Prognostication using SpO(2)/FiO(2) in invasively ventilated ICU patients with ARDS due to COVID-19-Insights from the PRoVENT-COVID study

Background: The SpO(2)/FiO(2) is a useful oxygenation parameter with prognostic capacity in patients with ARDS. We investigated the prognostic capacity of SpO(2)/FiO(2) for mortality in patients with ARDS due to COVID-19. Methods: This was a post-hoc analysis of a national multicenter cohort study in invasively ventilated patients with ARDS due to COVID-19. The primary endpoint was 28-day mortality. Results: In 869 invasively ventilated patients, 28-day mortality was 30.1%. The SpO(2)/FiO(2) on day 1 had no prognostic value. The SpO(2)/FiO(2) on day 2 and day 3 had prognostic capacity for death, with the best cut-offs being 179 and 199, respectively. Both SpO(2)/FiO(2) on day 2 (OR, 0.66 [95%-CI 0.46-0.96]) and on day 3 (OR, 0.70 [95%-CI 0.51-0.96]) were associated with 28-day mortality in a model corrected for age, pH, lactate levels and kidney dysfunction (AUROC 0.78 [0.76-0.79]). The measured PaO2/FiO(2) and the PaO2/FiO(2) calculated from SpO(2)/FiO(2) were strongly correlated (Spearman's r = 0.79). Conclusions: In this cohort of patients with ARDS due to COVID-19, the SpO(2)/FiO(2) on day 2 and day 3 are independently associated with and have prognostic capacity for 28-day mortality. The SpO(2)/FiO(2) is a useful metric for risk stratification in invasively ventilated COVID-19 patients. (C) 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc

Interconnect estimation from C-code

FPGAs are easy and cheap to produce, a world of new possibilities is opened. One of those is in the area of reconfigurable computing. It is possible to extend normal CPUs with FPGAs for specific tasks, especially for those tasks which requires a lot of computational power. The Delft WorkBench is such a project. In this project, C-code is directly rewritten into a new piece of software and a set of hardware descriptions, suitable to program on a FPGA. In the rewritten part of the software, the computational parts are replaced by simple instructions to control the FPGA. The FPGA will run in parallel with the software and in this way, software can work up to 100 times faster. This thesis focus on the estimation of the required area of interconnect on a FPGA, depending on a given set of software metrics. These metrics are found by a special compiler, based on ELSA, and are specific for each part of C-code. With this estimation, it is possible to say, in an early stage of the whole process, if a certain part of software will fit on the FPGA. The developed model is based on a dataset from 127 kernels and is suitable for the Virtex2 and the Virtex4 platforms.Electrical EngineeringElectrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Scienc

United we stand, divided we fall: the failure of an accounting information system in a major radiology provider

This article explores the way in which a major Australian radiology organization implemented a complex accounting information system and how workers in the 72 radiology practises that had to use it resisted the change. The study reports on the issues that led to the circumvention of the system by individuals and, after only three years, complete withdrawal of the accounting information system by the parent organization. This article has implications for firms in the health care and other sectors considering implementing new accounting information systems. Organizations need to incorporate change management techniques and provide open communication to all stakeholders to minimize disruption and potential problems

An epidemic of pain in an Australian radiology practice

This paper presents findings from a study of an organisationally mandated assimilation process of an enterprise-wide information system in a radiology practice in Australia. A number of interviews with radiologists, radiographers and administrative staff are used to explore the impact of institutional structures on the assimilation process. The case study develops an argument that culture within and outside the Australian Radiology Practice (ARP), social structures within the ARP and organisational-level management mandates have impacted on the assimilation process. The study develops a theoretical framework that integrates elements of social actor theory (Lamb & Kling, 2003) to provide a more fine-grained analysis concentrating on the relationship among the radiology practitioners, the technology (an enterprise-wide Health Information System) and a larger social milieu surrounding its use. This study offers several theoretical and practical implications for technology assimilation in the health and radiology industry regarding the important roles social interactions, individual self-perceptions, organisational mandates and policies can play in assimilating new ICTs

Factors affecting entry-level Internet technology adoption by small business in Australia : evidence from three cases

The adoption of Internet technologies by the small business sector (SMEs)The adoption of Internet technologies by the small business sector is important to their on-going survival. Yet, given the opportunities and benefits that Internet technologies can provide it has been shown that Australian small businesses are relatively slow in adopting them. This paper develops a model from recent literature on the facilitators and inhibitors to the adoption of Internet technologies by small business. Cross-case analysis of findings from three case studies are presented. Findings indicate that perceived lack of business benefit, mistrust of the IT industry and lack of understanding of Internet technologies are major inhibitors to Internet adoption by small business