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I. INTRODUCTION This is not a tale of robots gone wild or other stuff of science fiction. Rather, this is about real-life situations that have occurred or are likely to [...]

The proposed EU directive on the sale of consumer goods and associated guarantees, as approved in April 1998, will provide a minimum level of consumer protection across the EU. The directive establishes legal guarantees which create remedies for goods not conforming to the sales contract and commercial guarantees which create remedies for goods not conforming to the seller's express promise. The directive should set the stage for a higher level of consumer protection in the future.

Byline: Maria Papadakis, Frances E. Zollers, Sandra N. Hurd We report here the results of a pilot study on the impact of strict liability on consumer product innovation in US businesses. Our research takes advantage of a unique historical event: the introduction of strict liability in the European Union (EU) in 1985. The adoption of a strict liability doctrine in the EU allows us to observe directly whether corporate innovation practices are sensitive to liability influences. We surveyed two US consumer products industries as test cases for a more comprehensive study that is currently under way. Based on the findings from these two industries (lawn and garden equipment, and toys), it appears that strict liability does not have a negative impact on US business: liability did not appear to cause firms to exit the EU market, to create a barrier to entry in the EU market, reduce our firms' market share in the EU, or inhibit their innovativeness. Our findings reinforce the impression that liability does not intrinsically inhibit innovation or competitiveness, and in fact stimulates certain kinds of innovations.

EPIC, an electronic medical record (EMR), has the capability for patients to enter their own data through the patient portal, MyChart. However, this function was not utilized. Intake specialists e-mailed paper intake forms, which were returned by fax and scanned into EPIC. The nurse coordinator (NC) also called patients, gathered data by phone, and manually entered it into the EMR. The purpose was to provide patients with an electronic form via MyChart to complete before their visit engaging them to actively participate in their own care. The project workflow was designed to save nursing, administration, and transcription time. An Epic Optimization request was placed to initiate a disease specific fillable form to be added to MyChart for New Patient Intake in the Breast Clinic of Women's Oncology Services. The NC collaborated with the nurse analyst from the EPIC team to develop the form and create a new workflow. They trained the clinical staff on how to access the information and reconcile the medical record. After the electronic forms were developed, the intake staff was trained and a physician champion was identified to pilot the project. A total of 20 female patients participated in the pilot; 13/20 (65%) were diagnosed with breast cancer and 7/20 (35%) had benign breast issues. The age range was from 33-86 with the mean age of 61. A total of 15/20 (75%) completed the two questionnaires. Participants' feedback included ease, speed and simplicity of form completion, and reduction of redundant paperwork. Team member comments revealed major time savings, efficiency, and security of patient information. More nursing time remained to support the patient. After the pilot project was complete, it was presented at breast center leadership and staff meetings. The nurse analyst and NC provided individual and group training for staff. Smart phrases were developed and shared with staff for data input into the EMR. A full roll out was implemented with plans to expand to other disease teams. This workflow fully utilizes the EMR and allows patients to participate in their own care. It ensures that the medical record is accurate, secures patient data, and reduces redundancy. The information can be re-viewed prior to the visit and the process saves valuable nursing time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]