E-Sakura System Overview

What is the E-Sakura System?	Key Points	Sales Information

Custom Options	Frequently Asked Questions	Contact Details

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What is the E-Sakura System?

The E-Sakura System is tool for recording and storing the clinical status of a group patients. Importantly, an individual clinical status is recorded as a series of numbers, called the Patient Numerical Array, that enables a detailed analysis of the clinical results. Yet these clinical results are presented in a simple and efficient manner. A deeper insight into the principles underlying the E-Sakura System approach can be found in 'Outcome Space and the Clinical Efficacy of Medical Devices'.

The current application of the the E-Sakura System focuses on the analysis of outcome after orthopaedic joint replacement surgery. Consequently, the system incorporates appropriate images for the collection of radiographic data. In addition, the following standard assessment forms are included:-

Harris Hip Score
PRRAFFSWWAO Hip Score
BOA Knee Score
HSS Knee Score
Constant Shoulder Score

New or modified forms of assessment may easily be created by simply modifying the Assessment Definition File (ADF). An Assessment Definition File Library that includes many other outcome analysis methods is available to download and use.

The E-Sakura System has applications in a broad range of medical disciplines. It is envisaged that the system will expand to include new graphics and assessment systems as new applications emerge.

The E-Sakura System is a screen-based questionnaire which can include any queries likely to feature in a typical follow-up consultation. The screens are configured so that information can be included into a database in a most efficient manner, encoding the information in the Patient Numerical Array which becomes a descriptor of patient condition.

Stickers containing this numerical description of outcome can be included into the patient's clinical notes where they form a shorthand alternative to the written clinical document. A clinician can become adept at identifying numerical patterns which indicate concern.

The clinical information is also collected in the computer database and can be recalled to show how the treatment of a particular patient is performing. Furthermore, because of the consistency of the follow-up, powerful statistical applications, such as Survival Analysis are available for use. The average scores of a group of patients who receive a particular treatment can give an appreciation of the efficacy of that treatment. A deviant numerical pattern may indicate cases where a close future scrutiny is warranted. The correlation of the clinical scores with success or failure may define numerical patterns which are indicative of outcome. In each case the E-Sakura System may be of use to assist clinical decision making.

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E-Sakura Key Points

Versatile Windows-based clinical questionnaire: For efficient data entry, switching between different groups of patients and a rapid modification of the clinical questionnaire.

NOTa full function medical database: The E-Sakura System is dedicated to collection and analysis of clinical data only. It is designed for use during a clinical consultation.

Encodes patient status as a numerical array: Enables a rapid, intuitive assessment of clinical status together with powerful numerical tools for the analysis of the clinical data.

Patient Datafile in Microsoft Access format: For further database queries and analysis and to exchange of data with other software packages.

Comprehensive on-line help facilities: Problem-solving assistance during program operation.

Step-by-Step help screens: Takes a user from Assessment Definition File (ADF) creation to Patient Datafile analysis.

Rapid switching between different ADF's: Option for treatment-specific database files and follow-ups.

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E-Sakura Sales Information

Customers may purchase copies of the E-Sakura System by cheque or international postal money orders in UK Sterling, Euro or US dollars.

Alternatively, E-Sakura System purchases may be conducted using a Purchase Order with an Institutional Purchase Order Number.

Prices	UK Sterling	Euro	US Dollars
Single Copy	£99.00	160 euro	$160.00
2 - 9 Copies	£69.00	110 euro	$110.00
10 + Copies	£negotiable	negotiable	$negotiable

The above prices are exclusive of U.K. Value Added Tax which only applies to UK and EC customers. Non-UK customers who are European Union residents may supply a valid EC VAT registration number for VAT exemption.

Also available is a Neural E-Sakura System which integrates a neural network analysis of the clinical data collected by the E-Sakura System. The Neural E-Sakura System is available free to E-Sakura System users but requires the standard program to be loaded.

To order the E-Sakura System contact E-Tech Ltd. at Contact Details

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Custom E-Sakura Options

Various options exist to customise the E-Sakura System for a particular user, institution or company. Within the program itself the *HOSPITAL keyword allows some scope for a special identification on each of the data entry forms. Further to this, the program itself can be modified to include the following:-

The display graphics may be changed to include a logo of a hospital or a picture of the particular prosthesis.

The x-ray form can be modified to include a graphic of a particular prosthetic design with the radio-lucent areas modified accordingly. This new graphic can be assigned a new *APPLICATION identification allocated to the customer.

The opening 'About' form may include special messages or advertisements.

The E-Sakura data collection screens may themselves be modified to suit a special customer requirement.

For further information about these opportunities to customise the E-Sakura System contact E-Tech Ltd. at Contact Details

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E-Sakura Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the system called E-Sakura?: The name Sakura is derived from the Japanese cherry tree of the same name. The flower of this tree is small and unpretentious, but when the sakura is in full bloom it is beautiful and captures the imagination. It is an image of something which is both simple and very powerful. The E-Sakura System design goal is to create a clinical tool which is both simple to use but offers powerful support to aid clinical decision making.

Can the E-Sakura System be interfaced to other clinical database systems?: The E-Sakura System saves all the clinical data in a Microsoft Access format and thus can be read by any database which offers this facility. Depending on the nature of the clinical database system, there may be a need for a translation program, which can be written in Access code, to alter the table structure to become useful to other systems.

Can the E-Sakura Patient Datafile by analysed outside the system?: The E-Sakura System offers the opportunity to clip and paste analysis data to other Windows applications such as a spreadsheet for improved graphical displays. Also, Microsoft Access has powerful data analysis and query facilities which can be used directly with the E-Sakura Patient Datafile.

Are there any problems with Y2K dates?: The Y2K problem has been dealt with in the E-Sakura database files by storing all dates as text files and then using the program logic to deal with dates that are pre- and post- year 2000. Therefore, the E-Sakura System is able to deal with dates on either side of the Millennium even in the same patient follow-up.

What versions of Windows will run the E-Sakura System?: The system that is available for download will run on Window 3.x and Window 95/98 installations. It is a 16-bit system that is very fast on the latest capability machines. However, it does retain some of the 16-bit de-merits, such as a limitation to 8-letter filenames. A 32-bit version of the program is under development and should be available in early 2000.

Why does the program only download into the c:sakura directory?: The download E-Sakura System includes several standard follow-up Assessment Definition Files that make reference to databases in the c:sakura directory. Therefore, if a user were to load the program into another directory, these database references will not work and the problem may initially be interpreted as a problem with the program. This is avoided by fixing the download directory to c:sakura. However, when you become familiar with the E-Sakura System you can run the program from any directory by making the appropriate adjustments in the ADF.

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