracy of portable monitors for halitosis evaluation in subjects without malodor complaint. Are they reliable for clinical practice?

Abstract Halitosis is defined as a foul odor emanated from the oral cavity, with great impact in quality of life and social restraints. Recently, the use of Breath Alert™ in research increased significantly. Halimeter™, another portable device, is often used in clinical practice. Nevertheless, not many studies have verified the accuracy and compared the results of both devices simultaneously. Objective: To verify the accuracy of Breath Alert™ and Halimeter™ in patients without chief complaint of halitosis, using the organoleptic test (OT) as "gold standard." The second aim was to verify whether their concomitant use could enhance the diagnostic accuracy of halitosis. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was performed. The quality of expired air of 34 subjects without chief complaint of halitosis was assessed. Two experienced examiners carried out the OT. Afterward, a third blinded examiner performed Halimeter™ (HT) and Breath Alert™ (BA) tests. Results: The OT identified halitosis in 21 subjects (62%). The area under the ROC curve (95% confidence interval) was 0.67 (0.48-0.85) and 0.54 (0.34-0.75) for HT and BA, respectively. The accuracy for HT and BA was 59% and 47%, respectively. The combined usage of HT and BA provided 11 positive results, being 9 subjects (43%) out of the total of 21 positive cases. Conclusions: Halimeter™ and Breath Alert™ were not able to diagnose halitosis in non-complainer subjects at the same level as the organoleptic examination, since their accuracy were low. Our results suggest that such portable devices are not reliable tools to assess halitosis and may neglect or misdiagnose a considerable number of patients in clinical practice.

Standards for Accessible Medical Diagnostic Equipment. Final rule.

The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board or Board) is issuing accessibility standards for medical diagnostic equipment. The standards for medical diagnostic equipment (MDE Standards) contain minimum technical criteria to ensure that medical diagnostic equipment, including but not limited to, examination tables, examination chairs, weight scales, mammography equipment, and other imaging equipment used by health care providers for diagnostic purposes are accessible to, and usable by, individuals with disabilities. The MDE Standards will allow independent entry to, use of, and exit from the equipment by individuals with disabilities to the maximum extent possible. The MDE Standards do not impose any mandatory requirements on health care providers or medical device manufacturers. However, other agencies, referred to as enforcing authorities in the MDE Standards, may issue regulations or adopt policies that require health care providers subject to their jurisdiction to acquire accessible medical diagnostic equipment that complies with the MDE Standards.

Estrategias para la introducción de nuevos diagnosticadores en el Sistema Nacional de Salud / Strategies for the introduction of new diagnostics in the national health system

Introducción: los cambios continuos del entorno obligan a las empresas a vigilar constantemente sus productos, tecnologías y la preparación de sus directivos y empleados para adaptarse a las tendencias del mercado y fortalecer su prevalecía en el mismo. Las empresas deben contar con un sistema de información que favorezca la generación y transmisión de las ideas procedentes de empleados, proveedores, clientes, competidores o del análisis de mercado. Objetivo: reestructurar el Cuadro Básico de Diagnosticadores para los laboratorios de Química Clínica y Microbiología, pertenecientes a las instituciones del sistema de salud, acorde con las nuevas introducciones por la Empresa de Producción de Biológicos Carlos J. Finlay. Métodos: se aplicaron diferentes herramientas para identificar el posicionamiento y la vigencia que tiene la Empresa de Producción de Biológicos Carlos J. Finlay en el sistema de salud cubano. Se aplicó una encuesta validada en 181 centros asistenciales para determinar los posibles productos a incorporar. La metodología de trabajo agrupó 6 etapas. Resultados: se obtuvo que la Empresa Carlos J. Finlay, como principal productor del diagnóstico en Cuba, posee vigencia y posicionamiento, se identificaron todas las investigaciones analíticas que permitirán ofrecer un servicio de excelencia, la caracterización de los diagnosticadores por grado de importancia en cuanto a significado clínico, tecnología, factibilidad económica y demanda. La introducción de los productos evaluados y validados por especialistas del Grupo Nacional de Laboratorio cubrirá el diagnóstico esencial en 90 por ciento en Química Clínica y un 45 por ciento en Inmunoquímica en los centros asistenciales del sistema de salud cubano. Se confeccionó un programa para la introducción. Conclusiones: se evidenció el posicionamiento de la empresa en el Sistema Nacional de Salud, así como las potencialidades que la misma tiene para el desarrollo y asimilación de nuevas tecnologías(AU)

Introduction: the ongoing changes in the world scenario force the companies to permanently surveil their products, technologies and the preparation of their managers and employees in order to adapt to the market trends and to strengthen their prevalence there. The companies should have in place an information system favoring the generation and conveyance of ideas from employees, providers, clients, competitors or the market analyzis. Objectives: to restructure the Basic Group of Diagnostics for clinical chemistry and microbiology laboratories attached to the health care system institutions according to the new products introduced by Carlos J Finlay biologicals manufacturer enterprise. Methods: several tools were applied to identify the position and the validity that Carlos J. Finlay enterprise has in the Cuban health care system. The survey was validated in 181 medical assistance centers to determinte the possible products to be incorporated. The working methodology comprises 6 phases. Results: it was found out that this enterprise, as main manufacturer of diagnostics in Cuba, has validity and position in the market; all the analytical researches were identified, which will allow providing excellence service, characterization of diagnostics by level of importance in terms of clinical significance, technology, economic feasibility and demand. The introduction of the evaluated and validated products by the specialists of the national group of laboratories will cover 90 percent of the essential diagnosis in clinical chemistry and 45 percent in immunochemistry in the assistance centers of the Cuban health system. aprogram was designed to this end. Conclusions: it was confirmed that 'Carlos J Finlay" enterprise is positioned in the national health system as well as its potentialities for the development and assimilation of new technologies(AU)

Agreement between activity-monitoring devices during home rehabilitation: a substudy of the AAA STOP trial.

As part of a home-based rehabilitation program, 24 older adult patients (71 ± 3 years) with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) disease underwent 3 days (12 awake hr/day) of activity monitoring using an accelerometer (ACC), a pedometer, and a heart rate (HR) monitor, and recorded hourly activity logs. Subjects then underwent an interview to complete a 3-day activity recall questionnaire (3-DR). Mean energy expenditure (EE) in kcals/ day for HR, ACC, and 3-DR were 1,687 ± 458, 2,068 ± 529, and 1,974 ± 491, respectively. Differences in EE were not significant between 3-DR and ACC, but HR differed from both ACC (p < .001) and 3-DR (p < .01). ACC and 3-DR had the highest agreement, with a coefficient of variation of 7.9% and r = .86. Thus, ACC provided a reasonably accurate reflection of EE based the criterion measure, an activity recall questionnaire. ACC can be effectively used to monitor EE to achieve an appropriate training stimulus during home-based cardiac rehabilitation.

Hand-held tidal breathing nasal nitric oxide measurement--a promising targeted case-finding tool for the diagnosis of primary ciliary dyskinesia.

BACKGROUND: Nasal nitric oxide (nNO) measurement is an established first line test in the work-up for primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD). Tidal breathing nNO (TB-nNO) measurements require minimal cooperation and are potentially useful even in young children. Hand-held NO devices are becoming increasingly widespread for asthma management. Therefore, we chose to assess whether hand-held TB-nNO measurements reliably discriminate between PCD, and Healthy Subjects (HS) and included Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients as a disease control group known to have intermediate nNO levels. METHODS: In this cross sectional, single centre, single occasion, proof-of-concept study in children and adults with PCD and CF, and in HS we compared feasibility, success rates, discriminatory capacity, repeatability and agreement between a hand-held electrochemical device equipped with a nNO software application sampling at flow rates 2 ml/s or 5 ml/s, and two stationary chemiluminescence devices, applying both tidal breathing and velum closure techniques. RESULTS: Measurements were done in 16 PCD patients, 21 patients with CF and 20 HS aged between 3.8 and 60.9 years. Hand-held TB-nNO showed high success rate (96.5-100%) vs. velum closure nNO techniques (70.2-89.5%). Hand-held TB-nNO sampling at flow rate 5 ml/s showed equally high discriminative power (PCD vs. HS [p<0.0001] and PCD vs. CF [p<0.0001]) and reaching close to 100% sensitivity and specificity, superior repeatability (CV% = 10%) and equal limits of agreement compared to TB-nNO by stationary devices and even compared to velum closure sampling. CONCLUSION: Hand-held TB-nNO discriminates significantly between PCD, CF and HS and shows promising potential as a widespread targeted case-finding tool for PCD, although further studies are warranted before implementation.

[Quality control testing of x-ray equipment used in medical diagnostic: results of interlaboratory comparison]. / Ocena pomiaru parametrów fizycznych w kontroli jakosci aparatury rentgenodiagnostycznej - wyniki miedzylaboratoryjnych badan porównawczych.

BACKGROUND: Effective diagnostic radiology system should be based on an efficient and suitable servicing of medical X-ray equipment. According to Polish requirements, all radiology departments are obligated to carry out quality control (QC) test of their X-ray set. In practice, testing is mostly performed by accredited external QC services, which have to participate in periodic interlaboratory comparison (ILC) to maintain or obtain the accreditation. Large-scale ILC for QC services were performed at the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine for three ranges of diagnostic radiology: dental, conventional and mammography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During ILC, the metrological coherence of main physical parameters, which determine good quality of diagnostic image, were estimated and compared with appropriate reference values ensured by ILC organizer. The ILC participants comprised 29 QC services. The measurements were performed by ILC participants under laboratory conditions, using their own calibrated meters, according to routine procedures. All measurement results were assessed by calculating the E(n) value, normalized with respect to the uncertainties. RESULTS: Of the 328 evaluated results only 11 (3.4%) were classified as unsatisfactory. As much as 82% of them applied to mammography. Thus, the final evaluation revealed negative results in 2 of the 29 participants, which means that their satisfactory scores for the studied ranges were below 75%. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of predominant amount of satisfactory results, ILC indicated some regions of divergence e.g. large differences in evaluation of uncertainties and other inconsistencies.

Controle de qualidade de monitores de diagnóstico por imagem e iluminância nos espaços de pós-processamento em serviços de imagiologia / Display quality control based on luminance measurements in post-processing units at imaging diagnosis centers

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a qualidade dos monitores de diagnóstico e tratamento de imagem digital em radiologia convencional (raios X) com base nos níveis de luminância. Fez-se a medição da iluminância dos postos de trabalho onde estavam os monitores. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: A medição da luminância foi realizada usando-se um detector Unfors Xi Light em cinco instituições, com 23 monitores primários e 22 secundários, sendo 6 usados em urgência, seguindo o método descrito no relatório TG18 da American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM). O instrumento de medida utilizado foi o Delta Ohm HD 9221 luximeter. RESULTADOS: Para as recomendações da AAPM, tanto monitores primários como secundários cumpriram, no geral, os níveis de tolerância. No caso dos níveis de iluminância, nos locais de trabalho dos monitores primários encontravam-se ligeiramente acima do intervalo recomendado. Quanto às recomendações do The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR), os monitores que respeitaram os níveis recomendados estavam em minoria, embora as diferenças não fossem significativas. CONCLUSÃO: Em geral, os resultados foram satisfatórios, embora os monitores não fossem adequados para atingir as recomendações exigentes do RCR. Os níveis de referência entre os monitores primários e secundários deveriam aproximar-se, de modo a garantir a qualidade de imagem. Os monitores para visualização e diagnóstico de imagens médicas devem ser regularmente avaliados para manter um sistema com a qualidade exigida, dada a função que desempenham.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the quality of primary and secondary displays of conventional radiography systems based on luminance measurements. The level of ambient lighting within the rooms was also measured. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Luminance measurements were performed with an Unfors Xi Light Detector in 23 primary and 22 secondary displays (six of them utilized in emergency departments) at five different institutions, and according to the method described on the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) TG18 report. The level of ambient lighting was measured with Delta Ohm HD 9221 lux meter. RESULTS: In general, both the primary and secondary the displays were compliant with the AAPM guidelines. As regards ambient lighting, the primary workstation rooms were slightly above the recommended levels. As far as The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR) recommendations are concerned, the number of compliant displays corresponded to a minority, with no significant difference, though. CONCLUSION: Although most of the displays could not meet the strict RCR guidelines, in general, the results were satisfactory. The level of agreement between primary and secondary displays should be as high as possible in order to guarantee the image quality. Considering the key role played by diagnostic imaging systems, medical imaging displays must be regularly evaluated to assure that the quality of the imaging system is maintained.

Avaliação das condições de funcionamento dos equipamentos de raios X médico em serviços de radiologia no Estado da Paraíba, durante os anos de 2008 e 2009 / Evaluation of medical X-ray machines in Paraíba state radiology centers between 2008 and 2009

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a coincidência entre o campo luminoso e o campo de radiação, e o alinhamento do feixe de radiação dos equipamentos de raios X médico no Estado da Paraíba, por meio de dois testes de controle de qualidade. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados os dispositivos para os testes de tamanho de campo e de alinhamento, um chassi carregado, trena e nível de bolha. Os testes de exatidão do sistema de colimação e de alinhamento do raio central do feixe de raios X foram realizados durante as inspeções sanitárias em serviços de radiologia nos anos de 2008 e 2009. RESULTADOS: No ano de 2008, 121 equipamentos de raios X foram testados no Estado da Paraíba. No ano de 2009, passaram pelos testes 117 equipamentos. Deste universo, 86 foram selecionados para a comparação por terem sido avaliados tanto no ano de 2008 como em 2009, sendo observada uma melhoria de 18,60 por cento (n = 16) nos resultados dos testes realizados de um ano para outro. CONCLUSÃO Conclusão: Pode-se concluir que o percentual de equipamentos apresentando problemas no seu desempenho sofreu uma diminuição entre 2008 e 2009, não sendo observado programa de garantia de qualidade em nenhum dos serviços de radiologia do Estado da Paraíba.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the light and radiation fields congruence and radiation beam alignment in medical X-ray equipment in Paraíba state radiology centers by means of two quality control tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A loaded cassette, a measuring tape and a bubble level were utilized in the field size and alignment testing. The evaluation of collimation systems accuracy and X-ray beam alignment was undertaken during health inspections performed in radiology centers between 2008 and 2009. RESULTS: In 2008, 121 X-ray machines were evaluated in the Paraíba state. In 2009, 117 machines were tested. From this universe, 86 machines were selected for comparison, since they were evaluated both in 2008 and 2009, with 18.60 percent (n = 16) showing test results improvement from one year to another. CONCLUSION: The percentage of problematic X-ray machines decreased between 2008 and 2009, notwithstanding no quality assurance program has been observed in Paraíba state radiology centers.

Ability of the INNOVANCE PFA P2Y system to detect clopidogrel-induced ADP receptor blockade in preangiocath individuals.

We compared the ability of four test systems to detect platelet P2Y12 (ADP receptor) blockade by clopidogrel. The systems were the INNOVANCE PFA P2Y cartridge (PFA P2Y), the Accumetrics VerifyNow P2Y12 cartridge (VN P2Y12), whole blood aggregometry (WBA) using 5 (WBA 5) and 10 (WBA 10)  µmol/l ADP, and light transmittance aggregometry (LTA) using 20 (LTA 20)  µmol/l ADP. Blood was collected in 3.2% citrate from 101 preangiography participants who had received 300-600  mg of clopidogrel within 6-24  h or 75  mg daily for at least 7 days. Blood was also collected in 3.8% citrate for the PFA P2Y. Cut-offs indicating blockade were PFA P2Y, more than 106  s; VN P2Y12, less than 20%,  less than  235 Plavix resistance unit (PRU); WBA 5, less than 5  ohms; WBA 10, less than 8  ohms; and LTA 20, less than 50% aggregation. Percentage positives were PFA P2Y (3.2% citrate), 59%; PFA P2Y (3.8% citrate), 95%; VN P2Y12, 60%; VN P2Y12 PRU, 50%; WBA 5, 88%; WBA 10, 89%; and LTA 20, 72%. Percentage agreements were PFA P2Y 3.2% to VN P2Y12, 71%; PFA P2Y 3.2% to WBA 5 and 10, 64 and 65%, respectively; PFA P2Y 3.2% to LTA 20, 69%; PFA P2Y 3.8% to VN P2Y12, 71%, and to VN P2Y12 PRU, 60%; PFA P2Y 3.8% to WBA 5 and 10, 90% for both; PFA P2Y 3.8% to LTA 20, 76%; VN P2Y12 to WBA 5 and 10, 68 and 67%, respectively; and VN P2Y12 to LTA 20, 72%. PFA P2Y (3.2% citrate) detection compared favorably to VN P2Y12. The same system at 3.8% citrate compared more closely to WBA 5 and WBA 10.

Validation of Embletta portable diagnostic system for identifying patients with suspected obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS).

UNLABELLED: The Embletta portable diagnostic system is highly sensitive and specific in quantifying the AHI and differentiating obstructive and supine events when compared against hospital-based PSG in patients with suspected OSAS. The simple device may be useful for screening and diagnostic purpose when access to PSG is limited. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of Embletta portable diagnostic system (PDS, Medcare, Reykjavik, Iceland) for the screening of sleep apnoea in clinical practice. METHODS: The Embletta PDS is a digital three-channel recording device that measures airflow through a nasal cannula connected to a pressure transducer, oxygen saturation plus both respiratory and abdominal movements via built-in effort and body position sensors. An AHI is determined based on recording time. Nocturnal polysomnography (Alice 4, Healthdyne, Atlanta, USA), with airflow measured by a nasal pressure transducer (PTAF2, Pro-Tech, Woodinville, WA, USA)) and Embletta PDS recordings, was performed simultaneously in consecutive patients with suspected OSA syndrome. The PSG recordings were analysed manually by a blinded investigator. RESULTS: Ninety subjects were recruited and 10 failed Embletta PDS studies due to measurement failure. Among the remaining 80 subjects, 63 were males. The mean age (SD) was 51.4 (11.9) years old, BMI 27.1(4.2) kg/m2, neck circumference 38.6 (3.6) cm and Epworth Sleepiness Score 9.7 (5.3). The AHI obtained by the Embletta PDS correlated closely with that obtained by PSG (Pearson correlation, r=0.979, P<0.001). Comparison of AHI based on the Embletta PDS against the PSG demonstrated high sensitivity at AHI>or=5/h (sensitivity 0.924 and specificity 0.857) and high specificity at AHI>or=20/h (sensitivity 0.853 and specificity 0.957). CONCLUSIONS: The Embletta PDS is a highly sensitive and specific screening device in quantifying AHI when compared against PSG in patients with suspected OSA syndrome.

3-D-microwave breast tumor detection: study of system performance.

This paper presents a study of performance for a 3-D breast tumor detection system. The system is based on processing the scattered signals when a narrow pulse is transmitted from a set of antennas placed surrounding the breast. The 3-D system performance is evaluated by placing the tumor at any breast position, even at locations near the breast muscle where detection is more difficult. Results are obtained for different sizes and positions of the abnormalities that are defined as spherical and bunch-shaped geometries, which approach the well-known breast tumors morphology. These results show that the array distribution considered will have a high impact on detection.

Measurement of vaginal length: Reliability of the vaginal sound--a Gynecologic Oncology Group study.

A decrease in vaginal length associated with treatments for gynecological malignancies, particularly pelvic radiotherapy, negatively impacts sexuality. Research into this important problem has been hampered by a lack of instrumentation to measure vaginal length. The Gynecologic Oncology Group recently evaluated the reliability of an instrument, the "vaginal sound," designed to measure vaginal length. Eighty-eight physicians and nurses attended a training session in the use of the vaginal sound that included a clinical practicum with live models. Reliability was assessed at the time of the practicum. The instrument performed well, with vaginal lengths in models without cancer in the upper range of normal as documented by Masters and Johnson. The vaginal sound also appeared to be sensitive to hypothesized changes in vaginal length. Interrater reliability was high with intraclass correlation coefficients of 0.88 among instructors and 0.76 among trainees. In conclusion, the vaginal sound is a simple, yet reproducible measure and adds methodologic rigor to studies of vaginal length.