Task analysis and interoperable application services for service event management.

In addition to the information specifications for electronic health records, functional and behavioral capabilities need to be agreed to achieve interoperability. In this paper, we present results from task analysis and specification of software services to support the management of service events. The work has been performed to support the management of the nationally shared EPR in Finland.

Approaching harmonised medication information management through process and information modelling.

Medication information should be available in a correct content and format and where and when needed in medical care. In this paper process and information models are presented in order to identify the items, their relations, contents, sources and use contexts of medication information. The motivation for this study has been to develop a harmonized information model for medication information to overcome current problems and pitfalls in medication information management and information accessibility.

Task analysis and application services for cross-organizational scheduling and citizen eBooking.

In this paper, we present generalized results from the task analysis and definition of software services to support healthcare appointment and services scheduling, based on national coordination project for citizen e-services in Finland which involves several regional initiatives. The results are part of guidelines for regional-level and national-level scheduling solutions in Finland, and can be used in similar efforts. The specification of a functional reference model and software services for appointment scheduling promotes interoperability and systems adaptability for the transformation of health services and citizen empowerment.

Surgical or nonoperative treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis? A randomized controlled trial.

Study Design: A randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of decompressive surgery as compared with nonoperative measures in the treatment of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

Summary Of Background Data: No previous randomized trial has assessed the effectiveness of surgery in comparison with conservative treatment for spinal stenosis.

Bacterial arthritis in the elderly: an overview.

The key to successful treatment of acute bacterial arthritis is early diagnosis and initiation of empirical antibacterial therapy. Treatment includes antimicrobial therapy, debridement of the infected joint and treatment of pain. Empirical antibacterial treatment should be re-evaluated as soon as the causative pathogen is identified from joint fluid and other cultures.