Abstract: We consider a single-echelon, single-item inventory
system where both demand and lead-time are stochastic. Continuous
review policy is used to control the inventory system. The objective
is to calculate the reorder point level under stochastic parameters. A
case study is presented in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Abstract: Sensitive and predictive DILI (Drug Induced Liver
Injury) biomarkers are needed in drug R&D to improve early
detection of hepatotoxicity. The discovery of DILI biomarkers that
demonstrate the predictive power to identify individuals at risk to
DILI would represent a major advance in the development of
personalized healthcare approaches. In this healthy volunteer
acetaminophen study (4g/day for 7 days, with 3 monitored nontreatment
days before and 4 after), 450 serum samples from 32
subjects were analyzed using protein profiling by antibody
suspension bead arrays. Multiparallel protein profiles were generated
using a DILI target protein array with 300 antibodies, where the
antibodies were selected based on previous literature findings of
putative DILI biomarkers and a screening process using pre dose
samples from the same cohort. Of the 32 subjects, 16 were found to
develop an elevated ALT value (2Xbaseline, responders). Using the
plasma profiling approach together with multivariate statistical
analysis some novel findings linked to lipid metabolism were found
and more important, endogenous protein profiles in baseline samples
(prior to treatment) with predictive power for ALT elevations were
identified.
Abstract: Telemedicine is brought to life by contemporary changes of our world and summarizes the entire range of services that are at the crossroad of traditional healthcare and information technology. It is believed that eHealth can help in solving critical issues of rising costs, care for ageing and housebound population, staff shortage. It is a feasible tool to provide routine as well as specialized health service as it has the potential to improve both the access to and the standard of care. eHealth is no more an optional choice. It has already made quite a way but it still remains a fantastic challenge for the future requiring cooperation and coordination at all possible levels. The strategic objectives of this paper are: 1. To start with an attempt to clarify the mass of terms used nowadays; 2. To answer the question “Who needs eHealth"; 3. To focus on the necessity of bridging telemedicine and medical (health) informatics as well as on the dual relationship between them; as well as 4. To underline the need of networking in understanding, developing and implementing eHealth.
Abstract: This research attempts to explore gaps in Information
Systems (IS) and innovation literatures by developing a model of
Information Technology (IT) capability in enabling innovation. The
research was conducted by using semi-structured interview with six
innovators in business consulting, financial, healthcare and academic
organizations. The interview results suggest four elements of ITenabled
innovation capability which are information (ability to
capture ideas and knowledge), connectivity (ability to bridge
geographical boundary and mobilize human resources),
communication (ability to attain and engage relationships between
human resources) and transformation (ability to change the functions
and process integrations) in defining IT-enabled innovation platform.
The results also suggests innovators- roles and IT capability.
Abstract: Key performance indicators (KPIs) are used for post
result evaluation in the construction industry, and they normally do
not have provisions for changes. This paper proposes a set of
dynamic key performance indicators (d-KPIs) which predicts the
future performance of the activity being measured and presents the
opportunity to change practice accordingly. Critical to the
predictability of a construction project is the ability to achieve
automated data collection. This paper proposes an effective way to
collect the process and engineering management data from an
integrated construction management system. The d-KPI matrix,
consisting of various indicators under seven categories, developed
from this study can be applied to close monitoring of the
development projects of aged-care facilities. The d-KPI matrix also
enables performance measurement and comparison at both project
and organization levels.
Abstract: The increasing number of senior population gradually
causes to demand the use of information and communication
technology for their satisfactory lives. This paper presents the
development of an integrated TV based system which offers an
opportunity to provide value added services to a large number of
elderly citizens, and thus helps improve their quality of life. The
design philosophy underlying this paper is to fulfill both technological
and human aspects. The balance between these two dimensions has
been currently stressed as a crucial element for the design of usable
systems in real use, particularly to the elderly who have physical and
mental decline. As the first step to achieve it, we have identified
human and social factors that affect the elder-s quality of life by a
literature review, and based on them, build four fundamental services:
information, healthcare, learning and social network services.
Secondly, the system architecture, employed technologies and the
elderly-friendly system design considerations are presented. This
reflects technological and human perspectives in terms of the system
design. Finally, we describe some scenarios that illustrate the
potentiality of the proposed system to improve elderly people-s quality
of life.
Abstract: There are different kinds of online systems on the Internet for people who need support and develop new knowledge. Online communities and Ask the Expert systems are two such systems. In the health care area, the number of users of these systems has increased at a rapid pace. Interactions with medical trained experts take place online, and people with concerns about similar health problems come together to share experiences and advice. The systems are also used as storages and browsed for health information. Over the years, studies have been conducted of the usage of the different systems. However, in what ways the systems can be used together to enhance learning has not been explored. This paper presents results from a study of online health-communities and an Ask the Expert system for people who suffer from overweight. Differences and similarities in regards to posted issues and replies are discussed, and suggestions for a new holistic design of the two systems are presented.
Abstract: The need to increase the efficiency of health care
systems is becoming an obligation, and one of area of improvement
is the discharge process. The objective of this work is to minimize
the patients discharge time (for insured patients) to be less than 50
minutes by using six sigma approach, this improvement will also:
lead to an increase in customer satisfaction, increase the number of
admissions and turnover on the rooms, increase hospital
profitability.Three different departments were considered in this
study: Female, Male, and Paediatrics. Six Sigma approach coupled
with simulation has been applied to reduce the patients discharge
time for pediatrics, female, and male departments at hospital. Upon
applying these recommendations at hospital: 60%, 80%, and 22% of
insured female, male, and pediatrics patients respectively will have
discharge time less than the upper specification time i.e. 50 min.
Abstract: The healthcare environment is generally perceived as
being information rich yet knowledge poor. However, there is a lack
of effective analysis tools to discover hidden relationships and trends
in data. In fact, valuable knowledge can be discovered from
application of data mining techniques in healthcare system. In this
study, a proficient methodology for the extraction of significant
patterns from the Coronary Heart Disease warehouses for heart
attack prediction, which unfortunately continues to be a leading cause
of mortality in the whole world, has been presented. For this purpose,
we propose to enumerate dynamically the optimal subsets of the
reduced features of high interest by using rough sets technique
associated to dynamic programming. Therefore, we propose to
validate the classification using Random Forest (RF) decision tree to
identify the risky heart disease cases. This work is based on a large
amount of data collected from several clinical institutions based on
the medical profile of patient. Moreover, the experts- knowledge in
this field has been taken into consideration in order to define the
disease, its risk factors, and to establish significant knowledge
relationships among the medical factors. A computer-aided system is
developed for this purpose based on a population of 525 adults. The
performance of the proposed model is analyzed and evaluated based
on set of benchmark techniques applied in this classification problem.
Abstract: In this paper, we present user pattern learning
algorithm based MDSS (Medical Decision support system) under
ubiquitous. Most of researches are focus on hardware system, hospital
management and whole concept of ubiquitous environment even
though it is hard to implement. Our objective of this paper is to design
a MDSS framework. It helps to patient for medical treatment and
prevention of the high risk patient (COPD, heart disease, Diabetes).
This framework consist database, CAD (Computer Aided diagnosis
support system) and CAP (computer aided user vital sign prediction
system). It can be applied to develop user pattern learning algorithm
based MDSS for homecare and silver town service. Especially this
CAD has wise decision making competency. It compares current vital
sign with user-s normal condition pattern data. In addition, the CAP
computes user vital sign prediction using past data of the patient. The
novel approach is using neural network method, wireless vital sign
acquisition devices and personal computer DB system. An intelligent
agent based MDSS will help elder people and high risk patients to
prevent sudden death and disease, the physician to get the online
access to patients- data, the plan of medication service priority (e.g.
emergency case).
Abstract: This paper introduces a tool that is being developed for the expression of information security policy controls that govern electronic healthcare records. By reference to published findings, the paper introduces the theory behind the use of knowledge management for automatic and consistent security policy assertion using the formalism called the Secutype; the development of the tool and functionality is discussed; some examples of Secutypes generated by the tool are provided; proposed integration with existing medical record systems is described. The paper is concluded with a section on further work and critique of the work achieved to date.
Abstract: Object: Review recent publications of patient safety
culture to investigate the relationship between leadership behavior,
safety culture, and safety performance in the healthcare industry.
Method: This study is a cross-sectional study, 350 questionnaires were
mailed to hospital workers with 195 valid responses obtained, and a
55.7% valid response rate. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was
carried out to test the factor structure and determine if the composite
reliability was significant with a factor loading of >0.5, resulting in an
acceptable model fit. Results: Through the analysis of One-way
ANOVA, the results showed that physicians significantly have more
negative patient safety culture perceptions and safety performance
perceptions than non- physicians. Conclusions: The path analysis
results show that leadership behavior affects safety culture and safety
performance in the health care industry. Safety performance was
affected and improved with contingency leadership and a positive
patient safety organization culture. The study suggests improving
safety performance by providing a well-managed system that
includes: consideration of leadership, hospital worker training
courses, and a solid safety reporting system.
Abstract: Wireless Sensor Network is widely used in electronics. Wireless sensor networks are now used in many applications including military, environmental, healthcare applications, home automation and traffic control. We will study one area of wireless sensor networks, which is the routing protocol. Routing protocols are needed to send data between sensor nodes and the base station. In this paper, we will discuss two routing protocols, such as datacentric and hierarchical routing protocol. We will show the output of the protocols using the NS-2 simulator. This paper will compare the simulation output of the two routing protocol using Nam. We will simulate using Xgraph to find the throughput and delay of the protocol.
Abstract: The Electronic Health Record (EHR) system is very
general and we should pay more attention to a patient-s privacy. The
patient-s consent is one of the elements when dealing with privacy
topics. This study focuses on the creating and managing of patient
consent. The integration of the HL7 standards and the IHE BPPC
profile provides a base for the creation of patient consent. Establishing
the platform offers the patients a way to create, revoke or update their
consents. Through this platform, they can manage their consents in an
easier manner.
Abstract: A healthcare monitoring system is presented in this
paper. This system is based on ultra-low power sensor nodes and a
personal server, which is based on hardware and software extensions
to a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)/Smartphone. The sensor node
collects data from the body of a patient and sends it to the personal
server where the data is processed, displayed and made ready to be
sent to a healthcare network, if necessary. The personal server
consists of a compact low power receiver module and equipped with
a Smartphone software. The receiver module takes less than 30 × 30
mm board size and consumes approximately 25 mA in active mode.
Abstract: Electrospinning is a broadly used technology to obtain
polymeric nanofibers ranging from several micrometers down to
several hundred nanometers for a wide range of applications. It offers
unique capabilities to produce nanofibers with controllable porous
structure. With smaller pores and higher surface area than regular
fibers, electrospun fibers have been successfully applied in various
fields, such as, nanocatalysis, tissue engineering scaffolds, protective
clothing, filtration, biomedical, pharmaceutical, optical electronics,
healthcare, biotechnology, defense and security, and environmental
engineering. In this study, polyurethane nanofibers were obtained
under different electrospinning parameters. Fiber morphology and
diameter distribution were investigated in order to understand them
as a function of process parameters.
Abstract: Biological, psychological and social experiences and
perceptions of healthcare services in patients medically diagnosed of
coronary heart disease were investigated using a sample of 10
participants whose responses to the in-depth interview questions
were analyzed based on inter-and-intra-case analyses. The results
obtained revealed that advancing age, single status, divorce and/or
death of spouse and the issue of single parenting negatively impacted
patients- biopsychosocial experiences. The patients- experiences of
physical signs and symptoms, anxiety and depression, past serious
medical conditions, use of self-prescribed medications, family
history of poor mental/medical or physical health, nutritional
problems and insufficient physical activities heightened their risk of
coronary attack. Collectivist culture served as a big source of relieve
to the patients. Patients- temperament, experience of different
chronic life stresses/challenges, mood alteration, regular drinking,
smoking/gambling, and family/social impairments compounded their
health situation. Patients were satisfied with the biomedical services
rendered by the healthcare personnel, whereas their psychological
and social needs were not attended to. Effective procedural treatment
model, a holistic and multidimensional approach to the treatment of
heart disease patients was proposed.
Abstract: Due to the emergence of “Humanized Healthcare"
introduced by Professor Dr. Prawase Wasi in 2003[1], the
development of this paradigm tends to be widely implemented. The
organizations included Healthcare Accreditation Institute (public
organization), National Health Foundation, Mahidol University in
cooperation with Thai Health Promotion Foundation, and National
Health Security Office (Thailand) have selected the hospitals or
infirmaries that are qualified for humanized healthcare since 2008-
2010 and 35 of them are chosen to be the outstandingly navigating
organizations for the development of humanized healthcare,
humanized healthcare award [2].
The research aims to study the current issue, characteristics and
patterns of hospital administration contributing to humanized
healthcare system in Thailand. The selected case studies are from
four hospitals including Dansai Crown Prince Hospital, Leoi;
Ubolrattana Hospital, Khon Kaen; Kapho Hospital, Pattani; and
Prathai Hospital, Nakhonrachasima. The methodology is in-depth
interviewing with 10 staffs working as hospital executive directors,
and representatives from leader groups including directors,
multidisciplinary hospital committees, personnel development
committees, physicians and nurses in each hospital. (Total=40) In
addition, focus group discussions between hospital staffs and general
people (including patients and their relatives, the community leader,
and other people) are held by means of setting 4 groups including 8
people within each group. (Total=128) The observation on the
working in each hospital is also implemented. The findings of the
study reveal that there are five important aspects found in each
hospital including (1) the quality improvement under the mental and
spiritual development policy from the chief executives and lead
teams, leaders as Role model and they have visionary leadership; (2)
the participation hospital administration system focusing on learning
process and stakeholder- needs, spiritual human resource
management and development; (3) the relationship among people
especially staffs, team work skills, mutual understanding, effective
communication and personal inner-development; (4) organization
culture relevant to the awareness of patients- rights as well as the
participation policy including spiritual growth achieving to the same
goals, sharing vision, developing public mind, and caring; and (5)
healing structures or environment providing warmth and convenience
for hospital staffs, patients and their relatives and visitors.
Abstract: In ubiqutious healthcare environment, user's health data are transfered to the remote healthcare server by the user's wearable system or mobile phone. These collected user's health data should be managed and analyzed in the healthcare server, so that care giver or user can monitor user's physiological state. In this paper, we designed and developed the intelligent Healthcare Server to manage the user's health data using CDSS and ontology. Our system can analyze user's health data semantically using CDSS and ontology, and report the result of user's physiological raw data to the user and care giver.
Abstract: Privacy issues commonly discussed among
researchers, practitioners, and end-users in pervasive healthcare.
Pervasive healthcare systems are applications that can support
patient-s need anytime and anywhere. However, pervasive healthcare
raises privacy concerns since it can lead to situations where patients
may not be aware that their private information is being shared and
becomes vulnerable to threat. We have systematically analyzed the
privacy issues and present a summary in tabular form to show the
relationship among the issues. The six issues identified are medical
information misuse, prescription leakage, medical information
eavesdropping, social implications for the patient, patient difficulties
in managing privacy settings, and lack of support in designing
privacy-sensitive applications. We narrow down the issues and chose
to focus on the issue of 'lack of support in designing privacysensitive
applications' by proposing a privacy-sensitive architecture
specifically designed for pervasive healthcare monitoring systems.