Quantitative assessment of degradation of the optical quality of rigid endoscopes in clinical practice

Author(s):  
Herke J. Noordmans ◽  
Sander Kruit ◽  
Patrick Stroosnijder ◽  
Henk van den Brink ◽  
Rudolf Verdaasdonk
2006 ◽  
Vol 120 (5) ◽  
pp. 385-388 ◽  
Author(s):  
F Vaz ◽  
L Ripley ◽  
D Lim ◽  
R Kanegaonkar ◽  
M Harries

With the increasing use of the endosheath in clinical practice, we set out to investigate the quality of the nasendoscope image produced with and without an endosheath. It has been suggested by some users that the endosheath degrades the image. We used a spectrophotometer to assess the optical transmission of the endosheath and found no selective chromatic absorption. However, on requesting nine experienced users to document whether they could differentiate between the sheathed and unsheathed endoscope, a significantly correct answering pattern was obtained in repeated blinded experiments. This suggests that individuals can distinguish between the sheathed and unsheathed nasendoscope view and that the image is indeed altered when an endosheath is employed.


Author(s):  
В. М. Жихарєв ◽  
В. Ю. Лоя ◽  
А. М. Соломон ◽  
Я. В. Грицище

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Azizeh Khaled Sowan ◽  
Meghan Leibas ◽  
Albert Tarriela ◽  
Charles Reed

BACKGROUND The integration of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) into the nursing care plan and documentation systems aims to translate evidence into practice, improve safety and quality of care, and standardize care processes. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate nurses’ perceptions of the usability of a nursing care plan solution that includes 234 CPGs. METHODS A total of 100 nurses from 4 adult intensive care units (ICUs) responded to a survey measuring nurses’ perceptions of system usability. The survey included 37 rated items and 3 open-ended questions. RESULTS Nurses’ perceptions were favorable with more than 60.0% (60/100) in agreement on 12 features of the system and negative to moderate with 20.0% (20/100), to 59.0% (59/100) in agreement on 19 features. The majority of the nurses (80/100, 80.0% to 90/100, 90.0%) agreed on 4 missing safety features within the system. More than half of the nurses believed they would benefit from refresher classes on system use. Overall satisfaction with the system was just above average (54/100, 54.0%). Common positive themes from the narrative data were related to the system serving as a reminder for complete documentation and individualizing patient care. Common negative aspects were related to duplicate charting, difficulty locating CPGs, missing unit-specific CPGs, irrelevancy of information, and lack of perceived system value on patient outcomes. No relationship was found between years of system use or ICU experience and satisfaction with the system (P=.10 to P=.25). CONCLUSIONS Care plan systems in ICUs should be easy to navigate; support efficient documentation; present relevant, unit-specific, and easy-to-find information; endorse interdisciplinary communication; and improve safety and quality of care.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Jasem Buabbas ◽  
Tareq Mohammad ◽  
Adel K. Ayed ◽  
Hawraa Mallah ◽  
Hamza Al-Shawaf ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Telepathology is the practice of reviewing and exchanging pathological images through telecommunication systems to obtain diagnoses remotely. Studying the factors that make such a system successful and favourable is important to ensure the merits of its implementation in clinical practice. Objective This study aims to evaluate the success of a telepathology system from the users’ perspectives, using specific evaluation criteria, namely: system quality, information quality, technical service quality, user satisfaction, and benefits. Methods A sequential explanatory mixed methods design was adopted in this study, which consists of two phases. Initially, a questionnaire was distributed via WhatsApp to all of the pathologists (total: 45) working at governmental hospitals in Kuwait. Followed by, semi-structured interviews with ten senior pathologists. Results Forty pathologists responded to the questionnaire, giving an 89% response rate. There were 42.5% of the respondents aged between 35–44 years old, and 52.5% were male. The quantitative results reveal that most of the respondents were satisfied with the quality of the telepathology system with a mean of 2.6025 (Standard Deviation (SD) = 0.47176), whereas they were dissatisfied with the quality of the information with a mean of 2.4100 (SD = 1.580) and the technical support services with a mean of 2.2750 (SD = 0.99535). In addition, there was disagreement on the benefits of telepathology in clinical practice among the pathologists with a mean of 2.4667 (SD = 0.77552). The qualitative results indicate that the lack of interest in and little experience with using the system were behind the general dissatisfaction of most of the respondents. All of the interviewees were satisfied with the performance of the telepathology system and considered it successful; however, the quality of the technical support services, including training workshops, was deemed deficient. Conclusion This study concluded that telepathology system in Kuwait is functioning well and has been successful in its implementation; however, pathologists are dissatisfied with it, mainly due to the deficient quality of the technical support services provided. In addition, the successful implementation of such advanced technologies requires careful steps to be taken on multiple levels: technical, organisational, and managerial. Recommendations were suggested.


Photonics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 215
Author(s):  
Rajeev R. Kosireddy ◽  
Stephen T. Schaefer ◽  
Marko S. Milosavljevic ◽  
Shane R. Johnson

Three InAsSbBi samples are grown by molecular beam epitaxy at 400 °C on GaSb substrates with three different offcuts: (100) on-axis, (100) offcut 1° toward [011], and (100) offcut 4° toward [011]. The samples are investigated using X-ray diffraction, Nomarski optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The InAsSbBi layers are 210 nm thick, coherently strained, and show no observable defects. The substrate offcut is not observed to influence the structural and interface quality of the samples. Each sample exhibits small lateral variations in the Bi mole fraction, with the largest variation observed in the on-axis growth. Bismuth rich surface droplet features are observed on all samples. The surface droplets are isotropic on the on-axis sample and elongated along the [011¯] step edges on the 1° and 4° offcut samples. No significant change in optical quality with offcut angle is observed.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Åsa Kettis ◽  
Hanna Fagerlind ◽  
Jan-Erik Frödin ◽  
Bengt Glimelius ◽  
Lena Ring

Abstract Background Effective patient-physician communication can improve patient understanding, agreement on treatment and adherence. This may, in turn, impact on clinical outcomes and patient quality of life (QoL). One way to improve communication is by using patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Heretofore, studies of the impact of using PROMs in clinical practice have mostly evaluated the use of standardized PROMs. However, there is reason to believe that individualized instruments may be more appropriate for this purpose. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of the standardized QoL-instrument, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life C-30 (EORTC-QOL-C30) and the individualized QoL instrument, the Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life-Direct Weighting (SEIQoL-DW), in clinical practice. Methods In a prospective, open-label, controlled intervention study at two hospital out-patient clinics, 390 patients with gastrointestinal cancer were randomly assigned either to complete the EORTC-QOL-C30 or the SEIQoL-DW immediately before the consultation, with their responses being shared with their physician. This was repeated in 3–5 consultations over a period of 4–6 months. The primary outcome measure was patients’ health-related QoL, as measured by FACIT-G. Patients’ satisfaction with the consultation and survival were secondary outcomes. Results There was no significant difference between the groups with regard to study outcomes. Neither intervention instrument resulted in any significant changes in health-related QoL, or in any of the secondary outcomes, over time. This may reflect either a genuine lack of effect or sub-optimization of the intervention. Since there was no comparison to standard care an effect in terms of lack of deterioration over time cannot be excluded. Conclusions Future studies should focus on the implementation process, including the training of physicians to use the instruments and their motivation for doing so. The effects of situational use of standardized or individualized instruments should also be explored. The effectiveness of the different approaches may depend on contextual factors including physician and patient preferences.


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