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Background: The transition to adulthood is a challenging period for individuals with type 1 diabetes, especially those attending post-secondary education (PSE) at a university or college. In addition to balancing academic responsibilities and adapting to a novel environment, young adults (YAs) with type 1 diabetes must more independently manage the daily demands of diabetes care. Objective: The aim of this study was to collect qualitative data from multiple stakeholders addressing the transition of students with type 1 diabetes into a PSE setting. Methods: A total of 15 participants were interviewed, including three health care provider diabetes educators, four parents of YAs with type 1 diabetes, and eight YAs with type 1 diabetes. Reflexive thematic analysis of the qualitative interviews revealed four major themes and 11 subthemes. Results: The four major themes revealed included 1) inappropriateness of services available to support students with type 1 diabetes in PSE settings, 2) individuals with type 1 diabetes having to compensate for inadequate systems, 3) variability of social support effectiveness, and 4) the need for a more holistic approach to improve diabetes education and social support systemically. Conclusion: This study identified some key systemic barriers experienced by PSE students with type 1 diabetes. Future research needs to extend the sample populations to understand a wider range of PSE student experiences. The findings from this study provide initial recommendations to develop new PSE readiness interventions for YAs with type 1 diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory pathology remains the most common indication for sinonasal imaging. However, sinonasal region is also the epicenter of a variety of neoplasms. These are often missed both clinically and radiologically owing to nonspecific signs and symptoms and subtle imaging pointers. An early diagnosis of sinonasal neoplasms is critical for timely management and hence better prognosis and survival rate. This pictorial review aims to acquaint the reader with the "red flag" signs on computed tomography that should raise suspicion for an underlying neoplastic pathology and also highlights the imaging features of common sinonasal neoplasms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Drug allergy is commonly reported in patient notes and electronic health records. The prevalence of self‐reported drug allergy in the general Australian population has not previously been studied. Aims: To investigate the prevalence of self‐reported drug allergy in the general adult population in South Australia. Methods: We surveyed a representative sample of the South Australian adult population regarding their own perception of drug allergy, including drug type and severity, as well as the use of medical alert devices. Data were weighted to correspond to age and sex of the South Australian population. Results: Twenty‐two percent of adults in South Australia consider themselves allergic to one or more drugs: 9.3% declared themselves to be allergic to penicillin, 5% to an antibiotic other than penicillin and 13% to one or more antibiotics. Drug allergy and penicillin allergy was significantly more prevalent in females and increased with age. Thirteen percent of those with an antibiotic allergy reported a severe reaction, of whom 27% wore a medical notification device. Of those allergic to penicillin, 75% had their index reaction more than 10 years ago and did not report severe features. Conclusion: Self‐reported drug allergy is common in the general population, as it is in medical clinic and hospital populations. The majority of those reporting penicillin allergy would be considered low‐risk and suitable for de‐labelling procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Accurate tracking of patients poses a significant challenge to prehospital and hospital emergency medical providers in planned and unplanned events. Previous reports on patient tracking systems are limited primarily to descriptive reports of post incident reviews or simulated exercises. Our objective is to report our experience with implementing a patient barcode tracking system during various planned events within a large urban EMS system. Methods: In 2018, representatives from the Chicago Department of Public Health, Chicago Fire Department EMS, private EMS agencies, and 27 hospitals in the Chicago EMS System were trained on the use of a web-based patient tracking system using barcoded triage tags and wristbands to monitor triage category and hospital destination during an event. The tracking system was used on two planned operational days and three pre-planned mass gathering events. The primary outcome was the percent of patients initially scanned by EMS that were scanned by the hospital. Descriptive statistics were collected. Barriers to patient tracking system use were identified. Results: Each event was reviewed for the number of patients assigned a barcode identifier and scanned by EMS that were then scanned by the hospital. In the first planned operational day, 57% (359/622) of patients initially scanned by EMS were scanned by the hospital. In the second planned operational day, 88% (355/402) of EMS scanned patients were scanned by the hospital and 37% (133/355) were assigned a final disposition. At three city mass gathering events, there were 79% (50/63), 95% (190/199), and 82% (46/56) of EMS scanned patients also scanned by hospitals. Logistical and technological challenges were documented. Conclusions: Use of a web-based system with barcode identifiers successfully tracked patients from prehospital to hospital during planned operational days and mass gathering events. Percent of scanned patients increased after the first operational day and remained consistent in subsequent events. Limitations to the patient tracking system included logistical and technological barriers. Similar patient tracking systems may be implemented to assist with event management in other EMS systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Electronic medical records‐based alerts have shown mixed results in identifying ED sepsis. Augmenting clinical patient‐flagging with automated alert systems may improve sepsis screening. We evaluate the performance of a hybrid alert to identify patients in ED with sepsis or in‐hospital secondary outcomes from infection. Methods: We extracted a dataset of all patients with sepsis during the study period at five participating Western Sydney EDs. We evaluated the hybrid alert's performance for identifying patients with a discharge diagnosis related to infection and modified sequential sepsis‐related organ functional assessment (mSOFA) score ≥2 in ED and also compared the alert to rapid bedside screening tools to identify patients with infection for secondary outcomes of all‐cause in‐hospital death and/or intensive care unit admission. Results: A total of 118 178 adult patients presented to participating EDs during study period with 1546 patients meeting ED sepsis criteria. The hybrid alert had a sensitivity – 71.2% (95% confidence interval 68.8–73.4), specificity – 96.4% (95% confidence interval 96.3–96.5) for identifying ED sepsis. Clinician flagging identified additional alert‐negative 232 ED sepsis and 63 patients with secondary outcomes and 112 alert‐positive patients with infection and ED mSOFA score <2 went on to die in hospital. Conclusion: The hybrid alert performed modestly in identifying ED sepsis and secondary outcomes from infection. Not all infected patients with a secondary outcome were identified by the alert or mSOFA score ≥2 threshold. Augmenting clinical practice with auto‐alerts rather than pure automation should be considered as a potential for sepsis alerting until more reliable algorithms are available for safe use in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Accidental falls are a significant health risk to older adults and patients seen in audiology clinics. Personal emergency response systems are effective in preventing long lies (defined as remaining on the floor or ground for greater than one hour after a fall), but some individuals would prefer to wear less-conspicuous devices than a traditional neck-worn pendant. No previous investigation has compared the accuracy of head-worn fall detection devices with those worn on other parts of the body. In this study, we compared the accuracy of one commonly used fall detection pendant with two variants of a new hearing instrument-based fall detection system. Purpose The purpose of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of detecting falls by using inertial sensors embedded in hearing instruments. Research Design A study with repeated measures for one group. Study Sample Ten young adults served as participants. All participants had normal or corrected-to-normal vision during testing. Individuals were excluded if they had selfreported cardiac disorders, recent concussions, or musculoskeletal conditions. Data Collection and Analysis Data were collected frominertialmeasurement unit (IMU) sensors, embedded into a binaural set of hearing instruments, during laboratory-based simulations of falls, near-falls, andactivities ofdaily living (ADLs). The detection state of a fall detection pendant was simultaneously recorded during performance of each trial and compared with the outputs of offline hearing instrument firmware emulators. Results One hearing instrument-based fall detection system was more accurate than the fall detection pendant. A second hearing instrument-based fall detection system performed similar to the fall detection pendant. Each of the three fall detection systems investigated were robust against false-positive detections during ADLs. Conclusions Preliminary findings demonstrate that hearing instruments embedded with a fall detection device (FDD) may be a suitable alternative to more traditional forms of FDDs (e.g., pendant, wrist-worn device, etc.) for detecting falls and potentially preventing long lies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scabies is a highly contagious, globally prevalent, parasitic skin infestation caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var. hominis, also known as the itch mite. There have been outbreaks not only in the developing world, but also in the developed world among refugees and asylum seekers. Once infested with scabies mites, symptomatic patients, as well as asymptomatic carriers, quickly spread the disease through direct skin-to-skin contact. Typically, symptoms of scabies are characterized by an erythematous, papular, pruritic rash associated with burrows. Treatment of scabies involves using topical or systemic scabicides and treating secondary bacterial infections, if present. Given the prevalence and contagiousness of scabies, measures to prevent its spread are essential. Through application of the novel Identify-Isolate-Inform (3I) Tool, emergency medical providers can readily identify risk factors for exposure and important symptoms of the disease, thus limiting its spread through prompt scabicide therapy; isolate the patient until after treatment; and inform local public health authorities and hospital infection prevention, when appropriate. Ultimately, these three actions can aid public health in controlling the transmission of scabies cases, thus ensuring the protection of the general public from this highly contagious skin infestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent Patient Safety Alert stipulates that all patients at risk of adrenal crisis are provided with a Steroid Emergency Card. This article discusses which patients are at risk, how to identify adrenal crisis and why urgent action is needed when it occurs. It also summarises the requirements of the new alert. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the introduction of Oxygen Alert Cards, guidelines and audits, oxygen therapy remains overused in NHS practice, and this may lead to iatrogenic mortality. This pilot study aimed to examine the use of Oxygen Alert Wristbands (OxyBand) designed to alert health professionals who are delivering oxygen to patients to ensure that the oxygen is administered and titrated safely to the appropriate target saturations. Patients at risk of hypercapnic acidosis were asked to wear OxyBands while presenting to paramedics and health professionals in hospitals. Inappropriate prescription of oxygen reduced significantly after the OxyBands were used. A questionnaire-based assessment showed that the clinicians involved had a good understanding of the risks of uncontrolled oxygen. Forty-two patients found the wrist band comfortable to wear, and only two did not. OxyBands may have the potential to improve patient safety over Oxygen Alert Cards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: There are over 40,000 people living in Ireland with inflammatory arthritis (IA), a condition that is potentially destructive in nature and can have personal, social and economic consequences. Although we have witnessed dramatic changes in the treatment of IA in the last two decades, methotrexate (MTX) remains the first‐line treatment for patients with a diagnosis of IA. Despite the fact that MTX is so commonly prescribed, there is a lack of educational materials both for healthcare professionals (HCPs) and patients. The aim of the present study was to develop a suite of MTX material for patients. Methods: A comprehensive literature review of MTX (evidence, educational materials and practice guidelines) in the treatment of IA was undertaken. The content of the documents was developed, and the format and structure of the documents were agreed. A tailored patient educational guide, information/monitoring booklet and alert card were designed to address the lack of educational materials for this condition. A national pilot study of the documents was conducted (a postal questionnaire for patients and electronic survey for clinical nurse specialists). Results and recommendations were incorporated into the final documents. These documents were also incorporated into the National Clinical Care Programme–rheumatology–methotrexate pathway. Results: A 26‐page evidence‐based educational guide was produced to support the HCP in educating patients taking MTX, in conjunction with a patient information/monitoring booklet and alert card to support the patient. Conclusions: These documents are now widely available and used in clinical practice in Ireland, providing patients with standardized, evidence‐based information about MTX. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract: This paper explores the perceptions and experiences of falls among Personal Alert Victoria (PAV) clients and identifies barriers and enablers to engagement in falls prevention interventions. Data were collected via semistructured telephone interviews (n = 12) and a client survey with open‐ended and closed‐ended questions (n = 46). Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis was guided by the COM‐B model (capability, opportunity, and motivation) for behaviour change. The interview and survey explored experiences of falls, falls risk factors, access and participation in falls prevention interventions, access to health and support services, and experiences using the PAV service. Capability barriers identified included poor health, lack of time, low health literacy, and perceived high intensity of exercise classes. Opportunity barriers were lack of transport, high cost, and long waiting times for falls prevention interventions. Motivation barriers were the belief that falls are inevitable and a perceived lack of relevance of falls prevention interventions. Enablers identified were a focus on broader health and well‐being benefits (capability), hospitalisations or rehabilitation that incorporates falls prevention in recovery (opportunity), and raising awareness of falls risk (motivation). Findings suggest that further research is required to inform the tailoring of positive health messages to improve the uptake of falls prevention interventions by PAV clients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mass casualty incident (MCI) triage and the use of triage tags to assign treatment priorities are not fully implemented despite emergency medical services (EMS) personnel training during drills and exercises. Objectives: To compare current field triage practices during both training and actual MCIs and identify any potential barriers to use. Methods: During training sessions from November 2015 through March 2016, an anonymous survey was distributed to personnel in 3 distinct types of paid full-time EMS systems: Boston EMS (2-tiered, municipal third-service); Portland Fire Department (fire department-based ALS); and Stokes County EMS (county-based ALS) combined with Forsyth County EMS (county-based ALS). Data included personnel demographics and previous participation experiences in both drill and actual MCIs. Personnel with any prior MCI experience were queried regarding triage tag use and type of algorithm used. Data on barriers to use of triage tags and methods of communication of patient information were also collected. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze responses. Results: Overall survey participation rate was 77.9% (464/596). Among all respondents, 38.7% (179/464) reported participating in both a drill and actual MCI's. In these cases, respondents reported less likely use of triage tags during actual MCI's compared to drills, (34.1 vs. 91.8%, p < 0.01), less likely to complete full triage (16.3 vs. 68.7%, p < 0.01) and less likely to employ geographical triage (56.8 vs. 90.4% p < 0.01). Verbal report was the most common communication method to hospitals (93.1%) when triage tags were not used. Responders reported proximity to the hospital as the most common reason for not using triage tags during an actual MCI (29.5%). Conclusions: Despite being a fundamental skill in MCI response, triage and other standard practices have not always been utilized in actual events despite training. EMS educators and disaster planners should consider strategies to better incorporate MCI practices during real world events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) at home has been demonstrated to improve survival in patients with COPD and severe resting hypoxemia. Support for LTOT is based on 2 landmark trials published nearly 4 decades ago. These results form the basis for reimbursement and prescription of LTOT to this day. Recent work has demonstrated no outcome benefit of LTOT in stable COPD patients with moderate desaturation at rest or during activity. Oxygen therapy during activity and exercise has been shown to alleviate symptoms and maintain arterial oxygen saturation, but not improve long-term outcomes. Oxygen therapy in COPD has a number of physiologic, functional, and biologic effects, not all of which are completely understood. Oxygen therapy in exacerbations of COPD can be both helpful and harmful. New guidance on the use of oxygen therapy during pre-hospital care has been published in the United Kingdom. Technology for LTOT represents a challenge for physicians writing prescriptions, durable medical equipment suppliers, caregivers, and patients. New technology for automated control of LTOT shows promise but is hampered by regulatory processes and cost pressures. Recent changes in government reimbursement for home oxygen therapy also present challenges. This paper will review the current evidence regarding LTOT in COPD and the impact on mortality and functional outcomes as well as reviewing technological challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background:Charcot Marie Tooth (CMT) disease is the most common form of hereditary neuropathy. Due to the high prevalence of mild and undiagnosed forms, patients with CMT disease may be exposed to severe neurotoxicity following the administration of neurotoxic chemotherapies. The aim of this report is to alert oncologists to the potential to precipitate severe irreversible peripheral neuropathies when administering neurotoxic compounds to undiagnosed CMT patients. Material and methods:A retrospective research in the OncoNeuroTox database was performed (2010–2016), searching for patients with the diagnosis of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) and CMT disease. A comprehensive literature review for previously published cases was performed using the Pubmed and Cochrane databases (1972–2017). Results:Among 428 patients with CIPN, we identified eight patients with concomitant CMT disease. Seven patients out of the eight had no previous diagnosis of CMT disease, although accurate familial history disclosed mild signs of peripheral neuropathy in five cases. Patients themselves had minor stigmata of long-standing peripheral damage. Patients received chemotherapy regimens based on vinca alkaloids, taxanes or a combination of vinca alkaloids and platinum compounds. In two cases, cumulative doses were below or equal to the expected neurotoxic threshold. Following chemotherapy administration, patients developed severe length-dependent sensory-motor deficits. Despite early drug discontinuation, most patients remained severely disabled. Conclusion:A brief checklist to disclose long-standing signs of peripheral neuropathy could be helpful to detect patients with undiagnosed hereditary neuropathies who could be at risk of developing severe irreversible neurotoxicity following the administration of neurotoxic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical identification jewellery can convey vital information to emergency responders, but mistakes and ambiguity may lead to misdiagnosis and morbidity. We performed a review of relevant articles retrieved from Pubmed® , Embase® and Scopus® and Google UK Inc. to investigate the commercial availability and issuance of these products. From 84 identified studies, we shortlisted 74 for review. The Google search retrieved 1,090,000 results within 0.57 s (January 2017). We explored 32 websites selling medical alert jewellery in the first five pages of these results. We found that patients themselves are currently responsible for the engraved wording on medical alert jewellery, with no mandatory physician checks. The accuracy and appropriateness of this information may thus vary. In the absence of national guidance in the UK, we suggest that there should be a list of specific indications warranting their use, a requirement for regular review of information, and clarity around the level of physician input into the engraving chosen. We discuss the potential benefits vs. risks of wearing medical alert jewellery and clarify the limitations of medical teams' responsibilities in relation to patients found to be wearing them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morbidity and mortality from exposure to extreme cold highlight the need for meaningful temperature thresholds to activate public health alerts. We analyzed emergency department (ED) records for cold temperature-related visits collected by the Acute Care Enhanced Surveillance system--a syndromic surveillance system that captures data on ED visits from hospitals in Ontario--for geographic trends related to ambient winter temperature. We used 3 Early Aberration Reporting System algorithms of increasing sensitivity--C1, C2, and C3--to determine the temperature at which anomalous counts of cold temperature-related ED visits occurred in northern and southern Ontario from 2010 to 2016. The C2 algorithm was the most sensitive detection method. Results showed lower threshold temperatures for Acute Care Enhanced Surveillance alerts in northern Ontario than in southern Ontario. Public health alerts for cold temperature warnings that are based on cold temperature-related ED visit counts and ambient temperature may improve the accuracy of public warnings about cold temperature risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quick access to toxicity management information ensures timely access to steroids/immunosuppressive treatment for cancer patients experiencing immune-related adverse events, thus reducing length of hospital stays or avoiding hospital admission entirely. This article discusses a project to add a QR (quick response) code to a patient-held immunotherapy alert card. As QR code generation is free and the immunotherapy clinical management algorithms were already publicly available through the trust’s clinical network website, the costs of integrating a QR code into the alert card, after printing, were low, while the potential benefits are numerous. Patient-held alert cards are widely used for patients receiving anti-cancer treatment, and this established standard of care has been modified to enable rapid access of information through the incorporation of a QR code. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaphylaxis is a severe, generalized allergic or hypersensitivity reaction that is rapid in onset and may cause death. Epinephrine (adrenaline) can be life-saving when administered as rapidly as possible once anaphylaxis is recognized. This clinical report from the American Academy of Pediatrics is an update of the 2007 clinical report on this topic. It provides information to help clinicians identify patients at risk of anaphylaxis and new information about epinephrine and epinephrine autoinjectors (EAs). The report also highlights the importance of patient and family education about the recognition and management of anaphylaxis in the community. Key points emphasized include the following: (1) validated clinical criteria are available to facilitate prompt diagnosis of anaphylaxis; (2) prompt intramuscular epinephrine injection in the mid-outer thigh reduces hospitalizations, morbidity, and mortality; (3) prescribing EAs facilitates timely epinephrine injection in community settings for patients with a history of anaphylaxis and, if specific circumstances warrant, for some high-risk patients who have not previously experienced anaphylaxis; (4) prescribing epinephrine for infants and young children weighing <15 kg, especially those who weigh 7.5 kg and under, currently presents a dilemma, because the lowest dose available in EAs, 0.15 mg, is a high dose for many infants and some young children; (5) effective management of anaphylaxis in the community requires a comprehensive approach involving children, families, preschools, schools, camps, and sports organizations; and (6) prevention of anaphylaxis recurrences involves confirmation of the trigger, discussion of specific allergen avoidance, allergen immunotherapy (eg, with stinging insect venom, if relevant), and a written, personalized anaphylaxis emergency action plan; and (7) the management of anaphylaxis also involves education of children and supervising adults about anaphylaxis recognition and first-aid treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this article is to determine if there are perceptual differences regarding the importance of elements deemed imperative for successful service dog partner-ships in the workplace (Glenn, 2013) between those who have experience with dogs for mobility/stability and those for medical alert/response. Thirty individuals completed this on-line survey (mobility/stability: n = 18; medical alert/response: n = 12). Participants rated the importance of elements in response to the question, "How important to do you think this item is in the OVERALL process?" The mobility/stability group rated the Co-Worker Preparation and Legal Knowledge clusters as significantly more important than the medical alert/response group. This opens up a need for research on the unique needs of subgroups of the population of people using service dogs. Differences may exist because of the size of dogs and the issues around privacy for the person with the disability seeking accommodations on the job. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A descriptive study of antemortem photographic materials of missing migrants. • The quantity and quality of AM images provided by relatives of missing migrants. • Unavailability of classical AM data for identification of dead migrants. • Images may turn out to be fundamental and sometime the only resort for identification. The crisis concerning the identification of dead migrants is forcing forensic scientists to deal with the unavailability of classical antemortem (AM) data such as radiological information and DNA. However many times there is abundant AM photographic data of which the availability and quality is underestimated. Independently of when facial image comparison can be used as a valid identification method, description of the unexpected quality and quantity of images in the scenario of unidentified migrant decedents is given in this observational study. It focuses on the overall characteristics of the AM images available for a group of 74 missing migrants related to the disaster of October 3rd, 2013. 394 images were collected: an average of 6 for each missing person. 18% are original pictures, 47.5% scans of original images, 9.9% scans of printed images while 9.4% downloaded from social networks such as Facebook. 42.7% of images resulted in focus. Among all the images, about the 10% has been used in the personal identification process to ascertain the identity of 22 persons, because of the visibility of identifying details (facial, dental and body features). The importance of such a finding should not be diminished by its simplicity. Today, those involved in collecting AM information from relatives of dead migrants are underestimating the possible presence of images, even in sub-Saharan populations, where, contrary to belief and data, technology, though simple, is available and images may turn out to be abundant and useful (and at times the only resort) for identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As America ages, greater numbers of older adults will be living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, leading to increased incidence of wandering. Currently there are several initiatives to assist older adults who go missing. We describe and critically examine three prominent and widespread programs: Safe Return, Project Lifesaver, and Silver Alert. Despite their emergence, there has been little research on their effectiveness. More fundamentally, the nature and scope of the missing elder problem is understudied. We call for further research into this issue, as well as assessments of how well such programs balance individual liberties with safety concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article discusses managing the risk of sensitisation to latex. It mentions that dental care professionals have a high exposure to latex gloves or patients undergoing multiple may have allergy or sensitivity to natural rubber latex (NRL). History taking and asking the patient about previous reactions to NRL help in the diagnosis. Avoidance of NRL is the best way to manage latex allergy; professionals have a responsibility to reduce the risk of NRL sensitization in themselves and patients.

The article offers information on medication errors occurred in health care facilities. The Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) provides a medication error report analysis for several drug errors, such as Intravenous Acetaminophen overdoses in children and Epinephrine. A list of high alert medications has been updated by ISMP which is available on www.ismp.org/Tools/highAlertMedications.asp .

Background: Informing patients about their adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and involving them in their medication management should decrease repeat ADRs. An innovative model for informing patients about their ADRs has been in place at an Australian health network. The health network's ADR Review Committee reviews the ADR reports, assigns causality and makes recommendations. Patients are sent a letter about their ADR along with an alert card. Aim: To evaluate the existing ADR model. Method: Over a 6-month period, patients who had an ADR report reviewed by the ADR Review Committee were contacted by telephone within 4 weeks of the review and asked questions about the ADR information sent to them. Patients' discharge summaries were concurrently reviewed for ADR information. Feedback about the model was also sought from the hospital's consumer groups. Results: Of the 89 ADR reports reviewed, 76 patients were eligible, and 55 (72%) patients consented to participate in the survey. 50 (91%) patients recalled the name of the causative drug, 53 (96%) recalled the reaction, 48 (87%) recalled the ADR Review Committee's recommendation, 28 (50%) had an alert card in their wallet, and 29 (52%) had shown or were intending to show the letter to their doctor, but only 3 to their pharmacist. 95% of respondents would recommend this model to other hospitals. 35 (63%) patients wanted the letter sent directly to their doctor. Of the 54 discharge summaries reviewed, the ADR was documented in 43 (80%), details of the reaction in 43 (80%) and specific management advice in 10 (19%). Feedback from the hospital's consumer groups (n = 15) was positive and informed improvements to the model. Conclusion: The ADR model was well received by patients, who retained the information sent. Patient feedback was used to improve the format and content of the ADR information sent. This model could be adapted by other acute and ambulatory settings to facilitate communication between health professionals and patients to avoid repeat ADRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine which of the disaster triage tag systems in use in Australia and New Zealand is better in terms of the time taken to complete the triage and the ease of use. Methods: A disaster scenario was created. Mock patients were provided with clinical information to allow them to be triaged in a disaster sieve. Six different triage tag systems available in Australia and New Zealand were trialled. Participants triaged 10 patients with each triage tag system. The 10 patients used were different for each of the tag systems and were standardized for acuity and triage category. The time to complete the triage of the 10 patients with each different tag system was measured. The participants then completed a questionnaire with regards to the ease of use of the different tags and were asked to nominate their most preferred tag. Results: The Victorian cruciate fold up tag was the quickest to complete, with an average of 6.6 min to triage 10 patients, compared with an average time for all systems of 7.8 min. New Zealand tags were found to be the easiest to use, easiest to fill in and were considered the most preferred tag. Conclusion: The Victorian style of tag was found to be the most efficient in terms of the time to complete a triage. The New Zealand tags were the easiest to use, easiest to fill in and the most preferred tag by the participants. We recommend that one of these tags be adapted for use as a nationwide system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper utilized a user-centered design approach as the foundation for technology in dementia care in order to improve the quality of telemedicine service. A status-quo analysis and questionnaire survey were conducted to explore the actual needs of the elders in using the lost seeking devices and the problems they encountered. In total, 37 caregivers for people with dementia were surveyed (20 female, 17 male, M = 50.08, SD = 15.47). The dementia-patients: 16 are male, 21 female (M = 72.75, SD = 10.23). Through analysis and induction, 3 problems were identified: poor information transmission, low user acceptance, individual material security anxiety. 2-4 improvement proposals are suggested for each problem. Most care-givers hope technological products would increase the efficiency and safety, but they also think it's too expensive and lack of computer skills. This result demonstrates the choice of seeking methods depends on the education level of the caregivers and most of them are elders. The concern of data leakage is also related to today's fraud issue, which may be the reason limiting the promotion of electronic products and biometrics. Further research is required, suggesting researchers should pursue improvements in lost seeking design devices in dementia for caregivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on using excessive drug allergy alert minimization to achieve an optimized clinical decision support. Topics include the adoption of computerized provider order entry (CPOE) with clinical decision support (CDS) at hospitals in the U.S., the types of medication alerts for CDS, and how the optimization of drug allergy alerts was achieved.

The article focuses on portable medical tracking device and the modifications made on it over the centuries. It states that the device featured in an 1873 journal was held by a runner in his hands and connected to his cap and shoes and only registered his running pace, but today the device is already wireless and can be used to track various health quality indicators, such as resting metabolic rate. Moreover, it discusses how the device operates and its benefits and risks on human health.

The article reports that people are now using tattoos instead of Medic Alert bracelets to alert physicians about their ailing chronic conditions. Patients believe that this way of alerting is better than previous way of wearing a medical jeweler which can be broken, tampered or left at home due to ignorance but, however, many professionals fear that paramedics and emergency physicians may not even notice these tattoos leave apart treating the same.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags are widely used in the healthcare industry for patient tracking. A mainstream RFID implementation is based on a series of readers installed in a fixed location within a hospital or a nursing home and tags are embedded in the clothing worn by patients. Caregivers can readily obtain near real-time location information of individual patients from the tag locations. For implementation in washable clothing tags are often passive such that tag collision is a common problem within co-operation mechanism between tags. Tag anti-collision scheme is there an important consideration that affects the identification effectiveness. To address this issue, this paper proposes a dynamic frame slotted Aloha algorithm based on linear interpolation based estimation that adaptively adjusts the frame length. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm yields an estimation error below 1.5% achieved in less than 10 iterations, it provides reduction in identification time while reduces the tags leakage probability in a clinical environment where patient tracking is automatically managed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]