Combining situated Cognitive Engineering with a novel testing method in a case study comparing two infusion pump interfaces.

We validated the usability of a new infusion pump interface designed with a situated Cognitive Engineering approach by comparing it to a reference interface using a novel testing method employing repeated measurements and process measures, in addition to traditional outcome measures. The sample consisted of 25 nurses who performed eight critical tasks three times. Performance measures consisted of number and type of errors, deviations from a pre-established normative path solution, task completion times, number of keystrokes, mental effort and preferences in use. Results showed that interaction with the new interface resulted in 18% fewer errors, 90% fewer normative path deviations, 42% lower task completion times, 40% fewer keystrokes, 39% lower mental effort and 76% more subjective preferences in use. These outcomes suggest that within the scope of this case study, combining the situated Cognitive Engineering approach with a novel testing method addresses various shortcomings of earlier testing methods.

Duodenal levodopa/carbidopa infusion therapy in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease leads to improvement in caregivers' stress and burden.

BACKGROUND: Continuous duodenal levodopa infusion (DLI) is an effective therapy that improves quality of life (QoL) in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the impact of DLI on caregivers' stress and burden has not been reported. METHODS: We evaluated prospectively open-label seven advanced PD patients (65.7 ± 9.6 years, 71.4% men) treated with DLI. Schwab & England Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADLS), 39-item Parkinson's disease QoL Questionnaire Summary Index score (PDQ-39SI), Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview (ZCBI), and Caregiver Strain Index (CSI) were used. Comparisons were made between scores obtained at baseline and those at a mean follow-up of 31.4 ± 7.9 months (range, 23-42). RESULTS: In patients, mean ± SD ADLS was increased from 50 ± 8.2 to 80 ± 11.6 (P = 0.014), and mean ± SD PDQ-39SI was decreased from 53.7 ± 11.9 to 33.6 ± 12.8 (P = 0.018). In caregivers, ZCBI decreased from 43 ± 13.3 to 20.7 ± 12.1 (P = 0.018) and CSI from 6.3 ± 2.5 to 1.6 ± 0.9 (P = 0.018). At baseline, 57.1% of caregivers reported moderate to severe burden (ZCBI 41-88) compared to 28.6% at the end of the follow-up (P = 0.015); at that time, no caregiver reported high level of stress (CSI ≥ 7) compared to 57.1% at baseline (P = 0.046). There were significant correlations between ZCBI and CSI improvement (r = 0.813, P = 0.026), ZCBI and PDQ-39SI (r = 0.875, P = 0.01), and ZCBI and ADLS (r = 0.813, P = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS: Duodenal levodopa infusion-related clinical improvement in patients with advanced PD leads to substantial reductions in caregivers' stress and burden.

Aspectos psicológicos no uso da bomba de analgesia controlada pelo paciente / Psychological aspects of the use of patient-controlled analgesia pump

JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: A observação dos profissionais da Equipe de Controle da Dor da Disciplina de Anestesiologia da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo sugere que os pacientes em uso de bomba de analgesia controlada pelo paciente (ACP) desenvolvem o que parece ser uma relação afetiva positiva com o equipamento e reagem melhor ao tratamento da dor do que aqueles que recebem os analgésicos administrados pelos métodos tradicionais. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar se há na literatura pesquisas que tenham investigado as hipóteses por nós consideradas de que essa relação afetiva positiva com a bomba de ACP ocorreria porque a mesma funcionaria como um "representante materno", investido de qualidades hedônicas positivas; ou como objeto transicional de afeto numa situação vivida como estado de desamparo e desmoronamento; ou que acionar a bomba de ACP teria efeito de autoinvestimento de poder. CONTEÚDO: Um levantamento nos bancos de dados PUBMED e BVS usando as palavras: Pain (dor) and helplessness (desamparo), Pain and PCA pump (bomba de ACP), Pain and helplessness and PCA pump, Coping (enfrentamento) and pain and PCA pump, Analgesia controlada pelo paciente e Analgesia controlada pelo paciente e psicologia, identificou 4693 resultados, sendo selecionados 20 abstracts do PUBMED, dos quais, em posterior exame, foram selecionados 6 relativos à dor e desamparo e 10 relativos à dor e a bomba de ACP.CONCLUSÃO: A literatura ainda carece de estudos clínicos sistematizados sobre os aspectos subjetivos da adaptação dos pacientes ao uso da bomba ACP, e os estudos que examinam a satisfação do paciente devem ser incrementados visando a melhor utilização desse recurso terapêutico que melhora o manuseio e controle farmacológico da dor. Este estudo levanta algumas hipóteses, sugere alguns conceitos-chave e faz algumas considerações nessa direção.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Professionals of the Pain Control Team of the Anesthesiology Discipline, School of Medicine, University of São Paulo observed that patients under patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump develop what seems to be a positive affective relationship with the equipment and better react to pain treatment as compared to those receiving analgesics via traditional methods. This study aimed at verifying whether there are in the literature studies investigating our hypothesis that such positive affective relationship with PCA pump would happen because it function as a "maternal representative", invested of positive hedonistic qualities; or as a transitional object of affection in a situation lived as a state of helplessness and collapse; or that activating the PCA pump would have an effect of self-empowerment.CONTENTS: A survey on PUBMED and BVS databases using the words: Pain and helplessness, Pain and PCA pump, Pain and helplessness and PCA pump, Coping and Pain and PCA pump, Patient-controlled analgesia and Patient-controlled analgesia and psychology has found 4693 results, of which 20 PUBMED abstracts were selected, from which, in a further analysis, 6 were selected with regard to pain and helplessness and 10 with regard to pain and patient-controlled analgesia pump.CONCLUSION: Literature still lacks systematized clinical studies on the subjective aspects of patients? adaptation to the use of PCA pump and studies analyzing patients? satisfaction should be incremented aiming at a better use of such therapeutic tool which improves pain management and pharmacological control. This study raises some hypotheses, suggests some key-concepts and makes some considerations in this direction.

Patient satisfaction and clinical outcome after injecting gonadotropins with use of a needle-free carbon dioxide injection system for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for in vitro fertilization.

In this prospective, randomized clinical trial, we tested the hypothesis that a needle-free CO(2) injection system (Biojector 2000) would be better tolerated by patients when compared with traditional sharp needles used for gonadotropin injections during stimulation for IVF. As measured by our questionnaire, the needle-free CO(2) injection system was not better tolerated by patients, even though it was equally effective clinically.

A randomized, controlled study of insulin pump therapy in diabetic preschoolers.

OBJECTIVE: To compare glycemic control, safety, and parental satisfaction in preschool-aged diabetic children randomized to treatment either with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) or intensive insulin injection therapy. STUDY DESIGN: This clinical trial enrolled 42 patients <5 years of age who had been diagnosed with diabetes for at least 12 months. Children were randomly assigned to CSII (n = 21) or intensive insulin injection therapy (n = 21). Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level was measured at baseline, 3, and 6 months. Secondary outcomes included severe hypoglycemic events, meter-detected hypoglycemia, blood sugar variability, body mass index (BMI), and satisfaction with therapy. RESULTS: Thirty-seven patients completed 6 months of therapy. There was a significant decrease in HbA1c during the study period for both groups (from 8.9% +/- 0.6% to 8.6% +/- 0.6% at 3- and 6-month visits). At 3 months, children using pumps had a significantly lower HbA1c than the injection group (8.4% vs 8.8%); however, by 6 months the two groups were similar (8.5% vs 8.7%). No differences in pre-meal blood sugar variabilities were seen between groups. Children on pumps had increases in the number of meter-detected episodes of hypoglycemia. Pump therapy was safe and well tolerated. No episodes of ketoacidosis occurred in either group, whereas one hypoglycemic seizure occurred in each group. Parents reported satisfaction with CSII, with 95% of families continuing on CSII beyond the 6-month study period. CONCLUSION: Pump therapy in preschool-aged children was not associated with clinically significant differences in glycemic control as compared with intensive injection therapy. The rationale for initiating CSII in this age group should be based on patient selection and lifestyle preference.

Acceptance of external infusion pumps in patients with advanced breast cancer receiving continuous infusion fluorouracil.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the physical and psychological adaptation to a protracted continuous infusion system in a series of patients receiving protracted continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil for advanced breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The protracted continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil was administered by means of a portable elastomeric pump (Baxter Seven-Day Infusor, 0.5 mL/hr) via an indwelling Groshong catheter. Patients were asked to complete a questionnaire exploring the impact of the continuous infusion system upon various aspects of daily life, the overall level of disturbance, the general judgement on its quality, and their willingness to resume the same kind of treatment in the future. All items were graded on a 4-point scale from 0 = not at all, to 4 = very much. RESULTS: Seventy-one patients were evaluated. All patients received 5-fluorouracil at the dose of 250 mg/m2/day as a protracted continuous infusion alone (n = 14) or in combination with vinorelbine (n = 45) or Taxol (n = 12). The median duration of the protracted continuous infusion before evaluation was 9 months (3-31). The mean level of disturbance to daily activities was 0.86 points. The activities most frequently disturbed by treatment included daily personal care (mean, 1.76 points) and sexual activity (mean, 1.20 points). Twenty-one patients required medical intervention because of problems related to the protracted continuous infusion system. The overall level of disturbance was rated at a mean level of 0.72 points, whereas the overall merits of the protracted continuous infusion system and the willingness of the patient to resume protracted continuous infusion in the future were rated at a mean level of 2.90 and 2.55 points, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The system for the protracted continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil was well tolerated by the patients, who were able in most cases to perform their daily activities with little or no disturbance, needing only occasional help, and were willing to resume the same treatment modality if necessary.

Comparative abuse liability of intravenously administered remifentanil and fentanyl.

Remifentanil is a short-acting, esterase-metabolized opioid analgesic. This study compared the abuse liability of remifentanil with that of fentanyl and placebo in a randomized, double-blind, crossover study. Twelve recreational users of opioids received increasing doses of remifentanil (0.6, 1.2, 1.8, 2.4, and 3.0 microg/kg), fentanyl (0.4, 0.8, 1.3, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.5 microg/kg) and placebo via an intravenous infusion pump. Subjective measures (Cole/Addiction Research Center Inventory [ARCI] scales and visual analog scale [VAS] items such as "High" and "Good Effects") and physiologic variables (blood pressure, O2 saturation, pupil diameter) were recorded. For each measure, the differences from baseline were reduced to an area under the response curve (AUC) and a peak, and each subject's response to the maximum tolerable dose for each of the two active drug classes and mean response to several placebo infusions were entered into a 12 x 3 analysis of variance. All differences in drug versus placebo effects were significant. Although a majority of the peak effects that were measurable within 4 minutes after drug infusion reflected greater remifentanil effects, only one, High VAS, was statistically significant. In contrast, observations that could only be made > or = 5 minutes after drug infusion predominantly indicated significantly greater fentanyl peak effects, including High VAS, Liking VAS, Good Effects VAS, and Cole/ARCI Abuse Potential. Fentanyl AUCs were generally significantly larger than the corresponding remifentanil AUCs. A drug abuser seeking longer-lasting drug effects might select fentanyl over remifentanil, but these data do not completely rule out remifentanil abuse by some individuals with access to both the drug and the infusion equipment or by those who prefer briefer, repeated effects.

Patients' experience of technology at the bedside: intravenous infusion control devices.

Within health care systems, rapid and pervasive technological development is occurring with significant ramifications for both nurses and patients. In order to determine the patient's perception of the experience of clinical equipment at the bedside, an exploratory study of 150 hospitalized patients was undertaken. For this study an item of electronic clinical 'hardware', the infusion control device, used increasingly by nurses, was selected as an exemplar of bedside nursing technology. A positive patient response to the equipment and its management was found. The majority of respondents understood the reasons for the equipment's use, were not disturbed greatly by the alarms, had few concerns about the equipment and would welcome further use. A majority felt that the care they received was more patient centred than technology centred. Several recommendations for nursing practice follow from these findings.