Abstract: A decision support system provides workflow optimization for healthcare providers. A data repository includes patient profile data and receives real-time patient condition data from a sensor network and workflow data for the provider. The system determines a relative risk value for patients with respect to a negative outcome such as hospital transfer, and defines at-risk patients with respect to the determined negative outcome. Positive outcomes having an inverse correlation with respect to the negative outcome are determined, such as hospice admission without transfer. A clinical workflow is defined as a sequence of treatment stages associated with the determined positive outcome, and provider activity tracked for the at-risk patients with respect to first threshold values, the system further tracking a degree of provider compliance with the clinical workflow stages based on second threshold values.

Abstract: A method of laser milling an aperture in a workpiece for use with manufacturing ink-jet nozzles includes initially illuminating a surface of the workpiece with a laser beam at a point within an outer perimeter of a desired aperture and a distance away from the outer perimeter sufficient to substantially avoid initial ablation of the outer perimeter. The laser beam is driven substantially in the direction of the outer perimeter at a variable rate controlled to avoid deformation of the outer perimeter. Material of the workpiece is ablated in a pattern designed to substantially remove material within the outer perimeter, thereby forming the aperture.

Abstract: A method of laser milling an aperture in a workpiece for use with manufacturing ink-jet nozzles includes initially illuminating a surface of the workpiece with a laser beam at a point within an outer perimeter of a desired aperture and a distance away from the outer perimeter sufficient to substantially avoid initial ablation of the outer perimeter. The laser beam is driven substantially in the direction of the outer perimeter at a variable rate controlled to avoid deformation of the outer perimeter. Material of the workpiece is ablated in a pattern designed to substantially remove material within the outer perimeter, thereby forming the aperture.