PURPOSE Computerised decision support systems are designed to support clinicians in making decisions and thereby enhance the quality and safety of care. We aimed to undertake an interpretative review of the empirical evidence on computerised decision support systems, their contexts of use, and summarise evidence on the effectiveness of these tools and insights into how these can be successfully...

Tibiofemoral alignment has a direct correlation with the survival of total knee arthroplasty. Traditionally, it has been measured using a goniometer on radiographs. We describe new software which measures this alignment on scanned radiographs by automatically detecting bones in the image. Two surgeons used conventional methods and two clerical officers used the computerised routine to assess 58...

THIS ARTICLE sets out to examine the potential uses of computer software in infection control, and also discusses the advantages and disadvantages of using computers to enhance infection control in hospitals. The role of the infection control nurse is broadly categorised into one of advisory, education, research and surveillance (Law 1993, Worsley 1988). These categories are explored in relatio...

OBJECTIVES To evaluate inter-observer agreement for microscopic measurement of inflammation in synovial tissue using manual quantitative, semiquantitative and computerised digital image analysis. METHODS Paired serial sections of synovial tissue, obtained at arthroscopic biopsy of the knee from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), were stained immunohistochemically for T lymphocyte (CD3) ...

QUESTIONS UNDER STUDY Computerised order entry and clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) are considered to be important strategies to safeguard drug treatment. Although their dissemination is nationally enforced in Switzerland, current implementation rates vary. Moreover, types and implementation modes of CDSSs can differ substantially. This study maps the implementation of computerised ord...

Presently used dietary-assessment methods often present difficulties for researchers and respondents, and misreporting errors are common. Methods using information and communication technologies (ICT) may improve quality and accuracy. The present paper presents a systematic literature review describing studies applying ICT to dietary assessment. Eligible papers published between January 1995 an...