scholarly journals Effects of an animated blood clot on the decision-making of users inexperienced in viscoelastic testing - Visual Clot technology: a multicenter trial (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sadiq Said ◽  
Tadzio Raoul Roche ◽  
Julia Braun ◽  
Micheal Thomas Ganter ◽  
Patrick Meybohm ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Viscoelastic-test-guided coagulation management has become increasingly important in assessing hemostasis. We developed Visual Clot, an animated, 3-dimensional blood clot that illustrates raw rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) parameters in a user-centered and situation awareness-oriented method. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the applicability of Visual Clot by examining its effects on users that are novices in viscoelastic-guided resuscitation. METHODS We conducted an investigator-initiated, international, multicenter study between September 16 and October 6, 2020, in five tertiary care hospitals in central Europe. We randomly recruited medical students and inexperienced resident physicians without significant prior exposure to viscoelastic testing. The 7 participants per center managed nine different ROTEM outputs twice, once as standard ROTEM tracings and once as the corresponding Visual Clot. We randomly presented the 18 viscoelastic cases and asked the participants for their therapeutic decisions. We assessed the performance, diagnostic confidence, and perceived workload in managing the tasks using mixed statistical models, adjusted for possible confounding factors. RESULTS Analyzing a total of 630 results, we found that the participants solved more cases correctly (odds ratio [OR]: 33.66; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 21.13–53.64; P<0.001), perceived more diagnostic confidence (OR: 206.2; 95% CI: 93.5–454.75; P<0.001) and less workload (coefficient -41.63; 95% CI: -43.91 to -39.36; P<0.001) using Visual Clot compared to using standard ROTEM tracings. CONCLUSIONS This study emphasizes the practical benefit of presenting viscoelastic test results in a user-centered way. Visual Clot may allow inexperienced users to be involved in the decision-making process to treat bleeding-associated coagulopathy. CLINICALTRIAL Not applicable

10.2196/19036 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. e19036
Author(s):  
Tadzio Raoul Roche ◽  
Sadiq Said ◽  
Julian Rössler ◽  
Malgorzata Gozdzik ◽  
Patrick Meybohm ◽  
...  

Background Viscoelastic tests enable a time-efficient analysis of coagulation properties. An important limitation of viscoelastic tests is the complicated presentation of their results in the form of abstract graphs with a multitude of numbers. We developed Visual Clot to simplify the interpretation of presented clotting information. This visualization technology applies user-centered design principles to create an animated model of a blood clot during the hemostatic cascade. In a previous simulation study, we found Visual Clot to double diagnostic accuracy, reduce time to decision making and perceived workload, and improve care providers’ confidence. Objective This study aimed to investigate the opinions of physicians on Visual Clot technology. It further aimed to assess its strengths, limitations, and clinical applicability as a support tool for coagulation management. Methods This was a researcher-initiated, international, double-center, mixed qualitative-quantitative study that included the anesthesiologists and intensive care physicians who participated in the previous Visual Clot study. After the participants solved six coagulation scenarios using Visual Clot, we questioned them about the perceived pros and cons of this new tool. Employing qualitative research methods, we identified recurring answer patterns, and derived major topics and subthemes through inductive coding. Based on them, we defined six statements. The study participants later rated their agreement to these statements on five-point Likert scales in an online survey, which represented the quantitative part of this study. Results A total of 60 physicians participated in the primary Visual Clot study. Among these, 36 gave an interview and 42 completed the online survey. In total, eight different major topics were derived from the interview field note responses. The three most common topics were “positive design features” (29/36, 81%), “facilitates decision making” (17/36, 47%), and “quantification not made” (17/36, 47%). In the online survey, 93% (39/42) agreed to the statement that Visual Clot is intuitive and easy to learn. Moreover, 90% (38/42) of the participants agreed that they would like the standard result and Visual Clot displayed on the screen side by side. Furthermore, 86% (36/42) indicated that Visual Clot allows them to deal with complex coagulation situations more quickly. Conclusions A group of anesthesia and intensive care physicians from two university hospitals in central Europe considered Visual Clot technology to be intuitive, easy to learn, and useful for decision making in situations of active bleeding. From the responses of these possible future users, Visual Clot appears to constitute an efficient and well-accepted way to streamline the decision-making process in viscoelastic test–based coagulation management.


Author(s):  
Tadzio Raoul Roche ◽  
Sadiq Said ◽  
Julian Rössler ◽  
Malgorzata Gozdzik ◽  
Patrick Meybohm ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Viscoelastic tests enable a time-efficient analysis of coagulation properties. An important limitation of viscoelastic tests is the complicated presentation of their results in the form of abstract graphs with a multitude of numbers. We developed Visual Clot to simplify the interpretation of presented clotting information. This visualization technology applies user-centered design principles to create an animated model of a blood clot during the hemostatic cascade. In a previous simulation study, we found Visual Clot to double diagnostic accuracy, reduce time to decision making and perceived workload, and improve care providers’ confidence. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the opinions of physicians on Visual Clot technology. It further aimed to assess its strengths, limitations, and clinical applicability as a support tool for coagulation management. METHODS This was a researcher-initiated, international, double-center, mixed qualitative-quantitative study that included the anesthesiologists and intensive care physicians who participated in the previous Visual Clot study. After the participants solved six coagulation scenarios using Visual Clot, we questioned them about the perceived pros and cons of this new tool. Employing qualitative research methods, we identified recurring answer patterns, and derived major topics and subthemes through inductive coding. Based on them, we defined six statements. The study participants later rated their agreement to these statements on five-point Likert scales in an online survey, which represented the quantitative part of this study. RESULTS A total of 60 physicians participated in the primary Visual Clot study. Among these, 36 gave an interview and 42 completed the online survey. In total, eight different major topics were derived from the interview field note responses. The three most common topics were “positive design features” (29/36, 81%), “facilitates decision making” (17/36, 47%), and “quantification not made” (17/36, 47%). In the online survey, 93% (39/42) agreed to the statement that Visual Clot is intuitive and easy to learn. Moreover, 90% (38/42) of the participants agreed that they would like the standard result and Visual Clot displayed on the screen side by side. Furthermore, 86% (36/42) indicated that Visual Clot allows them to deal with complex coagulation situations more quickly. CONCLUSIONS A group of anesthesia and intensive care physicians from two university hospitals in central Europe considered Visual Clot technology to be intuitive, easy to learn, and useful for decision making in situations of active bleeding. From the responses of these possible future users, Visual Clot appears to constitute an efficient and well-accepted way to streamline the decision-making process in viscoelastic test–based coagulation management.


Author(s):  
A. V. Smirnov ◽  
T. V. Levashova

Introduction: Socio-cyber-physical systems are complex non-linear systems. Such systems display emergent properties. Involvement of humans, as a part of these systems, in the decision-making process contributes to overcoming the consequences of the emergent system behavior, since people can use their experience and intuition, not just the programmed rules and procedures.Purpose: Development of models for decision support in socio-cyber-physical systems.Results: A scheme of decision making in socio-cyber-physical systems, a conceptual framework of decision support in these systems, and stepwise decision support models have been developed. The decision-making scheme is that cybernetic components make their decisions first, and if they cannot do this, they ask humans for help. The stepwise models support the decisions made by components of socio-cyber-physical systems at the conventional stages of the decision-making process: situation awareness, problem identification, development of alternatives, choice of a preferred alternative, and decision implementation. The application of the developed models is illustrated through a scenario for planning the execution of a common task for robots.Practical relevance: The developed models enable you to design plans on solving tasks common for system components or on achievement of common goals, and to implement these plans. The models contribute to overcoming the consequences of the emergent behavior of socio-cyber-physical systems, and to the research on machine learning and mobile robot control.


2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Pleban ◽  
Jennifer S. Tucker ◽  
Vanessa Johnson Katie /Gunther ◽  
Thomas R. Graves

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. e000068
Author(s):  
Sonia Hur ◽  
Michael Tzeng ◽  
Eliza Cricco-Lizza ◽  
Spyridon Basourakos ◽  
Miko Yu ◽  
...  

ObjectivesPartial gland ablation (PGA) therapy is an emerging treatment modality that targets specific areas of biopsy-proven prostate cancer (PCa) to minimize treatment-related morbidity by sparing benign prostate. This qualitative study aims to explore and characterize perceptions and attitudes toward PGA in men with very-low-risk, low-risk, and favorable intermediate-risk PCa on active surveillance (AS).Design92 men diagnosed with very-low-risk, low-risk, and favorable intermediate-risk PCa on AS were invited to participate in semistructured telephone interviews on PGA.SettingSingle tertiary care center located in New York City.Participants20 men with very-low-risk, low-risk, and favorable intermediate-risk PCa on AS participated in the interviews.Main outcome measuresEmerging themes on perceptions and attitudes toward PGA were developed from transcripts inductively coded and analyzed under standardized methodology.ResultsFour themes were derived from 20 interviews that represent the primary considerations in treatment decision-making: (1) the feeling of psychological safety associated with low-risk disease; (2) preference for minimally invasive treatments; (3) the central role of the physician; (4) and the pursuit of treatment options that align with disease severity. Eleven men (55%) expressed interest in pursuing PGA only if their cancer were to progress, while nine men (45%) expressed interest at the current moment.ConclusionsAlthough an emerging treatment modality, patients were broadly accepting of PGA for PCa, with men primarily debating the risks versus benefits of proactively treating low-risk disease. Additional research on men’s preferences and attitudes toward PGA will further guide counseling and shared decision-making for PGA.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 237437352110340
Author(s):  
Shirley Chien-Chieh Huang ◽  
Alden Morgan ◽  
Vanessa Peck ◽  
Lara Khoury

There has been little published literature examining the unique communication challenges older adults pose for health care providers. Using an explanatory mixed-methods design, this study explored patients’ and their family/caregivers’ experiences communicating with health care providers on a Canadian tertiary care, inpatient Geriatric unit between March and September 2018. In part 1, the modified patient–health care provider communication scale was used and responses scored using a 5-point scale. In part 2, one-on-one telephone interviews were conducted and responses transcribed, coded, and thematically analyzed. Thirteen patients and 7 family/caregivers completed part 1. Both groups scored items pertaining to adequacy of information sharing and involvement in decision-making in the lowest 25th percentile. Two patients and 4 family/caregivers participated in telephone interviews in part 2. Interview transcript analysis resulted in key themes that fit into the “How, When, and What” framework outlining the aspects of communication most important to the participants. Patients and family/caregivers identified strategic use of written information and predischarge family meetings as potentially valuable tools to improve communication and shared decision-making.


1992 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Urtasun ◽  
Adolfo López de Murrain ◽  
Nieves Carrera ◽  
José F. Martí-Massó ◽  
Gonzalo López de Dicastillo ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of high-dose intravenous gammaglobulin (IGIV) versus plasmapheresis in patients with severe Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and compare the costs of both treatments. DESIGN: Retrospective review of all severely disabled GBS patients admitted between January 1 and December 31, 1990. SETTING: Neurologic unit of a tertiary-care center. PATIENTS: Six patients fulfilling the criteria for the diagnosis of GBS agreed upon by the ad hoc National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke committee. INTERVENTION: Four patients treated with plasmapheresis underwent three to six sessions of plasma exchange. Two patients received IGIV 0.4 g/kg/d administered over a five-day period. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Recovery time, functional assessment (performed according to the grading scale used in the North American trial) at 30, 60, and 90 days after treatment. Cost of plasmapheresis, IGIV, and bed/day were compared. RESULTS: Clinical recovery appeared to be faster and more complete in the IGIV group than in the plasmapheresis group. No adverse reactions related to IGIV treatment appeared. The total cost was greater in the plasmapheresis group. CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary results suggest that IGIV may be more beneficial and less expensive than plasmapheresis in treatment of GBS. Definitive conclusions regarding the efficacy of IGIV in GBS will need to await the final analysis of the Ducht randomized multicenter trial comparing IGIV with plasmapheresis.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Kristy Xinghan Fu ◽  
Yee Keow Chiong ◽  
Nicola Ngiam

Abstract Objective To explore parents’ perspectives regarding end-of-life (EOL) decisions, factors and possible barriers that influence the EOL decision making process, and to understand parental preferences for communication about EOL care in an Asian population. Method A prospective questionnaire cohort study conducted in a university-based tertiary care hospital. 30 parents of children who had been admitted to general pediatric wards for acute ailments and/or were being followed up in general pediatric outpatient clinics after inpatient admissions or emergency department visits completed 30 interviewer-administered questionnaires. With the first 10 completed questionnaires, we sought feedback on the design of the four case vignettes and related questions. Responses to specific questions related to each case vignette were rated on a Likert scale. Results The majority of parents were able to comprehend and identify with the issues in the case vignettes, which allowed them to respond appropriately. Parents tended to avoid active withdrawal or withholding of life-sustaining treatment. The top three priorities for parents making EOL decisions for their children were: the chance of improvement, the presence of pain or discomfort, and information provided by healthcare staff. Parents reported that they would prefer to know immediately if their child is at risk of dying; they also preferred to get as much information as possible from the healthcare team and thought that meeting with the healthcare team before making EOL decisions was pivotal. Significance of results Parents place highest priorities on their child's likelihood of improvement, perception of their child's pain, and information provided by healthcare professionals in making EOL decisions.


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