Journal of clinical monitoring and computing
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J Clin Monit Comput · Feb 2004
Computer keyboard and mouse as a reservoir of pathogens in an intensive care unit.
User interfaces of patient data management systems (PDMS) in intensive care units (ICU), like computer keyboard and mouse, may serve as reservoirs for the transmission of microorganisms. Pathogens may be transferred via the hands of personnel to the patient causing nosocomial infections. The purpose of this study was to examine the microbial contamination of computer user interfaces with potentially pathogenic microorganisms, compared with other fomites in a surgical intensive care unit of a tertiary teaching hospital. ⋯ The colonization rate for computer keyboard and mouse of a PDMS with potentially pathogenic microorganisms is greater than that of other user interfaces in a surgical ICU. These fomites may be additional reservoirs for the transmision of microorganisms and become vectors for cross-transmission of nosocomial infections in the ICU setting.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Feb 2004
Clinical TrialPosttetanic count revisited: are measurements more reliable using the TOF-Watch accelerographic peripheral nerve stimulator?
Measurement of profound neuromuscular block using posttetanic count is among the most subjective measurements made in clinical anesthesia. The TOF-Watch accelerographic peripheral nerve stimulator provides objective measurements of neuromuscular block that may improve our ability to quantitate intense blockade. ⋯ Both monitors were similar in their ability to predict return to TOFC = 1 as a function of PTC measurements. The TOF-Watch monitor is easy to apply even in inexperienced hands. However, the device yielded erroneous data in 23% of patients.
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The purpose of this paper is to increase awareness of electrode burns that occur in the operating room (OR), to discuss their causes, warning signs, and methods that may reduce their occurrence. Two general sources of electrical burns are described: 1) Excessive radio-frequency current density usually originating from a monopolar electrosurgical unit (ESU) and 2) Direct current (DC) originating from a battery or equipment malfunction. ⋯ Recommendations on prevention and warning signs associated with these burns are presented in addition to procedures to follow if a burn is suspected.
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Fetal pulse oximetry shares many problems with traditional pulse oximetry, but also poses unique challenges that may compromise accurate SpO2 determination and data availability. The purpose of this review is to characterize the factors that may influence fetal pulse oximetry and their relationship to sensor design. A review of the literature of pulse oximetry identifies the factors that have been shown to influence fetal pulse oximetry performance, as well as other factors from traditional pulse oximetry that may also be expected to have an effect. ⋯ The factors influencing fetal pulse oximetry may be categorized as follows: fetal physiology, tissue characteristics at the monitoring site, sensor-tissue interface, and external influences. Monitoring site selection is of paramount importance in reducing the impact of interfering factors on fetal pulse oximetry performance. Many factors of importance in traditional pulse oximetry have yet to be characterized as far as their potential for interference in fetal pulse oximetry.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Feb 2004
Performance of a computer system for recording and analysing eye gaze position using an infrared light device.
Our aim is to develop a computer system in order to study the visual scanning and eye fixation during exploration of image. The system uses an infrared device to detect the horizontal and vertical eye movements. In this paper, our interest is concentrated mainly on the calibration procedure. ⋯ The algorithm uses a polynomial model and the optimal correction is obtained by using a mean square error criterion. The paper presents also a method to correct head movements. Experiments show that the proposed approach is fast and accurate for the study of visual perception and recognition processes.