scholarly journals Evolution of Hemodynamic Parameters Simulated by Means of Diffusion Models

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (23) ◽  
pp. 11412
Author(s):  
Andrzej Walczak ◽  
Paweł Moszczyński ◽  
Paweł Krzesiński

Diffusion is a well-known physical phenomenon governing such processes as movement of particles or transportation of heat. In this paper, we prove that a close analogy to those processes exists in medical data behavior, and that changes in the values of medical parameters measured while treating patients may be described using diffusion models as well. The medical condition of a patient is usually described by a set of discrete values. The evolution of that condition and, consequently, of the disease has the form of a transition of that set of discrete values, which correspond to specific parameters. This is a typical medical diagnosis scheme. However, disease evolution is a phenomenon that is characterized by continuously varying, temporal characteristics. A mathematical disease evolution model is, in fact, a continuous diffusion process from one discrete slot of the diagnosed parameter value to another inside the mentioned set. The ability to predict such diffusion-related properties offer precious support in diagnostic decision-making. We have examined several hundred patients while conducting a medical research project. All patients were under treatment to stabilize their hemodynamic parameters. A diffusion model relied upon simulating the results of treatment is proposed here. Time evolution of thoraric fluid content (TFC) has been used as the illustrative example. The objective is to prove that diffusion models are a proper and convenient solution for predicting disease evolution processes. We applied the Fokker-Planck equation (FPE), considering it to be most adequate for examining the treatment results by means of diffusion. We confirmed that the phenomenon of diffusion explains the evolution of the heart disease parameters observed. The evolution of TFC has been chosen as an example of a hemodynamic parameter.

2019 ◽  
Vol 69 (689) ◽  
pp. e809-e818 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Chima ◽  
Jeanette C Reece ◽  
Kristi Milley ◽  
Shakira Milton ◽  
Jennifer G McIntosh ◽  
...  

BackgroundThe diagnosis of cancer in primary care is complex and challenging. Electronic clinical decision support tools (eCDSTs) have been proposed as an approach to improve GP decision making, but no systematic review has examined their role in cancer diagnosis.AimTo investigate whether eCDSTs improve diagnostic decision making for cancer in primary care and to determine which elements influence successful implementation.Design and settingA systematic review of relevant studies conducted worldwide and published in English between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 2018.MethodPreferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched, and a consultation of reference lists and citation tracking was carried out. Exclusion criteria included the absence of eCDSTs used in asymptomatic populations, and studies that did not involve support delivered to the GP. The most relevant Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklists were applied according to study design of the included paper.ResultsOf the nine studies included, three showed improvements in decision making for cancer diagnosis, three demonstrated positive effects on secondary clinical or health service outcomes such as prescribing, quality of referrals, or cost-effectiveness, and one study found a reduction in time to cancer diagnosis. Barriers to implementation included trust, the compatibility of eCDST recommendations with the GP’s role as a gatekeeper, and impact on workflow.ConclusioneCDSTs have the capacity to improve decision making for a cancer diagnosis, but the optimal mode of delivery remains unclear. Although such tools could assist GPs in the future, further well-designed trials of all eCDSTs are needed to determine their cost-effectiveness and the most appropriate implementation methods.


Author(s):  
Julia Hodgson ◽  
Kevin Moore ◽  
Trisha Acri ◽  
Glenn Jordan Treisman

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
David W. Kimberlin

ABSTRACTIn their article in this issue of theJournal of Clinical Microbiology, S. R. Dominguez et al. (J Clin Microbiol 56:e00632-18, 2018,https://doi.org/10.1128/JCM.00632-18) describe the performance of PCR detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA versus viral culture in skin and mucosal samples from 7 neonates with HSV disease. This is a significant contribution to our understanding of the optimal diagnostic approach in babies being evaluated for neonatal HSV disease. Many diagnostic laboratories already have made the change to molecular diagnostics for skin and mucosal swab testing, however, in large part due to the labor costs associated with viral cultures. Thus, important studies such as this one are being conducted to support a decision that has already been made in many locations on mostly economic grounds. This small case series supports the decision to use molecular testing for samples from skin and mucosal sites, but larger studies are needed to more fully define the performance characteristics of PCR in this population. Since a false-positive result would commit a baby to months of management that would be unnecessary and have potential harm, it is critical to base diagnostic decision making on data that support the use of a specific test.


10.2196/16047 ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. e16047 ◽  
Author(s):  
Don Roosan ◽  
Anandi V Law ◽  
Mazharul Karim ◽  
Moom Roosan

Background According to the September 2015 Institute of Medicine report, Improving Diagnosis in Health Care, each of us is likely to experience one diagnostic error in our lifetime, often with devastating consequences. Traditionally, diagnostic decision making has been the sole responsibility of an individual clinician. However, diagnosis involves an interaction among interprofessional team members with different training, skills, cultures, knowledge, and backgrounds. Moreover, diagnostic error is prevalent in the interruption-prone environment, such as the emergency department, where the loss of information may hinder a correct diagnosis. Objective The overall purpose of this protocol is to improve team-based diagnostic decision making by focusing on data analytics and informatics tools that improve collective information management. Methods To achieve this goal, we will identify the factors contributing to failures in team-based diagnostic decision making (aim 1), understand the barriers of using current health information technology tools for team collaboration (aim 2), and develop and evaluate a collaborative decision-making prototype that can improve team-based diagnostic decision making (aim 3). Results Between 2019 to 2020, we are collecting data for this study. The results are anticipated to be published between 2020 and 2021. Conclusions The results from this study can shed light on improving diagnostic decision making by incorporating diagnostics rationale from team members. We believe a positive direction to move forward in solving diagnostic errors is by incorporating all team members, and using informatics. International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/16047


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