Technology and Health Care - Volume 22, issue 1

Authors: Schneider, Marco M. | Kendoff, Daniel | O'Loughlin, Padhraig F. | Hessling, Carola | Gehrke, Thorsten | Citak, Mustafa

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Autologous transfusion has become a cost-efficient and useful option in the treatment of patients with high blood loss following major orthopaedic surgery. However, the effectiveness of autologous transfusion in total joint replacement remains controversial. Objective: The current study analyzed the efficacy of autologous transfusion with washed shed blood (WSB) in primary total knee and total hip arthroplasty (TKA, THA). Methods: Between January 2011 and December 2011, patients being treated with a primary TKA (n=162) and/or THA (n=227) and who met the inclusion criteria were recruited to the study in consecutive fashion. …Results: The patient age, BMI and ASA scores showed no statistically significant correlation to the degree of blood loss, quantity of autotransfusion necessary or Hb differential in TKA patients. The use of an autologous transfusion system in TKA and THA is not correlated statistically to a reduction in the amount of allogenic or autologous transfusion. Conclusions: The use of the autotransfusion system does not correlate significantly with the amount of allogenic transfusion in TKA and THA in the current authors' patient cohort. Age, BMI and ASA score appeared not to exert significant influence on the total amount of autotransfusion or Hb difference. Show more

Keywords: Autotransfusion system, allogenic blood transfusions, total hip arthroplasty, total knee arthroplasty, effectivness

DOI: 10.3233/THC-130770

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 123-128, 2014

Authors: Muenzberg, M. | Stretz, C. | Baur, W. | Stangl, R. | Merschin, D.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Controversy exists on whether gender-specific anatomic differences in the human knee have to be taken into account by gender-specific design in total knee replacement (TKR). We evaluated total knees that were implanted in both genders. Objective: This paper will describe the influence of gender on the outcome after a unisex total knee arthroplasty. Methods: 52 total knee prostheses (mobile bearing Brehm Precision Knee®, BPK) were implanted in 48 patients (16 male, 32 female, 4 bilateral). Median follow-up was 15 months. HSS score, KSS score, ROM, VAS, and radiologic axis were used as outcome measures. We …also obtained preoperative scores of these parameters, creating difference parameters respectively. All surgeries were performed by a single surgeon. Results: No significant difference could be determined between genders for postoperative parameters and difference between preoperative and postoperative parameters between both groups. Women scored higher on HSS score preoperatively and postoperatively with 50.0 and 91.0 points versus 47.0 and 88.0 points in the male group. On KSS score, the female group scored higher preoperatively and postoperatively as well, with 79.0 and 174.0 points versus the male group with 74.0 and 168.0. Conclusion: As the results obtained with this unisex prosthesis system were not statistically significant when compared for gender, we conclude the BPK currently addresses gender-specific anatomic differences sufficiently. Show more

Keywords: Arthroplasty, gender, female, male, TKA

DOI: 10.3233/THC-130771

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 129-136, 2014

Authors: Chen, C.-C. | Chen, W.-L. | Chen, B.-N. | Shih, Y.-Y. | Lai, J.-S. | Chen, Y.-L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: A mouse is an important communication interface between a human and a computer, but it is still difficult to use for the elderly or disabled. Objective: To develop a low-cost computer mouse auxiliary tool. Methods: The principal structure of the low-cost mouse auxiliary tool is the IR (infrared ray) array module and the Wii icon sensor module, which combine with reflective tape and the SQL Server database. Results: This has several benefits including cheap hardware cost, fluent control, prompt response, adaptive adjustment and portability. Also, it carries the game module with the …function of training and evaluation; to the trainee, it is really helpful to upgrade the sensitivity of consciousness/sense and the centralization of attention. The intervention phase/maintenance phase, with regard to clicking accuracy and use of time, p value (p< 0.05) reach the level of significance. Conclusions: The development of the low cost adaptive computer mouse auxiliary tool was completed during the study and was also verified as having the characteristics of low cost, easy operation and the adaptability. To patients with physical disabilities, if they have independent control action parts of their limbs, the mouse auxiliary tool is suitable for them to use, i.e. the user only needs to paste the reflective tape by the independent control action parts of the body to operate the mouse auxiliary tool. Show more

Keywords: IR array, reflective tape, auxiliary tool, database

DOI: 10.3233/THC-130768

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 137-145, 2014

Authors: Johansson, Annette M. | Söderberg, Siv | Lindberg, Inger

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Accessibility to specialized health care is important for residents in rural areas. Videoconsultation can provide increased accessibility to health care. Before implementation of new technologies, it is important to study residents' views. Objective: This study describes views of residents of rural areas on accessibility to specialist care and the use of videoconsultation as tool to increase accessibility. Method: A questionnaire was distributed via the primary health care centres in rural areas of northern Sweden. Data was analysed with both quantitative and qualitative methods. Results: The quantitative analysis revealed three main …areas: savings in time, environmental damage and cost of not having to travel were important; security of information must be coupled with increased availability of specialist care; responses depended on an individual's specific health care needs. The open-ended answers resulted into two categories: 1) experiences related to availability of specialist care and 2) views on participating in VC. Conclusion: Despite the fact that rural residents considered the distance as important factor in access to care, there was uncertainty regarding videoconsultation as solution. Although respondents were familiar with different types of communication technologies, they probably hesitated because they did not have information on what videoconsultation would mean to them. Show more

Keywords: Primary health care, technology, video consultation, rural areas, implementation, questionnaire, quantitative, qualitative content analysis

DOI: 10.3233/THC-140776

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 22, no. 1, pp. 147-155, 2014