Bioinformatics Associated With Conjoined Twin Separation.

The separation of conjoined twins is a rare event in the medical field and presents many unique challenges to overcome. With the complexities of today's interconnected healthcare technology and electronic medical record, there are many intricate details that need significant attention to guarantee proper care and accurate record keeping for conjoined twins. Items that require attention are how to digitally represent the twins-as 1 patient or 2, how to incorporate the physiological monitors into the medical record, and how to ensure the proper amount of infrastructure, equipment, and space. With careful planning and consideration, technology can be used as an aid in separating conjoined twins at any institution.

Improving Clinical Alarm Management: Guidance and Strategies.

This article focuses on the type of problems that lead to false or nonactionable clinical alarms and the type of data that can help identify which of these alarms are most prevalent in specific units in healthcare facilities. The process of identifying necessary data is first described, as this activity will drive later choices on capturing data. This article also discusses how to use the data collected in alarm reports to help determine which alarms should be targeted first for improved management in a pilot environment. Suggestions are provided on how to reduce false and nonactionable alarm signals and how to monitor to ensure no untoward consequences occur from new alarm default settings. The information provided here can be individualized to hospitals and units to enhance alarm management with physiological monitor alarms. It also can be adapted to reduce nonactionable alarm signals occurring from other medical devices.

Tai chi and meditation: A conceptual (re)synthesis?

The aim of this article is to review the literature on Tai Chi and meditation. A coherent construct is developed that includes a comparative analysis and conceptual synthesis of existing theories. The authors discuss a set of assumptions that justify this synthesis; they also argue that this construct would facilitate greater understanding of Tai Chi from the perspective of meditation. Such synthesis may bring "additional" benefits to Tai Chi practitioners as they could recognize that this mind-body technique holds the essence of meditation. Within the scope of this article, the evidence shows a majority of common features when concerning Tai Chi and meditation. These mutual similarities should be taken into account when performing this type of mind-body medicine by patients and/or therapists. Finally, the authors suggest that this inspiring compilation of movements and mindfulness can be used for practical purposes.