Indoor positioning in wireless local area networks with online path-loss parameter estimation.

Location based services are gathering an even wider interest also in indoor environments and urban canyons, where satellite systems like GPS are no longer accurate. A much addressed solution for estimating the user position exploits the received signal strengths (RSS) in wireless local area networks (WLANs), which are very common nowadays. However, the performances of RSS based location systems are still unsatisfactory for many applications, due to the difficult modeling of the propagation channel, whose features are affected by severe changes. In this paper we propose a localization algorithm which takes into account the nonstationarity of the working conditions by estimating and tracking the key parameters of RSS propagation. It is based on a Sequential Monte Carlo realization of the optimal Bayesian estimation scheme, whose functioning is improved by exploiting the Rao-Blackwellization rationale. Two key statistical models for RSS characterization are deeply analyzed, by presenting effective implementations of the proposed scheme and by assessing the positioning accuracy by extensive computer experiments. Many different working conditions are analyzed by simulated data and corroborated through the validation in a real world scenario.

Wireless communications in acute health-care.

Before a particular form of wireless communication is implemented within a health-care institution, consideration should be given to the system's capacity for transmitting voice, data and video information, as well as its reliability and coverage. An important associated choice concerns the best combination of user devices that will enable secure and rapid transmission of data to clinical staff at the point of care. Several technologies are available. No new technology that is likely to become available over the next five years will address the two main concerns of health service organizations: the need for non-interference with sensitive equipment; and the need for immediate communication of urgent messages. We therefore believe that health industries with a mobile workforce will gain five to eight years of useful life from cordless telephone systems and that paging or other radio-based devices will remain an important mode of communication for at least the next five years, especially where emergency communication is concerned.

Is wireless technology ready to roll?

For years, health care organizations have been slow to accept wireless technology. But as more organizations are finding that the technology can improve care and save money, they're jumping on the wireless bandwagon. Some pioneering providers are even deploying multiple wireless technology applications. Their success is providing a road map for others to follow and building confidence in the emerging technology.

Reengineering materiel management using computer technology.

The Materiel Management Department in today's hospital is in a uniquely advantageous position. It can better support the hospital's mission by applying current techniques in material management systems automation together with current computing technology as part of a broad-based reengineering process. Materiel management executives, suppliers, software developers, and hardware manufacturers now have all the necessary tools to create and implement a flexible, cost-effective, complete, paperless system. The model system offers tremendous advantages in terms of increased productivity and reduced total cost. This article discusses the process and the tools and techniques that should be considered.

Informática: ninguém é uma ilha / Informatics: nobody is an island

Bibliotecas especializadas em Odontologia estäo se ligando a grandes redes de dados. A da ABO/GO já fincou um pé na Internet. Terminais remotos acessam informaçöes científicas disponíveis em todo o planeta. CD-ROMs passam a ser usados na pesquisa bibliográfica

Document imaging and the patient chart: envisioning the future for your practice.

This plan for computerizing the dental patient record is designed to be implemented in a stepwise fashion. It assumes a fully developed and well accepted practice management system is already present in the business office to ensure organizational readiness and a culture embracing technology and its accompanying changes. Electronic claims submission is implemented next to not only realize the competitive advantages of EDI in the dental office; but also, to introduce the process of multi-user communication. Electronic charting in the dental operatory is first implemented as a stand alone system. This allows users to understand the new workflow requirements and oral exam redesign when a computer is introduced in the treatment room. The dental team must understand that the ultimate goal of this plan is to network the entire system and enhance communication both within and external to the dental office. No specific time requirements were given for this plan because of the variability from office to office. People need time to develop awareness, prepare for, and become skilled in using new technology. Financial constraints may also limit the speed at which the plan can be implemented. Finally, individuals in the practice must work together as a team to assess the practice's level of acceptance and ability at each step in the process. Modification will be necessary along the way as technology is constantly changing. This is a significant paradigm shift, considering that many pieces of equipment purchased for the dental office can last the dentist's entire career. This plan allows for alteration, encourages team involvement and requires a long-term strategic vision for information technology's role in the dental office.

The Internet: will this highway serve the digital library?

The future of the biomedical enterprise and the biomedical libraries that serve it is tied closely to digital information. The changing nature of this type of information will create new pressures on libraries, particularly in health care organizations. Libraries must learn to deal with these pressures. Currently, libraries depend on the Internet primarily for connections to resources and other libraries; thus enhancements to the Internet will impact the libraries of the present and future significantly. This paper provides an overview of the technical capabilities that will be available in the near to midterm, what libraries will be able to do with those capabilities, and how libraries can position themselves to take advantage of the impending changes.

Contemporary issues in HIM. Wireless LANs.

Wireless LANs are a relatively new form of network whose popularity is growing rapidly. Although they probably will not completely replace wired networks, wireless LANs can fill several important niches in network applications. In this article, we looked at rationales for wireless LANs, discussed several broad categories of wireless applications, and described two transmission techniques currently dominant in wireless networks. We then reviewed several different wireless network structures and wireless hardware connections, and looked at ranges and transmission rates. The article closed with a presentation of some relevant considerations regarding wireless LANs.

[Current and future perspectives of medical information network systems for community health using personal computers and IC cards].

Recent developments in computer and communication technology were studied in relation to medical information network systems, using computers and IC cards, to solve problems in community health. Trial use of personal computer network systems among physicians and IC card systems for personal health data management are already in existence in some parts of Japan. These trials were studied and analyzed based on a questionnaire survey of physicians and patients. Results of the study produced some useful points that should be considered when introducing these systems. These included: 1) details on expectations and specifications for these systems by physicians and patients, 2) easy access to valuable information is a key point for active network systems among physicians, 3) plausibility of improvement of communication between physicians and patients by using these systems, 4) recognition that an important problem concerns patient information privacy and must be considered before introducing these systems. A study of practical merits of these systems and methodology for realization indicates that participation by active and attractive providers of information can be expected to stimulate frequent use of the network system. The cost of introducing these systems can be partially borne by eliminating the large investment now allocated for processing requests for reimbursement of medical services. Investigation into the introduction of medical information systems provides a good opportunity to elucidate problems in the present medical systems.