Un programa informático en la web para la evaluación dietética en Costa Rica / A web-based software for dietary assessment in Costa Rica

Introducción. La medición del consumo de alimentos es un importante indicador del estado nutricional de las personas; sin embargo, el proceso no es fácil y puede tener un nivel de error inaceptable. La incorporación de nuevas tecnologías pueden facilitar el proceso y minimizar el error. Objetivo. Desarrollar un programa informático en la web para nutricionistas que permita el ingreso de datos de consumo de alimentos con un recordatorio de 24 horas o de los 7 días anteriores, el análisis de la ingesta de energía y nutrientes y su comparación con las ingestas recomendadas; con el fin de minimizar el error en la recopilación y análisis de los datos. Materiales y métodos. Primero, se determinaron las características importantes que debe tener el programa, el cual fue elaborado posteriormente con los lenguajes de programación de Python y Javascript y con un patrón de diseño modelo-vista-controlador. Simultáneamente se crearon tres bases de datos, uno con el valor nutritivo de los alimentos, otro con datos de tamaños de porción de los mismos y otro con las recomendaciones nutricionales. Una vez elaborado, el programa fue sometido a una serie de pruebas para evaluar tanto su facilidad de uso como la exactitud de los cálculos. Resultados. Se describen las 9 etapas del programa y se justifica su diseño con evidencias de la literatura científica. Conclusiones. Se desarrolló el programa en la web, 'Dietnóstico', que permite la recolección y análisis de datos de consumo de alimentos. Una vez validado, el programa estará disponible para nutricionistas a usar en la atención nutricional y la investigación(AU)

Introduction. Assessment of food consumption is an important indicator of a person's nutritional status; however, it is not a simple process and can involve an unacceptable level of error. The application of new technologies in this process can lead to improvements and the minimization of error. Objective. To develop a computer program in the web, for nutritionists that allows the input of food consumption data using a 24- hour recall or a recall of food consumption during the 7 previous days, the analysis of energy and nutrient intake and its comparison with recommended intakes with the aim of minimizing the error involved in the collection and analysis of food consumption data. Materials and methods. The first stage was to define important characteristics to include in the programme which was developed using the programming languages of Python and Javascript and using a model-view-controller design pattern. At the same time, three databases were created: one with the nutritional value of foods, another with portion sizes of the foods and a third with the nutritional recommendations. Once created, several trials were conducted on the programme to test the operations from a user point of view, and the accuracy of the calculations. Results. The 9 stages of the software are described and its design is justified with evidence from the scientific literature. Conclusions. The program 'Dietnóstico' for use in the web, allows the collection and analysis of food consumption data. Once validated, it will be available for nutritionists involved in nutrition counselling and research(AU)

[Model construction and software design of computed tomography radiation system based on visualization].

The Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) is often used to calculate the radiation dose during computed tomography (CT) scans. However, the physical calculation process of the model is complicated, the input file structure of the program is complex, and the three-dimensional (3D) display of the geometric model is not supported, so that the researchers cannot establish an accurate CT radiation system model, which affects the accuracy of the dose calculation results. Aiming at these two problems, this study designed a software that visualized CT modeling and automatically generated input files. In terms of model calculation, the theoretical basis was based on the integration of CT modeling improvement schemes of major researchers. For 3D model visualization, LabVIEW was used as the new development platform, constructive solid geometry (CSG) was used as the algorithm principle, and the introduction of editing of MCNP input files was used to visualize CT geometry modeling. Compared with a CT model established by a recent study, the root mean square error between the results simulated by this visual CT modeling software and the actual measurement was smaller. In conclusion, the proposed CT visualization modeling software can not only help researchers to obtain an accurate CT radiation system model, but also provide a new research idea for the geometric modeling visualization method of MCNP.

Accuracy of Dysphagia Standard Assessment (DSA®) bedside screening test: a flowchart for patient eligibility.

BACKGROUND: Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) screening tests have improved patient management; however, the complex applicability and high percentage of false negatives do not allow these tests to be considered completely reliable if not supported by an instrumental investigation. The aim of the present study is to evaluate an OD screening test, the Dysphagia Standard Assessment (DSA®) with different volumes and viscosities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective study of 72 patients evaluated for suspected OD through a double-blind methodology conducted by two operators. All patients underwent fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) as a reference test and a separate DSA® test. DSA® was performed by administering boluses with different viscosities, with the signal of interruption of the test being: onset of the cough reflex, wet voice after swallowing, and/or desaturation of O2 ≥ 5%. The Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS) was evaluated by FEES. The cut-off identified to diagnose OD was PAS ≥ 3. RESULTS: The test showed an accuracy of 82%, a sensitivity of 0.93 (95% C.I. 0.84-0.97), and a specificity of 0.78 (95% C.I. 0.67-0.87); positive predictive value 0.55 (95% C.I. 0.43-0.67); negative predictive value 0.97 (95% C.I. 0.90-0.99), positive likelihood ratio 4.37 (95% C.I. 3.6-5.2); likelihood negative ratio 0.08 (95% C.I. 0.06-0.09). CONCLUSIONS: According to the preliminary results, the test showed good outcomes in determining the presence or absence of OD with a wide spectrum of applicability with some limitations that could be overcome by the selection of a target population. For this reason, a flowchart to address patient eligibility was developed.

Ortho-Perio Risk Assessment and timing flowchart for lingual orthodontics in an interdisciplinary adult ortho-perio patient: A case report of "Perio-Guided" Orthodontic treatment.

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of ortho-perio patients is a challenge for the interdisciplinary team. Not only are adult patients with overt perio pathology involved, but any ortho patient, even young ones, can be a perio patient and vice versa. Diagnosis and risk assessment of every ortho-perio patient is essential to establish a correct treatment plan, schedule and prognosis. Orthodontics becomes a "Perio-Guided" Orthodontic Treatment and Periodontics a "Ortho-Guided Periodontal Treatment". MATERIAL AND METHODS: This case report presents a man with a very compromised dentition asking for a complete interdisciplinary rehabilitation treated with a combined ortho-perio treatment in lingual mechanics. The periodontal evaluation confirmed the possibility of performing orthodontic treatment after active periodontal treatment. Treatment objectives were the resolution of the crowding, the correction of the levels of the gingival margin, the bone levelling, the preparation for restorative spaces; the objectives of the latter prior to implant placement were: redistribution of space, optimization of the position of adjacent teeth and their parallelism, exploitation of edentulous sites to correct dental class II and placement of the least number of implants possible. After integrating the conventional perio risk assessment with a new Ortho-Perio Risk Assessment (OPRA), a lingual fixed appliance was applied with the help of miniscrews to correct class II division 2 by substituting the upper right first premolar into a canine and retracting the entire upper arch, while correcting the deep bite and optimising the occlusion. RESULTS: At the end of the treatment, the patient had molar relationships of class II on the right and class I on the left with a class I canine and the 14 in the position of 13. Incisal relationships were corrected, the position of the incisors was optimized, the spaces in the upper arch were fully resolved by orthodontics. During the treatment, orthodontics corrected the uneven gingival margin of the anterior teeth and levelled the bone. CONCLUSIONS: Correct ortho-perio risk assessment (OPRA) is necessary to plan the risk of expression of the periodontal phenotype in ortho-patient. OPRA and the lingual mechanics allowed an orthodontic resolution of the malocclusion and an enhancement of the perio-implant-restorative contributions. OPRA followed by periodontal therapy and lingual mechanics resolved the malocclusion by improving the restorative peri-implant conditions. Orthodontists and periodontists should be aware of the characteristics of the individual expression of the periodontal phenotype at the beginning of treatment and involve patients in the outcome, sequencing of combined treatments, ortho-perio retention and stability.

Sistema Web para la gestión de los programas de maestrías del Instituto Pedro Kourí / Web System for the Management of Master's Degree Programs at Pedro Kouri Institute

Introducción: La automatización de la información en las instituciones cubanas es una necesidad tecnológica en constante evolución que requiere de un sistema integral de automatización. Objetivo: Implementar un sistema web para la gestión de la información relacionada con los programas de maestrías del Instituto Pedro Kourí. Material y Métodos: Se realizó una investigación aplicada de desarrollo tecnológico y diseño no experimental, descriptivo y de corte transversal; el universo de estudio estuvo formado por 4 especialistas del departamento docente y para la recolección de la información se utilizó la entrevista no estructurada. La metodología de desarrollo de software seleccionada fue Proceso Unificado de Desarrollo y para el modelado del sistema Lenguaje Unificado de Modelado. Las herramientas de desarrollo empleadas fueron: Visual Paradigm for UML 6.4 Enterprise Edition, WampServer 2.0f, MySQL 5.1.30, Zend Studio 5.5.1 y Apache 2.2.11. Resultados y Discusión: Se especificó el modelado de las clases conceptuales y se concibieron los procesos a informatizar. Se realizaron los diagramas de casos de uso del sistema, de secuencia y de clases de diseño. Se automatizó la gestión de información de manera integrada, lo que permitirá obtener y analizar reportes estadísticos y facilitará llevar a cabo un conjunto de acciones encaminadas a mejorar la calidad de los programas de maestrías del instituto. Conclusiones: El Sistema garantizará la automatización de los procesos académicos, beneficiando tanto a alumnos, como a profesores y especialistas del departamento docente de la entidad(AU)

Introduction: The automation of information in Cuban institutions is a constantly evolving technological need that requires a comprehensive automation system. Objective: To implement a web system for the management of information related to the master's programs of the Pedro Kourí"Institute. Material and Methods: An applied research of technological development and non-experimental, descriptive and cross-sectional design was carried out; the study universe was made up of four specialists from the teaching department and the unstructured interview was used to collect the information. The selected software development methodology was Unified Development Process and the Unified Modeling Language for modeling the system. As development tools: Visual Paradigm for UML 6.4 Enterprise Edition, WampServer 2.0f, MySQL 5.1.30, Zend Studio 5.5.1 and Apache 2.2.11. Results and Discussion: The modeling of the conceptual classes and the processes to be computerized were conceived and specified, as well as the diagrams of use cases of the system, sequence and design classes were made. Information management was automated in an integrated manner, which will allow obtaining and analyzing statistical reports and will facilitate carrying out a set of actions aimed at improving the quality of the institute's master's programs. Conclusions: The System will guarantee the automation of the academic processes, benefiting students, teachers and specialists of the entity's teaching department(AU)

Sistema de gestión TO-BE: garantizar el derecho a la salud de pacientes con ITS en Perú / TO-BE management system: guaranteeing the right to health of patients with STIs in Peru

Se realizó una investigación de campo para conocer la gestión de los procesos de solicitud y admisión de citas médicas, considerando la estigmatización y discriminación de las personas ITS, con el fin de garantizar el derecho a la salud de estos pacientes en Perú. Se ejecutó la sistematización de la información sobre los procesos y mecanismos de exigibilidad, bajo los lineamientos y manuales de los cuatro procesos estratégicos del MINSA contemplados para el otorgamiento de citas médicas, siguiendo los lineamientos de Gob.Pe, Adicionalmente, mediante verificación de los procesos se construyeron la matriz entidad-relación de la gestión por procesos del SSP, y el flujograma del proceso de solicitud y otorgamiento de citas AS-ISS. Se consideraron aspectos tecnológicos-médicos-legales con la participación de 201 pacientes independientemente del motivo o patología a consultar, identificando incidentes en la eficiencia del proceso misional. Por último, se implementó el flujograma de procesos de reserva de citas médicas a través de la aplicación ejecutable para smartphones, tabletas y otros dispositivos móviles (APP) TO-BE la cual conlleva a 10 pasos desde el registro de usuario hasta la emisión de comprobante de otorgamiento de cita médica. Se analizaron las preferencias de los usuarios sobre las causas superables en el proceso misional, mediante una encuesta estructura a 170 usuarios de SSP(AU)

A field investigation was carried out to learn about the management of the processes of request and admission of medical appointments, considering the stigmatization and discrimination of STI people, in order to guarantee the right to health of these patients in Peru. The systematization of the information on the processes and mechanisms of enforceability was carried out, under the guidelines and manuals of the four strategic processes of the MINSA contemplated for the granting of medical appointments, following the guidelines of Gov. Pe, Additionally, through verification of the processes The entity-relationship matrix of the management by processes of the SSP, and the flowchart of the process of request and granting of appointments AS-ISS were constructed. Technological-medical-legal aspects were considered with the participation of 201 patients regardless of the reason or pathology to be consulted, identifying incidents in the efficiency of the missionary process. Finally, the flowchart of medical appointment reservation processes was implemented through the executable application for smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices (APP) TO-BE, which entails 10 steps from user registration to issuance of voucher of granting a medical appointment. Users' preferences regarding causes that can be overcome in the missionary process were analyzed through a structured survey of 170 SSP users(AU)

How is the medical assistance in dying (MAID) process carried out in Nova Scotia, Canada? A qualitative process model flowchart study.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study are: (1) to create a flowchart process model of how medical assistance in dying (MAID) occurs in Nova Scotia (NS), Canada and (2) to detail how NS healthcare professionals are involved in each stage of MAID. The research questions are: how is the MAID process carried out and which professionals are involved at which points? and which roles and activities do professionals carry out during MAID? DESIGN: Qualitative process model flowchart study with semistructured interviews. SETTING: Primary and secondary care in NS, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-two interviewees self-selected to participate (12 physicians, 3 nurse practitioners (NP), 6 nurses, 6 pharmacists and 5 healthcare administrators and advocates). Participants were included if they conduct assessments, provide MAID, fill prescriptions, insert the intravenous lines, organise care and so on. RESULTS: The flowchart process model details five stages of how MAID occurs in NS: (1) starting the MAID process, (2) MAID assessments, (3) MAID preparation (hospital in-patient, hospital outpatient, non-hospital), (4) day of MAID and (5) post-MAID (hospital in-patient and outpatient, non-hospital, after leaving setting). Nineteen points where the process could stop or be delayed were identified. MAID differs slightly by location and multiple professionals from different organisations are involved at different points. Some physicians and NP provide MAID for free as they cannot be reimbursed or find it too difficult to be reimbursed. CONCLUSIONS: Our study adds knowledge about the MAID activities and roles of NS professionals, which are not documented in the international literature. Clinicians and pharmacists spend significant additional time to participate, raising questions about MAID's sustainability and uncompensated costs. The process model flowchart identifies where MAID can stop or be delayed, signalling where resources, training and relationship-building may need to occur. Knowing where potential delays can occur can help clinicians, administrators and policymakers in other jurisdictions improve MAID.

Development of a Method for Clinical Evaluation of Artificial Intelligence-Based Digital Wound Assessment Tools.

Importance: Accurate assessment of wound area and percentage of granulation tissue (PGT) are important for optimizing wound care and healing outcomes. Artificial intelligence (AI)-based wound assessment tools have the potential to improve the accuracy and consistency of wound area and PGT measurement, while improving efficiency of wound care workflows. Objective: To develop a quantitative and qualitative method to evaluate AI-based wound assessment tools compared with expert human assessments. Design, Setting, and Participants: This diagnostic study was performed across 2 independent wound centers using deidentified wound photographs collected for routine care (site 1, 110 photographs taken between May 1 and 31, 2018; site 2, 89 photographs taken between January 1 and December 31, 2019). Digital wound photographs of patients were selected chronologically from the electronic medical records from the general population of patients visiting the wound centers. For inclusion in the study, the complete wound edge and a ruler were required to be visible; circumferential ulcers were specifically excluded. Four wound specialists (2 per site) and an AI-based wound assessment service independently traced wound area and granulation tissue. Main Outcomes and Measures: The quantitative performance of AI tracings was evaluated by statistically comparing error measure distributions between test AI traces and reference human traces (AI vs human) with error distributions between independent traces by 2 humans (human vs human). Quantitative outcomes included statistically significant differences in error measures of false-negative area (FNA), false-positive area (FPA), and absolute relative error (ARE) between AI vs human and human vs human comparisons of wound area and granulation tissue tracings. Six masked attending physician reviewers (3 per site) viewed randomized area tracings for AI and human annotators and qualitatively assessed them. Qualitative outcomes included statistically significant difference in the absolute difference between AI-based PGT measurements and mean reviewer visual PGT estimates compared with PGT estimate variability measures (ie, range, standard deviation) across reviewers. Results: A total of 199 photographs were selected for the study across both sites; mean (SD) patient age was 64 (18) years (range, 17-95 years) and 127 (63.8%) were women. The comparisons of AI vs human with human vs human for FPA and ARE were not statistically significant. AI vs human FNA was slightly elevated compared with human vs human FNA (median [IQR], 7.7% [2.7%-21.2%] vs 5.7% [1.6%-14.9%]; P < .001), indicating that AI traces tended to slightly underestimate the human reference wound boundaries compared with human test traces. Two of 6 reviewers had a statistically higher frequency in agreement that human tracings met the standard area definition, but overall agreement was moderate (352 yes responses of 583 total responses [60.4%] for AI and 793 yes responses of 1166 total responses [68.0%] for human tracings). AI PGT measurements fell in the typical range of variation in interreviewer visual PGT estimates; however, visual PGT estimates varied considerably (mean range, 34.8%; mean SD, 19.6%). Conclusions and Relevance: This study provides a framework for evaluating AI-based digital wound assessment tools that can be extended to automated measurements of other wound features or adapted to evaluate other AI-based digital image diagnostic tools. As AI-based wound assessment tools become more common across wound care settings, it will be important to rigorously validate their performance in helping clinicians obtain accurate wound assessments to guide clinical care.

COVID-19 pandemic: an Italian single institution's experience and lessons learned by public health residents' workforce.

Methods: We hereby provide a systematic description of the response actions in which the public health residents' workforce was pivotal, in a large tertiary hospital. Background: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic has posed incredible challenges to healthcare workers worldwide. The residents have been affected by an almost complete upheaval of the previous setting of activities, with a near total focus on service during the peak of the emergency. In our Institution, residents in public health were extensively involved in leading activities in the management of Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic. Results: The key role played by residents in the response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic is highlighted by the diversity of contributions provided, from cooperation in the rearrangement of hospital paths for continuity of care, to establishing and running new services to support healthcare professionals. Overall, they constituted a workforce that turned essential in governing efficiently such a complex scenario. Conclusions: Despite the difficulties posed by the contingency and the sacrifice of many training activities, Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic turned out to be a unique opportunity of learning and measuring one's capabilities and limits in a context of absolute novelty and uncertainty.

Missed irradiation of cellular blood components for vulnerable patients: Insights from 10 years of SHOT data.

BACKGROUND: Irradiation of cellular blood components is recommended for patients at risk of transfusion-associated graft-vs-host disease (TA-GvHD). Prestorage leucodepletion (LD) of blood components is standard in the UK since 1999. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Analysis of 10 years' reports from UK national hemovigilance scheme, Serious Hazards of Transfusion (2010-2019), where patients failed to receive irradiated components when indicated according to British Society for Haematology guidelines (2011). RESULTS: There were 956 incidents of failure to receive irradiated components all due to errors. One hundred and seventy two incidents were excluded from analysis, 125 of 172 (72.7%) because of missing essential information. No cases of TA-GvHD were reported in this cohort. The 784 patients received 2809 components (number unknown for 67 incidents). Most failures occurred in patients treated with purine analogues (365) or alemtuzumab (69), or with a history of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) (192). Together these make up 626 of 784 (79.9%). Poor communication is an important cause of errors. CONCLUSION: Leucodepletion appears to reduce the risk for TA-GvHD. None of 12 cases of TA-GvHD reported to SHOT prior to introduction of LD occurred in patients with conditions recommended for irradiated components by current guidelines. Irradiation indefinitely for all stages of HL is not based on good evidence and is a difficult guideline to follow. Further research on long-term immune function in HL is required. Variation between different national guidelines reflects the very limited evidence.

Optimising the computerised adaptive test to reliably reduce the burden of administering the CLEFT-Q: A Monte Carlo simulation study.

BACKGROUND: Computerised adaptive testing (CAT) has the potential to transform plastic surgery outcome measurement by making patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) shorter, individualised and more accurate than pen-and-paper questionnaires. OBJECTIVES: This paper reports the results of two optimisation studies for the CLEFT-Q CAT, a CAT intended for use in the field of cleft lip and/or palate. Specifically, we aimed to identify the optimal score estimation and item selection methods for using this CAT in clinical practice. These represent two major components of any CAT algorithm. METHOD: Monte Carlo simulations were performed using simulated data in the R statistical computing environment and incorporated a range of score estimation and item selection techniques. The performance and accuracy of the CAT was assessed by mean items administered, correlation between CAT scores and paired linear assessment scores, and the root mean squared deviation (RMSD) of these score pairs. RESULTS: The accuracy of the CLEFT-Q CAT was not significantly affected by the choice of score estimation or item selection method. Sub-scales which originally contain more items were amenable to greater item reduction with CAT. CONCLUSION: This study shows that score estimation and item selection methods that need minimal processing power can be used in the CLEFT-Q CAT without compromising accuracy. This means that the CLEFT-Q CAT could be administered quickly and efficiently with basic hardware demands. We recommend the use of less computationally intensive techniques in future CLEFT-Q CAT studies.

Sistema multiplataforma innovador para el control de emergencias, inventario y recurso humano de la Cruz Roja Salvadoreña: en asocio con la Cruz Roja Salvadoreña de Chinameca, San Miguel / Innovative multiplatform system for the control of emergencies, inventory and human resources of the Salvadoran Red Cross: in association with the Salvadoran Red Cross of Chinameca, San Miguel

En el presente informe, se encontrará con el estudio sobre el desarrollo de un sistema multiplataforma para el control de operaciones de emergencias, inventario y recurso humano de la Cruz Roja Salvadoreña del municipio de Chinameca, San Miguel, cuyos objetivos fueron diseñar un modelado de datos relacional con características de escalabilidad y definir procesos en el software que se acoplen a las necesidades actuales de la Cruz Roja y las solventen. Para el desarrollo de la investigación se realizó el diseño de interfaces que mejoren la experiencia de usuario en el uso de la plataforma. Finalmente se capacitó al personal en el uso de la plataforma.El diseño del modelado de datos relacional implementado en este sistema informático permite su adaptación a los cambios gracias al funcionamiento lógico del sistema, facilitando de esta manera su actualización a nuevas versiones y tecnologías sin afectar su rendimiento

In this report, the development of a multiplatform system for the control of emergency operations, inventory and human resources of the Salvadoran Red Cross of the municipality of Chinameca, San Miguel, will be explained. The objectives were to design a data modeling relational with scalability characteristics, processes and to define in the software the current needs of the Red Cross and solve them. For the development of the research, the design of interfaces that improve the user experience in the use of the platform was carried out. Finally, the personnel were trained in the use of the platform. The data modeling relational design implemented in this system allows the adaptation to changes thanks to logic system performance, making easier the updating to new versions and technologies without affecting his efficiency

Suboptimal prescribing behaviour associated with clinical software design features: a retrospective cohort study in English NHS primary care.

BACKGROUND: Electronic health record (EHR) systems are used by clinicians to record patients' medical information, and support clinical activities such as prescribing. In England, healthcare professionals are advised to 'prescribe generically' because generic drugs are usually cheaper than branded alternatives, and have fixed reimbursement costs. 'Ghost-branded generics' are a new category of medicines savings, caused by prescribers specifying a manufacturer for a generic product, often resulting in a higher reimbursement price compared with the true generic. AIM: To describe time trends and practice factors associated with excess medication costs from ghost-branded generic prescribing. DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective cohort study of English GP prescribing data and EHR deployment data. METHOD: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, based on data from the OpenPrescribing.net database from May 2013 to May 2019. Total spending on ghost-branded generics across England was calculated, and excess spend on ghost-branded generics calculated as a percentage of all spending on generics for every CCG and general practice in England, for every month in the study period. RESULTS: There were 31.8 million ghost-branded generic items and £9.5 million excess cost in 2018, compared with 7.45 million ghost-branded generic items and £1.3 million excess cost in 2014. Most excess costs were associated with one EHR, SystmOne, and it was identified that SystmOne offered ghost-branded generic options as the default. After informing the vendor, the authors monitored for subsequent change in costs, and report a rapid decrease in ghost-branded generic expenditure. CONCLUSION: A design choice in a commonly used EHR has led to £9.5 million in avoidable excess prescribing costs for the NHS in 1 year. Notifying the vendor led to a change in user interface and a rapid, substantial spend reduction. This finding illustrates that EHR user interface design has a substantial impact on the quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness of clinical practice; this should be a priority for quantitative research.

Determining the predictive capability of a Clinical Assessment Scoring Chart to differentiate severity of the clinical consequences of neonatal calf diarrhea relative to gold-standard blood gas analysis.

Neonatal calf diarrhea (NCD) is a major problem to calf health worldwide, in terms of both morbidity and mortality. A five-point ordinal scale clinical assessment scoring (CAS) chart was utilized to assess calves suffering from NCD-related clinical abnormalities (acidosis and dehydration) on commercial farms. The objective of this research was to determine the predictive capability of this CAS chart against gold standard blood gas parameters, designed to assist farmers in the accurate assessment of the clinical consequences of NCD. A total of 443 diarrheic and non-diarrheic calves were enrolled in the study. The CAS chart rated a calf's health from no clinical signs to varying degrees of clinical severity on a 0 (clinically normal) to 4 (grave) scale, based on clinical indicators including calf demeanour, ear position, mobility, suckle reflex, desire-to-feed, and enophthalmos. Blood gas analysis was conducted for individual calves, consisting of pH, base excess, Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cl-, glucose, total hemoglobin, bicarbonate, anion gap, and strong ion difference. Statistical evaluation was performed by comparison of the CAS score with blood gas profiles using ordinal logistic regression and a non-parametric estimation of the Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC). The ROC analysis indicated that the CAS chart had acceptable specificity (>95%) with low sensitivity (<60%) in differentiating clinically normal from acidotic/dehydrated cases. Assessment of individual severity classes indicated that the chart can predict and differentiate both clinically normal and advanced cases from the other severity classes (peak estimations >80%) but had reduced accuracy in differentiating mild and moderate cases (peak estimations >50%). The chart, as presented, provides a simple tool to differentiate clinically normal from calves suffering the consequences of diarrhea, but fails to accurately differentiate severity for NCD related acidosis and dehydration. Further efforts are required to enhance the sensitivity and differential diagnostic value of this type of chart.

A Web-Based Geolocated Directory of Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCs) in the United States: Description of CPC Map Methods and Design Features and Analysis of Baseline Data.

BACKGROUND: Crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) are nonprofit organizations that aim to dissuade people considering abortion. The centers frequently advertise in misleading ways and provide inaccurate health information. CPCs in the United States are becoming more medicalized and gaining government funding and support. We created a CPC Map, a Web-based geolocated database of all CPCs currently operating in the United States, to help individuals seeking health services know which centers are CPCs and to facilitate academic research. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the methods used to develop and maintain the CPC Map and baseline findings regarding the number and distribution of CPCs in the United States. We also examined associations between direct state funding and the number of CPCs and relationships between the number of CPCs and state legislation proposed in 2018-2019 to ban all or most abortions. METHODS: In 2018, we used standard protocols to identify and verify the locations of and services offered by CPCs operating in the United States. The CPC Map was designed to be a publicly accessible, user-friendly searchable database that can be easily updated. We examined the number of CPCs and, using existing data, the ratios of women of reproductive age to CPCs and CPCs to abortion facilities nationally and by region, subregion, and state. We used unadjusted and adjusted negative binomial regression models to examine associations between direct state funding and the number of CPCs. We used unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models to examine associations between the number of CPCs by state and legislation introduced in 2018-2019 to ban all or most abortions. Adjusted models controlled for the numbers of women of reproductive age and abortion facilities per state. RESULTS: We identified 2527 operating CPCs. Of these, 66.17% (1672/2527) offered limited medical services. Nationally, the ratio of women of reproductive age to CPCs was 29,304:1. The number of CPCs per abortion facility was 3.2. The South and Midwest had the greatest numbers of CPCs. The number of CPCs per state ranged from three (Rhode Island) to 203 (Texas). Direct funding was associated with a greater number of CPCs in unadjusted (coefficient: 0.87, 95% CI 0.51-1.22) and adjusted (coefficient: 0.45, 95% CI 0.33-0.57) analyses. The number of CPCs was associated with the state legislation introduced in 2018-2019 to ban all or most abortions in unadjusted (odds ratio [OR] 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.06) and adjusted analyses (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.04-1.19). CONCLUSIONS: CPCs are located in every state and particularly prevalent in the South and Midwest. Distribution of CPCs in the United States is associated with state funding and extreme proposals to restrict abortion. Researchers should track CPCs over time and examine factors that influence their operations and impact on public health and policy.

FHIR PIT: an open software application for spatiotemporal integration of clinical data and environmental exposures data.

BACKGROUND: Informatics tools to support the integration and subsequent interrogation of spatiotemporal data such as clinical data and environmental exposures data are lacking. Such tools are needed to support research in environmental health and any biomedical field that is challenged by the need for integrated spatiotemporal data to examine individual-level determinants of health and disease. RESULTS: We have developed an open-source software application-FHIR PIT (Health Level 7 Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources Patient data Integration Tool)-to enable studies on the impact of individual-level environmental exposures on health and disease. FHIR PIT was motivated by the need to integrate patient data derived from our institution's clinical warehouse with a variety of public data sources on environmental exposures and then openly expose the data via ICEES (Integrated Clinical and Environmental Exposures Service). FHIR PIT consists of transformation steps or building blocks that can be chained together to form a transformation and integration workflow. Several transformation steps are generic and thus can be reused. As such, new types of data can be incorporated into the modular FHIR PIT pipeline by simply reusing generic steps or adding new ones. We validated FHIR PIT in the context of a driving use case designed to investigate the impact of airborne pollutant exposures on asthma. Specifically, we replicated published findings demonstrating racial disparities in the impact of airborne pollutants on asthma exacerbations. CONCLUSIONS: While FHIR PIT was developed to support our driving use case on asthma, the software can be used to integrate any type and number of spatiotemporal data sources at a level of granularity that enables individual-level study. We expect FHIR PIT to facilitate research in environmental health and numerous other biomedical disciplines.

Responsiveness of a Balance Assessment Using a Mobile Application.

BACKGROUND: Balance assessment is used by clinicians as part of athlete concussion screening. The King-Devick (K-D) Balance app is designed to provide an objective balance assessment value. The purpose of this study was to investigate the responsiveness of a balance assessment using the K-D Balance app. HYPOTHESIS: The K-D Balance app will demonstrate acceptable responsiveness for balance assessment. STUDY DESIGN: Repeated-measures study. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 5. METHODS: A convenience sample of 25 participants between the ages of 20 and 25 years completed testing procedures. A battery of balance tests using the K-D Balance app on an iPhone were conducted 1 week apart. After a 5-minute warm-up, 3 stances were assessed: double leg, tandem right, and tandem left. The K-D Balance app guided the test positions and test times. A value representing movement was generated by the app algorithm. Analysis included descriptive statistics along with intraclass correlation coefficient and minimal detectable change (MDC). RESULTS: The median score of the K-D test was 0.5 for session 1 and 0.4 for session 2. The ICC was 0.42 (95% CI, 0.04-0.70), and the MDC was 1.58. CONCLUSION: The MDC value of 1.58 represents the threshold of meaningful change in balance, as measured with the K-D Balance app. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Clinicians can use the results of this study to objectively assess changes in balance over time using the K-D Balance app.

A software to prevent delirium in hospitalised older adults: development and feasibility assessment.

BACKGROUND: non-pharmacological interventions to prevent delirium are useful in hospitalised older adults. However, they are poorly implemented in clinical practice. We aimed to develop a software for bedside use by hospitalised older adults and to improve their access to these interventions. METHODS: a transdisciplinary team composed of healthcare professionals, designers, engineers and older adults participated in the development of the software. Scrum methodology was used to coordinate the work of the team, and the software was evaluated in a feasibility study. RESULTS: a software for touchscreen mobile devices that supports Android 5.0 or later was produced, including modules for time-spatial re-orientation, cognitive stimulation, early mobilisation, sensorial support use promotion, sleep hygiene and pain management optimisation. Horizontal disposition, use of colour contrast and large interaction areas were used to improve accessibility. The software's usability and accessibility were evaluated in 34 older adults (average age 73.2 ± 9.1 years) showing that 91.1% of them got access to all the software functions without previous instructions. The clinical feasibility assessment showed that 83.3% of the 30 enrolled hospitalised patients (76 ± 8 years) completed the 5-day protocol of software usage during hospitalisation. Software use was associated with a decreased trend in delirium incidence of 5 of 32 (15.6%) at baseline to 2 of 30 (6.6%) after its implementation. CONCLUSION: a highly accessible and implementable software, designed to improve access to non-pharmacological interventions to prevent delirium in hospitalised older adults, was developed. The effectiveness of the software will be evaluated in a randomised clinical trial.

Mental Health Apps in China: Analysis and Quality Assessment.

BACKGROUND: Mental disorders have been a great burden on health care systems, affecting the quality of life of millions of people worldwide. Developing countries, including China, suffer from the double burden of both the increasing mental health issues in population and the deficiency in mental health care resources. The use of mobile health technologies, especially for mobile phone apps, can be a possible solution. OBJECTIVE: This review aimed to describe the features and assess the quality of mental health apps in major mobile phone app markets in China and further discuss the priorities for mental health app development. METHODS: Keywords including psychology, psychological health, psychological hygiene, psychological health service(s), mental, mental health, mental hygiene, mental health service(s), depression, and anxiety were searched in Chinese in 3 Android app markets (Baidu Mobile Assistant, Tencent MyApp, and 360 Mobile Assistant) and iOS App Store independently. Mental health apps were then selected according to established criteria for in-depth analysis and quality assessment by the Mobile App Rating Scale. RESULTS: In total, 63 of 997 mental health apps were analyzed in depth, of which 78% (49/63) were developed by commercial entities for general population, 17% (11/63) were for patients or clients of specialized psychiatric hospitals or counseling agencies, 3% (2/63) were by government or local Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for general information, and 2% (1/63) for students of a university. Major built-in features of the apps included counseling services, mental health education, and self-assessment of mental health status by validated self-rating scales. The overall quality score of the MH apps was acceptable. CONCLUSIONS: Mental health apps are emerging in the area of mobile health in China. Popular mental health apps usually provide a synthetic platform organizing resources of information, knowledge, counseling services, self-tests, and management for the general population with mental health-related inquiries. The quality of the apps was rated as acceptable on average, suggesting some space for improvement. Official guidelines and regulations are urgently required for the field in the future.