Usability of Video Observed Therapy with a Notification System to Improve Monitoring of Tuberculosis Treatment in Thailand (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ponlagrit Kumwichar ◽  
Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong ◽  
Tagoon Prappre
Keyword(s):  
Directly Observed Therapy ◽  
Healthcare Staff ◽  
Actual System ◽  
Notification System ◽  
System P ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Southern Thailand ◽  
Experience Questionnaire ◽  
Primary Health Care Settings ◽  
User Compliance

BACKGROUND In Thailand, the healthcare system has struggled to cope with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), resulting in directly observed therapy (DOT) for tuberculosis (TB) being de-emphasized. Video observed therapy (VOT) or, more specifically, the Thai VOT “TH VOT” system, was then developed to replace DOT. According to the pilot study, the system needed a notification to improve usability and user compliance. The updated version of the TH VOT system thus enabled LINE notifications. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to reassess the user compliance and usability of the updated TH VOT system. METHODS This study was conducted in Hat Yai and Meuang Songkhla districts in Songkhla Province, Southern Thailand. The system was used by not only TB patients but also TB staff as observers in primary health care settings. Some of the observers used the simulated VOT system instead of the actual system due to the lack of participating patients in their jurisdiction. After 30-day usage, VOT session records were analyzed to determine the compliance of the patients and observers. The User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ) was administered to reassess the usability of the system and compare the ratings of the participants with the general benchmark scores of the UEQ. The results were summarized to reveal the user compliance and usability based on three groups: the patient, actual VOT observer, and simulated VOT observer. RESULTS Of the 19 observers, 10 were used the actual VOT, and the remaining 9 used the simulated VOT; there were also 10 TB patients. The patients, actual VOT observers, and simulated observers had about 80%, 65%, and 50% compliance, respectively, in terms of following the standard operating procedures every day. The scores of all groups on all dimensions were well above the average scores. There was no significant difference in any of the dimensional scores among the three groups. CONCLUSIONS The updated version of the TH VOT was deemed usable by both the patients and the healthcare staff. Compliance to use the system was high among the patients but moderate among the observers.

scholarly journals Video Observed Therapy System to Improve Monitoring of Tuberculosis Treatment in Thailand during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A mixed methods study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ponlagrit Kumwichar ◽  
Virasakdi Chongsuvivatwong ◽  
Tagoon Prappre
Keyword(s):  
User Experience ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Quantitative Data ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Mixed Method Study ◽  
Directly Observed Therapy ◽  
Notification System ◽  
Tb Treatment ◽  
Southern Thailand ◽  
Six Dimensions

BACKGROUND A directly observed therapy (DOT) program for monitoring tuberculosis (TB) treatment in Thailand is not sustainable, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The current video observed therapy (VOT) system called TH VOT was developed and measured usability in a small area of Thailand before upscaling. OBJECTIVE To examine the usability score of the TH VOT system based on the users’ experience and measure the users’ accountability using a mixed method study. METHODS The VOT was implemented in Na Yong district, a small district in Trang province, Southern Thailand. A mixed-method study was conducted. The quantitative data were firstly collected with the TH VOT session records and six dimensions of the user experience questionnaire (UEQ). The scores of the UEQ were compared with the good level of the UEQ general benchmark. Then, the score of each dimension was magnified by the qualitative data, which contained the reflections and suggestions from three groups of users: the observer, the healthy volunteer as a simulated patient, and the TB patients. The qualitative data were thematically analyzed based on those six dimensions. Finally, the quantitative data records in the TH VOT system were retrieved and analyzed to measure the accountability levels as the compliance percentage of the observer users and patient users. RESULTS Overall, the user experience scores of attractiveness, dependability, and novelty indicated good usability, but the scores of perspicuity, efficiency, and stimulation reflected the areas for improvement. The usability of the TB patients was not different from people uninfected with TB. The observers requested a smartphone app for reviewing the videos. Both the observers and patients needed an appropriate online notification system. The video session records showed 85.71% and 61.67% of the compliance in the patients and the observers, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The TH VOT system was usable for the patients more than for the observers. Furthermore, the accountabilities of both the patients and TB staff should be improved. Online notification and proper management would also be further needed to solve these problems.

scholarly journals An Internet of Things Buttons to Measure and Respond to Restroom Cleanliness in a Hospital Setting: Descriptive Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter R Chai ◽  
Haipeng Zhang ◽  
Guruprasad D Jambaulikar ◽  
Edward W Boyer ◽  
Labina Shrestha ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Internet Of Things ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Reporting System ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Notification System ◽  
Main Hospital ◽  
Qualitative Feedback ◽  
System P ◽  
Actual Use

BACKGROUND Restroom cleanliness is an important factor in hospital quality. Due to its dynamic process, it can be difficult to detect the presence of dirty restrooms that need to be cleaned. Using an Internet of Things (IoT) button can permit users to designate restrooms that need cleaning and in turn, allow prompt response from housekeeping to maintain real-time restroom cleanliness. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to describe the deployment of an IoT button–based notification system to measure hospital restroom cleanliness reporting system usage and qualitative feedback from housekeeping staff on IoT button use. METHODS We deployed IoT buttons in 16 hospital restrooms. Over an 8-month period, housekeeping staff received real-time notifications and responded to button presses for restroom cleaning. All button presses were recorded. We reported average button usage by hospital area, time of day, and day of week. We also conducted interviews with housekeeping supervisors and staff to understand their acceptance of and experience with the system. RESULTS Over 8 months, 1920 requests to clean restrooms in the main hospital lobby and satellite buildings were received. The hospital lobby IoT buttons received over half (N=1055, 55%) of requests for cleaning. Most requests occurred in afternoon hours from 3 PM to midnight. Requests for cleaning remained stable throughout the work week with fewer requests occurring over weekends. IoT button use was sustained throughout the study period. Interviews with housekeeping supervisors and staff demonstrated acceptance of the IoT buttons; actual use was centered around asynchronous communication between supervisors and staff in response to requests to clean restrooms. CONCLUSIONS An IoT button system is a feasible method to generate on-demand request for restroom cleaning that is easy to deploy and that users will consistently engage with. Data from this system have the potential to enable responsive scheduling for restroom service and anticipate periods of high restroom utilization in a hospital.

scholarly journals Comparative Brucella abortus antibody prevalence in cattle under contrasting husbandry practices in Uganda

2013 ◽  
Vol 84 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald Nizeyimana ◽  
Frank N. Mwiine ◽  
Chrisostom Ayebazibwe
Keyword(s):  
Brucella Abortus ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Serological Tests ◽  
System P ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Husbandry Practices ◽  
Antibody Elisa ◽  
The Rose

A study was conducted in the Luwero and Nakasongola districts in central Uganda to determine and compare the prevalence and distribution of antibodies against Brucella abortus in cattle under contrasting husbandry practices, using two serological tests. Three hundred and fifteen serum samples were systematically sampled from 29 farms and subsequently tested using the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and Indirect Antibody Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (I-ELISA). The overall prevalence of antibodies against Brucella abortus in the Nakasongola and Luwero districts was 2.4% and 4.7% on RBPT, compared with 1.2% and 3.34 % on I-ELISA. There was no significant difference between the results obtained by RBPT and indirect antibody ELISA (p > 0.05). It was noted that antibodies against Brucella abortus were widely spread over different farms regardless of the cattle grazing system (p > 0.05). Based on the findings, it is feasible to use RBPT as a cheaper screening alternative for brucellosis. A comprehensive national brucellosis study should be undertaken to study the epidemiology and prevalence of brucellosis in Uganda.

Staff participation in design with multiple tools: Impact on design and POE results

2021 ◽  
pp. 193758672110607
Author(s):  
Tiina Jouppila
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Research Study ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Staff Satisfaction ◽  
Healthcare Staff ◽  
Design Studies ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Technical Solutions ◽  
The Impact

Objective: This is a concluding part of an action research study to evaluate the impact on healthcare staff participation in the design of a new intensive care unit (ICU). Staff participated with multiple tools in the design; during the predesign phase utilizing co-design and virtual mock-ups, and also participating in the predesign evaluation (PDE) and postoccupancy evaluation (POE). Both the ICU design and evaluations were based on the principles of evidence-based design studies. Method: Staff satisfaction was evaluated with an online survey comprising 116 statements on 13 different topics used both in PDE and POE. There was space for open-ended comments after each topic. Results: There was a statistically significant difference (<.001) between PDE and POE results. There were considerable improvements in privacy, accessibility, safety and security, and acoustics. It was assumed that participation in the predesign phase would positively influence POE results, but there were no statistical differences in any topics. However, as a result of collaborative predesign phase, the staff was satisfied with these jointly designed patient rooms. Open-ended questions revealed the importance to continue functional and technical support for staff after commissioning and ensure that technical solutions are practical and well-functioning. Conclusion: The use of PDE and POE assists to set predetermined criteria and evaluate the success of design. Healthcare providers should see POE as a valuable part of design and commissioning process. Additionally, the use of POE should be made more effortless and the results more easily accessible to promote increased interest and usage.

Efficacy of B12 Fortified Nutrient Bar and Yogurt in Improving Plasma B12 Concentrations—Results From 2 Double-Blind Randomized Placebo Controlled Trials

2021 ◽  
pp. 037957212110254
Author(s):  
Chittaranjan Yajnik ◽  
Sonal Kasture ◽  
Vaishali Kantikar ◽  
Himangi Lubree ◽  
Dattatray Bhat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Age ◽  
Dietary Vitamin ◽  
Controlled Trials ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Directly Observed Therapy ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Indian Children ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
National Programs

Background: Dietary vitamin B12 (B12) deficiency is common in Indians. Long-term compliance to tablet supplementation is poor in asymptomatic individuals. Objective: To study efficacy of B12 fortified nutrient bar and yogurt in improving plasma B12 concentrations in children and adults. Methods: Two double-blind, placebo-controlled directly observed therapy randomized controlled trials were conducted for 120 days: (1) Healthy children (10-13 years) were fed nutrient bar fortified with B12 (2 μg), multiple micronutrients B12 (1.8 μg) or placebo. (2) Healthy adults (18-50 years) were fed yogurt fortified with B12 (2 μg) or Propionibacterium (1 × 108 cfu/g) or placebo. B12, folate, homocysteine, and hemoglobin concentrations were measured before and post intervention. Results: We randomized 164 children and 118 adults; adherence was 96% and 82%, respectively. In children, B12 fortified bars increased B12 concentrations significantly above baseline (B12 alone +91 pmol/L, B12+ multiple micronutrients +82 pmol/L) compared to placebo. In adults, B12 fortified yogurt increased B12 significantly (+38 pmol/L) but Propionibacterium and placebo did not. In both trials, homocysteine fell significantly with B12 supplementation. Rise of B12 and fall of homocysteine were influenced by dose of B12 and folic acid. There was no significant difference in change of anthropometry and hemoglobin between groups. Conclusions: B12 fortified foods are effective in improving B12 status in Indian children and adults. They could be used to improve B12 status in the national programs for children, adolescents, and women of reproductive age. They could also be used as over-the-counter products.

scholarly journals Temporal and spatial patterns of abundance and occurrence of planktonic shrimps in the Songkhla Lagoon System, southern Thailand

2020 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 521-538
Author(s):  
V Lheknim ◽  
R Yolanda
Keyword(s):  
Mesh Size ◽  
Southwest Monsoon ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Salinity Range ◽  
Northeast Monsoon ◽  
Lagoon System ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Southern Thailand ◽  
Temporal And Spatial ◽  
Occurrence Patterns

Temporal and spatial distributions of planktonic shrimps from the hyperbenthos of Thale Sap and Thale Sap Songkhla lakes in the Songkhla Lagoon system, southern Thailand, were investigated using modified Riley push nets with a mesh size of 0.5 mm between June 2017 and June 2018. Three species of Mysida and two species of Dendrobranchiata shrimps were revealed, among which Nanomysis siamensis was dominant, representing more than 90% of the catch throughout the year. The Songkhla Lagoon system experiences extreme changes in temperature, salinity, pH, and water levels due to seasonal monsoons. A significant difference in the planktonic shrimp assemblages between Thale Sap and Thale Sap Songkhla was observed across the sampling months. Significant differences in the assemblage structure were also evident between Thale Sap and Thale Sap Songkhla and among sampling months. Dissimilar assemblage patterns were prominent temporally during the shift from southwest to northeast monsoon seasons and from the intermediate to southwest monsoon. Lake (Thale Sap or Thale Sap Songkhla) was the most important environmental parameter affecting occurrence patterns for N. siamensis, Mesopodopsis tenuipes, and Belzebub hanseni in the Songkhla Lagoon system. Salinity governed the spatial distribution of M. tenuipes and B. hanseni. Nanomysis siamensis was the only species that was regularly present in high abundance in Thale Sap and Thale Sap Songkhla over the entire salinity range. This suggest that N. siamensis is likely a resident species of the Songkhla Lagoon system.

Lower inflection point and recruitment with PEEP in ventilated patients with acute respiratory failure

2001 ◽  
Vol 91 (1) ◽  
pp. 441-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Mergoni ◽  
A. Volpi ◽  
C. Bricchi ◽  
A. Rossi
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Failure ◽  
Acute Respiratory Failure ◽  
Respiratory System ◽  
Inflection Point ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Lower Inflection Point ◽  
Pressure Method ◽  
System Pressure ◽  
System P ◽  
Significant Difference

The lower inflection point (LIP) on the total respiratory system pressure-volume (P-V) curve is widely used to set positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in patients with acute respiratory failure (ARF) on the assumption that LIP represents alveolar recruitment. The aims of this work were to study the relationship between LIP and recruited volume (RV) and to propose a simple method to quantify the RV. In 23 patients with ARF, respiratory system P-V curves were obtained by means of both constant-flow and rapid occlusion technique at four different levels of PEEP and were superimposed on the same P-V plot. The RV was measured as the volume difference at a pressure of 20 cmH2O. A third measurement of the RV was done by comparing the exhaled volumes after the same distending pressure of 20 cmH2O was applied (equal pressure method). RV increased with PEEP ( P < 0.0001); the equal pressure method compares favorably with the other methods ( P = 0.0001 by correlation), although individual data cannot be superimposed. No significant difference was found when RV was compared with PEEP in the group of patients with a LIP ≤5 cmH2O and the group with a LIP >5 cmH2O (76.9 ± 94.3 vs. 61.2 ± 51.3, 267.7 ± 109.9 vs. 209.6 ± 73.9, and 428.2 ± 216.3 vs. 375.8 ± 145.3 ml with PEEP of 5, 10, and 15 cmH2O, respectively). A RV was found even when a LIP was not present. We conclude that the recruitment phenomenon is not closely related to the presence of a LIP and that a simple method can be used to measure RV.

scholarly journals Chlamydia Treatment Practices and Time to Treatment in Massachusetts: Directly Observed Therapy Versus Pharmacy Prescriptions

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 215013272110440
Author(s):  
Laura Platt ◽  
Heather Elder ◽  
Ingrid V. Bassett ◽  
Lauren Molotnikov ◽  
Monina Klevens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Median Time ◽  
Treatment Method ◽  
Empiric Therapy ◽  
Chlamydia Infection ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Directly Observed Therapy ◽  
Time To Treatment ◽  
Treatment Practices ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Pharmacy Prescriptions

Background Directly observed therapy (DOT) is recommended for the treatment of chlamydia, however pharmacy prescriptions are frequently used. Adherence to DOT and the association between treatment method and time to treatment is unknown. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of a randomized 2% of laboratory-confirmed chlamydia infections reported to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health from January 1, 2019 to May 31, 2019. Clinicians and pharmacies were contacted to ascertain treatment methods and timing. We assessed frequency of DOT and pharmacy prescriptions in the treatment of chlamydia infection in Massachusetts. We used log rank test to compare time to treatment initiation for patients receiving DOT versus pharmacy prescriptions. Data were stratified according to whether treatment was empiric or laboratory-driven. Key results We ascertained full outcomes for 199 patients. Eighty patients received DOT and 119 patients received pharmacy prescriptions. DOT was more common among those receiving empiric treatment and pharmacy prescriptions were more common among those receiving laboratory-driven treatment. The median time to treatment was 1.5 days for patients treated with DOT and 3 days for those treated with pharmacy prescriptions. For both groups, the median time to treatment for empiric therapy was 0 days and for laboratory-driven therapy was 4 days. The differences in time to treatment were not statistically significant. Conclusions Pharmacy prescriptions are frequently used for the treatment of chlamydia in Massachusetts. We did not observe a significant difference in the time to treatment between DOT and pharmacy prescriptions.

scholarly journals Increasing IR Deposits by Tagteaming: The Open Access Button Librarian Notification System

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chealsye Bowley
Keyword(s):  
Open Access ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Institutional Repository ◽  
Notification System ◽  
System P ◽  
Daunting Task ◽  
Future Plans

Lighting talk given at the Southern Mississippi Institutional Repository Conference. // Managing a repository can be a daunting task. Outreach can be difficult. Cold emailing faculty members often results in no answer or a no. But what if librarians could get leads on researchers at their institution who having been receiving article and data requests? That’s exactly what the Open Access Button’s Librarian Notification System aims to do. A cold call would instead be turned into, “Hi, Professor Smith, I heard that your article was requested by an Open Access Button user. I’d love to help you share that per your publishing agreement!” This can help a librarian turn a problem a professor is encountering into a solution, and potentially add additional scholarship to the repository — and help fulfill more Open Access Button requests to strengthen the public’s access to open access materials. The Open Access Button is piloting the Librarian Notification System in spring 2018 and this lightning will discuss the results, and future plans to improve the system.

scholarly journals Situation Analysis of Ticks and Seroprevalence of Theileria Parva in Two Farming Systems in Two Districts of Uganda.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Kwesiga ◽  
Joseph Okello-Onen ◽  
Simon Ogwal Byenek ◽  
William Otim-Nape
Keyword(s):  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Theileria Parva ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Local Composition ◽  
Percentage Positivity ◽  
System P ◽  
Mixed Crop ◽  
Significant Difference

Abstract Background: In Uganda, livestock supports the livelihoods of poor people, fulfilling multiple-economic, social, and risk management functions. However, its productivity is constrained by ticks and tick-borne diseases (TTBDs), more importantly, East Cost Fever (ECF) whose epidemiology is not well known and understood in the cattle corridor. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out in pastoral and mixed crop-livestock farming systems in Nakaseke and Nakasongola districts to understand the; local composition of ticks, the prevalence of Theileria parva and management of ECF and ticks. A structured closed-ended questionnaire was administered in (189) pastoral and (197) mixed-crop livestock households which were randomly selected, and a total of 384 calves were sampled. The tick challenge was assessed in situ on one side of the animal body considering different predilection sites. The prevalence of ECF was assessed by collecting whole blood in Ethylene Diamine Tetra acetic Acid (EDTA) tubes following veni-puncture. Thin and thick blood smears were made and serum samples were collected for determination of seroprevalence of ECF, using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Results/Discussion: From a sample of 384 cattle surveyed, 316 (82.3%) were found to be infested with ticks of different species at their preferential predilection sites. Rhipicephalus. appendiculatus was the most abundant tick species (88.2%), followed by Ambryomma. variegatum (7.5%) and lastly Rhipicephalus. evertsi evertsi (4.3%). 80.7% of respondents believe that there was a tick infestation problem severe and ticks were managed on regular basis mainly by using acaricides (65.3%). In the pastoral farming system, no ticks were found on calves below 6 months old. The seroprevalence of T. parva was below 20% percentage positivity (pp)in calves below 4 months old, thereafter rising to 65% at 5 months, and then dropping to 20% from the age of 6 to 9 months. In mixed crop-livestock farming system, all age groups of cattle were exposed to tick challenge. The prevalence of T. parva increased from 1-month old calf reaching a peak in 2-3 months old calves but drastically dropped in calves 4 months old. Thereafter, it gradually built up to 70% in animals 7 months old. There was a moderate correlation between the mean number of R. appendiculatus ticks and seroprevalence of T. parva (r =0.47) and there was no significant difference between age category and percentage positivity of T. parva (p = 0.969). However, there was a relationship between mean number of ticks and farming system (p = 0.019) as well as percentage positivity of T. parva and farming system (p = 0.007)Conclusion: ECF was prevalent in the two farming systems albeit frequent application of acaricides on animals as reported by most of the respondents. Further longitudinal studies required to assess seasonal variations of TTBDs, prevalence of other tick-borne diseases and acaricide resistance status.

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