Remote Assistance for Home Care Workers: Concept and Technical Implementation at a Glance.

BACKGROUND: Long-term care faces severe challenges on the supply (shortages of formal and informal carers) as well as on the demand side (increasing number of care-dependent people). To cope with these challenges, new forms of support for the professional care network are needed. OBJECTIVES: This paper describes the concept and implementation of a Remote Care Assist (RCA) service, consisting of a web-application for the Care Expert Center (CXC) and Remote Support (RS) applications for the HoloLens 2 as well as for Android and iOS smartphones. METHODS: Using the evidence-based and user-centred innovation process (EUIP), a Remote Care Assist service was conceptualized and implemented for home care service settings in three European countries. RESULTS: After five iterations within two phases of the EUIP, the final feature set of the RCA-service was determined and implemented. CONCLUSION: By working closely with the target group, it was possible to identify potential hurdles and additional requirements such as a well-thought-out interaction concept for the HoloLens or a good organizational embedding of the service.

Epidemiology, treatment and outcome after compartment syndrome of the thigh in 69 cases - Experiences from a level I trauma centre.

BACKGROUND: Compartment syndrome of the thigh (CST) is a rare condition, and its delayed diagnosis and therapy may lead to devastating adverse effects. Thus, the aim of this study was to present the amassed clinical experiences, regarding diagnosis and treatment of CST at a level I trauma centre. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The database was reviewed for all patients with a manifest CST treated surgically between 1995 and 2014. RESULTS: 69 patients (61 males and 8 females) met the inclusion criteria, with a mean age of 42.9 years (range: 11-87 years). Forty-four patients (64%) presented with an isolated CST. There was a significant association between complication rates and high impact vs. blunt trauma (12/32, 38% vs. 0/20, 0%; p = 0.0022; Fisher's exact test). The number of surgeries in patients with a concomitant femur fracture was significantly increased (in mean: 2.8 vs. 4.9 surgical interventions; p < 0.001; U test). CONCLUSION: Patients after high impact trauma showed the highest complication rate. Concomitant femur fractures were associated with an increased number of surgical interventions. The synopsis of trauma mechanism, clinical presentation, age, anticoagulation status and clinical experience of the trauma surgeon seem to be the best tools to correctly diagnose CST.