Automated Reporting of Patient Outcomes in Hand Surgery: A Pilot Study

Background Obtaining patient-reported outcomes (PROs) is becoming a standard component of patient care. For nonacademic practices, this can be challenging. From this perspective, we designed a nearly autonomous patient outcomes reporting system. We then conducted a prospective, cohort pilot study to assess the efficacy of the system. Methods We created an automated system to gather PROs. All operative patients for 4 surgeons in an upper-extremity private practice were asked to participate. These patients completed the Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaires preoperatively and received follow-up e-mails requesting patients to complete additional QuickDASH questionnaires at 3, 6, and 12 weeks postoperatively and to complete a 13-week postoperative satisfaction survey. Response rates and satisfaction levels are reported with descriptive statistics. Results Sixty-two percent of participants completed the 3-week assessment, 55% completed the 6-week assessment, and 43% completed the 12-week assessment. Overall, 35% of patients completed all questionnaires, and 73% completed at least 1 postoperative assessment. The collection of follow-up questionnaires required no additional time from the clinical staff, surgeon, or a research associate. Conclusions Automated e-mail assessments can collect reliable clinical data, with minimal surgeon or staff intervention required to administer and collect data, minimizing the financial cost. For nonacademic practices, without access to additional research resources, such a system is feasible. Further improvements in communication with patients could increase response rates.

Development and Implementation of Fault-Correction Algorithms in Fault Detection and Diagnostics Tools

A fault detection and diagnostics (FDD) tool is a type of energy management and information system that continuously identifies the presence of faults and efficiency improvement opportunities through a one-way interface to the building automation system and the application of automated analytics. Building operators on the leading edge of technology adoption use FDD tools to enable median whole-building portfolio savings of 8%. Although FDD tools can inform operators of operational faults, currently an action is always required to correct the faults to generate energy savings. A subset of faults, however, such as biased sensors, can be addressed automatically, eliminating the need for staff intervention. Automating this fault “correction” can significantly increase the savings generated by FDD tools and reduce the reliance on human intervention. Doing so is expected to advance the usability and technical and economic performance of FDD technologies. This paper presents the development of nine innovative fault auto-correction algorithms for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning pi(HVAC) systems. When the auto-correction routine is triggered, it overwrites control setpoints or other variables to implement the intended changes. It also discusses the implementation of the auto-correction algorithms in commercial FDD software products, the integration of these strategies with building automation systems and their preliminary testing.

Smart Card Reader for Engineering Students [SCR - All in One]

Magnetic strip cards have very low storage mainly a few bytes and in general smart cards can store hundred times more information than magnetic. With more space to store information, smart cards can have more use and may be more versatile than magnetic cards, in addition to being a student identification card it could also be used to store monetary values such as a cash card for retail and as an access card to login to computers and enter rooms. Smart cards have the benefits of storing comprehensive records with the advantages of accuracy and reliability, in other words it can he seen as a mobile database.Our implementation will be very useful to trace the students for college gate, Hostel gate, Library, Transport, Academic attendance, Academic scores, Student details, Achievements. Once college administrator will store student details, staff details and authentication details after that student will be traced and information store automatically to concern database. Then the attendance IS sent to parents via SMS. Student’s will store their attendance via biometric fingerprint reader without staff intervention.

Corrigendum

Yelland, E., Stanfield, H. (2018). Public perspectives toward long-term care staff intervention in demented resident’s sexual relationships, Dementia. DOI: 10.1177/1471301218772915 The authors regret that the title of the above mentioned article was incorrect. The title should be “Public perspectives toward long-term care staff’s interventions in the sexual relationships of residents with dementia” The article has been corrected online.

Suicide risk management

There are many risks associated with incarceration, and a substantial one is suicide. Virtually every completed suicide generates litigation. Prevalence, demographics, trends, screening and assessment of suicide risk, and recognition of the key factors associated with increased risk and managing that risk safely and appropriately in jails is presented. The factors relating to increasing suicide risk in prisons are often quite distinct from other correctional settings. Issues such as restrictive housing, facility transfers, loss of community social supports, and chronic management all play potential roles. Proactive recognition of such concerns and active management is critical to effective risk reduction. This chapter discusses such factors in the context of changing prison dynamics and trends. Following completed suicides, a formal protocol is often followed to assist staff in understanding the events that led to the suicide and specifically intervening to address staff feelings that follow such a trauma. Such a process assists quality improvement initiatives, whether in the form of a root cause analysis or other format. Best practice approaches to post-mortem review and staff intervention/ support have been developed and are in use in many facilities. Working to eliminate or reduce the frequency of suicide attempts absolutely requires a staff culture committed to continued learning and improving of both knowledge and skills. This chapter presents a review of the current standards of suicide risk reduction training.

What is Known About Transitional Living Services for Adults With an Acquired Brain Injury? A Scoping Review

Transitional living service (TLS) programmes for adults with an acquired brain injury are considered an important part of rehabilitation. However, considerable variability exists in the design and structure of these services, with limited research to guide the development of a programme based on best evidence. A scoping literature review was completed to answer the question ‘What is known about TLS programmes for adults with an acquired brain injury?’ Four electronic databases were systematically searched, followed by a grey literature search (from 1996 to 2015). 3183 articles were screened and 13 articles were included in the final review. Themes that emerged from the literature include the types of residents using TLS programmes, the subjective experience of residents and staff, intervention approaches, programme staffing, and programme outcomes. The research reviewed supports the use of TLS programmes to maximise functional independence and community integration of individuals with an acquired brain injury. Clinical practise recommendations were developed to help support implementation of TLS programmes based on best evidence, these included: to use multiple outcome measures, implement collaborative goal setting, support generalisation of skills learnt in the TLS to the home environment and for eligibility criteria for these programmes to include individuals across all phases of recovery.

A Behavior Sequence Analysis of Perceptions of Alcohol-Related Violence Surrounding Drinking Establishments

Alcohol-related violence surrounding the nighttime economy puts increased pressure and workload on security and police forces. Research surrounding alcohol-related violence consistently identifies risk factors, such as the organizational practices and physical characteristics of drinking establishments, as influential in the generation of violent behavior. The current research uses sequence analysis to investigate dynamic patterns of events perceived to lead to a violent incident. The research was collected using questionnaires across university students with customer experience of the modern nighttime economy. The findings show perceptions of maladaptive patterns of events that may lead to violent incidents in different environments (a brightly lit bar and a nightclub). Analysis demonstrated that participants thought those involved in a violent incident would have consumed large amounts of alcohol throughout the night, fueled by predrinking and irresponsible serving practices of staff. Frustration inducing events were also common stages in the sequences leading to a violent outcome. Finally, staff intervention in violent situations was also considered to be an important predictor of violence, with forceful removal of individuals from premises often considered to be the final event preceding a violent incident. The present sequences analysis supports the suggestion that the organizational practices and physical characteristics of a drinking establishment influence the risk of violent activity and helps identify where initiatives aiming to reduce levels of violence could be effectively targeted.