X-Message-Number: 2426
From: whscad1!kqb (Kevin Q Brown +1 201 386 7344)
Subject: CRYONICS: Medical Software

I just saw a medical software catalog, called "The Alpha Media
Catalog," which may have some applications useful for cryonicists.
It lists a Stedman's medical dictionary and spelling checker plus
two volumes of medical clip art, which may be useful when creating
cryonics-related magazine articles or handbooks.  It also features
several programs intended to be medical teaching tools.  I would
like to hear from medically-knowledgeable people an assessment of
the quality and usefulness of these programs.

The catalog text admits that computer programs cannot replace one-on-one
teaching or hands-on experience in medicine.  The claim, though, is
that in addition to on-line databases, diagnostic decision aids, and
therapeutic simulators,
  "another useful computer application is the interactive simulation
  of medical emergencies through programs such as Advanced Cardiac
  Life Support, in which solving multiple problems under the pressure
  of elapsed-time is critical to success."
You can get both a "Cardiac Arrest" and "Code Team" simulator for $109.,
a Blood Gases tutorial for another $49., and an emergency room
simulator called "Trauma One," which tests your decision-making under
pressure, for $99.  These all run on DOS.  For more information call
1-800-832-1000.

Again, I don't know if these programs are any good, but the topics
and prices should give you some idea of the market rate for this
type of application.  They might also give you some ideas for creating
cryonics-related software.  Since cryonics organizations seem to have
an abundance of computer programmers but only a few medical experts,
perhaps a few programmers can find one or two helpful suspension team
experts to create the following:

  Down Time - Learn how to determine if and when a patient is going
     down, to enable timely deployment of the transport team.
     (Sending the team in too late obviously compromises the suspension,
     but sending the team in too early can result in greatly increased
     expense as well as making the transport team unavailable for other
     patients or projects.)  Become an expert in agonal signs.

  Transport - Master the logistics and skills of remote transport;
     gain the cooperation of the local medical and legal establishment,
     apply medication and HLR upon pronouncement, coordinate patient
     and PIB movement, and even do a remote washout.  Includes checklist
     for medications, equipment, and RONK (Remain Over Night Kit).

  Suspension - Place yourself in one of the roles of a cryonic
     suspension team!  Perform the thoracic surgery, prepare and apply
     the perfusates, monitor blood chemistry and temperature, or do
     the cephalic isolation.  Includes a bonus module for monitoring
     cooldown to liquid nitrogen temperature.

Those are just suggestions off the top of my head.  I expect that
more knowledgeable people can suggest much better possibilities.

Working programs of this kind could be useful not only for the transport
and suspension teams of cryonics organizations, but also as an educational
tool for the computer-using public.  If they are made sufficiently
entertaining, shareware versions should spread fairly quickly among
BBS systems and the Internet.  Maybe even a few dollars will find their
way to the developers, too.
				       Kevin Q. Brown
				       
				       

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