Health and Technology最新文献

Purpose: Hospital facilities and social life, along with the global economy, have been severely challenged by COVID-19 since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared it a pandemic in March 2020. Since then, countless ordinary citizens, as well as healthcare workers, have contracted the virus by just coming into contact with infected surfaces. In order to minimise the risk of getting infected by contact with such surfaces, our study aims to design, prototype, and test a new device able to connect users, such as common citizens, doctors or paramedics, with either common-use interfaces (e.g., lift and snack machine keyboards, traffic light push-buttons) or medical-use interfaces (e.g., any medical equipment keypad).

Method: To this purpose, the device was designed with the help of Unified Modelling Language (UML) schemes, and was informed by a risk analysis, that highlighted some of its essential requirements and specifications. Consequently, the chosen constructive solution of the robotic system, i.e., a robotic-arm structure, was designed and manufactured using computer-aided design and 3D printing.

Result: The final prototype included a properly programmed micro-controller, linked via Bluetooth to a multi-platform mobile phone app, which represents the user interface. The system was then successfully tested on different physical keypads and touch screens. Better performance of the system can be foreseen by introducing improvements in the industrial production phase.

Conclusion: This first prototype paves the way for further research in this area, allowing for better management and preparedness of next pandemic emergencies.

Purpose: Coronavirus is among the deadliest viruses of the 21st century. There is still a Coronavirus epidemic that affects most countries worldwide today. To prevent future outbreaks and protect public health, it is essential to invest in research and innovation on vaccines, treatments, diagnostic tests, public health infrastructure, and emergency response planning. Additionally, we need to work on mitigation strategies and take a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to prevent and fight against the virus.

Methods: For the purpose of preventing the spread of microbial organisms, it is essential to take advantage of automatic sanitizer dispensers by deploying them in public places. This is one of the most feasible and effective ways to ensure that people have easy access to hand sanitizer and can reduce the spread of germs.

Results: The proposed solution is a contactless sanitizer dispenser with an integrated temperature monitoring system, as well as an alert system for users who exhibit the symptom of infection. Moreover, the proposed solution has added advantage of interfacing with an electronic door so that we can easily implement it at the entrance of a public building/public transportation. This dispenser will also collect data that can be used to identify a symptomatic user and alert the appropriate authorities for safe quarantine. In addition, it is also used to monitor usage metrics, record user entries, and conduct statistical surveys using the ThinkSpeak platform.

Conclusions: The proposed model could be a feasible solution to prevent the entry of infected persons and asymptomatic carriers indoors. This can be achieved by implementing automated temperature screening before allowing entry into the building. This can help identify individuals who are potentially infected with the virus and prevent them from entering the premises and potentially spreading the disease to others. Overall, the proposed model is a comprehensive and practical solution that can help to prevent the entry of infected persons and asymptomatic carriers indoors and help to keep the public safe.

Objective: The objective of this theoretical paper is to identify conceptual solutions for securing, predicting, and improving vaccine production and supply chains.

Method: The case study, action research, and review method is used with secondary data - publicly available open access data.

Results: A set of six algorithmic solutions is presented for resolving vaccine production and supply chain bottlenecks. A different set of algorithmic solutions is presented for forecasting risks during a Disease X event. A new conceptual framework is designed to integrate the emerging solutions in vaccine production and supply chains. The framework is constructed to improve the state-of-the-art by intersecting the previously isolated disciplines of edge computing; cyber-risk analytics; healthcare systems, and AI algorithms.

Conclusion: For healthcare systems to cope better during a disease X event than during Covid-19, we need multiple highly specific AI algorithms, targeted for solving specific problems. The proposed framework would reduce production and supply chain risk and complexity in a Disease X event.

Purpose: A growing body of empirical research has emerged, focused on leveraging Industry 4.0 technologies to develop and optimise systems within various operational contexts, including healthcare delivery. However, even though a significant number of studies have been published on application of digital technologies in enhancing delivery and health outcomes of health systems, systematic studies that review how extensively these technologies have been applied within a low- and middle-income economies' context remain scarce in the literature. This work attempts to close that gap by investigating the impact of industry 4.0 on healthcare systems in emerging economies.

Methods: The study follows a systematic review approach and uses PRISMA guidelines to conduct the research and synthesise its findings. A final sample of 72 articles is selected for in-depth review following a systematic screening from an initial list of 597 results.

Results: The study successfully synthesises the latest research in the subject area and reveals that, hitherto, approaches to use of digital tools have been fragmented and thus unable to provide holistic optimisation solutions for healthcare systems in low-resource settings. The analysis exposes a heavy skew towards adoption of mobile health and telemedicine technologies, with conspicuous research gaps in the use of augmented reality, additive manufacturing as well as simulation and digital twin technologies.

Conclusions: The study provides researchers, health-care practitioners and systems engineers with knowledge on the state-of-the-art in healthcare systems optimisation and points out research gaps that may be addressed through future empirical studies.

This scoping review compiled information concerning digital health technologies (DHTs) evolution to support primary health care (PHC) during COVID-19 and lessons for the future of PHC. The identified literature was published during the COVID-19 peak years (2019-2021), retrieved from PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, as well as hand searched on the internet. Predefined inclusion criteria were used, thematic analysis was applied, and reporting followed the PRISMA for Scoping Reviews. A total of 46 studies were included in the final synthesis (40 articles, one book, two book chapters, one working paper, and two technical reports). These studies scrutinized various aspects of DHTs, entailing 19 types of DHTs with 20 areas of use that can be compressed into five bigger PHC functions: general PHC service delivery (teleconsultations, e-diagnosis, e-prescription, etc.); behavior promotion and digital health literacy (e.g., combating vaccine hesitancy); surveillance functions; vaccination and drugs; and enhancing system decision-making for proper follow-up of ongoing PHC interventions during COVID-19. DHTs have the potential to solve some of the problems that have plagued us even prior to COVID-19. Therefore, this study uses a forward-looking viewpoint to further stimulate the use of evidence-based DHT, making it more inclusive, educative, and satisfying to people's needs, both under normal conditions and during outbreaks. More research with narrowed research questions is needed, with a particular emphasis on quality assurance in the use of DHTs, technical aspects (standards for digital health tools, infrastructure, and platforms), and financial perspectives (payment for digital health services and adoption incentives).

Supplementary information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12553-023-00725-7.

Purpose: The main objective of this paper is to analyze the Brazilian Ministry of Health (MoH) efforts in the management of medical equipment, with a specific approach for lung ventilators in the pandemic scenario of COVID-19.

Methods: The methodology included a review of the normative framework and literature on technological management and research on the database of the Ministry of Health.

Results: As a promoter for acquiring medical equipment, the MoH role is highlighted and added to this competence; its function as the coordinator of the National Policy on Health Technology Management (PNGTS). According to the PNGTS the MoH has to support health managers in the implementing, monitoring, and maintaining health technologies. The scenario of lung ventilators in the pandemic was discussed, with research to verify demands, offers, installed capacity, and investments. In less than one year, the Ministry of Health acquired several pulmonary ventilators, 8.55 times greater than the annual averages of equipment acquired from 2016 to 2019. So far, there is still no maintenance plans or strategy of management for that equipment, especially in a post-pandemic scenario. Conclusion: It is possible to conclude that the Ministry of Health needs to improve health technology management systems. On the scale of the Policy, it is necessary to commit to permanent and long-term actions to ensure sustainability and reduce the technological vulnerabilities of the SUS.

Purpose: A transition from paper to Electronic Health Records has numerous benefits, including better communication and information exchange and decreased errors by medical staff. However, if managed poorly, it can result in frustration, causing errors in patient care and reduced patient-clinician interaction. Furthermore, a drop in staff morale and clinician burnout due to familiarising themselves with the technology has been mentioned in previous studies. Therefore, the aim of this project is to monitor the change in morale of staff of the Oral and Maxillofacial Department in a hospital which underwent the change in October 2020. Objectives: To observe staff morale during transition from paper to Electronic Health Records; to encourage feedback.

Methods: After carrying out a Patient & Public Involvement consultation and receiving local research and development approval, a questionnaire was distributed to all members of the maxillofacial outpatients department on a regular basis.

Results: On average, around 25 members responded to the questionnaire during each collection. There was a noticeable divergence in responses week on week according to job role and age, but minimal difference is noted from gender point of view after the first week. The study emphasised the position that not all members were happy with the new system but only a small minority would want to return to paper notes.

Conclusion: Staff members adapt to change at different rates, which are multifactorial in nature. A change of this scale should be monitored closely to allow for a smoother transition and ensure staff burnout is minimised.