In this paper we present a complete methodology for efficient electro-mechanical characterization of a CMOS compatible MEMS technology. Using an original test structure, the so-called “U-shape cantilever beam,” we are able to determine all mechanical characteristics of force sensors constituted with elementary beams in a given technology. A complete set of electro-mechanical relations for the d...

Medication errors occur frequently and are associated with significant clinical and financial consequences.1 Health care technologies are increasingly being introduced into the health care system to improve the efficiency, quality, and safety of medical care. Because medication errors can occur at any point during the medication use process (see example in Figure 7-1 on page 104), the implement...

Medication errors and adverse drug events (ADEs) are serious hazards for patients all over the world. Reports of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) estimate that a patient in an US-hospital faces at least one medication error per day [1, 2]. Most medication errors, and a majority of ADEs, occur during the prescription phase of the medication cycle [3 –5]. Amongst other approaches, the Institute of...

BACKGROUND 'Organisational governance'--the systems, processes, behaviours and cultures by which an organisation leads and controls its functions to achieve its objectives--is seen as an important influence on patient safety. The features of 'good' governance remain to be established, partly because the relationship between governance and safety requires more investigation. AIMS To describe e...

In the clinical/microbiological laboratory there are currently several ways of separating specific cells from a fluid suspension. Conventionally cells can be separated based on size, density, electrical charge, light-scattering properties, and antigenic surface properties. Separating cells using these parameters can require complex technologies and specialist equipment which may damage sensitiv...

Context: Medication alerting systems are promising technologies but suffer from a poor usability. Objective: In order to help manufacturers of medication-related alerting systems improve the usability of their systems, this paper aims to provide evidence-based usability design principles. Methodology: Two independent analyses of the literature have been performed to identify, on the one hand, u...

Medication safety continues to be a growing concern in the healthcare industry. Providing medication information to consumers and supporting selfmanagement would help to reduce medication errors and to increase medication adherence. This paper reviews the persuasive systems design features used in current medication management applications for consumers. A database search was conducted to ident...