Journal of clinical monitoring and computing
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J Clin Monit Comput · Apr 2015
Observational StudyThe evaluation of a non-invasive respiratory volume monitor in surgical patients undergoing elective surgery with general anesthesia.
Continuous respiratory assessment is especially important during post-operative care following extubation. Respiratory depression and subsequent adverse outcomes can arise due to opioid administration and/or residual anesthetics. A non-invasive respiratory volume monitor (RVM) has been developed that provides continuous, real-time, measurements of minute ventilation (MV), tidal volume (TV), and respiratory rate (RR) via a standardized set of thoracic electrodes. ⋯ The average RR difference was -0.22 breaths/minute (bias: -1.8%, precision: 3.7% accuracy: 4.1%). Correlations between the RVM traces and the ventilator were compared at various points with correlations>0.90 throughout. Pairing the close correlation to ventilator measurements in intubated patients demonstrated by this study with previously described accuracy compared to spirometry in non-intubated patients, the RVM can be considered to have the capability to provide continuity of ventilation monitoring post-extubation This supports the use of real-time continuous RVM measurements to drive post-operative and post-extubation protocols, initiate therapeutic interventions and improve patient safety.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Apr 2015
In-line pressure within a HOTLINE(®) Fluid Warmer, under various flow conditions.
Roller pump infusion devices are widely used for rapid infusion, and may be combined with separate warming devices. There may be instances however, where the pressures generated by the roller pump may not be compatible with the warming device. We assessed a commonly used roller pump in combination with a HOTLINE® Fluid Warmer, and found that it could generate pressures exceeding the HOTLINE® manufacturers specifications. ⋯ The post-warmer pressures exceeded 300 mmHg at the flow rate of 140 mL/min with 20-gauge, 48 mm cannula, and 160 mL/min with 20-gauge, 25 mm cannula, while they were <300 mmHg at any flow rates with 18 and 16-gauge cannulae. The in-line pressure within a HOTLINE® could exceed 300 mmHg, depending on the flow rate and size and length of cannula. It is important to pay attention to the size and length of cannulae and flow rate to keep the maximum in-line pressure<300 mmHg when a roller pump type infusion device is used.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Apr 2015
A comprehensive operating room information system using the Kinect sensors and RFID.
Occasionally, surgeons do need various types of information to be available rapidly, efficiently and safely during surgical procedures. Meanwhile, they need to free up hands throughout the surgery to necessarily access the mouse to control any application in the sterility mode. In addition, they are required to record audio as well as video files, and enter and save some data. ⋯ There are also contextual interviews and usability satisfaction questionnaires conducted with the "MediNav" system to investigate how useful the proposed system could be. The results reveal that integration of these systems into a complete solution is the key to not only stream up data and workflow but maximize surgical team usefulness as well. It is now possible to comprehensively collect and visualize medical information, and access a management tool with a touch-less NUI in a rather quick, practical, and harmless manner.
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J Clin Monit Comput · Apr 2015
Case ReportsThermal imaging evaluation of paravertebral block for mastectomy in high risk patient: case report.
Thoracic paravertebral block is the technique of injecting local anesthetic adjacent to the thoracic vertebra close to where the spinal nerves emerge from the intervertebral foramina. It is effective in treating acute and chronic pain of unilateral origin from the chest and abdomen. This technique causes pain relief with pulmonary function preservation and great hemodynamic stability. 66 year old woman (156 cm, 80 kg, BMI 32) with chronic right heart failure, hypertension and obesity, on chronic oxygen therapy was presented for elective mastectomy due to breast cancer. ⋯ Great cardiovascular stability and very good pulmonary function preservation make this method excellent for high risk patients. Low complication rate is additional advantage. In our opinion this method is recommendable.