Application Of Checklist Research Articles

Validating Obstetric Emergency Checklists using Simulation: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background The World Health Organization's Surgical Safety Checklist has demonstrated significant reduction in surgical morbidity. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists District II Safe Motherhood Initiative (SMI) safety bundles include eclampsia and postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) checklists. Objective To determine whether use of the SMI checklists during simulated obstetric emergencies improved completion of critical actions and to elicit feedback to facilitate checklist revision. Study Design During this randomized controlled trial, teams were assigned to use a checklist during one of two emergencies: eclampsia and PPH. Raters scored teams on critical step completion. Feedback was elicited through structured debriefing. Results In total, 30 teams completed 60 scenarios. For eclampsia, trends toward higher completion were noted for blood pressure and airway management. For PPH, trends toward higher completion rates were noted for PPH stage assessment and fundal massage. Feedback resulted in substantial checklist revision. Participants were enthusiastic about using checklists in a clinical emergency. Conclusion Despite trends toward higher rates of completion of critical tasks, teams using checklists did not approach 100% task completion. Teams were interested in the application of checklists and provided feedback necessary to substantially revise the checklists. Intensive implementation planning and training in use of the revised checklists will result in improved patient outcomes.

Checklists for Image-Guided Interventions.

Checklists are tools commonly used to help confirm that certain tasks of a process are completed. Within the health care industry, medical checklists are recognized as a means to improve patient safety. Recent application of checklists to image-guided interventions has shown positive outcomes; however, there are limited published studies. We review the literature regarding checklist use as a safety measure and focus on implementation of checklists for image-guided interventions.

The Gap between Individual Perception and Compliance: A Qualitative Follow-Up Study of the Surgical Safety Checklist Application.

Background“The Surgical Safety Checklist (SSC) is important, but we don’t use it adequately” is a well-suited statement that reflects the SSC's application in hospitals. Our aim was to follow up on our initial study on compliance (2014) by analysing differences between individual perception and compliance with the SSC.MethodsWe conducted a follow-up online survey to assess healthcare professionals’ individual perception of, as well as satisfaction and compliance with the SSC three years following its thorough implementation.Results171 (19.5%) of 875 operating team members completed the online survey. 99.4% confirmed using the SSC. Self-estimated subjective knowledge about the intention of the checklist was high, whereas objective knowledge was moderate, but improved as compared to 2014. According to an independent audit the SSC was used in 93.1% of all operations and among the SSCs used the completion rate was 57.2%. The use of the SSC was rated as rather easy [median (IQR): 7 (6–7)], familiar [7 (6–7)], generally important [7 (7–7)], and good for patients [7 (6–7)] as well as for employees [7 (7–7)]. Only comfort of use was rated lower [6 (5–7)].ConclusionThere is a gap between individual perception and actual application of the SSC. Despite healthcare professionals confirming the importance of the SSC, compliance was moderate. The introduction of SSCs in the health care sector remains a constant challenge and requires continuous re-evaluation as well as a sensible integration into existing workflows in hospitals.

Desenvolvimento de lista de boas práticas para o processo de elevação da alvenaria

<div><p class="SPabstract">As empresas construtoras necessitam aplicar conceitos, métodos e técnicas enxutas, para a identificação de atividades que não agregam valor ao produto. Nesse contexto, inserem-se as atividades que contribuem para a melhoria dos processos construtivos. São as boas práticas que buscam eliminar fatores que gerem interrupções nos processos que ocorrem nos canteiros de obras. O objetivo deste estudo consiste em desenvolver uma lista de boas práticas para o processo de elevação da alvenaria estrutural, verificando a frequência de aplicação dessas atividades nos canteiros de obras. O método de trabalho adotado foi o de realização de entrevistas não estruturadas com os gerentes de obras, visitas técnicas e aplicação de lista de verificação para investigar a importância que os gestores dão ao uso de atividades que facilitem o trabalho. Como resultado, foi elaborada uma lista de boas práticas, que constatou que a negligência da maioria dessas atividades poderia resultar na ocorrência de perdas por making-do e, consequentemente, em retrabalhos. A aplicação do checklist nos canteiros mostrou que, mesmo sem perceber, os gerentes utilizam as boas práticas no seu dia a dia.</p></div>

Comércio de alimentos na Universidade de São Paulo: avaliação das condições higiênico-sanitárias e infraestrutura

This study investigated the good hygiene practices and handling (GHPH) and the infrastructure (IS) conditions of eight restaurants and seven street vendors located in University City Armando de Salles Oliveira of the University of Sao Paulo (UCASO-USP), using an exploratory and qualitative approach through the application of checklists. We concluded that the UCASO-USP food establishments showed acceptable compliance rates with GHPH and appropriate IS; of the two measures, performance in GHPH proved to be better than the infrastructure. The mobile street vendors analyzed showed better results in meeting the GHPH and IS standards than the fixed restaurants. The results indicated that it is possible for street vendors to maintain sufficiently sanitary conditions so as not to pose a public health risk.

Effect of checklist tool implemented in the safety management of clinical blood transfusion in intensive care unit

Objective To explore the method and effect of checklist tool implemented in the safety management of clinical blood transfusion in intensive care unit. Methods A checklist was specially designed according to the technical standard and check system of clinical blood transfusion. 379 patients prescribed a blood transfusion enrolled in ICU from January to May 2013 were conducted as the control group before the checklist was designed. After the application of checklist during the blood transfusion process, 846 patients prescribed a blood transfusion enrolled in ICU from June to December 2013 were conducted as the experimental group. The incidence of blood transfusion safety related adverse events between the two groups was compared. Results The incidence of adverse events was 1.32% (5 of 379 patients) in the control group, and there was no sign of adverse events occurred in the experimental group. The difference had statistical significance (χ2=11.21, P <0.05). Conclusion The application of checklist reduced the incidence of blood transfusion safety related adverse events, and effectively improved the quality of nursing safety and patient satisfaction. Key words: Intensive care unit; Blood transfusion safety; Adverse events; Nursing safety quality

Instruments to measure patient experience of healthcare quality in hospitals: a systematic review.

BackgroundImproving and sustaining the quality of hospital care is an international challenge. Patient experience data can be used to target improvement and research. However, the use of patient experience data has been hindered by confusion over multiple instruments (questionnaires) with unknown psychometric testing and utility.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review and utility critique of questionnaires to measure patient experience of healthcare quality in hospitals. Databases (Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System (MEDLINE), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Psychological Information (PsychINFO) and Web of Knowledge until end of November 2013) and grey literature were scrutinised. Inclusion criteria were applied to all records with a 10 % sample independently checked. Critique included (1) application of COSMIN checklists to assess the quality of each psychometric study, (2) critique of psychometric results of each study using Terwee et al. criteria and (3) development and critique of additional aspects of utility for each instrument. Two independent reviewers completed each critique. Synthesis included combining findings in a utility matrix.ResultsWe obtained 1157 records. Of these, 26 papers measuring patient experience of hospital quality of care were identified examining 11 international instruments. We found evidence of extensive theoretical/development work. The quality of methods and results was variable but mostly of a high standard. Additional aspects of utility found that (1) cost efficiency was mostly poor, due to the resource necessary to obtain reliable samples; (2) acceptability of most instruments was good and (3) educational impact was variable, with evidence on the ease of use, for approximately half of the questionnaires.ConclusionsSelecting the right patient experience instrument depends on a balanced consideration of aspects of utility, aided by the matrix. Data required for high stakes purposes requires a high degree of reliability and validity, while those used for quality improvement may tolerate lower levels of reliability in favour of other aspects of utility (educational impact, cost and acceptability).Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42013006754Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13643-015-0089-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Implementation of a quality and safety checklist for haemodialysis sessions.

BackgroundPatient survival and quality of life depend on each haemodialysis session being performed without fault. Monthly assessments of dialysis dose adequacy often fall short of this. This study reports the results of a feasibility study for the achievement of improved safety and quality in a haemodialysis session with the implementation of a 15-point checklist.MethodsFifteen quality indicators were compiled and tested in a Portuguese dialysis clinic from 1 February 2012 to 30 June 2013. The checklist was completed by the nursing staff and comprised three parts: Pre-session Safety Checks; Session Initiation Checks and Post-session Quality Checks. The maximum score that could be reached per session was 15.ResultsOne hundred and twenty-eight patients were distributed over 2–3 shifts. Of the 16 nurses employed, 4 were full time. The final average score was between 14 and 15. No nurse-specific and no shift-specific significant differences were detected. Four issues were identified that had a major effect on the results as a whole: delays in connection time; incompletely delivered treatment time; non-achievement of final body weight and failure to reach a Kt/V of at least 1.4. Improvements were most consistent in the Monday–Wednesday–Friday morning shifts compared with other shifts, and were temporarily compromised by the opening of a new shift.ConclusionsThe implementation of checklists for haemodialysis is feasible in routine clinical practice, even in clinics where only part of the staff is employed full time. The application of such checklists enhances the overall quality and safety of the delivered treatment.

The development and application of an oncology Therapy-Related Symptom Checklist for Adults (TRSC) and Children (TRSC-C) and e-health applications.

BackgroundStudies found that treatment symptoms of concern to oncology/hematology patients were greatly under-identified in medical records. On average, 11.0 symptoms were reported of concern to patients compared to 1.5 symptoms identified in their medical records. A solution to this problem is use of an electronic symptom checklist that can be easily accessed by patients prior to clinical consultations. Purpose: Describe the oncology Therapy-Related Symptom Checklists for Adults (TRSC) and Children (TRSC-C), which are validated bases for e-Health symptom documentation and management. The TRSC has 25 items/symptoms; the TRSC-C has 30 items/symptoms. These items capture up to 80% of the variance of patient symptoms. Measurement properties and applications with outpatients are presented. E-Health applications are indicated.MethodsThe TRSC was developed for adults (N = 282) then modified for children (N = 385). Statistical analyses have been done using correlational, epidemiologic, and qualitative methods. Extensive validation of measurement properties has been reported.ResultsResearch has found high levels of patient/clinician satisfaction, no increase in clinic costs, and strong correlations of TRSC/TRSC-C with medical outcomes. A recently published sequential cohort trial with adult outpatients at a Mayo Clinic community cancer center found TRSC use produced a 7.2% higher patient quality of life, 116% more symptoms identified/managed, and higher functional status.Discussion, implications, and follow-upAn electronic system has been built to collect TRSC symptoms, reassure patients, and enhance patient-clinician communications. This report discusses system design and efforts made to provide an electronic system comfortable to patients. Methods used by clinicians to promote comfort and patient engagement were examined and incorporated into system design. These methods included (a) conversational data collection as opposed to survey style or standardized questionnaires, (b) short response phrases indicating understanding of the reported symptom, (c) use of open-ended questions to reduce long lists of symptoms, (d) directed questions that ask for confirmation of expected symptoms, (e) review of symptoms at designated stages, and (d) alerting patients when the computer has informed clinicians about patient-reported symptoms.ConclusionsAn e-Health symptom checklist (TRSC/TRSC-C) can facilitate identification, monitoring, and management of symptoms; enhance patient-clinician communications; and contribute to improved patient outcomes.

Surgical checklist application and its impact on patient safety in pediatric surgery.

Background:Surgical care is an essential component of health care of children worldwide. Incidences of congenital anomalies, trauma, cancers and acquired diseases continue to rise and along with that the impact of surgical intervention on public health system also increases. It then becomes essential that the surgical teams make the procedures safe and error proof. The World Health Organization (WHO) has instituted the surgical checklist as a global initiative to improve surgical safety.Aims:To assess the acceptance, application and adherence to the WHO Safe Surgery Checklist in Pediatric Surgery Practice at a university teaching hospital.Materials and Methods:In a prospective study, spanning 2 years, the checklist was implemented for all patients who underwent operative procedures under general anesthesia. The checklist identified three phases of an operation, each corresponding to a specific period in the normal flow of work: Before the induction of anesthesia (“sign in”), before the skin incision (“time out”) and before the patient leaves the operating room (“sign out”). In each phase, an anesthesiologist,-“checklist coordinator”, confirmed that the anesthesia, surgery and nursing teams have completed the listed tasks before proceeding with the operation and exit. The checklist was used for 3000 consecutive patients.Results:No major perioperative errors were noted. In 54 (1.8%) patients, children had the same names and identical surgical procedure posted on the same operation list. The patient identification tag was missing in four (0.1%) patients. Mention of the side of procedures was missing in 108 (3.6%) cases. In 0.1% (3) of patients there was mix up of the mention of side of operation in the case papers and consent forms. In 78 (2.6%) patients, the consent form was not signed by parents/guardians or the side of the procedure was not quoted. Antibiotic orders were missing in five (0.2%) patients. In 12 (0.4%) cases, immobilization of the patients was suboptimal, which led to displacement of diathermy grounding pad. In 54 (1.8%) patients, the checklist was not used at all. In 76 (2.5%) patients the checklist was found to be incompletely filled.Conclusions:Our study supports the use of the checklist as an essential safety tool and reinforcement of the same. The checklist may act as a valuable prompt to focus the team, to ensure that even the simple things have been cared for.

Participatory ergonomics intervention for improving work-related musculoskeletal disorders in the 'One Tambon One Product' industry in Thailand.

This paper relates to the first phase one of a three-phase study. Phase 1 investigated and identified risk factors for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in 26 'One Tambon One Product' (OTOP) groups working in the informal sector. Data was collected from 93 participants in Khangkoi District, Saraburi Province, Thailand during 2009-2010. Results of inspections and direct observations of work places and interviews of managers and workers showed risk factors related to posture, repetition, force and duration in the workers' operations and the application of a checklist revealed that the OTOP groups had simple work processes. A knowledge-attitude-practice survey of managers and workers indicated that there was a moderate to high awareness regarding ergonomics and occupational safety and health principles and approximately 15% of workers reported WMSDs at a moderate level, mainly associated with lower back and shoulder pains, due to protracted periods of sitting. Specific recommendations in response to OTOP conditions and needs were made. The second phase of the study involves a participatory ergonomics worksite intervention by a number of stakeholders and the final phase deals with an evaluation of the intervention and an establishment of guidelines for ergonomics programs for OTOP groups.

LIFE CONCERNS OF ELDERLY PEOPLE LIVING AT HOME DETERMINED BY COMMUNITY GENERAL SUPPORT CENTER STAFF: IMPLICATIONS FOR ORGANIZING A MORE EFFECTIVE INTEGRATED COMMUNITY CARE SYSTEM–THE KURIHARA PROJECT

Project Description: In Japan, the integrated community care system aims to enable people to continue to live in their home towns to the end of their lives with a sense of security once they are in severe need of long-term care. Based on the concept, one of the activities of a Community General Support Center (CGSC) is to provide preventive intervention based on a Community Support Project. Currently, a Basic Checklist (BC) is sent to elderly people to identify persons appropriate for a Secondary Prevention Project. To compensate the BC by finding people not respond the BC, the staff evaluated the files of 592 subjects participating in the Kurihara project, independent of the checklist application, to identify (1) activities they cannot do that they did in the past, (2) decreased activity levels at home, (3) loss of interaction with people other than their family, and (4) need for medical interventions. This information was classified into categories of (A) no concerns, when none of these items were applicable, (B) undecided, and (C) life concerns, when any item was applicable. The relationships of these classifications with clinical information, certification of the need for long-term care, and items on the BC were subsequently examined. The numbers of subjects in categories A, B, and C were 291, 42, and 186, respectively. Life concerns defined by the staff were related to scores on the CDR, MMSE, and GDS. Medical intervention was most common in AD and exercise was most common in VaD. Most items on the BC were not associated with classification into category C, but 25% of the subjects with these items also had concerns. Of the patients with AD, 80% were classified into category C, but only 20% applied to Long-Term Care Insurance (LTCI). All VaD were in category C, but only 50% applied to LTCI.Judgment of concerns by the CGSC staff may have some clinical validity. The results of the study suggest the presence of people who do not respond the checklist or apply the LTCI thus resulting to hide in the community, probably due to apathy or depressive state.

APLIKASI CHECKLIST SAFETY BERBASIS MOBILE MENGGUNAKAN METODE JOB SAFETY ANALYSIS (JSA) UNTUK AUDIT KESEHATAN DAN KESELAMATAN KERJA (K3) DI PT.MATAHARI PUTRA PRIMA,TBK

PT Matahari Putra Prima Tbk (MPPA) is an Indonesian retail company which is the owner of the Matahari Department Store and Hypermart Supermarkets and Foodmart networks. For more than 50 years, the company group PT Matahari Putra Prima Tbk (MPPA) has successfully developed Matahari Department Store, Matahari Supermarket and finally Matahari Market Place, which is a supermarket for the premium segment in Kelapa Gading, Bogor, Serpong, Metropolis and GTC in Makassar. Since November 2002, MPPA has also operated 46 Boston Drugs &amp; Pharmacy stores in its supermarkets to support the concept of one stop shopping. However, behind all this, PT Matahari Putra Prima Tbk (MPPA) still has problems in the field of occupational health and safety (K3). This writing aims to identify, assess and provide recommendations for controlling the OSH risks that exist in PT Matahari Putra Prima Tbk (MPPA). The method used in this paper is Job Safety Analysis (JSA) based on mobile android. Data collection was carried out by means of observation, and distributing questionnaires.The results in this paper are able to analyze the need for a safety checklist with the Job Safety Analysis (JSA) method and the safety checklist application as an K3 audit tool in the PT. Matahari Putra Prima Tbk Keywords: Android ; checklist ; K3; JSA

작업관련성 근골격계질환에 있어서 작업자세 위험도의 정량적 평가방법에 대한 연구 -허리 굴곡 자세를 중심으로-

This study tried to develop a basis for quantitative index of working postures associated with WMSDs (Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders) that could overcome realistic restriction during application of typical checklists for WMSDs evaluation. The baseline data(for a total of 603 jbs) for this study was obtained from automobile manufacturing company. Specifically, data for back posture was analyzed in this study to have a better and more objective method in terms of job relevance than typical methods such as OWAS, RULA, and REBA. Major statistical tools were clustering, logistic regression and so on. The main results in this study could be summarized as follows; 1) The relationship between working posture and WMSDs symptom at back was statistically significant based on the results from logistic regression, 2) Based on clustering analysis, three levels for WMSDs risk at back were produced for flexion as follows: low risk(< <TEX>$18.5^{\circ}$</TEX>), medium risk(<TEX>$18.5^{\circ}{\sim}36.0^{\circ}$</TEX>), high risk(> <TEX>$36.0^{\circ}$</TEX>), 3) The sensitivities on risk levels of back flexion was 93.8% while the specificities on risk levels of back flexion was 99.1%. The results showed that the data associated with back postures in this study could provide a good basis for job evaluation of WMSDs at back. Specifically, this evaluation methodology was different from the methods usually used at WMSDs study since it tried to be based on direct job relevance from real working situation. Further evaluation for other body parts as well as back would provide more stability and reliability in WMSDs evaluation study.

The application of checklists in environmental studies in the field of road construction

Checklists are one of the simplest but very effective methods used in the phase of planning, preparation and verification of activities, among others in the process of environmental impact assessment. These checklists can be used as a useful tool in every phase of the evaluation process to check the quality of the data used and the work performed and to verify the completeness of the assessments. The aim of the article is to show the applicability of checklists in environmental studies in the field of road construction on the domestic examples and from abroad.

On the Use of Checklists in Auditing: A Commentary

SUMMARY Experimental studies concerning fraud (or “red flag”) checklists often are interpreted as providing evidence that checklists are dysfunctional because their use yields results inferior to unaided judgments (Hogan et al. 2008). However, some of the criticisms leveled against checklists are directed at generic checklists applied by individual auditors who combine the cues using their own judgment. Based on a review and synthesis of the literature on the use of checklists in auditing and other fields, we offer a framework for effective use of checklists that incorporates the nature of the audit task, checklist design, checklist application, and contextual factors. Our analysis of checklist research in auditing suggests that improvements to checklist design and to checklist application methods can make checklists more effective. In particular, with regard to fraud risk assessments, customizing checklists to fit both client circumstances and the characteristics of the fraud risk assessment task, along with auditor reliance on formal cue-combination models rather than on judgmental cue combinations, could make fraud checklists more effective than extant research implies.

The completeness of intervention descriptions in published NIHR HTA funded trials: a cross sectional study

Methods A checklist for assessing intervention descriptions was applied to NIHR HTA funded RCTs published in Health Technology Assessment. The checklist was piloted twice on a sample of 10 reports. Kappa scores were generated to assess agreement in the checklist application. The checklist was modified and applied to all 98 NIHR HTA funded single trial RCTs published in the journal from January 1999 March 2011. Three assessors independently applied the checklist. Disagreements in scoring were discussed in the team; differences were then explored and resolved.

Editorial: Proposed Surgical Trigeminal Neuralgia Score checklist

The authors merit congratulations for their ambitious efforts to assess the quality of surgical literature regarding the management of trigeminal neuralgia (TN).1 In the presented literature review and in the Surgical Trigeminal Neuralgia Score (STNS)–based evaluation of study rigor they attempt to 1) provide a checklist to guide future journal editorial decisions; 2) standardize patient-centered outcome measures in the TN literature; and 3) guide clinical practitioners in the application of study results to patient care situations. The authors’ creation and use of the proposed STNS scale falls short of their presented methodological standard. A single author scored most TN manuscripts; only 10% were randomly subjected to multiple reviewers to assess interobserver variability of the STNS checklist. The authors do not disclose their rate of scoring discordance, and they only note that scoring differences were reconciled by discussion. This method fails to account for potential bias in the overwhelming majority of papers that only benefited from a single STNS review. The STNS elements presented in Table 1 of this paper arbitrarily weigh clinical factors surrounding diagnosis, treatment, and complications comparably to manuscript organization, methods presentation, and Kaplan-Meier curve construction. More beta testing of the individual components of the list will be needed to be able to rank in order the elements of manuscript format and clinical data points in terms of their contribution to the model. As yet, the STNS checklist itself is not a validated tool, and great care must be taken in the introduction of any method that may shape the literature on a grand scale and carry unintended reporting bias. Naturally, use of the checklist by editorial boards in publication decisions would prompt publication of manuscripts that score higher by the STNS checklist standard. This self-fulfilling prophecy notwithstanding, the authors presume that a higher STNS corresponds with a greater ascertainment of clinical reality, and that subjective STNS checklist application will improve our understanding of TN treatment. This premise is tantalizingly intuitive, but remains unproven. As is common to many neurosurgical procedures, patient selection based on clinical presentation, past treatment, and imaging findings remains crucial to clinical success. Few randomized trials exist for surgical modalities because technical equipoise rarely exists. We would argue that this is clearly the case with microvascular decompression versus the nerve-injuring methodologies. The high STNSs reported by the authors for studies in the neurosurgical literature probably correspond with strong performance of these manuscripts in the clinical elements of the STNS scale; that is, treating neurosurgeons ask the right clinical questions. Conversely, journals with a high impact factor that emphasize aspects of the STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) formula may perform well on the STNS methodological elements, but fail to capture the TN population of interest. From this perspective, which set of papers carries greater clinical application? Despite admirable efforts toward meta-analysis, there remains a clear role for surgical expertise and discretion in the selection of patients with TN; study data further this process by offering clear-eyed understanding of benefit durability and complication profiles in the relevant study population. Although we dispute the authors’ contention that the existing literature fails to offer surgeons this information, we remain mindful of opportunities for ongoing improvements in methodological studies in the neurosurgical literature. Overall, we stand in full agreement that the standardization of outcomes assessment in TN, be it the Brief Pain Inventory–Facial favored by the authors or another metric such as the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, offers broad benefits for the field and should be carried forward. We further agree about the benefits of standard outcome tools for disease states to foster improved metaanalysis. We applaud the authors for empirically demonstrating the greater detail in the selection of patients with TN that is evident in the neurosurgical literature, and the correspondingly strong STNS for these manuscripts. Checklists such as the STNS may evolve as guides for future editorial decisions, and the resulting literature may inform but not dictate the application of study data to an individual patient care situation. (http://thejns.org/doi/abs/10.3171/2013.7.FOCUS13276)

Developing Mobile Biomedical Apps

The use of mobile devices is becoming more significant than ever within the medical engineering community. Mobile devices such as smartphones and iPads help biomedical equipment technicians (BMETs) and clinical engineers (CEs) on the job, and reduce organizational waste—an added healthcare cost savings. How many useful biomedical apps are already on the market, and what the realistic uses for mobile devices and apps within healthcare technology management (HTM) departments? In this article, we will review some mobile applications pertaining to essential BMET/CE education, some of which make for promising medical devices, and also some basic terminology to give the reader insight into the development of mobile applications. Although there are many platforms that can be used to develop apps, notably Apple, this article focuses on developing biomedical apps for the flexible Android operating system. It includes aspects from several applications we are working on, to give an idea of what the development process can entail, including: • A mobile preventive maintenance procedure and checklist application • A mobile file-sharing program for reference documents, hazard recalls, and technical manuals that can be stored in a central repository • A clinical engineering encyclopedia that includes biomedical terms, pertinent scientific mathematical equations, calculators, abbreviations, acronyms, and jargon; (as well as listing institutions, projects, and other external databases) • A mobile computerized maintenance-management system

Design and application of quality improvement checklist of catheter-related blood stream infection in the intensive care units

Objective To design quality improvement checklist of catheter-related blood stream infection (CRBSI),in order to improve the nursing quality of ICU and ensure nursing safety.Methods A new ICU quality improvement checklist of CRBSI was designed and applied for the quality control of the patients with central venous catheter from April to June 2012.The using rate of central venous catheter and incidence of CRBSI were observed.Results After application of the checklists,the using rate of central venous catheter was decreased and the incidence of CRBSI was decreased.Conclusions The checklist may help improve the prevention and control of CRBSI in ICU. Key words: Forms and records control; Intensive care unit; Quality control; Catheter-related blood stream infection