A Novel Health Information Technology Communication System to Increase Caregiver Activation in the Context of Hospital-Based Pediatric Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation: A Pilot Study.

Background: Pediatric hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), commonly referred to as blood and marrow transplantation (BMT), is an intense treatment modality that requires the involvement of engaged caregivers during the patient's (child's) prolonged hospitalization. The ubiquity of electronic health records (EHRs) and a trend toward patient-centered care could allow a novel health information technology (IT) system to increase parental engagement. The paucity of research on acute care, hospital-based (inpatient) health IT applications for patients or caregivers provides an opportunity for testing the feasibility of such applications.

User-Centered Design Groups to Engage Patients and Caregivers with a Personalized Health Information Technology Tool.

Health information technology (IT) has opened exciting avenues for capturing, delivering and sharing data, and offers the potential to develop cost-effective, patient-focused applications. In recent years, there has been a proliferation of health IT applications such as outpatient portals. Rigorous evaluation is fundamental to ensure effectiveness and sustainability, as resistance to more widespread adoption of outpatient portals may be due to lack of user friendliness.

Sputum trace metals are biomarkers of inflammatory and suppurative lung disease.

Background: Induced sputum cytology and protein biomarkers can be used to assess airways inflammation. Increases in sputum iron have been described in inflammatory lung disease. We hypothesized that other sputum metals may be affected by airways inflammation and investigated their potential value as biomarkers.

Potentially clinically toxic concentrations of whole blood manganese in a patient fed enterally with a high tea consumption.

This report describes a 37-year-old female patient who after seven years on intermittent overnight enteral feeding supplementation was noted to have an increased whole blood manganese concentration. Manganese toxicity is well documented after pathological absorption through inhalation via the lungs, or after intravenous administration to patients on long-term total parenteral nutrition. A dietary history revealed high tea consumption.