Tech MDs: Improving User Experience of Electronic Health Record System

Electronic Healthcare record keeping can be daunting. The available software does not usually allow for clinicians to input information concordant with their clinical work- ow. This disrupts the clinician-patient encounter and can lead to frustration for both clinicians and patients. Because of this, the organic interaction between the patient and the clinician is not accurately recorded with available EHR systems. For example, the idiosyncrasies of individual patients—how and why they present certain information—as well as the clinician’s response can be signi cant but are ignored by the demands of EHR data entry. Patient or person-centered care is increasingly recognized as a fundamental principle and value in increasing bene cial health outcomes. Therefore, EHR systems ought to allow both collaborative information entries with clinicians and follow the patient’s lead in terms of setting priorities for care. This user interface is designed to accommodate the recording of the organic interface that takes place between the clinician and the patient while patient-centric. It also accommodates all the patient records in a singular interface, and yet make the interface easy to understand and use. A signi cant amount of project is dedicated to understand the user work ow and develop information architecture to make the software mold to the needs of the user rather than the other way around

Consumer Empowerment in Healthcare Information Exchange: An Investigation Using the Grounded Theory Approach

Emerging technological innovations such as personal health records (PHRs), electronic health records (EHRs) and the nationwide health information network (NHIN) provide the ability to increase the sharing of medical records among healthcare stakeholders. The goal of these innovations is to improve the quality of human healthcare by accessing medical information at the point of care and decreasing medical errors. Technology allows for widespread access to patient medical information, giving providers a comprehensive view of a patient's medical history so that they can make better decisions. The capability to use technology to electronically exchange medical records is called Healthcare Information Exchange (HIE). Recent studies have shown that patients want more control over their medical records. HIE technology can allow patients to control their medical records. Because patients often have chronic illnesses and can be transient when using different providers for care, HIE technology can support patient access and control over the sharing of their medical information between doctors. Therefore, the concern for patient empowerment has emerged within the healthcare community's discussions on HIE technology and policy efforts. A careful review of the literature shows that there is no existing theory of consumer empowerment in HIE, therefore a qualitative approach was utilized. There are two phases to this study: the first reveals the dimensions of consumer empowerment through discussions of United States federal and state empowerment groups as well as individual everyday consumers who do not work in healthcare or information technology fields. Through this investigation of the quest for consumer empowerment in HIE, it was found that Consumer Confidence in HIE, Fairness in HIE, and Consumer Commitment and Engagement in HIE are three dimensions that support consumer empowerment in HIE. These dimensions foundational to the second phase, which describes ways that consumer empowerment may be achieved in HIE. A theory is generated which can aid practitioners in developing and implementing appropriate HIE policy and technology. Academicians can build upon this theory for future research in areas such as incorporating consumer input into HIE technology systems analysis and design and examining the success of initiatives to achieve consumer empowerment in HIE

A qualitative exploration of the concept of dehumanisation as experienced by nurses within the context of information systems

The aim of the presented research project was to begin an exploration of the concept of dehumanisation within the context of Information Systems (IS). Dehumanisation is presented as a high level concept that is normally associated with negative connotations. A qualitative survey is presented based on an interpretivist research paradigm. Analysis was based on the various strategies of grounded theory; this was limited to the application of microanalysis and axial coding. Data codes identified from microanalysis were collated into thirty-five sub-categories and grouped into eight abstract data categories. Links within and between the data categories were identified. The study found that nurses as a subset of IS users perceived IS and dehumanisation in a variety of ways. This has potentially far reaching consequences including a direct correlation to an increase in clinical risk. The study also identified IS as having a dehumanising effect, correlating well with the themes identified within the cognitive framework devised for interviews. Further secondary themes were identified as being associated with dehumanisation within the context of IS

Design of a nurse calling system with real time indoor location capabilities

The main driver of this project has been to design a prove of concept of a device that allows live voice communication between patients and medical staff and the capability to locate in real time patients in an enclosed environment. The author of this project had an initial constraint it was supplied by the project director supplied for this project a DWM1001-DEV Module Development Board which provides accurate positioning thanks to its wireless Real Time Location System. After a study of the problem, a selection of components, both hardware and software were selected. The sound system is composed of a I2S Microphone SPH0645 for real time audio capturing, an I2S Amplifier Breakout board MAX98357A and a generic 8ohms speaker. The patient interface component is a button used to trigger communication. For the development of the software the Espressif IoT Development Framework was used, it provides APIs for the user to program the ESP32. The ESP-IDF was installed on VSCode IDE. For debugging the system, we used a J-Link PRO with the Eclipse IDE. The ESP32 communicates with a python-based server using a Wi-Fi network, the communication is based on the UDP protocol. The result is a prototype that showcase that a final product based on this system is feasible, it presents great autonomy and excellent real time communication features. Further lines of work are described, and the presented system is flexible enough to integrate them

A Remote Patient Monitoring System for Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a leading cause of death in the United States affecting approximately 670,000 individuals. Due to the prevalence of CHF related issues, it is prudent to seek out methodologies that would facilitate the prevention, monitoring, and treatment of heart disease on a daily basis. This paper describes WANDA (Weight and Activity with Blood Pressure Monitoring System); a study that leverages sensor technologies and wireless communications to monitor the health related measurements of patients with CHF. The WANDA system is a three-tier architecture consisting of sensors, web servers, and back-end databases. The system was developed in conjunction with the UCLA School of Nursing and the UCLA Wireless Health Institute to enable early detection of key clinical symptoms indicative of CHF-related decompensation. This study shows that CHF patients monitored by WANDA are less likely to have readings fall outside a healthy range. In addition, WANDA provides a useful feedback system for regulating readings of CHF patients

FINDING THE “TECH” IN TECHNIQUE: A PEDAGOGICAL APPROACH TO ELECTROACOUSTIC CONCERT PERCUSSION PERFORMANCE PRACTICE

Premise and Objectives In our increasingly technology driven society, the impact of technology touches nearly every aspect of our lives in some form or another. This has been acutely felt within the world of percussion, with electroacoustic works representing perhaps the most rapidly expanding area of concert percussion over the last twenty years. Electroacoustic music couples electronic technology with traditional acoustic instruments and/or performance practices. Broadly, this paper outlines a systematic approach to teaching electroacoustic performance practice, based on elements found in a cross-section of percussion literature. In using such an approach, not only does each student become more capable of dealing with this growing body of literature, but also the process of educating these students becomes more efficient for the teacher. As a result, delivery becomes more effectively standardized, and resources can be shared more efficiently among multiple students who may be studying different types of electroacoustic repertoire. Method To organize this exploration, three main genres of electroacoustic repertoire for percussion are compared: prerecorded soundscape, live processing, and electronic pieces. This comparison illuminates the tools and techniques that are relevant to each type of repertoire and reflects not only the narrower focus of electroacoustic percussion, but also the broader goals of applied percussion instruction in the context of a “total” percussion program. Each classification is explored by addressing its critical elements using prime examples from the relevant standard repertoire. For the first classification of works, tape pieces, the project includes discussion on signal flow, balancing electronic and acoustic sound sources, an introduction to digital audio workstations (DAWs), and monitoring techniques. Two primary examples of the repertoire are used to contribute to this discussion; Javier Alvarez’s Temazcal for maracas and tape, and Brian Blume’s Strands of Time. Live processing works present increased challenges with concepts, including sound reinforcement, recording production, how to edit and creatively manipulate sound both in post-production and live, and detailed concepts of signal flow, often including MIDI protocol. To explore the concepts specifically relevant to live processed works, Nigel Westlake’s classic work, Fabian Theory, for amplified marimba and three toms, is offered. Electronic works give students further opportunity to explore MIDI mapping, patch and parameter changes using both hardware and software, and sometimes sound design. In this context, there is a brief exploration of Steve Reich’s Violin Phase. Finally, an exploration of Hans Werner Henze’s, Prison Song demonstrates how all of this technology and technique can come together in combination works. The work requires live sound reinforcement, pre-recorded soundscapes, separate monitoring, live processing, and live MIDI controllers. The paper closes with a brief summary of extra pedagogical considerations, including resource management, pedagogical philosophy, and further implications. Conclusion By examining the logical steps of pedagogically developing through the different broad categories of electroacoustic music, with an emphasis on its reflection of broader liberal values and critical applied analysis, it is believed that this research could yield a model for a more thoughtful approach for applied percussion teachers

Enabling the Adoption of Wearable Computers in Enterprises - Results of Analyzing Influencing Factors and Challenges in the Industrial Sector

Wearable computers like smart glasses or smartwatches enable the use of information systems in application scenarios in which information technology has rarely been used until now. The reason for this is, that users are able to interact with the devices hands-free, e.g. by using voice commands. A hands-free use is in particular relevant for enterprises in the industrial sector, as industrial workers often need to perform tasks manually, e.g. in manufacturing or maintenance. However, the technology is currently not used widely in enterprises. Thus, the aim of our research is to identify influencing factors and related challenges of using wearable computers in order to analyze how its adoption can be increased. Based on an empirical interview study within the industrial sector, we identified 11 influencing factors and 25 related challenges which affect the adoption of wearable computers

Developing a Flexible System for a Friendly Robot to Ease Dementia (FRED) Using Cloud Technologies and Software Design Patterns

In this work, we designed two prototypes for a friendly robot to ease dementia (FRED). This affordable social robot is designed to provide company to older adults with cognitive decline, create reminders for important events and tasks, like taking medication, and providing cognitive stimulus through games. This project combines several cloud technologies including speech-to-text, cloud data storage, and chat generation in order to provide high level interactions with a social robot. Software design patterns were employed in the creation of the software to produce flexible code base that can sustain platform changes easily, including the framework used for the graphical user interface (GUI) and the database platform being used to store user data. The first prototype was developed on an Android-based system with an Arduino. This system was found to be expensive, unreliable, and difficult to develop on. The second prototype was therefore developed for a Raspberry Pi programmed using Python. Multiple tests with potential users were conducted in order to assess the capabilities and usability of the software created. These user tests showed overall satisfaction with the usability, and provided useful feedback for improving the software and expanding the capabilities of FRED

International Conference on Computer Science and Communication Engineering

UBT Annual International Conference is the 9th international interdisciplinary peer reviewed conference which publishes works of the scientists as well as practitioners in the area where UBT is active in Education, Research and Development. The UBT aims to implement an integrated strategy to establish itself as an internationally competitive, research-intensive university, committed to the transfer of knowledge and the provision of a world-class education to the most talented students from all background. The main perspective of the conference is to connect the scientists and practitioners from different disciplines in the same place and make them be aware of the recent advancements in different research fields, and provide them with a unique forum to share their experiences. It is also the place to support the new academic staff for doing research and publish their work in international standard level. This conference consists of sub conferences in different fields like: Art and Digital Media Agriculture, Food Science and Technology Architecture and Spatial Planning Civil Engineering, Infrastructure and Environment Computer Science and Communication Engineering Dental Sciences Education and Development Energy Efficiency Engineering Integrated Design Information Systems and Security Journalism, Media and Communication Law Language and Culture Management, Business and Economics Modern Music, Digital Production and Management Medicine and Nursing Mechatronics, System Engineering and Robotics Pharmaceutical and Natural Sciences Political Science Psychology Sport, Health and Society Security Studies This conference is the major scientific event of the UBT. It is organizing annually and always in cooperation with the partner universities from the region and Europe. We have to thank all Authors, partners, sponsors and also the conference organizing team making this event a real international scientific event

Smart home technology for aging

The majority of the growing population, in the US and the rest of the world requires some degree of formal and or informal care either due to the loss of function or failing health as a result of aging and most of them suffer from chronic disorders. The cost and burden of caring for elders is steadily increasing. This thesis focuses on providing the analysis of the technologies with which a Smart Home is built to improve the quality of life of the elderly. A great deal of emphasis is given to the sensor technologies that are the back bone of these Smart Homes. In addition to the Analysis of these technologies a survey of commercial sensor products and products in research that are concerned with monitoring the health of the occupants of the Smart Home is presented. A brief analysis on the communication technologies which form the communication infrastructure for the Smart Home is also illustrated. Finally, System Architecture for the Smart Home is proposed describing the functionality and users of the system. The feasibility of the system is also discussed. A scenario measuring the blood glucose level of the occupant in a Smart Home is presented as to support the system architecture presented