Monitoring sound and light continuously in an intensive care unit patient room: A pilot study.

PURPOSE: To determine the feasibility of continuous recording of sound and light in the intensive care unit (ICU). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four 1-hour baseline scenarios in an empty ICU patient room by day and night (doors open or closed and maximal or minimal lighting) and two daytime scenarios simulating a stable and unstable patient (quiet or loud devices and staff) were conducted. Sound and light levels were continuously recorded using a commercially available multisensor monitor and transmitted via the hospital's network to a cloud-based data storage and management system. RESULTS: The empty ICU room was loud with similar mean sound levels of 45 to 46 dBA for the day and night simulations. Mean levels for maximal lighting during day and night ranged from 1306 to 1812 lux and mean levels for minimum lighting were 1 to 3 lux. The mean sound levels for the stable and unstable patient simulations were 61 and 81 dBA, respectively. The mean light levels were 349 lux for the stable patient and 1947 lux for the unstable patient. CONCLUSIONS: Combined sound and light can be continuously and easily monitored in the ICU setting. Incorporating sound and light monitors in ICU rooms may promote an enhanced patient- and staff-centered healing environment.

Feasibility results of an electromagnetic compatibility test protocol to evaluate medical devices to radio frequency identification exposure.

BACKGROUND: The use of radio frequency identification (RFID) systems in healthcare is increasing, and concerns for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) pose one of the biggest obstacles for widespread adoption. Numerous studies have demonstrated that RFID systems can interfere with medical devices; however, the majority of past studies relied on time-consuming and burdensome test schemes based on ad hoc test methods applied to individual RFID systems. METHODS: This paper presents the results of using an RFID simulator that allows for faster evaluation of RFID-medical device EMC against a library of RFID test signals at various field strengths. RESULTS: The results of these tests demonstrate the feasibility and adequacy of simulator testing and can be used to support its incorporation into applicable consensus standards. CONCLUSIONS: This work can aid the medical device community in better assessing the risks associated with medical device exposure to RFID.

Modeling knowledge resource selection in expert librarian search.

Providing knowledge at the point of care offers the possibility for reducing error and improving patient outcomes. However, the vast majority of the physician's information needs are not met in a timely fashion. The research presented in this paper characterizes an expert librarian's search strategies as it pertains to the selection and use of various electronic information resources. The 10 searches conducted by the librarian to address the physician's information needs varied in terms of complexity and question type. The librarian employed a total of 10 resources and used as many as 7 in a single search. The longer term objective is to model the sequential process in sufficient detail as to be able to contribute to the development of intelligent automated search agents.