• Korean Security Journal
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• no.43
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• pp.67-97
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• 2015

In Korea, a single emergency number, such as 911 of the USA and 999 of the UK, does not exist. This issue became highly controversial, when the Sewol Ferry Sinking disaster occurred last year. So, the Korean government has planned to adopt a single emergency number, integrating 112 of the Police, 119 of the Fire and Ambulance, 122 of the Korean Coast Guard, and many other emergency numbers. However, the integration plan recently proposed by the Ministry of Public Safety Security seems to be, what is called, a "partial integration model" which repeals the 122 number, but still maintains 112, 119, and 110 respectively. In this context, the study looks into USA's (diverse) 911 operating system, and subsequently tries to draw general features or characteristics. Further, the research attempts to derive policy implication from the general features. If the proposed partial integration model reflects the policy implications, the model can virtually operate like the 911 system -i.e. a single emergency number system - creating inter-operability between responding agencies such as police, fire, and ambulance, even though it is not a perfect integration model. The features drawn are (1) integration of emergency call-taking, (2) functional separation of call-taking and dispatching, (3) integration of physical facilities for call-taking and dispatching, and (4) professional call-takers and dispatchers. Moreover, the policy implications derived from the characteristics are (1) a user-friendly system - fast but accurate responses, (2) integrated responses to accidents, (3) professional call-taking and dispatching & objective and comprehensive risk assessment, and finally (4) active organizational learning in emergency call centers. Considering the policy implications, the following suggestions need to be applied to the current proposed plan: 1. Emergency services' systems should be tightly linked and connected in a systemic way so that they can communicate and exchange intelligence with one another. 2. Public safety answering points (call centers) of each emergency service should share their education and training modules, manuals, etc. Common training and manuals are also needed for inter-operability. 3. Personal management to enable-long term service in public safety answering points (call centers) should be established as one of the ways to promote professionalism.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.185-193
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• 2023

Background: This study focuses on the establishment and operation of a stroke patient hotline program to help patients and their caregivers determine when acute neurological changes require emergency attention. Method: The stroke hotline was established at the Gyeonggi Regional Cerebrovascular Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, in June 2016. Patients diagnosed with stroke during admission or in outpatient clinics were registered and provided with stroke education. Consulting nurses managed hotline calls and made decisions about outpatient schedules or emergency room referrals, consulting physicians when necessary. The study analyzed consultation records from June 2016 to December 2020, assessing consultation volumes and types. Outcomes and hotline satisfaction were also evaluated. Results: Over this period, 6,851 patients were registered, with 1,173 patients (18%) undergoing 3,356 hotline consultations. The average monthly consultation volume increased from 29.2 cases in 2016 to 92.3 cases in 2020. Common consultation types included stroke symptoms (22.3%), blood pressure/glucose inquiries (12.8%), and surgery/procedure questions (12.6%). Unexpected outpatient visits decreased from 103 cases before the hotline to 81 cases after. Among the 2,244 consultations between January 2019 and December 2020, 9.6% were recommended hospital visits, with two cases requiring intra-arterial thrombectomy. Patient satisfaction ratings of 9-10 points increased from 64% in 2019 to 69% in 2020. Conclusion: The stroke hotline program effectively reduced unexpected outpatient visits and achieved high patient satisfaction. Expanding the program could enhance the management of stroke-related neurological symptoms and minimize unnecessary healthcare resource utilization.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.7
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• pp.635-641
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• 2003

Purpose : To investigate the success rate and factors that influence breast-feeding among women having antenatal breast-feeding plans. Methods : Questionnaires included items on success in breast-feeding, reasons for failure and perinatal factors. It was done by telephone calls to 152 randomly selected women having antenatal breast-feeding plans at 4 months after delivery. The questionnaires were analysed by bivariate ${\chi}^2$-analysis. Results : The breast-feeding rate for the first four months among women having antenatal breast-feeding plans was 37.5%. The major reason for breast-feeding failure was insufficient amount of breast milk(66.3%). The breast-feeding rate was 2.3(95% CI 1.15-4.62) times higher in women having antenatal breast-feeding plans for longer than 4 months(P<0.05), but maternal age, breast-feeding for previous baby, person advocating breast-feeding, and family size were not significant factors of success in breast-feeding. The breast-feeding rate of graduates of college was 0.43(95% CI 0.21-0.86) times lower than that of graduates of high school. The breast-feeding rate of employed mothers was 0.37(95% CI 0.17-0.83) times lower than that of housewives(P<0.05). Maternal disease, smoking, alcohol drinking, and understanding and knowledge about breast-feeding were not significant determinant factors of success in breast-feeding. Breast-feeding rate of infant born at local obstetric clinics was 3.97(95% CI 11-14.23) times higher than that of infant at general hospital(P<0.05). Conclusion : To increase the breast-feeding, medical personnel should educate mothers on problems during breast-feeding. Hospital polices that facilitate breast-feeding such as rooming-in must be promoted. For employed mothers, strategies for breast-feeding within companies must be encouraged.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.213-218
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• 2007

Purpose: Laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) is gaining wider acceptance for the treatment of early gastric cancer. However, firm evidence supporting the long-term outcome after LADG for gastric cancer is unknown. This study compared long-term quality of life after LADG versus an open distal gastrectomy (ODG) for early gastric cancer. Methods: This study included 29 patients who underwent LADG and 57 patients who underwent ODG for the treatment of stage I gastric cancer. Quality of life was evaluated based on the Korean version of EORTC QLQ-C30 (version 3.0) and EORTC QLQ-STO22 one year after surgery. All patients underwent a Billroth II gastrectomy for stage I gastric cancer between January 2003 and December 2004. Results: A total of 86 (58%) out of 154 patients responded to the questionnaire. Demographic features showed no difference between the two groups of patients for age, sex, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis except for tumor size and the number of retrieved lymph nodes. The mean score for global health status was not statistically different (LADG, $60.3{\pm}20.4$ vs ODG, $57{\pm}20.6$; P=0.413). The total score of 21 items related to stomach cancer (EORTC QLQ-STO22) also was not statistically different (LADG, $68.9{\pm}64.9$ vs ODG, $94.5{\pm}97.3$; P=0.340). Conclusion: Based on the results of the Korean version of EORTC QLQ-C 30 (version 3.0) and EORTC. QLQ-STO22, LADG does not seem to have any long-term benefit over ODG on 'quality of life'.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.56-66
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• 2010

Purpose : Although oseltamivir is widely used for treatment of influenza, few clinical studies of its efficacy and resistance have been performed in Korea. We evaluated the safety, side effects, and efficacy of oseltamivir treatment in Korean pediatric patients. Methods : We analyzed 321 children diagnosed with influenza at Busan St. Mary's Medical Center, Korea, between January 2008 and June 2008 (first study period) and November 2008 and January 2009 (second study period). Patients were divided into two groups: those receiving oseltamivir treatment for 5 days and those receiving only symptomatic treatment. We investigated clinical symptoms, side effects, and resistance to oseltamivir. We also identified influenza strains and evaluated resistance to oseltamivir using an influenza virus culture. Results : One hundred eighty-six patients were assigned to the treatment group, and 135 were assigned to the control group. The treatment group showed shorter admission duration (4.4 days) compared with controls (5.0 days) (P =0.000) and had fewer lower respiratory tract complications compared with controls (P <0.05). No significant statistical difference in the virus antigenic type was observed between the groups. In the first study period, virus culture showed influenza B (41.7% vs. 49.6%), A/H3N2 (7.9% vs. 8.4%), and A/H1N1 (9.4% vs. 6.5%). In the second study period, only A/H1N1 (55.3% vs. 50.0%) was isolated, except for one case of A (H3N2) in the treatment group. No differences in short- and long-term side effects, including neuropsychologic side effects, were noted between groups. There was no resistance to oseltamivir before or after treatment in the first study period. Conclusion : Based on our results, we suggest that osetalmivir therapy in pediatric patients is effective.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.39 no.4 s.261
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• pp.310-316
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• 2006

Background: We study the QOL (quality of life) & functional improvement in patients underwent esophageal surgery for cancer by the viewpoint of the patient and would like make the guideline of recovery course. Material and Method: Between Dec. 1996$\sim$Aug. 2002, 250 patients were operated and 57 patients was enable interview, didn't have evidence of recurrence & survived more than 1 year postoperatively at Asan Medical Center. Questionnaire made by direct or telephone interview & include diet habitus, change of body weight, G-E (gastroesophageal) reflux, dumping symptom, change of daily life. Result: There were 53 men (93%), 4 women (7%) with mean age of $62.05{\pm}8.7$ (range: $37{\sim}94$). Operation method was Ivor Lewis operation in 43 case (75.4%), Esophagocolojejunostomy 4 case (7.1%), Mckeown operation 10 case (17.5%). In Diet habitus, 55 patients (96.5%) ate more than three times in a day with mean diet frequency was 3.5 times/day, 51 patients (89.5%) have been ate solid, regular diet, 5 patients (8.8%) enable to eat liquid diet. To compare with preoperative state, 32 patients (56.9%) had a diet speed more than 80%, 28 patients (39.1%) had a diet amount more than 80%. 32 patients (56.9%) had a little change of body weight within a 10%, 25 patients (43%) had a improvement rather than preoperative state. In G-E reflux, 4 patients (7%) had a reflux after every diet, 27 patients (47.4%) had a little reflux after diet. In dumping symptom. 7 patients (12.3%) had a diarrhea after meal. 38 patients (66.6%) had a normal activity 19 patients (33.3%) had a decreased activity. At present state, majority (53 patient-93%) of patient were satisfactory to the operation result, in spite of discomfort from time to time. In the emotional status, 50 patients (88%) had a well sleeping without disturbance. 65% of patients were comfortable in the psychology state. 39% of patients had a libido. Compare with their median age (63 y), it's a normal varient. Conclusion: QOL in patients underwent esophageal surgery for esophageal cancer nearly recovery to preoperative state.