A survey of 152 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains from medical centers in Las Cruces, NM, and El Paso, TX, revealed the presence of spa types 2 and 24 (clone USA100) and spa type 1 (clone USA300-0114). Las Cruces MRSA displayed relatively high vancomycin MICs, and one hetero-vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus strain was identified.

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The ageing of the population is growing significantly and will challenge healthcare systems. Chronic diseases in the older population require a change in service delivery, and new technologies can be a key element in ensuring the viability and sustainability of these systems. However, the generation gap and the physical and cognitive decline commonly associated with the older generation are barriers to the transition to these models of care. Despite this, there has been a trend towards digital healthcare, which has many potential benefits for the older population. Numerous studies have assessed the acceptability of new technologies for older people in healthcare. These studies highlight the importance of perceived usefulness, compatibility, ease of use and personalisation of the technology. Personalisation is necessary to ensure that the system is useful for users, and different characteristics such as country of origin, gender, age, or comfort with the technology should be taken into account. A person-centred approach in the development of new health technology systems is essential to ensure that applications can be better tailored to the needs of different ageing populations. Many organisations have dedicated time and resources to ensure a person-centred approach in the development of new health technology systems, and putting the individual first is the best way forward in digital health. This article presents the work carried out in this regard in the framework of the European TeNDER project together with an analysis of the results obtained in terms of satisfaction, usefulness, and usability from end-users. The dynamic and continuous process carried out throughout the TeNDER project translates the needs reported by users, as far as personalisation of interactions is concerned. All end-users held a positive opinion about the usability and usefulness of the system.

The TeNDER project aims to improve the quality of life (QoL) of chronic patients through an integrated care ecosystem. This study evaluates the health recommender system (HRS) developed for the project, which offers personalized recommendations based on data collected from a set of monitoring devices. The list of notifications covered different areas of daily life such as physical activity, nutrition, and sleep. We conducted this case study to evaluate the effectiveness and usability of the HRS in providing accurate and relevant recommendations to users. Evaluation process consisted on survey administration for QoL assessment and the satisfaction and usability of the HRS. The four-week pilot study involved several patients and caregivers and demonstrated that the HRS was perceived as user-friendly, consistent, and helpful, with a positive impact on patients’ QoL. However, the study highlights the need for improvement in terms of personalization of recommendations.