Developing ICU-Talk. A computer based communication aid for patients in intensive care

This study investigated the effects of printed factual information and three augmentative communication techniques on attitudes of nondisabled individuals toward nonspeaking persons with physical disabilities. Employing a 3 (augmentative communication techniques) x 2 (presence/absence of information) factorial design, subjects viewed a videotape depicting a nonspeaking adult having a conversation with a normal-speaking individual. Subjects in Condition 1 viewed a tape depicting the nonspeaking individual using unaided communication techniques; Condition 2 subjects viewed the individual using an alphabet board; subjects in Condition 3 viewed the individual using a computer-based voice output communication aid (VOCA). A scale assessing attitudes toward nonspeaking persons, the Attitudes Toward Nonspeaking Persons Scale (ATNP), was developed and validated for purposes of this study and was employed as the dependent measure. Results revealed that subjects expressed more favorable attitudes when provided with the additional information concerning the nonspeaking individual. Attitude favorability also increased with the sophistication of the augmentative communication technique.

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Design of Software Services for Computer-Based Infection Control and Antibiotic Management in the Intensive Care Unit

2009 International Conference on eHealth, Telemedicine, and Social Medicine ◽

10.1109/etelemed.2009.21 ◽

2009 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Kristof Steurbaut ◽

Sofie Van Hoecke ◽

Kristof Taveirne ◽

Kristof Lamont ◽

Filip De Turck ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Infection Control ◽

Antibiotic Management ◽

Computer Based ◽

Software Services

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Computer-Based versus Paper-Based Insulin Infusion Algorithms in Diabetic Ketoacidosis

Current Diabetes Reviews ◽

10.2174/1573399815666190712191932 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (6) ◽

pp. 628-634

Author(s):

Moustafa Younis ◽

John Pham ◽

Hussein Asad ◽

Majdi S. Hamarshi

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care Unit ◽

Intensive Care ◽

Diabetic Ketoacidosis ◽

Insulin Infusion ◽

Severe Hypoglycemia ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Computer Based ◽

Male Patients ◽

The Mean ◽

Univariate Analyses

Background:: Paper-based and computer-based insulin infusion algorithms facilitate appropriate glycemic therapy. The data comparing these algorithms in the management of diabetic ketoacidosis in the intensive care unit (ICU) setting are limited. We aimed to determine the differences in time to diabetic ketoacidosis resolution and incidence of hypoglycemia between computer and paper-based insulin infusion. Methods:: Single-institution retrospective review of patients admitted to the ICU with diabetic ketoacidosis between 4/1/2015 and 7/20/2018. Our institution introduced computer-based insulin infusion (Glucommander) to the intensive care unit on 3/28/2016. Patients were grouped into either paper-based group (preintervention) or a computer-based group (postintervention). Summary and univariate analyses were performed. Results:: A total of 620 patients (paper-based=247; computer-based=373) with a median (IQR) age of 40 (26-56) years were included; 46% were male. Patients in the computer-based group were significantly older (p=0.003); otherwise, there were no significant differences in gender, race, body mass index and HbA1c. The mean (±SD) time to diabetic ketoacidosis resolution in the computer-based group was significantly lower than the paper-based group (p=0.02). The number of patients in the paper-based group who developed severe hypoglycemia (<50 mg/dl) was significantly higher 8% vs 1%; p<0.0001. Conclusions:: Our analyses demonstrate statistically significant decreases in time to DKA resolution and hypoglycemic events in DKA patients who were managed using a computer-based insulin infusion algorithm providing a more effective and safer option when compared to paper-based insulin infusion.

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