Computers and biomedical research, an international journal
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Comput. Biomed. Res. · Apr 1998
Comparative StudyDeveloping online support for clinical information system developers: the FAQ approach.
We investigate a knowledge-based help system for developers of an integrated clinical information system (CIS). The first objective in the study was to determine the system's ability to answer users' questions effectively. User performance and behavior were studied. The second objective was to evaluate the effect of using questions and answers to augment or replace traditional program documentation. ⋯ A knowledge-based help system built by collecting questions and answers can be a viable alternative to large documentation files, providing the questions and answers can be collected effectively.
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Comput. Biomed. Res. · Apr 1998
Computer-assisted analysis of the impact of respiratory quotient on blood CO2 tension and pH changes.
A computer model for the accurate quantification of blood gas exchange components was used to assess the impact of respiratory quotient (RQ) on venoarterial CO2 tension and pH differences over a large group of patient measurements. The combined use of measured and computer-generated data has shown that, for any given increase in blood CO2 concentration (i.e., when the arterial blood becomes venous), the associated increase in CO2 tension and decrease in pH are inversely related to the RQ, and that this relationship is mediated by the Haldane effect. These results are useful for a through understanding of blood gas and metabolic interactions in normal and abnormal states, and for improving the interpretation of changes in venoarterial CO2 tension gradient in clinical monitoring.