We demonstrate the implementation in an academic anesthesia department of a secure clinical event reporting system linked to an AIMS. The system enforces entry of quality assurance information (either no clinical event or notification of a clinical event). System implementation resulted in capturing nearly twice the number of events at a relatively steady case load.

A performance and usability evaluation was conducted on an automated task management concept (ATMC) user interface prototype design developed for an Air Defense Warfare (ADW) environment. With the Navy's reduced manning objectives, available advanced technologies, and increasingly complex mission areas, research and development of advanced user interface concepts is becoming a high priority. Testing was conducted at the Integrated Command Environment (ICE) facility at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren VA Human Performance Laboratory. Team performance, situational awareness, and workload data were collected on six intact fleet ADW teams performing a realistic tactical scenario and supported by an ATMC prototype. These data were compared to data collected from six ADW teams performing the same scenario on advanced consoles without ATMC capability. Although it was expected that the teams with the ATMC interface would perform substantially better than the teams without it, the performance data did not completely support this hypothesis. Results indicated that ATMC may benefit the tasks of some operators and that some aspects of workload may be reduced using this concept. The results of a usability analysis and warfighter feedback also indicate that task management concepts may have some potential to reduce the need for verbal communication between team members.

Background Successful injection of radiolabeled compounds is critical for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. A poor quality injection limits the tracer availability in the body and can impact diagnostic results. In this study, we attempt to quantify our infiltration rates, develop an actionable quality improvement plan to reduce potentially compromised injections, and compare injection scoring to PET/CT imaging results. Methods A commercially available system that uses external radiation detectors was used to monitor and score injection quality. This system compares the time activity curves of the bolus relative to a control reading in order to provide a score related to the quality of the injection. These injection scores were used to assess infiltration rates at our facility in order to develop and implement a quality improvement plan for our PET imaging center. Injection scores and PET imaging results were reviewed to determine correlations between image-based assessments of infiltration, such as liver SUVs, and injection scoring, as well as to gather infiltration reporting statistics by physicians. Results A total of 1033 injections were monitored at our center. The phase 1 infiltration rate was 2.1%. In decision tree analysis, patients < 132.5lbs were associated with infiltrations. Additional analyses suggested patients > 127.5 lbs. with non-antecubital injections were associated with lower quality injections. Our phase 2 infiltration rate was 1.9%. Comparison of injection score to SUV showed no significant correlation and indicated that only 63% of suspected infiltrations were visible on PET/CT imaging. Conclusions Developing a quality improvement plan and monitoring PET injections can lead to reduced infiltration rates. No significant correlation between reference SUVs and injection score provides evidence that determination of infiltration based on PET images alone may be limited. Results also indicate that the number of infiltrated PET injections is under-reported.

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The purpose of this study was to evaluate several aspects of the Aircraft Carrier-Tactical Support Center (CV-TSC) console design. These variables were tested individually in order to isolate their effect and make recommendations for the overall console design. Six trackball devices, three number entry methods (keyboard number row, keyboard number pad, and separate number pad), and three methods of gross navigation (trackball only, touch screen, and navigation buttons) were evaluated. All tests involved simple tasks with timing and accuracy measures collected, as well as subjective feedback.The results of the study indicated that trackball 6 outperformed the others in most objective measures and was also the most preferred trackball. There were no conclusive performance results for the number entry test; however participants indicated a preference for a number pad, either separate or integrated with the keyboard. The touch screen method of gross navigation was the best performer, although participants preferred the trackball-only condition.