scholarly journals Usability Assessment of an Innovative Device in Infusion Therapy: A Mix-Method Approach Study

Author(s):  
Pedro Parreira ◽  
Liliana B. Sousa ◽  
Inês A. Marques ◽  
Paulo Santos-Costa ◽  
Sara Cortez ◽  
...  

Background: Flushing a venous access device is an important procedure to maintain their patency and prevent malfunctioning and complications. An innovative double-chamber syringe was developed, allowing for the assessment of catheter patency, drug delivery and final flush. This study aims to assess the usability of this new device, considering three development stages (concept, semi-functional prototype, functional prototype). Methods: An iterative methodology based on a mix-method design (qualitative and quantitative) enabled the assessment of the devices’ usability by their primary end-users. A usability questionnaire was developed and applied, along with focus groups and individual interviews to nurses. Results: The usability questionnaire integrated 42 items focused on four dimensions (usefulness; ease of use; ease of learning; satisfaction and intention to use). The initial psychometric findings indicate a good internal consistency and the conceptual relevance of the items. The scores seem to be sensitive to the usability evaluation of the medical devices in different stages of product development (with lower values on functional prototype evaluation), and related to nurses’ perceptions about functional and ergonomic characteristics. Conclusions: Quantitative and qualitative data provided a comprehensive overview of the double-chamber syringes’ usability from the nurses’ point of view, informing us of features that must be addressed.

Think India ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 402-409
Author(s):  
Deepak Shrivastava ◽  
Apurva Shrivastava ◽  
Gyan Prakash

Tech-friendliness in this new era is an important quotient considered and the persons’ acceptance towards the technology frequency matters a lot. But still the frequency varies from person to person, this brought in the concept of Technology Acceptance Model given by Fred Davis in 1989. The theory of TAM is based on two theories that are Theory of Reasoned Action and Theory of Planned Behavior, TAM is extended version of these two. Green Banking is a new technology introduced by the banks that focuses on the growth of Sustainable development and Banking system too. Thus, banks ask their customers to use it or practice it in their daily life transactions. But every customer has their own point of view on the usage of Green banking. Thus, the research aims to understand the customers’ perception towards the Green Banking for this TAM is used. The research states that Perceived risk is the primary factor that is followed by perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use that impacts the decision to use green banking. Thus, the behavioral intention results in actual use of green banking usage for which people are trying to accept the new technology. So, the banks have earned points for creating awareness among their customers but still they have to work hard and clarify their customers’ problems and vanish that hitch that is stopping them to use green banking easily.


2000 ◽  
Vol 09 (06) ◽  
pp. 669-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARÍA E. ANGULO ◽  
GUILLERMO A. MENA MARUGÁN

Linearly polarized cylindrical waves in four-dimensional vacuum gravity are mathematically equivalent to rotationally symmetric gravity coupled to a Maxwell (or Klein–Gordon) field in three dimensions. The quantization of this latter system was performed by Ashtekar and Pierri in a recent work. Employing that quantization, we obtain here a complete quantum theory which describes the four-dimensional geometry of the Einstein–Rosen waves. In particular, we construct regularized operators to represent the metric. It is shown that the results achieved by Ashtekar about the existence of important quantum gravity effects in the Einstein–Maxwell system at large distances from the symmetry axis continue to be valid from a four-dimensional point of view. The only significant difference is that, in order to admit an approximate classical description in the asymptotic region, states that are coherent in the Maxwell field need not contain a large number of photons anymore. We also analyze the metric fluctuations on the symmetry axis and argue that they are generally relevant for all of the coherent states.


Nuncius ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-132
Author(s):  
ARCANGELO ROSSI

Abstracttitle SUMMARY /title Galileo Ferraris (1847-1897), the most eminent Italian electrician in the last quarter of the XIX Century, is wrongly considered a pure technician who invented a new kind of electric induction motor. Instead, in introducing the new device, he also contributed, as a valuable mathematical physicist, to the deepening of Maxwell's electromagnetic theory itself, and, if ever, he did not draw all consequences of his invention from a practical point of view. Here are well exemplified the main characteristics of the beginning of Italian politechnical culture at the end of the XIX Century, which was also characterized by G. Ferrari's deep engagement in innovative teaching of electrical science and technology.


Endoscopy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 51 (01) ◽  
pp. 85-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly van Keulen ◽  
Helmut Neumann ◽  
Jörn Schattenberg ◽  
Aura van Esch ◽  
Wietske Kievit ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The importance of high quality preprocedural bowel preparation is widely acknowledged, but suboptimal bowel cleansing still occurs in up to 20 % of all colonoscopy patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a novel intraprocedural cleaning device for cleaning poorly prepared colons. Methods This multicenter feasibility study included patients aged 18 – 75 years who were referred for colonoscopy. Intraprocedural cleaning was performed in patients after a limited preprocedural bowel preparation regimen (2 days of dietary restrictions and 2 × 10 mg bisacodyl). The primary outcome was the proportion of adequately prepared patients (Boston Bowel Preparation scale [BBPS] ≥ 2 in each segment) before and after segmental washing with the new device. Secondary outcomes included: cecal intubation rate, procedure time, system usability, patient satisfaction, and safety. Results 47 patients (42.6 % male), with a median age of 61 years (interquartile range [IQR] 46 – 67 years), were included at three clinical sites. Cecal intubation was achieved in 46/47 patients (97.9 %). The cleaning device significantly improved the proportion of patients with adequate bowel cleansing (from 19.1 % to 97.9 %; P < 0.001) and median BBPS score (from 3.0 [IQR 0.0 – 5.0] to 9.0 [IQR 8.0 – 9.0]). Median cecal intubation time and total procedure time were 16.5 minutes (IQR 9.0−28.3) and 34.0 minutes (IQR 25.0 – 42.8), respectively. Physicians were satisfied with the ease of use of the device and it was well tolerated by patients. No severe adverse events occurred during the study period. Conclusions This feasibility study suggests that the intraprocedural cleaning device appears to be safe and effective in cleaning poorly prepared colons to an adequate level, allowing a thorough colorectal examination.


Author(s):  
Vala Ali Rohani ◽  
Sedigheh Moghavvemi ◽  
Tiago Pinho ◽  
Paulo Caldas

Due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, most countries are exposed to unprecedented social problems in the current global situation. According to the official reports, it caused a dramatic increase of 44% in graduates' unemployment rate in Portugal. Moreover, from the human resource point of view, the whole of Europe is expected to face a shortage of 925,000 data professionals by 2025. Given the existing situations, the DataPro aims to propose a national-level reskilling solution in big data to mitigate both social problems of unemployability and the shortage of data professionals in Portugal. DataPro project consists of four dimensions, including an online portal for the hiring companies and unemployed graduates, along with a web-based analytics talent upskilling (ATU) platform empowered by an artificial intelligence recommender system to match the reskilled data professionals and the hiring companies.


Author(s):  
Felix G. Riepe

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is caused by the genetic impairment of one of the five enzymes required for the biosynthesis of cortisol from cholesterol. In 95% of cases 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD) is responsible for the disease (1). Classic 21-OHD has an incidence varying from 1:11 800 to 1:21 800, depending on the population background. The pathophysiology, clinical picture, genetics, and the unique aspects of management from the point of view of the paediatric endocrinologist are addressed, and the problems encountered from birth to puberty are described. The child specific issues of rare forms of CAH are summarized thereafter. The reader is referred to Chapter 5.11 for a comprehensive overview of 21-OHD and for more details on all other forms of CAH.


1995 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 1513-1519 ◽  
Author(s):  
E B Rubenstein ◽  
A Fender ◽  
K V Rolston ◽  
L S Elting ◽  
P Prasco ◽  
...  

PURPOSE To determine the ability of a physician assistant (PA) to insert, in an ambulatory setting, a peripheral subcutaneous implanted vascular-access device (VAD) and to evaluate the ability to transfer this training to a second PA. We also evaluated the performance and complications associated with this new device. PATIENTS AND METHODS The Peripheral Access System (PAS) Port catheter system (Sims-Deltec Inc, St Paul, MN) was inserted in patients who required long-term (> 3 months) vascular access for infusion therapy. RESULTS The first PA (PA-1) successfully inserted 57 of 62 devices (92%) after gaining experience with the technique in 10 patients (success rate, five of 10 [50%]; P = .003). The second PA (PA-2) was successful in eight of 10 initial attempts (80%) and 25 of 30 overall (83%). Complications were few and limited to phlebitis, thrombosis, and a low infection rate (0.2 per 1,000 catheter days). CONCLUSION PAs can be taught to insert a peripheral subcutaneous implanted VAD. This technique is transferable from one PA to another, and the device studied is appropriate for outpatient VAD programs.


Author(s):  
Dominik Bergis ◽  
Timm Roos ◽  
Dominic Ehrmann ◽  
Andreas Schmitt ◽  
Melanie Schipfer ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion is the most advanced and demanding form of insulin therapy. Various positive and negative expectations, attitudes and experiences can occur, influencing adherence to and efficacy of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy. A new questionnaire was developed to systematically assess perceived benefits, perceived barriers and handling of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy. Methods The Insulin Pump Attitude Questionnaire was tested in two samples (n=265/452) comprising pump users and non-pump users. Reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s Alpha estimation. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to establish the factorial structure. Correlations with other questionnaires as well as group differences between pump users and non-pump users were used to assess validity. Results Exploratory factor analysis revealed 26 items comprising six subscales: “Glycaemic Control”, “Flexibility”, “Impaired Body Image”, “Technology Dependency”, “Ease Of Use” and “Functionality”. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed this factor structure. The IPA sum score correlated significantly with diabetes distress (r=−0.30), self-efficacy (r=0.22), diabetes empowerment (r=0.36), psychological well-being (r=0.16) and treatment dissatisfaction (r=−0.24), supporting criterion validity with small to medium effect sizes. Furthermore, the IPA was able to differentiate between pump users and non-pump users with higher scores for pump users regarding “Glycaemic Control”, “Flexibility”, “Ease of use” and “Functionality” and lower scores for pump users regarding “Impaired Body Image” and “Technology Dependency”. Conclusions The Insulin Pump Attitude Questionnaire is a reliable and valid new instrument to assess attitudes towards continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. With six scales, the Insulin Pump Attitude Questionnaire provides a comprehensive analysis of possible benefits, barriers, and handling problems of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy. In clinical practice, the Insulin Pump Attitude Questionnaire might be used to address the different attitudes in pump users but also in people considering continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy.


Biosensors ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 139
Author(s):  
Ricarda Torre ◽  
Estefanía Costa-Rama ◽  
Henri P. A. Nouws ◽  
Cristina Delerue-Matos

Food spoilage is caused by the development of microorganisms, biogenic amines, and other harmful substances, which, when consumed, can lead to different health problems. Foodborne diseases can be avoided by assessing the safety and freshness of food along the production and supply chains. The routine methods for food analysis usually involve long analysis times and complex instrumentation and are performed in centralized laboratories. In this context, sensors based on screen-printed electrodes (SPEs) have gained increasing importance because of their advantageous characteristics, such as ease of use and portability, which allow fast analysis in point-of-need scenarios. This review provides a comprehensive overview of SPE-based sensors for the evaluation of food safety and freshness, focusing on the determination of bacteria and biogenic amines. After discussing the characteristics of SPEs as transducers, the main bacteria, and biogenic amines responsible for important and common foodborne diseases are described. Then, SPE-based sensors for the analysis of these bacteria and biogenic amines in food samples are discussed, comparing several parameters, such as limit of detection, analysis time, and sample type.


2013 ◽  
Vol 69 (6) ◽  
pp. 592-602 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre-Philippe Dechant

This paper shows how regular convex 4-polytopes – the analogues of the Platonic solids in four dimensions – can be constructed from three-dimensional considerations concerning the Platonic solids alone.Viathe Cartan–Dieudonné theorem, the reflective symmetries of the Platonic solids generate rotations. In a Clifford algebra framework, the space of spinors generating such three-dimensional rotations has a natural four-dimensional Euclidean structure. The spinors arising from the Platonic solids can thus in turn be interpreted as vertices in four-dimensional space, giving a simple construction of the four-dimensional polytopes 16-cell, 24-cell, theF4root system and the 600-cell. In particular, these polytopes have `mysterious' symmetries, that are almost trivial when seen from the three-dimensional spinorial point of view. In fact, all these induced polytopes are also known to be root systems and thus generate rank-4 Coxeter groups, which can be shown to be a general property of the spinor construction. These considerations thus also apply to other root systems such as A_{1}\oplus I_{2}(n) which induces I_{2}(n)\oplus I_{2}(n), explaining the existence of the grand antiprism and the snub 24-cell, as well as their symmetries. These results are discussed in the wider mathematical context of Arnold's trinities and the McKay correspondence. These results are thus a novel link between the geometries of three and four dimensions, with interesting potential applications on both sides of the correspondence, to real three-dimensional systems with polyhedral symmetries such as (quasi)crystals and viruses, as well as four-dimensional geometries arising for instance in Grand Unified Theories and string and M-theory.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document