GekoTM: a new revolution in DVT prophylaxis?

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the formation of coagulated blood in one of the deep venous systems of the lower limbs, which is usually instigated by venous stasis, already-present endothelial damage of the veins and a predisposition to hypercoagulability.  Despite the many advances in pharmacological prophylaxis for post-surgical DVT, it still remains a highly prevalent problem with an annual incidence of 80 cases per 100,000 and up to 50% causing life-threatening pulmonary embolism (PE)[1].  Furthermore, with the use of pharmacological prophylaxis, there is a need to balance out immediate post-surgical haemorrhage with the formation of DVT.

Information at the fingertips as UptoDate releases smartphone application.

By Alan Sit.

UpToDate®, is a service that helps clinicians provide the best possible care for their patients. The database has over 9,000 peer reviewed topics across 19 different branches of medicine. Whilst it has existed as an online internet site format, the resource has recently been released into the Apple Inc App Store ©.The UpToDate application boasts access to extensive clinical content with your iPhone for the answers you need at the point of care, without leaving your patient’s side.

Revolution in dermatoscopy

By Alan Sit.

A recent application and device has been released into the Apple Inc App Store © that could prove to be quite useful by dermatologists. The Handyscope © FotoFinder Inc., is able to capture high resolution dermoscopic photos for easy, quick and convenient check-ups for skin cancers.

The attachment is a case made with an easy-to-use slide-in mechanism so that the iPhone © is secured tightly in an optimal position for the lens of the case to sit exactly in front of the iPhone © camera. To capture pictures, install theHandyscope app from the app store and simply put the lens on the patient’s skin. The Handyscope will provide the right standardized zoom with auto-focus and polarized light. Freeze and save the image with just one tap. Since the camera can capture images from 5x to 20x magnification, the brilliant dermatoscopic photos show important details at a glance, a may give greater resolution than a conventional dermatoscope.

Latest conference news: the mHealth summit

By Mr Alan Sit.

The third annual mHealth Summit recently concluded at the The Gaylord National Resort and Conventional Centre in the National Harbour, Washing DC during the 5th -7th December, 2011. The aim of the summit is to promote and exhibit technology related to health, especially wireless medical technology along with clinical research and business.

A smarter way to conduct medical research.

One of the challenges of population based medical research exists in the process of data collection. This is particularly relevant in study methodologies involving surveys and questionnaires whereby subject response rate can be perilously low.¹ Such deficiencies can compromise the quality of the study through introduction of bias and may limit the degree to which the data can be extrapolated and applied in daily practice. Furthermore, population data collection through traditional survey methods, especially those issued in mail is often limited by poor response rates and high attrition rates of surveys that were simply not returned.²