Studies in health technology and informatics
-
Nursing informatics competency lists can provide a clear picture of required skills, knowledge, and attitudes needed for today's nursing workforce in a high-tech environment. Many stakeholders such as employers and educators have a vested interest in defining nursing informatics competencies for nurses. The primary objective of this paper was to compare and contrast published nursing informatics competencies. ⋯ Findings revealed that there is variation among published informatics competencies in regard to content, presentation, and audience. A general list of competencies that can be utilized by nurses at all levels is needed. As a result nurses could operationalize and measure the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary to execute safe and effective nursing care in today's health care setting.
-
Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2009
Comparative StudyEndotracheal intubation in a medical transport helicopter - comparing direct laryngoscopy with the prototype Storz CMAC videolaryngoscope in a simulated difficult intubating position.
This pilot study examined backward intubation of the Laerdal Difficult Airway Manikin in a medical transport helicopter using the prototype (a new more compact) Storz CMAC videolaryngoscope. The standard manikin airway Cormack Lehane (CL) view scores were 2.00 +/- 1.00 for direct view and 1.375 +/- 0.517 for the indirect view (CMAC). Success rates for backward intubation in the standard airway were 100% (CMAC) and 87.5% (DV). ⋯ The success rates for backward intubation of the difficult airway were 12.5% (DV) and 63% (CMAC). Our results show that in backward intubation of the difficult airway in a helicopter setting, the prototype CMAC videolaryngoscope significantly improved the airway score by 1-2 grades and improved intubation success 5-fold. Studies using the portable CMAC videolaryngoscope under challenging rescue conditions and positions should be considered.
-
Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2009
Understanding the impact on intensive care staff workflow due to the introduction of a critical care information system: a mixed methods research methodology.
The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is a complex and dynamic tertiary care environment that requires health care providers to balance many competing tasks and responsibilities. Inefficient and interruption-driven workflow is believed to increase the likelihood of medical errors and, therefore, present a serious risk to patients in the ICU. ⋯ Little objective research, however, has investigated these assertions. This paper reports on the design of a research methodology to explore the impact of a CCIS on the workflow of Respiratory Therapists, Pediatric Intensivists, Nurses, and Unit Clerks in a Pediatric ICU (PICU) and a General Systems ICU (GSICU) in Northern Canada.
-
Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2009
Videolaryngoscopy for intubation skills training of novice military airway managers.
An estimated 10% of preventable battlefield deaths are due to Airway obstruction. Improved airway rescue strategies are needed with new tools for airway management by less experienced providers. Airway management and training are improved using video laryngoscopy (VL) compared to direct laryngoscopy (DL). ⋯ Mean Cormack-Lehane airway visualization grades (range 1-4) were higher with VL (1.95 +/- 0.97) vs. DL (1.02 +/- 0.15) {Students t-test p < 0.0001}. VL (69.7%) was preferred to DL (18.6%); no preference was indicated by 11.6%.
-
Stud Health Technol Inform · Jan 2009
Embedding oncologic protocols into the provision of care: the Oncocure project.
A computerized Decision Support System (CDSS) can improve the adherence of the clinicians to clinical guidelines and protocols. Integrating it within the clinical workflow can reduce the workload of the physicians, and improve the acceptance of the system. ⋯ Our work is not constrained to a specific domain or EPR implementation, but can be generalized to other fields of medicine and patient management systems. When implemented, our CDSS is expected to reduce the cost of care while improving the adherence to the guideline and the quality of the documentation.