eBook formats for medical literature

EBooks are here to stay, and are changing the way Medicine is studied. The sheer volume and weight of Medical literature makes it the ideal candidate for 'Whole batch" conversions to an eBook readable format.

The Mobipocket file format is a binary format for the distribution of eBooks. It is one implementation of the Open eBook Publication format with a number of proprietary extensions. The Open eBook Publication format is developed and specified by the IDPF (International Digital Publishing Forum) an independent organization formerly known as the Open eBook Consortium. As a consequence, the Mobipocket format is based on HTML and is reflowable. Mobipocket supports most features of standard HTML to format and layout text and images.

A few other noteworthy formats include EPUB and Fictionbook. Kindly note that i have not considered any of the non-Open standards.

The .epub or OEBPS format is an open standard for e-books created by the International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF). Currently, the format can be read by the Apple iPad, Barnes and Noble Nook, Sony Reader, BeBook, Adobe Digital Editions, Lexcycle Stanza, BookGlutton, AZARDI, Aldiko and WordPlayer on Android. Several other reader software programs are currently implementing support for the format, such as dotReader, FBReader, Mobipocket, uBook and Okular. Another software .epub reader, Lucidor, is in beta. Notably, Kindle still does not support this format.

The Kindle supports Mobipocket file format, PDF file format, Amazon's proprietary DRM-restricted format (AZW), as well as the PRC and the TXT formats. 

Eveda format is used for Multimedia EBooks.The 'multimedia eBook' term is used in contrast to media which only utilize traditional forms of printed or text book. Multimedia EBook includes a combination of text, audio, still images, animation, video, and interactivity content forms.

My Choices for Medical Literature ?- At present, it is PDFs and Mobi, besides EPUB.

Waiting for a suitable multimedia enabled file format, with annotation and bookmarking support.

Images- Wikimedia Commons.

Related articles

• eBooks: What to read on which reader (theregister.co.uk)
• Apple iPad eBook App is called 'iBooks' [IBooks] (i.gizmodo.com)
• Re: Kindle v. Netbook v. ePub, Bookworm and Stanza (stephankinsella.com)

Just what the Doctor requires- an "iTablet" !

Apple has created many Gadgets/ applications which have changed the face of health care. The apple "iTablet", when it does come out, could be another such device.
(They called it "iPad" !)

For years, efforts have been made to integrate the use of Tablet PCs in Hospitals. Conventional laptops are just too bulky/big to carry during clinical rounds, and most hand held devices almost "actively" resist being "button-punched". :-)

The much awaited "iTablet" may just be what the Doctor requires!

Take a look at a few of Apple"s e-Health friendly offerings, (via ReadWriteWeb.com)

Mobile Health Momentum

The iPhone has already changed the face of healthcare. Apple shared this fact at last year's iPhone OS 3.0 release and within the keynote at WWDC. The momentum that started with consumer applications has moved to forward-looking doctors and health providers. We know that it is becoming common practice for some doctors and nurses to carry both their company-issued Blackberry and their personally purchased iPhone.

There are already amazing applications in the market. AirStrip allows doctors to monitor patient vital signs and receive alerts from afar. There are now personal health records that can be carried and updated from anywhere.

Additionally, there are information-rich applications that allow nurses, doctors and patients to look up health information in real time. Last week during the Haiti tragedy, an injured individual was able to use an iPhone to treat himself using an first aid application on the iPhone.

Clinician Ready-

Apple and EPIC systems have been collaborating to release the first version of MyChartManager on the iPhone. EPIC is a leading provider of EHR in the United States, and powers systems such as Kaiser Permanente and Palo Alto Medical Foundation in the Bay Area, to name a few. The application, named Haiku was released on Jan. 13, 2010, and several health systems are in the process of testing it. It's a clear contender for the "killer app" in the hospital setting. Looking at the screenshots, it's clear that more screen real estate would be ideal - which means it may be just the right time for an iTablet-like device to emerge on the market.

It's the Apps

It is nearly certain that iPhone OS 4.0 will create a path for existing applications to "upsize" to a tablet device, and this includes size. The medical category today is already the highest-aggregate-priced category on the App Store today, and with the promise of applications inside the clinical walls, the opportunity gets much larger.

The iPhone-to-tablet combination may be the biggest reason that a tablet is successful in the market, since the entire iPhone developer community will be able to deliver on this new platform. With Apple's success in having an integrated OS that shares core libraries across both the Mac and iPhone, it is likely that a table device will also connect with apps from both the iPhone and the Mac.

Related articles

• How the Apple Tablet will benefit patients, help doctors, and impact health care (kevinmd.com)
• Top 25 Medical Applications - iPhone 3GS 2009 (openmedicine.ca)
• Using iPhone as CDSS (neeleshbhandari.blogspot.com)

3 Acne Home Remedies I Highly Recommend

Acne home remedies are the cheapest ways to treat your skin problem. There are three major ways to improve your skin condition using home ingredients. On the other hand, it is equally important that you take note of each ingredient. It is then vital that you choose the treatment that would not pose further irritation to your skin. Otherwise, your allergies may be triggered leading to worsening your acne.

#1 - Herbal treatment and medicinal plants

Almost all types of diseases and illnesses can be treated with these ingredients. Do not be scared to explore these medicinal plants as these have been used over hundreds of years since the earliest civilizations begun to treat other wounds and skin problems. Acne home remedies with the use of different herbs do not only prevent further pimple breakouts but save your money as well. Some plants could even come right from your own garden or kitchen. Here are some herbal treatments:

Among the hundreds of aloe varieties, the aloe barbadensis and aloe arborescens are most effective in treating acne. They both have natural cooling gel inside their leaves but the former puts out better results. This is easy to apply. Cut down a whole leaf and slit it down the middle until yellow latex oozes. Use the juice. You can also remove the skin of the leaf and gel will come out. Rinse the gel under cold water. Apply generously on affected areas.

Peppermint and spearmint are effective acne home remedies too due to their menthol content that serves as anti-inflammation. Crush several leaves until an ample amount of juice comes out. Apply this onto affected area and leave for 5-10 minutes.

Lastly, the nettle leaves can be used two ways - as tea or in pill form. Remember to use gloves when handling fresh leaves as these have natural inflammatory properties. Pour boiling water over a handful of leaves. Let it soak for 5 minutes then drink it with honey or lemon. There are also available tea bags but are less effective. When you purchase dried nettle pills, be sure to drink lots of water when taking them.

#2 - Natural concoctions

You can mix your own acne home remedies using fruits, spices and ready foods. Some of the popular mixtures are:

1. equal parts of lemon juice and rose water; 15-30 minute application
2. pre-cooked single serving of plain oatmeal and ¼ cup honey; 10-20 minute application
3. honey and cinnamon powder paste; overnight application
4. unboiled milk and gram flour; daily wash
5. fresh fenugreek leaves and water; overnight application

#3 - Vitamin and mineral supplements

Among the acne home remedies, this last suggestion is the easiest to maintain. All you have to do is to include regular intake of vitamins C and E, and mineral zinc with your daily diet. Antioxidants in these help skin rejuvenation.

Combine these suggestions with a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables and fresh juice. Exclude oily and fatty foods that could trigger sebaceous glands to secrete more skin oil. In no time at all, you can see your skin improved a lot better.

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How to Remove Blackheads? - Discover These Effective Remedies That Deliver Real Results!

Steaming and cleansing is one of the best ways to remove your blackheads. If you are attempting to remove the blackheads yourself make sure you use sterile materials. If you are still unsure of how to remove your blackheads it would be better to consult a local dermatologist.

How To Remove Blackheads, Incongruities & Irritations

Blackheads are the first stage of acne. They occur mostly because of the hormonal changes in your body or the excess of oil on the skin. There are many conditions that may cause or even worsen blackheads. Some of these causes can be the use of oily makeup or an unhygienic lifestyle. Blackheads are most likely to develop on people with very oily skin.

Causes

Blackheads usually develop on oily skin. Hormonal changes also play a big part in the formation of blackheads. They also appear because of insufficient cleaning of the skin. When you do not take care of your skin properly, the dead skin cells accumulate within the pores. These dead cells in turn clog the pore's opening which secretes the oil in excess, which forms the blackheads.

Another cause can be the excess use of makeup on oily skin. If your skin is not oily and you are getting blackheads, it means that you are using an excess of oily makeup not suitable for your skin. Moisturizers, foundations and sunscreens should be used that suit your skin type.

Preventions

Cleansing is essential for your skin especially before going to bed. Too much scrubbing has been found to be one of the reasons that result in skin blemishes. Excessive oil is not beneficial as our skin needs only a small amount of oil to keep it healthy.

Therefore, regular cleansing is recommended for everyone. You should be cleansing your skin every night regardless of whether you have blackheads or not. Initial signs of blackheads can be hard to spot so try to make your skin clean and clear with a healthy diet and by drinking plenty of water. If your skin is dirty you will see the bumps come out of the skin in the form of blackheads.

Therefore, it is advised to ensure that your living environment is extremely clean.

Professionals can offer deep cleansing facial treatments designed to keep skin clear of blackheads. The cost of these treatments may be a little high for your budget, but most are happy with the results and feel it is worth it in the long run. Keeping blemish free skin can be achieved if you stick to a well balanced routine of cleansing, eating well and keeping active. The question of 'how to remove blackheads' will be a thing of the past.

Troy Vayanos has helped hundreds of people worldwide clear up their acne and feel great about themselves. Discover how you can enjoy vibrant, healthy, acne and pimple free skin... and it doesn't involve magical potions, products, lotions or gimmicks.
Get all you need to know about how to remove blackheads
right here at http://www.RapidAcneCure.com.

Increase in EHR / EMR use, CDC study says

EHR use is slowly but surely inching ahead. 

Healthcareitnews.com reports that four of every 10 office-based physicians use electronic health records, according to 2009 preliminary estimates by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention..The estimates are based on the CDC's National Ambulatory Medical Survey (NAMCS), an annual nationally representative survey of patient visits to office-based physicians that collects information on the use of electronic medical records or electronic health records.

According to the estimates for 2009, 

• 43.9 percent of physicians reported using full or partial EMR/EHR systems (not including systems used solely for billing) in office-based practices. 

• About 20.5 percent reported having systems that meet the criteria of a basic system, (A basic system is defined as having patient demographic information, patient problem lists, clinical notes, orders for prescriptions and viewing laboratory and imaging results)

• 6.3 percent reported using a fully functional system.(these include include medical history and follow-up, orders for tests, prescription and test orders sent electronically, warnings of drug interactions or contraindications, highlighting of out-of-range test levels and reminders for guideline-based interventions.)

The survey indicates that from 2007-2008, physicians' use of any EMR system increased by 18.7 percent and the percentage of physicians reporting having systems that meet the criteria of a basic system increased by 41.5 percent.

 Related articles

• The Greatest Health IT Achievement in 2009 (medicineandtechnology.com)
• New HL7 Standard for EHRs and Clinical Research (tissuepathology.typepad.com)
• EMRs: Don't Wait for the Government (in3.typepad.com)

Healthcare in early 21st century

Healthcare in the 21st century faces many challenges. Optimum integration of communications technologies can dramatically improve access to quality health care.Services can be made available to almost anyone, at any time, at any location. Besides traditional health service outlets, locations as varied as retail stores, community centers, office buildings, hotels, shopping malls, rural outposts, and homes can become effective care-delivery points.

Cisco HealthPresence is a new concept developed by the Cisco Internet Business Solutions Group (IBSG) and prototyped at the Cisco Technology Centre. Using the "Advanced technologies" network as a platform, Cisco HealthPresence combines state-of-the-art video, audio, and medical information to create an environment similar to what most people experience when they visit their doctor or health specialist.

Related articles 

• MDLiveCare providesTeleHealth on Google Health (medicineandtechnology.com)
• "Connected Health" Prevention Could Cut U.S. Healthcare Costs By Up To 40 Percent - Survey (ducknetweb.blogspot.com)

Demystifying HL7

HL7 was founded in 1987 to produce a standard for hospital information systems.It was accredited in 1994 by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). HL7 standards specify a number of flexible standards, guidelines, and methodologies by which various healthcare systems can communicate with each other. Such guidelines or data standards are a set of rules that allow information to be shared and processed in a uniform and consistent manner. These data standards are meant to allow healthcare organizations to easily share clinical information.

This is a simple explanation using fun animation explaining how HL7 works.

Related article

• New HL7 Standard for EHRs and Clinical Research (tissuepathology.typepad.com)