scholarly journals Digital Stethoscope to Examine Patients According to Technical Guidelines of Covid-19

Author(s):  
Muhammad Ilhamdi Rusydi ◽  
M. Farhan ◽  
Yoan Winata ◽  
Dhiny Yurichy Putri ◽  
Muhammad Dani Anwar ◽  
...  

Health professionals have to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that could cover the entire body to prevent the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus while examining patients. The current stethoscope is not compatible with the need of health professionals. Therefore, this project aims to create a digital stethoscope that can fulfill the requirement of health professionals to examine patients according to health service guidance in Covid-19 era. Three main objectives in designing the stethoscope are to meet the needs of health professionals, easy and convenient to use. The designed stethoscope has an amplifier circuit with 100 gain and a bandpass filter with 20 Hz and 700 Hz for low and high cut-off frequencies. It is also able to calculate the heart rate and displays it on the stethoscope screen. The stethoscope has a record function that lets the users replay sound as much as they need for the analysis. This digital stethoscope has function tests, performance tests and user satisfaction tests. Seven health professionals who are well-experienced in handling Covid-19 patients auscultate and provide an assessment of the three objectives design. The test results showed that this stethoscope satisfies the health professional’s requirements to examine the patient, grade 4.69 of 5. Health professionals also give a perfect rating for the objective of being easy to use. This stethoscope is the right choice for examining patients according to health service guidance in the Covid-19 era.

Author(s):  
Muhammad Ilhamdi Rusydi ◽  
M. Farhan ◽  
Yoan Winata ◽  
Dhiny Yurichy Putri ◽  
Muhammad Dani Anwar ◽  
...  

Health professionals have to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that could cover the entire body to prevent the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus while examining patients. The current stethoscope is not compatible with the need of health professionals. Therefore, this project aims to create a digital stethoscope that can fulfill the requirement of health professionals to examine patients according to health service guidance in Covid-19 era. Three main objectives in designing the stethoscope are to meet the needs of health professionals, easy and convenient to use. The designed stethoscope has an amplifier circuit with 100 gain and a bandpass filter with 20 Hz and 700 Hz for low and high cut-off frequencies. It is also able to calculate the heart rate and displays it on the stethoscope screen. The stethoscope has a record function that lets the users replay sound as much as they need for the analysis. This digital stethoscope has function tests, performance tests and user satisfaction tests. Seven health professionals who are well-experienced in handling Covid-19 patients auscultate and provide an assessment of the three objectives design. The test results showed that this stethoscope satisfies the health professional’s requirements to examine the patient, grade 4.69 of 5. Health professionals also give a perfect rating for the objective of being easy to use. This stethoscope is the right choice for examining patients according to health service guidance in the Covid-19 era.


2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-34
Author(s):  
Marcin Hubacz ◽  
Jan Sadolewski ◽  
Bartosz Trybus

The article presents performance tests of code executed by STM32 microcontrollers using a virtual machine (so-called intermediate code) dedicated to control systems. The ARM architecture used in these chips has limitations related to access to non-aligned addresses. Three ways to overcome these limitations have been proposed, and each has been subjected to a suite of tests to determine their performance. Tests were conducted for two operating modes, i.e. with 16- and 32-bit addressing for different generations of chips. The test results allow to choose the right solution for a specific platform.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (31) ◽  
pp. 87-95
Author(s):  
Nicole Maria Miyamoto Bettini ◽  
Fabiana Tomé Ramos ◽  
Priscila Masquetto Vieira de Almeida

A Organização Mundial da Saúde - OMS confirmou a circulação internacional do novo Coronavírus em janeiro de 2020, nomeando-o como COVID-19 e, declarando uma pandemia. É de extrema importância que durante a pandemia, os profissionais de saúde tenham acesso e conhecimento sobre o uso correto dos Equipamentos de Proteção Individual (EPIs) e suas indicações, tomando assim, as devidas precauções na prevenção de infecções. O presente estudo buscou identificar a padronização mundial quanto ao uso dos EPIs utilizados no atendimento a pacientes suspeitos e/ou confirmados de COVID-19 no Brasil, EUA, China, Espanha, Itália e demais países europeus. Os guidelines apresentam a padronização quanto ao uso dos EPIs utilizados no atendimento a suspeitos e/ou confirmados de COVID-19, indo ao encontro das recomendações fornecidas pela OMS. Até o momento, o uso de EPIs é sem dúvida a estratégia mais importante e eficaz para proteger os profissionais de saúde durante a assistência ao paciente com COVID-19.Descritores: Infecções por Coronavírus, Equipamento de Proteção Individual, Pessoal de Saúde, Enfermagem. Recommendations for personal protective equipment to combat COVID-19Abstract: The World Health Organization - WHO confirmed the international circulation of the new Coronavirus in January 2020, naming it as COVID-19 and declaring a pandemic. It is extremely important that during the pandemic, health professionals have access and knowledge about the correct use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and its indications, thus taking appropriate precautions to prevent infections. The present study sought to identify the worldwide standardization regarding the use of PPE utilized to take care of suspected and confirmed patients with COVID-19 in Brazil, USA, China, Spain, Italy and other European countries. The guidelines present a standardization regarding the use of PPE utilized to take care of suspected and confirmed with COVID-19, in line with the recommendations provided by WHO. To date, the use of PPE is undoubtedly the most important and effective strategy to protect healthcare professionals during care for patients with COVID-19.Descriptors: Coronavirus Infections, Personal Protective Equipment, Health Personnel, Nursing. Recomendaciones para el equipo de protección personal para combatir COVID-19Resumen: La Organización Mundial de la Salud - La OMS confirmó la circulación internacional del nuevo Coronavirus en enero de 2020, nombrándolo COVID-19 y declarando una pandemia. Es extremadamente importante que durante la pandemia, los profesionales de la salud tengan acceso y conocimiento sobre el uso correcto del Equipo de Protección Personal (EPP) y sus indicaciones, tomando así las precauciones adecuadas para prevenir infecciones. El presente estudio buscó identificar la estandarización mundial con respecto al uso de EPP utilizado para atender a pacientes sospechosos y/o confirmados con COVID-19 en Brasil, Estados Unidos, China, España, Italia y otros países europeos. Las pautas presentan la estandarización con respecto al uso de EPP utilizado para cuidar COVID-19 sospechoso y/o confirmado, de acuerdo con las recomendaciones proporcionadas por la OMS. Hasta la fecha, el uso de EPP es, sin duda, la estrategia más importante y efectiva para proteger a los profesionales de la salud durante la atención de pacientes con COVID-19.Descriptores: Infecciones por Coronavirus, Equipo de Protección Personal, Personal de Salud, Enfermería.


2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominika Wilczynska ◽  
Patrycja Lipinska ◽  
Malgorzata Wolujewicz-Czerlonko

AbstractBackground: The purpose of the following research was to find out the influence of imaginary training based on intention implementation on throw effectiveness of young basketball players, both male and female in stressogenic situations. Individual differences (action vs state orientation) between players were also measured in this research.Material/Methods: 76 players (32 females and 44 males) in the cadet category (15-16 years old) from basketball clubs of Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot took part in this research. In the first stage all players did a throw efficiency test ERPE 05 under two conditions, and their heart rate was measured. Then players were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The first one did imaginary training based on the influence of intention implementation for 10 days, while the other did not. After 10 days ERPE 05 test under two conditions was run again.Results: Test results showed that intention implementation does not influence effectiveness improvement in stressogenic conditions as far as state-oriented players are concerned, but it does lower the physiological cost of physical effort in form of a decreased heart rate.Conclusions: This research proves that visualization training based on implementation instructions does influence young players’ physiology and significantly lowers their heart rate under stressogenic conditions. However useful, visualization techniques used in this research still need other tests and should be applied for a longer period of time to acutely show how they affect young players’ mental preparation


2018 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 00045
Author(s):  
Sri Fajar Ayu ◽  
Destanul Aulia

Prior research by authors on the use of pesticides and their impact on 75 vegetable farmers in Simpang Empat subdistrict, Karo district, North Sumatra showed that 60% of respondents applied pesticides in excess of the packaging instructions. Respondents were also found not to use a complete protective device. Almost 70% of respondents have mild toxicity complaints, and based on blood cholinesterase levels are also found most respondents have mild toxicity. Pesticide residue test results also found 0.728 residues of chlorpyrifos and 0.321 profenofos in vegetables produced in this area. This led to continued review by checking the technical efficiency in the use of pesticides. The method used is a quantitative method with the Data Envelope Analysis (DEA) approach to analyze technical efficiency of pesticide on each commodity. The population is the whole vegetable farmer who grew tomatoes, Chinese cabbage and cauliflower at the time of the study. The entire population is used to be a sample of 35 tomato and cauliflower farmers and 20 Chinese cabbage farmers. The results of the study indicate that the uses of pesticide as production inputs on tomato commodities, Chinese cabbage and cauliflower are not technically efficient. It is suggested to farmers to use pesticide input according to the rules, proper dosage, on target, on time, the right way so that pesticide used is technically efficient.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1288.1-1289
Author(s):  
I. Mcnicol ◽  
A. Bosworth ◽  
C. Jacklin ◽  
J. Galloway

Background:NRAS follows best practice, evidence-based standards in all we do. Whilst huge strides have been made in the diagnosis and treatment of RA, the impact on quality of life can be significant and for many this disease remains hard to come to terms with. NRAS services and resources can improve the outcomes of people with RA/Adult JIA through a framework of supported self-management resources tailored to individual need. It is particularly important to provide the right support at the beginning of a person’s journey with RA, when unhelpful health beliefs, anxiety and incorrect information can influence how someone responds to prescribed medication and treatment thus impeding their ability to achieve the best outcomes. We know, for example, that many people do not take their medication as prescribed which reduces their chances of achieving remission or low disease activity state.Objectives:To demonstrate that by referring patients online as part of a quality improvement programme to NRAS Right Start Service, we can show improved outcomes for patients with early RA when measured by the MSKHQ. Referred patients will benefit by: a) Better understanding what RA is; b) knowing how it can affect them; c) getting the right support; d) feeling more in control; receiving a tailored pack of information that meets their personal needs; e) be able to talk to a like-minded person who has lived with RA. It’s a 4 step process which starts with the health professional referring their patient to NRAS on line. NICE Quality Standard 3 states that “Adults with rheumatoid arthritis are given opportunities throughout the course of their disease to take part in educational activities that support self-management.” Our service enables health professionals to meet their responsibilities against this national quality standard.Methods:In preparation for the introduction of this service at BSR congress 2019, an audit of the NRAS helpline service was undertaken at the end of 2018 and remains on going. Currently we have 224 responses which have been analysed against specific criteria. An Advisory Board comprising 7 clincians, from different hospitals was appointed to work with NRAS on this important research.Results:In the helpline audit, when asked ‘how concerned are you about your disease’?, alarmingly, 78% of those surveyed scored their level of concern about their disease at 7 or higher out of 10, while only 8% scored it at 5 or below. When asked about the emotional effects of their RA, 62% scored it as 7 or more where 10 was the worst possible impact. 94% of survey respondents said that they would definitely or very likely recommend NRAS and its services to another person. These results led to the development of New2RA Right Start launched in 2019, whereby health professionals across the UK can refer their patients directly to NRAS via a consented online referral which is fully GDPR compliant. To date (31stJan, 2020), we have made calls to 101 patients, from 24 referring hospitals of which 55 have been successfully completed, 34 have had information sent through the post although our helpline team were unable to speak to them, and 12 remain open. Data analysis on the service is being carried out by King’s College Hospital London, comparing the results of patients who have been referred to Right Start within the national audit who have completed a baseline and 3 month follow up MSKHQ and patients in the audit who have not participated in Right Start.Conclusion:Anecdotally, we have had a tremendous response to this service from both patients and referring health professionals. We await data from King’s on the above figures, which we will have within the next 2 months and further data, should this abstract be accepted, will be available prior to June 2020. Right Start enables health professionals to comply with QS3 above, of the NICE Quality Standards in RA, one of the key standards against which they are being audited in the NEIAA national audit. Once data and write up in a peer review journal has been published we plan to roll this service out to people with more established disease.References:[1]To be done, not included in word count.Acknowledgments:I would like to thank Ailsa Bosworth MBE, Clare Jacklin, and James GallowayDisclosure of Interests:Iain McNicol Shareholder of: GSK, Ailsa Bosworth Speakers bureau: a number of pharmaceutical companies for reasons of inhouse training, advisory boards etc., Clare Jacklin Grant/research support from: NRAS has received grants from pharmaceutical companies to carry out a number of projects, Consultant of: I have been paid a speakers fee to participate in advisory boards, in house training of staff and health professional training opportunities, Speakers bureau: Various pharma companies, James Galloway: None declared


SLEEP ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 44 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. A255-A255
Author(s):  
Dmytro Guzenko ◽  
Gary Garcia ◽  
Farzad Siyahjani ◽  
Kevin Monette ◽  
Susan DeFranco ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Pathophysiologic responses to viral respiratory challenges such as SARS-CoV-2 may affect sleep duration, quality and concomitant cardiorespiratory function. Unobtrusive and ecologically valid methods to monitor longitudinal sleep metrics may therefore have practical value for surveillance and monitoring of infectious illnesses. We leveraged sleep metrics from Sleep Number 360 smart bed users to build a COVID-19 predictive model. Methods An IRB approved survey was presented to opting-in users from August to November 2020. COVID-19 test results were reported by 2003/6878 respondents (116 positive; 1887 negative). From the positive group, data from 82 responders (44.7±11.3 yrs.) who reported the date of symptom onset were used. From the negative group, data from 1519 responders (48.4±12.9 yrs.) who reported testing dates were used. Sleep duration, sleep quality, restful sleep duration, time to fall asleep, respiration rate, heart rate, and motion level were obtained from ballistocardiography signals stored in the cloud. Data from January to October 2020 were considered. The predictive model consists of two levels: 1) the daily probability of staying healthy calculated by logistic regression and 2) a continuous density Hidden Markov Model to refine the daily prediction considering the past decision history. Results With respect to their baseline, significant increases in sleep duration, average breathing rate, average heart rate and decrease in sleep quality were associated with symptom exacerbation in COVID-19 positive respondents. In COVID-19 negative respondents, no significant sleep or cardiorespiratory metrics were observed. Evaluation of the predictive model resulted in cross-validated area under the receiving-operator curve (AUC) estimate of 0.84±0.09 which is similar to values reported for wearable-sensors. Considering additional days to confirm prediction improved the AUC estimate to 0.93±0.05. Conclusion The results obtained on the smart bed user population suggest that unobtrusive sleep metrics may offer rich information to predict and track the development of symptoms in individuals infected with COVID-19. Support (if any):


Author(s):  
Stephanie Toigo ◽  
Michel Jacques ◽  
Tarek Razek ◽  
Ewa Rajda ◽  
Sidney Omelon ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: Bottlenecks in the personal protective equipment (PPE) supply chain have contributed to shortages of PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in fractures in the functionality of healthcare systems. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the effectiveness of retrofitted commercial snorkel masks as an alternative respirator for healthcare workers during infectious disease outbreaks. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed, analyzing qualitative and quantitative fit test results of the retrofitted Aria Ocean Reef® full-face snorkeling mask on healthcare workers at the McGill University Health Centre between April-June 2020. Historical fit test results, using medical-grade respirators, for healthcare workers were also analyzed. Results: During the study period, 71 participants volunteered for fit testing, 60.6% of which were nurses. The overall fit test passing rate using the snorkel mask was 83.1%. Of the participants who did not previously pass fit testing with medical-grade respirators, 80% achieved a passing fit test with the snorkel respirator. Conclusions: The results suggest that this novel respirator may be an effective and feasible alternative solution to address PPE shortages, while still providing healthcare workers with ample protection. Additional robust testing will be required to ensure that respirator fit is maintained, after numerous rounds of disinfection.


2017 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 233372141770807 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konosuke Sasaki ◽  
Mayu Haga ◽  
Sarina Bao ◽  
Haruka Sato ◽  
Yoshikatsu Saiki ◽  
...  

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the supine, left lateral decubitus, and right lateral decubitus positions on autonomic nervous activity in elderly adults by using spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV). Method: Forty-five adults aged 73.6 ± 5.7 years were enrolled. After lying in the supine position, all participants moved to the lateral decubitus positions in a random order and maintained the positions for 10 min, while electrocardiographic data were recorded to measure HRV. Results: The lowest heart rate continued for 10 min when participants were in the left lateral decubitus position compared with the other two positions ( p < .001), while the HRV indexes remained unchanged. The low-frequency HRV to high-frequency HRV ratio (LF/HF) for the right lateral decubitus position was significantly lower than that for the other positions. Discussion: The right lateral decubitus position may attenuate sympathetic nerve activity in elderly adults.


1971 ◽  
Vol 93 (4) ◽  
pp. 1225-1228 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. L. Starkey ◽  
T. G. Foster ◽  
S. M. Marco

A new design parameter, friction-instability, is defined in this paper. Friction-instability is a variation in the coefficient of friction which may occur at any time during the life of a brake lining. A friction-index is defined which measures this variation. A lining which has a high friction index may tend to cause an automobile to swerve either to the right or to the left. A unique experimental facility is described by means of which the friction-instability characteristics of brake linings can be measured. Test results using this facility are presented and interpreted. The friction-index is proposed as a new parameter which should be taken into consideration when brakes are designed and, developed. This index should be particularly useful as a quality control device to insure that machines which use mass-produced braking systems will perform in a safe and effective manner.


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